CHAP. VIII. 70. Parliament had been assembled, and that even then the Queen's new advisers would not venture on so strong a step as dismissing the first of these statesmen, whose Harley and private integrity and financial ability were alike unquestionable, and who had steered the state vessel with such Godolphin's success through the dangers of the preceding years. But dismissal, in that they were mistaken: Harley and the secret Mrs Ma sham resolve on August 8. council had resolved on Godolphin's dismissal before Parliament was dissolved. The first symptom of this resolution which manifested itself was on the 7th August, when the Premier, at a cabinet council, forgetting his usual caution, let fall some expressions as to Shrewsbury's admission to power being signalised by the adoption of French counsels. The Queen evinced no open displeasure at the moment, although she treasured the words in her heart; and in a subsequent audience of two hours, which he had on the same day with the Queen, and in which he mentioned a plot to poison her Majesty, which had been disclosed to Marlborough by a princess at the French court, he was well received. Still, when the necessary measures for carrying on the war were proposed, the minister always found, as he himself expressed 258-261. it," there is a lion in the way." In effect, the Queen's to Marlbo- resolution was taken. On the next morning, a servant rough, Aug. 1 Conduct, Godolphin and Queen Anne to 7, 1710; in the royal livery left a note from the Queen at his door, desiring him to break his staff of office, to avoid its August 7, re-delivery; and promising him a pension of £4000 a-year. v. 318-321. By the same post the Queen announced the step to the Duke of Marlborough.1* 1710. Coxe, "The uneasiness which you have showed for some time has given me very ́much trouble, though I have borne it; and had your behaviour continued the same it was for a few years after my coming to the crown, I could have no dispute with myself what to do. But the many unkind returns I have re CHAP. VIII. 1710. 71. The fallen minister addressed a noble letter to Marlborough on this occasion, in which he conjured him to suppress all private feelings of resentment, and remain at his post at the head of the army, as long as it was Patriotic possible, so as to prevent the Alliance from falling to Godolphin pieces, and the whole objects of the war, when within borough on their grasp, being lost.* This conduct on the part of this occa the dismissed minister was the more disinterested that such had been his integrity, during the many years he had been at the head of the Treasury, that he was almost destitute of private fortune when he left it, and, before an accession of fortune from his brother, was not possessed ceived since, especially what you said to me personally before the Lords, makes it impossible for me to continue you any longer in my service; but I will give you a pension of £4000 a-year; and I desire that, instead of bringing the staff to me, you will break it, which, I believe, will be easier to us both.”— Queen Anne to Godolphin, August 8, 1710; CoxE, v. 322. I * " August 9.-Though my circumstances at present are a little discouraging, yet nothing can ever make me neglect doing what best for the whole, or thinking of everything that may be most for your honour and safety. do therefore now, and resolve to continue, to take the same pains and care I did before, that you may be effectually supported to the end of this campaign in the post where you are; in hopes this may enable you better to persuade the States and the Emperor not to break quite loose from the Queen and England, but to expect, as patiently as they can, the opening of the session, or a new Parliament. I continue still very much of the opinion that either of them will be entirely for supporting the Alliance; consequently, will be wholly guided by you as soon as you return to England. I fancy other methods than this should be taken the Grand Alliance must be dissolved, and England fall into immediate distraction and confusion. "This, then, I lay down as the most probable method to save the whole from destruction, with most honour and advantage to yourself. I hope, therefore, you will govern yourself accordingly; and I pray God to continue the same success to you that you have hitherto had. "Whatever you shall find necessary to represent to the Queen, relating either to the subsistence of the troops, or to anything else which you wish may be furnished from hence for your project, you may continue to write to me, and I will put as much of it as is proper into the hands of Mr Secretary Boyle to show to the Queen; or you may write directly to him, if that be easier to you, for his part has been very good to you and me, and I have reason to think will continue so."-CoxE, v. 323-325. conduct of and Marl sion. CHAP. of more than £1000 a-year. He declined, however, to demand the promised pension, which was never paid. 1710. Marlborough, on his part, on receiving the decisive intelligence, was equally governed by public and patriotic feelings. Being well aware that it was the secret councils of France which had suggested the step, and that it was preparatory to a restoration of the Pretender, his principal care was directed to resume his confidential intercourse with the Elector of Hanover, to preserve the integrity of the Grand Alliance, to prosecute his military operations with the usual vigour, and to keep up the spirit of his friends in England. But though resolute to discharge his public duty to the very last, he was not the less aware, in secret, that his means of effectually serving his country were at an end; that he could no longer reckon on the support of Government at home; that he stood alone, amidst the wreck of all his compeers, 261. Marl the mark of envy, hatred, and malice; and that the change in the British government extinguished all hope of peace being concluded with France on such terms as, despite the extraordinary success of the war, would attain the objects for which it had been undertaken.1* 1 Conduct, borough's Private Corres. i. 360, 361. Coxe, v. 322-366. "The surprising news in your last of the Treasury being put in commission has filled me with very melancholy thoughts. I wish I may be mistaken, and that there may be credit found for the support of the army, otherwise France will, without a battle, get the better of the Allies. Whatever happens, whilst I have life I shall be faithfully yours. I have taken my resolution of troubling my head as little as possible with politics, but apply my thoughts wholly how to finish this campaign to the best advantage, and then I shall be impatient of being with you. It is impossible to express the very uneasy and extravagant thoughts I have had since the news of your being out. The French will certainly be so heartened by our unaccountable proceedings in England, that, whatever their difficulties may be, they will not think of a peace while they have hopes of our running into confusion.”—Marlborough to Godolphin, Aug. 28/30, 1710; Coxe, v. 328. CHAP. 1710. 72. Consterna Whigs, and new ministry, Aug. 20. The dismissal of Godolphin fell like a thunderbolt on the Whigs, and revealed the weakness which, by his secret manœuvres, Harley had implanted amongst them. A meeting was held on the same evening at Mr Secretary Boyle's, at which it was resolved to keep aloof, and tion of the not embarrass the new Government: a fatal determination-the excuse of cowardice-which has more than once since that time paralysed a party capable of directing with success and advantage the councils of their country. Perceiving the weakness and disunion of their adversaries, Harley and the Tories were not slow in following up their success. The Treasury was immediately put in commission, at the head of which was Lord Poulett, a decided Tory. Lord Rialton, Godolphin's son, was dismissed from his office of Cofferer of the Household, and the whole real powers of Government were vested in Harley, who next day was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer. The other Whig leaders, who had been tampered with by Harley, at first retained their situations, hoping to be taken in and form part of the new administration; but ere long they perceived their error in standing at all, and attempting to form an interest independent of Marlborough and Godolphin, and they at length resigned in a body. On the 19th, Somers, the Duke of Devonshire, and Mr Boyle resigned, and were succeeded by the Earl of Rochester, the Duke of Buckingham, and Mr St John. Wharton resigned the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland, and was succeeded by the Duke of Ormond. Lord Orford resigned the Presidency of the Admiralty, and was succeeded by Sir John Leake.1 Lord-Chancellor Cowper also resigned, not- 326-339. withstanding the earnest request of the Queen that he . 1 Coxe, v. CHAP. VIII. 1710. 73. Marlbo this crisis. would remain in office, and the Great Seal was put in commission. The Duke of Newcastle alone remained in office, unfaithful to his friends. It was a matter of the utmost moment to the new Decision of administration to secure the continuance of Marlborough rough on at the head of the army, both from the weight which his great name and services gave to any government, and the influence which it might have on the negotiations for peace depending with France. His own decided inclination, with a view to his personal comfort, was to resign with the rest; but he put himself entirely in the hands of his friends at home; and it was their unanimous opinion that he should retain his command, as affording the only security for a good peace or the Protestant succession to the throne. This decision, which was entirely in conformity with that which they had formerly come to when Lord Sunderland was dismissed,* was communicated to the Duke in an official letter from that nobleman, who said: "I congratulate you on the taking of Bethune, and hope in God the conclusion of the campaign will be attended with your usual success; though it is a grievous thing to think of the usage you have met with at the same time that you are doing what you are abroad with success. This proceeding is certainly with * "MY LORD,-Nous ne nous serions pas décidés à vous écrire, si nous ne jugions par vôtre lettre, dont Lord-Trésorier nous a fait part, combien vôtre Excellence doit être affectée de la situation de My Lord Sunderland. Cette lettre, quelque touchante, quelque bien motivée qu'elle fût, n'a pas empêché la reine de lui ôter les sceaux ce matin. Il fallait que la résolution en fût bien prise, puisque les moyens extraordinaires mis en usage pour la prévenir, puisque toutes les représentations employées pour en démontrer les conséquences, tant au dehors qu'au dedans, ont été inutiles. C'est un malheur dont nous sommes profondement affligés: nous sentons jusqu'à quel point vôtre Excellence doit y être sensible, dans cette conjuncture critique, où vous exposez à chaque instant vôtre personne pour vôtre pays, et où les destinées de l'Europe dépendent si éminemment de vôtre conduite et de vos succés ; |