PRINCE FERDINAND OF BRUNSWICK TO MR. PITT. MONSIEUR, A' Hoff, ce 20e Juillet, 1762. Ce fut hier que je reçus, des mains de Mylord Granbi, la lettre polie et affectueuse de votre Ex June, "who compose the new treasury under Lord Bute, or that my friend, Sir Francis Dashwood, is my successor. You were immediately apprised, that Mr. Grenville is secretary of state for the northern department; but perhaps you have not been told what passed at the audience the Duke of Newcastle had with the King, when he resigned last Wednesday. His Majesty said he was sorry to lose him, and should always remember his services; that he feared the duke's private fortune had suffered by his zeal for the House of Hanover; that his Majesty was desirous to make any amends in his power, in any way that should be most agreeable; and added, that it was a debt due to his grace. The duke answered, that in office he had never considered the profit of employment; that out of office he could not bear the thought of being a burthen to the Crown; that if his private fortune had suffered by his loyalty, it was his pleasure, his glory, and his pride; and that he desired no reward but his Majesty's approbation. When I carried the exchequer seal to the King, he was pleased to say, he should be sorry to take it out of my hands, if he had not something immediately to offer, which he hoped would be agreeable to me, and which he gave as a mark of his approbation. I kissed hands that day as treasurer of the navy. You will most undoubtedly lament with me, that the Duke of Newcastle should retire from business at such a juncture; but, if you knew the whole, you would not condemn the step he has taken-and taken with moderation, temper, and dignity." Mitchell MSS. In a letter to Mr. Montagu, of the 8th of June, Horace Walpole, in allusion to the new administration, says :- "Popularity does not make great promises to it; for it lets Lord Bute be abused every day, though he has not had wrong thing. His levee was crowded. time to do the least Bothmar, the Danish cellence, par la quelle Elle me marque la part infinie qu'Elle prend, comme patriote et comme ami, aux avantages que l'armée du Roi en Allemagne confiée à mes ordres à remportée par la puissante protection du Très Haut, sur la grande armée Françoise, commandée par les maréchaux Compte d'Etrées et le Prince de Soubise. (1) Si j'ai révèré, estimé, et aimé M. Pitt comme ministre, je ne le chéris pas moins (et même encore plus, s'il étoit possible) devenu particulier. C'est une vérité qui ne s'effacera jamais de mon cœur ; minister, said "La chaleur est excessive!" George Selwyn replied, "Pour se mettre au froid, il faut aller chez le Duc de Newcastle!" There was another George, not quite so tender. As George Brudenel was passing by, somebody in the mob said, "What is the matter here?" Brudenel answered, "Why, there is a Scotchman got into the treasury, and they can't get him out." The mob called Buckingham-house, Holyrood-house; in short, every thing promises to be like times I can remember. (1) The French, at the opening of the campaign, were strongly posted on the frontiers of Hesse, and, trusting to their position, apprehended no attack. Prince Ferdinand, however, on the 4th of July, made a general assault upon their camp; in which, by his skill and intrepidity, the valour of his army, and the courage and activity of the Marquis of Granby, he gained so great a victory, as to give him a decided superiority through the whole campaign. Sir Joseph Yorke, writing, on the 18th of July, from the Hague to Mr. Mitchell, says, in reference to this victory, "We owe a great deal to Prince Ferdinand, whose conduct, so unexpected in England, has saved the Continent, and prevented perhaps a measure, which the authors of would have been sorry for a week after." car d'oser se flatter d'avoir part à votre amitié, c'est un sentiment bien flatteur pour moi. J'ai l'honneur, &c. FERDINAND DUC DE BRUNSWIC et de Lunébourg. (1) THOMAS NUTHALL, ESQ. TO LADY CHATHAM. MADAM, Thursday Morning, Oct. 14, 1762. THOUGH I was laughed at for my political news, yet I must tell your ladyship, that Mr. Fox (1) The capture of the Havannah, one of the most important exploits achieved during the war, which took place in August, is thus noticed by Sir Joseph Yorke, in a letter to Mr. Mitchell, of the 9th of October::- "All the world is struck with the noble capture of the Havannah, which fell into our hands on the Prince of Wales's birth-day, as a just punishment upon the Spaniards for their unjust quarrel with us, and for the supposed difficulties they have raised in the negotiation of peace. By what I hear from Paris, my old acquaintance Grimaldi is the cause of the delay in signing the preliminaries, insisting upon points neither France nor England would ever consent to grant, such as the liberty of fishing at Newfoundland; a point we should not dare to yield, as Mr. Pitt told them, though they were masters of the Tower of London. What effect the taking of the Havannah will have is uncertain; for the Spaniards have nothing to give us in return, and, pour leurs beaux yeux, I think they cannot expect it. If I could send a line to Lord Albemarle, I would endeavour to regale his Prussian Majesty's nose with some most excellent snuff; though I don't doubt he will give a commission for it. Our situation at home is just the same. The heat of party for the moment has served to warm the heads of every body with joy for our uncommon success; in which Providence kissed hands yesterday, as one of the cabinet, Lord Halifax as secretary of state, and Mr. George Grenville as first lord of the admiralty. Mr. Fox's present state of health, it was given out, would not permit him to take the seals; and probably that will depend on the success he meets with, and the facility with which he shall be able to conduct and manage the House of Commons; who are now so low, as to have a leader put over them, in no ministerial office whatever, and consequently responsible for nothing, and ignorant of every thing he does not choose to know. My countryman, the right hon. Charles Townshend, was early yesterday morning sent for by the Earl of Bute, who opened to him this new system, and offered him the secretaryship of the plantations and board of trade; which he not only refused, but refused all connection and intercourse whatsoever with the new counsellor, and spoke out freely. He was afterwards three times in with the King, to whom he was more explicit, and said things that did not a little alarm. On his coming out of the closet, Mr. Fox met him, and gave him joy; he asked, for what? Mr. Fox replied, of your being secretary of state for the plantations: Mr. Townshend answered, "Don't believe that, Sir, till you hear it from me." Mr. Fox has wonderfully blessed us. The best return would be temper and unanimity; but appearances are not favourable for the 25th of November." was struck, and said he was greatly astonished, for he had understood that this had been settled. I have this from a person to whom Mr. Townshend communicated all that passed, within an hour after it happened; with this addition, that the Duke of Devonshire, who is at Bath, was sent for on this occasion; but refused to come, without giving any reason whatsoever. Mr. Townshend thinks this system had not taken place, if somebody had not been at Windsor, and settled matters there. I hope Mr. Pitt and your ladyship will believe my news another time. The bearer is ordered not to wait; for I take it for granted your ladyship can give no reason why these things are so. I am, Madam, Your most obedient, and faithful servant, (1) On the 14th of October, Lord Halifax was gazetted as one of the principal secretaries of state, and, two days after, Mr. George Grenville as first lord of the admiralty. Horace Walpole thus announces the event to George Montagu, Lord Halifax's nephew and secretary: -- "You will not make your fortune in the admiralty at least; your king's cousin is to cross over and figure-in with George Grenville; the latter takes the admiralty, Lord Halifax the seals still, I believe, reserving Ireland for pocket-money; at least, no new viceroy is named. Mr. Fox undertakes the House of Commons. You see, Lord Bute totters; reduced to shift hands so often, it does not look like much stability. The campaign at Westminster will be warm. When Mr. Pitt can have such a mouthful as Lord Bute, Mr. Fox, and the peace, I do not think that three thousand a year will stop it."On the 31st of October, the Duke of Devonshire resigned his office of lord chamberlain, Lord George Cavendish that of comptroller of the household, and Lord Bes |