wish England prosperity; but if that cannot be, it would be some ease that it was not in the hands of lord treasurer. If you are of my opinion, I shall ever acknowledge it as a mark of your kindness to me, if you advise him to make this step; for I am much more concerned for him than for myself." To Lord Godolphin. "Soignies, Aug. 29. I am a good deal concerned at a letter I received by the last post from Lady Marlborough, in which she tells me that Mr. Harley has the entire confidence of the queen. If she has good reason for this opinion, I can't but think there should be no time lost in speaking plainly to her majesty, in letting her know what you and I think is her interest. If she be of another opinion, I think you and I should honestly let her know, that we shall not be able to carry her business on with success; so that she might have time to take her measures with such as will be able to serve her. I shall always be ready to sacrifice myself for the prosperity of the queen; but I will not be thought to have credit, when her business is managed in a way which, in my opinion, must be her ruin. I beg you will let me know your thoughts on this matter, and what you think may be proper to be done; for though I am weary of all sorts of business, I know her meaning is so sincerely honest, that I would undergo any trouble or hazard, that you think may do good. On the other side, if I can't do good, nothing can make me so happy as a quiet life." By the reply of Godolphin, we find that this letter was shown to the queen, and instead of producing the expected effect, drew from her a justification of her conduct, and a vehement exculpation of Harley, in the same manner as she had exculpated Mrs. Masham to the duchess. "Windsor, Aug. 25.-Sept. 5. I have the favour of yours of the 29th, with the papers enclosed. I keep them all by me, and if at any time you want any of the papers you send me, I can readily find them. "Though I have written fully to you by Mr. Hare about the queen, and though I am not very willing at any time to say much upon that subject by the post, yet desiring in yours of the 29th to know my thoughts upon what Lady Marlborough had written to you, I am under a necessity of endeavouring to make you comprehend as well as I can, that both Mr. Montgomery and Mrs. Freeman have thought it best to read to Mrs. Morley your last letter to me, all except one word, which was the name of a person not fit to be mentioned. They did very well foresee this would certainly have the consequence of making yet more uneasiness in Mrs. Morley towards Mrs. Freeman, but did hope it might be of so much use another way as to overbalance that. Whether their thoughts will prove right in the latter of these, I cannot tell; but in the former, I am very sure they have not been mistaken, and I believe you will soon be of the same mind in that matter, by a letter I am told you will have from the queen as soon as this. And I cannot but think it is of so much consequence, that the queen should not be countenanced and encouraged in complaints of Lady Marlborough, that you will take great care, in your answer, of that particular. I will only add, that when you write yourself any thing to me, which you would not have the queen know, it ought to be in a letter apart. I am so much distracted with doubt and apprehensions concerning Toulon, that I cannot say any thing to the purpose, about that matter, or the consequences of it. But as the wind is, I believe we shall have another post to-morrow. "I have not seen Lord Peterborough, nor has he yet waited upon the queen. In my Lord Sunderland's absence, he made his application to Mr. Secretary Harley, who is rather worse disposed towards him, if possible, than his colleague. Several letters and answers have passed between them, which all tend, I think, rather to increase the misunderstandings, than to lessen them. He has sent me your letter, with his answer to some objections he states in it. I must own I think his answers to those objections, stated by himself, are frivolous enough. I believe I shall see him to-morrow or next day at Quainton Place, where I am told he is to be." From the Queen to the Duke. "I had the satisfaction of receiving yours of the 25th last Wednesday, for which I give you many thanks, and for your kindness in telling me your mind so freely; and I beg you would continue to do so upon all occasions. But as to what you say, that I must put my business into Mr. Harley's hands, or follow the lord treasurer's measures, I should be glad you would explain yourself a little more on that. For I know no measures the lord treasurer has, but what were laid down when you were here, and I do not know I have broken any of them; for I cannot think my having nominated Sir William Dawes and Dr. Blackhall to be bishops is any breach, they being worthy men; and all the clamour that is raised against them proceeds only from the malice of the Whigs, which you would see very plainly, if you were here. I know this is otherwise represented to you, and I believe you have been told, as I have, that these two persons were recommended to me by Mr. Harley, which is so far from being true, that he knew nothing of it, till it was the talk of the town: I do assure you these men were my own choice. They are certainly very fit for the station I design them; and, indeed, I think myself obliged to fill the bishop's bench with those that will be a credit to it, and to the church, and not always to take the recommendations of 29*, who, all the world knows, is governed by 26†; and now that I have said all this, in answer to yours of the 25th, I must give some answer to a long letter the lord treasurer read to me, which he received by the last post from you. In that I find Lady Marlborough has said, that I had an entire confidence in Mr. Harley. I know so much of my own inclination, that I am sure I have a very good opinion of Mr. Harley, and will never change it without I see cause; but I wonder how Lady Marlborough could say such a thing, when she has been so often assured from * Probably the archbishop of Canterbury. me, that I relied entirely on none but Mr. Freeman and Mr. Montgomery. You seem much concerned at this thing that Lady Marlborough said, and upon that, tell the lord treasurer that Mr. Freeman and Mr. Montgomery should tell their minds freely to me. It is what I desire of all things, for I can't see any other measures to be taken, than what have been already laid down; and I am sure I have no thoughts of altering them. I can think but of one thing to be added, which is, a resolution to encourage all those, who have not been in opposition, that will concur in my service, whether they be Whigs or Tories, which is a thing I wish might be put in practice, believing it might do a great deal of good, and I am sure it is not for my service to disoblige any body. "I cannot end this without begging you will once more be so kind as to tell me your mind freely in every thing. I will desire the same favour of Mr. Montgomery, and when I know both your thoughts, I will give you my poor opinion. In the mean time continue your justice to me, and be assured I will be to my last moment, most sincerely your humble servant. The appeal of the queen produced a reply from Marlborough, in a tone of more than usual earnestness, corroborating his former sentiments. "Madam, "Sept. 15 "I have had the honour of your majesty's of the 25th of the last month, by which I find mine of the 29th to lord treasurer was read to you. I beg the justice of you to believe, that I am no ways concerned for the power that the Whigs may have with you, but the great concern that I must always have for your quiet and safety; for if you are served to your satisfaction and security, I am very indifferent who the persons are. And as you desire that I would speak freely, I do protest in the presence of God Almighty, that I am persuaded that if you continue in the mind that I think you now are, and will not suffer those that have the honour to serve you, to manage your affairs agreeably to the circumstances of the times, your business must inevitably run into confusion; and, consequently, make it impossible for my lord treasurer to serve; for if he is thought to have the power, when he has not, both parties will be angry with him; though both would admire him and be his friends if he were out of the service. If I were with your majesty, I believe I could let you see the trouble and distraction you are like to be in this winter, which you must prevent before the meeting of parliament, or it will be too late. "I find the duke of Savoy, Prince Eugene, the elector of Hanover, and the emperor, are all desirous that you would be pleased to allow me to continue so long on this side the water, as might be necessary for con certing the operations of the next campaign. This will make it impossible for me to be in England before the meeting of the parliament; and should I come at this time, it might create jealousies on this side the water. But as I prefer your quiet and service above all other considerations if your majesty thinks my being with you, for one day or two, may be of any use, I am ready to obey. If I come in a yacht, one man of war should be ordered to Ostend, and not be told what it is for; for I would endeavour to be back with the army before the French should know I am gone for England. What I now propose will make so much noise, that I beg you will be pleased to advise with my lord treasurer. before you send me your commands. "It is impossible for me to finish this letter without assuring your majesty of what I know of Lady Marlborough, that nobody could serve you with more zeal and true affection than she has done for many years; and I must do her judgment that right, as to say, that she has foreseen some things which I thought would never have happened; I mean concerning the behaviour of some in your service.* I pray God to direct you in all things for your own good, and that of all Europe, that your own affairs may prosper and be glorious, as they have been for some years, and I shall then enjoy all the happiness and quiet that this world can give me." The subsequent letters refer to the same subject, and are filled with complaints on the unpleasant situation of the two ministers; being without influence with the sovereign, and yet exposed to the jealousy of those whom they were labour ing to serve. To Lord Godolphin. "Sept. 15. - I enclose a copy of my letter to the queen, and I leave it to your discretion to deliver it or burn it; and I think I am obliged, let the consequence be never so fatal to the friendship and love I have for you, to tell you my opinion freely, that if the Whigs continue in that unreasonable humour of being angry with you, whenever the queen does not do what they liket; for the truth is, they are jealous that you and I have inclination to try once more the Tories. You and I know how false this is. However, if the queen will be governed by Mr. Harley, they will have just reason given them to be angry; and if you and I continue in business, all England will believe what is done is by our advice, which will give power to the Whigs to mortify whom they please; so that I think you must speak very freely to the Whigs and the queen, and if they will not approve your measures, have nothing to do with either; and if we were well out of this war we should then be happy." To the Duchess. "Helchin, Sept. 15. - I have received yours of the 25th and 26th of the last month, and by the enclosed letter you sent of the queen's, I am afraid that nothing can go well this winter. I am confirmed in this thought, by what Lady Sunderland writes, as from her lord. I will make no reflections, but I own to you that I think the expressions are very hard, when I consider what pains lord treasurer and I take. Alluding to Mrs. Masham. Something omitted in the original, though the sense may be supplied from the context, "I have sent a letter to lord treasurer for the queen, and a copy of my letter, and have left it to his discretion of burning or delivering it For my own part, I am out of heart, and wonder at the courage of lord treasurer; for were I used, as I do not doubt but I shall, as he is by the Whigs, who threaten to abandon him, whenever the queen displeases, I would not continue in business for all this world could give me; and I believe they would be the first that would have reason to repent. I do not send you a copy of my letter, being sure lord treasurer will show it you. I did desire your opinion as to his quitting, but you have never made me any answer; for, as I would serve the queen with the hazard of my life, so my friendship to him obliges me to wish that he would venture nothing, since every body pretends to be angry. "I send you back Lady Sunderland's letter, that you may read it once more; for I think it is plain they believe that lord treasurer and I have a mind to bring in the Tories, which is very obliging." "Helchin, Sept. 19. I have received yours of the 30th and 2d. I have received no letter from 267* since that you sent me; and you may be sure I shall never mention Mrs. Masham either in letter or discourse. I am so weary of all this sort of management, that I think it is the greatest folly in the world to think any struggling can do good, when both sides have a mind to be angry. When I say this, I know I must go on in the command I have here, as long as the war lasts, but I would have nothing to do any where else; for really what I hear from England gives me great disturbance, and sometimes vexes me so that I am not the same man. If you, the lord treasurer, and I, were out of business, I should be more capable of doing my duty here. 66 I find by some of your letters that you think I may have credit with the queen; but I do assure you I have not, and I will give you one instance, - that Smalridge has been able to hinder the disposing of the professorship. I see this, but that must not alter my doing the best service I can; I would be esteemed, but I am not ambitious of having power." From Lord Godolphin. "Windsor, Sept. 12-21. My last acknowledged the favour of yours of the 12th and 15th from Helchin, and there is now but one post due this day, and we shall not have that before these letters go. "I believe you will have an answer by this post from the queen : whether it will be enclosed in this I cannot tell. By a long conversation between Mrs. Morley and Mr. Montgomery, of which I have had some account, I find they both agree that for you and England to see one t another before the natural time, might be liable to many great inconveniences; and those, in the nature of them so uncertain, that no human precaution is sufficient to prevent the ill consequences that may happen from those uncertainties. Besides that, to say the plain truth, in case one should run that venture, one cannot at this time depend upon the • Probably the queen. †These expressions are used to conceal the cipher VOL. 11. M |