CHAP. VIII. 1710. 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 they are ready to make their court to Mr Harley, who to Marlboappears ready to receive it, and is making advances 29, 1710. and professions almost to every one that he thinks our 245. friends." 1 1 Godolphin rough, May Coxe, v. 59. rough in to the Duke bury, June At the earnest solicitation of Godolphin and his remaining friends in the cabinet, Marlborough addressed Marlbothe Duke of Shrewsbury at this crisis; and his letter is vain applies valuable as containing a clear exposition of his views and of Shrewsmotives of action at this critical period, and of the 19. close connection which unhappily prevailed between these court intrigues and the great civil, political, and religious questions which divided the world. "The constant friendship there has always been between us encourages me to unburden myself to you at this juncture, when every post brings fresh alarms of the removal of my Lord Sunderland. 'Tis not his relationship to 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 CHAP. VIII. 1710. 1 Marlborough to Shrewsbury, June 19, 1710. Coxe, v. 249, 250. 60. tion, and 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 home and abroad, and that you will give your helping hand to prevent the mischiefs that are threatening us. I expect, particularly from your friendship to me, that you will be a support to Lord Sunderland; and, from 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 her resolu- greatest sons of Adam. It is probable, therefore, that Sunderland family attachment and personal ambition were not withand Lord out their influence with him on this occasion. But every appointed. impartial mind must admit that the public considerations. is dismissed Dartmouth 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 CHAP. VIII. 1710. 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 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 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 Godolphin, June room 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 The Queen Coxe, v. 61. Effect of this step on The result of this decided step shows how correctly Harley had calculated on the fears and disunion of the Whigs rendering nugatory any resistance on their part. A the Whig meeting of the cabinet was held, at which a resolution was on Marlsigned by all present,* embracing the whole administration borough. * 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. cabinet and VOL. II. K CHAP. 1710. except the Dukes of Somerset and Shrewsbury, drawn things I receive from I was in devotion, and earnestly hope God will forgive what is past, and strengthen our hearts; so that, for the time to come, we may bear with patience the ingratitude we have met with, which He no doubt, in due time, will punish; for we, I fear, have too justly merited His anger, 1 Marlbo- but noways have deserved this usage of the Queen. We Godolphin must look upon this correction as a favour, if it atones Duchess, for our past actions. As I would not be a favourite July 7, were I in power, my daily prayers shall be, that you rough to and the June 29 and 1710. Coxe, Conduct, 231, 232. v. 266-268. and I might be so strengthened by His grace that the remainder of our lives might be spent in doing good, by which we might at last be acceptable to Him." 1 Marlborough, at this juncture, though absent with the army in Flanders, was too clear-sighted not to perceive how the current of public opinion was running in VIII. 1710. 62. ,, rough's Parliament dissolved. England, and of the danger of the national policy being CHAP. entirely altered, and the whole fruits of his victories lost, if a dissolution were to take place in the present excited state of the public mind. His opinion on this subject Marlbowas often and very earnestly expressed :-" I think," anxiety lest said he," the importance of preserving this Parliament should be is of so much consequence to the Queen and nation, that I would omit nothing that could be in my power; for I am as sure as I can be of anything in this world, that, if this Parliament be broke, the Queen's glory and interestis lost both in Holland and the Empire, the fatal consequences of which you can best judge; so that, let me, 1 Marlboas a faithful friend, beg of you that, if you can help this Godolphin, fatal step, you will do it; if not, that you will demonstrations of its being done contrary to advice; so that, when they return to their wits, the i. 31. true authors may meet with their reward!"1 1 rough to July 5, give 1710. Coxe, your v. 272. Mem. of Sir 63. quences changes in tion in The event soon showed how correctly Marlborough had divined the consequences of these changes in the Conse cabinet, both in England and on the Continent. By the of these Tories, the dismissal of Sunderland was naturally hailed administraas the signal of victory. They accordingly exerted England. themselves in procuring addresses from the cities and counties in favour of the new policy, and with such effect that they flowed in in a perfect torrent. The Whigs could muster only a very few, and these extremely feeble in comparison. In these addresses, the doctrines of passive obedience and non-resistance were openly advanced, and the most determined resolution to support the Queen and the Church against all republican, traitorous, and schismatic opponents. The Jacobites about the palace congratulated the Queen on being at length rescued from the domineering party which had so long |