MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE SERRANT AU LUXEMBOURG, COUR DES FONTAINES, PARIS

Madrid, 2Gth April, 1762.

As soon as I could speak conveniently to our man, I reported to him, ail of which you inform me, my dear Count, in your letter of the ISthultim". I was answered in the same tone as before, always the same good-will, but always the same replies, let the first onset be given, and it will be seen what can be done hère. This person lias told me things which hâve truly vexed me, you know them probably better than any one. I speak of the paper which the Maréchal de Bellisle left which has done irréparable injury, for he says that he has taken ail the steps possible with the person ^ in question, and finding him quite inflexible, has finally disabused the Court regarding him, giving him out as a man on whom one can never rely.

What a misfortune that a man on whom the fate of millions dépends, thiuks only of himself and of bis passion. It is the anger of Achilles, and for the same reason, but may the modem hero remember that the hero of old let himself be moved in the end, and had he not done so he would never bave acquired the glory which bis inunortal exploits deserved. Let him listen to Minerva, that is to say his reason, and the superb Troy will fall ; a thousand heroes wait to imitate his valour and to immortalize themselves under his standards, let him second their ardour, let him put himself at their head, Heaven which calls him to it will sustain him. If he is not the son of a false goddess, he is that of a holy virgin. You tell me that what envy and calumny hâve given out about our

■ Prince Charles Edward.

74 A KOYALIST FAMILY AND

hero is false. I believe so, but unhappily what his best friends say of him in the bitterness of their soûl is true, it is that he himself puts an obstacle in his alïairs. Must he be served in spite of himself ? I think, with you, that it is futile to attempt a stroke in the country in question without him and his friends. Do we not ses that the country in which you are, is in a position to do a thousand follies and to do nothing that should be done ? Is that a reason to fail in duty to self ? Hâve they not accepted already most humiliating conditions ? If they were to admit others still more humiliating, would that mend our aflfairs ? In the state in which we are, ought we not to profit by everything ? A caprice seizes them, they want to spoil the enemy in his own home ; well, let us profit by it, let them take the first step, bravery, a good cause, and Heaven will do the rest, but we are no longer in the âge of miracles, if we do nothing on our side, it is sure that nothing will be done.

Our friend has certainly friends in France, for there is still there, in the midst of the corruption which prevails, honour and some knowledge of their own interest ; let our hero, carrying off a victory over himself, make it to be seen that the impressions given by Mr. de Bellisle are uufounded, in a word, as our friend hère says, let them begin over there, and I hâve great confidence that hère they would not fail, otherwise I am obliged to tell you sincerely, there is nothing to be hoped for hère.

As to your idea of attempting anything hère by some other channel différent from our man, it is quite useless. I know the ground and it is that which makes me speak as I do, it will not do to deceive oneself nor to lose time, as for me ail I can do is to ask Heaven to guide us, and open for us a road, and to give our hero the thoughts which are suitable for his good and for ours.

Ward.^

May 6th, 1763. (H. W.).

(No address.)

I HAVE received yours of the 26th inst. with that of M. le Comte de Serrant. You know I neither write to, nor answer any one. But

' [Probably of the family of Bernard Ward, created Baron Bangor 1770. — Tr.]

tell Count de Serrant from me that I appreciate his attention and that I felt deeply his brother, Lord Walsh's death whom I respected so much. I regret him most sincerely. Tell him also that when my position changes, I will seize the occasion with pleasure of rendering service to his whole family, and that I will never forget the zeal they hâve displayed on my behalf.

[Unsigned.] COMTE DE SERRANT

29lhFehry. 1764.

I FLATTER myself, Sir, that you do not attribute my long silence to lack of the particular esteem which is engraven in me for you and for ail those vrho belong to you, as they cannot hâve sentiments other than yours, and those of the defunct Lord Walsh ; it is in the blood. But as, since a certain time, I hâve made it a rule not to Write to any one, I wait for your return to Paris, to cause you to be told by Mr. Gordon the interest 1 take in the marriage of your dear nephew, announced in yours of the 7th August of last year. I beg you not to own to any one that I hâve written to you, and to believe me always your true friend, J. Douglas.

MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE SERRANT

Bouillon, nth Novber. 1765.

I HAVE received, Sir, yours of the 26th October last. I compliment you on the alliance with double tie which you bave just contracted by the marriage of your nièce with your nephew. I wish them every kind of happiness and of prosperity, and I shall be charmed to find myself able to give them proofs of my friendship ; be also persuaded of my gratitude for the contmuation of the promise which you made to me to undertake my orders for a certain Court, my interests cannot be in better hands, receive the assurance of ail my esteem.

I am, your good friend, J. Douglas.

A somewhat severe inflammation has prevented my writing to you myself.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR M. LE COMTE DE SERRANT i

You will first of ail address yourself to M. de Roda, to wliom you will deliver the letter you are charged with for him, and to désire he will [give] instruction as to the allures [customs] of the Court and of the means you are to use for the delivery of the other letters to the king and queen and to the ministers.

So soon as you hâve had a full conférence with M. de Roda, you will give us an account of it by a letter to be addressed to Mr. John Douglas at Rome under cover to M. Belloni ; and you will be punctual in informing us by every post, of every circumstance that may happen in the course of your negotiation.

We leave entirely to your discrétion to communicate what you are charged with to such persons as you may think can contribute to the success of your negotiation and to ask them to support you in your sollicitations.

If there shall be question of your friends, you are to assure that we hâve a great number in England, Scotland and Ireland, who are very zealous and ready to act whenever a proper occasion shall ofîer.

Philip the 5th granted us a subsidy of 20,000 german florins per month for six months, which was paid for six months only. You wiU act as your discrétion shall direct you as to a demand of payment of the three months of the subsidy which are in arrear.

Mr. Staftbrd, a gentleman in our service, has a demand on the court of Spain for arrears of pay due to him as a Captain of Horse in the Spanish Service, and for renewing his commission which he lost in going in to England on our account, as to Avhich a particular mémorial will be sent you. — Given at Paris, the 28th day of december, in the year of our Lord 1765. Charles P. R.

Rome, Febr. lS(h, 1766. I HAVE received your letter of the 28th past from Montpelier,

' [In English.— Tr.] ^ [Also in English.— Tr.]

and heartily thank you for your compliment of condolence on the death of tlie King my fother. Ever sensible of your zealous attachment to my person and service, it will always give me a real satisfaction when I can bestow on you marks of my particular esteem. I sent you a large packet under Mr. Joyes's cover, the 4th instant, and to which I refer. Nothiug material bas since occurred. I sball long to hear of your safe arrivai at Madrid, and the success of your negotiation. You know of what importance it is to me to be supported, especially in my présent situation, by the Court of Spain. — Your sincère Friend. Charles R.^

For the Comte de Serrant.