THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. January 21, 1771. A THOUSAND thanks, my dear Sir, for the obliging favour of your letter, containing intelligence so material, and seemingly authentic. What had reached me, so late as Saturday, was of a different tenor; namely, that the ministers knew nothing certain as to peace; wished it, if attainable, but had not lowered their ideas of the conditions ; that the stocks rose on the knowledge our court has of the King of France having written to the King of Spain, disclaiming the thoughts of war ; but that total ignorance prevailed as yet, what effect the letter of one monarch had on the purpose of the other; nay, father, that, in point of time, it was not possible it could be known. The air of the intelligence you are so good as to send me, is such as cannot but engage most serious attention ; though I own I doubt whether despair can suggest so bold and dangerous a decision, even to a court as shameless as it is incapable. A very short space must bring all to light, and show if the nation of English is the tamest and vilest in Europe-grieved to add my fears, that it may be found so. In the mean time, it is a con place, as far as relates to him ; but not to Wedderburne. Dr. Heberden says, that unless Sawbridge leaves off politics, he is a dead man." solation to see individuals hold a handsome conduct. Lord Lyttelton and my nephew (amongst those called Mr. Grenville's friends) stand with very honourable distinction, from their clearness and firmness, in the present moment of tampering: others also may perhaps finally stand; but all the world think they have staggered. My gout is, thank God, gone off kindly, and I am tolerably upon my legs; but if no business comes on-and none can in the course of this week, unless from ministry - I shall probably be much abler to attend the following week. If you can call at Hayes without too much inconvenience to-morrow, you will make me particularly happy. I am ever, my dear Sir, very affectionately, CHATHAM. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BARRÉ TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. Manchester Buildings, Tuesday, 4 o'clock. [January 22, 1771.] MY LORD, I TAKE up the pen in a hurry to acquaint your Lordship, that I am just returned from the House of Commons, where Lord North informed us, that Prince Masserano had this morning presented a declaration, signed by the King of Spain, which his Majesty had accepted of, and which would be laid before the House on Friday next. No day is fixed upon for the consideration of it; but we have moved for a call of the House on this day fortnight. The terms, as I am informed, are not very honourable — “ The disgrace of Bucarelli ('); the island to be put into our possession ; and it is whispered, that there is a secret article to save the rights and pretensions in that country of the crown of Spain ; which seems to promise our abandoning the spot silently, upon some future day.” If your Lordship should have any sort of commands for me, I shall be happy in obeying them in such manner as will give your Lordship the least trouble. It will give me great pleasure to hear that the gout continues to be favourable, especially at a time when this country stands in so much need of your Lordship’s firmness and abilities. I have the honour to be, with the highest consideration and respect, my Lord, Your Lordship’s most devoted and most faithful servant, Isaac BARRÉ.() (1) The Spanish governor of Port Egmont. (2) In a letter to Lord Chatham, of this day's date, Lord Camden says, – “All the vacant offices are filled up, and the arrangement is completed. The seals are given to Mr. Justice Bathurst; the attorney-general is to be lord chief justice of the common pleas; Lord Halifax secretary of state ; Lord Suffolk privy-seal; Thurlow attorney-general, and Wedderburne solici. tor-general. I make no remark upon all this. I am not surprised, but grieved." THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO LIEUT.-COLONEL BARRÉ. Hayes, January 22, 1771, seven o'clock. SIR, I am extremely obliged to you for your very kind attention in communicating the event of the day, in the House of Commons. I confess, I did not expect that the court of Spain would have fallen in with the views of Versailles (at least so soon), considering the character of the Spanish monarch. The outside of the conditions is better than I augured, in as far as concerns the disgrace of Bucarelli: the secret article, with regard to the right and pretensions of the crown of Spain (if it be as intimated), is lower and more abject, as well as more dangerous in consequence and extent, than I could imagine even our ministry could have furnished hearts to conceive, heads to contrive, or hands to execute. But, to speak the plain truth, I believe ministry see little, and a certain place does not feel at all: a little time will show whether the nation, too, has lost its feeling ; perhaps the paralytic numbness is so absolute, that electrifying will not restore the least sensation. I take it for granted, that the same declaration will be laid before the Tapestry on Friday, which will be offered to the live figures in St. Stephen's. I propose being in town on Friday morning, in order to attend my duty in the silly drama, and be always ready to point out, as well as I can, the grossness Your most faithful, and most CHATHAM. JOHN CALCRAFT, ESQ. TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. Sackville Street, Tuesday evening, 5 o'clock. [January 22, 1771.] MY DEAR LORD, I got to town just as the two Houses broke up. The few people left told me news enough. Lord North gave notice to the Commons, that the Spanish minister had delivered a declaration to his Majesty this morning, which had satisfied him, and that it would be laid before parliament on Friday. Mr. Burke moved a call for this day fortnight, which is ordered; Lord Sandwich gave notice to their Lord. ships, that this declaration would be laid before them on Friday. Poor Lord Lyttelton does not seem to be in very high spirits. He desires me to tell your Lordship, this is the best peace ever made for England; other people say the most disgraceful: my Lord's information is, that the ministers have got every thing they ever asked. No paper from Lord Mansfield delivered to-day. Bathurst (') is (1) The honourable Henry Bathurst, eldest surviving son of |