1759.

MR. SECRETARY PITT TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

Whitehall, November 13. 1759.

My Lord,

I have received the honour of your Grace's letter of the 1st instant, and immediately laid it before the King.

The particular business arising from the meeting of Parliament, makes it impossible for me at present to enlarge on the several important matters contained in your Grace's letter; but I would not defer acquainting your Grace, that his Majesty entirely approves your having laid before the two Houses of Parliament the intelligence I had transmitted to you, and the unanimity, zeal, and spirit expressed in their addresses to your Grace could not fail of being highly agreeable to the King.

I shall expect with impatience the proposals which your Grace mentions, for raising a body of infantry and another of light horse for the defence of Ireland; and as soon as your Grace shall transmit the same, I shall not lose a moment in laying them before his Majesty, and acquainting your Grace with the King's pleasure thereupon.

His Majesty was particularly pleased to observe the unlimited confidence which the two Houses of Parliament have so prudently reposed in your Grace, whose known experience and abilities will now be able to exert themselves in the fullest manner, in making ample and effectual provisions for

the security and necessary defence of the kingdom 1759. entrusted to your Grace's care.

I have the further satisfaction to acquaint your Grace, that the King particularly approves your attention to public credit, and the very prudent step you have taken for the support thereof, and for securing such a supply of specie, as may in case of exigency be necessary for the payment of the troops.

I have transmitted to the Lords of the Admiralty what your Grace mentions with regard to some ships of force and frigates being kept cruizing from Waterford to the Bay of Galway; and I don't doubt but their Lordships will, as far as may be practicable, show all due attention to what your Grace has so properly suggested.

I am, &c.

W. PITT.

DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO THE DUKE OF BEDFORD.

Claremont, November 18. 1759.

I received on Thursday last the honour of your Grace's letter of the 11th, and the next day I recommended to the King your Grace's request that Mr. Rigby might succeed the late Master of the Rolls. His Majesty was pleased very readily to consent to it, and when I came out of the closet, I

1759. acquainted Mr. Pitt with it, who was very glad to

hear it, and will forthwith prepare the necessary
instruments for it, and I suppose they will go by the
messenger to-morrow; nothing can be a more real
satisfaction to me, than to have an opportunity of
obeying your Grace's commands, and of contributing
the little that depends upon me, to give your Grace
all the weight, power, and influence which your
zeal for the King's service, your ability and success
in the conduct of his Majesty's affairs in Ireland,
and your own great and distinguished merit and
consequence so justly entitle you to; and I am per-
suaded, whatever other disagreeable incidents may
have happened, his Majesty has too great a regard
for your Grace, and his servants too much duty to
him and concern for the King's interest, to give any
occasion to the people of Ireland to imagine that
any lord-lieutenant had more the confidence and
support of the King, or the good wishes of his
minister, than your Grace has, at least I hope you
cannot doubt mine, and I think I may answer for
others. Your Grace will make me always happy,
when you put it in my power to show my readiness
to obey your commands. I read with great plea-
sure and indeed approbation your Grace's message
to both Houses, and their dutiful and affectionate
returns, which Mr. Rigby sent me in his letters of the
1st inst. They were highly approved by everybody
here, and cannot fail to have the best effect in Ire-

*The message with the answer are both printed in the Annua Register, for 1759, p. 124.

land. I am extremely concerned for the run upon 1759. the two banks mentioned by your Grace. Though Mitchel has shut up his shop, we are told here that he has effects likely to answer all demand upon him. I should hope the association so properly proposed by your Grace, and so successfully carried through by the members of both Houses, would prevent any further breach or real public calamity. The want of specie is the complaint both here and in Ireland, and was severely felt by us the last year. I thank God it is something better now from the coming in of the fleets. The height of our credit from the great and surprising successes of this last year, and lately from the happy circumstance of the exportation of our corn, but as immense sums must necessarily go out of the kingdom as long as the war lasts, for the support of our fleets and armies in the several parts of the world, I am afraid we shall not be able to promise much specie from hence; neither (if there was a sufficient quantity) do I know the method of doing it. I hope there will be no occasion for it; but if your Grace should apprehend there will be any, I wish you would let me know in what manner, or for what purposes, and on what security you propose the treasury should do it. My duty to the King will always dispose me to assist whenever the interest of his government may require it, and my real regard to your Grace will always induce me to do any thing in my power to assist you in your government, I only want to have the means and to see the practicability of doing

1759.

it. There are three Dutch mails come in last night: I have had very short accounts of what they bring. They all agree that M. Conflans has orders to sail; some say he was to sail on the 3d of this month; and I think it is now given out more positively that the design is on Ireland: but your Grace will certainly hear if it is so from Mr. Secretary Pitt. Thurot is drove to Gottenburg. It seems most probable that he was really to have made some attempt on the coast of Scotland. It is thought almost impossible M. Conflans should escape Sir E. Hawke, who is returned some days ago to Torbay. As to fighting him, which is given out by the French, my Lord Anson treats that as the idlest of all notions: we have now such a strong naval force at home, Holmes and Dulel being returned from North America, and Saunders expected every day, that if a superiority at sea can prevent his Majesty's kingdoms from invasion, it must, by the blessing of God, be done. Your Grace has done all that can be done to put Ireland in a posture of defence, and I doubt not but it will succeed: I dare say, whatever plans you have or may send over for that purpose, will be approved: and the loyal parliament of Ireland has engaged to provide for the payment of them, a thing, I believe, new in Ireland, which consequently shows your Grace's power and influence, and their zeal. I have not yet had an opportunity of seeing any plans your Grace may have sent over. We have been for some days taken up by an unfortunate incident, which might have occasioned great