confirmed your Ladyship's obliging account of his amendment. I propose answering it, as soon as I return to town, and find any thing worth communicating to his Lordship. The Presbyterian bill was opposed much in the manner of last year; but I think more faintly. Lord Bruce opened the debate in his Tory capacity, Lord Gower in that of a Whig. The Bishop of London (') then made a set speech; Lord Mansfield answered him ably; and though he declared only for the commitment, his argument undoubtedly went to the most extensive line of toleration. He threw out a singular idea - I do not see for what purpose, except that Lord Mansfield must always make a new or a middle proposition that the legislature might be contented with their signing a dissent to the Articles each member did not approve, and his assent to the others. The Duke of Grafton's speech, as far as it had any character, was that of a man expecting to be again in power, and giving hopes, that a way might be found to satisfy both churches. With sincere attachment and devotion, I have the honour to be your Ladyship's Most obliged humble servant, SHELBURNE. (1) Dr. Richard Terrick, translated from Peterborough to London in 1764. He died in 1777. THE EARL OF SHELBURNE TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. London, Sunday, April 25, 1773. MY DEAR LORD, Your Lordship does me too much honour by your letter of the 14th instant. On my arrival in town on Wednesday, I found the world much engaged upon account of the fleet which had been ordered the night before.(1) The French ambassador publicly declares, that he gave the ministry notice of the preparations, in the way of conversation, eleven days before. Mr. Dunning, who is perfectly recovered, called upon me on his way to London, and I believe expected to find a disposition in the Attorney-General to follow up the India business, wherever the road of justice led. The Attorney is understood to have been all along, and to be still, very firm and direct upon the sub (1) Sixteen ships of the line were, on that day, ordered to be victualled and manned, with all possible expedition, and Sir Charles Saunders was appointed to the command of them. In a letter of this date, from Mrs. Hood, the wife of Captain Alexander Hood, to Lady Chatham, she says,—“ You will enjoy the fine spirit that Sir Charles shows, when I relate what he said this morning to some members of parliament: – I hope there will be some motion made, that I may go down to the House and vote against administration. I shall go to the King on Wednesday, and to Portsmouth on Thursday, and will hoist my flag and get into my ship, and never stir out of it while I stay in England. Upon its being said, that our equipment would be only a fleet of observation, Sir Charles said, If I sail, it will be a war.' He asked for a vice and rear admiral, and consequently more strength, but was answered, in regard to the latter, he had all they had: the other was refused." ject. I may tell your Lordship, your Lordship, that he communicated to this effect with Mr. Dunning, Sir E. Wilmot, Barré, and Cornwall, with more or less confidence ; Lord North likewise, in the way of private conversation, spoke with the same tendency. Mr. Dunning, I believe, did not hesitate to say, that he would sacrifice both his health and his profession to the public service, where such an object was in question ; but I am sorry to find that he doubts to-day the firmness of Government, and it remains to be seen to-morrow what line Government will take. It is understood, that Lord North has never consulted any cabinet upon the subject. The distress for money is inconceivable. The manufacturers throughout the kingdom feel it most materially I have the honour to be, my dear Lord, your Lordship's Most devoted humble servant, SHELBURNE. THE EARL OF SHELBURNE TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. London, Sunday, May 2, 1773. MY DEAR Lord, Most people expect to know to-morrow the decision of government as to East India objects. There are two opinions; one is, that Lord North remains still in a state of indecision, whether to let the Attorney-General loose upon delinquents at home and abroad; the other, that Lord Mansfield has been consulted, and that he foresees great dangers from having recourse to a parliamentary judicature in such times ; which opinion, it is supposed, will determine the conduct of Government. I apprehend myself, that what I wrote your Lordship last, from Mr. Dunning's view of things, will prove the event, and that nothing will be done in the way of punishment or example, however called for by the Reports already laid before the House, or any other evidence. The Duke of Richmond and the adherents of that party continue to act among the proprietors; but that quarter is so debilitated in the public opinion, and the ground of their activity so mistaken and misinformed, that little good is to be expected from it. (') I have the honour to be your Lordship’s Obliged and humble servant, SHELBURNE. (1) On the next day, Lord North moved, in the House of Commons, resolutions to the following effect :-"1. That the Court of Directors should in future be elected for four years; six members annually, but none to hold their seats longer than four years : 2. that no person should vote at the election of the Directors who had not possessed their stock twelve months; and, 3. that the stock of qualification, instead of 5001. should be 1000l." These and other resolutions were agreed to, and made the foundation of a bill, " for establishing certain regulations for the better management of the affairs of the East India Company, as well in India as in Europe." After more than a month's continual agitation, this bill passed the Commons, on the 10th of June, by a majority of one hundred and thirty-one against thirty-four. THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE EARL OF SHELBURNE. Burton Pynsent, May 24, 1773. MY DEAR LORD, Our most welcome guest Lord Stanhope, who left us on Friday last, brought me the flattering mark of your Lordship's kind attention ; for which I beg to offer abundance of acknowledgments. As for your Lordship’s invalid humble servant, the gout has laid such fast hold, that it seems unwilling to quit, and keeps me under the inability as yet to use my legs; and my hands continue very lame. My health, however, in other respects, is, thank God, tolerable for my time of day. Indian affairs are in a most interesting crisis ; nor can any public object be more important to the honour and welfare of the nation. A very laudable spirit seems to be up in the House of Commons; but the conjuncture is such, that extremes are to be apprehended. Factious tenderness may prevent any justice and example, and honest warmth may easily step beyond due bounds. I always conceived that there is in substantial justice a mixed right to the territorial revenues between the state and the Company, as joint captors : the state equitably entitled to the larger share, as largest contributor in the acquisition, by fleet and men, &c. Nor can the Company's share, when ascertained, be considered as private property, but in trust for the public purposes of defence of India |