not, if I had not thought the right of complaining to be on my side: for, I think it was my due, that you should have immediately told me whatever you had heard amiss of my conduct to your grace. When I had the honour to be first known to those in the ministry, I made it an express condition, "that whoever did me ill offices, they should inform me of what was said, and hear my vindication; that I might not be mortified with countenances estranged of the sudden, and be at a loss for the cause. And I think, there is no person alive, whose favour or protection I would purchase at that expense. I could not speak to the disadvantage of your grace without being ungrateful (which is an ill word) since you were pleased voluntarily to make so many professions of favour to me for some years past; and your being a duke and a general would have swayed me not at all in my respect for your person, if I had not thought you to abound in qualities, which I wish were easier to to be found in those of your rank. I have, indeed, sometimes heard what your grace was told I reported; but as I am a stranger to coffeehouses, so it is a great deal below me to spread coffeehouse reports. This accusation is a little the harder upon me, because I have always appeared fond of your grace's character; and have, with great industry, related several of your generous actions, on purpose to remove the imputation of the only real fault* (for I say nothing of common frailties) which I ever heard laid to your charge. I confess, I have often thought that Homer's description of Achilles bore *Probably his impetuous ambition, as would appear from comparing him to Achilles. some resemblance to your grace, but I do not remember that ever I said so. At the same time, I think few men were ever born with nobler qualities to fill and adorn every office of a subject, a friend and a protector, &c. FROM ROBERT HUNTER, ESQ.* New-York, March 1, 1712-13. I THINK I am indebted to you for two letters, and should have continued so, had it not been for the apprehension of your putting a wrong construction upon my neglect. My friends being few in number, I would not willingly, or by my own fault, neglect nor lose those I have. The true cause is this. My unhappy circumstances have so soured me, that whatever I write must be vinegar and gall to a man of your mirth. For the better understanding of which, be pleased to read them in the words of one of my most renowned predecessors. † Quando pensè venir a este govierno a comer caliente, y a * Brigadier Hunter, governor of New-York and New-Jersey, who was afterwards appointed governor and captain-general of Jamaica, in the room of the Duke of Portland, who died there, July 4, 1726.-H. See a letter to this gentleman, in the preceding volume. + The sapient Sancho Panza, "When I thought, as being a governor, to have a bellyful of good hot victuals and cool liquor, and to refresh my body in Holland sheets, and on a soft featherbed, I am come to do penance like a hermit; and, as I do it unwillingly, I am afraid the devil will have me notwithstanding." Motteux's translation. bever frio, y a recrear il cuerpo entre sabanas de Olanda, sobre colchones de pluma, he venido a hazer penitencia, como se fuera Ermetanno, y como no la hago de me volontad, penso que al cabo al cabo, me ha de uevar el diablo. This worthy was indeed but a type of me, of which I could fully convince you by an exact parallel between our administrations and circumsances, which I shall reserve to another opportunity. The truth of the matter is this: I am used like a dog after having done all that is in the power of man to deserve a better treatment, so that I am now quite jaded. Malè vehi malo alio gubernante, quàm tam malis rectoribus bene gubernare. The approaching peace will give leisure to the ministry to think of proper remedies for the distracted state of all the provinces; but of this more particularly, the importance of it by its situation being greater, and the danger by their conduct more imminent than that of the rest. I have done my duty in representing their proceedings, and warning them of the consequences; and there I leave it. Neque tam me EUETITI consolatur ut antea quam adiagopia, quâ nullâ in re tam utor quàm in hac civili et publica. I have purchased a seat for a bishop, and by orders from the society have given direction to prepare it for his reception. You once upon a day gave me hopes of seeing you there. It would be to me no small relief to have so good a friend to complain to. What it would be to you to hear me when you could not help me, I know not. Cætera desunt -for the post cannot stay. Adieu. I am, very sincerely, your's, FROM THE SAME. New-York, March 14, 1712-13. 66 QUONORGH quaniou diadadega generoghqua ague gon tchilchendgareé; or, lest you should not have your Iroquoise Dictionary at hand, “ Brother, I honour you and all your tribe;" though that is to be taken cum grano salis; for one of them has done me much harm. God reward him, &c. For that, and what you want to know besides relating to me, I refer you to the bearer, Mr Sharp, our chaplain; a very worthy, ingenious, and conscientious clergyman. I wrote to you some time ago by a merchant ship, and therein gave you some hints of my sufferings, which are not diminished since that time. In hopes of a better settlement, I wished for your company. Until that comes, I can contribute to nothing but your spleen. Here is the finest air to live upon in the universe; and if our trees and birds could speak, and our assemblymen be silent, the finest conversation too. Fert omnia tellus, but not for me. For you must understand, according to the custom of our country, the sachems are of the poorest of the people. I have got the wrong side of Sir Polidore's office; a great deal to do, and nothing to receive. In a word, and to be serious at last, I have spent three years of life in such torment and vexation, that nothing in life can ever make amends for it. Tu interim sis lætus, et memor nostrùm. Vale. R. H. VOL. XVI. TO ARCHBISHOP KING. MY LORD, London, March 28, 1713. ALTHOUGH your humour of delaying, which is a good deal in fashion, might serve me for authority and example in not sooner acknowledging your grace's letter, I shall not make that use of it; but naturally tell you, that the public delay has been the cause of mine. We have lived almost these two months past by the week, expecting that parliament would meet, and the queen tell them that the peace was signed. But unforeseen difficulties have arisen, partly by some mistakes in our plenipotentiaries, as well as of those of France, too long to trouble your grace with, since we now reckon all will be at an end; and the queen has sent new powers to Utrecht, which her ministers there must obey, I think, or be left without excuse. The peace will be signed with France, Holland, the emperor, Savoy, Portugal, and England: but Spain has yet no minister at Utrecht, the Dutch making difficulties about the Duke D'Ossune's passports; but the Marquis de Montellion will soon begin his journey; at least he tells me so. However, it is of no great moment whether Spain comes in now, or a month hence; and the parliament will be satisfied with the rest. People here have grumbled at those prorogations until they are weary: but they are not very convenient, considering how many funds are out, and how late it is in the year. They think of taking off two shillings in the pound from the land-tax; which I always argued earnestly against: but the court has a mind to humour |