THE KING TO MR. PITT. MR. PITT, St. James's, 15 m. past four, p. m., I THINK it necessary to acquaint you with my having seen Mr. Townshend who expressed to me his reasons for having determined to stay in the Pay-office. I told him there must be some misunderstanding, for that you had this morning acquainted me with his desire of being Chancellor of the Exchequer. He left me, uncertain what he should do; but that, if he took it, he must say it was by my express commands, not his choice; that what he held was more honourable and worth seven thousand pounds per annum, whilst the other was but two thousand five hundred pounds; that if he accepted, he hoped he should have some indemnification; that Lord Rockingham being quiet would much depend on Mr. Dowdeswell's remaining Chancellor of the Exchequer. In short, he left me in a state of great uncertainty, and means to talk again with you. From Lord Rockingham I learned, that if Lord Dartmouth is not made a third secretary of state, he will retire; therefore, a first lord of trade must be thought of. GEORGE R. THE KING TO MR. PITT. MR. PITT, Richmond Lodge, 15 m. past eight, a. m. I RECEIVED your letter last night, and am entirely of opinion with you, that it is essential Mr. Townshend must be obliged to put in execution what he so clearly expressed to you as his wish. My only reason for writing to you was, that you might be apprised of his fluctuating. Mr. Stanley's conduct causes me no surprise; as I am thoroughly persuaded of his attachment and zeal for my service. I desire, therefore, you will appoint him to be with me after the drawing-room, to-morrow. GEORGE R. THE RIGHT HON. CHARLES TOWNSHEND TO MR. PITT. July 26, 1766. DEAR SIR, I HAVE the honour of your friendly letter, in which you are so kind as to relate to me the manner in which you have this day represented to his Majesty the conversations which have passed between us upon the subject of the Chancellorship of the Exchequer. Your recommendation to any office of rank and trust, is in itself the highest satisfaction to me, and would be thought by the world to be the greatest honour to any man. The personal love I have for the Duke of Grafton is with me another very strong motive for accepting the post you wish in a ministry formed under your sanction; and when these motives are confirmed by the express commands of my Sovereign, whose will, in the disposal of any consequence or talents I have, is to me a law, I hesitate not, from motives of interest or love of ease, to take that post which conforms to your wishes, my plan of union with the Duke of Grafton, and the commands of my Sovereign. It is my earnest wish to cultivate and merit, in every measure of business and act of my life, your confidence and esteem; and I shall be happy indeed, if, in the pressing and critical circumstances of this kingdom, I should be acknowledged by posterity to have in any degree contributed, under your protection, to facilitate the re-establishment of general confidence, real government, and a permanent system of measures. I am, with the most perfect regard and sincere esteem, dear Sir, Your affectionate friend, and very devoted humble servant, C. TOWNSHEND. THE KING TO MR. PITT. MR. PITT, Richmond Lodge, 35 m. past ten, Ir gives me great pleasure that Mr. Townshend has at length clearly accepted the office of Chancellor of the Exchequer. You will therefore proceed with regard to the joint-paymaster, and the thinking of a commissioner of trade and plantations; as I believe there is but little chance of Lord Dartmouth choosing to remain. GEORGE R. THE RIGHT HON. JAMES GRENVILLE TO MR. PITT. Burlington Street, July 27, 1766. MY DEAR MR. PITT, I was not at home when your messenger, on his return from Pinner, came to Burlington-street; which made it somewhat late in the evening before I received the honour of your letter. I am sensible of the marks of your goodness to me in the proposed offer of the offices you mention, and it would give me particular satisfaction to correspond with your wishes, by adapting myself to any situation that would be most suitable to them; but if it be done without a considerable inconvenience to other arrangements, I should choose to decline the acceptance of either of those offices. It will may be, I confess, much more agreeable to me to continue, according to the destination of your former letter, joint vice-treasurer of Ireland, than joint paymaster-general, or even first commissioner at the board of trade. At the same time, I am full of acknowledgments to you for the favour and honour you do me in thinking of me for that department, where an object of real pride and ambition would present itself to my mind, by my being placed in a situation to act in conformity to your ideas for the service of the King's affairs, and for the public interest. I intreat the favour of you to make my affectionate compliments to Lady Chatham; and believe me to be, my dear Sir, Your very affectionate brother, JAMES GRENville. EARL TEMPLE TO LADY CHATHAM. Stowe, July 27, 1766. MY DEAR LADY CHATHAM, WE returned last night from Blenheim, where the new water is wonderfully fine, and gives a striking character of beauty and magnificence to the whole place. I am much concerned that the ill state of Mr. Pitt's health should have called you to town, instead of paying your intended visit to the salutary sea-waters of Weymouth. |