1749. thing more, and be the first to put a stop to it in a manner worthy of themselves." This will undoubtedly be sufficient ground for you, when you shall communicate this declaration of M. Zöhrern's to the French minister, which it is the King's pleasure you should immediately do, to insist firmly with that minister that strong and proper remonstrances be made to his Prussian Majesty against his taking any step that may any ways tend towards raising a flame in the North, conformably to the assurances that minister had given you in the above recited conversation. You will likewise observe to him, that his Majesty has undoubtedly at present a right to demand this of them, with regard to the King of Prussia, as the Empress Queen has explained herself so fully, in order to take off all groundless jealousies that may have been conceived of her.

I am, &c. &c.
BEDFORD.

THE DUKE OF BEDFORD TO MR. YORKE.

Dear Sir,

Whitehall, April 4. 1749.

I cannot defer any longer the acknowledging

the receipt of your private letter of the

25 March

5 April

"and

returning you my thanks for the very accurate and full account you have given me therein of the most

Christian King, his family, court, and ministers. There needed surely no apology for your transmitting to me your thoughts founded on observation with regard to the internal state of the French court; a point so necessary to be well understood, that I may venture to affirm it would be impossible for any one here to give proper instructions on the several points of business that must necessarily arise between this court and that of Versailles, to the minister entrusted with the King's business there, without some previous knowledge of the character and passions of the French King himself, as well as of the inclinations and power of his ministers and favourites. I have the satisfaction to be able to inform you, that this is not my way of thinking alone, but is authorised by his Majesty (to whom I have communicated your letter), who has been graciously pleased to direct me to signify to you his approbation of the pains you have taken in discovering the several springs in the movement of the French counsels, and how far they are connected together. I have likewise in charge to recommend to you to spare no pains towards making yourself acquainted with all that passes at the court where you now reside, and discovering as far as possible the secret causes, as well as the authors, of all the steps the French court shall think proper to take both with regard to the system of Europe in general as of this country in particular. The King and his ministers find so happy a disposition in you towards furnishing the necessary materials to enable

1749.

1749.

us here to form a certain judgment of the designs and politics of the French court, that it would be quite inexcusable in me, not to spur you on (was that needful) to the completion of that work you have so well begun. You must certainly imagine that the account I have now received from you must give great satisfaction here, as it appears plainly the French King is desirous of preserving the peace he has now lately made with his Majesty; that his mistress, and the minister in power, M. Puisieux, are in the same sentiments; and that the rest of the ministers, though possibly not sincerely connected with the former, are for different reasons, such as re-establishing the marine, enmity to the foreign marshalls, &c., not averse to the pacific system. The discontent of the people with regard to the taxes, the distresses France has suffered by the war, and the consequence of these two, the King having lost the affections of the nation, together with the little union that seems to subsist between the several branches of the Royal family, as likewise between the ministers themselves, give some ground to hope that France will neither be in condition nor inclination to disturb us for some years. Add to all these the declension of the French interest at the Court of Madrid (which I believe to be undoubtedly the case), and consequently the increase in proportion of the British influence there (which I can assure you the King is determined to cultivate to the utmost of his power), and I believe you will allow that the above supposition is at least probable,

especially as there is great reason to hope that the troubles which have been so much dreaded in the North, as likely soon to break out, may be prevented by the prudent measures that have been taken separately by the courts of London and Versailles, in talking and enforcing the proper language to their respective allies.

I will detain you no longer than to assure you that the King's commands to me, to signify to you his gracious approbation of your conduct, gave me great pleasure, being with great regard, &c. &c. BEDFORD.

P.S. The King has had within these two or three days some fits of an ague; but, I thank God, it is now removed by his having taken the Jesuits' bark.

1749.

MR. YORKE TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

(Private.)

My Lord,

Paris, May. 1749.

After all the reports which had been spread about in the world, and I believe with some reasons, that the Bishop of Rennes was ordered to repair to his diocese without coming to court, he has, however, at last appeared there on Thursday; it is thought that Monsieur d'Argenson, who, since the fall of Monsieur Maurepas, has gained ground

1749.

in the King's favour, has brought this about in opposition to M. Piusieux, who is certainly his enemy. I do not find nevertheless that his stay here will be very long, as it is said Monsieur d'Argenson persuaded the King to see him to save appearances only, without which he could not be of any service in his diocese, where the King has occasion for his influeuce. However it turns out, it is certain there has been a good deal of intriguing to bring it about. We shall see in a short time what it will produce.

Monsieur d'Argenson, to show his zeal and alertness in the department of Paris, has taken up a gentleman on suspicion of being author of the libels on the court, which Monsieur Maurapas was blamed for not discovering. The town says that the person taken up has certainly had no hand in them; but be it as it will, he is closely confined in the castle of Vincennes.*

The edicts for settling the taxes are not publick; the Parliament give what trouble they can, and are very violent; we are told every day of the violence of the remonstrances, and the voice of the people is for them. The end of the dispute every body

* A great number of persons were arrested about this time for libels; among others a Knight of Malta, and a secretary of the Abbé de Broglie. It was said that this last was confined in an iron cage, where he could neither lie down nor stand upright. But this may be as doubtful as the

cage of Bajazet. At all events, the arrest of the Pretender at the Opera in November 1748 made Louis le Bien Aimé much despised, and the people cried out, "Il est Roi dans les fers; qu'êtesvous sur le trône?". See Lacretelle, Hist. de France pendant le 18me Siècle.