j'aurois peut-être dû être dispensé de faire un pareil pas; mais votre Excellence sait, aussi bien

cerning the unhappy differences that now subsist between him and the King of Prussia, and which, it is said, have occasioned that Prince's resigning all his employments under that monarch. At the last review near Magdeburg, the Prince's regiment was found fault with, as is said, by the misrepresentation of the quarter-master general. This occasioned some words between the Prince and him, and the quarter-master general wrote a most impertinent letter, amounting to a challenge, to the Prince; which he answered in a satisfactory manner, and sent copies of both letters to the King, desiring the proper notice might be taken of the affront offered him, and at the same time resigning all the employments he held under the King of Prussia.

"To this letter no answer was given; which provoked the Prince to write a second letter to the same purpose, in which he persisted in his resolution of retiring from the service. I am not certain whether the King of Prussia has answered this second letter, and accepted of the resignation; but the affair has gone so far, that it is believed it cannot be made up. I still, however, have some faint hopes it may, as they are both lively, and have often quarrelled before. I cannot answer for the accuracy of the above particulars, having had no correspondence with Prince Ferdinand; but I believe them nearly true; and it gives me real satisfaction to find, that the King of Prussia's conduct in this affair is universally blamed by his own subjects of all ranks. One thing I am heartily sorry for; which is, that the Prince, who has so greatly signalised himself in the field during the last war, will, by this resignation of his employments, be left in very narrow circumstances; for I have good reason to believe, that he did not enrich himself by plunder, as his enemies have falsely and maliciously given out.

"It now remains that I should acquaint you who this quarter-master general is. His name was Wilhelmi, and he is said to be a bastard son of Gustavus, the eldest son of the last reigning Prince of Anhalt Dessau. He was bred up in the lowest manner, and came into the King of Prussia's service in 1757. His Prussian Majesty, finding him active and capable of detail, has made him quarter-master general, with the rank of VOL. II.

F F

que moi, que les services rendus ne disposent pas tous les esprits à l'amitié. J'ai mieux aimé céder pour me soustraire à l'envie, que tâcher de la combattre plus longtems en vain. Je suis, Monsieur, de votre Excellence, &c.

FERDINAND,

DUC DE BRUNSWIC ET DE LÜNEBOURG.

THE EARL OF NORTHINGTON TO MR. PITT.(1)

SIR,

London, July 7, 1766.

I HAVE the King's command, to convey to you his Majesty's note enclosed; and as I am no stranger

colonel. This sudden rise has turned his head; so that he behaves with insolence to every body, and has disgusted many good officers, is hated by the whole army, and has already enriched himself by corruption." — In a letter of the 16th, Sir Andrew says, "From the steps taken since my last, I abso lutely despair of the difference between the King of Prussia and Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick being made up. The retreat of this great officer gives universal concern in the army, and occasions great distress to the Queen and the rest of the royal family; nor is it easy to guess, when family differences begin, to what lengths they may be carried on either side.”— Mitchell MSS.

(1) Shortly after the prorogation of parliament, the affairs of Canada occupied the attention of the council. A report, containing a plan for the civil government of Quebec, was drawn up for its consideration by the attorney and solicitorgeneral; the principal feature of which was, to leave to the natives their ancient rights of property, or civil laws, and to temper the rigour of their criminal code, by the more equitable and liberal system of English jurisprudence. The Lord Chancellor represented the scheme as theoretical, visionary, and

to the general contents, I cannot help adding, that I congratulate you, very sincerely, on so honourable and so gracious a distinction.

I think myself very happy, in being the channel of conveying, what I think doth you so much honour, and I am persuaded will tend to the ease and happiness of so amiable and respectable a Sovereign, and to the advantage of this distracted kingdom.

It is the duty of my office to attend in London (though my health requires air and the country). If, therefore, on your arrival, you want any information, I shall be very ready and willing to afford you all I can.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, Dear Sir,

Your most obedient,

most humble servant,

NORTHINGTON.

P.S.-I have not uttered a word of this business but to Lord Camden.

totally unworthy of practical statesmen. The meeting was dissolved, without coming to any definitive resolution; and, on the following day, the Lord Chancellor, at an audience, informed the King that the ministry could not retain their situations; declined attending any more cabinet meetings; and refused, under these circumstances, to hold the great seal. On the 12th of July, the administration of the Marquis of Rockingham terminated. "Having held their offices," says Mr. Burke, "under many difficulties and discouragements, they left them at the express command, as they had accepted them at the earnest request, of their royal master."

THE KING TO MR. PITT.

MR. PITT,

Richmond Lodge, July 7, 1766.

YOUR very dutiful and handsome conduct the last summer makes me desirous of having your thoughts how an able and dignified ministry may be formed. I desire, therefore, you will come, for this salutary purpose, to town.

I cannot conclude without expressing how entirely my ideas concerning the basis on which a new administration should be erected, are consonant to the opinion you gave on that subject in parliament a few days before you set out for Somersetshire. (1)

I convey this through the channel of the Earl of Northington; as there is no man in my service on whom I so thoroughly rely, and who, I know, agrees with me so perfectly in the contents of this letter.

GEORGE R.

(1) It is to be regretted that no trace of the speech referred to by his Majesty has been preserved. It was probably spoken in April, in the course of the debates on the illegality of general warrants, as Sir Andrew Mitchell in a note to Mr. Pitt, on the 25th of that month, "desires to know how he does after his fatigues in the House of Commons, and hopes he will appoint a time when he may converse with him once more, before he goes to Berlin; for without such a conversation, Sir Andrew thinks his journey will be to no purpose."

MR. PITT TO THE EARL OF NORTHINGTON.

[From a draught in Mr. Pitt's handwriting.]

MY LORD,

Tuesday, ten o'clock, [July 8, 1766.]

I RECEIVED this morning the honour of your Lordship's very obliging letter, inclosing his Majesty's most gracious commands in writing to me. I am indeed unable to express what I feel of unfeigned gratitude, duty, and zeal, upon this most affecting occasion. I will only say, that the remnant of my life, body, heart and mind, is at the direction of our most gracious and clement Sovereign.

I will hasten to town as fast as I am able, and will, at my arrival, take the liberty to avail myself of the very kind permission, your Lordship is so good as to allow me, of troubling you in the mean time, I beg to express in a word, how truly sensible I am of the great honour your Lordship does me by such favourable sentiments on my subject, and to assure you how proud and happy I am in receiving such flattering marks of friendship and confidence from your Lordship.

I am, my Lord, &c.,

WILLIAM PITT.