ship, on which I shall ever set the highest value; and believe me to be ever, with the truest esteem and regard,

My dear Sir,

Most faithfully yours,

WM. WICKHAM.

MR. BERESFORD TO MR. WICKHAM.

Walworth, 18th Jan., 1804.

MY DEAR SIR,-I am very sincerely sorry for the event you have announced to me in your letter of the 14th, and the more so for the cause of it. I beg leave to assure you that I consider your departure not only as a great loss to your friends and acquaintance, but a misfortune to this country, with whose interests I have reason to believe you have taken pains to make yourself acquainted, and which I am sure you would have promoted to the utmost of your power. I may now tell you, without suspicion of flattery, that I personally regret your leaving us, and shall be happy on all occasions to show you that I am, with affectionate regard and esteem,

My dear Sir, ever yours,

J. BERESFORD.

MR. COOKE TO MR. BERESFORD.

London, 22nd Feb., 1804.

DEAR BERESFORD,-The King is rather better-it is said this attack is slighter than the last; and Ministers

are sanguine that His Majesty will be able to sign necessary papers before it is indispensable.

They say his general health is not much affected.

I have not heard that the Prince has been busy. Lord Thurlowe has been often with him.

They talk of invasion being at hand, and of course unconnected persons want some executive power; but I believe Ministers will delay.

There is certainly some kind of coalition or understanding between Fox and the Grenvilles.

nothing of Pitt. There is much caballing.

I know

I hear, Ministry are fools enough to have consented for Foster to move for a Committee into the state of the Irish Exchange and Paper Currency. He will expose the evil, and leave it at the door of Ministers, if he cannot cure it; if he can, he will have all the credit; or he will propose such remedies as Ministers will not approve, and throw on them the odium of refusing them; and he will attribute everything to the Union. Wise men!

The present discount on Irish bank notes is palpable depreciation, arising, I believe, from the state of the country; for the balance of trade is in favour of Ireland at present, and also the balance of remittances, so that when the exchange is done and computed in specie, it is now near two per cent. in favour of Ireland; but when English loans cease, and the drain for interest in England shall be left.what will then be the case of Ireland? has received from England in the last six years near 7,000,000l. by loans, besides paying the interest due in England by them.

She

Corry got quizzed for paying his own salary in specie, and is very sore. I think it was fair enough, and he should laugh at the attack.

Ever yours,

E. COOKE.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Palace Yard, Feb. 24th, 1804.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-Though the bulletin of the day states that "there is no material alteration in His Majesty's health," it is understood that he is going on well; and indeed I am privately assured, that if it were essentially material, he is now equal to doing business, or at least very nearly so.

It is supposed that the parliamentary campaign and hostilities will recommence next week; and many cabals are going forwards and are crossing and jostling each other. The new alliance between Mr. Fox and the Grenvilles is not called a coalition, but an approximation. It cannot approximate the views of the high contracting parties; it is more likely to approximate Mr. Pitt towards Government.

Mr. Foster was so good as to call on me upon his arrival; but I have not yet happened to meet him.

Yours ever,

AUCKLAND.

VOL. 11.

T

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Palace Yard, March 8th, 1804.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-All things here are pretty much "in statu quo prius." The invasion continues to be threatened, and very few now believe that it is probable or practicable, so far as this island is in question. The Dutch fleet, and the troops said to be embarked there, intend to pay a visit to Londonderry; and here is a charming wind for them.

The seizure of Moreau and Pichegru is a very vexatious incident to us, and an event of exultation to Bonaparte; I do not believe, however, that he is on a bed of roses. The state of parliamentary parties is forming itself into the old style; and the various schisms of Opposition are consolidating into one great phalanx. Still, however, with great eloquence, great weight, and powerful numbers, I do not think that they can make any impression, unless some new and unforeseen advantage should present itself. Mr. Pitt's naval motion afforded to him the occasion of making a fine speech; but the general result of the debate on the public opinion seems to be that the Admiralty have done well, and that our defensive exertions are much more efficient than they were supposed to be. Accordingly, the stocks rise; the Omnium is now at par, and the Consols at 57. Mr. Sheridan spoke, and Mr. Erskine voted with Mr. Addington, on Thursday; and I believe some others particularly connected with the Prince. The King is understood to be well, and to require only care to avoid new hurries and a relapse. He saw the

Duke of York this morning. I hope that the bulletins may be discontinued after two or three days more.

Yours ever,

AUCKLAND.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Palace Yard, March 9th, 1804.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-It will be a great satisfaction to you to learn that His Majesty was well enough to-day to sign the Commission for passing the Mutiny and other bills. Just as we were sending to desire the attendance of the Commons, Lord Fitzwilliam rose and objected, on the ground that the recovery is not understood to be complete. The Chancellor answered that in his presence, and alone with the King, he had received His Majesty's signature on a full explanation of the several bills mentioned in the Commission. then proceeded without further remark.

I do not know any other news to-day.

We

Lord Camelford is not yet dead, but is very ill and suffers much. He has exculpated Mr. Best in the presence of witnesses.

Yours ever,

AUCKLAND.

John Scott, Lord Eldon, third son of William Scott, of Newcastle; born 1751; appointed Solicitor-General 1788; Attorney-General 1793; Chief Justice of Common Pleas 1799; Lord Chancellor 1801 to 1806; again 1807 to 1827; M.P. for Weobly 1780 to 1796; for Borough Bridge 1796; created, 1801, Baron Eldon; 1821, Earl of Eldon; married, 1772, Elizabeth Surtees; died 1838.

b Thomas Pitt, last Lord Camelford, shot by Mr. Best in a duel 1804.