303 | From Lord Barrington

    Beckett 7. Sep.r 1764.

    Dear Sir,

    I have two unanswer’d Letters of your’s; one dated in March, the other in June last:1 It is not long since I received them; the first having been a great while on its road, before it got hither. Soon after your Son’s arrival at Oxford, he very obligingly desired to know whether he might wait on me here to use his own modest expression.2 He came hither at my request, and past a day or two with us. He seems very much to answer your description of him: I do not see why he should not make his way in the world very well; and I heartily wish he may; to the intire satisfaction of his friends.

    In a former Letter I acquainted you that I had mentioned your son to Lord Halifax when he became Secretary of State for the Southern Department;3 but as he (Mr: Bernard) was considerably under Age, I only said I had a request to make in his favour, which I had made with good prospect of Success to Mr: Pitt and Lord Egremont. Finding him to be one and twenty the 27:th of this month, I explain’d the whole Plan of what you & M:r Pemberton had settled ^to Lord Halifax,^ making an apology for breaking, or rather seeming to break, a resolution he knew I had taken when I became Treasurer of the Navy; which was to ask no favours of any body, since I was no longer in a Situation to make a return: I told my Lord what I now ^then^ did was no new matter, having undertaken it with Mr: Pitt near four year’s ago.4 I was sorry to find more difficulties than I expected, tho I did not find the least diminution of his Lordships friendly good will for me. He said he had refused many things of the kind, to People he loved & wish’d to gratify; conceiving that reversions, additional names added to grants, & resignations in favour of others, were in their natures injurious to the Crown, the Publick & his successors in office; all which is most undeniably true. I endeavour’d to make distinctions between this Case and others; and left him assuring me he would consider the whole matter carefully, & see what could be done to oblige me. He spoke of you with much esteem and approbation: I left ^with him^ one of the two manuscript Copies you transmitted to me;5 and Lord Hillsborough shall have the other when he returns from Ireland. I shall have more conversation with Lord Halifax at the end of this month concerning your son, and you shall know the result.

    I have lately had some talk with our friend Pownal about mount Desart, who assures me your Grant shall have his best assistance, & seems to think it will pass to your Satisfaction:6 He & Mr. Jackson have promised to let me know when any help of mine is wanted.

    I am extremely concern’d to hear that Mrs. Bernard has not got her health so well as she had in England.7 I flatter my self however she will soon get rid of every indisposition and find New England to agree with her as well as the old. I trouble you with a Letter for her in answer of one she lately honour’d me with about her son.8 I am with great truth & Esteem Dear Sir

    Your Excellency’s Most faithful & Obedient Servant

    P.S.

    Since writing this Letter I have received your third Copy and the Letter dated 23rd July therewith inclosed9

    Barrington

    ALS, RC BP, 10: 187-190.