VIII. 1710. Masham. When this list was laid before the Queen, CHAP. she immediately started an objection to the list not reaching down to those in which it was known she was most interested. On this being reported to the commander-in-chief, he at once included Mr Masham in the list of colonels, with which concession the Queen professed herself to be highly gratified. The real difficulty, however, remained in the promotion of Colonel Hill, as he was the person concerning whose advancement so serious a difficulty had formerly occurred, and concerning whom both parties were therefore desirous of trying their strength. The Queen insisted on three more commissions, including that of Colonel Hill, being made out— adding, that unless this was done she would sign none. In vain Mr Walpole, who acted for Mr Cardonell as secretary-at-war, represented that the advancement of such young officers would seriously embarrass Marlborough; as possibly there might be twenty German and Dutch colonels in their regiments who would not serve under them, and whose loss might be an irreparable injury to the allied army. This consideration, as is ever the case with those founded on reason when the passions are inflamed, had no sort of influence on the Queen; and Marlborough, finding that he could not rely on the support of the Whigs in his resistance, was rough to obliged to yield. Colonel Hill, in consequence, without May 15-19, any other claim than court favour, was made a general v. 232-240. over the head of various meritorious and senior officers.1 1 Marlbo Godolphin, 1710. Coxe, resolves to Encouraged by their success in this trial of strength, 58. Harley and Mrs Masham resolved to venture on the The Queen more important step of getting quit of an important dismiss member of the cabinet. The person selected as the derland. object of their attack was Lord Sunderland, because he Lord Sun CHAP. VIII. 1710. was one of the secretaries of state, and therefore had constant access to the Queen's person-because he was son-in-law to the Duke of Marlborough-and because he had been on a former occasion forced on the Queen by a united effort of the whole Whig party, much against her inclination. In this attempt they found a warm supporter in the Duke of Somerset, who was openly verifying the prediction of Godolphin, as to his having in secret joined Harley's party ;* and in a more covert way by the Duke of Shrewsbury, who showed his gratitude to his royal mistress for his recent promotion by aiding in a project which he knew she had so much at heart. The knowledge of what was going forward, and the now undisguised manifestation of the wishes of the sovereign, spread such an alarm in the cabinet, that, in Godolphin's words, "Lord Halifax, Lord-President, and generally the rest of the Whigs, are so uneasy that to Marlbo- they are ready to make their court to Mr Harley, who appears ready to receive it, and is making advances and professions almost to every one that he thinks our friends."1 1 Godolphin rough, May 29, 1710. Coxe, v. 245. At the earnest solicitation of Godolphin and his remaining friends in the cabinet, Marlborough addressed the Duke of Shrewsbury at this crisis; and his letter is valuable as containing a clear exposition of his views and motives of action at this critical period, and of the "Our affairs here are a little more quiet at present, because the Duke of Somerset is out of town; and indeed I know no other reason for it. I am every day more and more confirmed in my opinion that, as the Duke of Somerset is the cause of everything against Lady Marlborough and you, so the Duke of Shrewsbury's regard for you, and the fear of justly chequering you, has been the only reason that has hindered the affair of Lord Sunderland being brought to a conclusion.”—Godolphin to Marlborough, May 29, 1710; CoxE, v. 243. 66 The CHAP. VIII. 1710. 59. rough in plies to of Shrews 19. close connection which unhappily prevailed between these court intrigues and the great civil, political, and religious questions which divided the world. constant friendship there has always been between us Marlboencourages me to unburden myself to you at this junc- vain apture, when every post brings fresh alarms of the removal the Duke of my Lord Sunderland. 'Tis not his relationship to bury, June me, and the kindness I have for him, that concerns me, so much as the effect it may have on the Queen's service and the public; for as such a step will generally be thought to be aimed at, and of course reflect on me, it will in a great measure render me incapable of being useful to Her Majesty's affairs either at home or abroad. This is what I have solely at heart, and shall ever be unalterable in my zeal for it. I own to you, were it not at this critical juncture, when, with the blessing of God, we have so fair a prospect of putting a happy end to this long and expensive war, which I think nothing but our own unfortunate divisions at home can prevent, I should be much less concerned; for I am persuaded the insolence of the French, under their languishing circumstances, is chiefly owing to the advantage they hope to reap from them. There is another thing I find makes a great noise in Holland, and that is the report of a new Parliament, which I am confident would be such a damp to the Dutch as our enemies would not fail to reap great advantages from. I must therefore entreat you to reflect seriously on the present situation of our affairs both at 1 Marlbohome and abroad, and that you will give your helping Shrewshand to prevent the mischiefs that are threatening us. 19, 1710. I expect, particularly from your friendship to me, that 249, 250. you will be a support to Lord Sunderland;1 and, from rough to bury, June Coxe, v. CHAP. VIII. 1710. 60. your zeal for the Queen's service and the public, that you will use your endeavours that the Parliament may die its natural death." The Duke of Marlborough was a man, and therefore The Queen was not without the usual weaknesses of all, even the persists in tion, and is dismissed and Lord Dartmouth her resolu- greatest sons of Adam. It is probable, therefore, that Sunderland family attachment and personal ambition were not without their influence with him on this occasion. But every appointed. impartial mind must admit that the public considerations here stated were also of the greatest weight, and that the whole interests engaged in the war were at stake in the decision of the present question. But it was all in vain. Harley and Mrs Masham were determined on Sunderland's dismissal, and dismissed he was accordingly. Harley had found it no difficult matter to disunite the Whigs, who, seeing their cabinet drifting on the breakers, were making all haste to leap into the first boat which promised to take them out of danger. Somers alone was firm; but, after being long closeted with the Queen, who expressed "her resolution as being unalterable and long taken," he withdrew without the slightest hope of being able to save Sunderland. Shrewsbury, instead of being influenced by Marlborough's appeal, expressed his surprise only that the Duke should take the matter so much to heart; and the Queen, on hearing his letter read, evinced the same indifference. "It is true, indeed," said she, "that the turning out a son-in-law of his may be a mortification to the Duke of Marlborough; but must the fate of Europe depend on that? and must he be gratified in all his desires, and I not in so reasonable a thing as parting with a man whom I took into my service with all the uneasiness imaginable; whose behaviour to me has been so ever since; and who, I must add, is, I CHAP. VIII. believe, obnoxious to all people, except a few? I think the Duke of Marlborough's pressing so earnestly that I should delay my intentions is using me very hardly; and 1710. I hope that both he and you will not wonder that I do not comply with his desires." Sunderland, accordingly, was dismissed, and Lord Dartmouth appointed in his to Godolroom that very night, although Godolphin warned the 13, 1710, Queen that such a step would probably lead to his own 260-263. and Marlborough's resignation.1 1 The Queen phin, June Coxe, v. 61. this step on cabinet and borough. The result of this decided step shows how correctly Harley had calculated on the fears and disunion of the Effect of Whigs rendering nugatory any resistance on their part. the Whig A meeting of the cabinet was held, at which a resolution on Marlwas signed by all present,* embracing the whole administration, except the Dukes of Somerset and Shrewsbury, drawn up in the most earnest terms, in which they exhorted the Duke to forego his resentment, and to retain his command for the welfare of his country and Europe -concluding that they looked upon his continuance at the head of the army as a step essential to prevent the dissolution of Parliament, which could not fail to give the greatest satisfaction to his enemies. Marlborough reluctantly acquiesced in their representations, though he felt so much mortified that his continuance in the command was, as he himself said, nothing but a penance for his sins. "As this," said he, "is like to be my last campaign, I hope He will bless us with some further success, and that things may be made easier for those who shall succeed me; for, as it is, my head is perpetually hot. This, joined with the disagreeable things I * Viz., Lord-Chancellor Cowper, Lord-Treasurer Godolphin, Lord-President Somers, Lord Privy Seal, Duke of Newcastle; Duke of Devonshire; Lord High Steward; Lord Orford, First Lord of the Admiralty; Lord Halifax, Auditor of the Exchequer; and Mr Secretary Boyle.-Coxe, v. 269. VOL. II. K |