and are in his possession. He is to meet me at Down on Saturday. Let me know whether you wish for them.

Everything in this part of the world is quiet; the Union does not seem to produce the slightest sensation. Ever, my dear Sir, most sincerely yours,

CASTLEREAGH.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Eden Farm, Aug. 4th, 1800.

a

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-I am sorry that the Primacy arrangements should postpone your son's elevation to the Bench, though the postponement will be short. If a Primate had been taken from the Irish Bench, Lord Cornwallis decidedly gave the preference to the Archbishop of Cashel. of Cashel. On this side of the water other interests were started: Cleaver's by the Grenvilles; Porter's by Lord Camden and the Duke of Portland. It was not offered here so generally as you seem to have heard. Some mention was made of it to the Dean of Christ Church, who however previously had solemnly

b

a The Rev. George Beresford, the second son of Mr. Beresford; born 1765; consecrated Bishop of Clonfert 1801; translated to Kilmore 1802; married Frances, daughter of Geronise Bushe, M.P.; died 1841.

b Dr. Euseby Cleaver, Bishop of Ferns; consecrated, 1789, Bishop of Cork; died 1809.

Dr. John Porter, Bishop of Clogher; consecrated Bishop of Killaloe 1795; translated to Clogher 1798; died 1819.

d Dr. Cyril Jackson, who presided over Christ Church College, Oxford, from 1783 till his death, 1809.

declared that he never would accept promotion. Lord Grenville, I believe, offered it to the Bishop of Oxford,* a friend of his and of the Dean of Christ Church. I do not believe it was offered to any others; I happen to know two of our bishops who wished to have it, and one of them intimated as much. The Bishop of Norwich might have had it, but he had before refused it, and therefore the offer was not made.

To Bishop Stuart the offer was made, I believe, through Lady Charlotte Finch. There are many good points in his character, but he is shy and inaccessible. I know nothing at present of the great political interests. Mr. Pitt was here for a day three weeks ago; but I have not since seen Ministers, or sub-ministers, and am passing my time among my private friends and relatives.

Our preparatory work for the Union, which you so essentially contributed to, was so well done, and was so successful in its result, that some of our coadjutors are not unreasonably displeased that we have not brought our merits more forward, to have them noticed, at least, if not rewarded. But I do not know how that can be done if not voluntarily done from a sense of justice in the minds of the Duke of Portland and Mr. Pitt.

a Dr. John Randolph, Regius Professor of Divinity, promoted to the See of London 1809.

b Dr. Charles Manners Sutton; consecrated 1792; promoted to be Archbishop of Canterbury 1805; died 1828.

The Hon. William Stuart, fifth son of John, third Earl of Bute, and Mary Wortley Montagu; born 1755; consecrated Bishop of St. David's 1793; translated to the Primacy of Ireland 1800; married, 1796, Sophia Penn; died 1822.

Believe me, my dear Beresford, sincerely and affec

tionately yours,

AUCKLAND.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Eden Farm, Aug. 27th, 1800.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-I have not yet seen Lord Castlereagh. He was so good as to write a note to me from Bulstrode, where he was staying a couple of days. He said that his stay in England would be but short, but that he proposed to pass a day here. I now expect to see Mr. Pitt a little. He has not yet passed any part of his summer at Holwood, but I understand from him that he is coming.

I drive the great politics of the Continent as much as possible from my recollection; they are most unpleasant and most unpromising, but it will become necessary for Mr. Pitt to look forward to further supplies. We still have great resources. It is, however, a truth that the Income Tax must prevail till 1808 inclusive, in order to liberate the charges already fixed upon it; and those income payments at the end of every two months fall very heavily, in addition to the other taxes, and the increasing price of living and of labour. Our harvest is good, indeed the grain is excellent in quality so far as it has been secured. This bad weather, if it should continue, may make a difference as to what is on the ground. As to the quantity, I am not of the opinion of

many, who talk of a superabundance. Our granaries in general were empty, and the consumption begins a month earlier than usual. However, it is the popular cry, and among those who ought to have the wisdom to discourage such cries, that the quartern loaf will soon be at 7d. I heartily wish it may.

What shall we do next session with you and your 131 fellow travellers? Will you be manageable? Will you be noisy? Will there be many orators among you? I am, my dear Beresford, yours affectionately,

AUCKLAND.

LORD CASTLEREAGH TO MR. BERESFORD.

Phoenix Park, 17th Oct., 1800.

MY DEAR MR. BERESFORD,—I landed yesterday, after passing eight days at Holyhead-no small penance. As the 1st January is approaching, when things are to flow in somewhat a new channel, it will be necessary for us to consider what previous arrangements must be made. I should be thankful to you to turn the subject a little in your mind, and send me your ideas upon the steps that should be previously taken with a view to the new duties and the Revenue Bills, which Mr. Pitt is of opinion must be prepared on this side. When do you think of moving?

I hope your quiet summer has repaired the severities of the two last campaigns. It gave Mr. Pitt and your friends in England the truest satisfaction to understand that you had borne the fatigue so well; and they all feel that your important services on this most important of

all measures has done justice to the whole series of your political acts. They desire earnestly to express to you the sense they entertain of your unvarying attachment to the British Government, and hope that you will attend the inauguration of the United Parliament.

I trouble you with a letter from a lady who claims kindred with me; if you will enable me, if her request cannot be complied with, to give her a cousin-like answer, I shall be thankful.

Believe me very sincerely yours,

CASTLEREAGH.

LORD CASTLEREAGH TO MR. BERESFORD.

Phoenix Park, Friday night, 7th Nov., 1800.

MY DEAR MR. BERESFORD,—I directed the Union Act to be sent by last night's post from the office; it contains every legislative provision on the question-as the Election Act, countervailing duties, &c., were all incorporated. The British Act is the same precisely, merely varying the recital; it therefore cannot be of any use to you. I showed your query, relative to duties, regulations, and bounties, to Cooke; he seems unable to furnish you with any hints: they relate to what existed in either country previous to the measure, of which you are better informed than he is. Rose has written for some Irish accounts, principally those where the Irish duties are made the standard, as in calicoes and woollens.

We have received various applications from the maltsters, stating that a considerable proportion of the old