THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES GIFT OF COMMODORE BYRON MCCANDLESS I 10 1C AT 10 I, OH I) OF HORATIO, LORB WALPOLE, SELECTED FROM . HIS CORRESPONDENCE 4JVD PAPERS, AND CONNECTED WITH THE HISTORY OF THE TIMES, FROM 1678 TO 1757. ILLUSTRATED WITH PORTRAITS. BY WILLIAM COXE, M.A. F.R.S. F.A.S. RECTOR OF BEMERTOX. SECOND EDITION. ". CORRECTED AN 7 D ENLARGED. VOL.- 1. tor.Don : PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES AND ORME, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1808. r T. c. lU'Htrd, Printer,' fcinhorougli Court, I. rlcc;-kuccl. IDA 50) WI&C7 O*. v.l TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HORATIO, EARL OF ORFORD, AND BARON WALPOLE, of WALPOLE Sf WOLTERTON * MY LORD, THESE Memoirs of your illustrious Father, being principally drawn from his Papers and Correspondence, which your Lordship communicated to me with- out the smallest controul, I feel the highest satisfaction in presenting them to the Pub- lic under the . sanction of your Lordship's A DEDICATION. name, both as a proof of their authenticity, and as a testimony of gratitude for many acts of kindness and confidence. MY LORD, Your much obliged, and obedient, humble Servant, WILLIAM COXE. ADVERTISEMENT. TO THE SECOND EDITION. / cannot put forth this second edition, without expressing my gratitude for the patron- age which this work has experienced from the. public ; and I have endeavoured to render it more, deserving of their attention by a few interesting additions, which a recent visit to Walter ton enabkd me to collect, and others derived from^ the commu- nications of my noble friend Lord Eraybrook. I have the satisfaction to add, that I have discovered no occasion to make any material alteration in his- torical facts, or deductions, or to correct any error, except a few typographical inadvertencies. Bemerton, June 1, 1808. PREFACE. HAVING obtained access to the Papers and Correspondence of Horatio, Lord Walpole, which are preserved at Wolterton, I found them so interesting and important, that I purposed to print a Selection, preceded by a brief Narrative of his Life. I accordingly commenced the impression; but was induced to postpone the publication, for reasons which are given in the Preface to the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole. In that work, however, I inserted numerous letters of Lord Walpole, and drew materials from those documents among his Papers which tended to elucidate his brother's administration. From an early period of his life, Lord Wal- pole was engaged in a public capacity. In 1 706, he accompanied General Stanhope to Barcelona as Private Secretary, and was employed in various missions of consequence. In 1707, he was appointed Secretary to Mr. Boyle, first as Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, and afterwards as Secre- tary of State; and, in 1709, accompanied the Duke of Marlborough and Lord Townshend, who were Plenipotentiaries at the Congress of x PREFACE. Gertruydenberg. Soon after the accession of George the First, he was successively Under Secretary of State, Secretary to the Treasury, and Envoy at the Hague, until the schism of the Whig Ministry, which terminated in the re- siWAUI> /''rein trn (>ri,[inf ' t > rttft f/&./ . u-ii /! and gave striking proofs of quick comprehension, lively parts, and great talents. At an early period he highly distinguished himself in the military line ; at the age of seventeen he was intrusted with the command of the corps de reserve at the battle of Steinkirk, where he was wounded in the shoulder ; and at the battle of Nerwinden in 1693, he displayed heroic intrepidity, and was five times surrounded by the enemy. In 1706 he commanded the French army at the celebrated siege of Turin, and had his advice been followed, according to the honourable testimony of prince Eugene himself, the siege would not have been raised. Instead of waiting the approach of the enemy within the lines ; which were too exten* sive to be defended, he proposed to lead the army to the attack, but was overruled in a council of war, and thwarted by the obstinacy of general Marsin, who had been associated with him in the command with powers to controul his conduct. But when the lines were forced, and the French army thrown into confusion, when Marsin was taken prisoner, and La Feuillade, the next in authority, overwelmed with despair was incapable of acting, the duke of Orleans resumed the com- * His first wife was Henrietta daughter of Charles the first, by whom he had one daughter, Anna Maria, who espoused Victor Amadeus king of Sardinia. H23.] LORD WALPOLE. 43 mand, and made the most heroic exertions. Though twice wounded he continued in the hottest of the action, and when the troops gave way, called the officers by their names, animated the soldiers by his voice, and led the troops repeatedly to the charge. Overcome at length by pain, and weakened by loss of blood, he was compelled to retire until his wounds were dressed; but instantly returned to the field of battle, performed the duties of a general and a soldier, and when the disorder and confusion became irreparable, by his presence of mind and skill saved the remnant of the army. The king and nation did justice to his military talents, and the successful campaign which he made in Spain increased his reputation. Having offended by his sarcastic railleries, the princess Ursini, and madam de Maintenon, and excited the jealousy of Philip the Fifth by aspiring to the crown of Spain, he lost the com- mand, and was never afterwards employed by Louis the Fourteenth. Being thus reduced to a state of inactivity and disgrace, he gave a loose to his passions and broke out into those infamous excesses which disgrace his memory, and to which he was insti- gated by the example and encouragement of his preceptor du Bois. If it were possible to draw a veil over these enormities, no prince was ever 44 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. HI. more highly distinguished for personal accom- plishments, engaging manners, winning affa- bility, charms of conversation, and love of science : even in the midst of his excesses, he was adored by all ranks of people, who attri- buted his vices to du Bois, and his virtues to himself. The vindictive spirit of madam e de Maintenon followed him in his retirement; the premature deaths of the dauphin, the dukes of Burgundy and Berry were attributed to poison, and the duke of Orleans was accused of an intention to secure the crown of France by the murder of the whole of the royal family. These infamous re- ports were countenanced by madame de Main- tenon for the advancement of her darling the duke of Maine, and made a deep impression on the mind of Louis the Fourteenth. In conse- quence of these ill-grounded suspicions, and from a misplaced affection to his natural son the duke of Maine, the king, by his will, instead of declaring the duke of Orleans sole regent, re- stricted his authority by a council of regency, and by intrusting to the duke of Maine the protection of the young sovereign's person, the superintendance of his education, the command of his guard, and the government of his house- hold. But this will being annulled by parlia- ment, through the influence, and on the repre- 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 45 sentations of the duke of Orleans, he was declared sole regent, with more enlarged powers. The first acts of his administration were to ap- point seven councils for the management of public affairs, and to hold a bed of justice, in which the king assisted to confirm the new regulations. The peculiar situations of the duke of Orleans and George the First changed the discordant politics of the two cabinets, and united the interests of England and France. By the treaty of Utrecht it was stipulated, that the crowns of France and Spain should never be joined in the same person ; and Philip duke of Anjou was acknowledged king of Spain on renouncing his right to the crown of France, which was to devolve on the duke of Orleans should Louis, the Fifteenth die without issue male. The young monarch being of a sickly constitution, this event was not improbable; and Philip, not- withstanding his renunciation, entertained de- signs of ascending the throne of France, and was countenanced by a considerable party in the kingdom. Hence the duke of Orleans, threatened with the loss of the succession, favourably received the overtures of England as the only power able to support his right: and George the First was equally anxious to conciliate the friendship of France, as the prin- 46 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. HI. cipal means of counteracting the schemes of the Jacobites, and annihilating the hopes of the pretender. When their interests thus concur- red, it was not difficult to adjust the conditions of a treaty of alliance; after a few obstacles and delays, occasioned by the volatile character of the regent, a negotiation was commenced by the earl of Stair at Paris, continued by Mr. Walpole and Chateauneuf the frencli minister at the Hague, and finally concluded by secre- tary Stanhope and du Bois the confidential friend of the regent. The principal articles of the treaty which formed the bond of union between the two countries, were, on the side of the regent, to send the pretender beyond the Alps; and on the part of George the First, to guaranty, in conformity with the peace of Utrecht, the eventual succession of the house of Orleans to the crown of France. This singular alliance, concluded on the 21st of August 1716, formed the commencement of anew aera in the political annals of Europe, and united the rival powers of France and England, whose enmity had de- luged Europe with blood, and whose union produced a long and unexampled period of peace and tranquillity. From the conclusion of this treaty the great object of the english cabinet was directed to 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 47 keep the regent steady to his engagements, through the channel of du Bois, who was grati- fied with a large pension from the king of England*. To attain this point, it was neces- sary to procure the dismission of Villars, Noailles, Torcy, and d'Uxelles, who were at- tached to the old system, and gradually to raise du Bois to the office of prime minister. But to compass this scheme was no easy task ; for, notwithstanding the wonderful ascendancy which du Bois had acquired over his illustrious pupil, the regent did not without great reluc- tance consign to him the supreme direction of the State. Misinformed writers have asserted, that the advancement of du Bois was as unobstructed as it was rapid, and that the duke of Orleans was as eager to promote him as he was to be promoted. The dispatches of the earl of Stair f prove the falsity of these unqualified assertions, and shew that the regent hesitated, that du Bois almost^ despaired of conquering his repug- nance, and that his success was principally owing to the influence of the english cabinet, by which the regent from personal motives was governed. * St. Simon affirms that this pension was 40,OCO/. but this sum was so enormous at that period as to render it probable that he was misinformed. f Hardwicke'e State Papers, vol. 3. 48 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. m. The appointment of du Bois to the direction of foreign affairs was a prelude to the success of the whole plan. This arrangement was so essential to the British cabinet, that lord Stair considered it as " the surest pledge for the sup- port of those measures in the promotion of which the abbot had been the chief instrument." Du. Bois was no sooner nominated to this post, than he artfully appropriated to himself the manage- ment of the most secret transactions ; all affairs of importance passed through his hands alone, and the councils established at the commence- ment of the regency were suppressed, though the respective ministers were permitted to retain their appointments *. Having thus obtained for du Bois the manage- ment of foreign affairs, the next attempt of the english cabinet was to effect the dismission of the marquis de Torcy, secretary of State, the inveterate enemy of England, and the ablest minister in the french cabinet. John Baptiste marquis de Torcy, second son of the great Colbert, was born in 1665 ; brought up under the auspices and improved by the in- structions of his celebrated father, he was soon initiated in state affairs, and commenced at a very early period his diplomatic career as secre- * Duclos Meuioires Secrets, T. I , p. 408. rT2S.] LOUD WALPOLE. 49 tary aad envoy in different courts of Europe*. In the twenty-second year of his age he was appointed secretary of State for foreign af- fairs. He distinguished himself in the nego- tiations which took place on the death of Charles the Second, king of Spain, in regard to the suc- cession of the Spanish dominions, at the con^ gress of Gertruydenberg, and in the conferences which settled the peace of Utrecht. A striking proof of his ability is given in the history of these transactions published after his death from his papers* ; it is one of the most curious monuments of the superiority of the' french cabinet m every species of intrigue and address in negotiation. C3 Torcy continued to enjoy, during the reigii of Louis the Fourteenth, the full confidence of his sovereign, and was engaged in secretly promot- ing the success of the invasion against England, and in making excuses for permitting the pre- tender to reside in Loraine. On the death of Louis the Fourteenth, he was continued in the ministry, as the only person versed in the management of foreign transactions; his capa- city for affairs, and the talent which he possessed of rendering business agreeable to the regent* made him a necessary instrument in the admi* * Memoires de Torcy pour servir a FHistoire des Negocia- trons, dopuis le Traite de Kyswick jusqu' a la paix d'Utrecht VOL. I> S 50 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. in. nistraiion. But Torcy* had become obnoxious to George the First, and to the Whigs who directed the counsels of England at this period, by his declaration to lord Bolingbroke concern- ing the nullity of any renunciation which could be made by Philip duke of Anjou to the crown of France f. * Torcy is represented by the french writers, and particu- larly by St. Simon, who knew him personally, as remarkable for the mildness of his manners and the placidness of his temper; yet the earl of Stair has recorded an instance which proves a great want of self command, and a peevish aversion to the English, at a time when it was the interest of the french court to continue on good terms with them. See Hardvvicke's Papers, Vol. II. p. 530, 535. f Though the peace of Utrecht had obliged the Spanish branch of the Bourbon family to renounce by oath the right of succession to the crown of France ; yet the doctrine of its invalidity, as an act void ab initio, had been publicly avowed. Torcy frankly owned to lord Bolingbroke, " The renunciation desired would be null and invalid by the fundamental laws of France, according to which laws the nearest prince to the crown is of necessity the heir. This law is considered as the work of Him who has established all monarchies, and we are persuaded in France that God only can abolish it. No renui>- ciation therefore can destroy it ; and if the king of Spain should renounce it for the sake of peace, and in obedience to his grandfather, they would deceive themselves-, who received it as a sufficient expedient to prevent the mischief we purpose to avoid." See Report of the Secret Committee, p. 13. Torcy made no scruple of publicly declaring that this expe- dient, which had been devised to prevent the union of France and Spain under one monarch, could be of little force, as being inconsistent with the fundamental laws of France. " This declaration," observes a judicious author, " gives a remarkable instance of the weakness or wickedness of that administration, 1723.] LORD WALPOlE. 51 The iiiterest of England concurring with the inclinations of du Bois, who was jealous lest Torcy should supplant him in the management of foreign affairs, his dismission Was obtained principally by the artful management of lord Stair. The address he employed in thus com- pleting the triumph of du Bois is recorded in his journal*, and will afford a striking picture 1 of the great ascendancy which England at that period possessed in the cabinet of Versailles. On many other occasions du Bois employed the interest of the english embassador with the regent, of which two curious instances are recorded by Duclos. While his agent Lafiteau was ineffectually soliciting the pope to confer on him the dignity of cardinal, the pretender, who had retired to Rome, offered his turn of nomination to du Bois, provided he would pro- cure the payment of his pension, which was considerably in arrears. Du Bois, however, not only declined accepting the nomination, on a condition which would have ruined his credit at London; but obtained the intercession of George the First, and the emperor, in his favour. Who could build the peace of Europe on so Sandy a founda- tion, and accept of terms which France itself was honest enough to own were not to be maintained." Letter to Two Great Men, pi 20. t Hardwicke's State Papers, Vol. IL E St $2 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, m. During this transaction the archbishopric of Cambray becoming vacant, he coveted that high dignity, as a means of rendering him more worthy of the purple. But finding the regent disinclined to promote a person of his dissolute character, to a see recently filled by the venera- ble Fenelon; du Bois adopted the same plan, which he followed in regard to the cardinal's hat. He wrote to des Touches*, the french agent at London, to request that George the First would apply to the regent. The king, on receiving the application, burst into laughter; " Sire," said des Touches, who was in great fa- vour with the king, " I feel no less than your majesty the singularity of the application ; but it will be of the greatest importance to my in- terest to obtain it." " How," replied George, continuing to laugh, " shall aprotestant prince interfere in making an archbishop of France? The regent himself will laugh, and pay no at- tention to my recommendation." " Excuse me, Sire," returned des Touches, " he will laugh in- deed, but he will grant it; first out of respect to your majesty, and secondly for its singularity. Besides, du Bois is the person on whom my fu- * Des Tom-lies was well known as the author of several excellent comedies, and was chosen a member of the french academy, fie himself communicated this anecdote to Du- clos. Vol. II. p. 82. LORD WALPOLE. 55 ture condition in life totally depends, he will ruin me if I do not obtain from your majesty an urgent letter on this occasion; here it is already written ; and the kindness with which your ma- jesty has honoured me, leads me to hope that you will not refuse your signature." " Give it me," said the king, " since it will be of so much service to you;" and he signed it. The dispatch was immediately forwarded; the re- gent was convinced that du Bois had suggested c5 OO this measure; but his appointment did not the less take place. Lord Stair having quarrelkd with Law, the -director of the finances, earl Stanhope, secretary of State, who had long been in habits of the strictest intimacy with the regent, repaired to Paris, and settled with him and du Bois the plan of future intercourse. Lord Stair being re- called, Sir Richard Sutton was deputed to Paris, and, after a short stay, succeeded by Mr. after- wards Sir Luke Schaub, a native of Basle, who had served as private secretary to earl Stanhope, and was principally employed in penning his foreign dispatches. After passing a year at Madrid, in the character of english agent, he was selected by lord Carteret to convey to du Bois the strongest assurances from the king of England, that the death of lord Stanhope would occasion no alteration in the conduct of the 1m- $4 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. HI. tish cabinet, who would persevere in maintain-j ing the connection with France, and in pursuing the same system of politics which had proved so advantageous to both countries. Du Bois, whose influence over the regent depended on the friendship of the british cabinet, affectio- nately received his friend Schaub, as the mes- senger of joyful tidings. The failure of the Mississippi scheme, which reduced France to a bankruptcy, and the dis- grace of Law, served to increase the ascendan- cy of du Bois, and left him without a rival in the affections of the regent. Having succeeded in obtaining the archbishopric of Cambray, and the dignity of cardinal, he was finally raised, by the influence of England, through the agen- cy of his friend Schaub, to the office of prime minister. But he did not long enjoy that ele- vated station ; he died on the 10th of August 1723, in the 67th year of his age. William du Bois, who thus attained the high r est station in church and state, was the son of an apothecary in Limousin, and was born in 1656. Chance having made him sub-preceptor to the duke of Orleans, his supple temper, in- sinuating manners, versatile talents, and indefa- tigable perseverance in promoting his own views, raised him to the highest honours. and employments of the State. The notorious in^ 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 55 famy of his private character has induced su- perficial observers to deny him abilities which he really possessed, and not sufficiently to ap- preciate his capacity for public business, and talents for negotiation^ In fact he did not solely gain the favour of his pupil by flattering his passions and pander- ing to his vices, but he inspired him with a love of science, rendered natural philosophy easy and familiar, and instructed him in political know- ledge. He also accompanied the young prince in some of his campaigns, and displayed at the battle of Steinkirk a striking instance of perso- nal valour and humanity. Marshal Luxem- bourg, who commanded in that memorable en- gagement, said to Louis the Fourteenth, who mentioned that the abbe Pelisson died without confession, " I know another abbe who might die in the same situation." " Who?" enquired the kins:. " The abbe du Bois," returned Lux- O ' embourg, " who intrepidly exposed himself to danger in the battle of Steinkirk. I met him in every part of the field." At the conclusion of the engagement he prevailed on the duke of Chartres to give orders for the removal and care of the wounded ; he wrote also an account of the battle with equal spirit and precision, and his letter pleased and surprised Louis the Four- teenth. 50 MEMOIRS' OF [CHAP. irr, St. Simon has in his Memoirs agreeably de* tailed the circumstances of his extraordinary rise; but, in drawing his portrait,- lias delineated his vices, and forgotten his abilities. Marshal Villars, however, speaks* more favourably of his public character. During the last year of hi* life, the enormous load of public business, and the ill state of his heakh, rendered him incapa- ble of executing the duties of his office witb his accustomed facility. The affaws of State were consequently in great disorder at his death, and hence, perhaps, arose the imputation ef neg- ligence and incapacity. On the death of clu Bois the duke of Orleans resumed the reins of government, in the quality of prime minister, and appeared like a man re- lieved from a great burthen, reesdling all those whom the cardinal had banished from court, and expressing the most marked contempt fof his raemoryf. Fortunately, however, his inter- * On lui trouvoit beaucoup d'esprit, mais il avoit nmuvaise reputation pour les moeurs. Son inaitre avoit et le premier a en parler assez inal, mab sitot que le cardinal n'eut plus? d'autre intcret que celui de 1'etat, il y parut cntierenient devoue: chercliant 1'amitie et I'approbatiou des honn&tes gens, et voulant, disoit-il, punir les fripons. Euriu, sa mort fut regardee co,mme unc perte dans la conjoncture presente." Memoires de Villars, T. 3, p. 80. t If we may credit Schaub, whose excessive attachment t du Bois renders him a suspicious panegyrist, the duke of Orleans was highly affected wkh his death, and burst into a flood of tears when he announced it to the king. -I723.J LORD WALPOLE. 57 ests concurring with the inclinations of tlie english ministry, no alteration ensued in the friendship estahlished between France and Eng- land. The appointment of Morville, as succes- sor todu Bois, in the direction of foreign affairs, at the recommendation of the english cabinet, sufficiently proved the inclination of the duke of Orleans to maintain the union with England. Although the death of du Bois did not pro- duce any change in the situation of the two courts- ; yet it occasioned the recal of the eng- Jish minister at Paris, and brought Mr. Horace Walpole upon the political theatre at a critical period. The british cabinet was divided into two parties ; the one headed by lord Townshend, secretary of State for the northern department, and Walpole, who was first lord of the Treasury; the other was led by lord Carteret, secretary of State for the southern department, who had suc- ceeded to the influence of Sunderland and Stan- hope. A violent struggle for ascendancy en- sued, and was still undecided, when the king repaired to Hanover, in July 1723. He was ac- companied by the two secretaries of State, and during their absence Walpole executed their office in England. The Hanoverian junto was likewise divided into two parties, who ranged themselves under the duchess of Kendal aiid 58 f MEMOIRS OF CCHAP. at. the countess of Darlington. Lord Townsbend had secured the duchess of Kendal, while lord Carteret gained lady Darlington, with Berns- dorf, Bothmar, and the principal Hanoverian ministers. Carteret possessed superior know- ledge and great abilities, and conciliated the fa- vour of the king, by his acquaintance with the germ an language, and by flattering his german prejudices. In virtue of his post as secretary for the southern department, the correspondence with the court of Versailles passed through his hands ; his attachment to the principles of Sun- derland and Stanhope secured the confidence of du Bois ; and his influence in the cabinet of Versailles was increased by the representations of Sir Luke Schaub, that he solely directed the system of foreign affairs, and was the only minister who was anxious to preserve the con- nection between the two countries. With a view still farther to ingratiate himself with the king, he promoted a scheme suggested by Schaub, to negotiate a marriage between Amelia, countess of Platen, niece of lady Dar- lington, and the count de St. Florentin, and to procure, through the influence of the king, a dukedom for his father the marquis de la Vril- liere. The king warmly seconded this proposal ; he agreed to portion the bride, and permitted Schaub to employ his name in soliciting the 1723 ] LORD WALPOLE. 39 dukedom from du Bois, provided the grant could be obtained without difficulty, and with- out offending the nobility of France. Schaub having readily secured the concurrence of du Bois, Carteret contrived to retain the negotia- tion in his own hands, and accompanied the king to Hanover, in order to conclude it with the greater secrecy. Rumours however of the transaction transpiring, the secret was confiden- tially communicated by Carteret to lord Towns- hend, and thus became known to the duchess of Kendal, who was jealous of the family of Platen. In this situation of affairs the death of du fJois defeated the views of Carteret, and paved the way to the ascendency of Townshend, and Walpole, by the recal of Schaub, and the ap- pointment of Mr. Horace Walpole to the em- bassy at Paris. Although Sir Luke Schaub had conducted the affairs of his mission with great address ; yet being a foreigner, and without dis- tinction, either from birth or connections, he could not have so long continued in this station, had not the protection of Stanhope, Sunderland and Carteret, and his personal credit with du Bois, concurred to render his presence at Paris conducive to the maintenance of the pacific system. In consequence of his at- tachment to Carteret, he became obnoxious to 60 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. in. Townshend and Walpole, and they eagerly em- braced the opportunity which the death of du Bois presented, of lessening his credit -with the kin". Townshend represented that the con- tinuance of Schaub at Paris would be prejudicial to his majesty's affairs, in consequence of the personal enmity of count Noce, who had been banished by the cardinal, and considered Schaub as the cause of his disgrace. Being now rein- stated in his former favour, he was supposed to be the person who would govern the duke of Orleans. Lord Townshend therefore suggested the propriety of deputing to Paris a person ca- pable of ascertaining the state of the french ca- binet and the real influence of Schaub; he re- commended Mr. Horace Walpole as best quali- fied for this delicate charge, and to avoid dis- gusting lord Carteret, proposed that his brother- in-law should not assume adilpomatic character, but appear to pass through Paris in his way to Hanover. The king's consent was the signal of victory,and Townshend triumphantly announces to Walpole the beneficial consequences which must result from this step. " If Horace Wal- pole executes his commission with his usual dexterity, the effect will either be that he will make such discoveries as must end in getting Schaub recalled, or at least that Schaub, finding we have credit enough to get so near a relation 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 61 sent over to superintend him, will so far con- sider his own situation, as to act in a more open and sincere manner towards us, and think it necessary to make a merit to himself ', of appear- ing to throw that interest into our hands, which* after such a tacit declaration in our favour, it may no longer be in his power to withhold from us. And as that interest has hitherto been the chief and is at present in a manner the only hold and support of our antagonists, this affair, if managed with discretion, will wound them in the most vital and sensible part*." This transaction was settled without the know- ledge of lord Carteret ; but soon afterwards the king, at the suggestion of lord Townshend, ordered him to expedite credential letters to Mr. Wai pole for the purpose of admitting the king of Portugal into the quadruple alliance. Carteret reluctantly obeyed, and Townshend again announced his success. " This indubit- o able mark of confidence towards us, and neglect towards Carteret and Schaub, cannot fail to in- duce the duke of Orleans and the french mi- nister to open themselves to my brother Ho- race, and to court our friendship. And the king's putting so near a relation of ours over * Lord Townshend to Robert Walpole, Hanover, Sept. 25, 1723. Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, Correspondence, Vol. II. p. 268. 2$ MEMOlftS OF [CHAP. in. Schaub's liead, in a court, where the whole secret of affairs centers at present in lord Carteret's province, and in the strength and heart of his interest, will be such a publication to the world of the superiority of Our credit, that I think a stronger neither can nor ought to be desired at present. * * * * " This mortifying stroke, I assure you, has so astonished lord Carteret, that I never ob- served in him, on any occasion, such visible marks of despair*." With respect to the affair of the dukedom, which lord To wnshend foresaw would encounter many difficulties, Mr. Walpole was instructed neither to oppose it, lest he should offend the king, or to interfere in the negotiation, if he could avoid it with prudence. Lord Townshend to Robert Walpole, October 25, 1 723< Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, Correspondence, Vol. II. p, 281. 1723.] LORD WALPOLK. CHAPTER 4. 1/23. State of the French Court and Character of the Minis*, ters on the Arrival of Mr. Walpole at Paris Em- barrassments from Sir Luke Schaub, and from the Affair of the Dukedom Confidential Intercourse with Count Noce and the Duke of Orleans Sudden Death of the Duke of Orleans. MR. WALPOLE arrived at Paris on the 19th of October, and on the 1st of November for- warded to lord Townshend his first dispatch containing a most perspicuous and interesting account of the french court and ministry. The answer of lord Townshend will shew the extreme satisfaction which the king derived from this communication. " Hanover, Nov. 27 Dec. 8. " Not thinking it proper to have Mr. Tho- mas come over to the Gohre, I desired him to stay at this place till our return hither; and I now take the first opportunity of dispatching him back to you, that you may have the satis- faction of knowing that the relations you sent by him werehighly acceptable to the king, who ex- pressed himself with the greates-t kindness and affection towards you on this occasion, and de- clared that he never had at any time received 64 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. so sensible and satisfactory an account of the situation of persons and affairs at the french court." Mr. Wai pole found the dtike of Orleans in full possession of absolute authority, and manag- ing the vast and complicated machine of State with a skill and facility equal to his great talents; but which the dissoluteness of his life did not seem to promise. Louis the Fifteenth was at this period only in his fourteenth year; in 1722 he had been de- clared out of his minority, and after being- crowned at Rheims, ostensibly assumed the reins of government. He was of a weak and sickly habit, and shewed no marks of that robust and hardy frame, which afterwards supported such incessant fatigue. He was affectionately de- voted to his preceptor Fleury, but wholly go- verned in affairs of State by the duke of Or- leans ; and the ministers were either persons of inferior capacity, or of little consequence. Armenonvillc, the keeper of the seals, was without weight or capacity, and is characterised by the duke of Orleans in the celebrated pas- quinade* against the ministry of du Bois, as ' In the midst of a large society of ladies, noblemen, men of letters, and artists, assembled at the house of madanir d' Auverne, the duke of Orleans affected to quote a pasquinade, which he pretended, uas recently published against himself and his administration, " Ladies and gentlemen" he said, " the 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 65 thus addressing himself to the russian ambas- sador. " Are you come, sir, to consult me as keeper of the seals, or as financier? I must French are extremely malicious in publishing the most severe libels against me and the ministers. They feign that the czar of Russia, finding the french government wiser than those of the other nations which he has visited, has just sent an envoy, express, to request the assistance of my counsels. The ambas- sador makes me a flattering eulogium on the part of his master, to which I reply, " His czarish majesty, sir, does me great honour, by his good opinion of my capacity, which I do not merit. Louis the Fourteenth, from a principle of jealousy, removed me from his councils; my studies have been confined to the belles lettres, chymistry, painting, and music. My birth, it is true, called me to the regency, but I do no interfere in the government any otherwise than to plan edicts when I am intoxicated in the evening, with my boon companions, which annul those of the preceding evening. I am concerned that I am not able to assist your master in his great projects ; but go to cardinal du Bois." '* The embassador accordingly repairing to du Bois, and delivering the prince's message, the cardinal replied, " The duke of Orleans is joking, without doubt, in sending you to me. Where does he think I have learnt to govern well 1 I am the sou of a village apothecary. I began my career at Paris, as servant to a doctor of the Sorbonne ; my good stars made me sub-preceptor to the regent, who loaded me with dig- nities, without giving me capacity. Besides I am eaten p with disease, which consumes me, and prevents me, even if I had the capacity, from transacting the affairs of France. Go then, to the keeper of the seals, and the other ministers." After drawing the characters of Armenonville, Maurepas., Breteuil, Dodun and la Vrilliere, which are inserted in the text, the duke of Orleans concluded : " Voila comment 1'am- bassadeur courant de Tun a 1'autre ministre sans rien pouvoir apprendre, s'en retourna a sa cour comuie il etoit venu." VOL. I. F 65 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. frankly inform you, that I am acquainted with my own finances, but not with those of the king; and as keeper of the seals, papers are sent me to seal, but I am not permitted to read them. I have no other merit than that of good- will." His son, count Morville, appointed to the office of secretary of State on the death of car- dinal du Bois, was, like his father, a man of in- tegrity and good- will; but little acquainted with foreign affairs, and extremely embarrassed, in transacting business. The principal cause of his elevation was derived from his devotion to England. He is characterised even by Schaub, who was prejudiced in his favour, as possessed of great good sense and prudence, but without shining talents. Mr. Walpole, in his first dispatch to lord Townshend, speaks of him as " an honest man, that does the business of his office to the satis- faction of his master, without any other confi- dence or aim at power," and as " cordially disposed to keep a good understanding with England." Jean Frederic count de Maurepas, of the branch of Philippeaux Pontchartrin, was at the head of the marine department ; he was born in 1701, and, in the seventeenth year of his age, was named secretary of State, by the 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 67 duke of Orleans, as a recom pence to his grand- father, the count de Pontchartrin, chancellor, who resigned his charge, that he might not make the will of Louis the Fourteenth, which limited the power of the regent. He was nominated superintendant of the king's house- hold in 1/18, and placed at the head of the Admiralty in 1723*. In the pasquinade Maurepas is thus character- ised, as apostrophising the russian embassador. " I should be happy to be useful to his czarish majesty ; but I trust he will have the goodness to wait until I am acquainted with business. I have sense, an inclination to learn, and love for the king and the state; but I am just come from school, and have seen no other vessel than one which ascended the Seine, two years ago, and those of two feet high which are made to amuse boys of my age. I do not however de- spair of one day rendering myself serviceable to his czarish majesty ; but I have hitherto only been a lively and mischievous boy." Breteuil, the minister at war, was son of the * He continued in different employments until 1749. when he was banished by the influence of madame de Pompadour, whom lie had satirised. He remained in exile during the whole reign of Louis the Fifteenth, but, on the accession of Louis the Sixteenth, was recalled, and, though be held no official employment, was considered as prime minister. He died in 1781 in the eighty-second year of his age, F 2 68 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. mtendant of Languedoc, and became himself inteixlant of the Limosin. He appears to have solely owed his elevation to his address in steal- ing the leaf of the register of a village in the Limosin, containing the entry of du Bois's mar- riage, which the cardinal had commissioned him to secure*. In reward for this service du Bois called him from his petty office of intendant, to succeed le Blanc as minister of war, although he was totally unacquainted with military con- cerns. Though not deficient in talents, he was a man of extreme ignorance, and no less vanity, of which St. Simon has recorded two ridiculous instances f- In the pasquinade of the duke of Orleans, Breteuil is thus introduced as speaking to the russian ambassador. " To whom, sir, do you address yourself? It is true, I am secretary at war : but I have seen no other troops than the regiment which passed through Limoges while I was intendant." Dodun comptroller-general is thus charac- terised : " I was formerly counsellor of. the parliament, and actually reported a cause ; but the duke of Orleans made me comptroller-gene- ral, and I confess myself totally unacquainted with the duties of my office." * St. Simon relates this anecdote at length, but the authors of the Dictionnaire Historique call it in question, t Oeuvres de St. Simon, Tom. 12, p. 231, 236. H23.] LORD WALPOLE. 69 Henry Philippeaux, comte de St. Florentin, son of Louis Philippeaux, marquis de la Vril- liere, succeeded his father on his dismission from the office of secretary of State, February 17, 1723. At this period he was only 18 years of age, and as he was totally without experience, to him might be applied the pasquinade of the duke of Orleans on his father. " Behold, sir, 5 * he says to the russian embassador,, " the form of our letters de cachet, that is all with which I am yet acquainted. Here is one to immure an unfortunate priest in the Bastile. This is all that I do, and all I know how to do. I give it you with great satisfaction, and you may trans- mit it to your master, who employs similar methods to send his subjects into Siberia." This was the person * who afterwards espoused Ame- lia, countess of Platen, the pretensions of whose family to a dukedom occasioned so much embar- rassment to Mr. Walpole, and hastened the recal of Sir Luke Schaub. The bishop of Frejus, afterwards well known under the denomination of cardinal Fleury, dis- creetly remained in the back ground of the pic- * Louis Philippeaux, the father, died in 1725; and Henry, the son, continued in the office of secretary of State until 1736, when he was appointed garde des sceaux, in the place of Chauvelin. He became chancellor to the queen in 1743, and in 1770 was created duke de la Vrilliere. Des Bat Dictionnaire de la Noblesse. 70 MEMOIRS OF [CHA?. nr ture, and the whole weight of affairs rested upon the duke of Orleans. Mr. Walpole commended, in the strongest terms, his great talents for business, and the general satisfaction and tran- quillity which prevailed under his administra- tion. Count Noce, whose name often occurs in the early correspondence of Mr. Walpole, though not a member of the administration, had consi- derable influence over the duke of Orleans, as a votary of wit and pleasure, and as a boon com- panion in his convivial hours. He was a man of a volatile and capricious disposition, solely addicted to his amusements, and averse to busi- ness ; he repeatedly declined all offices of trust or emolument, and piqued himself on his inde- pendence. Although he affected never to inter- fere in public affairs, yet he occasionally sug- gested hints, and exerted his great influence over his patron in his hours of relaxation. Hence he was assiduously courted by du Bois, in the early period of the regency; and facili- tated his rise at the intercession of madame de Tencin*, who carried on an intrigue with both, but was most devoted to the abbot. Claudine Alexandrine, usually styled madame de Tencin, was of an illustrious family in tbe province of Dauphine\ She took the veil, and resided in the monastery of Mont Fleury, near Grenoble; but, disgusted with the life of a nun, ob- tained, through the interest of Fontenelle, a brief from the J72f3.] LORD WALPOLE. 71 At length du Bois having firmly established his credit with the regent, neglected Noce in his applications for favours, who, provoked at pope to quit the cloister. She soon afterwards came to Paris, and rendered herself conspicuous by her beauty, talents, gal- lantries, and political intrigues. At the instigation of Torcy, she made successful advances to lord Bolingbroke, during his embassy at Paris, became a spy upon his conduct, and stole from him some papers of considerable importance. She had less success with the duke of Orleans, with whom she was employed to ingratiate herself on the death of Louis the Fourteenth, by d'Argenson, lieute- nant de police. With a view to effect her purpose, she pre- tended to be violently in love with him ; but the duke, sus- pecting the snare, was not duped by her blandishments. About the same time she captivated du Bois, and became privately his mistress, the depositary of his secrets, and the directress of his designs. On his elevation she appeared publicly as his mistress, domineered over him and his household, and was the source of honours and court favours. On his death she totally lost her influence ; but lived in a magnificent style, as she had acquired a considerable fortune, during the frenzy of the Mississippi scheme, by the assistance of Law, who was also one of her admirers. Her house continued the rendezvous of men of gallantry and letters, and among her numerous lovers was la Fresney, a counsellor of the parliament, who having a violent quarrel with her, killed himself in her apartment. Being accused of abetting the murder, she was imprisoned in the Chatelet, and from thence transferred to the Bastile ; but her innocence appearing on examination she was released, and entered again into the world. Mie was author of several novels, of which the principal are Memoires de Commiiiges, and Les Malheurs de 1'Amour. Some of her writings partake of the licentiousness of her life, and she may be said, like Mrs. Behm, " to put her characters to bed." She died in 1/49, at an advanced age. She is supposed to have been the mother of the celebrated d'Alembert, who was bom in 1717, and 7 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. his ingratitude, ineffectually endeavoured to obstruct his elevation. He once said to the duke, " I hear you intend to promote that rascal du Bois to the archbishopric of Cambray." " True," replied the duke, extremely embarras- sed ; " but his promotion will be serviceable to my affairs." In his interviews with madame Tencin, he also loaded him with the most sar- castic abuse, which the lady reporting, du Bois obtained the disgrace of Noce, and Schaub, who espoused tjie quarrels of du Bois, took an active part in this transaction. On the cardinal's death, the duke of Orleans instantly sent messenger after messenger to recal Noce, contemptuously observing in his placed as a foundling under the care of a glass-man, in the parish of La Ronde, in Paris, from whence he was calted Jean de la Ronde, until he took the name of d'Alembert. To her influence, her brother, Pierre Guerin de Tencin, principally owed his elevation. He entered early into the church, became prior of the Sorbonne, and grand vicar of Sens. He was in great friendship with Law, whose abjuration of the Protestant religion he received, and by his means he considerably improved his fortune, in a manner unfavourable to his reputation. At this period he was charge d'affaires at Rome, and aspired to the highest ecclesiastical honours. He was appointed archbishop of Embrun in 1724, and in 1/40 archbishop of Lyons. He was created cardinal in 1 739, at the nomination of the pretender, minister of state in 1742, and aspired to be prime minister on the death of cardinal Fieury, but was disappointed in his expectations. He was a man of moderate abilities, and licentious morals ; but of agreable manner?, and insinuating address. He died in 1758, aged 80. 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 73 letters, " Morta la bestia, morte il venino," and received him with embraces accompanied with tears. Mr. Walpole describes him as " a hu- mourist, full of satire and contradiction, though with a great fund of wit, and apt to give things a malicious turn, if you approach him to near." On his recal Noce testified the most inve- terate hatred and contempt of Sir Luke Schaub, and turned away with marks of disgust, when- ever he attempted to address him. His aver- sion, however, to the british agent did not influence his political opinions ; he was a staunch friend to the alliance between France and England, and warmly recommended the con- tinuance of the connection. His natural indolence and abhorrence of bu- siness induced superficial observers to suppose that he would be merely the social companion of the duke of Orleans, and not have the smallest influence in matters of state. But the sagacity of Mr. Walpole duly appreciated his character : " I have," he says, in a dispatch to lord Townshend, " the influence of count Noce upon the regent's mind so much at heart, that while Schaub, and indeed others, think him of no great consequence, because he himself, nor the regent for him, seem to have any thoughts of his being put into business, I for that very reason believe he has the greatest credit with 74 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. his royal highness, as it is certain he has en- tirely his affection. For as Noce is a bold open speaker, with a great deal of wit and good sense, but mixed with vanity, I know for certain that he values himself for not seeking to be a minis- ter, and for having never made any great ad- vantao-e from so great favour as he possesses in the regent's heart, which flatters his own vanity, and at tfie same time gives him great influence in what he says, as being disinterested, and sole- ly attached to his master's good*." According- ly Mr. Walpole courted Noce with the most assiduous attention, and succeeded in concilia- ting his friendship, and securing the good-will of the duke' of Orleans. Mr. Walpole was greatly embarrassed in his new situation, by the secret opposition of Sir Luke Schaub, who was mortified that a person of his character and connections should be sent to Paris, and apprehensive of being superseded. With a view, therefore, to render his continu- ance at Paris necessary, Schaub availed himself of the private negotiation relative to the duke" clom, and was supported by all the influence of his friend and protector lord Carteret, whose superior pre-eminence in the cabinet he blazoned to the french ministers, decried the interest of * Mr. Walpole to lord Townshend, Paris, Oct. 21 Nov. 1. 1733. 1723.] LORD WALPOLE. 75 Townshend and Walpole, and represented them as adverse to the alliance with France. With a view to defeat these manoeuvres, Mr. Walpole obtained a private audience of the duke of Orleans ; he stated the king's firm reso- lution to pursue such measures as would pre- serve the friendship and good understanding with his royal highness, and the sincere attach- ment of his relations to the same system. He likewise made a distinction between the princi- ples of the Whigs and Tories, and described the former as friendly, and the latter as hpstile, to the connection with France. This declaration made a deep impression on the mind of the duke of Orleans, and counteracted in an instant all the insinuations of Sir Luke Schaub. In consequence of these contradictory opi- nions, and the mutual jealousy of both parties, they appeared like the ministers of two rival courts ; and the letters of Mr. Walpole to his relations, and those of Sir Luke Schaub to lord Carteret, are filled with petulant remarks and vehement invectives, which it would be tedious and uninteresting to detail. In the midst of these discordant intrigues, the duke of Orleans gave an instance of his su- perior esteem for Mr. Walpole, and of his con- viction that his relations had the pre-eminence in the cabinet. By the express command of 76 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. the duke of Orleans, communicated through Count Noce, Mr. Walpole had a confidential interview with his royal highness on the sub- ject of the dukedom. After dining- with count Morville, he was conducted by Noce to a low and dark apartment in the palace of Versailles. Noce retiring, on the entrance of the duke of Orleans, his royal highness opened the confe- rence, by expressing his willingness to make any sacrifice, or undergo any hazard, to comply with the king's request. He then expatiated on the difficulties and obstacles* which resulted from the aversion of the nobility ; he represent- ed the family of la Vrilliere as having no pre- tentions to that honour ; treated the whole bu- siness as an intrigue of Schaub, who had a love affair with madame de la Vrilliere, and had de- ceived the king by his misrepresentations. He * A curious passage in the Memoirs of Villars will prove the embarrassments of the duke of Orleans. " Le bruit se re pandit alors que le due d'Orleans voulut faire de dues, et donner cet honneur au marquis de la Vril- liere, a tin que son fils Spousal une fille batarde du roi d' An- gleterre, sur relaje dis au due d'Orleans ; vos bons serviteurs ue |K nv. nt s'empecher de vous represent er que votre gloire cst intrressce k no, pas laisserdire que le roi d'Angleterre, n'osant pas donner so batarde a un milord, dont il y en a plus de deux cents, vous oblige, pour la marier, k faire nn due en France. Le regent m'avoua qu'on lui en avoit parle, et que je lui faisois un plaisir tres sensible de lui faire voir et sentir les consequences qu'aroit cette d6marcbe." Memoirs de Villars, Tom. 3, p. 92. 1723-] LORD WALPOLE. 77 declared therefore his resolution to delay pre- senting to the king of France, the letter from the king of England, requesting the grant of the dukedom which Sir Luke Schaub had deli- vered to him, until he had received further in- formation from Hanover. He then concluded, " I must therefore request you instantly to send a courier to Hanover, with a letter for lord Townshend, to lay before his majesty the true and real state of the business ; I wish to know the king's sentiments on the subject, and am ready to obey his majesty's commands, when I am convinced he is fully acquainted with the transaction." An account of this interesting interview, which proved the full reliance of the duke of Orleans on Mr. Walpole's integrity and good sense, is detailed at length, in a dispatch to lord Townshend, dated on the first of December, to belaid before the king. It was accompanied with a private letter, in which Mr. Walpole ex culpates himself from having purposely solicited this confidential communication with a view to obstruct the grant of the dukedom. He stated the delicacy of his situation, and his apprehen- sions of offending the king; yet expressed his full conviction, that the obstacles to the grant were insuperable, that Schaub had exceeded his powers, and by his indiscreet precipitancy in de- 18 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. livering the letter for the king of France, be- fore he was secure of success, had committed the king's honour. These dispatches had scarcely reached the place of their destination, before another ar- rived, which announced a sudden and unexpect- ed change in the court of France. The duke of Orleans had been some time in- disposed ; but notwithstanding the repeated so- licitations of his physicians, would neither ab- stain from pleasure or business. His surgeon observing his eyes inflamed, and his countenance bloated, predicted a fit of apoplexy, unless he would submit to be bled and physicked. The duke, smiling, replied, that vain apprehensions should not debar him from the enjoyments of life, and a sudden death was that of all others which he preferred. He accordingly continued his usual train of life, and did not relax his ex- treme application to business. On the fid of December, after dinner, in which he freely indulged himself, he transacted much business of State, until fatigued with his exertions, the importunities of visitors, and nu- merous applications, he retired to his cabinet, to repose himself until the hour in which he usual- ly waited on the king. Among many persons who were refused admittance, was his principal favourite, at this period, the duchess of Phala- 1723.] N LORD WALPOLE. 79 ris, who came to present a memorial in favour of the duchess of M-eilleray. The duke having soon afterwards enquired of his valet the names of the visitors, sent for the duchess of Phalaris, who had retired to the apartment of madame du Rohan ; because, as he said, she would not fatigue him with her importunities, and perhaps had something of importance to communicate. On entering the room, she perceived that he was indisposed. While they were conversing on the subject of the memorial, and he was pro- mising to grant her friend's request, he sunk into a kind of lethargy ; but recovering made an apology for his inattention : he soon relapsed, and the duchess observing great difficulty of res- piration, and an immediate change of counte- nance,his eyes open and his mouth distorted, rush- ed out of the cabinet, and shrieked violently for assistance. But after traversing various apart- ments in vain, she returned, and found the room full of people, and the duke extended on the floor, his head resting on the corner of the chair. He still breathed ; but after several in- effectual attempts to restore him, expired with- in a few hours, in the 50th year of his age*. * This 'account of the death of the duke of Orleans, is principally taken from Mr. Crawfurd's Dispatch to Lord Car- teret, in Lord Hardwicke's State Papers, vol. 2, p. 625. Also from a letter of Sir Luke Schaub to lord Carteret, Mr. Wai- pole's Dispatches, and CEuvres de St. Simon. go MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. iv. The sudden death of the duke of Orleans, and the doubtful prospect of the succeeding ad- ministration, filled the court and country with general consternation ; the young king received the account of his demise with great marks of sensibility and affliction, and long regretted his memory. Mr. Walpole has paid him a just tribute of applause in the dispatch which an- nounced his death. " This great and unexpect- ed stroke does I find affect, in a most sensible manner, the persons of the best quality and sense here, as thinking the death of his royal highness at this juncture, considering him as to his high birth, and superior talents in govern- ment, not to be replaced; besides that he had, by his capacity, and indefatigable pains in bu- siness, overcome difficulties almost insurmounta- ble, and given the nation a prospect of a lasting peace, which the best patriots here think abso- lutely necessary for France*." * To lord Townshend, December 6th, 1723. Walpole Papers. 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 81 CHAPTER 5. 17231724. The Duke of Bourbon becomes Prime Minister His Character and Principles Influence of Madame du Prit General Account of the New Administration Marshal de Villars Paris du Ferncy and his three Brothers Change in the Conduct of Louis the Fif- teenth Rise and Ascendancy of Fleury Extracts from Mr. Walpotes Private Letters, relating to the State of the Court, and to the Motives of his own Conduct First Conference with Fleury. THE death of the duke of Orleans was scarcely announced, before the duke of Bourbon entered the closet, and found the king in tears, and the bishop of Frejus employed in consoling him. The duke requesting the office of prime minister, the king made no reply ; but fixed his eyes on Fleury, who instantly nodding approbation, de- clared he would answer for the duke's loyalty and attachment, and that his majesty would con- sult his interest by appointing him first minis- ter. He added, " M. de la Vrilliere is in the anti^ chamber, and if your majesty is willing, I will call him to receive your orders to expedite the patent." The king said, " Yes:" La Vrilliere was admitted ; the patent was signed; and a chair of State being introduced, his majesty VOL. i. G 82 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, v, seated himself in it, and received the customary oaths from the duke of Bourbon*. Soon after the departure of the duke of Bour- bon, the young duke of Orleans entered the closet, and threw himself at the king's feet, who gently raised him from the ground; the duke burst into tears, and after exclaiming that he was too deeply affected with this melancholy catas- trophe of his father's death to address his ma-, jesty, abruptly took his leave. Louis Henri, duke of Bourbon and Ensrhien, ' O ' of the branch of Conde, usually styled, during his administration, Monsieur le Due, was in the thirty-second year of his age, when he succeeded the duke of Orleans in the office of prime minis- ter. In his early youth he displayed great per- sonal courage, but was a man of weak capacity and irresolute temper; and possessed all the vices, without the talents, of his predecessor. He was beset by projectors, encompassed by persons of indifferent reputation, and was so wholly governed by his mistress, that his ad- ministration was termed the administration of madame de Prie. Agnes, daughter of Stephen deBerthelot, Ba- ron de Baye, was born in 1698, and espoused, when very young, Louis marquis dePrie, embas,. * Mr. Walpole to lord Towusbend, Dec. 6, 1723. -"" . S ffa nii'ny . det FubKshfd fei^i *?2&t, by Ae Rev * W. GxcLarton . MAOAME J)K PR IK nn (>rnjimil at Slrau'be rrtf in// 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. S3 sador at the court of Turin *. She possessed great beauty of countenance, elegance of figure, fa/scmating manners, and, for her age and sex, no inconsiderable share of literary accomplish- ments ; but she was dissolute, imperious, venal, profuse, and intriguing. The principal ministers who directed affairs under du Bois, and the duke of Orleans, were retained by madame de Prie : Morville, Arme- nonville, la Vrilliere, Breteuil, and Dodun ; most of whom being persons without influence, and of moderate talents, where wholly subservient to her will. To these ministers the duke of Bourbon joined the marshal de Villarsf, whom he introduced into the counsel of State. These were the ostensible ministers; but the real and efficient agents of this weak administration * Desbois Dictionnaire de la Noblesse, art. Berthelot and Prie; torn. 2, p. 389, and torn. 11, p. 542. f Louis Hector, marquis and due de Villars, was born in l(>53. Being destined to the profession of arms, he gave, at an early period of his life, numerous instances of extreme intrepidity, and raised himself to the highest military rank, in which he equally distinguished himself by his skill as a general. Towards the close of the reign of Louis the Fourteenth, he revived the glory of the French arms, and, by his successful campaign in Flanders, and his negotiations at Rastadt, hastened the conclusion of the peace of Baden. His character is woll and truly diawn by Voltaire , " Heureux Villars, fanfaron, plein de coeur ;" for his vanity was equal to his success and intrepidity. 8 4 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. \% were four brothers of the name of Paris, whose vapid rise and singular adventures are recorded by Saint Simon. Their father kept a solitary inn at the foot of the Alps, in a narrow pass leading to Italy. His four sons, who followed the oc- cupation of muleteers, were active, industrious and intelligent, and performed essential service by transporting provisions and forage across the mountains, to the army of the duke de Vendome in Italy, who, by the delay of his commissary, had been prevented from opening the campaign. The activity and zeal of the four brothers at- V tracted notice ; they were again employed, made great profits, and gradually became contractors themselves. After raising considerable fortunes they repaired to Paris, where their talents were rewarded, and they were employed in the de~ partment of the finances, under the duke of Noailles and Argenson. During the regency, Law had great difficulty in suppressing their credit and ^influence ; but on the overthrow of his system, to which they greatly contributed, they again rose into power. They principally directed the administration of the finances, under Pelletier de la Houssaie, who was made comptroller-general in 1720, and under Dodun, who succeeded him in 1 722 ; they were often consulted by du Bois, and no- ticed by -the duke of Orleans. Being protected 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 85 by madame de Prie, their authority was para- mount during the administration of the duke of Bourbon. The eldest was distinguished by the name of Paris"; the second was called la Mon- tagne, from the sign of his father's inn; the third, Montmartel ; and the fourth, Duverney, who had served as a common soldier, and waa the most remarkable for his address and in- fluence. The commencement of the duke of Bourbon's administration was extremely embarrassed, by the opposition of the family of Orleans, and by the cabals of his mother, Louisa Frances, natural daughter of Louis the Fourteenth, whose high O ' O spirit could not brook subjection to a superci- lious and domineering mistress. He was, as Mr. Walpole, in a letter to his brother, justly ob- serves, " encompassed with a mother and a mistress, who had both their private views and interests ; who heartily hated one another, but lived well enough in appearance; each appre- hending who should get the better in case of a rupture, and both of them daily suggesting, by their creatures, some project that might flatter the duke's particular interests and ambition*." The evil effects of these cabals, and of the duke's incapacity, were counteracted by the situation and ascendancy of FLeury. * Nov. 28, 1724. S5 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. v. Andrew Hercules de Fleuiy, was son" of a receiver of tythes in the diocese of Lodeve, in the province of Languedoc. He was born on the 22d of June 1653, and discovering early signs of quick comprehension, was sent to Paris, at the age of six, and prosecuted his studies with great assiduity and success, under the Jesuits, and in the school of Harcourt. He dis- tinguished himself by his public dissertations in latin and greek, in which he explained, with considerable learning, the principal doctrines of the athenian philosophers. Being destined to the church, he obtained, in 1668, a canonry of Montpellier, by the recommendation of Pierre f Lord }l'(//j>t>lr . 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. Vf amenity of his manners, the charms of his con- versation, and the discretion of his conduct. These amiable qualities, which acquired him many friends, among the first persons of the jealm, for some time retarded his promotion. Louis the Fourteenth was displeased with his courtly manners and general acquaintance, which appeared to him marks of dissipation, and in reply to the numerous applications for a bishopric, said, " Fleury has too many friends, and is too much a man of the world to fulfil the duties of an episcopal station." Fleury submitted patiently to these disappoint- ments, and was at length, by the importunity of the archbishop of Paris, promoted to the see of Frejus, in Provence*'. Retiring to his bishopric he performed his professional duties with extreme regularity, tempered the dignity of his high office with his characteristic suavity of disposition, liquidated, by the strictest rcco- nomy, the debts which his predecessors had entailed upon the diocese, and rendered himself equally beloved and respected. He performed the most essential service to the town and district of Frejus, when Victor Amadeus, duke of Savoy, and prince Eugene, led a considerable army against Toulon. The inhabitants of Frejus, alarmed at the approach * In 1698. 88 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, v, of the enemy, were preparing to retire, but were prevented by the bishop, whose interposition with the duke of Savoy saved the town from pillage on the payment of a moderate contri- bution. During three days, which the duke and prince Eugene passed in the episcopal palace, they distinguished the bishop with uncommon marks of attention ; and Victor Amadeus was so much delighted with his conversation and manners, that he pressed him to accept the office of governor to his son, afterwards Charles Emanuel the First, an honour which the bishop declined; but he offended Louis the Fourteenth by performing Te Deum in the cathedral of Frejus, and publicly offering the holy water to the duke of Savoy, which was maliciously repre- sented as an act of rejoicing for the success of his arms ; circumstances which added obstacles to his further promotion. During his residence in his bishopric he col- lected various memorials relating to the re- venue, and the improvement of several branches of commerce, manufactures and agriculture, which increased his political knowledge. He did not totally bury himself in his diocese; but made occasional excursions, appeared at court, and in the capital, and kept alive his antient connexions, particularly with the families of 1723-1124.] LORD WALPOLE. 89 Noailles and Villeroy, to whom he principally owed his subsequent elevation. Louis the Fourteenth, having, at the insti- gation of madame de Maintenon, made by will an act of settlement for the government of the kingdom, during the minority of his grandson, which divided the administration, and the care of the young king's person, between the dukes of Orleans and Maine, under the controul of a council of regency, appointed marshal Villeroy governor ; but was embarrassed in the choice of a preceptor, who was capable of that important trust, and calculated to conciliate the different parties. After much hesitation and difficulty he was induced, by the importunity of marshal Villeroy, to nominate Fleury, who, aware of this arrangement, had recently resigned the bishop- ric of Frejus for the abbey of Tournus. Although the duke of Orleans, on the death of Louis the Fourteenth, annulled the will of the monarch, and assumed the sole regency; yet he confirmed the appointment of the governor and preceptor. During the turbulent and intri- guing period of the regency, Fleury conducted himself with such circumspection as to give no umbrage to the duke of Orleans or the cardinal du Bois ; he entered into no cabals, he made no applications, either for himself or his friends; but seemed wholly attentive to fulfil the duties 9 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. v. of his trust, and gradually gained an uncommon influence over the mind of his royal pupil. In the course of his employment, he omitted no opportunity of obtaining information on the domestic and foreign affairs of France, thus qualifying himself for the station which he afterwards attained. The disgrace of his patron marshal Villeroy, which seemed likely to involve him in the same catastrophe, contributed to strengthen his influ- ence, and perpetuate his power. Informed of Villeroy 's arrest, he precipitately quitted the court, and retired to Baville, a seat belonging to his friend de Lamoignon. The young king, deeply afflicted with the loss of his governor and preceptor, refused all sustenance, took no rest, and endangered his life by the excess of his grief. In this alarming situation, the retreat of Flcufy being either purposely or accidentally discovered, a letter from the king, affectionately urging his return, and another from the regent, in terms no less flattering, after some affected delays, drew him to Versailles, where his pre- sence instantly restored the king to health and tranquillity. He resumed his office, under the duke of Charost, the new governor : and though he suffered the imputation of ingratitude for desrrtinghis former benefactor; yet he secretly exulted in the removal of an imperious master, 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 91 and anticipated the most glorious prospects of future elevation. * Soon after this event, Fleury gave a proof of great disinterestedness, or still greater ambition, by declining the archbishopric of Rheims, the first station in the kingdom, except that of a prince of the blood; declaring to the regent, who pressed him to accept it, that he preferred his station about the king's person, and in the councH, to all the dignities upon earth. It is likewise a striking proof, either of his pru- dence or his integrity, that he did not sup- plant the duke of Orleans, and accept the office of prime minister, offered him by the king, on the death of cardinal du Bois. He seems to have stood in awe of the regent; -and even be- fore the disgrace of his patron Villeroy, he seldom ventured, and not without great apparent dif- fidence, to be present in the cabinet, when the duke of Orleans transacted business with the kins:* and concealed his views under an air of O ' candour and simplicity. Hitherto Fletirv, adhering to his unobtrusive / ' O manner, had kept in the back ground; but he now became a prominent figure in the french administration. His abilities, however, were at * A la fin de ce travail oil le marechal de Villars assistoit toujours, et oil quelquefois 1'ancien eveque de Frejus se haz- ardoit de rester, &c. Si, Simon, t. 9, p. 96. 9 j MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. v. this period so little appreciated, that he was merely considered as a learned bigot, wholly ig- norant of foreign politics. Even Mr. Walpole, notwithstanding his discernment of character, did not at first sufficiently appreciate the inde- pendence and spirit of Fleury. Although he mentions him in his first dispatch to lord Townshendf as a man of great learning, abili- ties, and credit with the king; yet he also con- sidered him as a creature and spy of the duke of Orleans. Such being the state of the french court, and of the principal characters who composed or in- fluenced the administration, the situation of Mr. Walpole called forth all his sagacity and discretion. He was embarrassed with the long- pending affair of the dukedom, he was thwarted by Sir Luke Schaub, he was without a perma- nent official character, and uncertain, at this crisis, by whom the duke of Bourbon would be governed, or by whom the helm of State would be directed. He was urged by Schaub to pay instant court to madame de Prie; he was im- portuned by Bolingbioke to employ his agency with the duke of Bourbon; but he prudently kept aloof from the petty cabals of women and courtiers, and wailed till the struffffle of the oo contending parties was decided. He did not, Paris, November 1, 1723. Walpole Papers. 1723*1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 93 however, neglect his duty: he obtained, in an interview with the duke of Bourbon, the strono-- ' O est assurances, that the death of the duke of Orleans would make no change in the measures hitherto pursued to preserve the union between the two nations, and formed a plan for his fu- ture conduct, to gain the party who should acquire the ascendancy. A few extracts from his interesting letters to his brother and lord o Townshend will shew the uncertain state of the french court, and the motives by which his conduct was regulated. " The particular audience that Mr. Crawfurd* and I had, last night, at Versailles, of the duke of Bourbon, which gave me some, and indeed would have given me a great deal of satisfac- tion, had his highness in any respect an autho- rity, credit, or capacity equal to his predecessor, or to his own inclinations ; though I think we have not at present any thing to fear, and we must be looking to see what pilot, what hands, and what materials this new and unexperienced admiral will make use of to steer under him in a season and a sea so doubtful. In the mean time I will venture, by way of speculation with you, to state the difference of the late and pre- * Mr. Grawfurd was secretary to the embassy, and chargfe d'affaires. 94 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. v. sent situation of persons and times, and to leave the ecclaircissement of them to future events. " The duke of Orleans had an authority by his birth, as presumptive heir to the crown, which the duke of Bourbon not only wants, but has a dangerous rival to his administration, in the person that has an unquestionable title before him. The duke of Orleans by virtue of that right, and his own great address, had guarded all the avenues to the king, and not only kept every body in awe, and at a distance from his majesty, but had indeed made himself of late more agreeable to him than any body- else. The duke of Bourbon, I am afraid, wants not only that foundation of right, but also the talents necessary to establish himself in that manner, and must expect that others will ap- proach his majesty, and perhaps influence him too on certain occasions. His royal highness, by a great genius, and long experience in af- fairs, had got the better of all cabals and parties against him, and his right of succession to the crown, and had settled his own interest on so strong and extensive a bottom, that not only the tranquillity of Europe^ but the interest and repose of France itself, depended upon it; and even those that had been his enemies had laid aside their principles to become courtiers to him, which made him every day grow more 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 95 popular of late, and is now generally lamented. Even the marshal d'Huxelles, who hated him most, has been heard to say since his death, that it is a pity so great a coquin should be so great a loss. " The duke of Bourbon, as it is visibly his interest and his inclination to follow the same plan, has certainly steadiness and resolution enough, in particular points, when he has once taken his pile; but as he has always been en- compassed with projectors, he may possibly fall into hands and measures, that may make him uneasy in his management of civil affairs, and the same want of discernment, as to persons and things, may, by degrees, unwarily lead him into steps relating to foreign affairs, incon- sistent with the present system, and his own interests. " Madame de Prie has certainly a vast ascen- dant over him, and as she is a lady of an intri- guing and craving temper, money will be her principal view ; it is therefore thought, that the Paris's will be able to gain her, and will be con- sequently the duke's chief directors, as to the finances, which may indeed exclude M. le Blanc and Mr. Law, for whom his highness has cer- tainly some inclination. ****** " Morville is thought to be at present well with the duke of Bourbon, on account of 96 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, v, foreign affairs; and should he gain credit enough to make his opinion prevalent, and of weight with his highness, it would be of good consequence ; but as preceptor Frejus is said to have in a manner recommended the duke to his majesty to be prime minister, and is thought to be underhand in an alliance with Villars, those two, who were all complaisance and sub- mission to the duke of Orleans, may now think of acting upon their own views and principles ; it being almost as necessary for the duke to court them, as for them to court the duke. " Frejus is not very able, I am told, as to foreign affairs; but a mighty bigot: insomuch that the French themselves think him too great a papist. I have learnt this day a particular instance of it, and of his being no great friend to England. The night before I was to deliver my credential letter to his majesty, Vabbe Alaric, sub-preceptor to the king, was in com- pany with Mr. Crawfurd and me, and the next morning, being at his usual hour with his ma- jesty, he talked to the king of my being to wait upon him that day, and of both of us in so kind a way as to please his majesty, which Mr. Frejus taking notice of, stepped up, and said, But these arc enemies, &>e, to our holy religion. ' The natural disposition and view of mar- *hal Villars is known to all the world; war and 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 93 glory are what he desires, and especially to re- trieve and revenge the honour of France ; and should bigotry and glory prevail in french councils, the old maxims will soon revive; but it is to be hoped, and I verily believe that apprehensions of this nature are at a distance, and before it must come to this, Torcy must be recalled, who will not be contented to act bare- ly as a commis ; and should there ever be any good foundation for suspecting his return to business, in that case, perhaps, his majesty will think it necessary to give the duke of Bourbon notice, in a proper time and manner, of the dis- trusts and jealousy it must needs create in the mind of his majesty and his good subjects, in order to hinder in time his highness from taking so dangerous a step. ***** " From these particulars it is not unlikely but that in some time great cabals, divisions, and parties, will be formed in this court, from whence we may at least have this comfort, that it will more than ever be not only the duke of Bourbon's, but the interest of the other princes, rather to make their court to, than to quarrel with his majesty ; and it is the general opinion here, that M. le Due has shewn this particular mark of friendship to the marshal de Villars, in order to strengthen himself at home, without any regard to things abroad. * * * * VOJL, i. a oft MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. v. " The duke of Chartres *, besides his grief for the loss of his father, is certainly affected at heart for that of his right, as he thinks it, to be a prime minister, (being one of the council, and in the one and twentieth year of his age,) and to such a degree as not to be able to disguise it. ****** " Tilings standing thus, we must wait to see what may be the consequence of the stubborn coolness and indeed aversion of the duke of Chartres to the duke of Bourbon, and to what a degree he will push it. The duke of Chartres's best friends, I am told, blame his conduct, especially as it arises in opposition to the other's being prime minister, which being an imme- diate act of the king himself, approved and submitted to by the whole nation, will put him not only in the wrong in the eye of the world, but be made use of to his disadvantage with the young king; but it is said that his mother, the duchess of Orleans, is inexorable against the duke of Bourbon, and animates her son in this state of enmity and defiance. Should this fatal division continue, and consequently by degrees increase, the danger we have to appre- hend seems to be, lest one of those, without considering his real interest, in regard to the succession of the crown, should, for his imme- The duke of Orleans by the death of his father. 1723-IT24.] LORD WALPOLE. 99 cliate support, fling himself into the councils and power of the king of Spain, and that the emperor may, if he sees a prospect of civil dis- orders in France, make his advantage of them, and think of measures that may hazard the tranquillity of Europe. But it is to be hoped, that such apprehensions are so far out of sight at present, as not to prevent the conclusion of what has been so long depending at Cambray. Whether that congress may not suffer some delays, depends entirely upon the behaviour of the courts of Spain and Vienna, when they shall have known the duke of Orleans's death, and the state of affairs here. " As to the duke of Bourbon's own conduct in his administration, and who is like to have the greatest influence upon it, you may con- clude from what I have already said, that as things now stand, he seems determined to make use of the hands, and follow the steps of the duke of Orleans, relating to foreign ajfairs, " But for having the chief confidence and power with him, in regard to the management of civil matters, there are great cabals and intrigues, the chief of which seems to be between madame de Pile, the duke's mistress, and the duchess of Bourbon, his mother. Their views both tend immediately to their parti- cular profit, and his majesty's ministers should 100 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. v. be cautious here, as yet, in their application to either, foV fear of not only giving jealousy to the other, but even to the duke of Bourbon him- self, as if he was to be influenced by ladies in his administration. J Should madame de Prie prevail, Crawfurd has the means of a very good access to her ; should the duchess prevail, Lassay, who is, and has been for some time her gallant, may have a good deal to say, and must be managed. He has been a handsome agreeable person, but has no great knowledge of business, besides that of projects and stockjobbing, which made him intimate with Mr. Law, and endea- vour, not long before the duke of Orleans's death, to do him service, even to have him sent for back. But Lassay 's reputation is none of the best ; his father has a good character, had great credit in Louis the Fourteenth's time, and is of the stamp and principles of the old court, having be6n some years an humble servant to madame tie Bon, Torcy's sister." During this state of suspense, Mr. Walpole first adopted that line of conduct which after- wards gave success to his negotiations, and con- tributed to secure the friendship of France during a period of unexampled difficulty. Though still misinformed of the real views and character of Fleury, he was aware of his growing credit and influence with the king. He there- 1723-1124.] LORD WALPOLE. 101 fore opened a personal communication with the venerable preceptor, and obtained an interview, of which he gives an account in a letter to his brother, dated December Uth, 1723, N. S. " The constant and assiduous attendance of bishop Frejus upon the young king, as coun- sellor as well as preceptor, makes it difficult to see him, unless by a particular appointment, which, however desirous I might be, I would not officiously affect to do, after the full assurance I had received already of the duke of Bourbon's good intentions, as well from himself as from other ministers and particular friends. But Mr. Crawfurd and I being at Versailles on Monday morning, whither we went upon an invitation of the marshal de Villars to dine with him there that day, we did, upon an intimation of abbe Alaric, sub-preceptor to the king, of the bishop's being at his lodgings, wait upon him, and as soon as we came in, he discharged those that were about him, and ordered to be denied : after the first compliments between us were over, and he had expressed himself with a respect due to the king our master, and regard to the administration and happy state of affairs, we found an opportunity to mention the present state of affairs here ; upon which he immediately gave us, in the readiest and roundest manner, the strongest assurances of the fixt resolution of , 03 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. r. his most Christian majesty and his council, to persevere in the same system, the same mea sures, and in the same good understanding with the king our master, relating to foreign affairs, s had been pursued and brought so near to a happy conclusion by the late duke of Orleans ; and he declared upon the word and faith of a bishop, there was not the least doubt, nor the shadow of any thoughts to the contrary. That as for his own part we might depend upon his being entirely of the same opinion with Mr. le Due and Mr. de Morville in what they had assured us on this subject, and added that as a counsellor to the most christain king, the interest, welfare, and peace of his^ majesty's kingdoms should have the first and uppermost place in his thoughts, and when they came under consideration, he should always in giving this advice, however attached he may be to his own religion, divest himself of his cross and eccle- siastical function. He expressed himself on this occasion with so much frankness, candour, and simplicity, that truth and sincerity seemed to accompany his words, and he appeared to us in the state, he said, he should always be when con- sulted by his majesty upon foreign affairs. *' He seemed not to doubt of things going well ; that this sudden stroke of the duke of Prleans's death might at first occasion an alarm 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. and ferment in all Europe ; he hoped it would subside again, and things go on in their former channel, and that we should see this great work of the quadruple alliance brought to a final con- clusion, by finishing the congress, in a manner, as soon as it was opened. " We were not wanting, you may be assured, to express our great satisfaction and acknow- ledgements to the bishop for having done us the honour to declare his sentiments so much for the advantage of the two nations, and for the public tranquillity of Europe, in so open and obliging a manner; and that we did not doubt but his personal credit with his most Christian majesty, as well as great influence he must needs have in his counsels, would be of singular service and weight for the good purposes he had men- tioned, and particularly for improving the union and confidence between the two nations : as his majesty had already given sufficient proofs of having that in view, and at heart, more than any other consideration, we might venture to assure him before hand, that he would continue in the same sentiments notwithstanding the late alter- ation. The bishop answered, that he was fully persuaded of what we said, but could not for* bear observing, at the same time, that there was a party in England extremely affected to the emperor. We answered, that we had been the 104 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. r. emperor's friends for a great many years, for the good of our own country, and for preserving the balance of Europe; and that w*g%ere wil- ling to live well with him still, but by no mean* to such a degree as to give into any views that might disturb the present peace, and lead us into war de gaiete (k cceur; that upon the same principles, and for the same reasons, we now desire to live in confidence with France; that for his majesty's part he had no pretensions, no differences to adjust with any prince whatso- ever, nothing to desire but the peace of his own subjects, and the tranquillity of the rest of Europe. " Upon the whole, I think, considering the bishop's character, and the manner of his con- versation with us, we have no reason to suspect but that he spoke his own real sentiments, as well as the duke of Bourbon's and Mofville's, in regard to the measures to be pursued here, at least at this present juncture; and I having since seen the dutch embassador, he confirmed me in this opinion, by letting me know that Frejus had upon the same subject spoke his mind so fully and so openly to him, that he must be the most avowed rogue in the world if he designed to deceive him, and he has not, to do him jus- tice, that reputation." This conference removed the prejudices 1723-1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 10$ which Mr. Walpole had entertained of the opinions and character of Fleury, and laid the foundation of that intimate union which was established between two persons whose man- ners and deportment were opposite ; but whose views and principles tended solely to promote the honour and advantage of their respective countries, and to preserve the peace of Europe. And so convinced was Mr. Walpole of the bishop's candour and integrity, that, in a letter of December 22, after expatiating on the dan- gers which might arise from the enmity be- tween the dukes of Orleans and Bourbon, he adds, " Nothing can be more desirable than a reconciliation between these two great person^ ages, both for their own sakes, and for the sake of the public peace. In the mean while, I flat- ter myself that old Frejus has got so much pos- session of the king's ear and mind, as to be able to fix him to the present administration, and to prepossess him against any insinuation to the Contrary." 106 MEMOIRS Of [CHAP. vr. CHAPTER 6. 1724 1725. Situation and Views of Lord Bolingbroke Mr. Wai- pole declines his Intervention with the Duke of Bour- bon Extracts from his Letters, relating to -various Conversations with Bolingbroke, on the State of Af- fairs in the French Court, and on his Exile II i& complete Restoration prevented by Sir Robert Wai- pole. IN" no instance, perhaps, did Mr. Walpole dis- play greater sagacity and discretion, than in his behaviour to lord Bolingbroke, who now resided at Paris, and, since his dismi&sion from the pre- tenderV service, had opened a clandestine corre- spondence with the british ministers, and essentially contributed to injure the cause of the Jacobites. In consequence of his services, he had recei- ved from Sunderland and Stanhope, promises of restoration to his estates and honours, the fulfil- ment of which, on their deaths, he claimed from Townshend and Walpole, and his solici- tations were countenanced by the influence of the duchess of Kendal, and of his friend lord Harcourt, who had recently: made his peace with the ministry. His marriage with madame de Villcttc, niece of madame de Maintenon, having facilitated his intercourse with the 1IKX11Y ATLSCOTnVT BOT^TJVCTSItOJKJE at* <>ri(}incit til /' , I ire rl /i 1*724-172*0 LORD WALPOLE. 107 french court, his interposition was considered as highly important ; in May 1723 his pardon passed the great seal, and he was enabled to re- turn to England, but without the restoration of his estate and peerage. After passing some months in England, where he paid the most abject court to Townshend and Walpole, with the hopes of obtaining a full restoration to his estates and honours, he re- turned to Paris. On th? death of the duke of Orleans, the british ministers, eager to avail themselves of his intimacy with the duke of Bourbon, instructed Mr. Walpole to employ his intervention in promoting the continu- ance of the union between the two courts. Bolingbroke, eager to extort his restitution, by becoming the principal channel of communica- tion, importuned Mr. Walpole with his offers to negotiate directly with the duke of Bourbon, and particularly to employ his influence in the affair of the dukedom. In the course of his conferences, he continually reverted to the un- easiness and uncertainty of his situation, and expressed his hopes of restoration ; he affected to renounce his connection with the Tories, professed his inviolable attachment to the Whigs, and declared his fixed resolution to act in subservience to those who restored him to his country. jOs MEMOIRS OF [CHAP.VI. Mr. Walpole, aware of his object, and con- scious of the danger of entrusting the affairs of England to a person of his versatile and am- bitious character, declined his overtures, by re- presenting the difficulty of carrying the re- versal of his attainder through parliament, not- withstanding the support of the ministers. Lord Bolingbroke appeared to yield to these reasons; but expressed his wish, that the mi- nisters might so far obtain the reversal of his attainder, as to enable him to inherit his pa- ternal estate, which Mr. Walpole agreed to re- present to his brother. Two letters from Mr. Walpole to his brother will display his extreme caution, and shew the address by which he succeeded in declining the mediation of Bolingbroke, and in transacting the business directly with the duke of Bourbon him- self. " Paris, Dec. 15, 1723. Tom Roberts brought me your letter of the 29th instant, which I own did not so much surprise (Brinsden being the forerunner of it) as it did concern me, finding myself once more upon a precipice, to avoid the danger of which greater discretion and abilities than I am master of are certainly required. As you prudently avoided writing to lord Boling- broke, had you likewise endeavoured to gain time, until you had heard from me, relating to 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 109 the situation of affairs, I should have escaped easily the great difficulties which I now appre- hend, and made -a good use of my lord Boling- broke's information, without having given him any handle to be the negotiator of his majesty's affairs, and by degrees endeavour to make him- self the necessary instrument between the two courts; the consequences of which are too obvi- ous, on many accounts, to your understanding, to make it needless for me to mention. Tor I have seen him since the death of the duke of Orleans several times, received several lights from him, have been very open and friendly in my conversation with him ; but as he never of- fered, so I never intended to desire him to take a part in doing his majesty service with the duke of Bourbon, as being by no means wanted, and, as I hinted before, leading to great incon- veniences. " But Brinsden is come with a letter from lord Harcourt; Tom Roberts is likewise ar- rived with a letter from you, to back, as lord Bolingbroke must naturally think, what the other has wrote and recommended ; and as the devil would have it, his lordship and Tom entered my room at the same instant, and I having perused your letter before him, let him know that it referred to something that lord Harcourt had wrote to his lordship by no MEMOIRS OF [ciiAf. vi. Brinsden. Lord Bolingbroke immediately read to me, aloud, (Crawf'urd being by,) that part of lord Harcourt's letter relating to the great ser- vices he, Bolingbroke, was thought to be capa- ble of doing at this juncture, by his acquaint- ance and intimacy with the duke of Bourbon, and with a seeming modesty, and a good deal of art, said that it was some time since he had been intimate with his highness; however he would go immediately to Versailles, and wait upon him, and see what is to be done : then in the sequel of this discourse began to chalk out ways and schemes by which he could become acquainted with madame de Prie, or others that might stand fairest in the duke of Bourbon's fa- vour, and by that means endeavour to be useful to his majesty, if it was thought proper; and he seemed to appear rather indifferent than over fond of such a commission, taking it for granted, at the same time, as if this had been an appli- cation to him. But I confess this was the first time I have seen, since I have been here, any real satisfaction or pleasure in his countenance. After a short conversation, in which I had no great share, he desired me to dine with him to- morrow, which I did not decline, for fear of making him suspect a cdolness in me on the sub- ject of your letter. But I shall, in the best man- ner, decline any further offices from him after 1724-1 725. J LORD WALPOLE. Ill this visit of his to the duke of Bourbon. I have fully apprised Mr. Crawfurd, who is his friend, and wishes him well, of what consequence it may be to let lord Bolingbroke into the man- agement of his majesty's affairs here, and he seems very sensible of it. And now fortune and my stars direct and protect me, once more, in this critical juncture ! and if ever I become an itine- rant minister again, I know whose fault it is." " December 16\ Yesterday, as I have hinted to you already, I went to dine with my lord Bo- lingbroke, and before we sat down to table, he took Mr. Crawfurd and me aside, to acquaint us with the conversation he had with the duke of Bourbon, at Versailles, in which his highness having expressed his resolution of living with the same confidence and union with his majesty, and upon the same foot of friendship with him as the duke of Orleans had done, he took an occasion to ask his lordship, whether he had seen the king's ministers here, and hoped they were well satisfied with him. His lordship re- plied, he had seen Mr. Walpole and Mr. Craw- furd, who had declared themselves extremely pleased with the assurances his highness had given them. Upon mentioning my name, his highness said, his brother in England was one of great capacity, in conducting well the home affairs there; but had little or no concern or in- rti MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vi. fluence in what was to be transacted in foreign courts. His lordship, on this occasion, did you justice in all respects, and gave his highness to understand, that whoever was looked upon to be so considerable as you are in the administration, did not tail to have his weight in council, upon foreign as well as domestic affairs, though it was not the immediate business of his own de- partment. His highness answered, he was in- formed, that lord C'arteret was the person who had the chief and only care and direction of the things abroad; his lordship replied, that lord Townshend had immediately by his station an equal concern in the management of them. " The duke of Bourbon, after this discourse was over, took an occasion to mention to lord Bolingbroke M. de la Vrillieres affair of the dukedom, as what Schaub had been very solici- tous with him to have immediately done, as what his majesty would certainly expect, on ac- count of the letters he had wrote, and were de- livered to the duke of Orleans, before his death, and had since, though unopened, fallen into his highness's hands, who is prime minister. The duke spoke of Schaub with a good deal of con- tempt, but talked of this affair in such a manner, as though desirous, on one side, to know his majesty's real sentiments, yet more uneasy, on the other, lest too great a delay should look as if 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 113 he neglected to do in a handsome manner what his majesty might perhaps have much at heart. I think it is plain, from lord Bolingbroke's dis- course, that the duke of Bourbon would do it with pleasure, if he thought it would oblige the king. From what the duke of Bourbon said, in relation to the ministers in England, it is plain that Sir Luke Schaub, by himself, or his friends, is endeavouring, by insinuations, to make im- pressions and distinctions of his majesty's ministers, in favour of such only as he looks upon as his chief patrons and supporters ; and whether he does this with a view to his majes- ty's service, or his own, in particular, I leave you to judge. " But to return to lord Bolingbroke. After he had finished his account of his discourse with the duke of Bourbon, he said that he had made this step at the desire of our friends in England; but that he had two reasons why he thought it not proper to engage himself too far, and be very busy in our concerns here. The first, as what perhaps might be of no great use to his majesty at present ; the second, on account of his situation, being in a constant uneasiness and suspense, about what may be, or may not be done for him in England, and where, how, and with whom he is to pass the rest of his days. " I laid hold of what he said to let him know VOL. t. i II4 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, vi; I thought he talked extremely right, and that it would be unreasonable to expect that he should exert himself here, for the service of England, without knowing what he might de- pend upon from thence, which I said it was impossible for me to tell him at present. He seemed well enough satisfied at what I had said; but yet I must observe to you, in confi- dence, that I believe, by his countenance and manner of speaking, he was in hopes of greater encouragement, and exhortations from me to engage him in our service, than I would ven- ture to give him ; and hinted as if time and circumstances might offer an opportunity of being useful. But I let this matter rest there, and I hope there will be no occasion to renew it again, it being my opinion that this court seems entirely disposed to live well with his majesty, and I don't doubt but they themselves think his majesty's friendship as necessary to them as theirs can be to his majesty, at least as things stand now. The insinuations, therefore, that may be made to you, by the friends of Mr. Law, or even .of my .lord Bolingbroke, of their being capable to be useful to us at this time here, is no otherwise so, than as we think fit to make it to ourselves. And I don't see that it can be in their power to do us any harm, un- less we officiously put it into their power to do us 1724-1725.] LORD- WALPOLE. us good> not but that we should continue to shew them all outward x civilities and regard, they being already upon that foot with us." "Paris, December 29, 1723, N. S.* As I intimated to you in my last, lord Bolingbroke, after he had told me he expected to be sent for by the duke of Bourbon in two or three days, went the day after that discourse to Versailles, and being returned, he made me a visit on Sun- day evening, and told me that he had seen his highness, who, after having talked with him, in great confidence, of some disputes and difficul- ties about his particular affairs at court, &c. he opened his mind to him upon that of the duke- dom demanded for M. de la Vrilliere, and ex- pressed himself extremely embarrassed with a thing of this nature in the beginning of his ad- ministration, by which he found himself either under a necessity of disobliging his majesty, to whom he would gladly give the most early proofs of his zeal for his service, or else of pushing an affair which might be difficult for him to obtain, and be attended with great inconveniences in regard to the nobility of France. The young king had been already prepossessed, and spoke against it; Frejus opposed it, and had treated M. de la Vrilliere with a great deal of freedom Orford Papers. I 3 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. YI. upon it ; all the men of quality, as it came in their way, shewed their aversion to it, with much more to the same purpose relating to the nature of the thing-, as what the duke of Orleans had represented to me on that subject, adding some severe expressions about the impertinence of Sir Luke Schaub in never letting him alone upon it. " Lord Bolingbroke asked his highness, why he did not speak to me, whom he was pleased to represent as a person more proper to be talked to upon a thing of such nicety and consequence, and might be better able to inform his highness of his majesty's real sentiments, and to make him more easy under these difficulties? His highness paused sohie time, and said, No; he would not speak to me, lest such a conversation should draw upon him a new letter from his majesty, which might lay him under a stronger obligation to execute the thing, before he knew whether he was able to do it, than he was at present, in the way it had come to his bands. But after some discourse he gave his lordship authority to sound me, as from himself, whether his highness could talk to me on this subject without any such risk, and let him know my answer. " Lord Bolingbroke having finished his rela- tion, immediately with great vivacity and plea- sure told me* I never could have such a glorious opportunity to lay a foundation of merit and H24-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 117 confidence with his highness, to shew how his majesty has been imposed upon and deceived by Schaub, and to destroy the credit of lord Car- teret, who must have been at the bottom of this whole matter. " This encouraging discourse of his lordship, joined \with the general precaution I had framed to myself not to be led into any matter of mo- ment and confidence under his lordship's man- agement and conduct, gave me time to recol- lect, and to let his lordship know, that I was extremely obliged to him for his good intentions to put me into a way of credit and esteem with his highness; but I was afraid the opportunity he proposed was of too nice a nature for me to make use of for that purpose : I was not en- tirely convinced that Schaub had deceived his majesty as to M. le Due's own disposition to the dukedom for la Vrilliere; because by the ac- count his lordship had given of his former con- versation with his highness on that subject, as well as what I had heard from others, had made me believe that M. le Due himself had been favour- ably inclined towards it. I took the case to be, that the ladies had engaged him, before the late iuke of Orleans's death, to give his consent, at least acquiescence to it, when it should be pro- posed in council, and afterwards, at his first com- ing to the administration of affairs, they may 118 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, vi, likewise have touched him in a lucky moment, and obtained a renewal of his former assurances but his highness having since taken the affair as prime minister into his serious consideration, and consulted with others, as well particular friends, as persons that must be concerned in doing it, finds the advice and disposition of every body against it, and himself intanglcd with inextricable difficulties, which made me ap- prehensive that the most cautious conversation of mine with his highness on so delicate a point, in the negotiation of which I had had no share or concern, might be turned afterwards to my dis- advantage in case the thing did not succeed. But I was on the other hand extremely con- cerned lest M. le Due should take ill my de- clining to see him on the foot and in the man- ner desired; for, although his lordship was to speak to me as from himself, yet as it arose from a conversation that he had with his highness, and his lordship was to carry an answer back to him as to my disposition, in this case I was afraid that the difference between a message directly from the duke, and what his lordship said to me, was so small, that his lordship's report of my conduct might make an impression to my pre- judice in his highncss's mind, which was a thought extremely grievous to me, especially at this juncture ; but I could not tell how to avoid 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 119 it, but by leaving it to his lordship's manage- ment to give it the most favourable turn he could. "I perceived his lordship extremely uneasy at this discourse, and with the air of a person the most disconcerted and disappointed I ever saw : he told me that he had no other view in this, af- fair but my particular service and that of my friends, and, after strong professions (for which I gave him no occasion) to that purpose, and of his being himself very indifferent in the matter, said he wished he had not embarked so far in this affair, and since I looked upon it in the light I did in relation to M. le Due, he -must beg on his part not to be involved in the fault should the thing take a wrong turn at last. That Sir Luke Schaub, as he was certainly informed, had said, that he (lord Bolingbroke), by my insti- gation, had spoiled this affair in the duke of Or- leans's time ; and that therefore he hoped I would do him justice, if there was occasion, with you, as to his having never had any concern in it, but what had accidentally fallen to his lot lately in the manner I knew. " I told his lordship that he need not be un- der the least uneasiness on that account ; Schaub's malicious insinuations against his lordship, my- self, Mr. Crawfurd, and others, on this occasion, would, I was persuaded, have no weight with 120 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vi. his majesty, or his ministers in England ; and he might depend upon my representing this matter in such a light as to prevent any preju- dice against him. His lordship concluded with telling me he would let his highness know, that he found me so close and uneasy in talking to me on this subject, that he did not think proper to push me to speak out; and he would do it in such a manner that M. le Due should have no reason to be disobliged, and to take it ill of me. " It is possible that in reading what goes be- fore, you may at first view think I was too nice and refined in declining the opportunity flung in my way to know M. le Due's sentiments, and perhaps of establishing a confidence and merit with him. But when I foresaw it must have been done under the protection in a manner of my lord Bolingbroke, who, by his own address without my seeking, had got so far into this bu- siness, and must in this way have been master of the whole secret and of my sentiments about Schaub and somebody else*, (who, I think, have most grossly deceived his majesty in this whole transaction,) as also have had the whole credit to himself with his highness, and turned the matter as he should find occasion to his own sen-ice and advantage, and perhaps laid a foun- * Lord Carteret. 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 121 elation with M. le Due for being the canal through which the englisn affairs of confidence might pass for the future: these reflections made me avoid his lordship's proposition, by convincing him (with a great many acknow- ledgements for his kindness to me) that I was afraid to embark and hazard myself in a trans- action of this nature, which had been under the sole care and management of another, without any concern on my side, besides that of declar- ing myself for it as occasion required ; and I am persuaded his lordship, by my behaviour, went away satisfied of this being my only view. " In the mean time I had resolved with my- self, as being sufficiently authorised by lord Townshend's letter to me of the 9th December, to make the best advantage I could, for his ma- jesty's service, of this hint ftom lord Boling* broke, without his knowledge or intervention. I went the next day to Versailles, and having, toy the means of the marquis de Livry, obtained a private and secret audience of M. le Due, I begged his pardon for troubling him in a man- ner and at a time so unseasonable ; but hearing that his highness was much embarrassed about the affair of the dukedom for M. de la Vrilliere, if he would be pleased to let me know his sen- timents and intentions upon it, I would venture and was able to give him a true state-of his ma- 123 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vr. jesty's part and concern in it. He immediately said he would do all he could in it. I answered, that I was glad of it, but that I was obliged to tell him that this affair did not arise originally from his majesty's application and request, and it was never in his majesty's intention in the least to have it mixed and entangled with business of a public nature. At which he seemed -a good deal surprised, and asked me how that matter stood? I then began to lay opeu the whole af- fair, by communicating to him what had passed between the late duke of Orleans and me upon it, of which I find he had already got some ac- count, (and I don't wonder at it, because the present duke of Orleans has certainly declared he knew that his father would never have done it, and had let his majesty know how much they had both been imposed upon.) But, says his highness, what answer have you to this from the king? I then imparted to him what lord Townshend wrote to me in his letter of 28th November, recapitulating all the several steps and proceedings in it, and -during the whole time M. le Due seemed extremely astonished at the conduct of Sir Luke Schaub and the french ministers in a thing of this nature. I then inti- mated to his highness, that I had in some mea- sure exceeded my orders, in going so far with- out his having spoke to me first upon it : he 1124-1125.] LORD WALPOLE. 123 asked me whether I had not had a hint of it from somehody else? I told him then what had passed between lord Bolingbroke and me, and how I had declined to give into the proposition coming from his lordship, letting his highness know that I and all my family had a personal regard and esleem for his lordship, and would do him what service they could in their power ; yet his highness would easily conceive that his lordship's present situation makes him by no means a proper person for me to intrust with matters of such confidence, and therefore I hoped he would be so good to me as to let this audience be entirely a secret to lord Bolingbrcke, I having not given his lordship the least reason to suspect that I had any thoughts of waiting upon his highness. " M. le Due, in the most obliging manner, gave me his word, which I might always de- pend upon, that his lordship should know nothing of it. I then intimated to him that I hoped my own behaviour, as well as the credit I may presume to have with the king my mas- ter, would procure me the honour of his confi- dence and commands in anv tiling where their v O mutual interest was concerned, which I should endeavour to deserve. M. le Due said several kind things to me on this occasion, with thanks for what I had imparted to him, of which 124 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, vi, he would consider, as also what could possibly be done in this business, and accordingly I should hear from him in a few days ; but that he must then wait on the young king, having already exceeded by a quarter "of an hour the time when he is obliged, and never fails, to make his court to his majesty. " Having given you an account of my con- duct and my reasons for it in a situation I think none of the easiest, I must submit it to better judgments, and expect the advice and direction of others for my future behaviour ; for I plainly foresee, that though I carry myself towards my lord Bolingbroke in a very civil and friendly manner, he must, upon reflection, conclude that I do not enter into his views and actions so heartily as he could wish. And I inust observe at the same time, that his lordship has so fami- liar an acquaintance with the companions of M. le Due, and is so personally esteemed by his highness, that he may be' able to come to the knowledge of things of great moment." " Dec-ember 30. Since writing what goes before, lord Bolingbroke is returned from Ver- sailles ; and by the account he has given of his conversation with M. le Due to Mr. Crawfurd. and me separately, we have both reason to con- clude that his highness has been faithful to me, and not given his lordship the least intimation f my having been with him." 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. / 125 Thus the address of Mr. Walpole relieved the ministers from the embarrassment under which they would have laboured, had they employed the agency of Bolingbroke ; and he returned to England, to solicit his restoration, without any claim on their gratitude, or any pretext to inter- fere in the transaction of foreign affairs. I have in a former work * given anecdotes of lord Bolingbroke, and endeavoured to account for the motives which induced Sir Robert Wal- pole to promote the bill for restoring him to his family inheritance, and enabling him to purchase estates within the kingdom. I likewise ob- served, that he owed this favour to the influence of the duchess of Kendal, whom he had bribed with 11,000/. and that the minister promoted the bill in conformity with the express injunc- tions of the king. But, for want of authentic documents, I could not ascertain that the failure of his complete restoration was owing to the opposition of Sir Robert Walpole. Some papers, however, which have since fallen under iny notice, prove that the minister was threat- ened with his dismission if he did not promote the return of Bolingbroke, and that he compro- mised the business by consenting to the restitu- tion of his family estate, but prevented his com- * Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, chap. 25. 126 . MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vi. plete restoration; a fact which sufficiently ac- counts for the indignation of Bolingbroke, and his unceasing enmity to the character and ad- ministration of Sir Robert Walpole. This exclusion of Bolingbroke from a seat in the house of peers, which might again have placed in his hands the helm of State, called forth the warm eulogium of archbishop Herring, who observes in a letter to Etough, " Boling- broke was so abandoned in all respects, that I have always and shall reverence Sir Robert Wal- pole for setting his face full against him.*" We find numerous instances in the Walpole papers of the constant intrigues of lord and lady Bolingbroke, with the party in France which was hostile to England. We insert a letter from Mr. Walpole to his brother on this subject, which was written at a time when the opposi- tion hoped by the assistance of France, to re- move the Walpole ministry. !>''. .^o*!f;;",T.1.ofiV}l -.':'".' - " Fontainbleau, Nov. 8-19, 1727. " Dear Brother, " I am favoured with yours of the 3rd O. S. with the particular account of a correspondence and scheme carried on and set? tied by the way of trading sloops between lady * Rough from Sir Robert Walpole; and Archbishop Her- ring to Etough, dated Sept. 11, 1753. 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 12T Bolingbroke and some persons here, of which the duke of Maine is the chief, (and even with the privity of the cardinal,) for the removal of the present administration, and for giving up Gibraltar as the price and condition of France's coming into it. " As soon as I saw the duke of Maine men- tioned as a sharer in the administration and confidence of the cardinal, I was persuaded there would be no manner of truth in this scheme, as lady Bolingtoroke is pleased to brag. For although indeed from time to time and lately, some of the duke of Maine's flatterers, and particularly the Jacobites have given out, that he is like to be at the head of arrairs, there is not one thing of the world has so little colour of truth as far as it regards the cardinal; for there is no person of consideration in France that his eminence thinks so little capable of great affairs, and with whom he has so little to do as to business, and I am persuaded that as the cardinal is already preparing the French king's mind with respect to the persons in whom he should have a confi- dence, should any thing happen to himself, the duke of Maine is the last that he will recom- mend to him as a man of business. And this you may depend on as a truth, for I can already guess where the power will settle in that case, and as long as the cardinal lives his loyalty and natural 125 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vi. affection for the king whom he looks upon in a manner as his own child, and his majesty's re- ciprocal love and confidence in him only, will never let him quit his majesty's service, much less suffer any sharer in his administration and authority, of which, although he is perhaps the mildest man being, no minister of state was ever so jealous, or ever kept the other ministers at so great a distance, and in so much awe. " Having said thus much I am to acquaint you that I made no difficulty, pursuant to the strict friendship and intimacy between the cardinal and me, of which I have daily from all sides stronger proofs if possible than ever, to open to him madame Bolingbroke's pretended scheme and correspondence. He immediately gave me, in a manner that he is not capable of doing if it was not true, the strongest assurances of his being entirely ignorant of any tiling of this kind, but added that madame Bolingbroke was of a proper disposition to say and do all I told him ; and that Mr.Belleisle was a person of so aspiring a genius as to be capable of entering into any scheme that might make him considerable. As to M. le Blanc, that lie was by nature too much given to intrigues, but in transacting the mili- tary business with him, in which the duke of Maine has great concern by his military em- ployments, lie did not find him more partial to H24-1125.] LORD WALPOLEi 129 favour that duke than any other of the officers in the army ; nor did he observe a particular in- timacy between them. He then spoke of that duke as one that had indeed some wit in con- versation, and some knowledge, but was of so timorous, irresolute, and inconstant a temper, that made him the least fit for business, or the administration of any great man about court. In short, he thought a correspondence between inadame Bolingbroke and some of the persons mentioned in your letter, very possible by the genius of them, but he was inclined to suspect madame des Fortes, wife to the comptroller gen- eral of the Finances sooner than any body, as having been, which is certainly true, an intimate acquaintance of madame Bolingbroke's : and therefore you may make your friend who gave you this intelligence, sound her about her friend- ship with madame des Fortes; and likewise abput the manner of carrying on this corres- pondence with trading sloops; and what sloops they are, English or French ; for his eminence is desirous of getting if possible to the bottom of it, as there is nothing that he detests so much 'as these underhand intrigues. " Indeed I could almost take itiy oath that the cardinal is entirely a stranger to any thing of this whole matter, and he expressed himself tome, as indeed he does to others on proper occasions, in VOL. I. K 130 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vi. such a manner of the present administration in England with regard to their integrity and abili- ties, that I am persuaded that no condition or consideration would tempt him to contribute to their removal ; upon whose continuation I may say without flattery, he thinks the present peace and tranquillity of Europe depends. " In short, we both agreed that madame Bol- ingbroke might have a correspondence with some persons here, and might falsely brag and endeavour to make them believe, that the creel it of the present ministry in England is not so great but that they might be removed if they were not espoused by Erance, and for that pur- pose may name persons such as Sir S. C. and Mr. P. * of equal credit and capacity to succeed them, and she may on the other hand endeavour to make Sir S. C. and Mr. P. believe that the ' french court for the sake of restoring Gibraltar may be brought to abandon the present minis- try in England, and to induce both sides by ma- licious aud false insinuations to enter into some scheme to embroil matters and to serve lord Bolingbroke's ambitious views, for there is cer- tainly nothing so black nor base that that dear couple will not say or do ; though his lordship is the greatest poltron that was ever known. * Sir Spencer Compton and Mr. Pulteney. 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 131 " But as long as the cardinal lives, I defy them and all their inventions ; and as to Gib- raltar you may depend upon it that you will find his eminence, hut in a calm way, as steady to support England in that point as he has been for the restitution of the prince Frederick. For I am sure that he thinks the interest of his mas- ter entirely depends upon a strict fidelity to his allies ; and that his present majesty * by com- ing to the crown with so many advantageous circumstances, and by pursuing the same mea- sures, and preserving the same ministry, ought to make the union between the two crowns stronger than ever, if all the cardinal's actions are entirely pointed that way ; for he is, I may repeat it again if possible, better and more intimate with me than ever." * George the Second. 132 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. VH. CHAPTER 7. 1/24. Embarrassments and Uneasiness of Mr. Walpole from ike Jealousy of Sir Luke Schaub, and tlic Affair of the Dukedom Extracts from his letters Appointed F-mbassador to the Court of France Schaub recalled, Carteret removed, and tlie Duke of Newcastle ap- pointed Secretary of Sta'e. perspicuous and interesting accounts which Mr. Walpole gave of the principles and characters of the French ministers, his address in gaining the confidence of the duke of Bourbon and count Morville, and his growing intimacy with Fleury, impressed the king with a favour- able opinion of his talents for negotiation, and the brother ministers considered his continuance at Paris as necessary to further their views for the removal of Carteret. But the intrigues of Schaub, and the difficulties which Mr. Walpole experienced from the affair of the dukedom, ren- dered his situation extremely irksome, and his private correspondence is filled with complaints. After detailing his embarrassments in a letter to his brother, dated December 15, 1723, he con- tinues, " I must therefore earnestly request of you, not for my own only, but for the sake of his majesty's service, to obtain for me immediate leave to return into England, since my continu- 1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 13* ing here can be of no use, but to make a ridi- culous figure, as well as Sir Lirke Schauh. The whole french court begins to perceive what is impossible for me to prevent, that we look upon each other, and act, as if we were ministers of two different courts; for in the present junc- ture, where there is no particular business of a public nature depending, but the chief aim and view must be to get the best information we can, from all parts, relating to the continuation or change of ministers and measures, his way of talking, answering, and concluding, upon per- sons and things, is generally so different from mine, that I can't possibly act with him, in wait- ing upon ministers, or others of distinction, nor in any other step necessary for his majesty's ser- vice. And yet when I am at Versailles, he is so kind and assiduous an attendant upon me, ready, if I please, to introduce me to madame de Prie, the duchess of Bourbon, and others that may stand fairest for M. le Due's favour, he being intimate with all these persons; and he is so fond of me, as not to be willing to make a visit without me, nor to let me make any visit with- out him. This simple appearance, of us two, begins to make the company smile upon one another, whenever we are together." After ex- patiating still further, on these mortifications, he concludes, " My heart is too full on this dis- 134- MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vn. agreeable subject to dwell any longer upon it; and therefore I must insist upon your interceding for 'my return into England; because I assure you I have so much to say, that cannot possibly be wrote, of service to the king, and to his minis- ters, especially to those that I know, that I am persuaded my being in England as soon as I can, would be of more use than my continuing any longer here." The affair of the dukedom increased his agi- tation, and exposed him to still greater embar- rassment. The letter, which details his conver- sations with lord Bolingbroke, and his secret interview with the duke of Bourbon, sufficiently shews the difficulties which attended that deli- cate negotiation. In a second audience the duke likewise exposed the obstacles to the mea- sure, the aversion of the young king, and the opposition of the nobility; he also severely com- mented on the conduct of Schaub, for endeavour- ing to entangle it with affairs of State. These declarations convinced Mr. Walpole, that all at- tempts to obtain the dukedom would be fruit- less, and that the king's honour would be com- promised by any further application. Impressed with this conviction, he writes to lord Towns- hend, January 5, 1724: "Can your lordship read, and consider a moment, my present and late dispatches, relating to the dukedom, and be 1724.] LORD WALPOLE. 135 surprised at my pressing to get home? If your lordship did imagine I might have been of ser- vice to his majesty at this juncture, milst not that imagination prove vain, if, while I am order- ed to explain his majesty's real sense and senti- ments in an affair, Schaub takes upon him to act in that very same affair, as a minister, in direct opposition to those sentiments, and with so much assurance and importunity, that it is impossible it should be thought here, he wants authority, support and encouragement to do it? Who has the credit, and who is to be believed? Is not this an agreeable situation for his ma- jesty's interest, at a court which is the centre of the greatest affairs in Europe ? I confess I am so weak, that, not for my own, but his majesty's sake, it grieves me to the soul." Unable to ob- tain the removal of Schauh, the brother minis- ters hoped to relieve Mr. Walpole's uneasiness, by procuring for him the character of envoy extraordinary and plenipotentiary ; but, in con- sequence of his peculiar situation, this honour increased instead of removing his embarrass- ments, and he expresses to his brother his reso- lution not to deliver the credentials : " Paris, January 20-31, 1723-4. VALPOLE. 137 interest at home, or as having a mean opinion of the person they send. This is so true, that no crowned head, nay no republic, ever employs a minister in France, that they intend shall have credit, but that they make him embassador ex- traordinary, or let him act as plenipotentiary by virtue of a private letter ; that of a public envoy being no ways considered or respected here. This may look like pride or partiality in me; but I am afraid the application is too strong in the present case, with this difference only, that the credit and confidence I had at first by a pri- vate letter, is by the continuation of Schaub, and the support he has met with from friends at home, displayed in a proper manner, by his airs and insolence, already become doubtful and precarious, and, should I take upon me the pub- lic character of envoy, will be sunk to nothing; so that I cannot possibly rest any longer here, in either capacity, with honour, or be of any use at all. " For some time the circumstance of being related to lord Townshend and you, and of be- ing known to several foreign ministers of the first rank, the little reputation of my own, as to foreign affairs, gave me immediately credit and attention, and, in the minds of all sensible per- sons, foretold with pleasure the fall of Schaub; tut he having had time to recollect himself, hi* 138 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vn. being engaged in a transaction that his majesty has secretly much at heart, has suspended the judgment of people, and begins to make them imagine it a doubtful case who has the credit at home, Townshend or Carteret, or who the credit abroad, Schaub or Walpole. Several little incidents, too trifling in themselves to name, which he improves to his own advantage, and which I scorned to take notice of, thinking the essential stroke would come at last, have contributed to this opinion ; and however mor- tifying this honour done to me may be to Schaub's patron, Schaub himself will despise it; for as it is in itself here no great honour, he will say with justice, it only puts me upon an equal foot with him ; he has already the pay of it, and nothing but his being a foreigner has hin- dered his having that and a greater character too. That as I had at first only a full power to sign the accession of the king of Portugal, so I have now the character of envoy, to enable me to act in some cases where he cannot ; but the secret is still with him, and that will be soon seen. This is his language, and I am afraid the consequence will prove it too true; and you yourself will be startled when you read in the inclosed paper, marked No. 1, concerning an intrigue I have discovered carrying on, and i$ to be put in execution by count de Buy. H24.] LORD WALPOLE. 139 " The circumstance of that gentleman's beinsr O c) sent as embassador to England, and of my being declared about the same time envoy extraordi- nary in France, will confirm all I have said, and expose my relations and me to the greatest degree. " The pitiful circumstance of all the dis- patches wrote to us both jointly being carried (I suppose by private intimation to the messen- gers) to Schaub directly to Versailles, being opened by him first, and communicated to Mor- ville, or other ministers there, before I know any thing of the matter; the dispatches for Spain and Cambray being inclosed to him, pe- rused by him, forwarded by him, and made such use of as he shall think fit, without my com- munication or knowledge, I have thought hitherto below me to take notice of, and 'tis too late to do it now. H and the eventual succession to the throne of France was still open, to which Philip, notwith- standing the most solemn renunciations, always looked with anxious expectation. On the death of the duke of Orleans, the French nation entertained hopes of dissolving a match ill calculated to promote the security of France, and the tranquillity of Europe. The marshals Villars and d'Uxelles, and many of the french ministers, hinted to Mr. Walpole the pro- bability and propriety of such a measure, and even Fleury himself expressed a wish to delay the solemnization of the flan Dailies. The duke of Bourbon was most embarrassed what conduct to adopt on this delicate occasion. He was on one side interested in promoting the marriage of the young king with the infanta, and in preserving the succession in the line of the princes of the blood ; because, in case of the decease of the king and the duke of Orleans, who were both unmarried, and of infirm con- stitutions, lie was next heir to the throne. On the other side, the implacable enmity of the duke of Orleans rendered his accession an alarming event. The duke of Bourbon had, therefore, only the choice of two alternatives ; one to pro- mote the eventual succession of Philip, and his son by the first wife, to the throne of France, and to settle the crown of Spain on his children 172^-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 159 by Elizabeth Farnese ; the second, to send back the infanta, and to marry the young king to a princess of mature age *. On his first entrance into the administration, he was inclined to pro- mote the claims and to secure the friendship of the king of Spain, and, with this view, had de- puted marshal Tesse to convey the strongest assurances of his fidelity and attachment f. Soon, however, the general wish of the nation to provide a suitable consort for the king, and his increasing animosity to the duke of Orleans, who was recently married J, induced him to adopt the resolution of dismissing the infanta. He accordingly communicated his intention to Fleury in 1724, and proposed his own sister mademoiselle de Sens ; but the bishop opposing this match, and urging the impropriety of irri- tating Philip, while the negotiations at Cam- bray were pending, the duke acquiesced, and postponed the execution of his design. Things remained in this state of suspense until the dan- gerous illness of Louis the Fifteenth revived his apprehensions, and he determined to counteract the succession of the duke of Orleans, by mar- rying the king to a princess of mature age. St. * Mr. Walpole to lord Townshend, December 22, 1723. t Memoires de Montgon, torn. 3, p. 222. J The duchess of Orleans married her son to the princess of Baden, without the knowledge or approbation of the duke of Bourbon, which increased his animosity. . \ ico MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, ix, Simon relates a striking anecdote of his extreme agitation on this critical occasion*. Finding the opposition of Fleury to his sister's marriage with the king insuperable, he directed his attention to the other princesses of Europe, and selected Anne, grand-daughter of George the First, who was in the sixteenth year of her age, and possessed great beauty and accomplish- ments. It is not easy to trace the precise pe- riod and origin of this choice ; but it probably arose from female intrigues; for, in May 1724, Sir Luke Schaub, in his audience, on returning from Paris, offended George the First, by indis- creetly proposing a marriage between the french king and one of the english princesses f; an overture made at the instigation of madame de Prie and madame de la Vrilliere, with the con- currence of lady Darlington, and the secret co- * Le roi Louis XV. etant lombe nialade sous le miiiistere de M. le Due, etfraya tellement le prince ministre, quoique le mal ne fill pas menacant, qu'il se releva une nuit en sursaut, prit sa robe de chambre, et nionta dans la demiere anti-chanibre du roi: il etoit seul avec une bougie a la main, et y trouva Mareclml qui, etonn6 de cette appari- tion, alia a lui, et lui demanda ce qu'il venoit de faire. 11 trouva un hoinrae egare, hors de soi, qui ne put se rassurer ur ce que Mareclml lui dit de la maladie, et a qui enfin d'eff- roi et de plenitude il echappa ; que deviendrai-je ? en repon- dant tout bas a son bonnet de nuit : Je n'y serai pas repris ; t'il en rechappe, il faut le marier." Oeuvres de St. Simon, torn. 8, p. lys. t The duke of Newcastle to Mr. Walpole, May 25, 1721. 1721-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 161 operation of lord Carteret. On Fleury's first rejection of mademoiselle de Sens, it appears that the duke of Bourbon entertained thoughts of the princess Anne, with a view of securing the assistance of England against the vengeance of Philip; but, from apprehensions that the princess could not be induced to change her re- ligion, did not venture to make a formal proposal. Soon after the king of France's recovery, at the suggestion of count Broglio, the french embassador in England, he was encouraged to make an indirect overture to George the First. Broglio having insinuated to the countess of Darlington the resolution of the duke of Bour- bon to dismiss the infanta, and his own embar- rassment in the choice of another consort; she replied, " Why do you amuse yourself with tri- fles, and why do you hot instantly demand one of our princesses for the young king? I have reason to believe that your proposal would not be rejected." In consequence of this hint, the french em- bassador being ordered to jequest a private au- dience, communicated to George the First a letter from the duke of Bourbon, announcing under the seal of the strictest secrecy, the reso- lution of dismissing the infanta. He then beg- ged leave to suggest a thought of his own, for VOL. i. M 162 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, ix which he requested his majesty's indulgence. " Knowing, as I do," he added, " the anxious desire of the duke of Bourbon to unite the two crowns by the strongest ties, and having been eye-witness of the great and invaluable quali- ties of the princess Anne, I must beg leave to express my wish, that your majesty would give her in marriage to the king my master, which will be so much for the honour and interest of both kingdoms, that if it can be accomplished, nothing will be able to disturb the tranquillity, or oppose the views of the two crowns." The king replied, that notwithstanding the advan- tage of such a match, and his earnest desire of taking every opportunity to shew his regard for the king of France, and improve the good cor- respondence subsisting between the two crowns; yet the objection on the point of religion being insurmountable, he must decline the acceptance of the proposal. Broglio, not checked by this repulse, corn- municated his proposal to the duke of New- castle and lord Townshend, and earnestly ex- horted them to employ their influence over the king, in favour of the match; nor did he desist until they proved that the kings attachment to his religion could not be shaken, and that the marriage of any branch of the royal family with 14 J724-H25.] LORD WALPOLE. 163 a Papist was contrary to the established laws of the kingdom *. O While this negotiation was pending, various reports were circulated at Paris, that a match with an english princess was concluded; and the refusal of the duke of Bourbon to affiance the young king to the infanta, at the stipulated time, seemed to confirm these rumours. " This news," says the english embassador, " was no sooner known, but it was in the mouth of all sorts of people, that the infanta was to be sent home immediately, a match being concluded between the french king and one of the young princesses of England ; and if she was actually arrived at Calais for that purpose, the discourse would scarce be more positive, and more gene- rally believed. Several stories are told, even by people that should know better, of the manner * " We acquainted him," writes the duke of Newcastle to Mr. Walpole, " with the main view and end of the revolu- tion, and protestant succession, which was the preservation of the protestant religion, in these kingdoms ; and shewed him, by the general exclusion of the Papists, in the first act of king William, confirmed by the present act of settlement, whereby no Papist of his present majesty's family, nor any other prince or princess, of that religion, or that should inter- marry with a Papist, were capable of succeeding to the crown ; how liable to the greatest censure such a step would be, in this country, and how highly criminal those would be thought who should presume to advise it." Whitehall, March 12, 1725. M 2 164 MEMOIRS OF (CHAP. ix. In which this affair has been negotiated. Some derive it from a management antecedent to my being minister here ; others attribute it to the intrigues of various ladies, at this and at the court of England ; but the more general applause and honour of it, though undeservedly, is giver* to me. Your grace will easily imagine, who knows what a stranger I am -to any thing of this affair, how much I have been embarrassed, these two or three days, how to behave myself, without appearing embarrassed at all. Num- bers of all sorts of people have been very watch- ful and observing of my countenance, words, and carriage, and have endeavoured to.turn me all ways, by various questions and insinuations; some by making me compliments ; others by desiring my protection here at court, as if the thing was actually done. But my conduct, I hope, has been even, decent, and irreproachable, without clearing up their, doubts, or saying any thing that might give credit or discredit to. it*." In this state of uncertainty, Mr. \Valpole, on the 6th of March, was informed by Morville, that the infanta was to be dismissed ; and this information was confirmed the same day by Fleury, who requested a secret conference on a. Mr. Walpole to the duk of Newcastle, March 13, 1725, N.S. 1724-H45.] LORD WALPOLE. 165 subject of the highest importance and delicacv. This conference took place on the 13th at Ver- sailles, and proved to the english embassador the confidence which the bishop reposed in him; After recapitulating, under the strongest injunc- tions of secrecy, the events which had led to the dismission of the infanta, and stating his own objections, not to the expediency, but to the precipitation of the measure, he acquainted him with the proposal to be made by Broglio, and detailed the motives which induced the duke of Bourbon to demand an english princess. He then stated his own opinion as adverse to the match, which he considered as disadvan- tageous to both nations. " As to France," he said, " where the unity of religion is absolutely necessary, I am apprehensive that the eldest princess, having been educated in the principles of the protestant religion, to the age of sixteen, \inder a mother, who, from attachment to that religion, rejected the hand of the emperor, would retain an inward sense and zeal for it, notwithstanding any abjuration which she might be induced to make for the sake of a crown. Her secret attachment to that persua- sion might encourage the Jansenists to concur with the Protestants, still remaining in France, to foment internal troubles, in regard to reli- gion. But should the king die first, and she 166 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. ix. become regent, and have the education of the children, no one knows the divisions and dis- turbances it might occasion. Neither do I see, in point of policy, that any good would accrue to this nation, nor any prospect but what might portend a rupture, or perhaps a war between the two nations ; and at present the situation of Europe renders it the interest of both to main- tain a stricter union and harmony together. " As to Great Britain, the policy, religion, ar,d constitution of the government are ad- verse to such a match. France can never .receive a queen, unless she becomes a Roman Catholic, and it would be inconsistent with the dignity of England to consent to the mar- riage of one of the royal family to a catholic prince, without her having the liberty to enjoy and exercise her religion, in her own way ; an in- dulgence always granted to the catholic queens of England since the reformation. But, as I am in- formed,the laws of England are against a match of this nature, founded on the experience of the ill consequences that have ensued from thence ; hav- ing suffered the greatest convulsions only by the marriage of one of their kings to Roman Ca- tholics. But should au english princess, after embracing the roman catholic religion, or any of her children, have a title to the crown of Great Britain, they might, notwithstanding any LORD WALPOLE. i 67 renunciation dr exclusion by act of parliament, pretend to the succession ; and the bare possibi- lity of the great troubles which might over- whelm, or at least constantly threaten the british nation, are, though distant, yet too terrible to be incurred. The people of England may be jealous lest so near an alliance with so considerable a power as France in their neighbourhood, may endanger their liberties, which might have been their fate, had the late king James accepted the offer of an army from Louis the Fourteenth. Persons of all parties and principles in England would join in one general cry against it. The Jacobites would be outrageous, because it would be the greatest stroke to their present, as well as dis- tant views, in favour of the pretender; the dis- affected would consider it as the inost popular topic for clamour, and those that are affected to the present establishment, in church and state, would think the reasons, with regard to the religion and constitution of their country, of greater weight than any political reasons, how- ever plausible. It would create in general, such a diffidence, fears, and jealousies in the minds of the people, as might render his majesty's government uneasy for the future, and put it out of his power to be of that use, in conjunction with France, for the preservation of the peace 161 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. vm. of Europe, as the present situation of affairs re- quires ^ and I will freely own to you, it is the real interest of France, at this juncture, that the king of England should enjoy the greatest secu- rity and tranquillity at home. Lastly, I appre- hend that the protestant "powers abroad will be extremely dissatisfied, and jealous of such an alliance. " These are the reasons which occurred to me upon this great crisis, and determined my opinion that France should not demand an english prin- cess, because the appearance of a refusal, which I apprehend will be the case, may have an ill effect on our present good understanding; and though it is intended that the overture should be made by the french embassador, or to his majesty, as only coming from the duke of Bour- bon, in his private capacity, yet even that would, if known, be regarded as little less than a re- quest. But since my opinion did not prevail, I deem it advisable. that you should represent what I have said, as the sentiments of some persons of sense and consequence, without mentioning my name; for I am anxious that nothing should be done which may tend in the least degree to shake the harmony subsisting between the two crowns. And as you are fully apprised of the state of affairs here, it may not be thought too forward in you to suggest, that, upon the french , 1724-1726.] LORD WALPOLE. embassador's mentioning this matter, to his majesty, he might be told by the king, in that engaging and obliging manner natural to his majesty, that nothing in the world would be so agreeable to his inclinations as such an alliance, and so fortunate for the public good of Europe at this juncture, would the religion and consti- tution of England suffer it to be done; and though the difficulties, on that account, were insurmountable, yet he would continue to culti- vate and promote the union between the two crowns with as much earnestness as if the addi- tional obligation of what had been hinted could possibly take place. I likewise hope, that if you dispatch a courier on this occasion, he may arrive in England before count Brosrlio will have o o proceeded any further than to communicate only the resolution of sending back the infanta. " He concluded his discourse," adds Mr. Wai- pole, " with repeating to me his utmost concern and apprehensions of what may be the conse- quences of this whole matter being precipitated with regard to Spain, and the present posture of affairs in Europe. All the terrible ideas of a rupture with that kingdom, of a marriage be- tween the prince of Asturias and one of the arch-duchesses, and of the great advantages that would accrue to the emperor, seized him at once; and I could perceive, too, that the fear 170 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, iJL of disobliging the pope, who will not have been consulted, or acquainted by France, with the atfair, until it is publicly talked of, had no small share in his concern. ****** " I then asked him whether he did not sus- pect, from the whole management of this affair, that M. le Due's chief, and perhaps only aim, was to bring about, at last, the marriage of his own sister with the french king. He told me that it might be so ; but as long as he had the least influence with his- most Christian majesty, he would oppose it to the last. I then concluded with my particular thanks to him for his stead- iness in preserving the union between the two nations, desiring him to direct his utmost credit and application to that great view, as what might become more necessary than ever. I con- cluded with expressing my apprehensions (which I hope are groundless) that this affair may end in the disgrace or retreat of Frejus from all bu- siness, being strongly persuaded that M. le Due had never laid aside the thought of marrying his sister to the french king, and that his pre- tending to seek a match in England, and suffer- ing it to be talked of, by all sorts of people, in so public a manner, is not so much out of a de- sire to have it done, as a justification of his sending away the infanta, at this juncture, in having provided a suitable and honourable 1724^-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 171 match for his most Christian majesty, which, in the case of his sister, would not have heen so popular in the nation, nor have so good an ap- pearance in the eyes of the world *." On the 16th a confidential communication of Broglio's proposal to the king, and his majesty's answer, was transmitted by the duke of New- castle ; " all which" Mr. Walpolc says, " I re- ceived with that deep sense of satisfaction, gra- titude, and duty, for his majesty's unshaken steadiness to the religion and laws of our coun- try, that is due from a true protestant, and a loyal subject." Speaking of his next interview with Fleury, he observes, " I found bishop Fre- jus very glad, as he told me he had been very impatient to see me ; and he expressed imme- diately his great satisfaction at his majesty hav- ing, as he had seen by count Broglio's relation, given an answer to the proposal of the marriage, so prudent, and so worthy of himself, with re- gard to his own conscience, and the constitu- tion of the kingdom he governs, as well as to the union and friendship between the two crowns. I then acquainted him how extremely pleased his majesty was with his way of reason- ing (of which I had given an account to your grace without iiaming him) on this subject, * Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, Paris, March 13, 1725, 172 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. ix. and that the king had acted entirely agree- able to his sentiments, without knowing them. I acquainted him at the same time with his ma- jesty's sincere intentions to do all in his power* to pacify the indignation of Spain*. Fleury then hinted that the daughter of Stan- islaus Letzinski, titular king of Poland, was most likely to hecome the consort of Louis the Fif- teenth ; hut reiterated his resolution of retiring from court, should the duke of Bourbon suc- ceed in recommending his own sister. The answer of the duke of Newcastle to this insinuation will shew the high confidence which the english cabinet reposed in Fleury, and their full reliance on his friendship : " I cannot con- ceal from your excellency the great concern that his majesty shews at the hint, in the latter part of your letter, that this affair may possibly end in the retreat of bishop Frejus from public business, whereby the french king would lose a most able and faithful servant, and his majesty a sincere and steady friend. The king is the more touched with this, it being very probable that what you say would undoubtedly be the cause, if it may happen to be the case, both from the accounts you send, and from the manner in which M. de Broglio talked yesterday to the king, who could not forbear expressing his de- * Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, March 28, 1725. J724-n25.] LORD WALPOLE. sire that the king his master, since he could not have one of our young princesses, might be married to mademoiselle de Sens *; though at the same time he owned there might be in it some difficulty upon M. le Due, lie having been the occasion of sending back the infanta. " If this should happen, his majesty would have you -use your utmost credit and interest with bishop Frejus to dissuade him from so rash and unadvised a step, and lay before him the ill consequences that may arise both to France and England from such a resolution ; as also the uneasiness that it would afterwards be to him, if any thing should happen, for want of his assistance, that might alter the good correspond- ence between the two crowns, to which he has so much contributed f." The resolution, however, of Fleury, was not put to the test; his influence with the king was Sufficiently powerful to counteract the project of the duke of Bourbon in favour of his sister. * St. Simon, and the Memoirs of Richelieu, erroneously mention mademoiselle de\ Vermandois, fourth sister of the duke of Bourbon, as the person in whose favour he solicited the match, and attributed its failure solely to the intrigues of madame de Prie, without even hinting at the opposition of Fleury. St. Simon, torn. 11, p. 201, and Memoirs de Riche- lieu, torn. 4, chap. 6. f The duke of Newcastle to Mr. Walpole, March II. |724-5. MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. ix. But he acted with extreme caution and dexte- rity, and though he excluded mademoiselle de Sens, whose elevation might have given the preponderance to the interest of the duke of Bourbon, yet he did not interfere in the choice of the bride, lest any dislike of the young king to his consort might expose him to future re- proach. The views of the duke and madame de Prie were accordingly directed to Maria Letzin- ski, daughter of Stanislaus, who was twenty-two years of age, not deficient in beauty, and whose situation and character seemed likely to render her wholly dependent on those who had contri- buted to her elevation. To this choice Fleury made no opposition ; and as the king testified a total indifference, the marriage was solemnised on the 15th of August. In arranging the household of the new queen, madame du Prie was to be dame du palais ; Paris Duverney, secretaire des commandemens; and the place of grand almoner was offered to Fleury. The bishop, however, objected to the appointment of madame de Prie, and even pro- posed to the duke of Bourbon that she should receive, but decline the offer, as more honoura- ble to her than the place would be advantage- ous. He communicated this circumstance, in confidence, to Mr. Walpolc, and expressed his resolution to refuse the place of grand almoner, 1724-1725.] LORD WALPOLE. H5 as he could not, in honour and conscience, live in a family encompassed with such creatures as madame de Prie, and Duverney, who had heen a common soldier in the guards. Mr. Walpole strongly dissuaded him from this rash resolu- tion : " You cannot," he said, " do greater ser- vice to the persons for whom you entertain so just an aversion, as you will throw the whole power of the queen's household into their hands, and they will nominate a creature of their own in your place. The interest of France, as well as your own honour and conscience, exact it of you, not to take this unadvised step. When the queen is settled in France, a new scene may open. I have no douht but your capacity and virtue will act the chief part, and an opportu- nity may offer of destroying the credit of those whose principles and actions are inconsistent with the dignity of the crown *." The repeated exhortations of Mr. Walpole finally succeeded, Fleury accepted the office of grand almoner, al- though madame de Prie was nominated dame du palais, and Duverney secretaire des com- mandemens. Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, April 27, 1725. n d MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, x, CHAPTER 10. 1725. 1\L Resentment of Philip the Fifth on the Dismission of the Infanta His Negotiations with the Emperor Treaties of Vienna and Hanover Influence of Mr. Walpole in the Councils of France Retreat and ' ' THE dismission of the infanta, and the indis- creet manner in which it was announced by the abbot de Livry* y inflamed the vengeance of the king and queen of Spain, and precipitated tjie execution of those measures which they had previously meditated. In 1720, Spainacceded to the quadruple alli- ance; and, in pursuance of that treaty, a con- gress of the ministers from the contracting powers was held at Cambray, to settle the contested points between the Emperor and Philip, under the mediation of England and France. But the letters expectative, for the eventual investiture of Don Carlos, to the succession of Tuscany, Parma and Placentia, which the emperor pro- mised to expedite within two months after the ratification, were not delivered till November 1723; by which delay it was evident that he wished to elude the performance of his engage- ments. * Memoirs of Sir Robert Wsrfpole, chap. 27. 1725.J LORD WALPQLE. 177 George the First, however, deemed himself bound in honour and justice to execute, in con- cert with France, his engagements in favour of Don Carlos ; but the emperor, long accustomed to blind complaisance from Great Britain, ex- pected that an elector of Hanover, upon that throne, should be still more subservient to his views and desires, and accordingly resented the king's fidelity to his engagements, as an insult. At the same time the haughty 'spirit of Eliza- beth Farnese, who governed the counsels of Spain, was irritated against the mediating pow- ers for not compelling the emperor, by force of arms, to settle the points in dispute. Spain and the emperor being thus equally dis- satisfied, the negotiations of the congress, which opened at Cambray in January 1/24, were lan- guid; and the french and english ministers in vain endeavoured to relax the unbending spirit of the imperiaf, or overcome the diplomatic punctilios of the Spanish plenipotentiaries. In fact the court of Madrid had, in November 1724, deputed Ripperda to Vienna, and tender- ed without the knowledge of the mediating powers, overtures of reconciliation to the emperor, who lured Elizabeth Faraese with the hopes of obtaining an arch-duchess in marriage to one of the Spanish infants. Such was the statcof the imperial and Spanish V0l I. N n8 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. courts, when the dismission of the infanta. excited the resentment of Philip, and his vin- dictive queen, against Fiance. They recalled their plenipotentiaries from Cambray, and offer- ed the sole mediation to England. But the british cabinet, sensible of the advantages de- rived from the french alliance, and faithful to their engagements, had no sooner declined this insidious offer, than the court of Spain suddenly closed the long pending disputes with the emperor, and on the 1st of May Ripperda con- cluded the treaty of Vienna. It would be tedious and unnecessary to detail the articles of this treaty, some of which were secret, and hostile to the trade, possessions, and constitution of England, as well as to the inter- ests of France and Holland. Great preparations were made by the emperor and Spain ; Russia was induced to enter into the alliance, and the princes of the empire solicited to join the stan- dard of their chief. These hostile appearances occasioned a series of negotiations, which termi- nated in the treaty of Hanover, concluded be- tween England, France and Prussia, to which Holland and Sweden afterwards acceded. Having, in the Memoirs of Sir Robert Wai- pole, detailed the origin, motives and tendency ol that treaty, it will be sufficient to observe, that the complicated negotiations, which occu- 1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 179 pied every power in Europe, ultimately centered at Paris ; and their successful termination was principally owing to the address of the british embassador, who managed with equal dexterity the irresolute character of the duke of Bourbon, the dilatory temper of Morville, and the supple, insinuating', and cautious spirit of Fleury. The difficulty of influencing the french cabi- net was increased by the alarms of George the First, by the ardent temper of lord Townshend, and by the anxiety of the british ministry to counterbalance the active efforts of the emperor, with equal vigour on the side of the allies. They did not appreciate the delicate situation of the french ministers, who, though aware that the union between, the two crowns secured the in- ternal tranquillity of their country, were natu- rally averse to an open rupture with a prince of the house of Bourbon, the uncle of their king, whom France, at an enormous expence of blood and treasure, had placed on the throne of Spain. Hence their conduct was occasionally lukewarm and wavering, and only roused to vigour and resolution by the manly and repeated represen- tations of Mr. Walpole. It would be unjust to the merits of Mr. Walpole, to withhold the eulogium of the duke of Newcastle towards the conclusion of the Ha- aover treaty: " I am now to congratulate your N 2 180 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. excellency upon this great work's being brought so near a conclusion, which his majesty cannot but look upon to be as good as finished : and I cannot but take a sensible pleasure in the great share your excellency has had in it. Your dili- gence and prudent conduct, and your great abili- ties, in executing the several commands you have received from his majesty, upon this sub- ject, have been taken notice of by the king, and which I cannot forbear, now we are so near see- ing the happy effects of them, mentioning to your excellency, in the manner that so import- ant and so acceptable a service deserves *." Mr. Walpole was principally indebted for his success to the influence of Fleury, whose pre- dominance in the french cabinet he duly appre- ciated. Impressed with full conviction^ that the duke of Bourbon owed his office to Fleury, and held it only by his forbearance, he resisted the solicitations of the british cabinet to be more assiduous in his court to the ladies who were supposed to govern the duke of Bourbon, from just apprehensions of being drawn into their cabals, and of offending his venerable friend. The dispatches of the british embassador justify his motives, and contain too many instances of Flcury's ascendancy to be enumerated: one anecdote, however, which he records in a letter The duke of Newcastle to Mr. Walpole, Sept. 26, 1724 1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 181 to lord Townshend, Jan, 13, 1734, is too curi- ous to be withheld from the reader : " The duke of Bourbon is indefatigable in his application to gain the young king's confidence; but he finds Frejus has the first and strongest hold there, insomuch that when his highness seeks proper opportunities to talk to his majesty alone, as soon as he begins to be serious, the child diverts the discourse of business by idle actions and ordinary chit-chat, until Frejus, whom he never fails to call for, can have notice or time to enter the room, which goes to the duke of Bourbon's heart, as not knowing what to do, being justly apprehensive that should he endeavour the removal of the bishop he would fail in the attempt." Soon after . the conclusion of the treaty of Hanover, an incident happened at Versailles, which justified the sagacity of Mr. Walpole, and of which he transmitted an interesting account to lord Townshend : " My Lord, Paris, Dec. 24, 1/25. " On Tuesday the 1 8th instant, being the day of the week on which the foreign ministers go to Versailles, to make their court to their most Christian majesties, and to have their audiences of the ministers, Frejus, notwithstanding he had invited some company to dine with him, and notwithstanding the most tempestuous weather 182 MEMOIRS OF (CHAP. x. of wind and rain that ever was known, went early in the morning to his country-house at Issy, near Meudon, about an hour's distance from Versailles, having left word at his lodging that he should not return that night. These circumstances of his sudden departure, joined with others, which some assiduous courtiers had observed the night before, and particularly that of his most Christian majesty, the queen and M. le Due being locked up a considerable time to- gether in the queen's closet, occasioned a gene- ral whisper of the bishop's being retired alto- gether from business ; but his return early the next morning to Versailles, and appearing at the king's levee, as usual, soon put an end to that report, though not without some specu- lation of what might have been the motive of so quick a departure, as well as return to court; of which I am able to give your lordship a full and true account. But before I do it, I beg leave to trouble you with the situation of the court since the first arrival of the queen at Fon- tainebleau. { Your lordship doth not want to be informed, that ever since M. le Due's administration, ma- dame de Prie and M. du Verney have had the chief credit and confidence with his highness in the management of affairs; while bishop Frejus, more immediately attached to the personal care 1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 183 and service of the french king, and seeking no other favour and support, spoke his mind in council as became a minister of State, and to M. le Due in private, not as a flatterer, but as it became a friend. Although his highness did at times, by the instigation of others, entertain some uneasiness and jealousy of the bishop with respect to power, yet the candid behaviour of M. Frejus, entirely void of ambition or self- interest, immediately set all matters right again, and in the mean time they continued to live and act together with a perfect understanding. The bishop assumed no other part of the administra- tion than that of giving his advice in matters of state and moment, which, was generally so rea- sonable and just, that as M. le Due reaped great advantage from it, so he appeared well satisfied and pleased with it. Thus things continued to go smoothly on until the marriage of the french king. " The disappointment of having a princess of England to be queen of France, and no suitable match, for birth or religion, immediately occur- ing, at a time when the french nation expressed the greatest impatience to have their king mar- ried, madame de Prie and M. du Verney, under the authority and credit of M. le Due, turned their thoughts to find out a person, who, by the great obligation she should have from such an 184- MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. unexpected honour, would become entirely, at- tached to the interest of those who were most instrumental to procure it. Nobody's situation seemed more proper to answer that end than that of king Stanislaus's daughter, and in all like- lihood it was as easy to obtain from her such assurances and conditions of attachment and friendship, as it was to get her consent to the marriage. In the mean time bishop Frejus ap- peared purely indifferent and passive in this affair, not being willing, perhaps, on one side to dissuade the king, his master, from marrying at a time when the whole french nation cried aloud for it, nor on the other to recommend a person to him who, by the inequality of her age, as well as of other circumstances, might some time or other prove not so agreeable to him. However sensible the queen rriight be of their merit who had the chief hand in making her so, it was generally thought that her grati- tude would have extended no further than to the person of M. le Due ; that the character of madame de Prie and M. du Verney, so notori- ous for intrigues of all sorts, could not be un- known to her; and that she would naturally reflect how dangerous it might be, considering the difference of her age and beauty from that of the king, to strengthen and support the inter- est of those who would not fail to fling in the 1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 185 french king's way, and promote the first plea- surable views, however disagreeable they might be to the queen, that his majesty might shew the least inclination for. On the other hand, the known probity and virtue of bishop Frejus would have disposed her to seek and cultivate a particular friendship and intimacy with him, whose principles, as well as immediate confidence and credit with the vouns: kinff, mi^ht make .' CZ7 O C3 him both willing and able to cement a mutual affection between their majesties, and secure the queen from any apprehensions of a rival. This was so sensible and obvious a part, with regard to her own interest, that it was scarce to be doubted but she would readily embrace it; and the bishop's station in being her first aumonier would not fail of given her an opportunity to do it whenever she pleased. " Upon her majesty's arrival at court, either all the persons that could possibly have the least approach by their place to the queen, were en- tirely gained by madame de Prie, or the avenues of access to the queen were so guarded that none but that lady's devoted creatures could come near her majesty, without being immediately interrupted ; at which she herself pretended to be uneasy, and to complain that she was encom- passed and besieged on every side. Having continued a long time without taking the least 186 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. notice of bishop Frejus, scarce shewing common civility, she gave some of his friends to un- derstand that she detested madame de Prie, that she had the greatest veneration for him, and was desirous of his friendship ; but begged he would have patience, not knowing which way to turn herself for fear of madame de Prie, and, through her, of disobliging M. le Due, to whom she was so much obliged, and who was so very powerful. '* In the mean time the bishop continued to go on, in his old way, as preceptor and minister of State, in waiting upon and advising his ma- jesty alone, at tbe usual hours, and in constantly attending at the times appointed for M. le Due to do business with the king, without being wanting in due respect to her majesty, and without pressing a more particular intimacy and friendship with her, until she should think fit to give him sufficient encouragement to do it; he being, in his temper, by no means a sycophant or courtier, to press himself forward before he was sure of an agreeable reception. To such of his friends as did exhort him to make his approaches to the queen, he would say, that they did not know the situation of things at court: O ' and he has often told me, that notwithstand- ing her private intimations to him, of being his friend, he was sure that she was intirely deli- 1125.] LORD WALPOLE. 137 vered up into the power of madame de Prie, and M. du Verney, by the means of M. le Due, who had of late more than ever put himself under the absolute government of those two persons, notwithstanding the general murmur of the whole court and nation against them. " The bishop was the only person of conse- quence that durst boldly and openly oppose their formidable power, which he has done, not only to his friends, but also to the king, and even to M. le Due himself; declaring freely to his highness, that he looked upon madame de Prie, and M. du Verney, as enemies to the State, and as authors of all the disorders, weakness, and confusion, both in the finances and other mat- ters,, that disgraced the present administration ; and that as his honour and conscience obliged o him to speak so plainly to him on this subject, so the reputation and credit of his highness should oblige him to free himself from the slavery and influence of such evil counsellors. But the bishop preached on this text in vain ; for M. le Due being immoveably fixed in his attachment to those two persons, constantly took their part, and to such a degree that he and the bishop have often come to very high words on this subject. I have learnt from the bishop, that his highness lately told him, he valued his honour and conscience as much as J8$ MEMOIRS OF [CHAP.X. the bishop did his, and for that reason he would support those that would risk their all, and even their lives for him ; and if madame de Prie and M. du Verney must perish, he would perish with them. " This was bringing matters to a very close point. The bishop had certainly not the least thought of breaking with M. le Due, or of en- deavouring to displace him; not knowing whom to put so conveniently in his room, and being firmly determined not to take upon himself tha weight of the administration. He was also sensi- ble, perhaps, that he should have a difficulty in doing it with the french king himself, to whom M. le Due is certainly become agreeable enough, by the good offices first of M. Frejus, and by an habitual attendance upon his majesty, taking care never to thwart, but constantly to enter- tain and humour the king, in all his little plea- sures of hunting from place to place. These considerations, I believe, made the bishop de- cline to push matters to an extremity with re- gard to madame de Prie and M. du Verney, continuing still in the same sentiments and discourse on their account as occasion offered. And as they could not be ignorant of his inve- terate animosity against them, and that it was impossible, to bring him to a good opinion of them, which M. le Due had often endeavoured 1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 189 to do, but in vain, it was natural for them, be- ing both of a bold and enterprising spirit, to turn their thoughts how to get rid of the bishop. I>ut s a stroke so desperate, and an attempt so dangerous to themselves, made it impossible to conceive which way they could undertake it. " I am here to acquaint your lordship, that although the candid and disinterested behaviour O % of the bishop towards M. le Due was a sufficient proof of his having no design of being prime minister himself; yet the privilege he enjoyed of working alone with the king, without the presence of the duke, and being always present when his highness should work with his majesty, was represented by madame de Prie and M. du Verney as such an encroachment upon the au- thority of his highness, as prime minister, as to have made a strong impression upon him ; and he has for a long time had it so much at heart, that he has often endeavoured by himself, and by the insinuations of some friends, to prevail With the bishop to consent that his highness might sometimes do business alone with the french king. But M. Frejus would never give up this point, saying, that he had his majesty's positive command to be always by when M. le Due had any business to do with him, wherein his highness was obliged to acquiesce, but never was perfectly easy in this matter- 190 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. The last year, when the king was at Chantilly, and the bishop went for two days to Liancourt, the duke waited at the usual hour upon his ma- jesty with his portefeuille, in order to work with him in the absence of M. Frejus ; but he could not prevail with his majesty to do it, who said he would stay till M. Frejus came home. His highness modestly replied, he did not desire to do any business of moment ; but there was some papers, which, though of no great consequence, yet by the nature of them required an immediate dispatch, and begged his majesty only to sign them ; but the king said it would be time enough when the bishop came back. This strong decision, in favour of the bishop, made it evident how vain a second attempt of this nature would be; and therefore all jealousy and dispute about it seemed quite over, until the arrival of the queen. " Her majesty being entirely beset by the creatures of madame de Prie, being, out of gra- titude and inclination, much attached to the interest of M. le Due, and either not daring to cultivate a friendship with the bish6p, for fear of disobliging his highness, or not desiring to do it, on account of several little stories insi- nuated to the disadvantage of the bishop, as if he was her enemy; and lastly, perhaps, being made to believe that she had absolutely gained 1725.] LORD WALPOLE. I 9 f the heart and affection of the king, was earnestly solicited to join her interest to prevail with his majesty to work alone with M. le Due; to which, though as it is said with much reluc- tancy, she consented at last, and this was the reason of the bishop's retiring to his country- house, on Tuesday last, occasioned in the follow- ing manner. " On Monday, in the evening, as soon as her majesty had notice of the king's return from hunting, she quitted her cards, and desired to speak with him in her closet; being about an hour before the usual time for the bishop's see- ing him alone. The queen took that oppor- tunity, in the presence of M. le Due, to press him most earnestly, and in the most insinuating and flattering ways imaginable, to do business with M. le Due alone, that night ; which he by no means would consent to, notwithstanding her repeated instances for above an hour, when his majesty said he must take his leave, and go to the bishop. But before he went out of the room, she made him promise to return soon to her again. Being come to his own apartment, where he found the bishop, the king gave him an account of all that had passed with the queen, telling him positively, that he was re- solved not to work with M. le Due alone, nor return to the queen's lodgings. M. Frejus MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. desired him, since he had given his word, to go back, again to the queen, that if his majesty was fully detetmined not to do business with M. le Due alone, the best way was to send for him to come. The king said, No, stay you here in the closet, and I will return to you again immediately. " The conversation between the king and the bishop lasted on this occasion above an hour and a quarter, before the bishop could pre- vail with him to return to the queen ; but be- ing gone, and the bishop having staid in his majesty's closet above an hour, without hearing any thing of him, he took it for granted that the queen and M. le Due had prevailed with his majesty to do business with his highness in his absence, and therefore he returned to his lodg- ing, and took no farther notice of the matter that night. But early the next morning, hav- ing wrote a letter to his majesty, to acquaint him with the reason of his retirement, and beseeching him in a proper manner to dispense with his future service and attendance upon him ; and likewise another to M. le Due, for obtaining his majesty's pardon and consent for his leaving altogether the court, he went to his country house at Issy. ' His majesty was gone a hunting that morn- ing, before the receipt of the bishop's letter ; H25.] LORD WALPOLE. 1 93 and immediately upon his return home in the afternoon, the queen having desired to speak with him, acquainted him, that the bishop was gone to his country house. His majesty replied, But I suppose to return again this evening? The queen having thereupon answered, Xo, she believed not, the king said nothing ; but, with the greatest appearance of concern in his coun- tenance, suddenly left the room, and went to his own closet, where, to avoid company com- ing to him, he retired to his garderobe, and set himself upon the close-stool, in a very sullen and melancholy posture. The duke of Monte- mar, lord of the bedchamber in waiting, was the only person that came near him, to see if he wanted any thing ; and having waited some time, without his majesty saying any thing to him, the duke himself ventured to say, Sire, M. de Frejus est parti pour la campagne, tant pis pour vdtrc majeste, et pour Yetat. The king made no reply ; but having soon after got up to return to his closet, he called to the duke of Montemar, and said, Allez incessamment chez M. k Due, et dites luy, que je luy ordonne d'ecrirc sur le champ 3 M. Frejus, que je V attends demain a mon levfa Whereupon the duke said, L'ordonnez-vous, Sire? The king replied, Ouy, je Fordonne. The duke went and delivered his majesty's command to his highness, who sent an express that night to VOL. I. O 194 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. the bishop ; and he accordingly waited upon his majesty the next morning at his levee. It is said that nothing could equal the concern and uneasiness that his majesty shewed at the bishop's absence, except it be the pleasure and satisfaction which appeared in his countenance upon the bishop's return next morning. " This is the best account, my lord, I can get of this extraordinary incident, which during the time that it lasted, employed the attention and reflections of every body, both native and foreigner, the whole court and town taking the bishop's part, excepting his particular friends, who thought that his departure, without being first apprised of the king's behaviour, was too hasty and precipitate, and might have given to his enemies a great advantage over him. M. le Due has thought fit to take fche turn of wonder- ing extremely at the bishop's going away, with- out the least reason or provocation ; and he began the letter he wrote by the king's command, to M. Frejus, by expressing his own surprise at his absence. I having had an audience, on Satur- day, of his highness, to talk with him about the king of Sardinia's accession to the treaty of Hanover ; and finding him very gracious, took an opportunity, as I was going away, to tell him I hoped that all the noise about divisions at court was over, begging his pardon for touch- 1725.] LORD WALPOLE. 1 95 ing upon so nice a subject, which was no con- cern of mine, any otherwise than as the strict friendship and union betwixt the two crowns would make me sorry if any thing should hap- pen that might disturb or weaken the admi- nistration here. He very obligingly said, ' To you I will speak plain on this matter, which is the most ridiculous thing that ever happened ; and my friend the bishop, as I have since told him, said his highness, had he been a child, deserved to be whipped. Had he said the least word to me, nothing of this nature would have been ; for he had no reason in the world to go away. M. Frejus and I, continued he, have al- ways been very good friends. I do not doubt but we shall always continue so ; though I am very sensible of the endeavours of some to divide us, if possible ; but they will not be able to have their end.' " I will not conceal from your lordship that the bishop's country house being directly in my way from Versailles to Paris, I stopt in my chaise at the end of the village, at my return from court that Tuesday, and sent my servant to enquire how the bishop did ; resolving, in case he gave me any encouragement, to have made him a visit, and to have exhorted him to return to court if possible ; being persuaded, should he retire from business at this juncture, that o 2 I9 6 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x. things would go into the greatest confusion here, and have a dangerous influence on the foreign affairs. He returned me a civil compli- ment of thanks, and said he hoped that he should see me in two or three days, and very early next morning he sent his secretary to me to acquaint me that he was setting out to return to court. I did not think proper to wait upon him at Versailles, until Saturday last, and then I took care to see M. le .Due and M. de Mor- ville first. " It is impossible for me to express the oblig- ing manner in which the bishop received me, full of acknowledgment for that mark of my friendship in calling upon him in that doubtful day of his retirement ; and I hope his majesty will not be displeased at my having taken this step, which honour and gratitude, for his constant , behaviour towards me, called upon me to take, whatever his fate might have been, which I am persuaded he will never forget." The observation of Mr. Walpole that Fleury never would forget his visit, was verified by the event; and their intimacy was strengthened by this mark of regard. The deference of Fleury to the english embassador gave umbrage to the french party, who were adverse to the union with England. Montgon says, that Mr. Wal- pole had subjugated Fleury, and calls them two 1125.] LORD WALPOLE. 197 fingers of the same hand ; marshal Villars also, and the due de St. Simon * made the most ur- gent remonstrances to Fleury on his subserviency to the english embassador, but without effect. St. Simon speaking of this visit of Mr. Walpole says, " M. de Frejus fut si touche de la demarche de ce ruse Anglois dans cette crise, qu'il le crut son ami intime." * * * * * " II s'abandonna entierement aux Anglois avec une dependance, qui sautoit aux yeux de tout le monde. Je resolus enfin de lui en parler. * * * Sursa confiance en Walpole, en son frere, et aux Anglois dominans il se mil a sourire. Vous ne savez pas tout, me repondoit il : savez vous bien ce qu' Horace a fait pour moi ? et me fit valoir cette visile, comme un trait heroique d'attachement et d'amitie qui levoit pour toujoura tout scrupule." St. Simon, torn 10. ' 198 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xu CHAPTER 11. 1726. Mr. Walpole supports the Treaty of Hanover in Par- liament Deaths of his Sister Lady Townshend and of his Brother Galfridus Transactions of the allies, of Hanover and Vienna Reciprocal Preparations for War Mr. Walpolfs return to ParisrDivided State of the French Ministry False Suspicions of Intrigues between Fleury and the Court of Spain- Fall of Ripperda. MR. WALPOLE had continued at Paris from his first arrival in October 1723, to the end of 1725, engaged in the most arduous affairs, with only the intermission of two months in the spring of 1 724, which he obtained with the greatest diffi- culty. At this period his presence became necessary in London, to explain the real state and intentions of the french cabinet, to assist in arranging the complicated business arising from the late negotiations, and to defend the treaty of Hanover, to which much opposition was expected, both by his writings and in par- liament. The affairs of England were, in the interim, committed to his confidential secretary, Mr. Robinson, whom he mentions in the highest terms of esteem and affection ; who, during his ihort absence, had displayed great prudence and 1726,] LORD WALPOLE. sagacity in treating with the french ministers, and acquired the full confidence of Fleury. On his arrival in London, in January 1726, Mr. Walpole found the ministry embarrassed with the wavering conduct of the king of Prussia, and the kingdom threatened with invasion, from the united forces of Spain, Russia, and the Emperor. He found the opposition strengthened by the recent accession of the Pulteneys, and the different parties united into a compact body, by the address of Bolingbroke. The parliament was opened on the 20th of January; and the treaties of Vienna and Han- over were laid before the Commons, on the 9th of February, by Sir Robert Walpole. Being taken into consideration on the 16th, Mr. Walpole opened the debate with a long and well arranged speech. After perspicuously detailing the his- tory of the treaties, from the peace of Utrecht to the conclusion of the treaty of Vienna, he de- fended with great abilities the motives and con- duct of the king, in contracting the treaty of Hanover. He laid open the ambitious designs of the courts of Madrid and Vienna, and developed their views and engagements hostile to the com- merce and interests of England, in contradiction to existing alliances. He added, " His majesty, ever watchful for the interest of his british subjects, had caused 200 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xi lively representations to be made, both to the emperor and Spain. At the court of Madrid those complaints were received with coldness, at the court of Vienna with haughtiness; the imperial ministry did not scruple to insinuate, that if the king persisted in his resolution to take measures in opposition to the treaty of Vienna, the emperor would not only think him- self disengaged from the guaranty of the pro- testant succession to the crown of Great Britain ; but that such conduct might be attended with serious consequences, in relation to his majesty's dominions in Germany. These insulting me- naces made no impression on his majesty's firm- ness, nor deterred him from concerting, with other powers, such measures as might check the ambitious views of those who endeavoured to render themselves formidable." He then dwelt on the attempts of Spain to conclude a marriage between don Carlos and an arch-duchess, and expatiated on the danger of such a match, which at a future period might unite the Spanish and austrian dominions under the same monarch. He concluded with declar- ing, that " the main view of the treaty of Han over was to maintain the public repose and tranquillity of Christendom, and secure to each contracting party the possession of their respec- tive dominions, with the rights, immunities, ami 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 2 0l advantages, particularly those relating to trade, which their subjects enjoyed, or ought by trea- ties to enjoy.'' This speech was ably answered by Mr. Daniel Pulteney, who urged, that the subject was of too great importance for a precipitate decision; and by Shippen, on the plea that the treaty would engage the nation in a war, in defence of the king's dominions in Germany, contrary to the act of succesion. These objections were refuted by Mr. Pelham ; and an address moved by him, expressing the resolution of the house to support the king " against all insults and attacks upon any of his territories and domi- nions, though not belonging to the crown of Great Britain," was carried by 285 against lO/.* This triumphant majority decided the fate of the treaty, arid the session was closed on the 24th of May. During Mr. Walpole's continuance in England, he experienced a domestic misfortune by the decease of his sister, lady Tovvnshend, who died of the small-pox, on the 29th of March. This elegant and accomplished woman was a severe loss to her husband and family. She greatly contributed, by her engaging manners, * Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, ch. 2<). Chandler. Tin- dal, vol. 9. p. 543 and seq. 202 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xi. to enliven the fatigue of business, in which lord Townshend was involved. Though educated in the country, and unaccustomed, till her marriage, to the manners of a court, she soon acquired great ease and address; and when she accompanied her husband to Hanover, " gave," as lord Waldegrave expresses himself in a letter to Mr. Walpole, " with so much good humour, into the ways of the country, that she pleased every body to admiration -f." Her death was the greatest misfortune at this critical juncture, on account of the growing misunderstanding between lord Townshend and Sir Robert Walpole J, which her influence over her husband and brother had greatly contributed to diminish. She died in the 40th year of her age, " generally and justly lamented for her uncommon merit, and the ac- complishments that adorned her mind as well as her person ." In the month of August, Mr. Walpole suffered another domestic loss by the death of his brother Galfridus, who had entered at an early period into the naval service, and highly distinguished himself in the reign of queen Anne. He was promoted to the command of the Lion, a third-rate man of war, and in a severe action t Hanover, December 19, 1725. Waldegrave Papers. I Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, chapter 30. Political State for March 1725-6. \ frcm the rMrtHVi <'/' /.ft*/ \\' 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 2O3 with the French, lost his right arm by a cannon- ball. Soon after the accession of George the First, he sat in parliament for the borough of Lestwithiel, was nominated treasurer of Green- wich hospital, and in 1721 appointed joint post-? master general. The treaties of Vienna and Hanover divided the views, and occupied the attention of Europe. The courts of Vienna and Madrid prepared 1* carry their gigantic projects into execution. Spain disdainfully rejected all the overtures of the duke of Bourbon to pacify her resentment for the dismission of the infanta, and laboured to realise the vast but incoherent plans of Rip- perda. Philip publicly received the duke of Wharton as the accredited agent of the preten^ der, countenanced the plans of the duke of Liria/ for the invasion of England, treated Mr. Stan- hope as a proscribed minister, engaged officers for the service of the pretender, and sent a large body of troops into Gallicia, apparently to attack France, or invade England. He also made large remittances to the emperor, and promised additional subsidies on the arrival of the galleons from America. The emperor, on his part, was no less active; he gained the electors of Treves, Bavaria, Co- logne, Mentz, and Palatine ; he had nearly suc- ceeded in detaching the king of Prussia from 204 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xi, the treaty of Hanover, and meditated to arm the northern powers against England. Cathe- rine maintained a predominant party in Sweden and Denmark, and, assisted by the golden showers of Spain, prepared to co-operate in the invasion of England, which was to be attempted at the same time from the coasts of Russia and Norway, Flanders and Spain. With this view the emperor and Spain projected the establish- ment of a military force of 240,000 men, exclu- sive of the russian and electoral troops. The spirited resolutions of parliament, to defend the king's dominions in Germany, as well as Great Britain, were supported by equal vigour in the ministry, to gain new accessions ^*to the treaty of Hanover, and to repel the hos- tile aggressions of Spain and the emperor. Vast preparations were made by sea ; Admiral Hosier was sent with a powerful squadron to blockade Porto Bello, and prevent the return of the gal- leons, which were to convey from the new world the annual treasures of Spain. Sir Charles Wager, with another squadron, sailed to the Baltic to check the hostile attempts of the czarina, and secure the co-operation of Sweden and Denmark ; while Sir John Jennings, having on board a large body of land forces, cruized off the coast of Spain. Such being the general state of affairs, the 1126.] LORD WALPOLE. 205 great object of the british cabinet was to keep France steady to her engagements, notwith- standing her earnest desire of a reconciliation with Spain ; to- infuse vigour into her counsels, and, with her concurrence, to overcome the russian party in Sweden, to form a convention with Denmark, and detach the germ an princes from their alliance with the emperor. With this object in view Mr. Walpole returned to Paris on the 14th of May, and found the french cabinet in a sad state of weakness and disunion. The king was indifferent to affairs, solely oc- cupied with hunting and his visits to Ram- bouillet*, estranged from the queen, to whom he did not even speak for three months after the retreat of Fleury, and having no will but that of his preceptor. The duke of Bourbon was absolutely govern- ed by madame de Prie and Paris du Verney ; he was disgusted with the bishop's predominant influence, anxious to obtain a reconciliation with Spain, yet desirous to preserve the union with England, through a dread of the vengeance of Philip; therefore timid, wavering; and averse to the adoption of vigorous measures. Morville, though friendly to England, and * The seat of the connt of Thoulouse, natural son of Louis the Fourteenth. 206 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XL easy of access to the british minister, was V jealous of Fleury, and caballed with the duke of Bourbon. " His knowledge of foreign af- fairs," to use the expressions of Mr, Walpole, " was very scanty, upon entering into business ; and his genius was naturally so narrow, that there was no great prospect that time and ex- perience would ever make him a considerable man, or any thing more than a clerk to receive and execute orders, even in which he was not so expeditious as could be wished. And al- though he loved the appearance and credit of doing every thing himself; yet he would readily submit to the opinion of him, who had the chief power and authority in the government*. Marshal Villars was attached to the duke of Bourbon, to whom he solely owed his introduc- tion into the council of State. Though grossly illiterate, and ignorant of foreign affairs, his vanity led him to consider himself as great a statesman as a warrior. Servile in his flattery, though affecting independence, he had no real influence ; and his increasing age and infirmi- ties rendered him a mere cypher. The duke of Orleans, as presumptive heir to the crown, had a seat in the council of State. Though a prince of the strictest virtue and Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, Sept. 28, 1720. 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 207 morality, he was minute and superstitious in the forms of religion, and ill calculated for business. His capacity was slow, and he had not made that progress in the knowledge of affairs which was expected from his high station, age, and experience. From animosity to the duke of Bourbon, he was inclined to oppose his views ; and indiscreetly, though innocently, communi- cated to his wife * the secrets of State, which were transmitted through her family to the em- peror. Fleury was the soul of the french cabinet ; though personally attached to Mr. Walpole, and friendly to the union of the two crowns, as far as was consistent with the interest of his coun- try, he had been recently suspected of entertain- ing a secret correspondence with Spain, and countenancing the cabals of the Jacobites. During the absence of Mr. Walpole, a letter from the abbot Montgon to Morville, contain- ing vague communications on this subject, which was transmitted by Mr. Stanhope, filled Mr. Robinson with surprise and alarm. Adopt- ing, however, the prepossession of Mr. Walpole in favour of Fleury, he waited on the bishop late in the evening, and with great caution and address communicated the intelligence. Hav- * Maria Jane, daughter of Louis William, margrave of- Baden, whom he espoused in J724; she died iu August 1726*. \ 208 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xi. ing hinted that in a discourse with Mr. Stan- hope, Ripperda mentioned a negotiation at Madrid, and a proposal recently made for recon- ciling the two crowns, unknown to M. le Due, and managed by some persons of the first dis- tinction in France : " I was agreeably surprised," continues Mr. Robinson, " agreeably to my own wishes and thoughts of the affair, by the bishop's interrupting me with a smile, and that unaffected openness in his countenance, and saying, ' Am I not the person ? Am I not the man of distinction in France who am to have the honour of reconciling the two crowns, and obliging M. le Due to go throw himself at his catholic majesty's feet, and beg pardon? We have had the news here, post after post, and M. le Due is acquainted with all my ill offices.' ' On insinuating further intimations from Rip- perda, of Fleury's proposal, in conjunction with the duke of Orleans, for displacing the duke of Bourbon, inducing the king of France to accede to the treaty of Vienna, and for setting the pretender on the throne ; " The bishop," adds Mr. Robinson, " continued his gaiety and laughing at Ripperda, and the thin artifice he used to throw jealousies and intestine divisions into this court, which he said was the last effort of Spain, after that minister had found his at- tempt baffled, to give a diffidence of France to 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 209 England." He added, " Ripperda is ill-infonned of. the situation of this court, to* imagine me capable of entering into any design to displace M. le Due, much more to have recourse to Spain and him for that purpose. My intentions and sentiments, with relation to the pretender, are too well known. I have too true a knowledge o of the interests of my country and king to pre- cipitate his majesty into measures so pernicious to France as to think of abandoning the king of England's friendship. " But I need not trouble you with these re- flections ; I am accountable to nobody but the &ng for my actions. I see you are concerned lest these calumnies should do me an injury. I thank you for your confidence ; it is kindly clone ; but I have been a long time acquainted with this Montgon's suspicions. It is a poor credu- lous creature; but God knows what he would be at. I never thought it worth while to- trou- ble Mr. Walpole with these accounts of myself; I despised them ; acquitted myself to the king. Surely any thing so personal to myself was not worth mentioning. However, once for all, I protest solemnly to you, and (lifting up his eyes and hands) I protest before God, that I have no correspondence directly or indirectly, in Spain, with any one person whatever." At the bishop's instances, Mr. Robinson car- VOL. i. P 210 MEMOIRS OF [CHA>. xi, vied the letter to Morville, who laughed at these vague insinuations, made a warm, eulogium of Fleiiry, and offered to forfeit his own life if there was the least truth in that part of the calumny which related to him. The duke of Bourbon, with whom Mr. Robinson had an interview on this subject, treated the letter as an artifice of Rip- perda, and solemnly disclaimed any intention of effecting a reconciliation with Spain, but through the mediation of England. He strongly vindi- cated FJeury ; declared that they both acted for the same service, and upon the same principles.; and, drawing hi^ hand across his throat, said, " I will answer with my head for the bishop's fidelity*." The suspicions of the british ministry were for a time allayed by this circumstantial and candid account. The artifices of Ripperda, and the origin of these absurd insinuations, were after- wards satisfactorily explained by Morville to Mr. Walpole, and justly attributed to the officious interference of Montgon, and to the credulity of Stalpart and Sartine, the agents of France at the court of Madrid. Soon after his return to his embassy, the at- tention of Mr. Walpole was occupied by the ac- counts transmitted from Madrid, of the fall of * Mr. Robinson to the duke of Newcastle, Paris, March IS, 1726. 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 211 Ripperda; of his taking refuge in the house of Mr. Stanhope, and disclosing the secret transac- tions between Spain and the emperor f. The earliest intelligence of these extraordinary events was communicated in a letter, dated the 18th of May, from count Konigseg, the imperial embas- sador at Madrid, to Fonseca, the imperial minis- ter at Paris. Mr. Walpole received the first hint from the Bavarian minister, on the 31st of Mav, / and on the 3d of June a confirmation of the ac- eount from Morville and Fleury, which Fonseca had just imparted to them. The imperial mi- nister, in making the communication, expressed his regret at what happened ; hoped the french court would not increase the flame, by adding oil to it; and apologised for the emperor, in having negotiated with such a wretch as Rip- perda. The french ministers highly applauded the dexterity and prudence of Mr. Stanhope, and seemed pleased at the hopes of obtaining a full knowledge of the secret negotiations be- tween the courts of Vienna and Madrid. They, at the same time, expressed their doubts whether Philip had violated the rights of nations by * The reader is referred to the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole for an account of the rise, administration, and fall of Ripperda ; and for the letters of Mr. Stanhope, Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, chapter 35, and Correspondence, vol. 2, p, 572, 622. P 2 213 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. *T. forcing Ripperda out of Mr. Stanhope's house, urged Mr. Walpole to moderate the resentment of his master, and anxiously deprecated a rup- ture with Spain. On the 9th an account from Mr. Stanhope, which was delayed by the arrest of his courier at Victoria, reached Paris ; and Mr. Walpole, the following day, imparted the intelligence to Fleury at Versailles. In this interview, which was short, and frequently interrupted, Mr. Wai- pole was struck with a remarkable expression, uttered by the bishop in the heat of conversa- tion; " The reign of first ministers is but short ! " which seemed to announce an approaching change in the administration of France. LORD WALPOLE. CHAPTER 12. 1726. Dismission of the Duke of Bourbon Correspondence of Mr. Walpole on that Subject Conference with Fleury. THE surprise excited by the disgrace of Rip- perda was soon obliterated by an unexpected event of still greater importance, the dismission of the duke of Bourbon. The recal of Fleury having ensured his triumph over the duke of Bourbon, and riveted the affec- tions of the king beyond controul ; he resolved to obtain the dismission of madame de Prie and Paris du Verney. After ineffectual attempts to induce the duke of Bourbon to sacrifice his mis- tress and his confidant, he had a long audience of the queen, and urged her majesty to remove those persons who disgraced her household. " What antipathy," said the queen, " causes you to make such strong representations for their dismission?" " I have no antipathy," re- plied the bishop, " and the sole motive of my repeated exhortations to the duke of Bourbon is the dishonour which they entail on his cha- racter and administration." " But how can I," rejoined the queen, " dismiss these persons from my household, who have been proved guilty 214 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xn. of no crime, and only desire that their conduct may be scrutinised ? I will freely own that the disgrace of persons with whose services I am satisfied, will displease me." The bishop made no answer; and when the queen hinted at the change of the king's affections, he replied, " I am not to blame." She then represented to him the chagrin of the duke of Bourbon at the O king's refusal to admit him to a private audience, and solicited his interposition, but in vain. * The duke of Bourbon was naturally dissatis- fied with continuing at the helm of affairs, as a mere deputy to Fleury ; but, aware of the bi- shop's ascendancy, concealed his disgust, and affected to express the highest esteem and con- fidence in his co-adjutor. He even seemed to pay some deference to the repeated exhortations of Fleurj' ; Madame de Prie made a journey to her country-house in Normandy; Paris du Verney appeared seldom at Versailles, and an important transaction of finance took place without his knowledge. Alarmed at this near- C3 O lect, du Verney summoned madame de Prie from Normandy : she unexpectedly arrived at court on the first of June; and du Verney again frequented, as usual, the board of finance, and reassumed his imperious language and haughty Memoircs de Villars, torn. 3, p. 215- 1-T26.] LORD> WALPOLE. 215 manners *. They even made another attempt to obtain the disgrace of Fleury by means of the queen. These efforts accelerated the catastrophe ; and the duke of Bourbon, aware that the strug- gle would probably end in his own disgrace, offered his resignation to the king in the pre- sence of Fleury. This unexpected proposal embarrassed the young monarch, till Fleury said, " Will your majesty consent to the proposal of the duke, and not persuade him to continue in your service f ?" The king, thus relieved from his uncertainty, requested the duke of Bourbon to continue at the helm of affairs, with expres- sions of kindness and satisfaction. A general persuasion, however, prevailed at court, that a change was meditating; and on the 10th of June, marshal Villars observed to the comptrol- ler-general Dodun, " I see a storm ready to burst over the head of the duke of Bourbon." " I do not believe," replied Dodun, " that he will continue in office three months." " Nor I," rejoined Villars, " eight days." But on the fol- lowing day Villars observing the dukes of Mon- temar and Charost, who were enemies of the duke, extremely cheerful, expressed his opinion * Memoires de Richelieu, torn. 4. t Meraoires de Villars. torn. 3, p. 244; and Mewoires de Moutgoir, torn. 2, p. 111. MEMOIKS OF [CHAF. *n. to Dodira that the storm was approaching. His prrdictioa was soon fulfilled: after the conclusion of the council, held in the presence of the duke of Bourbon, the king, before he de- parted for RarabouilleL at three, said to him, "I shall expect you in the evening; do not make me wait supper. 1 " The duke continued to do business with Breteuil and Dodun till eight; and going to his carriage, which was to convey him to Rambouillet, met the count de St. Flor- enlin with his papers ; but postponed the busi- ness till his return. At this instant the duke of Charost presented to him a letter from the king : " I command you, under pain of disobedience, to retire to Chantiily, and remain there until farther orders." The duke replied, " Accus- tomed to make the king obeyed, I shall be the first to set the example ; but I expected, from the friendship of the king, and the earnest desire I have long shewn to retire, that my retreat would not have been attended with these marks of rigour." He instantly entered his chaisf , ac- ponied by a lieutenant of the body guards, drove to Chantiily, where he arrived at one o'clock in the morning. Fleury announced to the queen the removal of the duke of Bourbon, and at the same time delivered to her a letter written in the king's own hand : " I entreat you, madam, and if nece*- 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. tary, I command you, to do whatsoever the bishop of Frejus shall tell you, from me, as if it was told you by myself." In shewing this let- terto marshal Villars, the queen burst into tears. The dismission of the duke of Bourbon was followed by the exile of Paris du Verney and his three brothers, and madame de Prie* had orders to retire into Normandy. At three o'clock in the morning, Mr. Walpolc was awakened by a messenger with a letter from Fleury: " Monsieur f, Ce 11 Juin, a cinq heures. " J'ay etc tente souvent de reveler a vdtre ex- cellence ce qui vient de se passer; mais je n'etois pas maitre du secret du roy, et mes ordres etoient trop expres pour les violer. Sa majeste supprime la charge de premier ministre, et M. le Due a ordre de se retirer a Chant illy. Je ne doute pas qu'il n'obeisse, et Jay l"honneur de vous recrire, * She survived her disgrace a little mote than m year, and died of chagrin for the loss of her power, at the age of twen- ty-aae. in October 1/27. According to the '!!! of Rkfaelieu, she poisoned herself. t " Sir, June 11, 5 o'clock. " I have been often tempted to reveal to vor ii iH nij ft^fcaij^l bi|i|i I but I was aot Master the king's secret, and m j orders were too positive to be <& obeyed. His majesty fpraves the office of ant amicter, Ml the duke of Bowboa k commanded to retire to CkHalfu I kave BO doubt bat be will obey ; aad I have tbe boMur to write this to vou before-hand, because I 218 MEMOIRS OF - r [CHAP, d 1'avance, parceque je n'en aurai pas le temps apres. Votre excellence peut estre assuree, Monsieur, et je vous supplie d'assurer sa majeste britannique que cet evenement ne cbangera rien dans les affaires et qu'elle trouvera la meme fi- delite e.t la meme exactitude dans nos traites reciproques. Je ne puis dans ce moment que lui protester les respect avec lequel je suis, Monsieur, " de V. Ex ce " le tres humble et tres " obeissant serviteur, " A. H. anc. ev. de Frejus. " Mardi, a cinq heures du sbir." This note Mr. Walpole instantly transmitted to the duke of Newcastle, in a letter dated June 12, three o'clock in the morning: " I have the honour to send your grace, in- closed, by express, the copy of a letter, which, though dated at 5 o'clock in the evening, I re- ceived but this moment from bishop Frejus, by a servant of his, who caused me to be waked on purpose to have it given into my own hands ; by which your grace will see that the office of after. Your excellency may be assured, and I entreat you, sir, to assure his britaunic majesty, that this event will make no change in affairs, and that he will experience the same fidelity and the same punctuality in fulfilling our reciprocal treaties. At this moment I have on!y time to declare the respect with which I am, Sir, &c. *' Tuesday, 5 b the evening." 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. prime minister is suppressed, and that M. le Due has orders to retire to Chantilly, which, I do not douht, will be a surprising piece of news to his majesty, having received no intimation of it any sooner. I should indeed, had not this midnight message prevented me, have given your grace, by the messenger that carries this, some account of some particulars that have lately occurred to me, which gave me reason to suspect that something of this nature might happen, though not so suddenly ; and that from some, discourse I have lately had with the bishop, and more particularly from what he said to me, even yesterday, at Versailles. For my friend, Mr. Gedda, hinted to me some days since, in great confidence, that the queen had let count Tarlo know (who came hither about ten days ago) that M. le Due had pressed her to speak to the king to decide who should have the authority of prime minister, his highness or bishop Frejus ; and insinuated to her to do it in such a manner if she could, as might determine his majesty in favour of his highness. But she was too sensi- ble of the hazard she had formerly run of the king's displeasure, who did not speak to her for three months (as the bishop himself lately told me) after the queen had taken part in favour of M. le Due against him, and he had retired to his countrv-house before Christmas. This con- 220 MEMOIRS OF* [CHAP, xn, sideration determined her, by the advice of count Tarlo, to let M. le Due know, that she could not venture to engage herself against bishop Frejus; but if any attempt was made against M. le Due, she would oppose it; and that if she knew where the dispute lay, she would endeavour to accommodate matters be- twixt -ihera. She gave the same answer to ma- dame de Prie, who being newly come out of the country, had earnestly talked to her ma- jesty to the same purpose. " This intelligence, with other advices, (though not from good hands,) that the king's frequent journies to Ilambouillet would prove prejudicial to M. le Due; the countess of Thoulouse hav- ing got possession, by a natural way of talking, agreeable to the humour of the king, to speak freely to his majesty of all things, and even against the administration of his highness, de- termined me, yesterday was se'nnight, to sound the bishop upon the situation of affairs betwixt him and M. le Due, by which I easily perceived a great coldness with regard to his highness. The bishop freely owned to me that he was by no means pleased with M. le Due's measurea, with regard to their domestic matters, and par- ticularly their finances; his highness being en- tirely delivered up to the pernicious counsels of madanie dc Prie and her creatures. As he let 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. . fall to me pome strong expressions, that the service of the king his master was what he pre- ferred to all other considerations, and that he could not sit easy and see things go on in the manner they did, to the ruin of the State, which in a short time would he out of capacity to support itself, if other measures were not taken; I began at first to apprehend that he might think of retiring again from court; but, having sounded him on that head, he gave me his solemn promise and assurance that he had no such intentions. I then gently touched upon the french king having perhaps thoughts of making him prime minister; upon which he declared there was no such design, and that he would never take that weight upon him. However, I could still perceive there was some- thing in his breast with regard to M. le Due, which gave me. occasion to intimate to him, that I did not see how his highness's place could be supplied, (unless the bishop himself would take it,) by another person, without hazard of greater inconveniences, and even to the bishop himself, all things considered. But I could get nothing else from him, besides that nobody else could be prime minister; continu- ing to shew, at the same time, a dissatisfaction against M. le Due. " I was since informed, that application had 222 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xii. been made, by some that are friends to the Orleans family, to count Tarlo, for engaging the queen to enter into a scheme for making the count de Thoulouse prime minister ; which determined me to make use of that handle for discovering more fully the bishop's thoughts with regard to M. le Due, and the administra- tion, when I was at Versailles on Monday last. But I was so often interrupted when with the bishop, that I had only time to communicate to him Mr. Stanhope's account of what had hap- pened with regard to Ripperda, at which time this remarkable expression fell from him, that the reign of first ministers was but short ; but I had no opportunity of talking more to him on that subject then, at which I was the less con- cerned, because he had invited me to dine with him the next day, in company with the marshals d'Huxelles and Berwick. " As I was alone with him yesterday, before dinner, I took an occasion to intimate to him the report I had heard that the count of Thou- louse was to be first minister. He not only gave me the strongest assurances to the con- trary, but also represented to me the inconve- niences that he was sensible would happen from thence. He let me know, at the same time, that the nation would be pleased to see the ad- ministration of affairs in the king's own hands, LORD WALPOLE. 223 with a council to assist him. I told him, that as I hoped I might venture to say that the king himself appeared to have no application to business, nor any turn that way, I thought, by the nature of things, that however the autho- rity might seem to be in his majesty's power only, yet there must be somebody who should have the particular confidence of the king, and to whom the principal resort and court should be made by the subjects, to prevent a confusion in business. " Yes," says he, " and so I think there must." From whence I inferred, that he meant himself; and as he said no more, I could not pretend to press him any farther upon this subject. But in taking my leave of the bishop at seven o'clock, he stopped short twice, as I was going out, as if he had something to say to me ; and though I put the question to him, yet he let me go without speaking out." This dispatch was soon followed by another, bearing date June 1 3th, (very private,) contain- ing an account of his first conference with o Fleury after this important event : " I had the honour to send your grace yes- terday morning, by Lyng the messenger, a copy of the letter bishop Frejus wrote to me in his own hand, to acquaint me with the removal pf M. le Due. I can now let you know, that I 224 MEMOIJRS OF [CHAP. xii. having, in the answer I returned to thank him for that early communication, desired to wait upon him when he should think fit, he imme- diately sent me word that he should expect me with impatience this day to dine with him at Versailles ; where I having accordingly been, I began the conference with expressing my grate- ful sense of this fresh instance of his confidence and friendship in the notice he had been pleased to give me of this new and extraordinary revo- lution at court ; but I hoped at the same time, that he would suffer me to make use of the same amicable freedom, with which he had always indulged me, to let him know I could heartily have wished that he had extended his usual kindness and confidence to me so far as to have given me such early notice of this event, that I might have prepared his majesty and his ministers for jt, for some important reasons, which, I musf& own, in some measure nearly affected me, a>id which, for want of such no- tice, would occasion, I was afraid, various re- flections at our court. He desired me to speak my mind freely in every respect, and he hoped he should give me an entire satisfaction. I then continued my discourse to the following effect: ' Sir, you may remember that some time since, when I was in England, we received ad- vices from Spain, that intrigues were certainly iV26.] LORD WALPOLE. 225 carrying on at this court, in concert with that, by great men, with whom you was principally Concerned, for the removal of M. le Due ; which made not the least impression on his majesty or his ministers, chiefly on account of the assu- rances I gave them at that time, of there being no foundation in it, from the knowledge I had of your character and sentiments. Since, there has been several reports of this nature which I have hinted to you, of your being in close con- cert with the duke of Orleans and the count de Thoulouse against M. le Due, and that the jour- neys which his most Christian majesty made to Rambouillet were* contrived for that purpose: and I will now tell you, sir, what I never would do before for fear of making you uneasy, when I thought the thing entirely groundless, and therefore unnecessary, which was, that our con- stant advices from Vienna informed us that the imperial court depends upon your friendship, if M. le Due was out of the way. I then added what Mr. Palm had lately said to Mr. Pozzo- bueno, of count Broglio's doing nothing but by order of the duke of Bourbon, and that the great stroke of eclat which would happen in France would be public before the said duke, or Broglio, could have the least notice of it; and it was so strong and lively a resemblance of the case that had now happened, that although it had VOL. i, Q MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xii. gained no credit, and was looked upon by our ministers as an invention ; yet it will, I am afraid, joined with the other considerations, much affect his majesty when he shall have heard this news, and I shall (you will pardon me, sir, my heart is so full, for saying it) be suspected of having been mistaken in my thoughts and accounts of you, and particularly as to your confidence and friendship towards me.' " I spoke to this purpose in such strong, but at the same time in such cordial and friendly */ terms, that he appeared a good deal touched, though not at all displeased at it; and then said ; " Y'ou have not been at all mistaken in me, nor have I in the least deceived you ; when I spoke to you formerly in confidence of M. le Due, I never meant otherwise than what I said ; my intentions were always sincere for his conti- nuation to be first minister; and even after my retreat into the country, and return to court, notwithstanding his ill treatment of me, so little deserved from him, I still resolved to live in friendship with him, though with the same free- dom of speaking my mind to him as I had done before; but his unalterable perseverance in being governed entirely by those whom I detested for the sake of my king and country, made it im- possible for me to go on with him at that rate; 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 227 and I had no other way to take, unless I would absolutely withdraw myself from business, which you had constantly engaged me not to do. You may remember when you last week hinted to me your apprehensions of disorders at court, and of a difference between M. le Due and me ; I did not then speak of his highness in the man- ner I had formerly clone, and gave you plainly to understand, that the situation of things, with respect to us two, was a good deal altered. But I could not venture to tell you, though I was extremely desirous to do it, what was then in agitation ; for the king had engaged me to the utmost secrecy, by letting me know that he would keep the secret, and desired that I would do so too. However I was almost tempted to tell it you when you left me on Tuesday in the afternoon: and I went so far as to send my valet de chambre to look for you at five o'clock on purpose, but you was gone to Paris; and the king's letter to M. le Due was not delivered till six, and neither M. de Morville, nor any person whatsoever but the duke de Charost, who was to execute his majesty's orders, knew of it till after it was done. The whole matter passed betwixt the king and myself, and even without the queen's knowledge j from whence you may conclude, that the reports from Spain, as well as whatever you may have heard here, of my cabal- <12 228 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xtt, ling with the duke of Orleans and others, were entirely groundless; for neither he nor the count de Thoulouse had the least intimation or apprehension of it; and when his highness came post hither yesterday rriorning, with a design to go immediately to Rambouillet, he was desired to return hack a-ain to Paris. O What you mention of the imperial court depend- ing upon my interest in their favour, I can assure you, to my certain knowledge, that M. Fonseca not long since wrote the contrary, and assured the emperor that he found me firm to the engagements with England. As to what Mr. Palm said to Pozzohueno, which he had from one Falnie, I must own it has a great re- semblance to the event, and it struck both M. le Due and nie extremely when it was read ; but it is one of those accidental things that are said sometimes by hazard, without any foundation, and yet prove true. " You may depend upon it (which he accom- panied with the strongest assurances) that this alteration in our government will not make the least change in our measures, particularly with regard to the strict union and friendship between his majesty and the king of Great Britain ; and you know I have been the author and chief pro- moter of it. And as I have the same opinion of , you which I always had, and of your character, 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 229 I am resolved to do nothing without you ; and, as a convincing proof of it, I desire you will read this letter, which I have just wrote to the king of Spain, but would not send till you had seen it; which he then put into my hands. * * " He then told me that this letter was to be sent to Madrid by the nuncio here, inclosed in a letter which he (the bishop) would write to the king of Spain's secretary of the cabinet, de- siring him to deliver it to his catholic majesty, when he should have an opportunity of doing it alone ; and he added, that the nuncio had not seen it, and nobody else but myself. * * * " In my conversation with the bishop alone, which was continued after dinner, (the marshal Berwick being the only person that dined with us, and having retired as soon as we had dined,) I began again with thanking him for the great satisfaction he had given me in his assurances and confidence on this occasion, which, I was persuaded, would be agreeable to his majesty; but I told him that certainly this ;reat event */ o would upon the first eclat have an effect to the disadvantage of his majesty's affairs, with re- gard to the union between the two crowns, which I had already perceived by my intelli- gence among the Jacobites and others, founded upon a wrong notion they have of things, par- ticularly with respect to his, the bishop's, prii\i 230 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XH. ciples and zeal for his religion. I therefore hoped the liberty he had given me would excuse my enquiring, as far as was proper, about the form the administration might take, and the al- teration that was like to be in the present mi- nistry ; because, although it was not the business j j O of one court to concern itself about the persons to be employed in another, yet neighbouring princes and states would make their judgment and reflections upon the measures that are like to be taken by a court, from the known princi- ples of the persons that are like to be employed. He then told me, with a ready freedom and cordiality, that the administration was to be carried on as in the time of Louis the Fourteenth, when he took the government into his own hands. There would be no primes-minister, nor any council, any otherwise than the council of State that at present subsisted ; the respective secretaries and other officers were to receive from him, the bishop, their orders, and attend and wait, in his presence, upon his most Chris- tian majesty, for all matters of expedition that required the king's sign manual; and as for matters of grace, they should pass entirely be- tween the french king and himself alone. " I then said, that I supposed the council of State would be augmented by the addition of marshals d'Huxelles and Berwick, and some 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 231 others : he said, ?.s to marshal Berwick, although he had all possible confidence in him, yet as he was to be the general to command in chief, he would be contented with that employment, and did not care to be of the council. As to the marshal d'Huxelles, he did indeed heartily wish he would be of the council, bat he made some difficulty on account of the rank, which he would not dispute, and yet could not yield to him (the bishop) : and I believe the same rea- son, besides his thinking himself still of a higher quality by his birth, makes marshal Berwick decline it too. I told him there would be an easy expedient with regard to marshal d'Hux- elles, which was by his being made a cardinal. He owned he thought that mustr be the case, and then the marshal would come into the coim- cil ; and he assured me that nobody else was at all thought of. " I then asked him, if M. de Morville was to continue in the same station? Having given me an answer as if he had really such intentions, but not as an absolute determination; I told him, that if I might be so free as to give him my opinion, I thought he could not do better ; for M. de Morville was of a rapacity proper to be a subaltern, had no great nor extensive ge- nius, nor had any other ambition but that of being subservient to the person in chief power, 232 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XH. was supple and diligent, and consequently would now shew the same fidelity and attachment to him as he had done before to M. le Due, for fear of losing his station. And he was of a temper, though not so open and free in his con- ferences with the foreign ministers as they could wish ; yet he was mild and agreeable enough in his manner of treating them, and had in general the character of an honest man. All these qualities and considerations made him, I thought, proper to work under the bishop, who, I hoped, would keep the conduct of affairs en- tirely in his own hands, without any partner or competitor whatsoever ; representing to him that in case there were any thoughts of M. de Torcy, I apprehended that the impression he had made in his former administration upon the minds of all good englishmen, as a deter- mined enemy to our present government, and established succession, the name of his being employed again would occasion such a general alarm in our nation, that no reasons or alles'a- * . > O tions whatever of his having changed his mea- sures and maxims would be able to remove it; and that notwithstanding whatever I might say by his, the bishop's, authority, to the contrary, I should be looked upon as a dupe. To this I added, that as M. de Torcy had, in the time of Louis the Fourteenth, the chief conduct of fo- 1726.] LORI? WALPOLE. 23S reign affairs, his opinion of his own abilities in that province, and his natural ambition to be at least as considerable as he formerly was, would not make him easily acquiesce with a subordi- nation ; and consequently he might embarrass the bishop, who would not be able to remove him afterwards so easily, as he might be to keep him out of power at present. Besides he knew very well M. de Torcy's principles as to religion, being a thorough jansenist, which was very opposite to his notions. He then most most solemnly assured me, he had not the least intentions of employing M. de Torcy, for the reasons I had alledged. " I then asked him whether I might make M. de Morville a compliment, of the great satis- faction I had of his being still to be employed ? The bishop said I might go further, and tell him I was sure there were no thoughts of re- moving him, and that he had a particular friend- ship and regard for him. He then told me, that notwithstanding he had lately given me an answer, as if he should not take in M. le Blanc, as he was not indeed absolutely deter- mined then about him ; yet he must acquaint me, that it is impossible for him to do without him, especially in case of a war, he being the only person in France, by the voice of the whole nation in general, that was capable of that post. 234 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XH. I gave him to understand that he was looked upon as no friend to England, and I had certain knowledge of his being intimate with madame de Mezieres, and even, in the time of the duke of Orleans, of having a correspondence with the Jacobites, and particularly with my lord Orrery, in the last conspiracy. He told me, the late duke of Orleans was a great genius, but cun- fiing and inconstant, and too apt to act a double game, and give trouble to those with whom he was in the strictest friendship; that M. le Blanc should be no minister, but only secretary in the room of M. Breteuil ; and he would take effec- tual care he should do nothing that should give the least jealousy and umbrage to his majesty. " It was impossible for me to oppose M. le Blanc's coming in any further, when- the bishop gave me to understand that he was already sent for to court. I am sensible that his arrival will at first occasion reports to the disadvantage of his majesty's affairs, among the Jacobites, and the ordinary news-mongers ; but as we are al- ready prevented, on his account, we shall soon see either those insinuations entirely removed, or what we are like to expect by his way of working. But I do flatter myself, that we shall have nothing to fear from him, as long as the bishop continues to govern ; and it is certain his prejudice against England was in a great 1726.]' LORD WALPOLE. 235 measure occasioned by Sir Luke Scbaub, wbo by entering into all the little intrigues of the late cardinal du Bois, personally offended and affronted those that the cardinal disliked and designed to remove. However, I shall be very watchful of the part that M. le Blanc shall take ; and should he act a right one, his boldness and abilities will certainly alarm the imperial court, more tban any other step that could be taken here. " Tbe bishop afterwards gave me to under- stand, tbat M. Peletier des Forts, a great friend of marshal Berwick, and uncle to M. Bro-lio v " would succeed M. Dodun as controuler of the finances ; he is looked upon as a very capable and honest man, bat of a warm and hasty tem- per. I do not doubt but M. St. Florentin and M. Maurepas will continue in their posts : but J did not think it decent to ask the bishop any more questions about the administration. I only earnestly recommended to him to keep the entire management of affairs, as much as possible, in his own power, and under his own thumb; since it was plain that nobody had the least credit with his most Christian majesty but himself, and that was the only way to preserve it. I exhorted him to mix with that sweet and agreeable temper and address, with which he charmed every body that approached him, vi- 556 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xn. gour and resolution in his councils and measures, as the only way to preserve the peace of Europe so desirable to us all. " I then asked him, whether he would not, besides what he had wrote and said to me, give the other foreign courts and ministers here to understand, that this revolution should make no alteration in the present system of affairs, and particularly in the union and confidence be- tween his majesty and France ? He having re- plied that M. de Morville was ordered to prepare and sign proper letters to the principal courts of Europe for that purpose, I told him that would be at first looked upon only as a usual circular, which would have been sent of course, although there had been thoughts of this court's taking new measures; but what should come from himself would be considered as certain and authentick, his character as to his word and honour being so well known. He answered, he never designed to write himself, not taking upon him the style of prime minister; but, for the reason that J alledged, he would speak to the ministers here, in their first audience of him, especially to those of the imperial faction and influence, to the effect that I desired. Having just then received from M. Fonseca, a letter in- closing M. Orendayn's * circular to the foreign * The Spanish secretary of Stale, afterwards well known under the uame of the marquis de la Paz. H26.] LORD WALPOLE. 231 ministers relating to Ripperda's affair, he gave it me to read, and told me he would take the opportunity, in answer to that letter, to let M. Fonseca see that France should continue to pur- sue the same system of affairs and alliances that were now subsisting, for the preservation of the peace of Europe. " Thus, my lord, ended the long conferences with the bishop, in the account of which, if I have given your grace too much trouble, I hope the importance of the occasion will excuse me ; thinking it necessary to give his majesty the best light I could of what is and is like to be the present administration of affairs here, which in short will center in bishop Frejus, who, with- out the title of prime minister, will have the power in a more absolute manner than it was ever enjoyed by cardinal Richelieu or Mazarin. " I am sensible that there will be various refinements and speculations, as if the bishop had it always in his mind to be prime minister, but staid until, by establishing an undoubted and unrivaled authority in the mind of the young king, ]\ had fully prepared matters for this great stroke. But I am still of another opinion, and that he would never have had the least thoughts of removing M. le Due, had his high- ness not persisted in being delivered up entirely to the advice of madame de Prie and her crea- 2S8 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xii. tures, instead of acting in concert with the bishop's opinion, for the good of the nation; until the whole nobility, clergy, and gentry, and populace, cried so loudly against M. le Due, that it may be truly said, there never was so universal a joy in France as his removal has occasioned. Your grace may perhaps likewise hear, as most of the foreign ministers believe, that I was entirely in the secret, on the account of my not having by accident seen M. le Due, that day, and of my having almost all the day, besides dining with the bishop, been in confe- rence either with him orM. de Morville. Your grace will have seen, by what goes before, that 1 had not that honour; yet this report may have the good effect to make it sooner believed, that, through my intimacy with the bishop, there is no likelihood of there being any altera- tion with regard to the union between England and France; and, all things considered, perhaps it was better that the bishop did not tell me of the resolution he was determined to take, since it might very much have embarrassed his ma-" jesty as to his opinion and advice about it. I think, in the main, he has shewn me a greater confidence than he has done to any one person whatever, at least of a foreigner, not excepting the pope's nuntio, who is a great favourite of his; and given me such assurances of his admi- J726.] LORD WALPOLE. 239 nistration being steady to the engagements of 'France, and agreeable to his majesty's interest and sentiments* that his future conduct, he be- ing entirely the master now of this kingdom, must prove him the honestest man or the greatest living; I own I have still the best opi- nion in the world of him. " To conclude: after I left the bishop, I made my compliments to M. de Morville, upon the assurances I had of my being so happy as to have still the honour and pleasure of negotiat- ing with him, which I was sure would be agree- able news to his majesty and ministry ; and not to trouble you, after so long a dispatch, with what passed between us, he shewed me the letter the king wrote to him with his own hand, which was to this eftect : " We do order the sieur de Morville to do " and dispatch all matters, that shall be told " and directed by bishop Frejus, as much as if " we should speak to him ourselves." " Louis." 240 .'MEMOIRS OF [CHA?. xm CHAPTER 13. Commencement of Cardinal Fleury 1 s Administration Council of State Characters of Marshals Tallard and D'Huxellts Continuation of Mr. IValpole's Influence. rLEURY was in the 70th year of his age, when the helm of government was thus en- trusted to his direction. Soon after this event he was nominated cardinal, a dignity which he had repeatedly refused to accept, through the interest of the dukes of Orleans and Bourhon, or through the mediation of the kings of Eng- land and Spain; resolving, with no- less patrio- tism than independence, to owe his elevation solely to the interposition of his own sovereign. On the removal of the duke of Bourhon, the co-adjutors of Fleury, in the council of State, were the duke of Orleans, marshal Villars, and Morville. Mr. Walpole, after drawing their characters, in a letter to the duke of Newcastle^ explains the motives and conduct of Fleury, in admitting the marshals d'Huxelles and Tallard: " This was the state of the ministry when his most Christian majesty declared that he reposed his most intimate confidence in the cardinal; and that minister hecame sensible, that while his authority and power, in the management of 1726.1 LORD WALPOLE. affairs, would be equal to that of a prime minis- ter, he would likewise be accountable for the event of them ; and that the good or bad suc- cess of the administration would entirely re- dound upon him. As he certainly has the best intentions, as well as a perseverance to do that which is right, so he is likewise desirous that the voice of the nation should accompany his good actions. This love of popularity, joined with the natural mildness of his temper, is some- times a restraint upon him, and subjects him to a management that in some cases proves incon- venient; but as it never makes him swerve or deviate, in the least, from pursuing the point he has in view, he has steadiness, and with it dexterity enough to compass what he designs, without the displeasure or resentment of any body. I must do him the justice on this occa- sion to declare, that I believe the preserving of a strict union between his majesty and France, pursuant to the engagements now in force be- tween the two crowns, is the foundation of his present thoughts and system, relating to the af- fairs of Europe. " This being the situation and temper of the cardinal, upon the removal of M. le Due, he thought it necessary, considering the mean opinion the world had of the council in the time of his highness, as well as consistent with the VOL. i. 242 MEMOIRS OF .[CHAP. xm. dignity of the government, to increase the num- ber of ministers of State*. ***** " The cardinal, as your grace knows, imme- diately took, while he continued bishop, the marshal d'Huxelles f into the consultation upon foreign affairs, until the difficulty, on account of the rank, for admitting him formally into the council, was removed ; which being done by his promotion to the cardinalship, and he, think- ing it proper to add one to the council, took an occasion, as I informed your grace, to let me know that he had pitched upon the marshal de Tallard; and in talking to him upon this sub- ject, he has told me, that he has reason to believe that marshal would act as he, the cardinal, should think fit, and that any other person that he * Fontainebleau, Sept. 28, N. S. 1726. Walpole Papers. f Nicholas du Ble, marquis d'Uxelles, was born in 1&52. He was educated for the church, but, on the death of his elder brother in 1 669, engaged in the military line. He dis- tinguished himself on many occasions, and was rapidly pro- moted to the highest military honours, until he obtained the rank of marshal of France in 1703. No less fit for negotia- tions than for arms, he was one of the plenipotentiaries at Gertruyd en berg and Utrecht. In 1718 he was constituted a counsellor of the regency. Marshal d'Uxelles is described by St. Simon as indolent, vain-glorious, voluptuous and liber- tine ; haughty and domineering to his dependants, and servile to his superiors; full of intrigue* and cunning, under the mask of the greatest simplicity. He was, however, a man of talents and business, and better acquainted with foreign af- fairs than his colleagues. Memoires de St. Simon, toin. 1 1, p. 12: DicUonuaiie de la Noblesse, art. Ble. n26.] LORD WALPOLE. 243 could have thought of would have been more liable to objection. ****** " They are both (speaking of the marshals d'Uxelles and Tallard) of the old court, which had indeed a most inveterate aversion to Eng* o land, and the present happy establishment. But the continuation of so long a peace between the two nations, the low condition of the affairs of France, the apprehensions of the emperor's power, the disposition that his majesty has shewn, during his whole reign, to maintain a good understanding with this nation, joined with the general opinion here of his majesty's virtue and steadiness, and of his being daily more and more adored by his subjects, has, in a great mea- sure, worn out the former hatred of France against -England, even among the old courtiers ; though there still remains a pride, which makes some of them think that England makes too great a figure, and that France should take the lead, more than they do, in the concert between the two nations. But as I have taken care to pre- vent the cardinal against any such notions, I think that if either marshal d'Huxelles, or Tal- lard should let them appear, in some cases, it will have no effect upon the present system and measures. " Marshal d'Huxelles will, in order to keep up that dignity which he thinks becomes hi* a 2 244 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xm. person and character, of speaking his mind plainly, and without reserve, sometimes growl ; but, to give him his due, as he becomes every dav more and more instructed in the points of moment, that are in dispute with the emperor, he is more and more convinced of the justice and necessity of the measures taken by his ma- jesty, in concert with France, before he came into the administration. His inclinations for a reconciliation with Spain are certainly greater than that crown deserves of France ; and, con- sidering the haughty temper of the queen of JSpain, will rather contribute to keep it at a greater distance, than to advance it. His pre- cautions, for fear of a war, are certainly greater than the danger of one, and, considering the nature -of the imperial court, are more proper sometimes to make that court imperious than submissive. However, he does extremely well in the main, and has a strong aversion for the ministers of Vienna, and especially count Sin- zendorf, who has no better liking to him, as the marshal has told me himself. " The marshal Tallard* loves business ex- tremely, to talk much, and to give his own * Camille d'llostun, compte de Tallard, and due d'Hos- tun, was born in lb'52, and embracing, at an early period, the profession of arms, raised himself so much Into notice, by his courage and skill, that in the 23d year J726.] LORD WALPOLE. 245 opinion ; but by his behaviour yesterday, and by his character of having been always a most servile courtier, I believe he will never differ with the cardinal in any material point. " This account, together with what your grace will see in my other dispatch, about what has passed relating to the Ostend company, will, I presume, make his majesty extremely easy as to the present situation and disposition of this court*." The union and friendship between Mr. Wai- pole and the cardinal triumphed over all the en- deavours of the imperial and Spanish courts to of his age, Turenne entrusted him with the command of the main body of his army at the battle of Mulhausen, He was created, in 1 703, marshal of France ; but he is less known for his various successes than for his memorable defeat at the battle of Blenheim, by the duke of Mailborough, where he was taken prisoner. The loss of the battle, however, was not imputed to his misconduct ; for the same year he was ap- pointed governor of Franche Comte, and on^his return from England, in 1712, created due d'iiostun. He is thus described by the caustic St. Simon : " C'etoit un liomme de taille mediocre, avcc dcs yeux un pen jaloux, pleins de feu et d'esprit, mais qui ne voyoient goutte, maigre, have, qui represeiitoit 1'ainbition, I'euvie et l'avarke ; beaucoup d'esprit, et de graces dans 1'esprit ; mais sans cesse battu du (liable, par son ambition, srs vues, ses menees et ses detour-;, et qui ne pensoit et ne respiroit autre chose ; un homuw, eufiu, a la compagnie duquel tout le moiule se plaisoit, et ;'i qui personne ue se fioit." Memoires de St. Simon, torn. 14, p. 21. * FontaineWeau, Sept. 28, N,S. 1726*. 246 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xin. infuse jealousy between France and England, and defeated all the intrigues of the Jacobites, who founded sanguine hopes on the elevation of a catholic bishop, and of the Spanish party in France, who thought the glory of their country was tarnished by her alliance with England, But, to use Mr. Walpole's own expressions, <( these artful designs were soon all disappointed by the cardinal's firmness; and. he wrote him- self, at Mr. Walpole's request, and caused the secretary of State, Morville, to write letters, con- ceived in the strongest terms, to Spain, in jus-> tification of his britannic majesty's measures, by sending his squadrons into the West Indies, the Mediterranean, and on the coast of Spain, to testify the french king's resolution to stand by his engagements with England, to the great surprise of the Spaniards, and indeed of all Europe, considering the cardinal's supposed bigotry, and his antient attachment to king Philip. And such was Mr. Walpole's manage- ment and influence with him. that although his o . eminence had nothing more at heart than to bring about a reconciliation of the family differ- ence, between the nephew and the uncle ; yet he never could be worked upon by the turbulent spirit of the queen of Spain, by the intrigues of Jesuits, nuntios, and other emissaries, to attempt to do it at the price and hazard of breaking the 1726.] LORD WALPOLE. 24t union of France with England ; and while the malevolent patriots and Jacobites industriously exposed, in their libels, Mr. Walpole as a dupe to the cardinal, the queen of Spain used to say publicly, that his eminence was a poltron, and governed entirely by that heretic Horace Wal- pole. " The cardinal's steadiness, in concurring: B with his britannic majesty, in all his negotiations with foreign powers, so strengthened the treaty of Hanover, as to frustrate and defeat all the views and resources employed in all parts by the Germans and the Spaniards, to enable them to execute the vast projects of their Vienna trea- ties*." Soon after Fleury's elevation, Mr. Walpole ex- perienced a striking instance of his confidence and sincerity. He had determined to remove the duke of Orleans from the council of State, with a view of placing the government on the same foot as under Louis the Fourteenth, when the princes of the blood were excluded from all share in the administration of affairs; but he was diverted from this resolution, by the strong and friendly remonstrances of Mr. Walpole. After complimenting him on the general appro- bation he had gained by the removal of the duke of Bourbon, and the moderation he had displayed * Mr Walpolc's Apology. 248 MEMOIRS OF [CHAF, xm. towards his enemies, the british minister dis- played the fatal effects which might arise from the exclusion of the duke of Orleans, and the embarrassment it might produce in administra- tion, by uniting the princes of the blood against him. He then urged, in strong terms, the jea- lously which such a step would occasion in those powers who were guarantees to the succession of the house of Orleans, as settled by the peace of Utrecht, as if he was preparing to undermine that succession, by removing the presumptive heir to the crown. These remonstrances staggered Fleury, and in a subsequent conference he thanked Mr. Walpole for his advice, and assured him that he had relinquished his intention of removing the tluke of Orleans from the council of State. 1726-1727.] LOfaD WALPOLE. CHAPTER 14. 17261727. Proceedings in Parliament relative to the Treaties of Vienna and Hanover Embarrassments of Cardinal Fleury His Declarations to Mr. Robinson Mission and Character of the Abbot Montgon Uncertain State of the French Cabinet Siege of Gibraltar-* Successful Representations of Mr, Walpole Vi*or~ ous Resolutions of the French Court Measures of the Hanover sillies Preliminaries of Peace signed at Vienna Death of George the First. MR. WALPOLE quitted Paris on the 12th of December, leaving, as usual, the conduct of the british affairs to Mr. Robinson ; and passing through Holland, where he concerted with the leading members of the republic, the plan of operations for the approaching contest, reached London before the meeting of Parliament. The speech from the throne, on this impor- tant occasion, contained a remarkable passage : " I have likewise received information, from different parts, on which I can entirely depend, that the placing the pretender upon the throne of this kingdom is one of the articles of the se- cret engagements." This charge, formally announced from the- mouth of the king, was as formally disavowed by the emperor, and occasioned his imprudent 550 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xiv. appeal to the british nation, by the publication of his minister, count Palm's memorial, which roused the spirit of the people, and united all ' parties in support of the dignity of the throne. This formal charge on one side, and denial on the other, of the two sovereigns, gave rise to a controversy, which occupied the attention of Europe at the period, and is still undecided. Mr.,Walpole, whose sagacity and information cannot be disputed, and whose sincerity cannot be questioned, believed the existence of these secret articles ; as appears from numerous docu- ments and observations in his own hand-writing, found among his papers, not only during the negotiations against Spain and the emperor, but even in the latter period of his life, when he had no views or interests to promote. Perhaps no proof made a stronger impression on his mind than the communication of the secret articles by two Sicilian abbots, of great birth and con- sequence, who received them from king Philip himself, on the 15th of November 1725, for the purpose of making their observations*. * I have, in the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole t, asserted, ** that the papers and documents submitted to my inspection fully display the proofs on which the reality of the secret artU des xvas formed," and which occasioned the public declara- tions of the king and ministers in parliament; that the empe- f ('hap. 28, and Vol. 2, Correspondence, particularly tht article fiippcrdft. 1726-nsn.l LORD WALPOLE. 251 The spirit of England was roused by the imperious conduct and menaces of the emperor and Spain ; and the efforts of parliament co-ope- rated with the zeal, of the nation. The address ror and king of Spain proposed to attempt the recovery of Gibraltar and the restoration of the prerender. I flattered myself, that the documents I had inserted in the Correspon- dence, and the proofs I had given in the Memoirs, would be sufficiently decisive, in the opinion of any reasonable and un- prejudiced person, to certify (as far as was compatible with the nature of such evidence) the existence of the secret arti- cles. The only contradiction to these proofs was the simple disavowal of the emperor; but his assertion can be of little weight in this instance, as he equally denied other secret stipu- lations, which were afterwards proved. In fact, the confi- dential letter from count Zinzendorf, the emperor's favourite minister, to Palm, confirms beyond a doubt the secret reso- lutions of the emperor. " Do they say there is a secret engagement entered into in the offensive alliance concerning Gibraltar? That is the great- est untruth, as the treaty itself shews. Do they say an agree- ment is made concerning the pretender? That is likewise the greatest untruth that can be imagined. Let them ask all the Jacobites, whether they have heard one word from us or from Spain that could be construed to mean such an enterprise, so LONG AS WE DON'T ENTER INTO A WAR ? but then we shall help ourselves as well as toe can. In short, the mad english ministry shall never bring us to any thing through fear : our measures are so taken, that certainly we shall be able to oppose the aggressor." These words, if they mean any thing, prove the point in dispute. For it cannot he supposed that the emperor intend- ed to assist the pretender, unless he entered into a war with England ; and that war could only be avoided on the part of England, by acceding to the treaty of Vienna, which stipulated the restitution of Gibraltar, and contained articles inimical to 252 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xiv, to the king was carried in the house of com- mons by 251 votes against 81, and in the house of lords by a great majority. A subsidy was granted to the landgrave of Hesse Cassel for the the commerce of England, and Ihe subsisting treaties in Europe, It is needless to quote any more of this extraordinary let- ter, which contains only vague assertions of the emperor's peaceable desires ; yet Mr. William Belsham cites this very letter as " an historical demonstration, that the intelligence upon which the court of London relied in this instance, was wholly erroneous, from whatever quarter, or with whatever view or intention it might have been communicated." 1 must, however, remark, that this author, with his usual inaccuracy of quotation, when a passage militates against his mvn opinion, lias omitted two threatening sentences ; the first beginning with, " In short the mad english, &c." and the second, which thus concludes the letter, " What then is the cause and reason for making war ? The augmentation of 30,000 mm goes on, and we are sure of many friends" The same author, after citing the sentence of the Memoirs, at the beginning of this note, adds, " If this cloudy jargon be intended to convey a belief of the reality of this design, let him produce those papers and documents which h pretends to have been submitted to his inspection, and which shall out- weigh and supersede the positive and confidential declaration of the imperial prime minister to the imperial embassador, actually resident at the court of London." Mr. William Belsham's Two Historical Dissertations, page 82. I am unwilling to deluge the public witli more State papers, after having published two thick quarto volumes ; but it will be a sufficient answer to Mr. Belsham's challenge, to subjoin the fifth article of the secret treats whir.h was communicated to Platania and Carraccioli, the two Sicilian abbots, by king Philip himself: " A Their cesarean and catholic majesties, foreseeing that the king of England will oppose the execution of such design*, 1726-1727.] LORD WALPOLE. maintenance of 12,000 men ; and a vote of cre- dit passed, empowering the king to defray the expences of his engagements. Before the close of the session, which terminated on the 15th of May, the critical position of affairs hurried Mr. Walpole to Paris, to keep France steady to her engagements, and to concert active operations ; as Spain had already commenced hostilities by the siege of Gibraltar, and the emperor was making vast preparations to carry his threats into execution. During the absence of the british minister, the jealousy entertained by the court of Versailles of the english squadrons had increased ; and the alarm at the stoppage of the galloons, which had occasioned bankruptcies among the french mer- , as well in regard to his particular interests, as not to lose his umpireship in Europe, for which reason he will undoubtedly engage the english nation, and unite the dutch and other prin- ces in his league, they oblige themselves to seek all methods to restore the pretender to. the throne of Great Britain ; to which end the catholic king was to make use of the pretence of the restitution of Gibraltar, which he was to demand imme- diately as soon as the peace of Vienna was published.*' The free remarks which these ecclesiastics made on the se- cret articles, inflamed the resentment of Philip, and he ban- ished them from Spain . They then retired into France, enjoyed the protection of the french government, and imparted much useful intelligence to Mr. Walpole. I trust this document, in addition to those already published, will shew the futility of opposing vague conjectures and perverted reasoning against positive fact. 254- .3-MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xiv; chants, raised a clamour against the administra- tion of Fleury. Mr. Robinson having delivered to the cardinal a strong memorial from Mr. Walpole, urging him to listen to no proposal, from Spain, but to declare war on the first hos- tility against Gibraltar; he candidly displayed the embarrassments under which he laboured, and expressed a desire to open a negotiation with the emperor, or Spain, rather than court hostilities. " The allies," he said, " may trust me, that I shall never receive any proposal, without com- municating it to them, nor give any answer but what is agreeable to their sentiments. But as much management as I am bound to have for them, I am no less obliged to have some for our own people. The king has, and still honours me with his most intimate confidence; but I am far from having that of the nation in general, who, by the arts of some, or the ignorance of others, are taught to imagine that I myself am too easy, and entirely led by the English. What is still worse, this evil has crept into the council ; and I am often obliged to hear these reproaches thrown to my face ; or when certain persons dare not contradict, at the board, the force of my reasons, they are afterwards weak or malicious enough to give out in the world, that I am the only author of all : it is in vain LORD WALPOLE. 255 that they oppose me, and sometimes truly, some- times falsely, arrogate to themselves the public- merit of having done so. This is .my situation, which would be much worse if I did not appear to be as ready and willing to hear all proposals for an accommodation, as I am resolute and de- termined to reject all such as cannot be received by the allies. An instance happened yesterday in council, to whom I appealed ; applying my- self to the king, whether they had not all been of opinion that the first proposal from the empe- ror was not receivable ? they answered yes ; and so of the second. I asked the same of the last, to which they gave the same reply; I then de- sired they would remember it, that on my side I might hear no more reproaches, and that OIL theirs they might expect to see me act in con- sequence of what they then avowed. : " I speak to you," he added, " with sincerity,, and as frankly as I write. I flatter myself this openness made my late letter as well received by the king of England as all my others are, I hope, by Mr. Walpole. I shew the difficulties I labour under at home, as well as point out to you what you have to rely upon. There is that difference between what I appear to dp here, and what I am resolved to do in the main; the one is for my honour, the other for my self- preservation. To do otherwise than I da for 256 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xir. the allies, would be to forfeit my word ; and I might run the risk of being stoned, if I was thought here to do so much ; for you must not imagine that this nation is universally disposed to a war, or will easily be brought to make one upon Spain ; and therefore I am at a loss how to answer Mr. Walpole, when he demands that we should declare immediate war against that na- tion on the first hostility of Gibraltar. There is the same reason for me not to disoblige the people of France, as there is with him for satis- fying the people of England. But we have one method left still to dispose the French to a war, which is by turning wholly upon the emperor, and making him the chief author of it, and suf- ferer by it; which will have this good effect, to convince the king of Spain, better than all the force in the world, of the emperor's weak- ness, of which, as well as of his insincerity, his catholic majesty is already grown sufficiently jealous *." At the conclusion of this discourse, the car- dinal added, that the sentiments he then dis- closed were of too delicate a nature to be com- municated in a dispatch to the secretary of State, and were only suitable to the intimacy between Mr. Walpole and himself. * Mr. Robinson to Mr. Walpole, Paris, Jan, 8, 1727. 1726-1727.] ,LORD WALPOLE. 25t The embarrassments of the cardinal do not seem to have been sufficiently appreciated by the british cabinet, who urged him to reinforce the garrison of Gibraltar with a corps of trench troops, which would have been an instant de- claration of war against Spain. The extreme delicacy of his situation w as heightened by the arrival of the abbot Montgon at Paris, with overtures for an accommodation from Philip, who was not unacquainted with the wavering' state of the french cabinet, and was supported by a numerous body of adherents. Charles Alexander de Montgon, descended from the antient family of Cordebeuf, was born at Versailles in 1690. His father had served under Philip the Fifth as lieutenant-general, and his mother had been lady of the bedcham- ber to the dauphiness. At an early period he embraced the military service; but, seized with a fit of devotion^ renounced the profession of arms, resigned his inheritance to his brother, and entered into the church. Having expressed a desire to live in Spain, d'Aubenton, confessor of Philip the Fifth, prevailed on the king to ap- point Montgon preceptor to his children ; but the nomination was frustrated by the death of d'Aubenton. His hopes, however, of gaining an establish- ment in Spain, did not subside; and on the abdi-j VOL. i. s 25S MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xiv. cation of Philip, he obtained, through the mediation of father Bermudas, the new confes- sor, the permission of accompanying the abdi- cated monarch in his retreat to St. Ildefonso, " without any other view," as he says, " than that of being a nearer witness of his virtues, and of strengthening, by his example, his own good resolutions." His journey, however, to St. Ildefonso being prevented by Philip's sudden resumption of the crown, Montgon was not de- terred by the corruption of a court, and after some negotiation with father Bermudas, was permitted to attach himself " to the person of so pious a monarch." As he repaired to Madrid soon after the dis- mission of the infanta, he was commissioned by the duke of Bourbon to bring about a reconci- liation between the two crowns, which he readily accepted, though he affected an aversion to all worldly affairs. Being of a lively imagination and plausible manners, and blending the fervour of devotion with the spirit of intrigue, he ren- dered himself acceptable to the king and queen of Spain, and was employed by them in the delicate negotiation of detaching France from England, and of securing the eventual succes- sion of Philip. Montgon had offended Fleury by \iis officious communication of the bishop's supposed intrigues 1726-1727-.] LORD WALPOLE. 259 in Spain, and on his mission to Paris, increased that disgust by his petty cabals and aspiring views. Fleury described him to Mr. Robinson as " a poor credulous creature." " The abbot," he said, " had hitherto appeared to him a poor simple kind of man, susceptible of believing every thing he heard, and officiously good enough in the communication of it. But, per- haps, now he should alter his judgment of the man, and look upon him as an ambitious med- dler, under the mask of a religious retreat*." * Though Montgon affected to decline riclies and dignities, lie aspired to be embassador frem France to Spain, and soli- cited a rich abbey in France. Failing in these objects, which he justly imputed to the opposition of cardinal Fleury, he re- turned to Spain. His reception from the king and queen, and the encomiums lavished on his address and abilities, revived his hopes of promotion. Affecting to decline the oft'er of minister of State, he requested the embassy to Turin, and even expected a cardinal's hat ; but all these hopes ending in disappointment, the credulous abbot retired from Spain, and passed his days in a private situation and straitened circum- stances. With a view to revenge himself on Fleury, to whom he attributed his disgrace and disappointments, he published his Memoirs in eight volumes. The greater part of these Me- moirs is filled with eulogiums of his own address, prudence* disinterestedness and moderation; hints of his high lineage, declamations on the storms and corruptions of a court; effu- sions of religions fervour, and details of his petty disputes, and the grievances which lie experienced from the cardinal. They are larded with perpetual quotations from tlie scriptures aud the fathers ; but, in the midst of this farrago, contain many curious anecdotes, develope many interesting events, 52 260 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XIY. The object of Montgon's mission was two- fold; first to separate France from England, and secondly to secure to Philip the eventual succession to the throne. Montgon arrived at Versailles on the 30th of January, and on the 31st had his first interview with the cardinal. He delivered a memorial, written by the queen of Spain herself; in which she Expressed the in- clination of the king, her husband, to renew the friendship interrupted by the dismission of the infanta, provided the king of France was dis- posed to prefer the alliance of Spain and the emperor to that of protestant princes, and would separate himself from England, by acceding to the treaty of Vienna. Fleury received this in- timation with great appearance of deference; but declared the condition of acceding to the treaty of Vienna inadmissible, being no less derogatory to the glory of France, than contrary to their engagements with their allies. But in the course of this, and subsequent conversations, he testified his intention to defer hostilities against Spain, as long as was consistent with honour and propriety ; though he expressed a wish that Gibraltar might be taken by a coup de main, because if the siege was prolonged, the and exhibit a striking picture of the policy and finesse of the cardinal, aud of the weakness and ambition of the court of Spain. 1726-1727.] LORD WALPOLE. 261 French must fulfil their engagements with Eng- land. In regard to the second object of his mission, Montgon had received specific instructions written by Philip himself, to arrange a plan with his partisans for his eventual succession ; and was furnished with a letter of credence to the parliament, enjoining them to proclaim him king, should Louis the Fifteenth die suddenly without issue*. With a view to facilitate the execution of this project, Montgon was instructed to gain the duke of Bourbon, by offers of pardon for the past, and promises of future favours; but he was ordered to make no communication either to Fleury or Morville. Yet even in the first interview, Fleury, by his respectful attentions, apparent candour, and the warmest expressions of attachment to king Philip, gradually drew from Montgon the whole purport of his mission. In reply to some insinuations that he was governed by England, " I am not english," ex- " C'est que si (ce qu';i Dieu ne plaise) Ic roi mon neveu vc- noil a moarir saus heriticrs males, etant, comme je le suis, le jlus proche parent, & me? descendans apres inoi, je dois & veux succeder a la couronne de mes aucetres. " IX. Je vous donne une lettre de creance de ma main pour le parlement, pour la presenter a 1'instant de la mort du roi mon neveu, dans laquelle j'ordonne qu'a I'instant que cc cas arrivera, on me proclame roi." Memoires de Montgon, torn, 3, p. 70, 74. 262 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XT*-. claimed the cardinal, " and I arn anxious you should know, what the king of Spain cannot but recollect, that during the whole administra- tion of cardinal du Bois, and even after his death, the king of England always suspected me of being hostile to his views. Have I not been always sincerely attached to the pretender? And as a bishop, must I not ardently desire to see the re-establishment of a catholic prince on the throne of England ? The late queen of Eng-? landf, who honoured me with her attentions, and I may say with her confidence, was well acquainted with my sentiments." After urging his inviolable attachment to king Philip, and insensibly leading tbe conver- sation to the marriage of the king of France, he suddenly asked, " What part do you think the king of Spain would act, should the king die without issue ?" Montgon, however, with affect- ed reserve, replying, " That his catholic majesty would open himself to the cardinal, as to an old and faithful servant of the king his grandfather ;" Fleury continued, " Should God, as we trust and hope, preserve the king, and give him heirs, this event will not happen ; but should we unfor- tunately lose our king, can their catholic majes- ties doubt, that in so deplorable a case, I should forget what I owe to the blood of Louis the Four- t Alluding to Uie queen of James 2. 1726-1727.] LORD WALPOLE. 2 63 teenthr" Montgon, affected with this artful apostrophe, instantly communicated the whole secret of his mission, and delivered a copy of his instructions. Fleury received this communication with great composure, and, anxious to learn the sentiments and conduct of the duke of Bourbon, who, he knew, was caballing with the duke of Maine and Mom lie, even promoted a secret interview between the duke and Montgon. In consequence of this arrangement, Montgon had a meeting at night with the duke of Bour- bon, at his seat of Ecouen, between Paris and Chantilly; but without apprising him that it was by the contrivance of i ? leury. After a con- ference -of several hours, the duke promised to promote the succession of Philip, and was per- suaded to write conciliatory letters to the king and queen of Spain. Montgon hastened to communicate the success of his conference, and a copy of the letter, which he afterwards re- ceived, to Fleury, who testified no less approba- tion than surprise at his diligence, secrecy, and address. He even enlivened the conversation with much pleasantry, and rallied the honest abbot on the credit which he had derived from his nocturnal visit, in his passage through St. Dennis, as a man of bonnes fortunes*. * Meraoires dc Montgon, toin-S/p. C44, : 264 MKMOIRS OF [CHAP. XIT> Although Fleury despised the capacity of Montgon, yet he felt the ill effects of his mission, from tlie increasing cabals, of the Spanish party, and the opposition of his colleagues in the cabi- net. He fluctuated, therefore, between his anxious desire to avoid hostilities against Spain, and to preserve his engagements with England. In this situation of affairs, the Spanish party dreaded the arrival of Mr. Walpole ; and Villars- said to Montgon, who was urging the necessity of permitting the siege of Gibraltar, and of se- parating France from England, " It would be no great misfortune were the English driven from the continent of Spain ; and truly, I believe, we should not much regard either their chagrin or resentment; but as the siege will be pro- tractecl, and the event doubtful, it will be ex- tremely difficult, not to say impossible, to resist the instances of Mr. Walpole to engage us in hostilities ; and what interest has Spain in push- ing things to such e'xtremities?" When Montgon urged the common topics of the haughtiness and aggressions of England, Villars rejoined, " All you say is fine and specious ; but I repeat, Wal- pole is urgent, importunate, and much listened to here. He will soon arrive, and you will yourself witness the result of his solicitations*.'* * Memoirs dc Montgon, torn. 3. p. 1726-1727.] LORD WALPOLE. 26J The event justified these observations: Mr. Wai pole arrived at Paris on the sixth of March; in his first interview with the cardinal he fixed his wavering resolutions; and on the 30th Fleury made an animated speech, before the council of State, in favour of their engagements with England. " The cardinal," writes Mr. Walpole, " then from the fulness of his heart, told me, if I had heard what he had said, no longer than yesterday at council, in the presence of his most christain majesty, I should no longer be under the least uneasiness about his steadi- ness and resolution. " I took an opportunity," said he, " to let the king and council know, the time was now near that would certainly deter- mine peace or war. His majesty must be pre- pared to act accordingly, pursuant to his en- gagements with his allies. The king of Eng- land, a prince of the greatest honour and inte- grity, had been in every respect faithful to his union and alliance with France; had constantly acted with the greatest harmony and concert with this crown in all his measures; had suffi- ciently shewn his sincere desire to preserve the peace, by agreeing to the propositions now to be offered to the emperor and Spain, which were originally from England, by his not only con- senting that France should suspend the declaring war against Spain, but he had himself likewise 266 . MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xiv. deferred doing it, (notwithstanding his town of Gibraltar is actually besieged,) until he sees the success of the preliminaries now proposed, and that there can be no hopes left for an accommo- dation. His most Christian majesty must ac- cordingly think, if they should not be accepted, of taking measures, in conjunction with the allies, for carrying on the war : the Dutch have equally shewn their desire of peace, as well as deference to the opinion of France; for although they had demanded twenty-five years for the suspension of the Ostend charter and commerce with the Indies, as necessary for the abolition of that trade, yet, in complaisance to the sentU inents of this court, they had agreed to accept of seven years only for that suspension : and therefore, as their allies had acted with all pos- sible concert and regard for France, and with some good inclination for preserving, if possible, the peace, there would be no manner of difficulty or hesitation on the part of France to act with the same steadiness and regard for them ; and he must lay it down for a maxim, from which he thought his most Christian majesty must not deviate, and upon which the prosperity of his future government must entirely depend, which was to begin his reign by a strict and inviolable observation of his treaties and engagements with his allies." 1726-1721.] LORD WALPOLE. " This," said the cardinal, " was what I spoke but yesterday at council, without the least op- position or contradiction ; while the marshal d'Huxelles hung down his head, silent, and sullen ; and if you can put M. de Morville upon this subject, without taking any notice of what has passed between us, he will tell you the same thing*/' The conduct of the french cabinet did not belie the assurances of Fleury; France, notwith- standing her jealousy of the english squadrons, co-operated with effect and vigour in counteract- ing the designs of the imperial and Spanish courts. At this crisis Mr. Stanhope, who quitted Madrid in consequence of the commencement of hostilities, was received with high marks of approbation by the french king and ministry, and conveyed to the british cabinet the satis^ factory intelligence of the good intentions of the french court, and particularly the firmness and sincerity of the cardinal. " Upon which," writes the duke of Newcastle to Mr. Walpole, " I must congratulate your excellency, as what is in great measure owing to your great abili- ties and care, in the conduct of his majesty's af- fairs under your management f." * Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, Paris, March, *' 31, 1727. t Whitehall, April 6, 1727. Walpole Papers. 268 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xnr. The affairs of the Hanover allies now wore the most favourable aspect. The States -General had acceded to the treaty of Hanover on the ninth of August 1726, and Sweden and Den nark at the commencement of the ensuing year. On the 23rd of March the trenches were opened before Gibraltar; and Philip anxiously expected the co-operation of the emperor and Russia. But the situation of Charles was considerably changed; he was disappointed of the subsidies from Spain ; he was awed by the assembling of the hessian, Swedish, and danish troops, subsi-* dised by England and France, and alarmed at the approach of a french army, collecting on the frontiers of Germany ; he was deserted by the circles and princes of the empire, he dreaded the defection of Prussia, and was dispirited by the death of the czarina. He therefore made private overtures to cardinal Fleury, and hastily negotiated the preliminaries of a peace, without the consent or knowledge of Spain, with Engr land, France, and Holland, which his plenipo- tentiary signed at Paris, in the name of his master, and the king of Spain, on the 31st of May. Philip, thus deserted by his only ally, seeing his frontiers exposed to the invasion of France, his coasts menaced by the english fleets, and his treasures detained in America, was compelled LORD WALPOLE. 269 to accept the conditions obtained by the empe ror ; and the preliminaries were signed at Vienna in June, by his ambassador the duke de Beur- nonville. But this favourable aspect of affairs was over- clouded by the sudden death of George the First, who expired on the 31st of June at Osnaburg, on his journey to Hanover. 210 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xv> CHAPTER 15* 1727- Critical Situation of Mr. Walpole on the Death of George the First Cabals of the Jacobites at Paris Rumours of a. Change in the British Administra- tion Conference with Fleury Letter from the Cardinal Departure of Mr. Walpole Arrival in London, and Audience of George the Second Let" ttr from the King to the Cardinal From Mr. Robinson to the Duke of Newcastle Mr. Walpole returns to Paris Spain refuses to ratify the Pre*. liminaries Opposite Views of the Allies of Vienna and Hanover Warlike Prepay at ions Anecdotes of Marshal Berwick. THE death of George the First placed Mr. Walpole in a critical situation. The news no sooner reached Paris, than thejacobites, particu- larly Atterbury, who considered the commence- ment of a new reign as a favourable juncture, caballed for the restoration of the pretender, and openly displayed the most sanguine hopes of success. Their hopes were strengthened by the officious declarations of Montgon, who was considered as the confidential agent of Philip, that their cause would be supported by the whole force of Spain, that a reconciliation was on the point of taking place between the two branches of the house of Bourbon, and that 1727.] LORD WALPOLE. 271 England would be compelled to drive the house of Brunswick from the throne, and re-establish the lawful sovereign *". Rumours were likewise circulated, that if the accession of George the Second was undisturbed, a change of adminis- tration would take place, lord Townshend and Sir Robert Walpole be driven from the helm, and Mr. Walpole recalled from Paris. Reports were no less industriously spread, of Fleury's duplicity, and his equivocal insinuations con- strued into positive declarations in favour of the pretender. Mr. Walpole who had vouched for his sin- cerity to the british cabinet, requested an imme- diate interview with the cardinal, who was with the king at Rambouillet. Fleury repaired, with- out delay, to Versailles, where a conference * Montgon afterwards weakly and confidentially avowed these sentiments to Mr. Walpole ; and informed him that he had written a letter to the queen of Spain's confessor, predict- ing great troubles in England, and urging Spain to act accord- ingly ; but the cardinal diverted him from sending the letter. Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, August 16, 1727. Montgon has detailed a curious conversation with Fleury, who was anxious to learn whether the king of Spain would interfere in favour of the pretender, on the death of George the First. The abbot speaking of his restoration, witli full certainty, the cardinal, after reiterating his good wishes, added, " But it is useless to feed ag .in on chimeras, and it is a chi- mera to believe that the death of George the First will make any change in England. Nothing less than a miracle witi operate in favour of the pretender." Tom. v. p. 5. MEMOIRS OP [CHAP. xv> took place on the following day. This inter- view dissipated in a moment all doubts, if Mr. Walpole may be supposed to have entertained doubts, of the cardinal's sincerity. Fleury re- ceived him with the highest marks of cordiality, testified the strongest personal attachment to him, and the greatest regard for his brother ; and expressed his earnest wishes that no change of administration might take place in England. He renewed his solemn assurances, that France would not interfere in the government of Eng- land, and would inviolably maintain the engage- ments between the two crowns. After this amicable conference, which lasted till near mid- night, Mr. Walpole returned to Paris with an intention to forward a messenger to the british ministry ; but had scarcely arrived before he received a letter from the cardinal. " Versailles |, 26th of June 1 727- After hav- ing reflected, sir, since your departure, on all the measures to be taken, under the loss which we have recently sustained, I am persuaded that your excellency cannot do otherwise than re- pair instantly to London, to receive in person the orders of his britannic majesty, and explain to him the situation of the present affairs, of which he cannot as yet be duly informed. Your t The original letter, of which this is a translation, is among the Walpole Papers, in the cardinal's own Laud. 1727.] LORD WALPOLE. 273 excellency will do more in one or two confer- ftices, than in volumes of letters; and you can settle with his britannic majesty all things which may concern the common interests of the Hanover allies. From the manner in which your excellency has spoken of the new king, I doubt not but he will follow the same principles and the same system as the king his father. In. regard to us, your excellency may assure his britannic majesty, that we will not depart from that system ; and that our reciprocal security consists in being firmly united. " I have only to add the assurance, sir, of the share which I take in your regret, and that I shall honour you my whole life more than any other 'person on earth." In conformity with this prudent and friendly advice, Mr. Walpole departed instantly from Paris ; and on his arrival at London found his friends extremely embarrassed, and uncertain of their destiny. The king had announced 'a resolution to place Sir Spencer Compton at the head of the treasury, in the room of Sir Robert Walpole ; and the opposition expected that a mixed administration of Whigs and Tories would be ap'pointed ; while queen Caroline was labouring to conquer the king's aversion to Sir Robert Walpole, and to convince him that a VOL. I. T 274 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xv. change of the ministry, at this period, would be unfavourable to his interests. In this uncertain state of affairs Mr. Walpole was admitted to an audience, experienced a cold reception, &nd found the king extremely dis- satisfied because he quitted his post without orders. As an apology for his sudden departure, he delivered the letter from the cardinal, which appeared to soften the king's resentment. Mr. Walpole availed himself of this favourable change to display the state of foreign affairs, confirmed the sentiments of the french cabinet, contained in the letter of cardinal Fleury, and, after an audience of two hours, was dismissed in terms of approbation. This interview, and the letter of Fleury, as- sisted the endeavours of queen Caroline in favour of the ministry ; and fixed the king in his resolution to maintain the same system which his father had pursued. Impressed with these sentiments, he wrote, with his own hand, a gracious letter to Fleury, which announced his full approbation of Mr. Walpole's services, and his confidence in the cardinal's sincerity. " Kensington, the 20th* of June 1727. " My Cousin, " The obliging manner in which you ex- * O. S. 1st July, N. S. This letter is translated from a copy preserved iu the Walpole Papers. If27.] LORD -WALPOLE. pressed your wish, that my embassador Walpole should instantly depart to give the most posi- tive assurances of the intention of my good brother, the most Christian king, to cultivate that union which is so happily established be- tween the two crowns, as well as his desire to perfect the great work of a general pacification : and the strong expressions you have used in your late letter to the said embassador, to tes- tify your zeal for the public good, and the par- ticular interest you take in every thing which regards my government, have so moved me, that I would not defer shewing you how much I am sensible of it ; and of acquainting you with my decided resolution, to pursue the same wise and fair measures which have placed affairs in their present happy situation, and to draw closer the bonds of friendship which unite me to his most Christian majesty. "I, with pleasure, embrace this opportunity to testify my high sense of your merit, my reli- ance in your sincerity, and the good will with which I am, " My cousin, " Your affectionate "cousin, " GEORGE REX." The extreme satisfaction which the cardinal expressed, at the reception of the king's letter^ is described by Mr. Robinson in a dispatch to T 2 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xv, the duke of Newcastle, dated Paris, July 4, 1 727.- " Your grace's other dispatch, inclosing his ma- jesty's letter to the cardinal, required immediate execution ; and having heard that his eminence was at Issy, near Paris, instead of accompany- ing the french king, as it was thought he would have done, to Rambouillet, I sent thither to de~ mand his leave, and his hour, for my waiting upon him ; which he having given for any time of the day, I did not lose a moment in going to present to him the king's letter, which his emi- nence opened and read in my presence ; and it was easy to perceive, by his looks, what sensi- ble pleasure it gave him, even before he ex-- pressed, as he did in the handsomest manner and words, his acknowledgements and thanks for so high and early a mark of his majesty's esteem and affection. " He told me he had indeed been already prevented with the hopes of having a place in his majesty's good opinion, by what count Brog- lio had acquainted him of the king's sentiments and regard for him, which his majesty had so strongly expressed at that minister's last depar- ture from England. He repeated often being no less pleased with the civilities that were then made by the prince of Wales, than with the distinction now shewn him by the king. " As I found that this circumstance seemed H27.] LORD WALPOLE. 2 77 to have made much impression upon his emi- nence, I could not forbear, in order to make him as sensible as lay in my power, of his ma- jesty's personal esteem for him, to acquaint him, that when I was in England, and had the ho- nour to be presented to the king, his majesty, in enquiring after France, had had the goodness to turn the questions he was pleased to make me entirely to the cardinal's subject, and particularly with relation to his eminences health, and to -\ his drinking the waters at that time. ' And had the king that goodness?' replied the cardinal, * and was it possible he should know I was drinking the waters ? ' " I beg pardon, my lord, for mentioning these little incidents of conversations ; thev are little / indeed, but, even as such, may perhaps serve to shew how extremely pleased and flattered the cardinal is with his majesty's past and present goodness to him." The cardinal was equally pleased with the account of the king's quiet accession, and was particularly gratified with the paragraph of the declaration to the council, which expressed a resolution to " cultivate the alliances entered into by the late king, for restoring the tran- quillity and preserving the balance of Europe, and to improve and perfect this great work, for the honour, interest, and security of his people." 21S MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xv. Mr. Walpole hastened to announce, in a letter to his friend the cardinal, the gracious reception he had experienced from the king his master, and the strong impressions which the letter had made in his favour. And he concludes by ob- serving, " Your eminence may be fully satisfied that, both in regard to foreign and domestic af- fairs, every thing will go as you wish." This letter was written on the 3d * of July, and on the 4th Sir Robert Walpole was re- appointed first lord of the Treasury, lord Towus- hend and the duke of Newcastle secretaries of State ; Mr. W&lpole received his new credentials, but delayed his departure to Paris at the express command of the king, who required his assist- ance at the ensuing session of parliament, when the increase of the civil list, and the jointure of queen Caroline, were to be moved by his brother. The session f was uncommonly short and tranquil. The two houses agreed to support the king in all his foreign engagements, and the commons voted an addition to the civil list, with the single dissenting voice of Shippen. After the unanimous proof of attachment and loyalty displayed by the parliament, the pre- sence of Mr. Walpole was no longer necessary. * 22d June, O. S. t The Session opened the 27th June, O. S. 1727.] LORD WALPOLE. 219 He returned to Paris on the 1 8th of July, and on the 22d was received by the cardinal with, increased esteem and cordiality. They acted together more like friends than ministers, and renewed their mutual endeavours to establish the tranquillity of Europe, which the death of George the First seemed likely to disturb. Philip, flattered with the hopes of commotions in England, and of the concurrence of France, delayed the execution of the preliminaries, de- clined raising the siege of Gibraltar, and refused to restore the prince Frederic, a ship which he had taken from the South Sea Company. He was privately encouraged by the emperor, who expected new subsidies from Spain, and made vast preparations to open the campaign in Ger- many, by attacking the electorate of Hanover, and the united provinces. Europe was again threatened with hostilities ; and the same chain of negotiations was to be recommenced, as had preceded the signature of the preliminaries. The allies of Hanover were not disconcerted by this change of affairs ; England continued to reinforce her naval armaments, and to summon into the field the subsidiary troops. France re- sisted the specious offers of Spain, and the machi- nations and threats of the emperor, and concurred with England in forming a plan of hostile ope- 280 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xv. rations, to pour their combined forces into the heart of the austrian dominions. This contest, which united the rival powers of England and France on one side, and of Spain and the empire on the other, exhibited a no less extraordinary phenomenon in the annals of his- tory. Marshal Lerwick, natural son of James the Second, was employed in concerting with Mr. Walpole, the brother of the great Whig minister, and supporter of the Burns wic family, operations against the emperor and Spain, who, on. their side, were meditating to place his bro- ther, the pretender, on the throne of his an- cestors. James Fitz-James was natural son of James the Second, by Arabella Churchill*, sister of John duke of Marlborough. He was born in 16/0, at Moulins, in the Bourbomiois, as his mother was returning from the medicinal waters of Bourbon, and in the seventh year of hjs age was sent to France to be educated in the roman catholic religion. He was destined to the pro- fession of arms ; at seventeen he served his two. first campaigns with the imperial troops in Hun-. * Arabella Churchill, after hearing the duke of Berwick, and Henrietta, who espoused Henry curl of Walclegrave, mar- ried colonel Charles Godfrey, master of the Jewel Office, by whom she ln, ( | two daughters; the first espoused Hugh Bos- cawen viscount of Fitlmooth, the second tdward Dunch of WHtcpbam in the county of Bucks. rduui del* JAME MARSHAL and DFKE of BERWICK. front (//f Collection of the Counts** 1721.] LORD WAI.POLE. gary, against the Turks," and signalised himself at the siege of Buda, where he was wounded, and at the battle of Mohatz. He was created duke of Berwick in 1687, and at the revolution accompanied his deposed father into France. During the campaign of 1690, in Ireland, he particularly distinguished himself at the siege of Londonderry, and at the battle of the Boyne, where he had a horse killed under him. In 1703 and 1706 he commanded the french army in Spain, and re-established the affairs of Philip the Fifth, which were in a desperate condition. In consequence of the victory of Almanza, gained in 1707, over the united forces of the English and Imperialists, which contributed to fix Philip on the throne, he was made a grandee of Spain, and knight of the golden fleece, with the title of duke of Liria. He was also created duke and peer of France, under the title of due de Fitz-James, marshal and knight of the holy ghost. After the battle of Ramillies, so fatal to the french, his skill and promptitude checked the progress of the victorious army. In 1710 he received a striking proof how highly his mili- tary talents were estimated: Marshal ViUars, though not quite recovered from the wound he had received at Malplaquet, determined to open the campaign in person ; but requested that 2S2 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xv. marshal Berwick might be joined with him, in terms highly flattering. " It is sufficient to in- form him, that the king cannot save his king- dom without a battle, and the wings of the enemy are led by the duke of Marlborough and prince Eugene; it is therefore necessary to oppose to them the best generals in his ma- jesty's service *," Berwick waved the pretensions of his birth and rank, served under marshal Villars until he was wholly recovered, and then resumed his command in Dauphiny. In 1719, during the breach between France and Spain, he led the french army against the monarch whom he had contributed to place on the throne, and in one successful campaign curbed the daring efforts of Alberoni, and hum- bled the pride of the Spanish monarch. This singular war, between the uncle and the nephew, was rendered still more extraordinary by the hostilities between the father and the son. The duke of Liria was a general in the Spanish army opposed to marshal Berwick, and was exhorted by his rather to fulfil his duty to the sovereign whom he served. Berwick was a hearty friend to the act of succession to the throne of France, as estab- * Sec History of the House of Austria, V. 1. pt.. 2. p. 1207, 12^y. Memoires * VOL. I. 290 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvi. Mr. Walpole, " no opposition in my discourse with the cardinal, as being understood to be an accommodation of a family difference, as what I have all along appeared to approve, and what is so popular in France, that any dislikte to it, on my part, might have had an ill effect upon the cardinal, especially when it is offered without any conditions disadvantageous to his majesty, or that can tend in the least to separate France from England*." This event was soon followed by another, no less unfavourable to the views and interests of England, the appointment of Chauvelin to the offices of garde des $9eaux and secretary of State. As a prelude to this change, the office of chan- cellor was taken from Armenonville, the father of Morville, and restored to the venerable d' Aguesseauf, who had filled that high station * Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, Paris, August 3, 1727. f Henry Francis d'Aguesseau, descended from an antient family of Saintonges, was son of the iutendant of Languedoc, and born at Limoges in \66S. % At the age of twenty-three lie so much distinguished him- self as avocat-general of 1'aris, that Talon, president a mortier, said of him, " I would gladly finish as that young man has begun." In 1700 he was promoted to the office of attorney general ; but offended Louis the Fourteenth, by the freedom with wh ch he delivered his sentiments against the Bull Unigenitut. 1727-1730.J LORD WALPOLE. 29( with great integrity under Louis the Fourteenth and the regent, and was dismissed in 1703 by cardinal du Bois. Although the place of chan- cellor and of garde des S9eaux, or keeper of the seals, were two distinct offices, and the seals were not demanded; yet Armenonville quitted Versailles, in disgust, on the l?th of August, and resigned them to the king, through the hands of his son. The resignation of the father was expected to be followed by the dismission of the son ; and Chauvelin, who was to succeed Armenonville as garde des S9eaux, was also designated as the successor of Morville. Morville had rendered himself disagreeable to the king of Spain by his attachment to England ; On the death of du Voisin, in 1717, he was created chancellor and garde des Sfeaux ; but on the following year was deprived of the seals, for his inflexible opposition to the system of Law. He was reinstated in 1720, and again exiled in 1722, for refus- ing to give precedence to cardinal du Bois. Like his immortal predecessor, the chancellor de I'Hopital, he was a man of the strictest honour, integrity and disinterest- edness; like him, he was attached to literature, and versed in the study of the mathematics, and, for his skill in that science, was consulted by the English on the reformation of their calendar. He was now appointed chancellor, but was not reinstated in the office of garde des S9eaux, which was deemed a hard- ship, because it was the most lucrative post, until the removal of Chauvelin in 1737. In 1750 he resigned the seals on account of his advanced age, and died in the ensuing year.- Dictionnaire de la Noblesse, and Dictiomraire Historique, art. d'Aguesseau. u 2 292 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xvi, and, on the first overtures of a reconciliation, insinuations were conveyed to cardinal Fleury, that his removal from the office of secretary of State, would please their catholic majesties. He had endeavoured to infuse jealousies into the minds of those who were attached to the cardi- nal; he had likewise personally offended him, by holding private conferences with Montgon, and by caballing with the duke of Bourbon, and forming a scheme to unite the princes of the blood against his administration. Fleury, impressed with these sentiments, had for some time entertained a resolution to dismiss Morville; but deferred the execution of his de- sign, until he had found a proper person to sub- stitute in his place; and maintained the most inviolable secrecy, from a delicacy to his friend Mr. Walpole, and to avoid exciting cabals. in the court. In this state of suspense, Chauvelin was introduced to his notice by marshal d'Hux- elles, and other persons attached to the system of Louis the Fourteenth, Germain Louis Chauvelin, descended from a noble family' distinguished in the military and civil line, was born in 1685. He followed the profession of the Law ; and after successive promotions, was, at this period, president a mor- tier of the parliament of Paris *. He was re- * DiotioTinairc de la Noblesse, art. Chauvelin ; Blanche de irscnoy. 1127-1730.] LORD WALPOLE. 2 93 markable for quick apprehension, indefatigable application, and facility in transacting business ; and possessed pleasing manners, and a concili- ating address. " He was," to use the words of Mr. Walpole, " a busy lawyer, of some parts and knowledge; of a most treacherous, false, and ambitious spirit; but, at the same time, of an assiduous, supple, dissembling, and insinuat- ing disposition, where ft was his interest to please*." He had fortunately been useful to the cardinal, by his influence in the parliament, and by supplying information relative to the foreign and domestic affairs of France, in which the narrow genius of Alorville was deficient. He derived his knowledge principally from some valuable manuscripts, which he purchased with the library of the president Harley, and which he* abridged with great skill and assiduity. He availed himself of the first favourable im pressions which his manners and information made on the cardinal, and which were strikingly contrasted with the confined, phlegmatic, and dilatory spirit of Morville; he was forcibly re- commended by marshal cl'Huxelles and the Pecquets, who were under-secretaries of State, and by other persons who possessed influence , over the cardinal. His principles were decid- edly hostile to the union between France and * Mr. Walpole's Apology. 294 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvi. England ; and he was no less warmly disposed to renew the antient connection between France and Spain. The nomination of a man of his character and .principles, could not be agreeable to the british cabinet; and Mr. Walpole, who had never experienced any difficulty in his transac- tions with Morville, expostulated with the car- dinal for admitting, in^p the chief conduct of business, so dangerous an assistant. But though Fleury entertained great personal regard for Mr. Walpole, and was anxious not to displease the british cabinet, yet he was too independent to be controlled in the nomination of his co-adjutors. He therefore persisted in his choice; but ex- cused his conduct, by stating the necessity of removing Morville, on account of his incapacity and petty cabals, and the difficulty of finding a person so proper to succeed him as Chauvelin. When Mr. Walpole adverted to his character and principles, and mentioned him as a creature of marshal d'Huxelles, the cardinal replied; '' I am sensible M. de Chauvelin has many enemies, who envy him ; but I have made a strict enquiry Into his behaviour, and the facts alledged against him, and have no manner of reason to suspect bis not being an honest man. Of his capacity nobody can doubt; and you will soon find, not- withstanding any airs the marshal d'Huxelles 1727-1730.] LORD WALPOLE. 295 may give himself, that M. de Chauvelin will be entirely devoted to my will and directions. I must request you," he added, " to take no notice of M. de Morville's removal, which I have, as yet, mentioned to no one but yourself; although he is to resign this night, you will, with the rest of the ministers, have an audience, as usual, of him, without seeming to know any thing of the matter*." Fleury renewed, in the strongest manner, as- surances of his inviolable attachment to the strict union between the two crowns; and still further to remove Mr. Walpole's apprehensions, caused Chauvelin to declare in his presence, " that he would co-operate under the directions of the cardinal, in supporting the same system and measures, thai had been hitherto pursued with such good success; and would endeavour to deserve the intimacy and friendship of the british embassador." Notwithstanding these professions, Mr. Wai- pole felt the extreme embarrassment of his situ- ation, as appears from a curious passage in the Diary 1 of lord Waldegrave f, who was waiting * Mr. Walpole to the duke of Newcastle, August ifitli, 1727- f James, first earl Waldegrave, was son of Henry, baron Waldegrave, of Chewton, in Somersetshire ; and distinguished himself for bis diplomatic skill, as embassador to the courts of Vienna and Paris. For a further account of him, see Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, chapter 38. 296 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvi. at Paris till he could proceed on his embassy to the court of Vienna. " September 22. This morning Mr. Walpole went to the cardinal, who gave him fresh in- stances and assurances of his designing to stand by us in our pretensions about the prince Fred- eric. Mr. Walpole told the cardinal, every body said that nothing but his answering for his emi- nence made people believe him in earnest; that the dutch minister at Madrid said they had nothing else for it; that, in fine, it was the common talk. To which the cardinal answered in obliging terms, and cleared Mr. Walpole from all fears on that account ; though Mr. Walpole, walking the day before with Mr. Pes- ters and me, seemed under a good deal of un- easiness at his own situation ; since, should the cardinal prove false, Mr. Walpole having so continually answered for him, would make him liable to pretty severe censures, Mr. Walpole, in a jocular way, told the cardinal, that if his eminency cheated or deceived him, the conse- quence would be, that he, Mr. Walpole, would be censured, and probably sent to the Tower for five or six months; but his eminence would have that said of him that would hurt his ch$- racter, and consequently his person, more than any harm that could happen to Mr. Walpole." In fact, Mr. Walpole foresaw difficulties 1727-1730.] LORD WALPOLE. 097 which he had to encounter, from the intriguing spirit and hostile principles of Chauvelin, that he was desirous of retiring ; ' but he was sensi- ble/ as he says himself, 'that his connection with the ministers at home would not suffer him to resign his station in France, while nego- tiations of such extent and moment were carry- ing on there with great activity.' I cannot better conclude the account of Mr. Walpole's embassy at Paris, and of the compli- cated negotiations at the congress of Soissons, O O where he was one of the plenipotentiaries, than in the words of his own Apology. " It is unnecessary here to enter into a detail of several disagreeable particulars, that occurred to Mr. Walpole's close observation, of M. Chau- velin's intimacy with certain persons, no friends to the good understanding between England and France. ' His fallacious and equivocal way of talking and writing to different persons, upon matters of great moment, relating to both courts, gave Mr. Walpole great disquiet. The cardinal, indeed, used his utmost endeavours to remove all his jcalqusies, and redress his com- plaints ; yet Chauvelin, by his address, flattery, and indefatigable attention, to ease and please his eminence, had gained such an interest and credit with him, that the remaining part of Mr. Walpole's ministry in France was disagreeable 298 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvi. and painful. However, the union between England, France, and Holland, continuing firm in all their measures, the precarious and changeable state of the emperor's affairs, (now the payment of subsidies from Spain has been stopped,) made that court extremely uneasy, and desirous to see the queen of Spain more tracta- ble. At last Philip's health was grown so des- perate that the queen was alarmed, and caused the preliminaries to be ratified at the Parclo, in March 1728; and the congress of all the minis- ters concerned, was soon after signified at Soissons. " It would be tedious to specify the artifices employed there, and particularly the practices of count Sinzendorff, upon the pliant and paci- fic temper of the cardinal, to create jealousies and divisions among the allies of the Hanover treaty. Those vain attempts had no other effect than to draw the imperial ministers themselves, tired with their disagreeable situation, into a negotiation of a plan for a general peace, with those of the Hanover allies, without the consent and concurrence of the Spanish plenipotentia- ries. And although count Sinzendorff would not venture to sign it ; yet these separate pro- ceedings so exasperated the Spaniards, who had got intimation of them, that they made the most pressing and reproachful instances to the 1727-1730.] LORD WALPOLE. 299 imperial ministers to fulfil the articles in their secret engagements, particularly with regard to the marriages between the two families; to which they received nothing but dilatory and evasive answers. Their catholic majesties highly resented this treatment; and, from bitter expos- tulations, they came, in a manner, to a direct breach with the emperor; and consequently, as the transactions of the Spanish court were usually sudden and violent, they lost no time to discover a disposition to come to a better under- standing with England and France. " The plan of a treaty, for that purpose, was projected by Mr. Patino, prime minister at Ma- drid, and transmitted from thence to monsieur Chauvelin, (who was thought to have had a pri- vate correspondence with that court, separately from the cardinal;) and he having readily adopted it, took care immediately to represent it in so favourable a light to his eminence, as what would put an end to all differences, and make a perfect peace with Spain, that the cardinal, hav- ing nothing more at heart, seemed mightily pleased, and flattered himself that it would be agreeable to the british plenipotentiaries, Mr. Stanhope (now lord Harrington) Mr. Poyntz, and Mr. Walpole. But when the project came to be considered by them, they found it com- posed of articles conceived in terms very loose 300 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xvi, and vague with respect to the interest of Eng- land, leaving our antient privileges of trade with Spain, and the right for our possession of Gibraltar and Port Mahon, to be contested and decided before other powers. They represented to the cardinal, how impossible it was for them to approve so deficient and imperfect a scheme, letting him know that England had been en- gaged in a war with Spain, by the siege of Gib- raltar, which had made all treaties between those two crowns void ; that the first and fun- damental step to be taken for a reconciliation, and an absolute peace, must be a specific re- newal and confirmation of all treaties, on the same foot, and in as ample a manner, as they had subsisted before the troubles began. His eminence was extremely disturbed and embar- rassed, and gave the strongest assurances, that the british plenipotentiaries might depend upon the same steadiness and fidelity, on the part of France, to support them in the discussion of their just rights, as she had shewn in the whole course of the negotiations. But they being too well apprised of the artful designs of Chauvelin, to keep the pretensions of England in an un- settled state, and in a manner at the mercy of France, and of the great power and influence he had gained with the cardinal, which they plainly intimated to his eminence 1 , gave him to J 127-1730.] LORD WALPOLE. 30 understand, that they could by no means be satisfied with his plausible declaration and assur- ances; and left him in a very peevish and dis- contented mood, without coining to any deter- mination, until his majesty's sentiments and instructions upon this subject should be known. " The conduct of the plenipotentiaries was extremely approved at Hanover and England, and they were directed to draw the plan of a plain, explicit, and decisive treaty, with a re- newal and confirmation of all former treaties with Spain, leaving nothing to be discussed and decided by the intervention of other powers ; and the disputes relative to captures (which could not possibly be determined by any other way) to be settled, as usual in cases of the like nature, by commissaries to be appointed by Great Britain and Spain. " The british plenipotentiaries having accord- ingly framed such a plan, Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Poyntz earnestly pressed Mr. Walpole to go to Versailles and communicate it to the cardinal, in a particular conference with him alone, and to employ his utmost address and in- fluence, which had so long subsisted and pre- vailed in the most difficult conjunctures, with his eminence, to induce him to agree to their plan. Mr. Walpole, considering the great as- cendant which Chauvelin had gained over the 302 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvr. cardinal, and how strongly he had prepossessed him in favour of another scheme, was diffident, for the first time, of his success, and extremely unwilling to act by himself in a matter of such importance. However, as his colleagues thought there was no other possible means of serving his majesty, in such an exigency, he waited upon his eminence, at six o'clock in the morning of a day appointed for that purpose, at Versailles. The cardinal received him with a cheerful coun- tenance, but a civil reproach for having not seen him for a considerable time. Mr. Walpole having then desired and obtained of his emi- nence an order to his servant not to be inter- rupted by any visit whatsoever, during his conference with him, (upon the result of which he gave his eminence to understand the good intelligence for the future between England and France, as well as the finishing or prolong- ing the troubles in Europe, would absolutely depend,) he proceeded to read to his eminence, article by article, the whole plan. This confer- ence not only lasted the whole morning, but Mr. Walpole having dined with his eminence alone, it was continued some hours after. Mr. Chauvelin attempted several times to be admit- ted, as having earnest business wi th his eminence; but the valet de chumbre*, according to his * Banac. 1127-1130.] LORD WALPOLE. 303 orders, and being ever Mr. Walpole's friend, would not so much as deliver the secretary of State's message to the cardinal while the con- ference lasted. . " Not to enter into the observations and an- swers that passed on both sides, in the perusal of the articles, his eminence approved them all, and proposed no material alteration; and with his hand gave Mr. Walpole the most solemn assurances that he would support the project in council with his authority, should there arise any opposition to it. " It is easy to conceive what satisfaction the success of this conference gave Mr. Walpole's colleagues, whom he had left in a desponding way in the country, and in particular Mr. Poyntz. His dejection of mind had flung him into a nervous fever; but he soon recovered his health and his spirits. " I cannot omit mentioning an anecdote on this occasion, when Chauvelin could not prevail with the cardinal to make the least alteration in this new plan, marshal d'Huxelles (with whom Chauvelin often ^previously concerted matters of State, in confidence, independent of the cardinal, and without his knowledge,) upon hearing: it read in council, was struck on a heap; D and although, seeing the cardinals firmness in recommending it to the french king, he would 304 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvi, not venture to speak against it; yet, in a week after it was approved, he resigned his place as minister of State, pretending his ill state of health, but telling his particular friends, in pri- vate, that he would not sit in council to obey the dictates of /an english embassador, and act subservient to the interest of that nation. " In transmitting to England the project of the treaty, when it was agreed and settled in France, Mr. Walpole would not suffer an ac- count of its having been effectuated by his par- ticular weight and credit with the cardinal, as a merit due to him separately from his colleagues, to be mentioned in their joint dispatch; and therefore this anecdote was known to some few friends only. " This plan having been sent to Spain, sup- ported by the orders of the cardinal, to Monsieur Brancas, the frcnch embassador, that court im- mediately acceded to it, which, in consequence, entirely dissolved all manner of connection be- tween the emperor and their catholic majesties, and disposed the first, being disappointed in all his chimerical views, to renew his antient good understanding with his majesty, by a treaty signed at Vienna, March 16, 173J; to which the States acceded in 17^2." Soon after the conclusion of the treaty of Seville, lord Towushcud resigned, in consequence 1727-1730.] LORD WALPOLE. 305 of a misunderstanding with Sir Robert Walpole *. This misunderstanding had deeply affected Mr. Walpole, not only from his obligations and per- sonal attachment to lord Townshend, but from unjust surmises that he was instrumental in fo- menting the division, with a view to succeed in the office of secretary of State. He frankly avowed his disapprobation of lord Townshend's violent plans against the emperor; but declared to their common friend, Mr. Poyntz, that should his lordship quit his post dissatisfied, no person or consideration in the world should prevail upon him to accept it, if offered to him. He did not belie his promise; but when that unfor- tunate event took place, declined the offer, and promoted the recommendation of the duke of Newcastle, in favour of his friend and co-adjutor at the congress of Soissons, Mr. Stanhope, after- wards earl of Harrington. On his resignation of the embassy, Mr. Wal- pole supported the appointment of lord Walde- grave, who had displayed great skill and abili- ties in negotiating with the french cabinet while Mr. Walpole was attending his duty in parliament in 1728,. and in conducting with equal address, the affairs of England, as embas- sador at the court of Vienna. " I must own," he observes to his brother, " I think lord Wal- * See Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, chap. 37. VPL. I. X 306 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvr. degrave as proper a person, as minister, as could possibly be sent hither; for, besides his having a very good understanding, his supple and inof- fensive disposition is the best talent against the artifices of monsieur Chauvelin : for, as his lordship will have caution and prudence enough as to take nothing upon himself without orders, lie has at the same time patience and phlegm enough to parry the dangerous attempts and insinuations of the other, without disobliging His instructions to lord Waldegrave, on this occasion, explain the method which he em- ployed to manage the temper and gain the con- fidence of Fleury : " I think your lordship has done extremely well to cultivate, if possible, a friendship with M. Chauvelin, because you find that he has such an influence over the car- dinal; but as M. Chauvelin's friendship, I be- lieve, is found to be very shallow and joitrna- lierc, I am of opinion that you should now and then talk very forcibly to the cardinal, and make him the confidence of distinguishing him, with regard to integrity and good intentions, from any other minister. I know he loves that distinction, and, if applied in a proper manner, and on the topic of sincerity, he is liable to flat- * Correspondence to the Memoirs of Sir Robert tol. 3. p. 8. 1727-1730] LORD WALPOLE. 307 tery ; and you may venture, on a foot of con- fidence, to go great lengths with him, even with regard to his own sentiments, as well as to the conduct of other ministers in France*." Mr Walpole was also highly gratified with rewarding the zeal and fidelity of Mr. Robinson, by obtaining for him the appointment of envoy and plenipotentiary to the court of Vienna, where his address, activity, and prudence, during a period of eighteen years, justified the propriety of the recommendation. The services of Mr. Walpole, during his em- bassy at Paris, were highly appreciated by the british cabinet; and the letters, both private and public, of the duke of Newcastle, lord Townshend, and Sir Robert Walpole, are filled with the highest eulogiums on his conduct. It would be endless to enumerate the passages; but an extract from one letter of lord Towns- hend will suffice : " You have exerted yourself all alona: with uncommon talents in the man* O agement of those important affairs under your care. But as to these last efforts you have made, it is impossible to express the satisfaction your zeal, abilities, and success have .given univer- sally. I congratulate you most heartily on your serving your king and your country, with so * Mr. Walpole to earl Waldegrave, Cockpit, Jan. 14, 1730-1. Waldegrave Papers. 303 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvi. jiiuch capacity, and a superior spirit in business. # # # * * * # y ou w -jj n( ^ -fay what the duke of Newcastle writes, that the king consents to give you. leave to come ; but I must take the liberty, at the same time, to tell you, that as all the letters from France are filled with the highe-st commendations of your extraordinary address, influence, and credit there, so they dread and lament the ill consequences of your absence in this most critical conjuncture, that no one can. be capable of supplying your place, and that the business will fall and flag when you are gone *." * Lord Townshend to Mr. Walpole, Whitehall, Jan, 4, 1 727-8, 1730-1735.] LORD WALPOLE. 309 CHAPTER 17. 17301735. J/r. Walpole appointed Cofferer of the Household- Sent privately to the Hague Object of his Mission Nominated Embassador Difficulty of his Situation Characters of Sling elandt and Fagel Views of the Prince of Orange Mr. Walpole's Account of his Negotiations. ON his return from the embassy, Mr. Walpole was graciously received by George the Second ; and queen Caroline was pleased to express to him her particular satisfaction with his diligence, fidelity, and success, in negotiations of so much perplexity and trouble, and ever afterwards gave him distinguishing marks of her confidence and protection*. The favour of the king, the protection of the queen, and the ascendancy of his brother, en- sured to him a distinguished office in the State; but his unaspiring temper, and dread of exciting jealousy, by the elevation of two brothers to the highest posts of government, induced him to decline the most advantageous offers, and he accepted the post of cofferer of the Household. In this post, as well as from his relationship to the prime minister, he had constant access to * Mr. Walpole's Apology. 310 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvn. the closet ; and whenever he was consulted, always gave his advice with sincerity, and with a freedom which offended the king, and some- times even displeased his great patroness queen Caroline. Mr. Walpole had the satisfaction of contri- buting to the conclusion of the treaty of Vienna, which was retarded by the difficulty of settling the dispute between the emperor and the king, as elector of Hanover, and by the suspicions which the imperial court entertained that the "Walpoles were unfavourable to the house of Austria. A letter to Mr. Robinson, at this cri- tical juncture, removed these impressions, and conciliated prince Eugene, who had been prin- cipally instrumental in opening and conducting the negotiation. " The best answer," writes Mr. Robinson to Mr. Walpole, " I can make to the honour of your letter, is to send you a treaty, to which it certainly contributed much. Nothing was more seasonable; and luckily it was seconded by the faithful reports which a courier about that time brought from monsieur Kinsky, con- cerning yours and Sir Robert Walpole's senti- n.ents. The moment I received your letter I read it to the prince, and can only say, in one .word, he was charmed with it. The business is now done, I will not say well or ill. If well, I 1730-1735.] LORD WALPOLE. 311 desire, sir, you will take to yourself the reputa- tion of it, whatever good I have in me I owe to your example ; if ill, I must, as I ought, take to myself the shame of having made no better advantage of what you are pleased, in your letter, to call the intimacy and confidence with which I lived with you for many years at Paris, and of the opportunities I had of knowing your most secret sentiments *." " Thus," to use the expressions of Mr. Wai- pole, " the situation of affairs in Europe, which had been flung into the greatest convulsions by the wild and extravagant projects of enterprising- ministers, to flatter and satisfy the pride and ambition of certain powers, was by the firm and prudent conduct of his majesty, brought back to a calm and natural state, without the calami- ties of a general war. And notwithstanding the impotent efforts of pretended and discontented patriots, to vilify an administration whose em- ployments they wanted, joined with a desperate clan of disaffected Jacobites, to distress a govern- ment they would gladly subvert, no prince was ever in a higher point of glory and respect, from all foreign powers, for ,the steadiness and wisdom of his measures, than his majesty was at * Mr Robinson to Mr. Walpole, Vienna, March 20, 1?3I. Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, Correspondence, vol. J, p. 100. 31 $ MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvil. this juncture ; nor any ministers in greater cre- dit and esteem abroad, than those who were employed in the direction and execution of these measures *." Although Air. Walpole had no ostensible part in administration, and did not hold a responsible office; yet his extensive and accurate knowledge of foreign affairs, his profound sense and manly spirit, rendered his advice highly useful. He was con-suited by the king, queen Caroline, and his brother, in all affairs of importance ; and was employed in drawing up, or revising, the principal memorials, manifestos, and other State papers, which were issued during the remainder of his brother's administration. From 1730, the period when he quitted his embassy at Paris, till 1733, Mr. Walpole remained in England. During this period, he assisted his brother by his efforts in parliament as well as by co-ope- rating in the transaction of foreign affairs. In the stormy session when the project of the Excise excited such unmerited odium against his brother, he laboured by means of his con- nections and influence abroad, to counteract the efforts of the opposition in parliament, and the disaffected party in the country. Among other documents of this period is an interesting letter * Mr. Walpole's Apology. 1730-1735.] LORD WALPOLE. 313 , / to his friend Baron Gedda at Paris, in which he exposes and reprobates the unbecoming cabals of the french minister Chavigny with Boling- broke and his adherents. This letter, evidently written for the purpose of being communicated to the cardinal, produced a considerable effect on his mind, in counteracting the false and ex- aggerated representations of the french minis- ter, and baffling the hopes which Bolingbroke and the disaffected party entertained of turning the influence of France against Sir Robert Wai- pole. " SIR, " You would do me great injustice if you did not attribute my long silence to so good a friend to the multiplicity of 'affairs in parliament, and particularly at a time when things have been carried on both sides with so much spirit and vivacity. But I can assure you that notwithstanding the artful representations and hopes of our enemies to get the better, I was never under the least uneasiness for the consequence of these troubles. For as it is well known that the king our master has never had any design, and never will have, to attempt any thing against the liberty and laws of this nation, and hi$ minister never did and never will give any advice contrary to the constitution of the country, and the well being of the people, it 314 MEMOIRS OF flcHAp. xvu. js impossible that the false insinuations of the disaffected and discontented should have any greater effect than to delude the ignorant and misguided people for the present, until things should be put into a clear and just light. " The affair of the Excise, although calculated * O to no other purpose than to procure an honest and fair collection of the duties on Tobacco and Wine, which are really paid by the people, but lost in a great measure to the public on ac- count of the variety of frauds in the collection, occasioned a more than ordinary convulsion in the nation, on account of the groundless sug- gestions of*our enemies, as if every thing neces- sary for life was to have a new tax upon it, which were artfully stirred up by the multipli- city of merchants that would lose by the cor- rection of frauds, and promoted by the male- contents disappointed in their views. How- ever, this matter was in an honourable manner withdrawn, and the country gentlemen were convinced that the intended Excise was found- ed on an honest principle to prevent frauds, and with a view to ease them of the burthen of the Land Tax, which they had borne for so many years. The designs of the enemies of the administration, by his majesty's resolution and courage, have proved entirely abortive, and things I think are, notwithstanding the industry 1730-1735.] LORD WALPOLE. 315 used to keep the nation in a ferment, upon as firm and quiet a footing as ever. I am per- suaded, from what you write to me, as well as from the representations I have had of the car- dinal's integrity and discretion, that his emi- nence gave orders to M. Chavigny not to trou- ble himself any ways in these disturbances, but I can assure you, that notwithstanding these orders, this minister has been as industrious as possible, by underhand management, not only to foment these troubles, but also to make them appear abroad much greater than they are, in order to give the worst impression and opinion of his majesty's affairs ; and for that purpose on one side he has constantly frequented those persons that are most inveterate against his majesty's government and administration, acted in a strict confidence with them, and especially with Lord B ke, and his particular intimates, has received his intelligence from them, given the most malicious turns in prejudice of those that serve his majesty, to every thing that has passed in parliament, and constantly alarmed the rest of the foreign ministers, as if the go- vernment was in the greatest danger, or at least the administration, and would never stand. He lives, eats, and drinks with the enemies to the king's government, and after a bottle carries his liberties 30 far as to join with them, as we are informed,"in talking high treason. 3IG MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvn. No sooner has any body felt the disgrace of the court, but he immediately finds a kind wel- come from Mr. Chavigny. - Lord Stair, with whose character you are well acquainted, and whose haughty and intriguing conduct has drawn upon him the displeasure of the king, was immediately upon it extremely caressed and taken into the friendship of this minister, notwithstanding his lordship's known antipathy and inveterate aversion to the French nation ; and others that have found the same fate for their opposition to the king's measures, have met with the same kindness from Chavigny, as if by their behaviour they had done what would be agreeable to the french court. In short he is, as I hinted before, the creature of lord Bolingbroke, his devoted admirer and dis- ciple, idolises him as the ablest, the honestest, and the best of men; and every body that is no friend to that Lord is a knave or a fool, or the weakest of men, in Mr.Chavigny's eyes, and his constant discourse. In concert with this Lord this french minister has, as we have good rea- son to believe, undertaken to foment a convul- sion in this government and a war in Europe. In order to bring about the first, he encourages all persons and practices against the court, ridi- cules, blames, and decries all the English minis- ters, paints them on all occasions as having lost 1730-1735.] LORD WALPOLE. 317 their parts as well as their credit, as bcincr so odious to the nation, and in so tottering a con- dition, that their fall is inevitable, extols their enemies as able men and sound patriots, and as having concerted such measures as cannot fail of success. In concert with lord Bolingbroke, he has undertaken as we are informed, to en- gage France in a war as soon as possible, as what may embarrass this nation, and in conse- quence the ministry, extremely. For that pur- pose he describes us, as well as Holland, in con- versation with his confidents, to be embarrassed, and in so weak and divided a condition as not to be able to take any vigorous measures in defence of ourselves, much less to support our allies, if called upon. But to remove all ob- jections he artfully suggests, that. in case a blow was struck that does not immediately af- fect this nation or the low countries, he flatters himself that we shall keep at a distance, shall in effect, on account of our divisions, the small credit of the ministers, and trie little resource which he pretends we have in our finances, abandon our allies, and be glad to keep our neck out of the halter. This is a language that he is so fond of that he does O C5 not only hold it to particular persons in con- iidence, but ventures to talk to the same pur-, pose even to the face of the king's sen-ants, $18 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xvn, and in. case he is contradicted in his vain and arrogant surmises, he represents the persons that presume to have so much courage as enemies to France, and as such, as only put on a good countenance in a bad cause. In case he is suf- fered to talk thus impertinently without an an- swer and with a silent contempt, he immediately plumes himself upon it, thinks himself all trium- phant, and looks upon such a silence as a certain concurrence in his opinion. Thus he struts and looks big, swells with the thoughts of a noble war, and supporting the glory of France, which he says, cannot be done without an im- mediate war. All this while he continues a certain suppleness and grimace towards some of the ministers, of whom I am one, pretends that he avoids importuning them, (while he is night and day with their enemies,) because they are so taken up with parliamentary and other affairs, that he would not incommode them. Thus while this poor creature, as you know he really is, (any otherwise than as he represents so great a sovereign) is acting the part of a charlatan, a part entirely unworthy of the character he bears; and I am persuaded both contrary to the incli- nation and orders of the cardinal, and M. Chau- velin, he looks upon himself as the most re- fined, the most capable, and the deepest poli- tician, as being able to create a flame in Europe and a civil war in England. 1130-1135.] LORD WALPOLE. 31$ " In the mean while his artifices and little tricks are thoroughly known and equally des- pised, neither will any notice be taken of him by way of complaint to his court, or rebuke to himself; and if he has that mighty power which he assumes and does not doubt of effecting, to bring on a war in Europe, we shall patiently expect the blow without being prepared to de- fend ourselves, and to make our en^ao-ements * I O O good with our allies. But what is most extra- ordinary in this unaccountable conduct is, that while every day of his life he acts a part which ought to send him from hence and make us in- sist upon his being recalled, I am lately told, he has complakied of Mr. Pelham's * having held a discourse to the disadvantage of France, and made such an impression on your court to Mr. Pelham's prejudice as if they had thoughts of demanding his recall. This matter having been sounded, is found to be entirely false with re- gard to the pretended discourse of Mr. Pelham, and indeed it is impossible for any body on all occasions to express himself with mare regard than that gentleman does towards the french court, where he has met with particular civil- ities, and is daily proud of them, nor with more attachment personally towards his eminence and M. Chauvelin. But is it not amazing that such a creature as M. Chavigny who observes * Then British Envoy at the conrt of Franc?, 320 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvn. no measures here, who even is often very free with the person of the cardinal himself, as being the author of all the recent disgrace which France, according to him, suffers by his meek and pacific temper, would intimate any thing to the prejudice of a young gentleman that is by his comportement agreeable to every body in all places." In October 1 733 Mr. Walpole was sent to the Hague on a secret mission of great importance, which occasioned his subsequent nomination to the post of embassador to the States General. The causes which led to this mission will be best related in his own words : " Upon the death of the king of Poland, the opposite declarations and measures on the part of the emperor and France, in favour of the royal candidates, occasioned a rupture between those two powers, although his majesty and the states had caused the most friendly and earnest representations to be made at the court of Vienna, upon the imprudence of taking any step that might hazard a war with France, on account of a polish election; a contest entirely foreign to the concerns of England and Holland in their defensive alliance with the emperor. The Dutch found that the imperial court had on this occasion immediately stript the barrier towns of 10,000 men, part of 16,000 they were 1730-1735.] LORD WALPOLE. 321 obliged by treaty to keep there in time of peace, by removing them to Luxemburgh, and declar- ing that the maritime powers must take upon themselves the care of the barrier; that the important fortresses of Mons, Aeth and Charle- roy, which ought to be garrisoned by the im- perial troops, were entirely defenceless, without fortifications, magazines, or men; and that France had engaged the kings of Spain and Sar- dina in the war against the emperor. This ex- posed situation made the ministers of the States think themselves obliged, for their immediate security, to enter into a negotiation with the trench embassador at the Hague, for a neutrality, by which it was agreed that the States would not concern themselves in the affairs of the polish election, nor in the troubles that might be in consequence of it; France agreeing, on her part, not to carry the war into their low countries, nor attack their barrier. This un- expected declaration surprised his majesty ; but before it was formed into a resolution, Mr. Wai- pole, on account of the credit which he was supposed to have with the ministers and mem- bers of the States, from his former negotiations at the Hague, and the confidence with which he had acted towards their embassador at Paris, was sent to Holland with instructions to endea- vour to divert the States from concluding a VOL. I. Y 322 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvir. precarious neutrality with France. But the defenceless condition of their frontiers, and the formidable power of France in their neighbour- hood, had pushed on that affair so fast, that it was in a manner concluded before his arrival there. However, Mr. Walpole prevailed with the pensionary to get a clause inserted in that act, by which the States reserved to themselves a liberty to fulfil their engagements with the emperor, with whom they had contracted alli- ances, as well as with France. This left a door for them to take a part to stop the progress of the french arms, when the exigency of affairs and their common danger should make it prac- ticable, in a government so weak and divided. " In the mean while the imperial court was as solicitous in their instances with his majesty and the states, to join in his defence, as the french were to shew them that the emperor had. been the aggressor, by concurring in violent measures with Russia, to .interrupt the freedom, of the polish election. " It being evident that this perplexed situa- tion of affairs must necessarily bring on negotia- tions of a very nice and difficult nature, Mr. Walpole waa ordered again to repair to the Jiague, with the character of embassador, to act at this critical juncture in confidence and con- cert with the States. Cardinal Fleury had caused mo-n35.] LOKD WALPOLE. 323 the most plausible and pacific declarations to be made in England and Holland, of his readiness to accept the good offices of his majesty and the States, for accommodating the difference between the emperor and France. The imperial court, on the other hand, was as positive and peremptory in rejecting them; not bearing to hearken to any terms, until the maritime powers should have previously declared themselves in his favour, and sent, as guarantees, succours to his assistance, which gave France a ;reat ad van- 9 \J ^j. tage over them, by her apparent disposition towards a peace. " Mr. Walpole, to whom the late queen was always extremely gracious, endeavoured by his credit with her, to decline the acceptance of an employment, which he foresaw would give him infinite trouble, and was liable to many inconve- niences and reproaches, according to the nature of events, and the readiness of a factious party, then in parliament, to condemn all measures, though executed with the greatest fidelity and judgment. But her majesty having promised him her countenance and protection, he under- took this great, but disagreeable office, at this critical juncture." Considering the situation of Mr. Walpole in England, unincumbered with a responsible office, enjoying the favour of the court, and delighted y 2 324 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvn. with liis improvements at Wolterton, it is not a matter of wonder that he accepted with re- luctance a post full of embarrassments. The government of the United Provinces was still in a state of discord and anarchy; and the difficulty of conciliating the different interests was increased by the views of the prince of Orange, and the jealousies of the republican party/ His friend pensionary Slingelandt still re^ tained his great influence and authority in the counsels of the republic, and was inclined to promote the union with Great Britain; but he was a martyr to the gout, and his temper natu- rally warm, exasperated by pain, was become peevish and intractable. His other friend, the greffier Fagel, in whom he reposed the fullest confidence, and whose mild temper was not soured by age, was equally attached to England ; but, by the reserve of Slingelandt, was almost excluded from the knovy- ledge of foreign affairs*. * In some of his confidential letters to Mr. Trevor, Mi. Walpole contrasts the mild and placid temper of greffier Fagel, with tlie fretful and inflexible spirit of the pensionary. Hanipdcn Papers. " If the pensionary," he says, *' had M. Fagel's temper, it would be pleasant to do business; byt we must bear with men as they are, and do as well as we can. " January 23, 1 735-6. I told you, in my last, J had received I V.AJV S I* I JV G K I A.?*l> r P GRAND PENSI01VA Tf Y of II O /./,.! A' ft j?n?m the Collection r/' l/u> tidti // ' 7/fr />///'/ rkt' 1730-1135.] LORD WALPOLE. 325 William prince of Orange had now attained has majority ; and with the fervour of youth, and the elevation of an aspiring mind, ill brooked his exclusion from the power and dig- nity formerly enjoyed by his family. His views were encouraged by the ardent temper of his consort the princess Anne, eldest daughter of George the Second, and by his expectations of his father-in-law's support. He was, therefore, eager to involve the States in a war with France, that he might be appointed generalissimo of the dutch forces; a promotion which might lead to the revival of the stadholdership in his favour. The natural jealousy which the republican party entertained of the house of Orange, was in- creased, as well by this alliance, as by the imprudent zeal which George the Second dis- played in favour of his son-in-law. The French a peevish letter from the pensionary ; I now send you a copy inclosed, with my answer. It; is a great pity the i>ensionary, who is otherwise so great a maj), wiil ou any occasion thut does not please him fret himself so much. " October 3-14, \736. As to '\vhat the two great ministers said to you, they both talked in character. The gretiier is so mild in his temper, that he dreads the effect of the least step taken in their distracted government, that is not agreeable to you all: the pensionary is so rough, that he cannot give his real or imaginary reasons, upon a point where he is particularly to act the minister, with common decency. What a pity that such a billingsgate tongue and temper should belong to such an excellent understanding!'' 323 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xva. availed themselves of these suspicions, to in* crease their own party, and thwart the designs of the british cabinet. The Hague, at this critical juncture, became the centre of business and intrigue ; the british embassadoi' at Paris acted principally from the impulse of Mr. Walpole; his correspondence with cardinal Fleuyy was revived, and the nego- tiations with the different powers of Europe passed through his hands. " Not to enter," continues Mr. Walpole in his Apology, " into a detail of the various and interesting transactions, public and secret, that passed at the Hague on the part of the respective powers concerned in this embarrassed state of affairs, Mr. Walpole, perfectly well acquainted with the pusillanimous, and pacific temper of the cardinal, took care, in his correspondence and concert with lord Waldegrave, then his majesty's embassador at Paris, that his eminence should be kept under constant apprehensions of Mr. Walpole's being able, by his memorials, and other representations to the ministers and members of the States, of the dangerous conse- quences to the republic, from the formidable progress of the confederate arms, to engage them at last to take a vigorous part in favour of the emperor as a common cause. And it is certain, that his eminence was so affected and 1730-1135.] LORD WALPOLE. 327 alarmed with this apprehension, that notwith- standing the artifice of Chauvelin to keep up his spirits, and that the armies of France and her allies continued victorious on. all sides, he would not suffer the Spanish and Sardinian forces in Italy, as it had been projected, and was very practicable, to take Mantua, lest it should have animated the maritime powers to declare war in support of the emperor; and his eminence was not easy, until after having set on foot several negotiations in several ways, and at several, places, the preliminaries for peace were signed at Vienna in 1 735. " And I believe it may be affirmed, without vanity, that this management between Mr. Wai- pole and lord Waldegrave, seconded by pen- sionary Slingelandt, in his letters to the dutch embassador at Paris, in .keeping the cardinal in perpetual agitation and fears of a general war, saved the important city of Mantua, the key of Italy, from falling into the hands of Spain. I cannot conclude the Apology for Mr. Wai- pole's conduct, at this great epoch, without making one observation. His majesty was ex- tremely desirous to give the emperor assistance in this war with France ; and it is imagined that count Kinsky flattered the imperial court with such expectations. But the minister, who had the greatest credit with the king, by having 328 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvn. the greatest penetration and judgment in affairs, represented how difficult, if not impracticable, it would have been, after the States had agreed to a neutrality with France, and the kings of Spain and Sardinia had actually joined in a war against the emperor, to have prevailed upon the parliament to grant supplies for carrying on so extensive a war, of which this nation must have borne the greatest, and in a manner the whole -burthen ; especially as the cause of it was a dis- pute about a polish election, and could not be looked upon to be the concern of Great Britain, nor a case in which the emperor had a right to demand succours by virtue of his defensive alli- ance ; and that if the parliament could have been brought into such a war, it was morally impossible that the utmost efforts of this nation, with those of the emperor, could have resisted so powerful a confederacy. His majesty, by the credit and salutary advice of that minister, in which the rest of his servants, in the confi- dence of affairs, (for, as powerful as he was, he never would let his own opinion, in matters of State, prevail against the majority of them,) was diverted from taking any part but in con- cert with the States, with a view to bring mat- ters, by their joint good offices, to an accommo- dation between the belligerent parties; or if the dangerous consequences, attending the pro- 1730-1735.] LORD WALPOLE. 329 gress of the confederate arms, should have suf- ficiently alarmed the Dutch, and made an im- pression that might have induced them to join in defence of the emperor, that his majesty should have readily joined with them in a plan of vigorous measures for that purpose. " However, the king was extremely displeased with this state of an inactive neutrality, in be- ing prevented from giving the emperor assist- ance, which Mr. Walpole perceived in several conferences he had the honour to have with the late queen, by her majesty's own desire, on this subject ; and, as she might be apprehensive that it might diminish Sir Robert Walpole's credit with the king, she would, in an ironical manner, reproach Mr. Walpole, by saying to him, That Sir Robert would have gone into the war, but you would not let him ; by which Mr. Walpole plainly understood, (and let her majesty see that he did,) that it was better his majesty should be dis- pleased with Mr. Walpole, than with Sir Ro- bert ; and it is very possible that, for that reason, the queen might, in discourse with the king, have laid the fault of disappointing his majesty's inclinations to succour the emperor upon Mr. Walpole, and that it may have made a lasting impression upon his majesty's mind to his dis- advantage. " But here I cannot forbear adding, that the 330 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvn. late queen was pleased to honour Mr. Walpole with her most gracious approbation of his con- duct, by letters constantly wrote with her own hand, during his negotiations at the Hague, while she was regent in England. The good opinion of so wise and judicious a princess, who had always the public good at her heart, not only supported his spirits in the most unplea- sant and fatiguing station, but has ever since flattered him with conscious satisfaction of his having done his duty, and the best that could be done, for the service of his majesty and his country, in so great and difficult a conjunc- ture*." * Mr. Whole's Apology. 17*5-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 331 CHAP-TER 18. 17351737. Letter from Mr. Walpole to Queen Caroline He re- monstrates against the premature Communication of the Plan of Pacification to the Imperial Court Re- lates his Efforts- to re-establish the Union between England and Holland, the Origin of the Secret Con- vention, and his 'various Negotiations at the Hague Extracts from 2ueen Caroline's Letters to Mr. Walpole Continuation of Mr. Walpole^s Apology-^ He accompanies the King to Hanover as Secretary of State Danger of the King in his Passage from Helvoetsluys Letters from the Princess Amelia and 2ueen Caroline Mr. fralpolSs Remarks on Sir John Barnard'' s Bill. IHE interesting correspondence with queen Caroline, to which Mr. Walpole alludes in his Apology, was so frequent, that the letters, if preserved, would fill a volume. Many of these letters have been destroyed ; but several fortu- nately still remain. The greater part were in- serted in the Correspondence which accompanies the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole ; one, how- ever, which was written at this period, and was not published in that collection, contains a cari- ous account of the origin, progress, and conclu- sion of the secret convention with cardinal 322 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. Fleury *, and Mr. Walpole's transactions at the Hague, and evinces the manly freedom with which he delivered his sentiments, even in direct contradiction to the wishes of the king and queen, and the views of the british cabinet. Mr. JVaJpok to Queen Caroline f. " MADAM, " The unexpected step in communicating to the imperial court, without a previous concert with the States, the plan of accommodation, seems liable to so many dangerous consequences, and has put me under such difficulties with re- spect to his majesty's service, that, not knowing where it may affect, I have reserved my senti- ments of it for this particular and confidential letter to your majesty only. " I must beg your majesty's goodness and in- dulgence to believe that what I am going to say does not proceed from ill-humour, or a dis- position to find fault with what is done and cannot be recalled, but from a desire, if possible, to obviate future mischiefs, which, if I rightly apprehend the motives of this measure, will constantly, if care be not taken, embarrass his majesty's affairs. * For an account of this secret negotiation, sec chap. 44, Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole. t The draught of this letter, in Mr. Walpole's hand-writing, is without a date ; but it was evidently written in the begiu- niugof 1735. 1735-1737.J LORD WALPOLE. 333 " I must beg your majesty's patience for reading a short account of the rise, progress, and present state of this negotiation, as neces- sary to put my thoughts into a clear light, and to enable your majesty to judge whether it is better to pursue a plain, regular system, built with strength and caution, by a natural cohe- rence and a proportional relation and dependence gf the parts on one another, or by the impul- sions of sudden starts and flights, to disorder the whole, and reduce a great work from the hopes of perfection to the hazard of the utmost con- fusion, which I apprehend may probably prove to be the case from this communication ; ready at the same time to be transported with joy if I should, as I hope in God I shall be, mistaken. " Upon the war breaking out between the emperor and France, on account of the polish election, the antient confidence and intimacy, (the best guaranty of their mutual interests and security,) between England and Holland, for what reasons I will not enquire at present, was on a very precarious foot, and the measures to be taken at so great a crisis for their common pafety and the public good, were entirely dis- concerted and running counter to one another, which induced his majesty to send me hither in October was twelve months, to sound the in- tentions of the States, and reconcile the coun* 33* MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. sels between his majesty and them to one accord at a conjuncture so important. " This mission was thought by some of his majesty's servants, unacquainted with foreign affairs, as useless and vain, they being pursuaded that the Dutch had taken their ply, and, by the bias and tendency of their actions, parti- cularly on account of the neutrality for the Low Countries then on foot, were determined, with- out consulting his majesty, to act in confidence with France. " Upon my arrival here, I found indeed the principal ministers (whose former ideas and system of politics were, to my knowledge, built upon a strict union between the two nations,) prepossessed with the most unreasonable and unaccountable notions of his majesty's inten- tions and actions, both with respect to their government and the state of affairs in. Europe, and for that reason, being at the same time ex- tremely ill-used, as they thought by the imperial court, disposed to manage so formidable a neigh- bour as 4 France is to them. But as yet they were got no farther into a confidence with France than what was necessary to conclude the act of neutrality relating to the Low Coun- tries, which, on account of the barrier towns under the emperor's care being destitute of troops, ammunition, and every thing requisite 1735-1137.] LORD WALPOLE. 335 for their defence, and for want of a due concert and harmony with England they considered as the only means to preserve the Low Countries, and consequently themselves. On the other side, I found the antient friends of England and the present establishment fully persuaded that his majesty was entirely under the direc- tions and influence of the imperial court; that he had entered into all the engagements and measures concerted by the Emperor, Muscovites and Saxons, for opposing the election of Stanis- laus by force, and consequently that he was obliged and determined to take part in the war, had given the emperor private assurances of it, and that by degrees the States were in a manner to be forced into it too, and that the putting a stadholder at the head of their government was part of the scheme concerted by the imperial and british courts. My antient acquaintance and intimacy 1 with the pensionary and the gref- fier, ministers of undoubted abilities and integ- rity, and always disposed to make the union between England and Holland the basis of their politics and measures, soon gave me an opportunity to destroy these ill-grounded preju- dices and preventions, against his majesty's counsels and measures, by shewing them that his majesty had no other concern than that of good offices in the affair of Poland, was- under 336 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. no engagements but what were common to the States, and was desirous to act in concert with them in the present great and critical juncture. At the same time I had the pleasure to discover, that the opinion entertained of them in England, of this government having flung themselves absolutely into the hands of France, was equally groundless; and I had the satisfaction of remov- ing these prejudices, on both sides, by degrees to bring matters to a perfect good understanding, and a resolution to pursue the same measures jointly in counsels and actions, with respect to the troubles that threatened the public tranquil- lity of Europe. " Having settled this great point, of a mutual harmony between his majesty and the states, and also a particular correspondence between lord Harrington and the pensionary in matters of the most secret nature, I returned to England ; and soon after my arrival, the states, in conse- quence of this harmony, came to a resolution to sound the emperor and France whether our offer of good offices would be accepted. This was transmitted to England for his majesty's concur- rence, which I thought so natural a step, in consequence of what I had done, that there could have been no difficulty in it; when, at a meeting of some of his majesty's servants, I was surprised to find most of them, with lord JIai- 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 337 rLngton at the head, for various and different reasons, against agreeing with the States in this point. Even the person* on whose opinion and influence I chiefly depended, changed his mind, and so I was left alone, with nobody on my side but lord Wilmington and the c}uke of New- castle, when he came to tow n ; but to no pur- pose. I had nothing to do but to let them know my mind, in foretelling that it would .create new jealousies and coolness between the english and dutch administration; and five weeks time being spent without returning an answer to the resolution of the States, the confi- dential correspondence which I had settled be- tween lord Harrington and the pensionary was, by sharp expostulations, at once confounded. In the mean time the opposite resolutions and memorials that had passed between the imperial ministers and the republic had brought things, as far as words could go, to the greatest height of 'animosity and resentment; and a misappre- hension of their respective views and designs, in the papers that had passed between England and Holland, had begun to create such strong expostulations as would have occasioned a paper war, instead of an amicable union, between his majesty and the States, had not care been taken * Sir Robert Walpole. VOL. I. Z 338 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. to put a stop to such extremities, by sending me again over, in last May, to this country, with proper instructions for reconciling the differences between us. " I arrived here soon after the vote of parlia- ment was passed for reposing an entire confi- dence in his majesty concerning the augmenta- tion of his forces; and I could not imagine but that the carrying with me such a mark of the parliament's regard for the king, by strengthen- ing his hands in such a manner as to give him the greatest weight and influence in his delibera- tions about the affairs of Europe, would have made me acceptable to my old friends, and par- ticularly the pensionary. But, on the contrary, in the first visit I made him, confined to his bed with the gout, he looked upon me in such a manner as if I was come to drag him aw r ay by force, and place him as a clutch deputy to fight against France. Having let him cool, and taken opportunities of seeing him alone, (for Mr. Finch* was present at the first visit,) I desired to know, in a quiet way, the occasion of such agonies and transports. His respect and de- cency for the king's person made him at first very reserved, until I told him it was impossible to cure a disease without knowing the nature * At that lime British envoy at the Hague, until he was upcrstdeti by Mr. Walpole. 1*735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 339 and symptoms of it. He then, shewing all pos- sible respect in his expressions towards his ma- jesty, gave me to understand, that the principal regents of the government were of opinion, that his majesty was actually concerned in private engagements with the emperor, independent of the States, and had given the strongest assur- ances to his imperial majesty that he would give him his assistance; that he must temporise for the present, but that the emperor might de- pend upon his (the king's) declaring in his favour ; and that this vote of confidence was pro- cured, not with a view of giving weight to ne- gotiations, but with a design to make use of it for engaging in the war, and force the States into it if possible, along with him ; and that the king's bias, as elector, in favour of the emperor, would get the better of all other considerations with regard to England and Holland, and that his majesty's readiness, in that quality, on being the foremost to dispose the empire to declare war against France, when the empire had taken no precautions nor measures to be in a condition to carry it on, was what had increased among the regents the jealousies they had entertained of his majesty's warlike designs. " I had the happiness to state his majesty's views, in the quality of king as well as elector, in such a light as to undeceive the pensionary z 2 340 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvni on the extravagant notions unjustly conceived here, and to give him entire satisfaction, by shewing how impossible it was for his majesty, after the siege of fort Kehl, to do otherwise, as a prince of the empire, than he had done; that as king he had sent me once more, with the strongest assurances and instructions to act in perfect union and concert with the states in every step that should be taken in the present state of affairs in Europe; that the vote of con- fidence could not fail of having the effect for which it was calculated in giving great weight to their joint measures and negotiations ; and that all the king desired was, that in consulting together some means might be found out for keeping inviolably secret what should pass in conferences until things should be brought to a maturity for being communicated as a joint re- solution, and that a particular committee should be appointed for the purpose to treat with me. The form of their government would not permit such a distinction to be made among their depu- ties. However, an oath of secrecy being taken by thei i, the conferences were carried on with- out the least discovery of what passed, either by 4he french or imperial ministers, until the resolution, taken in the name of his majesty and the states, for the offer of good offices, to the respective powers, for accommodating matters, was actually communicated to them. 1735-n37.] LORD WALPOLE. 311 " It is material to observe here, that the re- solution in consequence of the particular confi- dence established between his majesty and the states, of keeping inviolably secret from all other powers what should pass between his ma- jesty and the states, was equally disagreeable to the imperial and french courts. " The imperial court was extremely desirous of acting in conjunction with the maritime powers ; but as they had no other view but to involve his majesty and the states in the war, perceiving the backwardness of the republic to engage, their whole care and attention was to obtain a particular and previous concert with the king, and by that means to draw the states into the troubles they endeavoured to avoid* Count Uhlfeldt also expressed his great uneasi- ness to me at the secrecy of the maritime powers, and what he called his majesty's preference of the friendship of the states to that of the empe- ror; and nothing would content him but my bullying the states into a resolution to declare in favour of the emperor against France. " The french court, on the other ide, was thunderstruck with this union and secrecy of measures established between us. Mr. Fenelon was surprised to the last degree when he saw me present at a conference which the deputies had desired with him, and Mr. Chauvelin ex- 342 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. pressed his great concern at it. It destroyed all his hopes of being able to carry on the war as long as he pleased, without any fear or check, while England and Holland were diffident of one another, and had separate measures and views. My old friend, the cardinal, was so alarmed that he made Mr. Van Hoey * dispatch an express to the pensionary, with an account of a confidential discourse his eminence had with him, all turning upon his apprehension of my journey and conduct in Holland. ft Having had the good fortune to settle an entire confidence of counsels and actions be- tween his majesty and the states, (which, once for all, madam, I hope your majesty will give me leave to observe, must at all times be abso- lutely necessary in foreign affairs, for the interest and security of both,) I returned to England to give his majesty an account of my conduct, who was pleased, after a short stay, to order me back hither again in the quality of his embassador, with instructions to continue my best endeavours to maintain that confidence which had been so 'happily restored between his majesty and the states. " Upon my return hither, having communi- cated to the pensionary a letter I had received * The dutch minister at Paris. 1135-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 343 from Mr. Geddaf intimating, in stronger terms than ever, the cardinal's disposition to bring matters to an accommodation, with a desire to have an opportunity of conversing with me on that subject. Mr. Slingelandt thought this let- ter, which was ridiculed in England, of moment enough to deserve an answer, which I having drawn, and obtained his majesty's approbation of it, and sent it to France, it had such an ef- fect as to lay the foundation of the secret cor- respondence that has passed, and is advanced so far since between the cardinal and me. 11 It is not to the present purpose to enter into the particulars of that secret negotiation, which is so fresh in your majesty's mind; but it may not be amiss to observe, that it took its rise from the effect which the re-establishment of the union between his majesty and the states had upon his eminency's mind. In order to destroy this correspondence, Mr. Chauvelin charged Mr. Fenelon with a particular letter, wrote with the confidence of the french king, the cardinal and himself only, offering to enter iato a particular and secret correspondence with Mr. Slingelandt, unknown to every body else, for the immediate and lasting security of the states. * Swedish envoy at Paris, by whose means Mr. Walpole occasionally carried on a secret correspondence with cardinal Floury. 344 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xvm, " This letter extremely embarrassed the pen- sionary, being apprehensive, on one side, that if he shewed it to others, considering the then state of affairs, with respect to the emperor, they might have given attention to it, and been inclined to hear what France would say, for the particular interest and safety of the states, which would immediately have put a stop to the correspondence between the cardinal and me, and by degrees might have dissolved the confidence newly established between his ma- jesty and the states. " On the other side, to sink this letter with- out communicating it to the principal regents, of Holland, at least, while in the mean time my correspondence with the cardinal might come to nothing, or any thing might happen, from the different opinion of measures or otherwise, to occasion a fresh coolness between England and Holland, the pensionary would be exposed to the utmost resentment of the states, to whom he is accountable for all matters relating to their' interest that come to his knowledge. However naturally inclined to preserve the good under- standing with his majesty, and firmly convinced by the reasons suggested to him, of his majesty having the same intentions with respect to the states, he made no other use of this extraordi- nary letter and offer from France, but to com- municate it to me in confidence, as an instance 1 735-1137.] LORD WALPOLE. 345 of his 2eal to strengthen the bond of union beT tween the two nations. -vit \ " When the cardinal began to speak out in his letters to me, and required as a condition for his doing it, in plain terms, the most solemn assurances from the pensionary and me, to have the secret inviolably kept, and that it should be agreed on both sides to disavow the whole if any part should get air; tht$ condition embar- rassed the pensionary extremely, and he saga- ciously observed to me, that if this negotiation should employ a great deal of time, and break off at last without a good issue, this obligation of secrecy would put it out of his power to justify his conduct to the states. However, from the consolation of being under the same- engagement with the british minister, he re- solved to consent to it, and to take, in the mean time, the proper precautions for his security, by his great skill and address in his management of the states of Holland, and the deputies for 'foreign affairs. Of all these steps, j have, as they occurred, given an account to lord Harrington; and therefore, I shall touch upon then! no farther than is necessary to show, when I come to that point, the danger the pensionary may be exposed to, with respect to himself, and the inconveniences his majesty's interest may be exposed to from a disspi 346 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. lution of the confidence between his majesty and the states, which may be occasioned by this separate and untimely communication of the plan to the emperor. . " The pensionary having communicated, un- der great secrecy, to two or three of the regents of Holland, in general terms, what was trans- acting with the cardinal, he caused a motion to be made in the states of Holland, founded upon the nature of affairs in the present state of Europe, to show the necessity of keeping the secret in the negotiations to be held with the british embassador, and consequently of repos- ing a particular trust in some person or persons, for carrying on that negotiation, which, after some debate, without a formal resolution, was understood to be the pensionary. He then ob- tained a resolution among the deputies of the states-general for foreign affairs, which con- cluded with showing, that it would be impos- sible to negotiate with success unless France could have sufficient security of the secret being kept. This opinion being supported by memo- rials delivered by me, the difficulty still remain- ed about the method of doing it, which the pen- sionary settled, by obtaining, in a private con- ference with them, a verbal consent that they would permit him to negotiate, in confidence with me, where and in what manner he should 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 347 think fit, without giving an account of what passed, until matters should be ripe for their participation, and for taking a resolution upon them ; they giving at the same time the strong- est assurances not to impart what should be confided to them, either to their colleagues or the states-general, nor to make a report of it to their respective provinces, but by common consent. " This foundation being laid, and confidence 4 reposed in the pensionary, supported his spirits in our private transaction with the cardinal, and made him resolve not to give the least account of that part of the negotiation to any of the de- puties, and not to lay the plan of accommoda- tion before them, until it was finally adjusted with his majesty, and ripe for an immediate re- solution, without any time for reflection or alteration ; and his great comfort at the same time was, that neither the imperial nor french, nor indeed any of the foreign ministers, would be able in the least to penetrate what had been " Thus matters stood, when I received an account of the communication having been made first verbally to Kinsky and since by a messenger dispatched to Mr. Robinson, of the plan of accommodation, without any notice OF concert with the pensionary ; and here I am to obr 343 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. serve to your majesty, that by a word which fell from count Uhlfeldt, in talking of count Kinsky's courier that passed this way, by way of reproach for my not telling him any thing that had passed, I suspected some such step had been taken. My suspicions are, I find, but too true, and I am flung under the great- est difficulty and perplexity of mind, not- withstanding the discretionary power given me to acquaint the pensionary or not with this step. ." Should I acquaint the pensionary with it, I should cast him into the greatest agonies of de- spair to see, after the indefatigable pains taken < to re-establish a particular confidence between - his majesty and the states, and that at the king's most earnest request, und^r the seal of secrecy; and after that secrecy had been confirmed by an authority and trust reposed in him, scarce ever known before in this government, and after a hopeful prospect, that by a joint concert of measures previously taken by his majesty and the states, and by holding the same language with firmness and union both to the emperor and France, we should be able to bring those two powers to reasonable terms of accommoda- tion, and after the pensionary had been so jea- lous and careful of the secret, as not to let any 1T35-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 349 part of it transpire to any of the states, not even to those concerned in the secret affairs, and indeed to nobody but to two or three of the province of Holland. After all this, to see the secret discovered to one of the parties concerned in the war, from whom it should have been prin- cipally kept, until opened in a proper manner by a joint application and influence of his ma- jesty and the states ; I say the knowledge of such a communication must needs cast him into the greatest agony, with respect to himself, as being exposed, if the communication should, as most things do, transpire at Vienna, to the utmost danger of censure and reproaches, to say . no worse, from his masters, for having kept them in the dark so long about a business of such moment, of which the emperor is sooner apprised than they. And with respect to the public, and particularly the union between his majesty and the states, should it ever be known that the discovery of the secret was untimely made by his majesty's servants to the emperor, it must needs weaken the confidence, that was so happily established here, by calling to mind the former impressions and preventions, as if the king could not venture to do any thing without the approbation and influence of the emperor, the great inconveniences of which opi- nion to his majesty's affairs are too obvious, as 350 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. well as disagreeable to repeat. Into this notion I am afraid the pensionary himself would infal- libly fall, if he should be told that this weakness, if I may call it so, proceeded from a bullying menace from count Kinsky, of declaring all the treaties with England void. " These melancholy reflections, flowing from the nature of the thing, suggested another diffi- culty against my communicating to the pen- sionary this affair in the manner suggested to me by lord Harrington, which was, that the pensionary might think himself obliged, after what has passed, for his own justification and security, to acquaint the deputies for secret af- fairs with it, that he may wash his hands of all the inconveniences which might follow from such a measure, taken without his consent or knowledge. " On the other side, when I considered the great risk the pensionary would run of censure and reproach from this government, if, while we were managing the secret with respect to his own regents, the communication of it to the court of Vienna should in the mean time get air, as most things that pass there do, and be known here before he had informed the deputies of it; it would be a cruel thing, after the zeal he has exerted for his majesty's service, to leave him in that ignorance, and not enable him to take the 1-35-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 351 necessary precautions for his own safety, after all the pains taken and address used by him to conceal the secret, for fear of ill consequences, even from his own masters; especially since count Uhlfeldt might have made him the same reproach, as he did to me, of being so reserved after count Kinsky's courier was past by Vienna. " These considerations determined me, with- out acquainting the pensionary with the com- munication of the plan having been made from England to the court of Vienna, to lead him, if possible, by some other means, into a way that might induce him to take the necessary precautions for his own security, by deferring no longer to let the deputies for secret affairs into, the general knowledge of the heads of accommodation, so that they might not be able to reproach him with his reservedness towards them, in case Monsieur Bruynix* should be able to discover the confidence that has been made to Mr. Kinsky or Robinson, or that it should come to be known by any other channel. Ac- cordingly, having received, by the same post, orders from lord Harrington, that the plan, when adjusted here, should, before it be offered,be trans- mitted to his majesty for his approbation when * Tte dutch minister at Vienna. 3/52 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvni. f, \ I acquainted the pensionary with' these orders, I f suggested to him whether it might not be time to break to the deputies for secret -affairs, in confidence, the substance of the plan, since they appeared extremely impatient, as I had been told, to know something; and I pressed this atf air the more, because I was under, as he knew, an engagement to make the same confidence to the prince of Orange, and his affairs called him immediately to Frise for three weeks, and I would gladly discharge my promise to his high- ness before he went, since he was to be absent so long. The pensionary, with his usual pene- tration, combined this hint, and the orders upon which I founded it, with the courier that lately passed by here to Vienna from count Kinsky, and expressed his apprehensions of our having com- municated this affair to the imperial court with- out any concert with the states. He said he saw he was to be the sacrifice of this affair, which would come to nothing, that he was entre fen- clume et le martcau; that it was plain his majesty could do nothing without the emperor, and that that plan was not to be finally adjusted until the king had received the sentiments and ap- probation of his imperial majesty upon it; adding other things, though with all personal deference and veneration for his majesty, rela- ting to the consequences of this step r that I do not 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 353 care to remember. Having avoided, as much as I could, the discussion of such a disagreeable subject, I kept to the point of obtaining his per- mission, that I might let the prince of Orange know what I was engaged to do ; to which the pensionary consented, and said that he would also, but verbally nly, communicate to the deputies, under the greatest secrecy, the sub- stance or heads of the plan. " This is the situation of this great affair, for which I beg ten thousand pardons, in giving your majesty so much trouble; and I hope, from your known goodness to have your indulgence and forgiveness, while I add a few observations upon the whole; " 1. I am afraid that the emperor, having obtained this confidence, by the means of a menace from such a child in business as Kinsky, x far from appearing to take it kindly, will shew at first great reserveclness ; will, with much seeming reluctance and reproach, as. last give an answer; will require some addition to the cessions to be made him, and a reduction of those to be made to others; and insist as a con- dition of his acceptance, that the maritime powers shall declare, first, that they will engage in the war on his behalf, if the terms of the plan to l)e resumed, according to his will, shall not VOL. I. A A 354 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xviri. be complied with by the allies in a certain time. " 2. If this condition should be demanded by the emperor, and application shall be made by the king to the states, to consent to it, they will absolutely refuse it. And being fully per- suaded, by the emperor's conduct, that his chief view is to lead them into a war, they would be apprehensive that this condition is required with no other design, and that when the emperor has obtained that, he will take care to prevent the peace. " 3. From hence it will be imagined here, as well as from the favourable disposition towards the emperor in England, that instead of his ma- jesty and the states acting in concert and wi th firmness, to dispose the emperor, as well as the allies, to agree to the terms of peace, the concert will be transferred from the states to the impe- rial court ; and the imperial and english, instead of the english and dutch ministers, will act to- gether, which, by degrees, will create a differ- ence between England and Holland, and insensibly fling the Dutch into a confidence with France. " Lastly, the system so absolutely necessary for preserving the balance of Europe, and con- sequently the liberties and commerce of the British and dutch nations, by a perfect harmony 1735^-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 355 and union of councils, will be crumbled to nothing. These are my apprehensions, which I hope in God the wisdom and steadiness of his majesty's counsels will entirely disappoint." The sincerity and freedom which are so re- markably displayed in this letter seem to have offended the king, and even displeased the queen ; for, in a letter to his brother, written about this period, tyli. Walpole observes, " I am extremely sorry to find that the dress of my letters to the queen is not liked, although the matter is approved. I solemnly protest to you, I do not affect that free stile ; but I can no more write otherwise than I can tell how to dress my person better than I do." The irritable temper of George the Second was not easily conciliated ; but the queen, whose character was more mild and condescending, was soon reconciled to his frankness, and treated him with more confidence than before. A few of her letters are still preserved at W&terton, from which are inserted some extracts, to shew the extreme condescension of that amiable princess, and the high confidence which' she reposed in Mr. Walpole * " Richmond, May 21, (June 1,) 1734. I am * These letters were written in French, and in the transla- tion I have endeavoured to retain the ease and familiarity of the original. A A 2 355 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. greatly obliged to you for your letters; they are received with pleasure. I make no douht but you will be satisfied with the answer of to-day ; and I flatter myself that your affairs there are in a good train. I congratulate you on the success of your election : I wish the same suc- cess to that of the county. Yorkshire does not go so well ; although all hopes of success are not yet lost. In all other respects every thing goes here according to our wishes. " My daughter appears contented with her situation. I flatter myself that she will give satisfaction more and more. I entreat you to propose to the pensionary my ptisan as a re- medy for the gout, with which he is so griev- ously afflicted. I cannot but interest myself for the life and health of a person of his merit. I trust that my daughter will find in him a friend, and she will always receive strict orders to do nothing without his advice, and I beg you will tell him so. I do not make you any com- pliments ; you know me too well, sir, not to be assured that I am always the same for you. CAROLINE." " I shewed your letter to the chancellor, who would have known nothing without me. Write, I beseech you, in the same manner." " Richmond, June 15, 1734. I begin with the happy news that you will soon see your 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 357 family, on condition that you return as soon as your Superieur shall judge necessary. Having thus given my orders, I must thank you for what you say in your letter, concerning what I wrote to you about. You know my sentiments for you ; and that, notwithstanding your grum- bling, I highly esteem you. I pity the poor pensionary more, because his disorder gives him lowness of spirits as well as bodily pain. In short, it is necessary to take men as God has made them, and overlook their frailties as we hope God will overlook ours. " Sir Robert will inform you of our affairs, as well foreign as domestic. I leave it to a better hand. He is returned, as you well know, in good humour. He complains less than others, and does not give credit to all the ill reports which are spread of Anne. It appears to me that the gentlemen of Holland might pay their respects to her, although she is in the house of the prince of Orange; not as his wife, but as the king's daughter. It strikes me that this would take away all subject of dispute from the ladies. You know that things are changed in Holland since the time of the princess Mary. She saluted only married women, and single la- dies now demand it. Tile best way to avoid all disputes would be to salute none. The eng- lish ladies might wait upon her in private. The 358 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvur. french ambassador was, I believe, mistaken, when he spoke of a visit to his wife. I do not believe that Mrs. Walpole ever received one from the french princesses. As for saluting her, that is proper." " Kensington, Oct. 18, 1734. I have re- ceived three of your letters with pleasure, as I do every thing which comes from the best heart and the most honest man I know. I will send you by Anne my answer to that which I received yesterday. She is very sensible and prudent, and has in many things my approbation. " I now return to answer that of the 4th. I laughed heartily at the prohibition of not appearing at court, and no less at the history of Henry IV. ***** " I do not see the danger of my daughter's lying-in at the Hague; she will not be in any one's way ; and a lying-in cannot be dangerous to a government, nor give jealousy, especially if she and the prince of Orange conduct them- selves with propriety and discretion; and I believe I can answer for both. It is desired that she should lye-in in Holland; she is thus snatched from my care. I submit to it, how- ever, because it is reasonable ; but what reason can there be to remove her still further from me? to make her lye-in in a village, without succour, without assistance, not to reckon the alarms I 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 359 shall experience after her delivery*. ***** In regard to her conduct, I am convinced she will endeavour to gain the esteem of all ; and if her manners have any effect, she will render herself beloved. But enough of this business. " I believe we shall soon have an account of the king of Prussia's death ; he is in a most deplorable state. Sir Robert will have informed you that your advice has been followed, and that the man f who is sent appears to be a person of merit ; he has succeeded in other affairs, and I sincerely hope he will have the same good fortune in this, which is of the great- est consequence. " The bishop of NamurJ, from his discourse, appears to me light-headed : we will endeavour to send him away as soon as possible, will deliver this letter, and will acquaint the prince of Orange that my daughter departs on * Some of the leading men in Holland seem to have been alarmed lest the princess of Orange should lye-in in England, and remonstrated with Mr. Walpole on the subject. f She alludes to the secret negotiation just opened between cardinal Fleury and Mr. Walpole, and to the mission of Jannel to the Hague. See Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, Chap. 44. I For the character and intrigues of Strickland, bislwp of Namur, who was sent to England as au agent of the emperor, to overturn the Walpole admiiiistiation, see Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, ibid. See also the spirited letter which Mr. Walpole wrote to the queen on this subject. Correspondence, vol. 3, p. iyS. 360 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvnr. Monday. She goes by Harwich, which is the nearest passage. " Fritz* is now returned to his good beha- viour. We have written for the character of the pri'ncess of D. and I intreat you to make inquiries concerning the person, age, understand- ing, and disposition of the princess of Wirtem- berg. Serious thoughts are entertained of mar- Tying him. Make the same inquiries concerning the princess of Gotha. j" * " Here is, my good friend, a long letter; but that which Anne will bring- will be still longer. Do not fall asleep in reading it, since it comes from a good friend." Queen Caroline fully appreciated the abilities and integrity of Mr. Walpole ; and, convinced, from long experience, of his diplomatic talents, recommended him to the king as the fittest 'person to fill the orifice of secretary of state. The motives which induced Mr. Walpole to decline this station will best appear from his own narrative: " In 1736," he writes in his Apology, " when the king was preparing to go to Hanover, lord Harrington having fallen under * The prince of Wales. t Augusta, princess of Saxe Gotha, whom lie afterwards married. J The princess Anne, in several of her letters, also rallies Mr. Walpole for sleeping occasionally at the queen's Suuday evening parties. 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 361 their majesties' displeasure, the queen let Sir Robert Walpole know that his majesty was resolved to remove his lordship from being secre- tary of state, and pointed at Mr. Walpole's suc- ceeding him in his room. But Mr. Walpole, sensible of his own inabilities to discharge so great a trust, and of the envy it would create in seeing two brothers employed in the two prin- cipal stations of the government; and being desirous to prevent a division among the minis- ters, which is always in this country attended with disagreeable consequences, begged his bro- ther not to give any attention to so kind an insinuation from her majesty in his behalf. The queen at last was pleased to tell Mr. Wal- pole, that his majesty would not suffer lord Harrington to wait upon him again at Hanover; that if his lordship continued secretary of state, he (Mr. Walpole; must attend the king as minister of state to his electoral dominions. Mr. Walpole would gladly have been excused that great and honourable office, for the same reasons, apprehending that if any disagreeable events should happen during his majesty's resi- dence abroad, that the two brothers, and parti- cularly Sir Robert Walpole (right or wrong,) would be answerable for the ill consequences. However, he found it impossible to refuse such particular tokens of their majesties' kindness 362 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvnr. and good opinion of him; and having, under the auspices of the late queen's goodness, at- tended and obeyed his majesty's commands seven months at Hanover in dispatching the public business, he had the good fortune to conduct himself so as to meet- with his majesty's approbation, without the least frown or reproof during the whole time of his ministry. The king was pleased to express his satisfaction for his behaviour often to his ministers and other considerable persons at Hanover, as well as to her majesty and his servants upon his return to England." During his residence at Hanover in the capa- city of secretary of state, he maintained, in ad- dition to his official communications, a confi- dential correspondence with Sir Robert \Valpole, on the state of foreign affairs. The interesting o o letters which passed between the two brothers are inserted in the Correspondence annexed to the. Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole; and the history of foreign transactions during the same pedod is also detailed in that work, which ren- ders it unnecessary to repeat the account. In December Mr. Walpole quitted Hanover, and accompanied the king to Helvoetsluys, where they were detained by contrary winds. At length the king, impatient to depart, ordered Sir Charles Wager to put to sea, which the 1735-17.^7.] LORD WALPOLE. 36S admiral declining on account of an approaching storm, his majesty replied, " I have never seen a storm," and repeated his commands in so pe- remptory a manner that Sir Charles was obliged to obey. The king embarked on board the royal yacht, and sailed under convoy of several men of war. They had scarcely got out to sea be- fore a storm arose, which dispersed the ships ; several were driven on the coast of England ; the Louisa was wrecked, and it was supposed the yacht could not weather the storm. So great was the alarm, that the cabinet council met at the duke of Devonshire's, steward of the house- hold, and preparation was made to issue the pro- clamation for the accession of the prince of Wales. On Sunday morning, the queen being at St. James's chapel, a messenger brought a letter announcing the safe arrival of the king at Hel- voetsluys. Lord Lifford, who had just returned from walking in the garden, met the messenger, took the packet, went into the church, and de- livered it to the queen, saying, " Here is news from the king!" All present were filled with apprehension; the queen was alarmed, and her hand shook so much that she could not open the letter. The duke of Grafton accordingly broke the seal, and immediately declared that the king was safe. This good news was instantly circulated, the service, which had been suspend- ed, was continued, and satisfaction restored. 364- MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. We give two letters from the princess Ame- lia, to Mr. Walpole. The first will display the amiable familiarity with which he was treated by the princesses, the second the general alarm at the king's 'danger, and the joy at the news of his safety. " The hopes of the wind's changing hath re- gained me from answering your's sooner, and thanking you for your last. We are all here very uneasy and peevish at the obstinacy of the . south-west wind, and we would compound hear- tily at another time to keep it for years to- gether provided it would change now, and we had the pleasure of seeing you all here in good health. One talks of nothing else but weather, which you may imagine my good Horace, Per- mis*does not the least teize one with. He asks one more question, and now and then frights one with his hasty entrances of a Monday morn- ing. Est il perm is de demander s'il y a des nouvelles du Roy, that one dreads he should have had some intelligence of something bad. Sir Robert of a Monday gives us hopes the wind is good, and even goes so far that he can tell where the king will land, and seems pretty posi- tive; but after enquiries it is captain Jackson that assured him of it, and he is an able man at ;' * A cant name for the duke of Newcastle, from his usual form of address, " Est il permis, &c 2" 1135-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 365 his guess at sea. The'duke of Graftou says all this is nothing, provided he is safe, and stares at the weathercock. This is our daily bread, and I may safely say we have heard nothing else these four weeks. If this should last longer I shall not be able to talk of any thing but astro- nomy, which does not fit my genius at all. Then we play of evenings in mama's room. There one hears debates of strength and reason- ing ;* how far the new and full or quarters of the moon have influence over the chansrinsr of o o winds ; and mama is always of the side of what is likeliest to make you come over soon. Thank God, mama's spirits are always so good that she will hardly ever believe but what she likes> " This is the way we go on here. I hope your dish of coffee in the afternoon at madame Hat- torFs, goes down with some such instructive con- versation. Good bye, good Mr. Walpole." "December 28. You have been very good and obliging, my good Mr. Walpole, to take the trouble of writing to me, and I assure you my joy is too great to be exprest, that you are all safe at Helvoet. What mama underwent, ever since Friday last, can't be imagined ; for she ne- ver Was easy since she heard that the sloop of the english secretary's office was come here with so much difficulty, and that they had left you all at sea. But a Sunday morning, before nine, 366 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xntt. Sir Robert came to mama to give her the dread- ful a-ccouut of the three men of war being come, and lord Augustus's ship without masts or sails; then you may imagine what we all felt. We went to church as usual, and about two the messenger came in, and made not only mama and her children happy, but indeed every body. The consternation was great before, and they seemed all to dread to hear some bad news ; but now pray be careful, and don't get out till you are sure of seeing our sweet faces, and then we will all make you as welcome as we can ; for I cannot afford any more to be so frightened, for we are all still half dead. " I pitied poor Mrs. Walpole extremely; but J saw her yesterday, and we thanked God hear- tily together that you are all safe. Sir Robert hath been very childish, for he drunk more than he should upon the arrival of the messenger, and felt something of the gout that same night; but he is perfectly well again. I hunted with him yesterday at Richmond, and he was in excellent spirits. " I thank you, dear Horace, for letting me know so exactly liow my sister does ; I am very happy she is so well. Mama commands me to make you her compliments: Caroline desires her's to be given you also, and I remain your sincere friend upon land, but hate you at sea; 1735-1737.] LOUD WALPOLE 367 for you take my stomach and rest away, and I love both eating a"nd sleeping." He was honoured at the same time with a letter from queen Caroline : " St. James's, 1 1-23 Jan. 1736-7. I received, with great gratitude, the letter containing your kind wishes. The king, as I trust, will soon arrive. ****** " You may judge of our alarms : you may believe they were much greater than yours, who were exposed to the danger. I am under great uneasiness for Sir Charles Wager. " I am charmed with your memorial ; I have given it to your brother, who will communicate it to the duke of Newcastle. He wishes you to continue your work, that he may know your sentiments. You will believe me when I tell you of my impatience for your return; you will always find me the same." Mr. Walpole accompanied the king to Eng- land, and attended the whole difficult and stormy session, which commenced on the 1st of February 1737. The principal transactions which occupied and embarrassed the ministry, were the bills re- specting the tumults at Edinburgh, Sir John Barnard's scheme for reducing the interest of the national debt, the Play-house bill, and the application to parliament for augmenting the 368 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvni. revenue of the prince of Wales. Among the correspondence and papers of Mr. Walpole, which are not published in the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, I find no additional informa- tion on these interesting subjects, except on the scheme of Sir John Barnard. Two letters from Mr. Walpole to Mr. Trevor explain the nature and principle of the bill; they unfold the mys- terious conduct, and display the embarrassments of Sir Robert Walpole, during the progress of a measure, in regard to which the friends of the minister were divided, and even Mr. Walpole was found in the majority against his brother. " April 1, 1737. I send you inclosed, al- though I suppose you may have seen it before, Sir John Barnard's scheme. It was debated on Monday last, and the impracticability, compul- sion, and consequently the injustice of it, was fully exposed by various speeches ; and at last in an ample and ingenious manner by Sir Wil- liam Yonge, who concluded by what was can- did and voluntary, he had no objection to the offering to the proprietors of the redeemable debts carrying 4 per cent, the accepting of 3 per cent, per annum, irredeemable for fourteen years, by a voluntary subscription, and the com- ing to another resolution for authorising his majesty to take in subscriptions in the exchequer for annuities carrying 3 per cent. These two 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 369 propositions were, after some debate, in which my brother Walpole concurred, or rather acqui- esced, as what was more fair and jus* than Sir John Barnard's, which, in every part, was com- pulsive, (and indeed to put an end to the bank,) passed in a committee without a division. " The report being made of these resolutions on Monday morning, those that were against the redemption of the debts, or reducing them from 4 to 3 per cent, moved to have the con- sideration adjourned for a fortnight. After some debate the house divided, and it was car- ried in the negative by a great majority. It was a very extraordinary division with respect to persons : my brother Walpole and Sir William Yonge voted for the adjournment ; Mr. Pelham and I voted against it; and so it happened in many other instances among persons related to one another in the house, who never separated before ; and as none of the Treasury could be named for bringing in the bill, that is left to Sir John Barnard and friends, &c. Particular people that are affected, and especially those in the city, are much hurt, and complain loudly ; and I don't doubt they will make their friends uneasy abroad, the consequences of which will be, that those that are frightened so far as to sell their stocks will be bit at last; for in all likeli- hood their advisers will get into their places." VOL. I. B B 370 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xvm. " Cockpit, April 29, 1737- I am now to re- turn you my particular thanks for your favour of the 19th, relating to the proposal for continu- ing the redemption of the national debt, by of- fering to the creditors that have 4 per cent, an immediate term of 3 per cent, or opening books for taking in subscriptions for annuities at 3 per cent. These plain propositions, thus stated, shews there is no need to have recourse to any reasoning on the justice or right, on the part of the public, to take this step, if prudent, on ac- count of political considerations ; for it is no more than pursuing the same method used to bring the national interest from 6 to 5 per cent, and from 5 to 4 per cent, founded upon the clauses of redemption contained in the acts of parliament made when the money was borrowed, which clauses were inserted at the request of the lenders, who then thought it an advantage to be redeemable. And therefore, whatever the pamphlets may say, of which I have read some, the public, in this case, make no alterations in their contracts; but follow a right they have by their contracts with the proprietors of stocks." * ##*#** After fully justifying the principle of the bill, he adds ; " But to conclude, I do allow that the unpopularity of those that are concerned, who are legions, is so great, and consequently their LORD WALPOLE. stt resentment will be so violent, when they feel that policy and prudence (among the great va- riety of ill-humours that prevail with people of rank, to the prejudice of the government,) makes it well deserve consideration, whether these plain propositions of an offer of redemption, and a right for redemption, should be pushed, and pass into a bill, at present; especially since Sir Robert Walpole, who I take to be the best judge of us all, as to what is most feasible, and most politic for the sake of the whole, in pecuniary matters, continues to be still so much against it, and will make such an opposition to it as will leave no room to doubt of his sincerity in this affair." In a letter also to the princess of Orange, Mr. Walpole relates the general satisfaction in the city on the rejection of the bill, which fully displays the policy of Sir Robert Walpole, in counteracting the specious scheme of the re- demption. A general illumination took place in the city, and the mob were with difficulty prevented from pulling down or setting fire to Sir John Barnard's house ; a warning to those who, in the instance of the excise, inflamed the passions of the people,, and who would now have experienced, themselves, the dreadful ef- fects of popular indignation, had they not beea protected by the officers of government. 372 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. CHAPTER 19. 17351737. Embarrassments of Mr. Walpole from the Views of the Prince of Orange Arrangements relating to the Jointure of the Princess of Orange Correspondence with Sir Robert Walpole and the Princess on thqjk Subject Application of the Prince of Orange to ob- tain Promotion in the Dutch Army Extracts of Letters from the Princess to Mr. Walpole^ and from Mr. Walpole to the Queen Correspondence of Mr. Walpole on the Illness and Death of Queen Caro- line. IN addition to the 'difficulties of his public sta- tion at the Hague, Mr. Walpole experienced great embarrassments from the views of the prince of Orange, which were supported by the unceasing importunities of the princess. The first object of embarrassment was the settlement of the princess's jointure, the circumstances of which are best explained in his own words. Mr. Walpok to Sir Robert JValpole. " Dear Brother, Hague, Oct. 17-28, 1735. " I am much embarrassed by my commission relating to the princess royal's jointure; the case* is this : " By the marriage articles the princess royal is to have a real security in lands for her join- ture, and the remaining 40,000/. is not to be 1735-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 373 paid until that security be obtained. By the laws of this country it is necessary that the lands should be registered to become a real security, and in those cases the 40 me denier, or 40th penny, is paid to government. The prince of Orange pretends an exemption from the pay- ment of this 40th penny, as belonging of right to his family, which is disputed by the States: for this reason the registering is suspended. " It has been proposed, that application should be made to the States for permitting these lands to be registered, for a security ib her royal highness, without prejudice to either side. The best and most able lawyers say it cannot possibly be any prejudice to the prince of Orange's right; and lord Hardwicke has given the same opinion, and I am ordered to sound the principal regents, to know whether they will come into it. In the mean time his highness declares, that he will, by his friends, op- pose, in the States, the granting the permission for enregistering, sans prejudice; and if I proceed, there will break out an open opposition between the king and the prince. If I continue to stand still, I do not. pursue my orders ; and if I give the reason for stand ing still, which is, that the prince will oppose the enregisterment, I presume his majesty will be extremely angry with his high- ness for such an unreasonable and unjust pro- ceeding. 374- MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. " In the mean time, they ask thai the 40,000/. should be put out at interest, and the prince should receive the benefit of it; so that although he cannot have the money until the security for the jointure is given, he is to have the use of that money, or the interest of it, with- out giving that security ; which being once fixed in that manner, do you think he will ever con- sent to give the real security, that is, to enre- gister the lands? And therefore I submit it to you, without quoting me for it, to consider whether the interest of the 40,000/. should not attend the Contract relating to it, that is, to be received and reserved for the use of his highness, as soon as the real security is given for the jointure;, or else the princess royal, incase of any accident to the prince, will have nothing certain for her jointure of 10,000/. per ann. and for the repayment of her portion if there be no children, but this bare 40,000/.; the lands will go for the payment of personal debts, and the princess's pretensions will be considered as other personal creditors, and no otherwise. " The truth of the matter is, I am afraid, that his highness has contracted great debts upon his obligatory notes, and daily contracts more; and he will find money as long as his lands are free; but as soon as they are tied up for a real security, nobody will lend him any 1736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 375 more money, and his present creditors will press to be repaid. " But what am I to do in this case? I desire your advice. All that has passed is in the secre- tary's office ; the princess royal is infatuated with the prince, and they are both angry with me for not concurring in the most unjust pro- ceeding; while, in the mean time, for fear of disobliging them, or of making them disoblige the king, I forbear doing my duty. Take a serious minute to consider this atrair, which perplexes me much." Many letters passed on this subject, between the queen, the princess of Orange, and Mr. Wai- pole, before any final arrangement could be made; and the business was principally directed in consequence of his advice. He experienced, however, great anxiety, from the unbending temper of the prince, who was displeased with the expedient to secure the jointure of the prin- cess, in a manner which might prevent him from raising money on his landed property. This expedient was to obtain the consent of the States to register the contracts, by which the jointure was secured on certain estates, without prejudice to the right of an exemption from the payment of the fortieth penny, claim- ed by the house of Orange. The prince even accused Mr. Walpole of a breach of his promise 376 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. t ' * r in divulging this expedient, as appears from a letter of the princess : " Loo, 14th August. Having found, by the conversation that M. d'Aylva related to me, that you had heen surprised at the prince's seem- ing to reject the expedient you thought of, I would not omit putting you in mind of the pro- mise you made him, not to name it till he had consulted whether he could consent to it. I am entirely convinced that he cannot 'agree to it, without running the risk of the greatest incon- veniences; so that \vithout staying for his re- turn, I must desire you, good Mr. Walpole, to think of it no more. I must own, I should think it a terrible circumstance to have my future security be a pretence of hurting him in present, and think it much better rather to ven- ture not to be so easy as I could, in case he should die, than to find us both uneasy while together. I cannot imagine that papa or mama should be displeased if he cannot submit in this point, which certainly is only by necessity, and depend too much upon their justice to imagine that it should be possible. Mama writes me woYd that they are going this week to put out the money at interest; that I am very glad of, and believe for the rest there will be nothing to be clone but to trust to the prince, not seeing any other way to finish this troublesome allair. 1736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 377 I hear you have some thoughts of coming here, if your business will permit it; I shall always be glad to see my old friend Horace, provided he leaves the embassador at home, who I must continually quarrel with." Mr. Walpole was too much chagrined with the conduct of the prince of Orange to be con- ciliated by the compliments contained in this letter, and justified himself against the imputa- tion of having broken his promise, in a style of manly resentment, which does honour to his feelings. Mr. Walpok to the Princess of Orange 1 . " MADAM, Hague, August 30, 1755. " Although I can have no greater honour than that of hearing from your royal highness, I must own I was extremely concerned at the receipt of your letter by M. Brinckman, charg- ing me with having acted contrary to a promise I had made to the prince of Orange; a thing I never remember to have done towards the most ordinary persons, much less would I be guilty of such a crime with respect to his most serene highness, whose personal great qualities and merit (not to mention other very obvious rea- sons,) have engaged, my utmost attachment and veneration. I am sure there must have been some great mistake in imagining 1 ever promised him not to mention the expedient 918 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. about enregistering the acts ; and if his rnost serene highness had been regularly informed by his ministers of what had passed between them and me, it is impossible that I should have done it, or that any body could think that I had. I do not indeed remember that any thing like it passed between the prince and me; but the state of facts will make it plain that there must have been some misunderstanding in entertain- ing a notion of my having made any such pro- mise." He then enters into a minute detail of the whole transaction between him and the prince's commissaries, which is too long to be inserted, and concludes, " This being a plain and true deduction of this affair, in which I have taken no step without the knowledge of the prince's commissaries, who I ought to presume had con- stantly given his most serene highness an ac- count of what had passed between them and me, I appeal to your royal highness, from the nature of the thing, whether I could possibly promise not to mention the expedient proposed for securing your jointure, and for saving, at the same time, the just pretensions of his high- ness. " The prince's commissaries were acquainted with the expedient when lirst mentioned ; the prince's commissaries had a long conference in 1736-1137.] LORD WALPOLE. 379 my presence with the lawyer we had consulted about it : they desired to have, and had a copy of that lawyer's opinion, in which that expedi- ent was contained, by a letter from M. Dayrolle and me ; they returned an answer to it, and it was thereupon agreed, and understood, that this whole affair should be referred to their majesty's consideration and sentiments ; and the said commissaries often expressed great impatience at the delay in my receiving an answer from the king's ministers. " I say, I take the liberty to, appeal to your royal highness, whether these facts do not un- doubtedly prove that there must be some mis- take in thinking that I had promised not to mention the expedient, and that I do not de- serve to be charged with having broken my promise to the prince." He accompanied this justification with a more private and conciliatory letter, in which he says, " The vindication of my own honour, by un- doubted facts, insensibly drew my letter into a greater length than I intended. After all is said, I am at a great loss to know what to do in your royal highness's affair. The prince is, I do not doubt, impatient and solicitous to have the 40,000/. put to interest. If I press that af- fair, I am apprehensive that I shall be asked from England what proposals I had made, ac- 380 - MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XTJC. cording to orders, in forwarding the expedient. I have the materials for a memorial ready ; but since your royal highnesses letter I have taken no step in it. I wish you would direct me what I am to do, and what I am to say, when I shall be called upon by the secretary of State to know what I have done. If his most serene highness will please to direct some of his minis- ters to draw out the reasons he has against this expedient, for enabling him to execute the mar- riage articles, I shall readily lay them before their majesties in the best manner I can. Pray, madam, what can I do more? I would willingly do every thing in my power to shew that I am," &c. This tedious affair, after much consultation and delay, was at length finally arranged, by vesting the money in the english funds; and the princess of Orange does justice to the good offices of Mr. Walpole. " Lewarde, Feb. 7, 1736. Finally, Horace, you have honoured me with .a letter, and it was high time, for I began to think great people, and quantity of business, had quite made me be forgot ; but I should be in the wrong to find fault, after the pretty conduct you have had ; and seriously I return you thanks, with all my heart, for having taken care to have the proper me- thod settled for putting out the 40,000 pounds 1736-1737,] LORD WALPOLE. 381 at interest, which, I believe, without you, would never have been done, since it has been aboul these six months, and which I hope will imme- diately be put in execution." " Groningen, 12th May. Though you have been indeed the most lazy correspondent that ever I knew, my good Horace, since you have been in England, I hope you will mend, now you are at the Hague ; and therefore I would not defer thanking you, for the consideration you sent, about the placing the 40,000 pounds, which the prince and I have submitted to, and have sent to England the proper memorial as you had directed." The next object of embarrassment to Mr. Walpole, arose from the extreme eagerness of the prince of Orange to obtain promotion in the army of the republic, which his sanguine disposition led him to consider as a step towards the rank of generalissimo, and the revival of the stadtholdership ; for which reason his attempts were opposed by the republican party. The princess entered eagerly into his views, and supported his application to the king, by her importunities to the queen, and to Mr Walpole. A few extracts from her -letters will shew the unabating perseverance with which she urged the request. 382 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XIX. The Princess of Orange to Mr. JValpok. u Dieren, July 4. I was very glad to see, by your letter, my good Mr. Walpole, that you was got safe at your journey's end, and that you had had so happy and quick a passage. I rejoice that you left papa, and the whole family, in good health, and thank you for letting me know what I always have so much at heart. The prince bids me make you his compliments, and will be obliged to you if you will make use of your good offices, in what regards his interest, during your stay at the Hague, especially touch- ing his promotion, which lately has given occa- sion to so much discourse. He is either willing to write you all the particulars that have passed about this affair lately, or, if you like it better, to send you some person that may set you en- tirely aufait about it; and I believe every im- partial body will tell you the violent repub- licans have found little applause, as to their last resolution, even in their own provinces." " Breda, Nov. 14. Finding by your last let- ter, my good Mr. Walpole, that you are ready to pass your good offices in papa's name, for the prince, in the affair of the promotion, I must desire you to take the time, now the States of Holland are assembled, to speak to those mem- bers of credit you think proper, and to tell them, that though papa desires nothing for the prince that could give them any uneasiness, he cannot 1736-1737-] LORD WALPOLE. 3S3 see, with indifference, that some among them would exclude him entirely out of the army, in which all his ancestors have always been em- ployed. And, without my putting any words in your mouth, I am sure your eloquence will find matter enough to exert itself. If you please to speak warmly to them, count de Rand- wyck, intending to be at the Hague in a few days, will deliver you a letter from the prince, and speak to you more at large upon this sub- ject ; but I write this, in order that no time might be lost, if you pleased to prepare matters." The answer of Mr. Walpole, and two of his letters to the queen, will exhibit the difficulties under which he laboured, and the frankness with which he delivered his opinion. " MADAM, Hague, Nov. 9. 1737. # * * j suppose your royal highness will have seen what I have wrote to the prince of Orange, in answer to his most obliging let- ter, inclosing to me a copy of the clear and in- structive deduction,which his highness sent some time since to the queen, of all that has passed for his being promoted to the generalship. " If the voice of reason and justice could prevail, I think there could be no difficulty in the affair. But I find (I am sorry to say it) that unaccountable prejudices and animosities seem to have a greater influence than ever here 384 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. to his highnesses disadvantage ; too great, I am afraid, to be removed by any thing that I ean say with any authority whatsoever at this time ; and I must not conceal from your royal high- ness, that there are those whose zeal and affec- tion for the prince, and his interest in every respect cannot be questioned, that think his majesty's name will rather increase than dimin- ish the spirit of opposition to his high ness's just pretensions in the present disposition of the States relating to the promotions in the army. " I can sincerely assure your royal highness, that this disagreeable observation does not pro- ceed from any backwardness, on my part, to serve the prince. I have nothing to manage here. There is nothing at present depending relating to his majesty's particular service, or my own credit, that should check my zeal and inclination to promote the prince's interest to the utmost of my power. Nay, there is nothing wherein my credit, as his majesty's embassador, can be better employed, if there be the least prospect of its being successful, than in being exerted for the advancement of his most serene highness, according to his dignity, and to the justice he desires in the army. Nothing, ma- dam, could do me more honour, nor indeed pleasure, than to be the useful instrument of so good and meritorious an office. 1736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 335 " The queen's, your royal highness's, and the prince of Orange's commands, not to say any thing of my own attachment and zeal to pro- mote any thing that concerns his highness's ho- nour or interest, cannot suffer me to be cold or indifferent in a matter of this nature; and I shall, in consequence of these powerful motives, (having hinted my apprehensions, founded upon the better judgment of others,) take proper op- portunities to speak to the persons recommend- ed to me by the prince, in the manner that shall seem the most probable to forward and obtain what his most serene highness desires, and cer- tainly deserves." Mr. Walpok to Queen Caroline. " MAD AST, Hague, Nov. 5, 1737. " Since I had the honour to write to your majesty, by last post, Mr. Duncan has delivered to me a letter from the prince of Orange, in- closing a copy of what his highness wrote to your majesty, relating to his promotion in the army; desiring me, at the same time, to speak in his behalf, to be general of the infantry, to the pensionary, Mr. Opdam, and others, and not to hearken, at first, to any expedient that may be proposed for his accepting a commission of a lower degree. " The prince's reasons for what he desires, founded upon the dignity of his own situation as governor of three provinces, and upon antient VOL. i. c c 386 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. practice and examples in his own family, are put indeed in the clearest and an unanswerahle manner. But the misfortune is, that he has to do with an unreasonable, and at the same time a most powerful opposition; and they, who have a right to vote, will be themselves judges of the reasons for which they give their vote. And these reasons are often such as have no relation to the thing in question; but are found- ed upon personal preventions, jealousies, and particular views, either of a public or private nature, which they will not openly own, but from which they will not be brought to depart. And I am afraid, madam, this is a good deal the state of the present case. " The opposition to his highness's promotion, proceeding from some such motives, is stronger than ever ; and, indeed, some of his enemies arc so violent, that no reasons or considerations will ever move them. Notwithstanding that, there might be some hopes of serving the prince at a proper juncture ; but (I am sorry to say it) the number of his friends, not only in this province, where the most powerful towns will always be against him, but also in the other provinces, even where he is governor, is extremely diminished; several of them having taken the other side; and others, who wish him and his cause well, are grown very cool and indifferent, from rea- sons mentioned in my last to your majesty. .1-736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 387 " However, in obedience to your majesty's and the prince's commands, (not to say any thing of my particular respect and attachment to the princess royal and his highness,) my best offices shall not be wanting to serve him as he desires. I have thought fit, for that end, to consult the good old greffier Fagel, and to let him know how well pleased the king and your majesty would be at the prince of Orange's being promoted according to his dignity. Mr. Fagel immediately, with great concern, made the same melancholy observation, that the credit and in- terest of his highness was very low among the States ; and the few friends he had left appeared silent and indifferent about him. I then told him, that, perhaps, if I should exert myself in his behalf, as what would be agreeable to the king and your majesty, for*his being promoted to the generalship of the foot, it might recover and encourage his friends, and damp the spirits of his enemies. The greffier replied, that he would not pretend to-put his opinion in compe- tition with their majesties, or to divert them from what they might think would be of service to theprince; and then he would have changed the discourse. But I having pressed him, as a friend, for his private sentiments, heat last told me, as such, that he really thought my interven- tion and good offices amongst the regents, in c c 2 338 MEMOIRS OF [CHAI-. xi*. behalf of the prince, might alarm his enemies, and animate them to take some step to his dis- advantage, at a time when there is a general discontent against his highness, for having opposed the late proposition for a promotion of the officers in the army, and making it abso- Kitely depend upon Jiis becoming general of the foot, in which the province of Gueldre, where he is stadtholder, has given a different opinion. Therefore the greffier seemed to be of opinion, that it would be better to let this matter sleep at present, and expect a more favourable oppor- tunity for pushing the prince's pretensions. " However, I will take some proper occasion to talk to the pensionary, and to sound Mr. Opdam on this matter, in a manner that shall at least, I hope, do his highness no harm. But then I am afraid, if I do not talk in his majes- ty's name, and in a certain tone, the prince will be made to believe that he is not supported as he ought to be, by the king's embassador; and yet I am confident, as things stand at present here, that even a proposition for making the prince lieutenant-general only, would not pass ; and therefore there is no fear of its being offered, I believe, by way of composition." Mr. Walpok to the Queen. " MADAM, Hague, Nov. 12, 1737- " Since I did myself the honour to write to 1736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 389 your majesty last, I have received a letter from the princess royal, of which I take the liberty to send you a copy inclosed. Upon the receipt of it, I immediately consulted my old friend, the greffier Fagel, whose good sense, prudence, and knowledge of the disposition of the States, as well as his affection and zeal for the prince of Orange's service, are unquestionable; and he told me, in a free but confidential manner, that if I should espouse the prince of Orange's pre- tensions to the generalat, in the name of the king, and with the warmth proposed by her royal highness, at this time, when the prince's opposition to the promotion of officers as far as lieutenant generals, had put the spirits here into so great a fermentation, I should do the prince no service ; but, perhaps, on the contrary, animate his enemies to cabal, in order to procure a reso- lution to exclude him for ever from a command fit for him in the army. This way of reasoning has been confirmed to me by others, who are naturally disposed to favour the prince's preten- sions, but have been of late dissatisfied with the counsels and conduct he has for some time pursued,. " The case, about the promotions in the army, stands at present thus ; A proposition was made by the deputies of Overyssel, to the States 390 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. General, for making a general promotion in the army, with a clause, that no promotion of gene- rals should be made for the future, otherwise than according to their rank, without an unani- mity of the States. This clause was certainly inserted by the enemies of the prince, with a view of excluding him for ever out of the army. And, indeed, it is so exceptionable and odious, that there was no doubt but it would be re- jected by the majority of the provinces, at the same time desirous that a promotion should be made of the officers of the army. But the prince having not only opposed that clause, but the whole promotion ; (insisting that the rest of the officers should not be advanced, unless he was made general of the foot), upon a presump- tion, I suppose, that the four provinces, which had declared two years ago in favour of his ad- vancement, would have been of the same opinion, found himself extremely mistaken; for whether his credit and interest ( is much lessened since that time, or the concern which affected the mauv friends and relations of such a number / of officers, stopt in their preferment on account of his highness, was more prevalent, 'tis certain his opposition on this occasion caused a general discontent in all the provinces, even in those that were before most attached to his service, 1736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 391 not excepting Friesland, although they. were so complaisant there as to take a resolution agree- . able to the sentiments and desire of his high- ness. " The prince, no doubt, flattered himself with the expectations that Guelderland, Overyssel, Utrecht, and Groningen, would have taken re- solutions agreeable to that of Frise. But as to Guelderland, where the prince's interest and credit was some years since very great, your majesty will see, by the inclosed copy of the letter they wrote to the province of Frise, in answer to one they received from those States on this subject, that however desirous they may be to have his highness advanced to the gene- ralship, they would not make it a condition of the promotion of the other officers in the army. As to Overyssel, their States have not met yet on this matter; but as the proposition, so pre- judicial to his highness, was made by their depu- ties to the States General, 'tis thought that the same deputies will think themselves sufficiently authorised to conclude in favour of the same promotion. Utrecht has referred themselves to a former resolution, which was indeed rather favourable to the prince than otherwise. But as the town of Utrecht is most prevalent in that province, and by no means in the interest of the prince, I am told that the province of Holland 392 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xix, can make that town do as they please ; and as to Groningen, that province is so equally divU ded that they can come to no resolution; and, consequently, their vote can go for nothing. " This being the situation of matters, your majesty sees that the prince stands alone, with one province only avowedly declaring for him J and, as I have hinted hefore, most of his own friends in that province would have heen glad that his highness would not have insisted upon their coming to the resolution they have taken, much against their real opinions, purely to oblige him ; foreseeing, that it would create a great deal of ill-will towards the prince. It is indeed true, that as long as the province of Frise only stands out, the States cannot come to a resolution, agreeable to the first proposition, be- cause an unanimity is requisite for that purpose: but, as the greffier has observed to me, should I, in the king's name, insist warmly upon the prince's promotion, (though never so just and reasonable in itself,) the enemies of the prince finding so general a coolness and even a dissatis- faction towards the prince, from his behaviour on this occasion, by the advice, 'tis thought, of no one person but Mr. Duncan, may endeavour to carry some very disagreeable and shocking point in opposition ;tq my offices in behalf of his highness. 1736-1731.] LORD WALPOLE. 393 " However, in obedience to your majesty's commands, and the earnest solicitations of her royal highness and the prince of Orange, I will endeavour to serve him ' in all that is in -my power; although I foresee, that my fate will he, that I shall not be able, at this time, and in this affair, to do him any service. And yet her royal and his most serene highness will conclude, that it was my want of zeal, and not the nature of the thing, and other circumstances that I don't care to name, that keep the prince from his being advanced according to his dignity and merit." Soon after the date of this letter, queen Caro- line being seized with a mortal complaint, Mr. Walpole was commissioned to impart the me* lancholy tidings to the princess of Orange, and was instructed to prevent her, in the first mo- ment of her surprise and distraction, from taking a voyage to England: " I write this," says Sir Robert Walpole, " on purpose to desire that you will use all your reasoning, skill and influ- ence to prevent any such attempt. It is said you must assume authority, although you have none. You will inform her of the whole truth, as you shall, in discretion, think it will have a good or bad effect for the present purpose. J am told she is now at Gumberg, where you jaust go as soon as you receive this. A mes- 394 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xrx, senger is sent with this, that you may see this before the post arrives *." Mr. Walpole executed this commission ; and, in two letters to Mr. Trevor, describes his visit to the princess. " DEAR SIR, " Breda, Dec. 1, 1737. " My wife will give you an account of my motions hither, since I left you yesterday in the evening. I am extremely obliged to you for the extracts of your letters, relating to the great important crisis which keeps all the world in suspense between hopes and fears. God grant the decision may be answerable to our ar- dent desires ! " The princess royal having received, by the last mail, a full account of the illness and cause of it, with some comfortable news at the con- clusion, and there being no fever, and the pulse being good, agreeably to what I had read to her out of my brother Walpole's letter to me by Bill, she is grown tolerably easy, especially since the extracts of your letters correspond with what she has heard from others. I have not yet perceived any token of her having had the least design of going to England ; and I have not, as you will easily imagine, mentioned any thing of that nature to her royal highness; but * Memoirs of Sir Rolcrt Walpole, Correspondence, vol. 3, p. 502; 1136-1137.] LORD WALPOLE. 395 I must be secure about that point before I leave this place, for which I have not yet fixed any time; but shall expect the arrival of Friday's letter first. * * * * " Breda, Dec. 3, 1737, at night " DEAR SIR, " Bill, the messenger, brought me your favour of nine o'clock last night, with your postscript dated at midnight, about five this afternoon, while I was at dinner with the prince of Orange. I left the table to read my letters with fear and trembling, and I must own I cannot recover from the alarm they have given me. Having agreed with the prince to apprise him first, that he might break it to the princess in case the news was very bad; I had scarce perused my letters before her royal highness's constant at- tention, and as it were prophetic concern, sent to know whether my courier was not come; and the prince was obliged immediately to go to her to intimate that things were desperate ; I followed, after some interval, and read to her the ostensible extract of your brother's letter, and one more comfortable from Mr. Grill, as well as Mrs. Colled ge's to Mrs. Walpole. Mrs. Hines's was in a great measure agreeable to your brother's melancholy account; but I took care, in reading it, to omit some melancholy expressions, and even lines, particularly what 596 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. relates to the prayers in the church, and the archbishop's daily attendance on the queen. However, we wanted cold water, and also cor- dials, to support her spirits ; and after I left her, she has fallen into a flood of tears and loud lamentations, crying out, She must and would go into England to receive the benediction of the queen. The prince of Orange, whom I had apprised of the orders I had received to prevent her by all means from taking the journey, used all his eloquence and influence to divert her from such a thought ; and I believe, at this present writing, she will content herself with sending M. Gravestein thither, so as to go by the mail, or, in case that be gone before his ar- rival, I am to give an order for another boat, which I shall not refuse to do, because it is gaining so much time; and I think she will be in a manner tied down to stay here until she hears from M. Gravestein, and by that time the great and doubtful crisis will be over, I am afraid, in a manner that will occasion more gene- ral affliction in Great Britain, and in Europe than ever happened in any age. But I can no more. However, I am well in body, and so you may assure my wife and Molly; in all conditions ever yours most affectionately." The queen died on the 20th of November, O. S. and, soon after the news of this melan- 1736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 397 choly event, Mr. Walpole returned to England, and records in a letter to Mr. Trevor, of Decem- ber 23, 1737, an instance of the king's extreme sensibility, and affliction for her irreparable loss.* ****** " The k?ng was so kind as to enquire often after my arrival, in a manner as if he was wil- ling to see me, (for as yet he has seen none, but the ministers of State and his own children); when I was at the closet-door, he told my bro- ther he could not do it. But I having seen the two older princesses, and waited upon them, at their desire, before eleven o'clock; while I was with the princess Caroline, word was brought that his majesty was coming to their apartment, (as he usually does as soon as he is drest,) which made me retire. 1 was immediately called back and left alone with his majesty, whose inexpres- sible grief burst out into .1 torrent of tears, as . ^j ' put me, at the same time, into such a situation as to want comfort as much as his majesty, and I had almost like to have retired ; but he ;nade me walk with him, and talked to me all the while amidst the strongest commendations of the poor queen ; giving me an account of his * The character of queen Caroline, and the circumstances of her death, axe related in the Memoirs of Sir Robert Wal- pole, cli. 48. 393 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. way of living with her, the great use she was to him in all conditions of life, of her behaviour during the time of her illness, and particularly of the character which she gave of my brother Walpole, which his majesty was pleased to en- large upon in the most confidential manner; concluding, that the queen did him so much justice as to recommend him, (the king,) his children, and the kingdom, to the. care of Sir Kobert Walpole, which, though an encomium too great for any subject with respect to his sovereign, his majesty was pleased to dwell upon for some time with great satisfaction; adding, that although his value and esteem for Sir Robert Walpole was certainly greater on ac- count of the queen's judicious apostrophe of him, yet he knew that he, himself, had made him his chosen minister, as superior and prefer- able to all his subjects. " All this, indeed, is too much to be repeated by me, so nearly related as I am ; and indeed nothing but my particular friendship for you would have drawn it from me. I cannot, how- ever, conclude this, without letting you know that notwithstanding the malicious insinuations that have been scattered about the immense riches left by the queen, her receiver's accounts, now all the bills are brought in, make her in 1736-1737.] LORD WALPOLE. 399 debt 5,700/. ; and, by what I hear from un- doubted hands concerning her effects, after the balance is paid, she may have died worth about 20,000/. all which she has given to the king by will. " Dec. 19, 1737. The States letter on the queen's death was very cordial, and so moving that the lecture of it flung his majesty into a flood of tears. He has not yet seen c ompany it was thought he would have taken a resolu- tion to do it after the interment, which was mournful, decent, and orderly; but the king is still undetermined about it, and cannot bear to have it mentioned to him." We find among the Walpole papers, the fol- lowing memorandum on the death of his great patroness, which shews her extraordinary re- signation and fortitude. O Mem dum - By Horatio, Jirst Lord Walpole. " The last letter I received from the late queen, was dated from St. James's, the 8-19 of November, 1737, in which there were .these following remarkable expressions. " Je vous- ecris de ma charmante biblioteque dans le pare. " Je suis comme (1'Opera dit) dans une paix profonde ; je ne me soucie pas du reste de monde, vous excepte." 400 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xix. " These lines I did not comprehend until I learnt by your next post,- that her majesty was extremely ill. She declared the nature of her illness two days after writing this letter, and died Nov. 20, Dec. 1, 1737." 1738-1739.] LORD WALPOLE. 40i CHAPTER 20. 17381739. Mr. Walpole supports the Spanish Convention in Par- liament Returns to the Hague Disgusted with his Situation Quits his Embassy Honourable Testi- mony of the States to his good Conduct. DURING 1738, Mr. Walpole continued to re- side principally at the Hague, and was employed in conducting the negotiations which succeeded the signature of the pacification between the emperor and France. In consequence of tbe disputes with Spain, and the conclusion of the convention, he attended his duty in parliament, in the stormy session of 1/39, and supported the pacific arrangements of his brother. He drew up several interesting memorials on this subject, still extant among his papers, and moved the address for the approbation of the convention, which he defended in an able speech *. At the close of the session he returned to the Hague, for the last time. He had now been six years embassador, and though highly respected by the leading men of the republic, yet he was extremely disgusted with his situation, and had long expressed his desire to return, and his * See Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, chap. 52. VOL. I. D D 402 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xx, resolution never again to accept any foreign employment. His disgust was heightened by the narrow policy of George the Second, who at this great crisis suffered his antipathy to the king of Prussia, and his electoral views, to pre- ponderate against the interests of Great Britain and of Europe. The principality of East Friesland, which is contiguous to the province of Groningen, was at this period governed by Charles Everard, last sovereign of his line. Being without issue, the succession was liable to be contested by the king of Prussia and George the Second; by the king of Prussia, in virtue of an expectative made by the emperor Leopold in 1694, to the house of Brandenburgh ; by George the Second, in virtue of a family compact between prince Christian Everard and the family of Brunswick, in 1691. The States General were exceedingly alarmed lest it should fall either to the king of Prussia, or to the king as elector of Hanover; and the eventual succession became an object of the most serious . negotiation. The simple question was, whether East Friesland should be considered as a male or a feminine fief? If a male fief, it lapsed to the house of Branden- burgh, by the grant of the emperor Leopold ; if a feminine fief, it might be conferred by the emperor on some prince of the female line ; at 1738-1T39.] LORD WALPOLE. 403 all events the house of Brunswick seemed to have no just and rightful claim. In the commencement of 1739, the greffier Fagel, and Vanderheim, who had succeeded Slingelandt * in the office of pensionary, pro- posed to Mr. Walpole, that the king of England, in conjunction with the States, should endea- vour to procure the entail of the principality on some prince of the female branch, with the con- sent of the reigning sovereign, and the appro- bation of the emperor, to be guarantied by the king and the states. Mr. Walpole laid the propo- sal before the king, at the recommendation of the dutch ministers. But George the Second, anxious to secure the principality for himself, rejected the scheme; and as he could not brook theinter- * M. Slingelandt died in 1 736, during the absence of Mr. Walpole ; an event which, from their long and tried friend- ship, afflicted him extremely. He received the account from his friend and secretary, Mr. Trevor, who observes, " How- ever indisposed I may be for writing, through the surprise and affliction I am at presenj under, I am sensible I should be wholly inexcusable before your excellency, not only as the king's embassador to the States General, but even as a per- sonal friend of M. Slingelandt, the grand pensionary of Hol- land, did I not acquaint you, with the utmost expedition, with so important an event, both with respect to the affairs of your excellency's station, and to those of the public in general, as the loss of that able and worthy minister, which happened this morning about five o'clock, so suddenly, that the servant who always attended him at nights, had but just warning enough to call his lady to be a witness of it." Hague, Dec. 1, 1736. D D 2 404 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xx. fcrence of his english ministers in electoral con- cerns, expressed great resentment against Mr. Walpole. By this ill-judged policy the king displeased both the king of Prussia and the States, at a time when England was actually engaged in a war with Spain, and threatened with hostilities by France. He did not, how- ever, attain his object ; for Frederic the Second occupied East Friesland on the death of the prince, and retained t&n opposition to the re- monstrances both of the king- of England and the States. The conduct of the king towards Mr. Trevor, his secretary, added to the dissatisfaction of Mr. Walpole. Since the commencement of his embassy at the Hague, Mr. Robert Trevor*, half-brother of * Mr. Robert Trevor, afterwards lord Hampden, was third son of Thomas lord Trevor, by his second wife Anne, daughter of Robert Wilding, esq. and widow of Sir Robert Barnard, barL of Huntingdonshire. He was born in 1~ () 1> and edu- cated in a private school at Bishops Strattfyrd, where he made a considerable proficiency in classical literature, and was re- moved in the nineteenth year of his age, to Queen's College, in the university of Oxford. Being afterwards a candidate for a fellowship of All Souls, the votes were equally divided be- tween him and another student, and both parties underwent a strict examination by the archbishop of Canterbury's chap- lain, who decided in favour of Mr. Trevor. He was early initiated in diplomatic business, being introduced into the secretary of State's office in 1729* and in 1734 appointed se< 1738-1739.] LORD WALPOLE. 405 lord Trevor, had served him in the capacity of private secretary; he was likewise secretary to the embassy, and, during his absence, had acted as charge d'affaires, with great discretion and ability. Mr. Walpole destined him as his suc- cessor in the quality of envoy and plenipoten- tiary, and obtained the promise from his brother and lord Harrington, to whose department the embassy belonged. But the king had conceived a prejudice against Mr. Trevor, and after throw- ing many difficulties in th$ way of the appoint- ment, instead of conferring the titles of envoy and plenipotentiary, would only nominate him envoy. Mr. Trevor, offended with this slight, refused to accept the post on that condition. During this struggle, Sir Robert Walpole and the chancellor condemned Mr. Walpole's ex- treme eagerness to return, and represented the urgent necessity of his continuance in Holland at this critical juncture; but no solicitations could induce him to remain. In reply to their instances, he expressed his uneasiness at the disappointment of his friend Mr. Trevor; " not only," he says, " on account of my affection for him, who has many good and rare qualities, but for the sake of the public." He adverted, . cretaty to the embassy at the Hague, where he gained the esteem and full confidence of Mr. >Valpole, \\ho promoted him with all his influence. 40(5 MEMOIRS OF ' [CHAP, with concern, to the conduct of the king, in regard to continental politics, and complained that " low, partial electoral notions, are able to stop or confound the hest conducted project fot the public." " We have," he adds, " jealousiet of one power, aversions to another prince, con- tempt for this or that state ; we have preten- sions or desires of our own, that must either be made ingredients in any scheme for the public good, of that scheme must not go on. * * * " In the mean time those that serve abroad have no comfort ; they are liked and disliked, not -according to their fidelity and diligence, but by humour and fancy ; and were I not your brother, you would soon hear, nay perhaps you do hear, of me, with my friend Trevor, in the list of those who are of no consequence but to receive their pay, which is grudged them. And therefore I must freely own to you, that dangers and difficulties from abroad do not discoufage me ; but the not seeing the least likelihood of right measures being pursued at home, to obvi- ate or withstand them, although such measures might be found out, that is what disheartens me. ****** " While I am employed, I will serve xvith the utmost diligence ; but I see nothing but dis- grace and disappointments, and, as the world ever judges by events, and not by conduct, I 1753-1739.] LORD WALPOLE. 407 am sensible of what I am to apprehend from my continuance here. However, I should be glad to know how long this servitude is to endure, that I may take my measures accordingly*?" Several of the other letters which passed be- tween Mr. Walpole and his brother, as well as .those of Mr. Trevor to Mr. Walpole, are pub- lished in the Correspondence annexed to the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole f. But some letters to Mr. Trevor, preserved in the Hampden Papers, which were not given in that publica- tion, will still further display his esteem for Mr. Trevor, and the exertions which he employed in his favour. " DEAR TREVOR, Hague, Sept. 1, 1739- " Your letter of the 14th J, and one I received from my brother at the same time, on your ac- count, gave me the greatest affliction, for seve- ral reasons, that are too many, and which would only serve to increase the melancholy scene be- tween us, to expatiate upon. I must only desire you to be persuaded, 'that I have used my ut- most instances and credit with my brother, and that he has exerted, in the best and strongest Correspondence to the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole, vol. 3. p. 535, 538. t Vol. 3. I See this and the following letters here alluded to in the Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpok, vol. 3, p. 632, 539. 408 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xx manner he could, his with the king, to obtain what you desire, and what you so much deserve. And, lest any impression, which is too usual in cases of disappointment, should catch hold of you, to make you imagine (though you will for- bear saying it) the contrary, I send you inclos- ed the letter I received from my brother on this occasion, but in the greatest confidence, desiring you will return it to me with that which accompanies it from the lord Chancellor to Sir Robert Walpole on my subject, that you may see the whole state of this affair, and make your proper and most prudent reflections with respect to your own interest, and take your measures accordingly." ii<" Hague, Sept. 4, 1739. I have been this day favoured with yours of the 20th and 21st*, and you will see by what I wrote to you al- ready, that there is nothing I believe that can be imagined to shew that you deserve, and his majesty's service requires, your coming hither, upon the foot you desire, that I have not repre- sented to my brother; and I am fully persuaded that my brother has represented, with all his skill and credit, the same things to the king ; and therefore I cannot agree with you, (pray don't suspect my friendship, for indeed I don't - * See Memoirs, vol. 3, p. 5*0, 541. J 738-1139.] LORD WALPOLE. 409 deserve such a suspicion,) that you should per- severe in your hopes that our royal master may, upon reflection and proper representations of the na- ture of things, and of his service at the Hague, be inclined to, $c. The conclusion of which is in your mind, that Sir Robert Walpole has not con- vinced you of his having done his best for your service ; which reflection, believe me, between you and me, and I can assure you it goes no farther, my brother does not deserve. " Pray now, dear Trevor, what does lord Harrington say to you on this subject? Does he, who has often seen his majesty, and knows his temper, imagine there is the least probability or possibility of my brother's being able to com- pass this point? I protest I don't know the par- ticular things which the king says, when he gives his refusal ; but perhaps if we did know, it would * * * * f you and me more than the refusal itself. But, in short, that nothing may be concealed from you, I send you, and to you alone, the letter I have received on this disa- greeable subject, this day, from my brother. That part which relates to myself, would have made any one, that is not so intimate as I am with you, have forborne making such a commu- nication; but as I can assure you that I shall be governed by no concern for myself, because I t Illegible, probably convince. 410 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xt. don't care how soon I retire, not only from hence, but from all business, so you will see that my brother's sincere thoughts are, that my pressing to come home, and his pressing the king to send you in' my place, on the foot we all desire, will have no other effect than to provoke his majesty to call for the nomination of another minister for the Hague ; and although our friends may be so partial to us, yet his majesty, I am afraid, will not, as to think that we are the only per- sons that can serve him at this place. The 'ap- prehension of a contingency, against which you apprehend your philosophy would be a proof, strikes and affects me very much, though it did not occur until you mentioned it; especially considering that a person, who is, I am afraid, more in his majesty's favour (for princes take fan- cies and humours for persons) than either you or I, will soon return from his employment, where he had 8/. a day. But I have troubled you and myself too long upon a most disagreeable sub- ject. Let not, dear Trevor, your personal de- sires and disappointment alter your personal friendship and regard for those that have it not in their power to prevent this disappoint- ment." " Hague, Sept, 11, 1739. I hav-Q received your favour of the 28th*, returning me the pa- * Memoirs, &c. vol. 3, p. 54$. 1738-1755.] LORD WALPOLE. 411 pers I Sent you, and I am glad to find 3-011 are fully convinced of my brother's cordiality and Seriousness in endeavouring to procure for you what you desire, and so well deserve. I must own freely to you, that my suspicion 6f your not being perfectly easy in that respect, made me not venture, for fear of incurring something of the Same nature, to write to you directlj' myself, my opinion as to what you should determine to do, upon the supposition that his majesty was abso- lutely determined not to allow you any more than 51 per diem, and that the 3l. was abso- lutely desperate. For I know how unwilling every body is to believe any thing impracticable which they have at heart, and is reasonable too ; and I don't doubt but when you state your case to all your friends and relations, they will en* tirely approve the reasonableness of your demand, and that you should not accept the post there at less than 8/. per diem. But have you stated to them the impossibility of obtaining from his majesty any more at present than 5/. and the consequence of another being named in your room, and your being put out of your rank of business and preferment, and of his majesty be- ing disobliged, and that your future hopes and expectations must depend upon some contin- gency at home, in consequence of your merit and the interest of your friends and relations? 412 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. x*. all which are certainly very great, and J think you ran yield to nobody in these respects. " But don't be uneasy at what I am going to say. There are a great many others who have, or pretend to have merit, have great friends and relations, have served a considerable while in parliament, have solicited for vacancies, have been disappointed, have hopes, and promises upon new vacancies, of such places as you would de- sire and accept, which are not near so numerous as there are competitors. Joined with these considerations, the humour and predilection of our master, when various pretenders are named for a place ; I say, dear Trevor, I am afraid these things have not been stated by you to your friends and relations ; nay, perhaps they have not occurred to you, and indeed they can- not occur to you in so strong a light as I see them ; because you cannot have had that op- portunity of seeing them in that light, although my brother has hinted something of that nature tenderly to you, and tenderly only for fear of disobliging, and being thought to give a prefer- ence to others. " After having said all this, you may equally depend upon my friendship at home as well as abroad, though you must not depend upon the success of it. I am, after having said this, by no means averse to my brother's making another 1738-1739.] LORD WALPOLE. 413 trial with the king in your behalf; but I hope that trial will be soon, and in consequence your determination too ; for I find we shall be at cross purposes. You defer making your option until my return home is fixt, I defer sending for the yacht until I hear you have made your op- tion, and I think it is absolutely necessary, both for your sake as well as mine, that you should be here some time before I leave this place, if you intend to be here at all. I shall therefore write by this post that the yacht may be sent for me; for as the States of Holland will, I hope and believe, come to some resolution upon the ten men of war during this meeting, and that will, I am afraid, be taken ad referendum by the provinces ; or if Holland should put it off again, it will be so tons' before they resume it, that I C3 *> don't see that there will be any occasion for my staying after the separation of the present as- sembly of Holland. * * * " On reflection, I shall not write till next post for the yacht. Your friend Charles will go over with the mail, and if he will be free enough, he will tell you what your friends (I mean nobody but his brother and the greffier, for I have acquainted nobody else, besides Mill- ing, with your difficult situation,) think you should do, if you are reduced to the extremity I apprehend Kemember, once upon a birth-day, 414 MEMOIRS QF -[CHAP. xx. a great string of coaches following one another close to get to St. James's, a person in a very fine equipage and clothes went out of the rank, because he was afraid he should not get there so soon as he desired, and, according to his dress, deserved. But heing once out of the rank, other coaches proceeded in his place, and he did not get to court until the drawing-room was over." Mr. Walpole having at length persuaded Mr. Trevor to accept the post of envoy, and hy un- ceasing importunities obtained his own recal ; "You will see," writes lord Harrington to him, in a private and particular letter, dated Septem- ber II, 1739, "by my dispatch to you of this day, that the king has complied with your re- quest of reluming to England, whenever you shall think it may be done without prejudice to his majesty's service ; and you will also find, in the same letter, that Mr. Trevor is appointed to succeed you, but as envoy extraordinary only. I can assure you, with the greatest sincerity, that every thing possible has been tried, both by his friends and yours, to procure for him, what you and he, and indeed I may say all of us, most heartily desired; but found it abso- lutely impossible. Nor hud we much less diffi- culty to prevail upon Mr. Trevor to accept of ail that was possible to obtain of the king for 1138-1739.1 LORD WALPOLE. 415 him for the present. But as he has now sub- mitted himself to the king's pleasure, I can't but hope that a little time will procure for him what he so much desires. Mr. Weston will have acquainted you that the project of an answer to the Spanish manifesto, which you sent hither, has been extremely approved ; and that orders have been given for printing it in the manner you desired." In consequence of this permission, Mr. Wai- pole took leave on the 13th of October 1739, and quitted the Hague with much joy to him- self, but to the great regret of the States, which they expressed in their reply to the king's letters of recal, in a manner highly honourable to their own feelings and his character: " We have so perfect a confidence in the probity of the said embassador extraordinary, whose person and ministry here have been most agreeable to us, that we willingly refer ourselves to the report he shall make to your majesty on this head. We regret his leaving us, because O O ' we looked upon it as an advantage to have such a minister residing with us, endowed with ex- traordinary talents, a vast capacity, and uncom- mon prudence, confirmed by long experience, of which he has given proofs in every thing that he has had to treat here, as well as of his noble zeaj, fgr your majesty's service, and his laudable 416 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xx. earnestness to cultivate and cement the happy union between your majesty and our republic, and the good understanding between the two nations; two points which are, and ever will be, the object of our wishes and desires." 1739-1740.] LORD WAPOLE. 417 CHAPTER 21. 17391740. Mr. Walpole returns to England Supports the Con- vention with Spain Proposes an Alliance with Prus- sia Origin and Progress of the Antipathy between the Houses of Brunswick and Brandenburgh Death of Frederic William Plan of a Grand Alliance. ON his return to England, Mr. Walpole found the people in a state of ferment and agitation, wild with schemes of vengeance for the Spanish depredations, and sharing in imagination the treasures of Peru and Mexico*. He was not, however, hurried away by these dreams of vengeance and conquest; he had uniformly pro- moted the pacific system of his brother, and united with him in opposing the precipitate de- claration of warr " About this time," to use the words which conclude his Apology, " the depredations of the Spaniards on the british commerce in the * In a confidential letter to Mr. Trevor, dated March 16, 1739, he thus describes the agitated state of the public mind : " I am afraid that the words of the address, with regard to searching, are already so strong, for the sake of popularity, as to make, between you and me, a war with Spain inevitable. But that is not the question ; ambition, avarice, distress, dis- appointment, and all the complicated vices that tend to render the minds of men uoeasy, are got out of Pandora's box, and fill all places and all hearts in the nation." VOL. I. E E 418 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xxr. West Indies, encouraged by the turbulent spirit of the queen of Spain, and out of resentment for the great illegal trade, carried on, contrary to treaty, by the English, with the Spanish ame- rican coast and ports, had given a handle to the disaffected and discontented party, (increased by the accession of those in parliament who be- longed to the court of the late prince of Wales,) to raise a great ferment in the nation, to occa- sion warm debates in parliament, and strong resolutions and addresses to the crown, against such violent proceedings; with an advice to his majesty to try once more amicable measures to obtain reparations, and to prevent the like in- juries for the future. In consequence of which, a convention was negotiated and concluded with Spain, by which that king acknowledged our grievances, agreed to pay in three months a certain sum in satisfaction, and to discuss and determine in five months, by plenipotentiaries on both sides, the respective complaints, in order to put a final end to all differences be- tween the two nations. This convention, after a long and solemn debate, was approved by par- liament; but most of the members of his majes- ty's council, excepting Sir Robert Walpole and his brother, were so alarmed, and betrayed such apprehensions of the popular discontent and cries, that their catholic majesties, being in- 1739-1140.] LORD WALPOLE. 419 formed of it by their minister in England, and convinced that these clamours would force his majesty and his ministry into war with faiem, refused to make the payment of the mo- ney stipulated for satisfaction, at the stated time; and consequently a rupture ensued be- tween the two nations, in which France pri- vately supported the Spaniards, while neither the Emperor nor the States seemed disposed to take any part." From this period Mr. Walpole remained in England; but held no ostensible place under government. lie did not, however, intermit his political labours; but continued the same attention to public business, and supplied the cabinet with numerous papers, deductions, and memorials, relative to the conduct of foreign affairs, during that critical period which imme- diately preceded and followed the death of the emperor Charles the Sixth. His sagacity led him to foresee that the war with Spain must occasion a rupture with France, and to appreciate the necessity of foiming some plan of united measures to counteract the pre- ponderance which that power had acquired on the continent. He had no reliance on the co- operation of the emperor, whose rash and impo-r litic schemes had reduced his country to a state E E 2 420 MEMOIRS OF . [CHAP, xxi, of weakness and degradation*. Charles had no sooner concluded a pacification with France, Spain, and Sardinia, than, in alliance with Rus- sia, he attacked the Turks, with the sanguine hopes of procuring an indemnification on the side of Hungary for his losses in Italy. But the disasters of a single campaign compelled him to desert his ally, and purchase a dishonoura- . ble peace, under the dictates and mediation of France, by the cession of Servia and the import- ant town of Belgrade. His finances were ex- hausted, and IHS armies reduced and dispirited. Mr. Wai pole well knew, from long experience, that the States would not take an active part in opposition to France, unless the barrier towns were put in a state of defence, and unless they were secure of being supported by an army, not depending on the uncertain contingents of the austrian levies, but effective in the field. On considering the situation of the european powers, none appeared capable of promptly con- tributing this support, but the king of Prussia, who had an effective army of 80,000 men, and possessed a considerable treasure in reserve. In one of his letters to Mr. Trevor, lie says, " We find (hey (the court of Vienna) begin to open their eyes ; it is bet- ter they should do it themselves, than we should pretend to lift up their eye-lids for them ; for \ve can't make them see if they have a mind to be blind : and if that be the case-, things are well enough/ January Cj, 1/38-9. 1738-1740.] LORD WALPOLF; 421 Both Mr. Walpole and his brother had long urged the policy of forming an alliance with Prussia'; but their proposals met with insupera- ble difficulties, from the inveterate antipathy between the houses of Brunswick and Bran- denburgh, which originated in the reigns of Frederick William and George the First. O Frederick William was nearly connected in blood and marriage with George the First; he was son of his sister Sophia Charlotte, and had espoused his daughter Dorothy. On the death of queen Anne, he offered to support the right of his father-in-law to the british throne with all his forces, and for many years con- tinued to treat him with marks of high respect. They shared together the spoils of Sweden in 1/16, and co-operated iu many schemes of ger- man politics; the bands of amity were drawn closer by the accession of Frederick William to the treaty of Hanover; and a double marriage was negotiated between the prince of Wales and a prussian princess, and the prince-royal of Prussia, afterwards Frederick the Second, and one of the english princesses. But this good understanding was interrupted by the capricious and brutal behaviour of Fred- erick William to his queen and children, and by his defection from the alliance of Hanover. Hence arose the suspension of the marriage 422 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xxr. contracts, and the coolness between the two monarchs continued till the death of George the First. George the Second brought to the throne, in addition to political reasons, a personal antipa- thy to his brother-in-law. Having been asso- ciates during their youth, their discordant tem- pers had inspired them with mutual contempt, and their aversion was heightened by a disagree- ment relative to the will of George the First. The british monarch, in allusion to the minute attention of Frederick William to his military arrangements, and his uncourtly manners, call- ed hirn ' c My brother the corporal ;" while Frederick, retaliating on the punctilious eti- quette of George the Second, styled him " My cousin the dancing-master." The negotiation for the double marriage between the two sove- reigns contributed to increase their irritability; and Frederick William frequently declared, in his paroxysms of passion, " that he had already too much of the Brunswick blood in his family, and should think himself culpable if he admit- ted more*." His anger was also roused by sus- * For an account of the early life of Frederick the Second, and this singular attempt to escape from the tyranny of his father, see History of the House of Austria, v. 2. p. 211. Polnitr, Histoire ties quatre derniers Souvcniins de la Maison de Brandebonrg, lorn. 2, p. 208. 1739-mO.J LORD WALPOLE. 423 picions that the attempt of the prince-royal to escape from his dominions was made at the sug- gestion of the english court; but his fury was inflamed to the highest degree, by the treat^ ment of his recruiting parties in Hanover, and the arrest of his agents for kidnapping men from England. Agents from Frederick William having en- ticed several tall men to enlist in the prussian service, their relations and friends made repeated complaints to government; and two of his ger- man emissaries were arrested for attempting, by large offers, to enlist a corporal of the guards. Mr. Walpole transmitted to Mr. Guy Dickens, the british envoy at Berlin, the act of parlia- ment by which the offence was made capital ; desiring him to lay it before the prussian minis- ters, and represent the necessity of discontinu- ing so illegal a practice. As baron Borck, the prussian minister, was proved to be the princi- pal manager and most active director of such enrolments, representations were made for his recal; but Frederick William, declaring that he would not be prescribed to by England, restored him to his mission : he threatened, that, should his envoy be contemptuously re- ceived, the english minister at Berlin should be treated in the same manner; and if Borck was desired to withdraw from England, he would 424 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xxi. instantly order Guy Dickens to quit the prus- sian dominions. He also gave him an addi- tional pension of 1000 crowns, which, as th'e prussian ministers insinuated, was granted be- cause the English had complained against him. George the Second, incensed at these insults, sent orders from Hanover, not to receive Borck as the prussian envoy. It was now apprehended that Frederick Wil- liam would carry his threats into execution, by instantly dismissing the english envoy; and Mr. . Guy Dickens entertained the same suspicions, on being unexpectedly summoned to a confer- ence with the prussian ministers of state. To his astonishment, however, no notice was taken of Borck ; but two objects of complaint were brought forward: the first related to the arrest o of the prussian agents in England; and " the second point," to use the words of Mr. Guy Dickens, " was a personal quarrel to me, about a dog belonging to one of my neighbours, which some of my servants stole away, not long since, because he had been very troublesome to the whole family. This affair was treated in a veiy serious manner, and as if they had a mind to make me believe that the stealing away of a prussian dog was a matter of much greater con- sequence than the stealing away several score of our master's subjects. But this most important 1739-1740.] LORD WALPOI.E. 425 dispute was at last settled ; the ministers pro- mising me that mv, neighbour should be no more troublesome to me, and I agreeing to make him a few apologies for the too warm zeal my servants had shewn for my repose and their own. So that if I am to be served with a con- silium abeundi, or any other out-of-the-way com- pliment, it will entirely turn upon the answer I shall receive from England, upon the affair of the prussian agent*." The dispute relating to Borck and the agent occasioned " a paper war," as Guy Dickens calls it, between lord Harrington and the prussian ministers ; and Frederick William became calm or warm as the situation of Europe rendered him of greater or less consequence. This unfortunate misunderstanding, between two sovereigns of the same family, and of the same religion, had given great advantage to the french interest in Germany, and crippled the efforts of the house of Austria. Sir Robert Wai- pole was the only minister who had ventured to represent the policy of a reconciliation with the king of Prussia, and endeavoured to overcome the repugnance of George the Second. His efforts were ineffectual ; but as the health of the prussian monarch declined, he looked forward * Mr. Guy Dickens to Mr. Tilsou, Berlin, March 2, 1/37. 426 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xxi. to the accession of Frederick the Second, with hopes of effecting a reconciliation between the two houses. With this view Mr. Walpole, in the beginning of 1740, drew up some thoughts on the utility of an alliance with Prussia, occa- sioned by the approaching death of the king. Frederick William died on the 31st of May 1740, and was succeeded by his son Frederick the Second. This illustrious prince was in the 28th year of his age when he ascended the throne, and aspired to rival Caesar, both with the pen and the sword. An army of 80,000 the best disciplined troops in Europe, and a consi- derable treasure, rendered him the arbiter of Germany, and placed in his hand the power of pacifying or convulsing nations. He was in- stantly and assiduously courted by the principal states of Europe; Berlin became the centre of multifarious negotiations, and the wily monarch complacently listened to the respective over- tures, without adopting a decisive line of con- duct. He temporised with more prudence and discretion than was expected from a young and spirited sovereign ; until a scene of action should present itself worthy of employing those talents for the cabinet and the field, with which nature had endowed him, and which education and reflection had matured. A favourable opportunity now occurred to thq 1739-1740.] LORD WALPOLE. 427 british cabinet for reneu'ing the antient and natural connection between sovereigns so nearly related by blood, which might be rendered highly advantageous to both parties. Accord- ingly, soon after the arrival of George the Se- cond at Hanover, a negotiation for a new defen- sive alliance between England and Prussia was opened, \vith reciprocal professions and promises, which seemed to ensure success. But, in the course of this negotiation, the exorbitant claims of Prussia on one side, and the petty interests of Hanover on the -other, obstructed its progress, and delayed the conclusion. Neither party was actuated by serious intentions, and both were desirous rather to impose' upon each other, than to form a solid and well-grounded alliance. On both sides extreme jealousy prevailed, and both were anxious to discover the inclinations of each other, before they explained their own. No precise stipulations were brought for wards ; only general insinuations made; and those particular interests which each sovereign had at heart were studiously concealed from view. The mi- nister was merely consulted for the sake of form; and the whole business was conducted by the king, or by lord Harrington tinder his direction. We insert a confidential letter from Mr. Walpolc to his brother, which displays his political foresight, his accurate knowledge of 428 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xxi. the real situation and interests of England and Europe, and the important advantages which might at this time have been derived from a close connection with Prussia. It presents at the same time a curious picture of the british . cabinet, and the difficulties which sir Robert Walpole encountered from the private senti- ments of the king and the discordant principles of his colleagues. " Wolterton, Aug. 1 8, 1 740. I have received yours of the 14th giving me an account of what has passed at Hanover relating to the negotia- tion with Prussia : and I must own that the manner which this last court seems to pursue in transacting business, resembles but too much the little low cunning constantly practised by his late prussian majesty, which was to have at the same time negotiations on foot with differ- ent and opposite powers, and to endeavour withoift opening his own thoughts and desires, to discover the disposition of others relating to his own particular views, and to make use of that discovery on one side, as a shoeing horn, to get a better bargain for himself on the other. The consequence of which was, that it was dif- ficult to make any treaty at all with him, and none was ever made that lasted long; and as I have perceived no alteration in the ministry, since this king of Prussia came to the throne, I 1739-1740.] LORD WALPOLE. 429 am apprehensive that the same selfish principles and uncertain measures prevail, and the same little genius, although seated in a mind not so violent and cruel. "However the union with Prussia is of such consequence to the liberties of Europe, and to the particular interest of his majesty, hoth as king and elector, considering the present situa- tion of affairs and disposition of powers in Eu- rope, and especially in the North, that supposing the king of Prussia to be (though no great prince) of a more steady and amicable temper than his father was, nothing should be left that is reasonable and just, untried to gain him, provided it be managed in a manner not to be- tray any weakness on our side. " The first great and essential point, and without which every thing else is vain, is to know whether there is on both sides an equal good disposition to enter into a strict union for mutual security and advantage. " I suppose as far as general words and profes- sions can go, that appears evident enough ; arid in consequence of that evidence, a defensive alliance ought to be the foundation of that union. " But a bare defensive alliance in the present state of things, will not answer the ends and in- tentions of either party without some additional 430 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xxr. secret articles, adapted to what is now, or may be soon, the situation of Europe. " His majesty is actually engaged in a war with Spain, in support of his just rights and possessions ; the king of Prussia apprehends that he may be soon involved in a \var with the palatine family, to vindicate his pretensions to Bersr and Juliers. As it cannot be desired or ^> expected that his prussian majesty should in consequence of a defensive alliance immedi- ately declare war against Spain, so he cannot desire and expect that the king should on ac- count of his prussian majesty's pretensions upon those duchies enter into a war with the palatine family. But as we may justly insist upon the king of Prussia's taking part with us in case any other power should attack his majesty, on ac- count of the war with Spain as well as on any other account, so it may be reasonable for us to agree to assist his prussian majesty in case any other power should attack him on account of any steps he shall take against the palatine family, for obtaining satisfaction with regard to Berg and Juliers as well as on any other ac- count. And here seems to be a reciprocal and similar interest and obligation proper for secret articles explanatory of the defensive alliance, and indeed a general defensive alliance unac- companied with ail explanation of these two 1739-1740.] LORD WALPOLE. 431 cases would, as the prussian minister lias hinted, at this juncture be of no consequence or use at all. " And supposing hoth sides sincere at bottom for a good understanding, the difficulty at pre- sent seems to turn only upon the nicety of which side should open and explain themselves first, which may by degrees (without being at first intended) unless care be taken, create such a jealousy and punctilio as to break the negoti- ation entirely off. "And therefore as each side may soon have an occasion for the assistance of the other in the pre- sent critical juncture, the method of proceeding should be not to exact from each other in wri- ting a specific demand of desires and expecta- tions, but in a conference between minister and minister to let them appear by degrees. From thence things may be stated iu writing, and an account rendered to their masters res- pectively of all that passed ; and any difficulties may be cleared up in another conference, in or- der to reconcile them, and to make the mutual engagements parallel with respect to the parti- cular cases existing or likely to exist soon ; and part of the general defensive alliance. " Lord Harrington (for example) might with- out difficulty let the prussian minister see, that in consequence of this defensive alliance his ma- jesty must expect the king of Prussia's assistance 432 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. XXL in case any other power should attack the king on account of the war with Spain. The prussian minister having already mentioned the affair of Eergand Juliers, cannot in a conference decline letting his lordship see what his master desires and expects from the king relating to that point, and in consequence of such an opening by con- ference the desires of both may be brought upon an equal foot, and accordingly stipulated in secret articles, to make such and such points a casus faderis of the defensive alliance, and by this means the sincerity of the prussian court may be discovered, without hazarding on either side an ill use being made of pro memorias de- livered in writing, which each side seems jea- lous of. "The lords of confidence have certainly done extremely right in desiring to know what par- ticulars could be asked and expected before they could possibly give their opinion about them ; and lord Harrington should not hazard any *thing in writing about Jerg and Juliers, unless the prussian minister will explain his master's de- sires on that head. But why his lordship should not endeavour to bring out the desires and de- mands on both sides by an amicable conference, I cannot tell, unless our master himself is un- willing to have any thing done in that affair without some other particular consideration, 1739-1740.> LORD WALPOLE. 433 besides the assistance of Prussia in the troubles that threaten Europe. But sure I am if the ne- gotiation goes on in this general way of band- ing the ball from minister to minister at Hano- ver, and from Hanover to England, without learning in a confidential manner the sentiments of both kings on the pdints they have each at heart, this negotiation will be' all amusement, and that amusement will produce jealousy, and jealousy a coolness, which will end in the usual family aversion and constant opposition in their respective interests both as kings and electors ; for all which the emperor, according to his per- verse politics, will not be sorry, and of which the French will not fail to make. a solid advan- tage, and will find means to gain the prussian court, which means arc not difficult to foresee, and I shall take notice of them by and by. " I have hitherto confined my self to Berg and Juliers as being a point in which the king, and the king of Prussia have no dispute with one another; but unless the affairs' of Mecklen- burgh (which I forgot to mention in my paper at Houghton) where their interests and preten- sions clash extremely, as well as that of Ostfrise, be adjusted in the treaty to be made, at least so far as to prevent all forcible means in support of their respective rights, whatever treaty is made will hardly be qordial or of long duration. VOL. i. F F ; 434 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP. xxi. "And here I cannot forbear observin 2: that ^5 although the prussian minister mentioned at first Mecklenburgh and Ostfrise, as well as Berg and Juliers, he has omitted the first points in his reply to lord Harrington ; and demands to know what the king would do for him to- wards the conquest of Berg and Juliers. That omission joined with so strong a request, makes me apprehend that, if the king's answer be not satisfactory, his prussian majesty will renew his negotiation with France, and finding that he cannot get the cardinal to go further than the treaty at the Hague, he will be content with that, if his eminence will engage to guaranty or support in a proper manner his succession to Ostfrise, and his pretensions to Mecklenburgh by good offices at the imperial court. And if the emperor finds that there is a coolness be- tween his majesty and the king of Prussia he may be induced to oblige that prince at the king's expence, especially if he still continues under the awful influence of the french court. "But I have troubled you longer than I in- f O tended, and indeed than is necessary, because I think it not prudent for you to venture any notions of your own or mine, as such in a letter to lord Harrington ; for I am persuaded he will not make a good use of them, and therefore you. will pardon this tedious epistle/' 1739-1740.] LORD WALPOLE. 435 Notwithstanding, however, these unfavour- able appearances, and the impolitic behaviour of George the Second, Mr. Wai pole did not relinquish all hopes of success.- He even form- ed a plan of a confederacy, to unite Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Saxony, with England and Holland, in one grand defensive league, as a counter-balance to the power and efforts of the house of Bourbon, should France, as he expect- ed, come forward to the assistance of Spain. The plan, being submitted to Sir Robert Wai- pole and the duke of Newcastle, was highly ap- proved by both*; but Mr. Walpole himself was too sensible of the prejudices fostered against Prussia, to entertain sanguine hopes of success. " There is such a contrast" he writes to Mr. Trevor, " in our way of thinking and talking, and a mixture in some of dulness and cunning, that I don't expect much light from this chaos. Lord Harrington, as I am told, (for we have not seeiT one another,) says that a negotiation with Prussia is not desperate. His majesty, by a short conversation I have had with him, is far from thinking any such thing: and I believe his lordship does not press him upon it, but would have others do it in order to get anger without - ;;"> . ' i.Oi * The duke of Newcastle to Mr. Walpole, Oct. 436 MEMOIRS OF [CHAP, xxu 'any success, while his lordship is all complai- sance, and says nothing to incur displeasure. On the other side the king was pleased to tell me, that you and lord Harrington had found the States very well disposed to assist him. I did take the liberty to let his majesty know that I heard they had declared the same thing to you as they had last year to me; which was, that in case his majesty was attacked here, they would, and must go to his assistance. But I could not forbear adding, that unless they immediately set about an augmentation of forces, either by foreign troops or raising new regiments, should France, at the same time as she ventured to attack Great Britain, march a body of 50,000 men towards Flanders, I could not see how the States could put that good- will in execution. I could perceive that his majesty's present plan is to go directly to the emperor, and to press him to put the empire in a condition to act. What- ever we should offer to his imperial majesty for this purpose, without having formed an alli- ance with other powers, I am afraid he dares not accept ; and the money, if taken, would be squandered away. I have, indeed, drawn out my notions*, too long to be sent you by post, and not worth the carriage. Two or three per- sons have seen them, and particularly our friend " He alludes to his project of a grand alliance. 1739-1740.] LORD WALPOLE. 431 Mr. Poyntz and I have canvassed them over ; but we both think them so disagreeable to the present temper here, with respect to Prussia, that they will never be relished, and conse- quently will never be pressed by him whose business and office it is to do it; and, therefore, I shall lock my thoughts up, and keep by de- grees as much as I can out of the scene of fo- reign affairs. " I am fully convinced that the king of Prussia is against the formidable power of France ; nay, . I know that, in his correspon- dence with ladies of wit here, he has said that he loved the trench people, but that he hated the power of the crown, and must oppose it, although he was sorry for it. But I am as fully convinced that we do not think here of getting him. I believe I described to you the same person as you mention, to be sent to Berlin, and I named him here long before ; but the duke of Newcastle does not care he shoukl be engaged O O so far in business, and sir Robert Walpole does not care to have him absent from the house of lords. But he. that governs all, will not be dis- posed to make his relation so great a compliment at present : perhaps necessity, and finding all things standing still, may at last make an im- O ^ * pression. I have suggested another plan, which is, that the russian court having declared that 438 MEMOIRS, & c . [CHAP. xxi. they cannot make an alliance with us, but in conjunction with other powers, (meaning parti- cularly Prussia,) and having hinted that they intend to give us a counter project, in which they propose to include Prussia and Denmark, I would stay for that counter project, to make it the foundation of a grand alliance *." Meanwhile, however, the court of Petersburg!! was sounded ; and the empress Anne, the im- placable enemy of France, appeared inclined to co-operate. At the same time secret applica- tion was made to the court of Vienna, and the emperor, who was provoked with the duplicity, and alarmed at the aspiring views of France, was anxious to renew his antient connection with the maritime powers. In conformity with this plan, instructions were forwarded to Mr. Robinson at Vienna, and directions framed for the respective ministers abroad; when the deaths of Charles the Sixth, and of the Czarina, deranged the measures of the cabinet, and gave a new aspect to the system of european politics. * Cockpit, Oct. 21, 17 H. END OF VOL. 1. FrmteU by T.crMO* HANSARD, Peier'jorouh-couri , FLEET SIREbT. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed.