СНАР. VIII. 1710. truth, their influence was already at an end, as was evinced soon after in two subordinate but still very important appointments. The first of these was the removal of Lord Coningsby from the office of ViceTreasurer of Ireland, for no other reason but his devotion to Marlborough, who was succeeded by the Earl of Anglesea, a decided Tory; and the refusal to nominate, on the Duke's application, Lord Raby as one rough to of the Commissioners of the Board of Trade. "I sup- July 14, pose," said the Duke on hearing of the refusal, "that v. 301-303. the place is designed for some particular favourite that ham,ii. 305. is to be provided for."1 1 Marlbo Godolphin, 1710. Coxe, Cunning 68. Secret mis sion of Mr Hanover, and Marl magnani hearing of it. A still more serious because more public blight was put on Marlborough, at this period, by a very singular and mysterious step, involving, it was evident, political Cresset to results of the very highest importance. Mr Cresset who dies, was appointed by the Queen on a secret mission to borough's Hanover, the object of which was concealed both from mity on Godolphin and Marlborough. He died a few hours before his departure; but before his death he saw his papers sealed up, and ordered them to be delivered to Mr Harley. The Lord-Treasurer observed "that Mr Harley betrayed great marks of confusion when he heard of this, and was not relieved till the papers were in his possession." It was known both to Godolphin and Marlborough that the object of this mission was to offer the command of the army in Flanders to the Elector of Hanover, in order to get quit of the influence which it gave to the latter of these statesmen. This was revealed to Marlborough by the Elector himself, who, in a frequent and confidential correspondence, expressed his determination not to accept the command, evinced the most perfect reliance on the good faith of the VIII. CHAP. Duke, expressed his lively concern for the stroke levelled at him in the dismissal of his son-in-law, and earnestly 1710. deprecated any further changes in the ministry or dissolution of Parliament. Marlborough received the intelligence in a noble spirit. In a letter to Godolphin he observed, "I know, by the commission Mr Cresset was charged with, what you and I were to expect. When I see you, you have the particulars, and how I came to be informed of this business. When I tell you the whole, I think you will be of opinion that it is impossible they should trust the Queen with their whole design, for it is directly tying her hand and foot. I beg you will never mention that to anybody; for though I think I shall have the glory of saving the Queen, she must know nothing of it. I am very sensible of the hard usage I have met with; but my own honour and my love for my country must not suffer me to take anything ill of the Queen, but attribute my cruel usage to the malice of my enemies. Our extravagant behaviour in England has so encouraged the French that they take measures as if the war were but just beginning ; so that our new ministers will be extremely deceived, for, the greater desire they shall express for peace, the less they will have it in their power to obtain it. For our enemies live by no other hopes but that the Allies will not have the same confidence which has hitherto been, but quarrel amongst themselves; which I pray God v. 304, 305. may not happen, and then everything must go well,-I mean abroad."1 1 Marlborough to Godolphin, Aug. 16, 1710. Coxe, The Duke, however, was well aware that his tenure of power now hung by a thread, and could not, by any possibility, be prolonged beyond a few months. His great anxiety, therefore, was extreme, during the brief CHAP. 1710. 69. duct of rough, and advice to at this period that his tenure of power was allotted to him, to do nothing unworthy of his character, or that might compromise his great reputation. Of this he had no fears, for his words and his actions were in his own Noble conkeeping. But a more difficult task awaited him in mo- Marlboderating the transports and restraining the impetuosity his wise of the Duchess, whose affection for her husband was the Duchess deeply wounded by the treatment which he had under- crisis. gone; while her ambition was not less mortified by the total extinction of her influence at court, where she still held a prominent and responsible situation. He was indefatigable, therefore, in his efforts, unhappily attended with little success, to keep her within the bounds of temper and moderation. "It is impossible," said he, "to be more sensible than I am of the outrages I meet with; but since everybody thinks I must have patience, I must suffer for three or four months. I beg you to believe that I know the Duke of Shrewsbury so well that it shall not be in his power to impose upon me. I was in hopes you had taken your resolution of staying in the country till my return, and of never being prevailed upon to write again to the Queen, which I beg you will continue firm to; for, as things are, you must expect neither reason nor justice, but, on the contrary, all the brutality imaginable. I am prepared for the worst. I shall consult my honour and my best friends. as to my behaviour, so that I may have nothing to reproach myself; and for your behaviour, I beg you will make not one step but as my opinion may go along with you for it is not enough, in an ungrateful age, to have reason on our side, but, as things are, we must be seen to act with prudence and temper: so that again I beg of you to trust nobody but me, who love you, and will CHAP. VIII. 1710. 1 Marlbo rough to the Duchess, July 17 and 31, 1710. Coxe, v. 309, 310. 70. Mrs Ma sham resolve on dismissal, August 8. be tenderly kind to you as long as I have life. Your honour and reputation are safe with me; therefore, do not be provoked to say or do anything that may give our enemy an advantage. It is most certain, the Queen has been prevailed upon to use both you and me barbarously; but nothing should be said disrespectfully; for she would not act so if she were not influenced by others who follow their own interest more than hers." 1 The anticipations of the hero, as to an entire change Harley and of men and measures, were realised even sooner than he expected. Godolphin and he were under the impression Godolphin's that no material change would be made till after a new 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 private integrity and financial ability were alike unquestionable, and who had steered the state vessel with such success through the dangers of the preceding years. But in that they were mistaken: Harley and the secret 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 displeato Maribo- sure 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 August 7, which he mentioned a plot to poison her Majesty, which v. 318-321. had been disclosed to Marlborough by a princess at the French court, he was well received.2 Still, when the "Conduct, 258-261. Godolphin rough, Aug. 7, 1710; and Queen Anne to Godolphin, 1710. Coxe, necessary measures for carrying on the war were proposed, the minister always found, as he himself expressed it," there is a lion in the way." In effect, the Queen's resolution was taken. On the next morning, a servant in the royal livery left a note from the Queen at his door, desiring him to break his staff of office, to avoid its re-delivery; and by the same post the Queen announced the step to the Duke of Marlborough.* СНАР. VIII. 1710. 71. conduct of and Marl this occa The fallen minister addressed a noble letter to Marlborough on this occasion, in which he conjured him to Patriotic suppress all private feelings of resentment, and remain Godolphin at his post at the head of the army, as long as it was borough on possible, so as to prevent the Alliance from falling to sion. pieces, and the whole objects of the war, when within their grasp, being lost. This conduct on the part of the dismissed minister was the more disinterested that such had been his integrity, during the many years he had KENSINGTON, August 7. "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 received 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. + “August 9.—Though my circumstances at present are a little discouraging, yet nothing can ever make me neglect doing what is best for the whole, or thinking of everything that may be most for your honour and safety. I 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 |