ice that are now in the Gulph, will prove fatal to some of the honest seamen, for it is very difficult to believe all, unless one is an eye-witness of it, and made sensible by the intenseness, which is more than can be conjectured, and at this season of the year.

We have not heard a word from Admiral Durell since his departure; the Alcide and Stirling Castle, which were ordered to reinforce him, on their way to him fell in with a store-ship from France, took and sent her in here, laden with powder and clothing for Quebec, burthen 200 tons, and came out, as they say, with two more and two frigates on the King's account, which I hope will meet with the same fate.

I shall take particular care to be as accurate in my accounts as is possible, and never presume to insert anything more than I am satisfied can be depended upon, and I hope on my return to England to have the honour of your countenance and patronage. I am, &c., &c. NATHANIEL COTTON.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, June 14, 1759. DEAR SIR, I have the pleasure to acquaint you that Colonel Clavering' is arrived from Guadaloupe, and brings us the agreeable news of a total surrender of that Island to us. I have seen very little relating to this event as yet, and the Government has as yet published nothing concerning it, so that I am not able to send you

1 Colonel Clavering brought letters to Mr. Pitt from the Hon. General Barrington and Commodore Moore, containing full details of these events, which were afterwards published in the London Gazette.

any particulars. I do not find, however, that we have had any loss except what has happened from sickness. I congratulate you on this piece of good news, as I think in every respect of importance.

The next place from whence we are to expect news is the Pays de Hesse. Here the French are making the greatest efforts, and by this means to advance at last into Saxony.

The armies of Maréchal Contades and the Duke of Broglio are joined, and if we mean to defeat their designs, I should think an action must soon ensue.

Some ships are sending to the Mediterranean to reinforce Boscawen.

Lord Harcourt saw the Duke of Newcastle a few days before he left town: his Grace then assured him that he would certainly do my affair; but when I saw him a few days ago, he then told me that there was an intention of sending me abroad immediately, and he wished that I might succeed. This was, I have no doubt, only a pretence to account for his not having as yet accomplished the other request. Lord Harcourt intends to write to him again; I wish I could get his Grace to accomplish this affair, as I am heartily tired of my long attendance, and want very much to be out of town. I have, &c., &c. CHAS. JENKINSON.

MR. PITT TO MR. GRENVILLE,

Hayes, June 23, 1759.

Dear GRENVILLE,-Lady Hester and I feel a most sensible satisfaction from the more favourable accounts of your dear children, and we trust that a very little

time longer will not leave the least room for any anxiety. Our little tribe are, thank God, in perfect health, the last arrived of which is the subject of a request which father and mother desire to make to you, and which they trust you will easily pardon them for troubling you with, from a certain fellow-feeling which all true promoters of christenings must have for one another. We hope that you will do us the honour to be godfather to our boy, and if you are so good to grant us that favour, care shall be taken of your proxy.

Lady Hester, who walks abroad with more courage than conduct, joins in all affectionate compliments and best wishes for Wotton.

We expect every moment news of a general action in Hesse: the expectation is big with inquietudes, but hope predominates. I am ever, &c., &c.

W. PITT.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, June 26, 1759.

DEAR SIR,-I have not for some time troubled you with a letter, in hopes of being able to transmit to you some news of importance, and the near approach of the two armies of Prince Ferdinand and Marshal Contades seemed likely to have afforded that opportunity, but the accounts which were yesterday received from Holland say that the Prince is retired to Lipstadt. There are no letters by the last mail from the army, but if the above circumstance is true (as I believe it is), there will be no action for some time.

The only particular that is worth sending you is a

very silly action of Lady Coventry', who having been insulted in the park, Sunday was se'nnight, the King heard of it, and said, that to prevent the same for the future he would have a guard. Upon this foundation her ladyship ventured boldly again into the park on Sunday evening, but she was attended with two Sergeants of the Guards in front, with their halberds, and no less than twelve followed her. The whole guard was ready to have turned out if there had been occasion, and the Colonel of the Guard in waiting kept at the proper distance: with this ridiculous parade she walked there from 8 of the clock to 10; and as all this could not prevent the mob from having curiosity, some impertinent things were still uttered, though at some little farther distance, and some of Fielding's men that attended took up the most troublesome. the most troublesome. I am, &c., &c.

CHARLES JENKINSON.

MR. JENKINSON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

London, July 3, 1759.

DEAR SIR, Though the progress which the French are enabled, by the superiority of their numbers, to make on the Continent is not the most agreeable news, and makes the world in general apprehensive that they will again get possession of Hanover, and retain it as a deposit in case of peace; yet our accounts from every other quarter are as good as we could wish. A frigate yesterday arrived from Saunders, bringing an account that he with the fleet, and the troops under the com

1 Maria Gunning, Countess of Coventry, so celebrated for her beauty.

mand of Mr. Wolfe', sailed from Louisbourg on the 3rd of June, and were proceeding in their voyage towards Quebec. All the letters also agree that the troops were in remarkable health and spirits, and that everything there bore a favourable aspect.

There are letters, also, this day from Sir Edward Hawke, saying, that he had looked into Brest Water, and that there were neither so many ships there, nor those in so much forwardness as had been reported. C. JENKINSON.

I have, &c., &c.

SIR RICHARD LYTTELTON TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Ealing, July 7, 1759.

MY DEAR GEORGE,-It was not 'till Thursday that Lady Bute told us of Master Grenville's illness. You know how sincerely the Duchess and I interest ourselves in whatever concerns you and Mrs. Grenville, you will therefore believe the anxiety we are under for your sweet boy, and how much we long to hear of his being out of danger, and that you are free from your fears in regard to him. God send him a speedy recovery.

Letters from our gallant friend Rodney received yes

1 General Wolfe had been appointed by Pitt to the command of the enterprise against Quebec. Walpole, in his Memoirs of George the Second, has accurately described the character of Wolfe as a young officer who had contracted reputation from his intelligence of discipline, and from the perfection to which he had brought his own regiment. The world could not expect more from him than he thought himself capable of performing. He looked on danger as the favourable moment that would call forth his talents." The same author speaks of Admiral Sir Edward Hawke as "a man of steady courage, of fair appearance, and who even did not want a plausible kind of sense: but he was really weak, and childishly abandoned to the guidance of a Scotch Secretary."