every desire I feel, entirely acquiescing in your ideas of the propriety of what I am going to

mention.

I am very desirous of a scene of business, in which I might, usefully I hope to the public, employ my time and attention. The small share of talents I have from nature are such as fit me, I believe, for active life; and, if I know myself, I should be entirely devoted to the scene of business I was engaged in. I wish the board of trade might be thought a place in which I could be of any service. Whatever the scene is, I shall endeavour to have the reputation of acting in a manner worthy of the connection I have the honour to be in; and, among all the chances and changes of a political world, I will never have an obligation in a parliamentary way but to Mr. Pitt and his friends.

May I mention a circumstance, of no small importance to myself? If what I have taken the liberty of hinting be the fit and proper thing, I should wish that it might take place in the interval between the two parliaments, to avoid some very disagreeable circumstances attending a re-election at Aylesbury. (') I desire very truly to submit

(1) Mr. Wilkes was, a few days after, returned for Aylesbury without opposition. Besides this application for a seat at the board of trade, he made an unsuccessful one for the embassy at Constantinople, and was also disappointed in not obtaining the governorship of Canada. Wilkes's character, at this time, is thus strongly sketched by Gibbon, in his journal for the year 1762" September 23. Colonel Wilkes, of the Buckingham

every particular; only begging you would do me the justice to believe me, with the most sincere regard, Sir,

Your obliged and

devoted humble servant,

JOHN WILKES.

THE MARQUIS GRIMALDI TO THE COUNT DE

FUENTES. (1)

Paris, March 5, 1761.

THREE messengers are already dispatched to our court, in order, by degrees, to sow the seeds of an alliance with this. I will acquaint your excellency with the result. It appears to me of the utmost importance for us to assure ourselves of France, and engage her, before she makes her peace; for afterwards I do not know what inclination she may have to go to war again for our sake.

shire militia, dined at our mess. I scarcely ever met with a better companion; he has inexhaustible spirits, infinite wit and humour, and a great deal of knowledge; but a thorough profligate in principle as in practice, his life stained with every vice, and his conversation full of blasphemy and indecency. These morals he glories in; for shame is a weakness he has long since surmounted. He told us himself, that in this time of public dissension he was resolved to make his fortune. This proved a very debauched day: we drank a good deal, both after dinner and supper; and when at last Wilkes had retired, Sir Thomas Worsley and some others (of whom I was not one) broke into his room, and made him drink a bottle of claret in bed." Misc. Works, vol. i. 142.

(1) Endorsed, "translation of a letter in cipher."

I return your excellency a thousand thanks for your advices concerning the English expedition. (') They are useful for the ministry here, and for our object. The Duke de Choiseul has charged me to thank your excellency in his name. Send us word of what you know. The notion of making proposals to England for a congress continues, and I believe will be executed; but, for all this, peace is not yet made.

GRIMALDI.

THE COUNT DE FUENTES TO THE MARQUIS

GRIMALDI. (2)

London, March 10, 1761.

SECRECY is of great importance; for thereupon depends that the whole be not rendered abortive. I do not understand how they are ready to offer and accept of a peace in statu quo, nor how this can be possible. I see that Vienna complies with an ill-will; upon which account, and of the King of Prussia, I have my difficulties.

It is certain that we have lost time; but it is likewise so, that this is our opportunity. France will lose nothing by continuing the war, if Spain enters into it, but has rather much to hope for; nor do we risk a great deal, if we assure ourselves by an alliance, stipulating that one shall not leave

(1) The expedition against Belleisle, which sailed from Spithead on the 29th of the month.

(2) Endorsed, "translation of a letter in cipher."

the other. If this is done, at the end of the year we shall have a peace to our liking and France's; who will obtain advantages, which she will never acquire by soliciting it herself. This being what they want here, in order to give law to that court.

The nation is tired, and desires peace; their not making it this winter has been a great disappointment. The ministry is embarrassed, knowing the difficulty of finding money to continue the war. All these advantages France will lose by now precipitating a peace. Choiseul knows it, but wants to discover what your excellency's instructions are; so good an opportunity is not to be lost. Mr. Pitt is not yet visible; when he is, I suppose he will confirm what he has already told me. I am fully persuaded, that only force and fear will make them do us justice. Our preparations are talked of here; but they have said nothing to me.

I suppose, that if they cause themselves to be intreated there, your excellency will, according to your instructions, know to make them believe that our taking part with them is the effect of affection and policy, and not necessity, in order to settle our pretensions with the English ministry: the one and the other being solely in his Majesty's option; as I really take to be the case. I say no more, on account of the badness of the cipher. Your excellency may be able, by means of some express, to send me one more difficult, in order that we may be able to correspond.

FUENTES.

VOL. II.

Н

THE COUNT DE FUENTES TO THE MARQUIS

GRIMALDI. (1)

London, March 17, 1761.

I OBSERVE the seeds your excellency has sown by the three messengers; and I wish they may have the desired effect. But I must acquaint your excellency that upon the reports of France's desire to make peace, and upon the hopes of a congress, stocks have risen four per cent. in a few days. Whether the French ministry think seriously of peace or not, they should make believe that they are far from agreeing to a congress; for, if this nation continues to believe that this may happen shortly, their proposals will be intolerable, considering the continuation of the rise of stocks, and their being able to get plenty of money, at low interest, in order to go on with the war.

I look upon this ministry as interested in persuading the nation that peace and a congress are at hand. Your excellency understands the reason; and I am fully persuaded, when there is at Paris no appearance or talk of a congress, stocks will fall much more than they have rose, the difficulty of getting money will increase, and interest will be higher; England then will be the first to desire a congress, in order to prevent those damages which France ought to make them suffer, by not hearkening to their proposals till they had been obliged to procure the money for the ex

(1) Endorsed "translation of a letter in cipher."