MÉMOIRE DU ROI ' TO SERVE AS INSTRUCTION TO MONSIEUR WAILSH
His Majesty having resolved to send a body of troops to England, and having given charge to M. Wailsh to direct the préparations relative to the embarkation and transport of the troops concerned, explains to him (M. Wailsh) by the présent instruction what are his (the King's) intentions on the opérations which hâve to be made in conséquence.
M. Wailsh must be informed that M. Charron, the ' Commissaire ordonnateur ' at Dunkerque, has received the necessary orders as well for calking as for tarring the hulls of the greater number of merchant ships which are in the ports of Ostende, Dunkerque, Calais, Boulogne, and of St. Valery-en-Somme,^ and to provide 40,000 rations of biscuit and of cheese for part of the 10,000 rations in each of the 4 first ports above mentioned.
But as thèse préparations are gênerai, and more spécial ones are necessary, the intention of his Majesty is that M. Wailsh having ascertained the number of troops and the amount of baggage, artillery, and ammunition that hâve to be transported, should détermine the number of vessels of each kind, great and small, which will be necessary for the transport.
For this purpose he will go to Boulogne, Calais, and Dunkerque with the utmost promptitude, and he will examine in thèse places the quality and capacity of the vessels which he finds best suited for the purpose in question, in order to regulate what he will require in each port.
' [Possibly Phélipeaux, French oflBoer, a Secretaries of State to the ' Maison du Roi '
Royalist who emigrated later to England and for three générations. — Tr.]
took part in the defence of St. Jean d'Acre, ^ [j\fo-(y 'Saint Valéry sur Somme,' port in
1799. His career is stated to hâve been 1768 the district (arrondissement) of Abbeville.
to 1799, but the family of Phélipeaux gave — Tr.]
PRINCE CHAÇILES EDWARD 37
The Commissaries, classed Clerks, and otLer employées for the police of the ports of the coast having orders to conform to whatever M. Wailsh assigns to them, he will deliver to each in the différent ports the statement of the différent vessels he has selected whether for the embarkation of troops or for the* transport of artillery, baggage, horses, arms, aramunition, and other necessaries, in order that they may arrest for the service of the King the vessels in question and provide for their equipment according to their purpose.
The number of boats proper for the conveyance of troops which can be found in the ports of Boulogne, Calais, Dunkerque, and Ostende not being sufEcient, M. Wailsh will get from Saint Valeryen-Somme and from Dieppe the additional number which he may require and His Majesty leaves to him to assemble the vessels in one port or in several.
The King has not ruled whether transports should start from différent ports or whether they should assemble together at one only, to sail at the same time, and His Majesty orders Monsieur Wailsh to acquire exact knowledge of the position of the ports, the winds, the tides, and other circumstances regarding the navigation, to consult together with the commander of the troops as well as with the Comte d'Aunay, M. Bart, and Monsieur Charron,^ whether the vessels are to be left separate or united. Monsieur Wailsh, as soon as he has a positive décision on thèse points, will take the most suitable measures to hâve ail the vessels ready at the places and at the time agreed upon. Although the passage to England does not last more than a few hours and it might suffice to eœbark in each vessel sufficient for the return of the crew, H. M. considers it necessary that there should be on board biscuit and cheese for two or three days for each man, that the troops may hâve their food on board the vessels without leaving them, in case after embarkation the wind or other circumstances should hinder their departure for some tides. Besides each soldier will be able to take one or two rations of biscuit on landing in order to be able to wait for the unloading of the provisions which will be conveyed in separate vessels.
Monsieur Wailsh will sélect some corsairs (privateers) to escort
' [See opposite page.— Tr.]
the convoy, and His Majesty trusts to him to retain for this purpose the number which shall appear to him to be necessary. H. M. will désire Monsieur Bart to order the Captains of coi'sairs to follow the orders which will be given them by M. Wailsh, who will give eut to them the signais and detailed instructions of what they will hâve to do.
As regards the expenses which this service will necessitate, such as the cost of ships and boats, the pay of the crew and cost of the provisions which will be on board for the crossing, Monsieur Charron will continue to be responsible ^ for it, and will issue the pay orders in conséquence. Monsieur Wailsh will inform him of ail his opérations in order that there may be no delay caused by want of payment in thèse matters. The necessary expenses relating to the troops, as well before their embarkation as after their disembarking, as well as ail the requisites^ of war will be paid according to the orders which will be given by the Secretary for State over the War Department.
H. M. will wait till ail the préparations for embarkation are ready before giving the necessary orders for the place of disembarkation. H. M. relies, however, sufficiently on the zeal, the activity, and the intelligence of Monsieur Wailsh to be convinced that he will in a short time finish the opérations of which he is given charge by the présent instruction, and of which he will give an exact report to the Secretary of State over the Department of the Navy.
Given at Fontainebleau, 16th Novber. 1745.
Louis.
Phélypeaux.
MONSIEUR WAILSH
16i!A Decber. 1745.
I HAVE received. Sir, the letter you wrote to me on the 4th of this month. As you hâve not found in the Ports of Flanders and Picardy as far as Dieppe, a sufiicient number of vessels suitable for the transport of troops for the projected expédition, I highly approve that you hâve induced M. Bart and M. Charron to give orders to Messrs. Conradin and^ de Mouchy to go to Normandy to choose in
' ['En prendre connaissance.'— Tr.] - ['Attirail.' — Tr.]
the différent ports along the coast as far as Cherbourg ail the vessels which they find suitable for the embarkation in question ; and I Write to M. de Villers-Fransure and to M. d'Erchigny, Commandant and ' ordonnateur ' at Havre, as also to the Commissaries and classed Clerks of each port to make the greatest haste in the exécution of the opérations with which Messrs. Conradin and de Mouchy are entrusted. Monsieur d'Erchigny, to whom I hâve sent word to take 40,000 livres from Havre, vvill remit funds to each port of Normandy apportioned to the number of vessels vs^hich they send oflp to the coast of Flandres,' and I hope there wiU be no delay in the arrivai of thèse vessels at Boulogne, where you hâve given orders to the Provost Tournion to retain them. As there is a King's corvette of 12 guns at présent on the coast of Normandy, I hâve sent word to Monsieur de Villers-Fransure to employ it if he judges it necessary to protect the vessels which sail for the coast of Flandres.
With regard to the arrangements which you may make at thèse places I rely entirely on the varions movements that you may see fit to make in concert with the Comte d'Aunay, M. Bart and M. Charron, either for the exécution of the project or to disguise its object, and I am persuaded that by means of the orders already given, you will find ail the facilities necessary for your opération.
I am well aware that it is not possible to attain to the haste which has to be insisted on in such a case without the remittance of funds for such payments as hâve to be made in advance, and it is to prevent the money remittances causing any delay that I bave directed M. Charron to continue to draw letters of change on the Treasurer-General of the Navy to the extent of a hundred thousand ' livres.' He must with thèse funds be in a position to satisfy the most pressing payments. — I am, Sir, very perfectly yours,
Maurepas.
MONSIEUR WALSH
Versailles, the 24:th Decher. 1 745.
I HAVE received, Sir, the letter you wrote to me on the 8th of this month.
' ' Flandre Française,' annexed to France, Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668), capital Lille, now Département du Nord,
I see with pleasure that you hâve found enough of vessels at Dunkerque to transport the artillery and the baggage which must accompany the troops which will cross over to England, but I do not know if, notwithstanding the précautions you hâve taken to draw boats and other small vessels from Normandy, you will hâve enough of them for the troops which are to be embarked. I hâve to inform you on this subject, if you do not know it already, that instead of 12 battalions, of which there was question at first, there will be 18 to be embarked, of which the 6 Irish will form part, and to thèse will be joined a Régiment of Drageons, with that of Fitz James also. It is on the effective number of each battalion that you must regulate the number of transports, and as I cannot give you positive enlightenment on the state of the Régiments named for this expédition, you must corne to an understanding in regard to this with M. de la Tour, Major-General of this body of troops, who will before long arrive on the spot. I bave no reply as yet from Havre or the other ports of Normandy about the boats which Messrs. Conradin and de Mouchy may engage there, but if, from what I hâve just told you, the number regarding which you bave spoken to them should not be sufficient, you will write to them to send off a greater number.
As to the time of the embarkation of the artillery and baggage, I can only refer to the orders which the Count d'Aunay will reçoive on this subject from the Comte d'Argenson. There will also hâve to be considered what (advantage ?) could be derived in the présent circumstances from the frigate l'Êmeraude, now at Dunkerque, and from La Fine when she returns. I do not think that their destination to the coast of Flanders can be any obstacle to the project, because if they are not directly employed in the passage of the troops, they could at least by going to the coast of Ostende disguise the object of the embarkation. However if they would be hurtful or even useless M. Bart could send them back to Havre or Brest. You will speak to him about this.
As to the secrecy to be observed as much as possible on the intended expédition, the precavitions to be taken on this subject dépend more on the Gênerais than on the Navy. I can only rely on the measures they may take about it. You will report, if you
please, at what time, as near as a few days, the préparations which concern the ' Marine ' can be completely made. — I am, Sir, very perfectly yours, Maurepas.
Note. — Mr. O'Brien says that y ou send him word that M. Bart's orders are limited. I am the more surprised, as I hâve always desired him, as also M. Charron, to carry ont as fully as possible ail that you propose to them. There is not a moment to lose. I hâve written straight to Normandy. I hâve no answer yet from Havre.
MONSIEUR WALSH
Paris, 28th Decber. 1745.
I BELIEVE you, my dear Sir, to hâve already arrived at Dunkerque, and I hope in good health, as also M. Lally-ToUendal ; I should learn this with pleasure.
Enclosed is a note of the repairs to be made on your ship La Baleine, which seem to me very considérable, and, as it appears to me, quite impossible to complète, so as to get her out of the river Elbe before the ice lays siège to it. I send word by this courier to Messrs. Grou, Michel and Lebaalt, to defer (the repairs) till they receive fresh orders from you or from me. This delay cannot hurt your interests, and you can consider whether it would be more advantageous to you to sell the ship in the condition in which she is, and to order on hire at Amsterdam a Dutch vessel of s till greater dimensions than yours, if it is to be found, and to load and send it straight to its destination, rather than wait for the thaw, to load your ship at Hamburg, where a great part of the cargo would hâve to be brought from HoUand, which would occasion delay in her departure. I warn you that M. La Porte bas advised me not to put any provisions in my ' soumission ' (bill of lading), because I should annoy ^ the Minister ; I could only insert some barrels of béer. That will not liinder you, however, from sending the vessel to Cork to load some there, but not as much as we had proposed. I forgot to tell you that we hâve permission to sail under the Dutch flag.
1 [' Révolter.'— Tr.] F
I will make a sélection of merchandise for the ship which you intend to be sent to Martinique, whether your own or another. I will send it to Messrs. Grou and Lebault, who will eut it down or add to it as they may judge to be most for our benefit.
I think you would do well to get rid of your Dutilley, and instead of buying another ship you might simply hire one of a greater size, which we would send to Grenada. Send your opinion about this to Messrs. Grou and Lebault.
Mr. MacCarthy has been hère the last two days. He hopes to be with you as soon as possible.
You will oblige me if you find opportunity to employ usefully M. Perville Salles ; he is my correspondent, an active and intelligent man.
The die is cast, the Prince of Wales has penetrated into England in spite of the superior forces which surround him from every side. There must be one of two things, either he has been called by a powerful party, or he has taken a desperate step ; in the first case, we cannot fail to hear of the rising of Westmoreland, of Lancaster, and of Wales. God grant it.
I greet you with ail my heart ; my family présent their respects to you. Friendly compliments to my brother if you see him. L'Apollon and l'Anglesea chased by a terrible gale bave happily anchored in the roads of Port Louis, I mean that they hâve entered the port of Lorient. The Apollon, as you will see by the enclosed, which you will return if you please, has lost her three cables, which will hâve to be renewed. D'Heguerty.^
Inclosed with this is the copy of a letter arrived this morning
from London.^
London, lUh Decher. 1745.
That which I can inform you with certainty about the ' Rebels ' is that they marched to Kendal on the morning of the 16th, and that the Duke of Cumberland arrived there the evening of the 17th, by which means you see they gained two marches upon him. It is
' D'Heguerty, merchant at Paris, and - [ïhe name of the writer is not given —
Walsh's correspondent, belonged to Charles Tr.] Kdward's little Court.
presumed that the ' rebels ' entered Carlisle the evening of the 18th ; as regards the Duke, he arrlved the same evening, 18th, at CHfton, 3 miles from Penrith, where there was a party of ' rebels ' to the number of about 70, commanded by a captain.
H.R.H.,^ reduced to the necessity of forcing this little troop in this village in order to be able to find quarters ^ (or screen ?) for ail his cavalry, together about 3000 men, ordered his Dragoons to the attack dismounted ; after an hour's résistance and night approaching, the 70 men retii'ed, apparently in good order, for out of that number we only made one wounded oflScer a prisoner, though we had 40 men killed or wounded besides 4 officers.
One cannot understand what induced the 'rebels' to leave nothing but so feeble a force to stop the march of our cavalry. It is true the success even exceeded their expectation, but it is fortunate for the Duke of Cumberland that the party was not more considérable ; however it may be, their war manœuvre was not well weighed,^ leaving so small a troop, which in reality could not stop the march of 3000 cavalry, yet it did so happen, for H.R.H. remained till the 19th in that village.
Since this affair no news of the Duke has been published, though every day one or two expresses hâve arrived from him at Court. I hâve been told that H.R.H. will not pass beyond Carlisle if the ' rebels ' continue their march towards Scotland, as is thought, so that we shall see this prince back hère in a few days. What a pity after pursuing the ' rebels ' that he has not been able to get up to them, nor even force them to abandon their baggage or their cannon ; what affects us still more is the fear that this cavalry corps which has pursued them may be out of condition to serve for the rest of the season ; the men can recover from their fatigue, but the poor horses will perish.
We are in the greatest perplexity about the préparations wMich the French are making at Dunkerque to attempt an invasion in Essex, Kent, or Sussex ; for myself I cannot imagine that they can intend to make an invasion so far from Scotland, where at présent is the only force of the ' rebels.'
' [Dnke of Cumberland.— Tr.] -' ['Mettre à couvert.'— ïk.] ^ ['Mesurée,'— Tr.]
44 A KOYALIST FAMILY AND
I cannot deny that things are hère in great confusion, money is very scarce, and our crédit seems to be running down.
' DE PAR LE ROY '
The Captain commanding the ship le is ordered to put
to sea immediately and to conform exactly to the orders given to him by M. Wailsh : His Majesty ordering the said Captain to foUow the said orders as if they had been addressed straight to him, under penalty of disobedience.
Given at Versailles the 27th March 1746.
Louis.
Phélypeaux.
[The Fleet so carefuUy prepared never effected a landing on British Shores, and the defeat of Prince Charles's army at Culloden in April 1746 caused a change in King Louis xv.'s projects, although the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle was not signed till 1748. — Tu.]
Note. — Mr. Hussey Walsh on this subject remarks : 'Fevv détails are at hand as to the real cause of the failure of the expédition beyond Walsh's Memoir, that seeing what a bad turn affairs were taking, he returued to Paris, where both Comte d'Argenson and Cardinal Tencin accused him of having deceived the King in making him believe that there was a strong party in England attached to the House of Stuart. A long letter from Anthony Walsh to the Cardinal ignores the reproaches against himself, but seeks to excuse the English. The foUowing passages may hère be quoted, " Every one knows that it was impossible to incorporate them with Scottish Highlanders whose methods of fighting, in which they hâve been educated from childhood upwards, are peculiar to themselves. On the other hand, the peasantry of England are without arms, and the nobility are without a military éducation." And again, "It is an established maxim with the English not to move without regular forces. Hence it may easily be concluded that my couduct deserves no blâme, but that I hâve only asserted what was true." '
[The two following letters relate to Colonel Warren's successful efforts to bring Prince Charles Edward safely back from Scotland to France. They belong to a large collection in the possession of the Duc de la Trémoïlle and are supplied for the présent work by y. Hussey Walsh, Esq., The Athenseum Club, Loudon. — Tr.]
MONSIEUR WALSH [H.W
Matignon, 29th August 1746.
WOULD you believe, my dear Wailsh, that instead of 4 frigates which I ought to hâve received, there are only the two belonging to Mr. Butler, and that perhaps without his help we should not hâve received any at ail. Well, we must hâve patience. My star will guide me. I hâve great confidence that I will bring our hero back safe and sound. It is a happiness which I hope Heaven reserves to me ; and with this object before me, I embark to-morrow on the Heureux, under Captain Baulien, with 36 guns and 275 men ; the other is the Prince de Conty, under Captain Marion, with 30 guns and 225 men.
We go round Ireland and return by the Bristol Channel, if our pilots are able to undertake the work, and the winds permit it. I thank you for your ' log.' Butler doubtless will put it on board. He is with us. A thousand compliments to my good friend Archer. Good-bye. Remember me and that I am ever yours.
R. DE Waeren.
I will take care of M. de Valois.^
MONSIEUR WALSH [H.W
lOth Octoher 1746.
My dear Wailsh, — I hâve only just arrived. I had the happiness to find H.R.H. in Scotland and to bring him back with me in the frigate U Heureux.
He starts to-morrow for Paris ; as for me I am going immediately to see the King. I will write to you from Versailles.
M. de Valois is a nice young man who behaved admirably. I am extremely satisfied with him. I presented him to H.R.H. , and I am going to send him a sword on H.R.H.'s account. Goodbye, my dear Walsh. Embrace my friend Archer for me, and always believe me ever yours. De Warren.
Monday, at Roscof, lOth Octr. 1746.
■ One of the Spanish Walshes— son of Philip Walsh of Cadiz,
LETTER FKOM THE Chevalier de Saint-Georges (King James viii.) to his son Prince Charles Edward.
Whatever care you hâve taken, my dear son, to hide from me what has passed between the Court of France and you, since the signature of the prehminaries, I am, hovfever, aware of everything, and I own to you that I could not read vpithout real surprise and pain your letter to the ' Duc de Gesvres ' of the 6th of thia month. Neither you nor any one could suppose that you could remain in France in spite of the King. Your résistance therefore to conforming yourself to his intentions on this occasion cannot be with the object of continuing to live in his kingdom, and when you speak of regret and of being forced by your interests to act as you are doing, you show that it is not your own opinion and will that you are following, but that of others. God knows who they are, but can they be truly your friends in giving you such counsel ? For it is manifest that in resisting on this occasion the intentions of S. M. T. C.,^ there can be no other object but to break in gaiety of heart with the King and to draw upon you justly his anger and indignation. And certainly no wise or reasonable person, however inimical he might be otherwise to France, if really desiring your good, could ever counsel you, especially in the condition in which you are, to break with a power which makes itself respected throughout ail Europe.
However little you may think of what has occurred for some years, you must feel that your conduct towards me has not been such as it ought to bave been, and you know also with what patience and modération I hâve acted towards you. You know the entire liberty which I hâve given to you, and that I hâve not ceased to write to you by every post, although you made me see only too plainly that it was not from me that you would take advice, and therefore for some time I hâve rarely given it to you, seeing the little eflFect which my letters produced upon you. But in the présent case, I cannot be silent. I see you on the edge of a précipice and ready to fall down it, and I should be an unnatural
1 [Sa Majesté trôs Catholique.— Tr.]
PKINCE CHARLES EDWARD 47
fathei", if I did not do the little that dépends on me to save you ; for this reason I find myself even obliged to order you, as your Father and your King, to conform yourself to the intentions of his very Christian Majesty without delay, by going quietly from his States, notwithstanding the obscurity in which you leave me, about everything concerning you. I neither fear nor hesitate to give you this order, because in reality I only command what will anyway be done, even if I did not command it, and I cannot conceive a case in which it would suit your interests to break thus with the Court of France. Moreover, to make you see the delicacy with which I use my authority over you, I do not prescribe the place to which you should go. You know as well as I do the countries where you may be in safety, and as you would not accept a retreat which was offered to you in Switzerland I must suppose that you hâve in view some other retreat at least as important for your aflfairs and as agreeable to your countrymen.
Finally, my dear son, think seriously of what you are going to do, if you l'esist my orders and the intentions of S. M. T. C. I foresee that what you will not do with good will, you will be made to do, and if recourse is had to violence you will naturally be conducted to this town,^ which certainly will not be to your taste nor to your interest. What a scandai it will make, and what will you gain thereby ? Nothing certainly but a name and a character which will make you lose in an instant ail the réputation which you hâve already acquired ; for virtue and courage which do not show themselves wise in adversity can never be considered as true and solid. Judge of the trouble and anxiety in which I shall be till I know the effect which this letter produces. It is written by a father who breathes only tenderness for you, and who is solely occupied about your real good and your real glory.
I pray to God to enlighten you and to bless you, and I embrace you with ail my heart. Jacques E..
Rome the 23rd Novber. 1748.
> [Rome.— Tr.]
MONSIEUR LE GRAND, PARIS
I5th April 1751.
The unworthy treatment that I hâve experienced from my creditors ^ (or rather my debtors) obliges me to be a vagabond in strange countries and tlius not witbin reach of liaving the pleasure of seeing you. I flatter myself that you are persuaded (convinced) of my way of thinking in regard to you. The spécial esteem I hâve for you would induce me to try everything possible that we might hâve a conversation together. If you wish it, I would for this purpose go to the frontier of Germany, whither M. Dumon," the bearer of this letter, is going. If you like to profit by this opportunity, M. Dumon will give you a place in his chaise, and as he must return to Paris shortly, he will be able to take you back. If this arrangement suits you, I beg you, Sh% to exécute it without the knowledge of any one, and to give your answer immediately to M. Dumon, who can hardly wait. Supposing you return together, he can undertake to speak on the road, that you may not expose yourself to being known. I hope that you will be pleased with him ; though young, he is wise and discreet. Do not call yourself to him otherwise than M. Le Grand. — I am, as I shall always be, your true friend, J. Douglas.^
M. LE GRAND
lOthNovr. 1752 (H.W.).-'
Sm, — I gather from yours of the 12th inst., just received, that you hâve a thousand Louis for me. Will you therefore kindly forvvard them to Mr. Wolfe at Paris.
■ The Kings of France and ofSpain. tuted for the other. — Tr. /See Appendix il]
- Grimaldi, supposed to hâve been a French ^ [Prince Charles Edward himself. — Tk.]
agent. * [Eighteen letters foUow, from Prince
[Note. — Mr. V. Hussey Walsh, who had Charles, mostly addressed to Legrand, and
been engaged, when the French work was eigned Douglas, or J. D., or W. D. Some of
issued, in the identification of the suppositi- thèse, recently fouud and translated by Mr.
tious names used by Prince Charles, bas since V. Hussey Walsh, are now added to those in
discovered the right key, which is hère subati- the Freuch work, and are marked H.W. — Tr.]
MONSIEUR WALSH, NANTES
20th April 1754.
I BEG you, Sir, to let me know in reply to this, -when you expect to be in Paris, the exact day, and how long you will remain there. Ail letters for me must in future be addressed to Mr. John Waters, ' Rue Verneuil,' opposite the ' Rue St. Mari,' now ' Rue AUent,' Faubourg St. Germain, and above the envelope you will put ' to Mr. John Douglas,' and it will reach me in this way in ail safety. I wish that you may not be long in returning to Paris, as you hâve made me hope. As soon as I know that you are there, I shall send a person of confidence to confer with you ; I recommend you, above ail, the greatest secrecy towards every one whatever, and believe me al way s your true friend, J. Douglas.
