LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Eden Farm, Oct. 29th, 1794.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-If you stay beyond this week, let us know if you can come on Monday next for one or two days. We expect here, from Monday to Wednesday, Sir Ralph and Lady Payne, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and possibly the Graffier Fagel, who, by-the-bye, speaks English as well as we do.

Parnell was at Addiscombe on Sunday. I collect that the first intention of the Grattan Administration was to have proscribed the Chancellor and you. They were afterwards content to leave you. But they would have made your board too hot to hold you, and they would have plagued you in Parliament out of your political

existence.

There is now some speculation that Lord Spencer and Thomas Grenville may be induced to go, and they are less committed than the others. All this is All this is very idle.

Mr. Pitt must quiet it by declaring must be holden by a friend of his.

that the Viceroyalty

Yours affectionately,

AUCKLAND.

a The Right Hon. Thomas Grenville, second son of the Right Hon. George Grenville and Elizabeth Wyndham; born 1755; succeeded his eldest brother in the representation of county Bucks 1779; again M.P. for Bucks 1780; for Aldborough 1790; for borough of Buckingham 1797, 1802, 1806, and 1807; appointed President of the Board of Control 1806; First Lord of the Admiralty (Oct.) 1806; died 1846.

MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND.

Abbeville, Nov. 15th, 1794.

MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-I find this country in a very unpleasant situation, and great jealousy and suspicion amongst the supporters of Government. We shall have a very disagreeable session. The Papists are being worked up by these people, and likely to be troublesome. Every day that a final arrangement is delayed is an additional mischief. The faction here report that Lord Westmoreland is to stay for this session; but that then Lord Fitzwilliam is to come with full powers; and in the meantime, Lord Westmoreland's arrangements are to be set aside, and the Duke of Portland is to substitute others. That, among other matters, the Bishop of Cloyne is not to be Provost, but the Duke is to name one. By this means the Ponsonbys are to make Mr. Browne, a fellow and member for the University, Provost; and by preferring one of the body, they are to have the support of all the fellows, and thus secure the seat. This is very well, considering that the cry has been, "Take the University out of political hands, and let it have done with politics." Then Lord Westmoreland's recommendation of a Bishop is to be laid aside, and O'Bierne preferred. Douglas recommended for the Secretaryship of State; Ponsonby to be put in his place; and Cashel, Primate. These are the

Dr. William Bennett, Bishop of Cloyne; consecrated 1790. b Arthur Browne, LL.D., a senior fellow of Trinity College; called to the bar 1779; M.P. for University 1783, 1790, and

If any

reports, with many others of the same nature. of Lord Westmoreland's recommendations are set aside, the conclusion will be that Lord Fitzwilliam is coming, and many will run to the Ponsonby standard, and the country will fall into the hands of the Duke of Portland, and Government in England will not be able to take it out of them again. I suppose, now that Lord Spencer is arrived, the arrangements will be settled. When you hear anything, give me a line.

Ever yours most affectionately,

J. B.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Eden Farm, 17th Nov., 1794.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,—I have not spirits to write much. The situation of this calamitous and disgraceful war grows every day worse and more alarming. I merely mean to say a few words as to what more immediately concerns you. I know that yesterday nothing was settled as to Ireland. The party of Devonshire House say still that they are to name a Viceroy; and that, in the meantime, promotions of any importance shall be kept vacant; that the Provostship of Dublin College, for instance, ought not to have been recommended to; that the arrangements dependent upon the Primacy merit their consideration. Mr. Pitt goes on as if he did not see or hear this; but he does both, and feels the embarrassment grievously. He has had an idea of sending over an English bishop (I believe

Sutton) for the Primacy. The great distresses which are forthcoming may keep down and stifle this squabble; but so the matter stands at present. We mean to go to London on the 25th for three weeks.

Yours affectionately,

AUCKLAND.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Old Palace Yard, Nov. 27th, 1794.

We sup

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-We came to this smoky town two days ago, to take leave of my brother and his family, who set out this morning for Vienna. ped with our friend Rose last night, and dined with him at Lambeth Palace the day before. His health is not good, but not worse than when you left him. I have seen various other people, and shall return to my lawn and library better informed of the State affairs than I wish; for there is nothing comfortable at present or in prospect.

You will have learnt all the circumstances respecting the Viceroyalty long before you receive this. Lord Fitzwilliam and Lord Milton are, I believe, to set out in a fortnight or three weeks. It certainly is a cruel business for the old servants of the old Government; for though I understand it to be positively stated that no

a

George Damer, Viscount Milton, son of Joseph, first Earl of Dorchester, and Lady Caroline Sackville, daughter of Lionel, first Duke of Dorset; born 1746; M.P. for Dorchester 1780, 1784, and 1790; for Malton 1798; succeeded his father 1798; appointed Chief Secretary of Ireland 1794; died 1808.

person whatever shall be removed without compensation, and consequently, as no person can be compensated under your Pension Act, in strict logic no person can be removed. But logic is one thing and the spirit of party another. It is clear to me that you will be more or less uncomfortably circumstanced. In respect to your situation, which interests me more than any other, I do not think it in danger of any attack; nor the Chancellor's situation; but the mischief is, that the language, and the measures too, will be such as to put you both into an unpleasant predicament. The best plan clearly is, to watch the course of the storm quietly, and to proceed in the efficient and regular discharge of duty, without appearance either of discontent, or suspicion, or apprehension. If there is any sense in those who govern, you will find yourself courted; if there is none, you will be subject to unpleasant moments from the petulance and absurdities of those who govern the governors; but all that will probably recoil on themselves. In short, gain time, and let the wind blow. Let me hear from you, and I will write again soon. The Primacy will, I think, be accepted by Sutton. I understand Lord Westmoreland is to be Master of the Horse. One of the Ponsonbys means to be Secretary of State; but there still subsists a difficulty, in that case, to provide for Douglas.

Yours very affectionately,

AUCKLAND.