THE EARL OF EGREMONT TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Brompton, Saturday morning, October, 1762. DEAR SIR, I came to this place last night at ten, little thinking that I should have so disagreeable a salutation on rising this morning, as I found from the Duke of Bedford's voluminous despatch, arrived in the night. I do not suppose that ever there existed such a specimen of falsehood, inconsistency, insolence, &c., &c., &c., as these papers exhibit; and I do not almost see how the negotiation can proceed: the Duke of Bedford is in consternation himself about it. Time does not admit of my telling you many particulars, only imagine that every article almost is altered in a projet sent from the Duke de Choiseul to the Duke of Bedford; and all points tant grands que petits varied from what was settled and agreed as to France. As to Spain, the Havannah, by name proposed to be delivered up, without any compensation to England; and the old treaties to continue in force 'till a new treaty of commerce is to be made, and stipulated to be concluded in the space of one year.

The King comes to town to dinner. Lord Bute is at Kew for God's sake come up to town; if prudent, steady, and consequential measures, are not soon resolved on, the King will be distressed, the kingdom. suffer greatly in its interests, and the Ministers will be undone. I am, &c., &c. EGREMONT.

COLONEL BERKELEY' TO EARL TEMPLE.

Camp, near Winchester, October 7, 1762.

MY DEAR LORD,-Lord Talbot having questioned Colonel Wilkes upon the subject of a North Briton in which he was mentioned, and received for answer that his Lordship had no right to question him, and that he would not tell him whether he did or no, Colonel Wilkes was desired by me to meet Lord Talbot, Tuesday evening, and met him accordingly.

Before they walked out, the inclosed was given to me to deliver to your Lordship in case Mr. Wilkes fell. The matter betwixt them was decided by pistols to both their satisfaction, and without hurt to either. When we returned, I offered to give back Colonel Wilkes's letter, but was desired to inclose it to your Lordship as a proof of the regard and affection he bore you at a minute which might have been very near his last. I beg my respects to Lady Temple, and am affectionately yours, N. BERKELEY.

(Inclosure mentioned by Colonel Berkeley.)

MR. WILKES TO EARL TEMPLE.

Bagshot, Tuesday, October 5, seven at night.

MY LORD,-I am here just going to decide a point of honour with Lord Talbot. I have only to thank your Lordship for all your favours to me, and to entreat you to desire Lady Temple to superintend the education of a daughter, whom I love beyond all the world. I am, my Lord, your obliged and affectionate humble Servant, JOHN WILKES.

1 Norbonne Berkeley, afterwards Lord Botetourt.

EARL TEMPLE TO MR. WILKES.

Wednesday, 1 o'clock (October 6, 1762).

MY DEAR COLONEL,-How eagerly do I long to embrace you! What words can express the satisfaction your last letter gave me in every particular? Firmness, coolness, and a manly politeness, makes up the whole of this transaction on your part.

I saw the event was inevitable, and I was sure you would extricate yourself like a man. I fully intended being at Aylesbury at the Quarter Sessions, and how infinitely is every inducement now heightened; but a feverish cold, which has hung upon me near ten days, makes it impossible. As soon as I resign the pen, I must offer my innocent arm to the lancet.

I hope your time will permit you to call here upon one whom you have distinguished by so many marks of cordial friendship at the time of trial. I have received the seven letters1 you mention: we will talk the whole over at large; the little woman is full of delight, as she interests herself so warmly in your honour and your welfare.

Inclosed, I send you a copy of the Address' which I thought of moving, in case of my not being able to attend. I desired Mr. Lowndes, as Knight of the Shire, to take that upon him, which I trust he will do. If there be anything you and he would wish to alter, I submit it to your judgment. The King and Queen have their full share of compliment: the illustrious House of Brunswick can never be too highly extolled. The consequences that may arise from taking the Correspondence with Lord Talbot, &c., respecting the duel.

1

2 To the King, from the Lord-Lieutenant and gentry of Buckinghamshire.

Havannah are only pointed out, according to expressions of Sir G. Pococke1; and though the Peace is upheld, yet it is not in my poor opinion at all beyond the just mark.

I suppose much way will not be given on that head. I am ever, with the warmest esteem and cordiality, my dear Wilkes's most truly devoted TEMPLE.

The Address, when signed, may be sent to me on Saturday by the Buckingham coach, or brought by the most welcome of all conveyances, yourself. I will then sign it and transmit it to Lord Egremont.

EARL TEMPLE TO COLONEL BERKELEY.

(October 7, 1762 )

I HAVE many thanks to return to you, my dear Sir, for the obliging trouble you have taken in transmitting to me Colonel Wilkes's letter, which was written with a very steady hand indeed, very laconic, as time pressed, but very expressive of his uniform partiality to me, and warm affection to his daughter. I am the more sensible to this, as I never had it in my power to do him the least favour. I have, indeed, frequently recommended to him as well as to other of my friends, to sail with the new current, which, however, I would not do, and avail themselves of the tide of Court favour before it was spent how I have prevailed with him you know. I am very sorry for the occasion of this dispute: when Lord T. mentioned it to me at Windsor, if the state of things had admitted of the least hope of reconciliation, I should most gladly have used my best good offices,

1 Admiral, and M.P. for Plymouth.

more especially as two of my friends were concerned ; but judging that hopeless, it is no small pleasure to me to see, by your account, that the matter betwixt them was decided by pistols to both their satisfaction, and without hurt to either.

Wilkes called here in his way to Winchester, so I have read all the letters, and am, with many compliments to you from my little woman, ever faithfully

yours,

TEMPLE.

THE EARL OF EGREMONT TO MR. GRENVILLE.

Piccadilly, October 10 (1762). DEAR SIR,-The idea I drew my letter upon was a hint given me by Lord Mansfield, which I understood by him he had also communicated to you, which was to write first gently, and then stronger, to the Duke of Bedford, to prepare him by degrees for the alterations he was to expect in his Preliminaries, and make him, if possible, feel the mortification of the total disavowal less sharply and what I have wrote to him must convey the idea to him, that a compensation will be exacted for the Havannah, although I have not put it so strongly as I have to the Duke of Nivernois, who dispatched another courier, after the conversations he had with you. and I, two days ago: and I own I think it would have done mischief to have wrote the first letter stronger to the Duke of Bedford, who for our misfortune is irrevocably our plenipotentiary at Paris'.

1 It is evident from these letters, and from others in the Bedford Correspondence, that there was much of mutual dislike and distrust between the Duke of Bedford and Lord Egremont; and Rigby's letters to the Duke at this time tended to inflame these feelings, and to include Mr. Grenville and Lord Mansfield in the opposition to the Duke.