George III: February 1768

Calendar of Home Office Papers (George III): 1766-9. Originally published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1879.

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'George III: February 1768', in Calendar of Home Office Papers (George III): 1766-9, (London, 1879) pp. 300-311. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/home-office-geo3/1766-9/pp300-311 [accessed 28 March 2024]

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February 1768

1 Feb.
Isle of Man, v. 1, No. 59.
760. Mr. John Wood, Governor of the Isle of Man, to Lord.
Mr. Quillin, H.M.'s Attorney General of the Isle, died on the 23rd ult. Will take no step in this case till His Majesty's pleasure be signified, though upon such vacancies the Governor gave a pro-tempore commission, and the person so appointed was always approved of. Nevertheless, recommends Mr. Daniel Mylrea, who was regularly educated to the law, many years Attorney General and has been in every other post of trust and consequence in this Isle; was the Governor's deputy during absence, and acquitted himself in all with uprightness. Can answer for his zeal for H.M.'s Government. As Mr. Mylrea was Receiver General, when the Isle became vested in the Crown, it was thought proper to confer that office upon Mr. Lutwidge, and he was therefore the only person superseded, and has continued so, though the Duke of Atholl repeatedly wrote that he had the assurance of the then Ministry that he and the other officers should be provided for. Besides, begs leave to submit to his Lordship's consideration how proper it may be to listen to this recommendation, that it may wear the appearance of some interest, as the prevailing opinion in the Isle allows him (Mr. Wood) little or none, being neither able to procure appointments for himself, nor salaries for those under him. Gives information relative to the arrival, quartering, &c. of the troops.—Isle of Man. "No. 1." 3pp.
2 Feb.
Dom. Geo. III., pcl. 80, No. 6 a to e.
761. Genl. Conway to Lord Weymouth.
Sends a letter received from Mons. de Saldern, addressed to His Majesty, with its copy, and a certificate of D. Ferdinand in favour of the officer recommended, as also the letter to himself enclosing them. His Lordship will best judge how far the peculiar situation and character of M. de Saldern entitle him to attention, and the reception of so uncommon an application.—"L."Warwick Street.
The enclosures. (French) They are strongly in favour of an officer named During, in the Russian service, who was born a British subject, and had served with distinction in the Allied army. The request made on his behalf was that he might be received again into His Majesty's service in Germany as a lieutenant colonel of cavalry. 9pp. or parts of pp.
2 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No.30.
Entered in Ireland Correspnce., 1761–70, p. 126.
762. Earl of Shelburne to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
His Majesty approves of the recommendation of Lieut.-Col. Sandford to succeed to the government of Galway, vacant by the death of Capt. Eyre. A draft. 1p.
2 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 31 a, b.
763. The Same to the Same.
His Excellency's despatches of the 3rd and 11th January have been before H.M.'s principal servants, who have given them the fullest consideration. The utmost attention has been shown to his Excellency's pressing and repeated instances, grounded on the wishes of the public, for the return of the Bill for limiting the duration of Parliaments, which the King approved in Council yesterday, with a few alterations agreeable to the true spirit of the Bill. The necessity of the first, regarding the preamble, must be so obvious as to require no explanation. The second is that of changing the term of seven to eight years, being better adapted to Ireland, the Parliament there usually meeting only every second year. The third, which makes the present Parliament determine on the 24th June next instead of 24th June 1774, is not only particularly agreeable to the whole spirit of the Bill, the present Parliament having already sat nearly the time marked out by this Bill as most expedient for the duration of future Parliaments, but must be considered as a most gracious condescension on the part of His Majesty, who gives his Parliament thereby an opportunity of concurring in this salutary measure, which he might otherwise carry into execution by his own undoubted prerogative.
The other two Bills for making the Judges' commissions quamdiu se bene gesserint, and for the better securing the liberty of the subject, are under the consideration of the Council. His Excellency's several proposals are all of them of so new a kind as to require the most mature deliberation before any opinion can be formed concerning them.
Encloses a draft of an Act which was proposed yesterday in the House of Commons, for enabling His Majesty, his heirs and successors, to raise and keep up on the military establishment of Ireland any number of troops, consisting of His Majesty's naturalborn subjects only, not exceeding in the whole in the time of peace the number of 15,235 men. His Excellency will observe that no expression is therein wanting that may demonstrate the most clear intention of Parliament that the number of forces to be kept within the kingdom of Ireland for the defence thereof shall consist of 12,331 men, commissioned and non-commissioned officers included. And as the King has declared his resolution to comply with the spirit of this Act, he has the strongest reason to expect that a measure so calculated for the welfare, peace, and safety of Ireland should, and trusts that it will, meet with the support of a majority in both Houses of Parliament in Ireland. As nothing can be done in Ireland till the Act proposed here receives the Royal assent, his Excellency is to consider with the King's servants and others in what manner the said Augmentation (as soon as the above-mentioned Act is passed) may be proposed in the House of Commons. If it fail there, his Excellency will imagine that when the King comes to reflect on certain passages in his Excellency's letters, he can be no stranger to the scandalous cause of such miscarriage. There is, however, yet time for persons to recollect themselves, to deliberate upon a plan of such utility to the public, and for that reason so earnestly espoused by His Majesty, and to reflect upon their stations and duty. His Lordship most sincerely hopes they will take advantage of the opportunity, and, especially as he is commanded to renew the assurances already made, that those who distinguish themselves in the support of that important question cannot fail of reaping in due time the fruits of their zeal for His Majesty's service, and for the real security of Ireland. A draft, marked "Confidential."
Copy of the Act enclosed. 12 pp.
3 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 38.
764. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Townshend) to the Earl of Shelburne.
Acknowledging his Lordship's letter of the 28th, which he sent to the Bishop of Derry as desired.
4 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 41.
765. The Same to the Same.
Mr. Poer has again deferred his motion, which he intended to have brought on on Tuesday last, in such a general manner as to make his Excellency believe that it will not be again resumed, because the latter is every day more and more convinced that the independent gentlemen, who have some considerable following, are resolved to go on with great moderation. Sir Charles Bingham, indeed, has mentioned in the House to-day that he means to make some motion to-morrow relative to the Septennial Bill; but as his Excellency cannot at present find on what grounds he means to proceed, or whether he will be supported, it is unnecessary to say anything more upon that subject, as it can only be mere conjecture, and as he is still in hopes to receive some explicit letter from his Lordship relative to this Bill before the House meets to-morrow, there being a packet due at this time. Marked "Private." 2 pp.
6 Feb.
Dom. Entry Bk., v. 24, p. 164.
766. P. M. Morin to the Clerk of the Council in Waiting.
Enclosing a copy of a letter lately received from H.M.'s Consul at Cadiz, dated 21 Dec., 1767, which confirms the account on the same subject transmitted some time ago by Sir James Wright, and sent to the Council Office on the 14th Dec. last.
6 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 45.
767. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Townshend) to the Earl of Shelburne.
Since his letter of the 4th, another remarkable motion has been made. Sir Charles Bingham moved that Dr. Lucas, Mr. Henry Flood, and Mr. William Ponsonby should be sent to England to lay before His Majesty the great advantages that must arise to this kingdom by passing the Bill for limiting the duration of Parliaments, and to endeavour to obviate such objections as may have been made to the said Bill. Though this motion seemed to be seriously made by Sir Charles, and was as seriously seconded by Mr. Bush, it was hardly possible to have imagined they were in earnest, till Mr. Flood endeavoured to support the motion by precedents taken from the journals in the times of James I. and Charles I., and by that means brought on a debate which lasted some hours, and at last ended in the motion being withdrawn, in order to be moved again in case the Septennial Bill should not in a very short time be returned. Mr. Prime Serjeant, in a very long and popular harangue, made to justify himself from the great abuse that has lately been flung out against him, thought proper in the strongest manner to assert, that as, on the one hand, he was resolved to give the most strenuous opposition to the intended Augmentation, so, on the other, he was determined to give every support in his power to a National Militia, either by lending his assistance to such a Bill as might be brought in, or, if that should not soon be done, by bringing one in himself. This very remarkable and public declaration as to the Augmentation was considered by the House as the fixed opinion both of Lord Shannon and Mr. Speaker, with whom he still continues to be closely connected, and from whom, of course, his Excellency has not now the smallest hopes of assistance. The Committee relative to the Military Establishment is still going on, and, having branched into several different heads of enquiry, it may still be some time before any report can be made. Cannot exactly learn to what sort of resolutions they intend to come. Marked "Confidential." 3 pp.
9 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 46.
768. The Same to the Same.
Submitting whether it may not be advisable that the recruiting parties now under orders to join their regiments on the 10th April next should remain on this service longer, it appearing from the reports transmitted that the necessary numbers cannot be raised against that time. 1 p.
9 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 47 a, b.
769. The Same to the Same.
Yesterday brought his Lordship's despatch of the 2nd, with the Bill for limiting the duration of Parliaments, which was to-day read for the first time in the House of Commons, and has given universal satisfaction. It will be seen from the enclosed minutes what has already happened in consequence of it. In addition to this, a motion which was to have been made on Friday next relative to pensions was immediately given up, and is not again to be stirred this sessions. Marked "Confidential."
The enclosed minutes. On the Bill being read it was resolved, nem. con., to present addresses to the King and the Lord Lieutenant. There are notices also of the heads of Bills presented by members. 3 pp.
10 Feb.
Ireland, v. 426, No. 40.
770. Militia in Ireland.
Heads of a Bill for regulating the militia of Ireland, presented by Mr. Flood. 38 pp. of print.
10 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, Nos. 42, 43.
One entered in Ireland Correspnce., 1761–70, p. 128.
771. Lord Shelburne to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Relative to the disposition and transport of the 69th and 57th regiments. Two drafts. 2 pp.
10 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 44.
772. The Same to the Same.
In answer to letters of the 26th, 28th, and 30th Jan.
As to the "positive and explicit instructions" desired by his Excellency, his Lordship must observe that he has not failed from time to time to give the fullest answers to all those points on which the King's commands or the opinions of his servants were desired; and further, that his Excellency, being on the spot, and in consequence alone possessed of that variety of lights which is absolutely necessary to form a general plan for giving immediate vigour to Government, as well as being the person on whom the execution of it depends, can alone properly suggest any such for His Majesty's consideration. Accordingly, his Lordship has the King's commands to state that whatever plan he, the Lord Lieutenant, shall think proper to offer for that important end, will be taken into immediate consideration, with all the regard due to his Excellency's zeal for the King's service, not doubting that it will be accompanied with that distinct view of both men and things which is essential to the coming to a final determination upon it.
In regard to the next point, neither the King nor his servants have any predilection for any man or set of men whatever; and having nothing else in view than to conduct the King's affairs honourably and safely, to the mutual satisfaction of the Crown and people, they must naturally choose to see the public business carried on without being obliged to make any change whatsoever among his servants, as long as they are both able and willing to serve it; but if they shall prove deficient in one or other respect, so as to leave his Excellency "no reason to expect any solid support from them," His Majesty not only sees no objection, but highly approves of the sending for such gentlemen, under the description of independent gentlemen, or any other description not inconsistent with that character of duty and affection which every good subject owes the King, and who shall be believed equal to the execution of what they may be desired to undertake. If such a measure appear necessary, the result of any such communication is to be transmitted as early and particularly as possible for His Majesty's consideration.
As to what ought to be done with the Parliament, the uncertainty at this time what reception the Bill for limiting the duration of Parliaments may meet with in Ireland, makes it impossible to send particular instructions with regard to the duration of the present Parliament, till information is received of the fate of that Bill, and the consequences to be expected from it. The first motion mentioned to have been carried in the House of Commons is a melancholy proof of that want of zeal in the King's servants which his Excellency has so often lamented, and which has encouraged ill-judged reflections upon the power of the Crown, where it was only exerted for the most salutary purposes. It is scarce possible to believe that a motion such as [Mr. Poer's] is intended to be carried, without denying that wisdom to the Parliament of Ireland which has in some measure always restrained it in the times of its greatest agitation, or to hear of its being moved without expressing astonishment at so unjustifiable an attack upon the prerogative of the Crown, at a time when His Majesty is graciously pleased to anticipate the wishes of his people, and to agree to the strengthening of the constitution of that kingdom in the manner most desired. But if his Excellency should not be able by persuasions and every other conciliating method to prevent this resolution from passing, his Lordship is expressly commanded by His Majesty, with the unanimous opinion of his servants, to recommend to his Excellency the use of that power, lodged in his hands, of proroguing the Parliament as soon as such a resolution, or any to the like effect, shall have actually passed.
P.S.—The Enabling Act has passed the Committee in the House of Commons, with one slight alteration. Since writing as above, has received his Excellency's letter of Feb. 4, which makes him hope that upon the whole a better temper will take place, and that his Excellency's views for the public service will not be impeded as they have hitherto been. A draft, marked "Secret and confidential." 8 pp.
10 Feb.
Mil. Entry Bk., v. 28, p. 196.
War Office, v. 24, No. 9.
773. The Same to the Secretary-at-War.
His Majesty has ordered the 69th Regiment, which was destined to relieve the 57th at Minorca, to be left at Gibraltar, and added to the garrison there, and the said 57th to be nevertheless brought back to Ireland as at first ordered.—Whitehall.
11 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 51 a, b, c.
774. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Townshend) to the Earl of Shelburne.
Transmitting the addresses of thanks to His Majesty and his Excellency, from the House of Commons, upon the return of the Bill for limiting the duration of Parliaments, and his Excellency's answers.
The addresses. 3¼ pp.
12 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 52 a, b.
775. The Same to the Same.
Transmitting an address of thanks on the same Bill, from the Lord Mayor, &c. of Dublin.
The address. (The seal removed.) 1 p. and 1 memb.
16 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 49.
Entered in Ireland Correspnce., 1761–70, p. 128.
776. R.S[utton] to Richard Jackson, Esq., Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
In reference to the several papers relative to a Second Annuity Society at Cork, which came enclosed in the Lord Lieutenant's letter of 26 Dec. last, and to the First and Third Annuity Societies. 2½ pp.
16 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 58.
777. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Townshend) to the Earl of Shelburne.
Acknowledging his Lordship's letter of the 10th inst. as to the landing of the 69th Regiment of Foot at Gibraltar.
16 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 59.
778. The Same to the Same.
Has the satisfaction now to acquaint his Lordship that he has met with the most hearty assistance of the country gentlemen; and that they, with the Duke of Leinster and my Lord Tyrone's friends, have enabled him, for the present, entirely to defeat the designs of the other prevailing party here by putting an end to the Committee of Inquiry into the Military Establishment in such a manner as will not, his Excellency thinks, be disagreeable to His Majesty, or obstruct the augmentation. The crisis, therefore, being come, in which it appears to him absolutely necessary that His Majesty should give immediate vigour to his Government here, and being very anxious that his Lordship, for His Majesty's information, should be fully acquainted with the real state of the kingdom, he has determined to send over his Secretary, Lord Frederick Campbell, in whom he has always placed an entire confidence, and who, from. being perfectly acquainted with the temper of the Parliament, and with every transaction that has happened, will be able to state all the necessary grounds for such a plan as may be effectually and immediately carried into execution.
Has this day given the Royal assent to the Octennial Bill. This Bill has given great and universal satisfaction, and will have most of the useful effects expected to arise from it. But his Excellency is much afraid, from the dissolution being fixed, that it will not so effectually promote the augmentation; it being almost impossible, immediately before a general election, to prevent the minds of men from being not only hurried away, but even irretrievably bound down, by popular prejudices. It may, perhaps, therefore, now not only be difficult, but dangerous, to push on the augmentation, because most of the best friends to this measure dare not now, as candidates, avow an additional vote of credit in order to augment a standing army. As Lord Frederick Campbell will set out on his way for London in two or three days, his Excellency will not at present go more at large into this business; but if it shall be thought advisable to propose this plan to the present Parliament, his Excellency will immediately do it in such manner as His Majesty shall direct; and in the meantime, by persuasion and every other conciliatory method, continue to dispose not only the King's servants, but all the principal interests of this country, to concur in promoting this great and necessary object. Marked "Secret and confidential." 4 pp.
18 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 53.
779. Earl of Shelburne to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
Acknowledging the receipt of his letters of 6th and 9th inst. Will not fail to lay them before His Majesty at the first audience. A draft. ¾ p.
18 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, Nos. 61 a, b, c, 63 a, b.
780. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Townshend) to the Earl of Shelburne.
1. Transmitting the addresses of thanks to the King, and his Excellency, from the House of Lords, upon the Bill for limiting the duration of Parliaments, with his Excellency's answers.
The enclosures. 3 pp.
2. Transmitting an address from the House of Commons to His Majesty, to lay before His Majesty the report (also enclosed) of the Committee of Inquiry into the application of the money granted for the support of the Military Establishments from March 25th, 1751, and also into the present state of the Military Establishment.
A copy of the resolution for an address only. 2pp.
19 Feb.
Dom. Geo. III., pcl. 80, No. 8 a, b, c.
781. Commissioners of Excise to Lord Viscount Weymouth.
Send copies of letters from John Repton, their collector of Norwich, and Edward Girling, their supervisor of Yarmouth, giving an account of a large gang of smugglers having murdered one of their officers, and dangerously wounded several others who had seized a large quantity of excisable goods, which the said smugglers rescued and carried off with them. By direction of the Lords of the Treasury, asks that His Majesty's pardon may be advertised in the Gazette to any person or persons, not actually the murderers, who shall discover his or their accomplices therein.
The enclosures. 6 pp.
20 Feb.
Admiralty, pcl. 157, No. 13.
782. Mr. Brooksbank, at the Excise Office, to Mr.—.
Sends the enclosed draft of an advertisement in answer to his letter to Mr. Stonehewer, desiring to know what reward is proposed to be given by this Board for the discovery of the person or persons concerned in the murder of the Excise Surveyor near Yarmouth. The Commissioners are very desirous that the advertisements should appear in the Gazette of this night. 1 p.
20 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 54.
Entered in Ireland Correspnce., 1761–70, p. 133.
783. Earl of Shelburne to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
His Majesty entirely approves of the proposal that the recruiting parties should remain on the recruiting service till their respective corps are completed. A draft. 1 p.
19 and 23 Feb.
Treas. Entry Bk., 1763–75, p. 218.
784. Richard Sutton to Mr. Bradshaw.
Prince Masseran has acquainted Lord Shelburne that Mons. Escarano is about setting out from Paris to replace Mons. Ottamenoi here, as Secretary to the Spanish Embassy. His Lordship desires the Lords of the Treasury to give the proper orders for the indulgence to be shown him in regard to his baggage.—Whitehall.
The reply. Secretaries to Embassies have been considered as ministers of an inferior character. Has therefore sent the necessary orders to the Commissioners of Customs thereon.—Treasury Chambers.
23 Feb.
Admiralty, pcl. 157, No. 14.
785. Clergy of Minorca.
A memorial presented in their name to the Earl of Shelburne, praying His Majesty's intervention to protect them against Governor Johnston, in regard to attacks made by him upon the honours, privileges, and customs secured to them by treaty and the practice of the Isle. They set forth that a theft having been committed in the house of Dr. Vilar, "Pro y Cura" of the suburb of St. Philip, he was thereupon put under arrest. He applied to the Governor for release, or to be remitted to the Vicar General of the Isle to be tried by the ecclesiastical tribunal, according to the express privilege of the clergy and the custom of the Isle. This the Governor refused; and also, in a letter to the Vicar General in answer to a similar application from him, advanced various pretensions contrary to the privileges and practices of the Isle, particularly forbidding the dependence of the clergy of Minorca on the Bishop of Majorca, in whose diocese the Island was, and threatening to banish the Vicar General if he should apply for or receive any "providencias" from that prelate.
The clergy, judging themselves aggrieved, met in Congress at Ciudadella (as customary when it was necessary to deliberate on ecclesiastical matters), and drew up a memorial, and appointed deputies to present it to the Governor, who would give no answer to it, whereupon the Congress resolved to apply to His Majesty. The 16th January, the Governor summoned the Vicar General to Mahon, which summons the latter obeyed the next day, and was accompanied voluntarily by the superior ecclesiastics who had met at Ciudadella. They were all immediately dismissed, except the Vicar General. Then the Governor said he was satisfied with his conduct, but forbad the continuance of the Congress. He further asked the Vicar General, whether he and the other ecclesiastics who had met at Ciudadella would take the oath of fidelity to His Majesty. This they all very promptly did in open court, and desired the Secretary to record the satisfaction with which they took it, and that they would have taken it at the entry of H.M.'s troops into the Island, had they been so required. (Spanish.) 8 pp.
23 Feb.
Church Bk., Scotland, 1761–84, p. 126.
786. Lord Viscount Weymouth to the Commissioners for Managing Forfeited Estates in Scotland.
23 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, Nos. 55, 56.
Entered in Ireland Correspnce., 1761–70, pp. 133–4.
787. Earl of Shelburne to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.
His Majesty received the addresses from the House of Commons and the Lord Mayor, &c. of Dublin, in the most gracious manner, &c. Separate drafts. 2 pp.
23 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 57.
Entered in Ireland Correspnce., 1761–70, p. 135.
788. The Same to the Same.
Having received advice from H.M.'s Consul at Oporto that several artificers in the different branches of the woollen manufacture were lately arrived there from Dublin, bringing with them various tools and utensils for carrying on the said business, in order to set up a manufacture in the neighbourhood of that city, and that many others were expected from Ireland, encloses a Gazette of 15 Dec. last, containing an abstract of the laws for preventing so great an evil, in order that the same may be made public in Ireland. Orders to be issued also to the Revenue officers to search for and seize such tools and utensils as shall be put on board any vessel to be carried to foreign parts. A draft. 2 pp.
25 Feb.
Admiralty, pcl. 157, No. 15.
789. Edward Stanley, at the Custom House, to William Fraser, Esq.
The Commissioners of the Customs intend to offer a reward of 100l. for the discovery of the person who broke open the Custom House at Bridlington, in the night-time, and robbed it of upwards of 74l. Requests that His Majesty's pardon may also be promised to any of the offenders who shall discover one or more of his accomplices.
25 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 71 a, b.
790. Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (Townshend) to the Earl of Shelburne.
Transmitting a memorial, for His Majesty's pleasure thereon, from the Master General and the Principal Officers of Ordnance in Ireland, for an order to break up certain unserviceable arms lying in H.M.'s stores, which are only an incumbrance.
The memorial. 2 pp.
26 Feb.
Ireland, v. 432, No. 73.
791. The Same to the Same.
Since Lord Frederick's departure, has endeavoured to obtain a declaration from the Speaker and Lord Shannon to support the point His Majesty has in view. The result has been that Mr. Ponsonby, although he declares himself no enemy to an augmentation, will not undertake to support this. He dwelt much on a militia, and the report of the Committee sent over. The result of the whole was, that he could not at present support the augmentation as it now stands. Lord Shannon, though he expressed great respect for the service of the Crown, yet declared frankly that he did not think the security sufficient, nor had he any prospect of the means of supporting it, and that he could not get his friends to agree to it. His Excellency had also a conversation with the Prime Serjeant, being willing to see if any of these gentlemen would come back upon the grounds of His Majesty's service. To his surprise, after what he had heard, the latter did not declare against an augmentation, but appeared not to comprehend the state of the thing that was to be proposed. His Excellency, mentioning that it was exactly the same with that opened to the King's servants at the beginning of the session, and which had long been generally known to be the plan the King wished, gave him a copy of it. He has taken time to consider it, but there is little doubt that his answer will be just the same with that received from the others, as they are too closely connected in views and situation to separate at present.
From this disposition his Lordship will see the inutility of holding a council with them upon the mode of proposing a measure they disapprove of. He thought it better, therefore, to consult only with such servants of the Crown as are decided and hearty in the King's service, whose counsel he can depend upon from their approbation of the measure; and with whom, with the aid of the independent interests and gentlemen of weight, he will hope to carry it into execution whenever His Majesty shall judge proper to have it pursued.
Both Houses of Parliament seem at present in a state of tranquillity and suspense. The very honourable support which Government has found from quarters where it was so little expected hath checked at present any steps to embarrass it. The country gentlemen are very earnest to go into their several counties to look after their elections, and yet would be sorry to leave the King's service exposed to the enterprises of ambition. Believes they in general wish to carry through the augmentation upon the most honourable footing when their elections are over; and many would, even before that, give it their best assistance, if they were assured that the weight of the Crown would not be exerted against them hereafter by those whose designs they now defeat by their zealous support of His Majesty's Government.—Dublin Castle. Marked "Confidential." 6 pp.
29 Feb.
Dom. Entry Bk., v. 24. pp. 165–9.
792. — to the Lord President of the Council.
Enclosing a memorial from the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal Society of London for improving Natural Knowledge, to be laid before the King in Council for the necessary orders thereupon.
The memorial entered, as to preparations for observing the transit of Venus.
20 Feb. and 1 March
Church Bk., Scotland, 1761–84, p. 127.
793. Earl of Moray to the Duke of Grafton.
Hopes his application for the presentation to the vacant church of Callendar, in the presbytery of Dumblane and co. of Perth, will not be thought unreasonable, as, next to the Crown, he has the greatest property in the parish If the peference is given to him, he will always look upon it as a particular favour.—Donibrisle.
A reply from Lord Weymouth.
Is sorry that his application is too late, the recommendation of the Trustees for Forfeited Estates having been already favourably received.—Dated 1 March.