and to Mr. (Rear-Admiral) Stevens and all the In closing the brief narrative of the bustling and glorious events of this year, a letter from Lord Hardwicke may here be introduced the last in date of the series in Anson's collection-it is curious, as showing how well a shrewd and clever man, like the ex-chancellor, knows how to manage a tardy and timid prime minister, and frighten him into a compliance with his wishes. The immediate agent to be employed was Anson. "Grosvenor Square, November 14th, 1759. "MY DEAR LORD-I have been reflecting upon what passed between your lordship and me last night, and I have judged it necessary to give you this trouble. I wish you could make it convenient to you to see the Duke of Newcastle this forenoon, either at Newcastle House (which would be best) or else at court, before the House of Lords comes with their address. I beg further that you would tell him something of what passed between us two last 1 night, and tell him as many of the strong things, which I said, as you can recollect; the stronger you represent them the better; that, from what his grace said to your lordship, I feared his various occupations had not allowed him time to consider my letter from Wimpole of the first of this month by Barnesley; that, as to what is passed, I was only confirmed in the same opinion, which is there expressed at large. But my desire is to look forwards, which, in general, must depend upon events; that, for the present, my resolution is that, until this unhappy affair of Joe* is set right, I will not set my foot within the House of Lords. I will not come near the court, nor hear one word upon any public business; that, from this resolution, the King's civil list shall not move me. Both these I would till "I think this will alarm his grace; and the first thing he will think of will be to come to me, either as he comes from St. James's to-day or at night. avoid. The first would hurt me in my present state, by keeping me from my dinner; the last, by keeping me up midnight. I therefore beg your lordship would, in a kind, confidential way, say to his grace, You had better let Charlest and me talk to him before you see him. I found his mind was much agitated and heated; and he owned it was this hindered his sleeping. We will see him this evening: you need not suspect our blowing him up,—we will only calm and make him more easy. 66 * Sir Joseph Yorke, the Earl's third son. In 1749 he was secretary to Lord Albemarle's embassy to Paris; in 1751 minister to the Hague, where he remained twenty-nine years without removal; but his rank was changed in 1761 for that of ambassador. + Charles Yorke, the second son, who, in the year 1770, was appointed Lord Chancellor, and created Baron of Morden, but died suddenly, while the patent was making out. “If I know his grace, he will be thankful for this, and it will bring it to what I have wanted ever since I came to town, to have a full conversation with your lordship, Royston,* and Charles (whom I consider as part of myself, and on whom I can rely), to settle what is fit to be done for my honour and Joe's interest before I talk with anybody else on the subject. I desire this for two reasons, 1st, the thing is rightest in itself; 2nd, I own I dare not trust myself to an impetuous conversation with the Duke of Newcastle in my present state. I should be in danger of losing my temper, and of hurting the cause, or myself, or both. "If this scheme takes place, I wish your lordship could be here between seven and eight this evening, or as much earlier as you please. Let me know if you can, and I will appoint Charles. He may get away early from the serjeant's feast. If this meeting cannot be to-night, I shall like it as well to-morrow, provided the Duke of Newcastle can be decently kept off in the mean time. Be so good as to let me hear a word from you; forgive this trouble, and, "LORD ANSON." 66 Believe me, &c. &c. The history of this weighty affair seems to be this: On the 30th October, 1759, Sir Joseph, then minister at the Hague, writes to his father, to state that Lord Holdernesse, the secretary of state, in whose department he was, had taken umbrage at a kind of private correspondence, which Sir Joseph kept up with * Philip, the eldest son of Lord Hardwicke, and second earl, who married the Marchioness Grey, grand-daughter and heiress of Henry Duke of Kent. + Anson's Collection, No. 202. the Duke of Newcastle, and which enabled the Duke sometimes to anticipate to the King the secretary's official communications. On this provocation, Lord Holdernesse wrote Sir Joseph so sharp a reprimand, that he felt himself to be in danger, and, at all events, greatly insulted: and the whole house of Yorke, and all their allies, were put into motion to induce the Duke of Newcastle to come forward boldly, and defend " poor Joe," whose only crime was obedience to his grace's commands. The affair at this distance of time seems trifling, but to the parties it was serious, particularly as it was suspected that Mr. Pitt egg'd on Lord Holdernesse, and that the blow was really at the Duke himself, more than at Sir Joseph. CHAPTER IX. CONCLUSION OF THE SEVEN-YEARS' WAR-DEATH OF GEORGE II., AND OF LORD ANSON. The disposition of the fleet for the year 1760-High state of the navy as to ships, officers, and men-The several flag-officers employed-Hawke and Boscawen relieve each other-Death of Boscawen, and character-Capture of the Island Dumet-Anson's instructions to Hawke respecting Belleisle-Death of George II.— Keppel's expedition against that island-its capture-Affairs of North America-Byron sent to demolish the works of Louisburg -Chevalier de Levis appears before Quebec-General Murray goes out to attack him-is obliged to retreat-The fleet arrives, and Levis raises the siege-Montreal taken by General Amherst— French power annihilated in Canada - Overture of peace from France-treacherous intrigue of with Spain-Mr. Pitt's noble conduct-resigns in disgust-Declaration of war against Spain-The war prosecuted with vigour against these combined powers-Disastrous war for Spain-Her register ships taken-The Havannah taken, with fourteen sail-of-the-line-Manilla taken, and ransomed -Disasters of the French, in the capture of Martinique, and several frigates, privateers, and merchant-ships-Both powers humbled and sue for peace-Preliminaries signed in November, 1762, and proclaimed in London in February, 1763-Death of Lord AnsonLetter of the Duke of Newcastle on this occasion. 1760 to 1763. THE spirit and energy displayed by that great statesman, Mr. Pitt, infused a congenial feeling into the administration, who resolved to follow up the successful blow struck at the enemy both by sea and land. this purpose into effect, it was resolved To carry |