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saying, that to me he ever appeared to hold you in the highest honour, and your measures (as soon as ever the effects appeared) in the highest esteem. I ought in justice to add further, that he deceived me greatly if, at that very time when your just resentments were about breaking out against the Duke of Newcastle('), he did not use his best endeavours both with the duke and his father to repair their treatment, and procure you satisfaction. But he had not then that interest with them, which he has had since.

For the rest, Sir, I have little more to say than you. A tepid heart and a timid temper prevented him from serving me, and, what would have been of infinitely more honour to him, from seconding you, in such a manner as my affection for him seemed, and your public services appeared to all mankind, to deserve.

Your usual goodness, Sir, will pardon all this impertinence; which is only meant as a repetition of my professions of the most inviolable attachment to your person and interests; having the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obliged and

most devoted servant,

W. GLOUCEster.

(1) See, on this point, the Duke of Newcastle's letter to Mr. Pitt of the 2nd, and Mr. Pitt's reply thereto, of the 5th of April, 1754. vol. i. pp. 95. 100.

GEORGE PITT, ESQ. (1) TO MR. PITT.

DEAR SIR,

London, October 21, 1761.

NOTWITHSTANDING my having been perfectly silent, with regard to my inclination of being sent to Turin, from the time I first troubled you upon that subject, I find, upon coming to town, that it is in my power to have it gratified. My desire, indeed, was known to Mr. Mackenzie; but as I have never had any conversation with, or have taken the least step towards, any man but yourself, I cannot now look upon this event as the bare result of my private wishes. This morning I am to wait upon Lord Bute, for the first time, upon this matter; but as nothing is yet finally settled, I am obliged, by every tie of friendship, respect, and gratitude, as well from my public connexions with you as an Englishman as from any private motives, to your approbation of this measure.

entreat

It is unnecessary to say how happy I should be to owe this obligation to you solely, or to assure you, that self-consideration has much the smallest share in this my sincere wish. I have the honour to be, dear Sir, your most obliged, and

most obedient humble servant, GEORGE PITT.

(1) He was at this time member for the county of Dorset. In November, he was appointed envoy extraordinary to the court of Turin, and in 1770, was sent, in the same capacity, to Madrid. In 1776, he was raised to the peerage, by the title of baron Rivers, of Strathfieldsay, and in 1782, appointed a lord of the bed-chamber; which he retained till his death, in 1802.

MR. PITT TO GEORGE PITT, ESQ.

[From a draught in Mr. Pitt's hand-writing.]

MY DEAR SIR,

[October, 1761.]

HAVING been always desirous, from true sentiments of esteem, to find all proper occasions of recommending myself to your regard, I should blush to take the least share of merit towards you from the act of others, in which it is but fair to declare, I have not had directly or indirectly any part. On the contrary, the several names of noble lords I had presumed to suggest as proper for being sent to the court of Turin, remained till the day of my resigning the seals, with whatever weight my unavailing recommendation could add to the circumstances which appeared to me to point them out for his Majesty's service; nor did I ever mention, my dear Sir, your name on this occasion. It is true, Lord Bute had mentioned you, and that pretty early; which could not but distress me, after I had suggested others; from which I never could have departed, had I continued to hold the seals.

This is the naked and exact truth; which I think it best to give you without dressing, - the circumstance being too delicate for me to leave room for mistakes. Thus, my dear Sir, it was not to me that you owe the satisfaction of your wishes, but to the friendship of Mr. Mackenzie, and the favourable disposition of Lord Bute; and it is just towards

them, and of some consequence to me, that you and the world should rightly understand the matter. I am, with esteem and consideration,

Yours, &c.,

W. PITT.

WILLIAM BECKFORD, ESQ. TO MR. PITT. (1)

MY DEAR SIR,

Soho Square, November 6, 1761.

THERE does not a man exist who is more heartily and warmly attached to you, than myself. You may therefore easily conceive I would not advise any measure that could possibly be of detriment to you, or my country. Men's hopes and fears are strangely agitated at this critical juncture; but all agree universally, that you ought to make your appearance at Guildhall on Monday next with Lord Temple; and, upon the maturest reflection, I am clear you ought not to refuse this favour to those who are so sincerely your friends.

As you cannot say any one prediction of mine has proved false, so I hope you will give me an opportunity of being declared a true prophet in the present case; which will afford great comfort to, my dear Sir,

Your ever faithful and affectionate,

W. BECKFORD.

(1) Endorsed by Lady Chatham : "Mr. Beckford, 1761; to press my lord to appear with Lord Temple: to which he yielded for his friend's sake; but, as he always declared, both then and after, against his better judgment."

THOMAS NUTHALL, ESQ. (1) TO LADY CHATHAM.

Friday, November 12, 1761.

WHEN I wrote my last note to your ladyship, I had heard but little concerning the triumphal entry into the city on Lord Mayor's day. It now comes out, that a party of bruisers, with George Stephenson, the one-eyed fighting coachman, at their head, had been hired to attend the chariot which contained the blazing comet and the new chancellor of the exchequer (2) (which last, it seems, has undertaken to raise the supplies for the next year by a tax upon wild ducks), and to procure shouts and acclamations from the mob.

By the time the procession, which moved but slowly, had got into St. Paul's Church-yard, these fellows had halloed themselves hoarse, and it had been given out that Mr. Pitt was in the chariot, by which means, they had artfully obtained the mob to join them; but, on the east side of St. Paul's Church-yard, some knowing hand stepped up, and

(1) Mr. Nuthall was an eminent solicitor, who transacted Mr. Pitt's private business from a very early period until his death. In 1765, he was appointed solicitor to the treasury. On returning from Bath, in March 1775, he was attacked by a highwayman on Hounslow Heath; who, on his demands not being complied with, fired into the carriage. Mr. Nuthall returned the fire, and, it is thought, wounded the man, as he rode off precipitately. On arriving at the inn at Hounslow, he wrote a description of the fellow to Sir John Fielding; but had scarcely closed the letter, when he expired.

(2) Lord Barrington.

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