The only question is, if the Peerages are to be granted, whether, in policy or upon constitutional grounds, we are called upon to forego their support in the elections, by postponing their creations till after the Union passes. My own feeling has always been that, on the latter grounds, it is due to them to give them a participation in the elections. I think an opposite course shows that we are ashamed to face the act we are about to perfect; but, on the grounds of policy, the question is, whether a defeat will not bring upon Government a number of disappointed claimants, to whom you can make retribution in no other way than by giving them British Peerages; and, next, if we cannot afford to be beaten, whether it is not more desirable to take our security in the support of the new peers, who do not aspire to the representation themselves, than to depend altogether upon the support of the existing peers, who, if they can be prevailed upon to waive their own pretensions, will certainly rely much on the sacrifice and we shall thus perhaps incur a new expenditure of patronage, as a reward for our scruples; if, by our weakness, we make the peers of our party, whom we do not mean to support, of too much consequence, they will certainly avail themselves of their authority (and we should recollect the Bishops cannot assist), whereas, if they are kept a little in check by new creations, their support will be more easily had, less cabal will take place in the elections, and the general strength of Government in the House of Lords. will refute any charge of the creations being for election purposes.

I have not time to add more at present. I confess what has passed has wounded my feelings sensibly. I certainly was prepared for objections to an extensive arrangement, particularly on B- -'s subject; but I thought they would have been urged with a cordiality towards Lord Cornwallis, which his services seem to command, and not in the tone and spirit of an adverse party. Efforts of influence more ostensible have been made by the Government of this kingdom, under the pressure of necessities less urgent than those he has had to

contend with: they have received the countenance and support of the present Ministers; and I should hope, if Lord Cornwallis has been the person to buy out and secure to the Crown for ever the fee-simple of Irish corruption, which has so long enfeebled the powers of Government and endangered the connection, that he is not to be the first sacrifice to his own exertions; nor is the present the first occasion upon which the King's Ministers will, I trust, think it expedient to conciliate popular opinion, by failing towards those who have served them to the best of their abilities.

Ever, my dear Cooke, most sincerely yours,

CASTLEREAGH.

Lord Camden to Mr. Cooke.

Wildernesse, June 21, 1800.

Dear Cooke-When Mr. Pitt and the Duke of Portland 'consulted me upon the arrangements recommended from Ireland, I told them I thought it became the English Government to accede to them with a good grace, and I advised that a letter to that effect should be written to Ireland. In this acquiescence I did not include English Peerages, which I did not understand Lord Cornwallis authorized to grant. With respect to the creation of English Peers, the King has been so very positive in his expressions upon that subject, that I believe his Minister will find it difficult to move him. When, however, the appearance of acting with ill faith towards the King's Ministers in another country is taken into the scale with the feelings of Lord Cornwallis and Lord Castlereagh, I should imagine Mr. Pitt and the rest of the Ministers will endeavour to overcome the King's prejudices; but they would not have been faithful to him, had they not combated, with real and sincere desire of success, the Marquisates, and the English Peerages.

I shall see Mr. Pitt to-morrow early at Lord Frederick Campbell's, and, as he will probably send a messenger to London,

I will write to you after I have seen him. My advice has been and will be to comply. I told him so, and I told the King the same, and combated his surprise at the number of creations and promotions whenever he has spoken to me on the subject, with every argument which occurred to me.

Most sincerely yours;

Lord Camden to Lord Castlereagh.

CAMDEN.

Coombank, June 22, 1800.

Dear Castlereagh-I am sure it will relieve your mind from a considerable load of anxiety when I inform you that I have little doubt all your arrangements will be agreed to. Much objection will be found to the measures; the Marquisates are disliked very much; but I think I may venture to apprize you that the engagements of the Irish Government will be made good.

Mr. Pitt, whom I met here to-day, and with whom I have had a long conversation, is much pleased with the temperate tone of your letter, the greater part of which I read to him, and I hope Lord Cornwallis will receive a satisfactory letter on this subject, after Mr. Pitt and the Duke of Portland have seen the King on Wednesday next.

Yours, most affectionately,

Lord Camden to Mr. Cooke.

CAMDEN.

Coombank, June 22, 1800.

Dear Cooke I have written a letter to Lord Castlereagh from hence, after seeing Mr. Pitt, to relieve his mind from the anxiety it is suffering, on account of the difficulties which have been made to some of Lord Cornwallis's arrangements. I imagine they will all be assented to, though Sir J. B.'s creation and representation is almost intolerable.

You will be so good as to forward Lord Castlereagh's letter. Most sincerely yours,

CAMDEN.

Secret.

Mr. King to Lord Castlereagh.

Whitehall, June 23, 1800. My dear Lord-Since sending the messenger Courvoisier, yesterday, with a copy of Colclough's letter, &c., it has occurred to me that it may be of service to send you a facsimile of the handwriting, which I have done in a small box, which also contains a bit of putty, on which I have taken off, as well as I can, the impression of the seal, which is broken, and is the figure of Hope leaning on an anchor. The man, if taken up, may have the seal upon him. The whole letter, as well as the signature, is in the same handwriting.

Cooke has written you all that looks like news to-day, as well as on another subject.

I remain, &c.,

Mr. Cooke to Lord Castlereagh.

J. KING.

London, June 23, 1800.

My dear Lord-I enclose letters from Lord Camden. The King's answer to Lord Cornwallis's despatch has been received. by the Duke of Portland: it leaves the decision to his Grace and Mr. Pitt; consequently, every thing promised, and the Peerages, I think, will be conceded: and I therefore think you may forthwith proceed and send over without delay the official recommendations of the new Peers and their titles, and I will have the letters expedited. His Majesty was, I understand, not well satisfied; but I hope all will now be smooth. The Duke is aware of your applying the £4000 a-year saving in the Civil List.

I think you ought to send over the official recommendations of the Peerages without a moment's delay. I have not the titles. I have not any memorandum as to your arrangements.

The King approves of the application to Parliament in favour of Mason and Roscommon, and Lord Aylmer.'

Matthew Whitworth, fifth Baron Aylmer.

I was much pleased with his Excellency's despatch. I thought he would have acted so; and it was the only method of carrying the business. Mr. Pitt was the only person who originally conceived the matter rightly; but he would have done much to have avoided conceding Sir J. B.'s Representative Peerage. The Duke of Portland has felt a little sore that his Excellency has been reserved in his communications as to engagements at the time of entering into them, or rather previous to it. What then is a carte blanche?

There is a story of a French paper having been read by a person arrived from France, stating a battle at Lodi, in which Buonaparte was at first defeated, but in the end recovered his position; and that the armies were fighting. If this be true, Buonaparte has been defeated.

I conceive Colclough, mentioned in the intercepted letter, is the proprietor of Enniscorthy. The seal of his letter was a common Hope resting on an anchor. It could easily be known if he had such a seal.

I send off this by express, as your Lordship must be very

uneasy.

I request you will present my duty to his Excellency.

Most truly, &c.,

E. COOKE.

Lord Castlereagh to Mr. Cooke.

Dublin Castle, June 25, 1800.

Secret. My dear Cooke-Your letter, with those from Lord Camden, reached me this morning, and of course relieved me from much anxiety. Lord Cornwallis, satisfied that Ministers are disposed to have a due consideration for his feelings and honour, is not less anxious, as far as he can with good faith, to accommodate to their impressions.

I am sorry the Duke of Portland should attribute Lord Cornwallis's silence on his arrangements to any disinclination to confidential communication. The fact is that he conceived