MR. PITT TO LADY CHATHAM.

February 22, past four, 1766.

HAPPY, indeed, was the scene of this glorious morning (for at past one we divided), when the sun of liberty shone once more benignly upon a country, too long benighted. My dear love, not all the applauding joy which the hearts of animated gratitude, saved from despair and bankruptcy, uttered in the lobby, could touch me, in any degree, like the tender and lively delight, which breathes in your warm and affectionate note.

All together, my dearest life, makes me not ill to-day after the immense fatigue, or not feeling that I am so. Wonder not if I should find myself in a placid and sober fever, for tumultuous exultation you know I think not permitted to feeble mortal successes; but my delight, heartfelt and solid as it is, must want its sweetest ingredient (if not its very essence) till I rejoice with my angel, and with her join in thanksgivings to protecting Heaven, for all our happy deliverances.

Thank you for the sight of Smith: his honest joy and affection charm me. Loves to the sweet babes, patriotic or not; though I hope impetuous William is not behind in feelings of that kind. Send the saddle-horses if you please, so as to be in town early to-morrow morning. I propose, and hope, to execute my journey to Hayes by eleven. Your ever loving husband,

W. PITT.

GEORGE ONSLOW, ESQ. TO MR. PITT.

DEAR SIR,

Curzon Street, February 25, 1766.

As you seemed desirous of information how we proceeded in our present undertaking, I cannot help acquainting you, that after I sent away the letter I had the honour of writing to you last night, we came to a division upon the question for re-committing the main resolution, and were 240 to 133. The question was moved by Oswald ('), with much more warmth, I think, than ability. He was answered very ably by Colonel Barré, whom you would have been pleased with. Stanley replied to him, and procured us one of the finest performances Hussey (2) ever made. Norton attempted to answer Mr. Hussey. Some people, I hear, thought better of his arguments than I did. Mr. Dyson (3) acted with his usual parliamentary

(1) Member for the boroughs of Kirkaldy, &c., and at this time one of the vice-treasurers of Ireland.

(2) Richard Hussey, member for St. Mawes, counsel to the navy, and attorney-general to the Queen.

(3) Mr. Dyson was, at this time, member for Yarmouth, and one of the lords of trade. He had been, for several years, principal clerk of the House of Commons, and is described by Mr. George Hardinge, as "quite a man of business, of order and figures, of parliamentary forms, and of political argument; having neither fancy nor eloquence, and though possessing strong prejudices, veiling them in obliging manners." In 1763, he was joint secretary of the treasury, and in 1774, cofferer of the household. He was originally a dissenter, and, while studying the civil law at Leyden, became acquainted with Akenside

sagacity, and endeavoured to embarrass us all he could. Mr. Conway treated him as he deserved; and after that Mr. Dowdeswell and Mr. Grenville closed that debate.

Afterwards, Dr. Blackstone(1) moved an instruction for inserting clauses for rescinding the American resolutions, which was most childishly and peevishly supported, and, in about two hours, rejected without a division. The bill will be presented tomorrow, read a second time on Thursday, committed for Friday, and, I suppose, read a third time on Monday next; when they will make their material stand, though Mr. Grenville has declared constant opposition in every stage, to what he called yesterday a servile, mean, and contemptible bill. The Chancellor and Lord Mansfield have declared for agreeing with us.

I beg pardon for troubling you with so long a detail, but thought you might possibly like to have as circumstantial an account as I could give of a transaction, which you have, from such public

the poet, "to whom," says Dr. Johnson, "with an ardour of friendship that has not many examples, he allowed three hundred pounds a year, to enable him to advance in medical reputation." He died in 1776.

(1) This celebrated lawyer, and popular writer on the constitution of his country, was at this time member for Hindon, King's counsel, and solicitor-general to the Queen. The first volume of his "Commentaries on the Laws of England" had just made its appearance. In 1770, he was made one of the justices of common pleas; which situation he held till his death in 1780, in his fifty-seventh year.

spirited motives, taken so great a share in. I hope this will find you in less pain than you were, and that you will weather this attack without more confinement. I have the honour to be, Dear Sir, Your ever obliged, and

devoted humble servant,

GEORGE ONSLOW. (1)

(1) On the same day, Mr. Gerard Hamilton thus writes to Mr. Calcraft: - 66 :- Nothing has occurred since your absence. The House of Commons sat till two o'clock upon the report of the American resolutions. Oswald moved, that the resolution of the repeal might be recommitted, and Lord Bute's friends. took a warm part. I know nothing more with certainty of any change, than when you left me. The reports, as usual, are various and contradictory. Lord Temple is gone to Stowe: my opinion retains rather its former bias, and I still think it will terminate in the old ministry, and Lord Temple; but many who have a right to know think otherwise. It is confidently asserted, that some intercepted letters bring an account of 'hostilities intended in May next, by the Spaniards against Gibraltar.' A public calamity insures the government of this country to Mr. Pitt; at which I shall rejoice for the sake of the country, and because it will be agreeable to you; whether I am, or am not interested in the event. Let me, however, take this opportunity of dropping a single word to you, by way of request,—that you will never propose what you once mentioned in conversation at Hampton-Court, and again in Arlington-street, namely, that I should, under any circumstances, accept of the Treasury. If I can indulge nothing else, I will indulge my vanity; which I am free to confess to you, would be mortified by such a proposition. I shall give you the best, and most constant intelligence of what is going forward here, during your absence. I know a London correspondent is a great acquisition to a person in the country, and I assure you most sincerely, that I employ myself with great pleasure in whatever can contribute to your entertainment, or to convince you how very sincerely and faithfully, I am yours,

"W. G. H."

MEMORANDUM OF A CONFERENCE WITH LORD

ROCKINGHAM.

[Read by Mr. Nuthall to Mr. Pitt.]

Wednesday, February 26, 1766.

LORD ROCKINGHAM, in Palace-yard, called to me to come into his coach, and, after some conversation concerning public affairs, said, "He wished to God, Mr. Pitt would fix upon some plan for carrying on administration, putting himself at the head of it; and that such a plan might be laid before the King - that if such a thing was to be brought to the King, his Lordship verily believed his Majesty would concede to it that if the ministry were to desire the King to put the management of public affairs into Mr. Pitt's hands, and on that idea the King should send for Mr. Pitt, his Lordship feared, if arrangements were not previously settled, it might end in breaking to pieces the present administration; which made him very desirous that a system might be previously settled; and his Lordship desired me to go on the morrow to Mr. Pitt, and convey to him his ideas and wishes on this subject, and that he would meet the Duke of Grafton, and General Conway, and himself on this business. On my return, he desired I would immediately impart to him Mr. Pitt's sentiments; for which purpose, he would be at home to-morrow evening, and would leave orders for my seeing him."