THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO MR. PITT. Claremont, Sunday, Aug. 28, 1763. DEAR SIR, LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH tells me that the Duke of Cumberland will not be at home to-morrow, he would come to Mr. Pitt's house in Jermyn Street in broad daylight. They met accordingly, and Lord Bute, after the first compliments, frankly acknowledged that his ministry could not go on, and that the King was convinced of it, and therefore he (Lord B.) desired that Mr. Pitt would open himself frankly and at large, and tell him his ideas of things and persons with the utmost freedom. After much excuse and hanging back, Mr. Pitt did so with the utmost freedom indeed, though with civility. Lord Bute heard with great attention and patience; entered into no defence; but at last said, 'If these are your opinions, why should you not tell them to the King himself, who will not be unwilling to hear you?'' How can I, my Lord, presume to go to the King, who am not of his council, nor in his service, and have no pretence to ask an audience? The presumption would be too great!' 'But, suppose his Majesty should order you to attend him, I presume, Sir, you would not refuse it.' The King's command would make it my duty, and I should certainly obey it.' "This was on last Thursday se'nnight. On the next day (Friday) Mr. Pitt received from the King an open note unsealed, requiring him to attend his Majesty on Saturday noon, at the Queen's palace in the Park. In obedience thereto, Mr. Pitt went on Saturday at noon-day through the Mall in his gouty chair, the boot of which (as he said himself) makes it as much known as if his name was writ upon it, to the Queen's palace. He was immediately carried into the closet; received very graciously; and his Majesty began in like manner as his quondam favourite had done, by ordering him to tell him his opinion of things and persons at large, and with the utmost freedom; and I think did in substance make the like confession, that he thought his present ministers could not go on. The audience lasted three hours, and Mr. Pitt went through the whole, upon but is gone to Woburn for two or three days, and returns on Wednesday, so I shall not have an opportunity of seeing his Royal Highness till towards the end of the week. I hope to hear from you when you have any commands for me. Colonel Fitzroy is come in since you went from hence. (1) The Duke of Grafton is now in town, and does not both heads, more fully than he had done to Lord Bute, but with great complaisance and douceur to the King; and his Majesty gave him a very gracious accueil, and heard him with great patience and attention. And Mr. Pitt affirms that, in general, and upon the most material points, he appeared by his manner, and many of his expressions, to be convinced. Mr. Pitt went through the infirmities of the peace; the things necessary, and hitherto neglected, to improve and preserve it; the present state of the nation, both foreign and domestic; the great Whig families and persons who had been driven from his Majesty s council and service, which it would be for his interest to restore. In doing this, he repeated many names; upon which his Majesty told him there was pen, ink, and paper, and he wished he would write them down. Mr. Pitt humbly excused himself, saying that would be too much for him to take upon him, and he might, upon his memory, omit some material persons; which might be subject to imputation. The King still said he liked to hear him, and bid him go on; but said, now and then, that his honour must be consulted; to which Mr. Pitt answered in a very courtly manner. His Majesty ordered him to come again on Monday; which he did, to the same place, and in the same public manner." (1) "Here," says the Earl of Hardwicke, " comes in a pa renthesis, that on Sunday Mr. Pitt went to Claremont, and acquainted the Duke of Newcastle with the whole; fully persuaded, from the King's manner and behaviour, that the thing would do; and that on Monday the outlines of the new ar rangement would be settled. This produced the messages to those lords who were sent for. Mr. Pitt undertook to write to the Duke of Devonshire and the Marquis of Rockingham, and the Duke of Newcastle to myself." go out of town till to-morrow at eight o'clock in the morning. Give me leave to repeat again my thanks for your great confidence in, and goodness to me, this morning. I am, with the greatest respect, Dear Sir, Your most affectionate, and most obedient humble servant, HOLLES NEWCASTLE. THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO MR. PITT. DEAR SIR, Claremont, Tuesday, August 30, 1763. LATE last night I received an answer from my Lord Hardwicke, that his lordship would be in Grosvenor Square to-morrow in the evening. I propose to be in town early on Thursday morning, to receive your commands, if you have any for me. I could wish that you could contrive to see my Lord Hardwicke yourself alone, before either J or any of us see him. I know it would have a good effect. My nephew Onslow came hither last night, who had seen the Duke of Grafton yesterday. His Grace is in high spirits upon the present appearances, and talks, and will act, just as we could wish him. I hope every thing passed to your satisfaction in your visit yesterday. (') Lord Lincoln went to (1) "But behold," continues Lord Hardwicke, "the catastrophe of Monday. The King received Mr. Pitt equally gra Stowe yesterday morning. I hope he will bring his friend to town with him. Indeed, that is absolutely necessary. I am, with the greatest truth and respect, dear Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, P.S. I this moment hear, that the Duke of Cumberland will be in London this night or to morrow. ciously; and that audience lasted near two hours. The King began, that he had considered of what had been said, and talked still more strongly of his honour. His Majesty then mentioned Lord Northumberland for the treasury, still proceeding upon the supposition of a change. To this Mr. Pitt hesitated an objection, that certainly Lord Northumberland might be considered, but that he should not have thought of him for the treasury. His Majesty then mentioned Lord Halifax for the treasury. Mr. Pitt said, 'Suppose your Majesty should think fit to give his lordship the paymaster's place?' The King replied, But, Mr. Pitt, I had designed that for poor George Grenville; he is your near relation, and you once loved him.' To this the only answer made was a low bow. And now here comes the bait. Why,' says his Majesty, 'should not Lord Temple have the treasury? You could go on then very well!'-'Sir, the person whom you shall think fit to favour with the chief conduct of your affairs cannot possibly go on without a treasury connected with him; but that alone will do nothing. It cannot be carried on without the great families who have supported the Revolution government, and other great persons of whose abilities and integrity the public have had experience, and who have weight and credit in the nation. I should only deceive your Majesty, if I should leave you in an opinion that I could go on, and your Majesty make a solid administration, on any other foot!' Well, Mr. Pitt, I see (or I fear) this won't do. My honour is concerned, and I must support it! Et sic finita est fabula. Vos valete; but I cannot, with a safe conscience, add et plaudite."" THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE TO MR. PITT. SIR, Chatsworth, August 30, 1763. I RECEIVED your letter late last night; which gave me great pleasure. I think myself much obliged to you for the kind manner in which you have communicated to me an event, that I must look upon as a most fortunate one for the King and the country. Give me leave to assure you, that the step his Majesty has taken, and the mode he has chosen to do it in, are most satisfactory to me; and I flatter myself will be most beneficial to this country. I am just setting out for Derby, and propose being in town to-morrow evening. I am, with very great regard, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, DEVONSHIRE. THE EARL OF SHELBURNE (1) TO MR. PITT. DEAR SIR, Tuesday, August 30, 1763. THOUGH I am at dinner, I cannot help troubling Mr. Pitt with a great many thanks for the honour (1) William Petty, second earl of Shelburne, and first marquis of Lansdowne. He was born in 1737, and, entering young into the army, distinguished himself at the battles of Campen |