CHAP. XIV. 1726. your affairs have got these many years, and will "be such an impediment to them that they have "much reason to think no circumstance of time, no situation of the affairs of Europe, can make "amends; which thought affects them the more "that they perceive you have expectations that "something will soon cast up in your favour, and "it is a very mortifying reflection that such an opportunity should be frustrated. They beg "leave, with the greatest respect and submission, to represent that they believe this point to be of "such consequence to you that, in good policy "and prudence, you should rather pass by some failings in, and make some condescensions to the Queen, than not repair a breach that in all appearance will prove fatal. They have seriously "considered how to put such a face upon it as may be most for your service; but cannot find any expedient so probable as not to revive and bring the matter upon the carpet, for your people here, of all kinds, have got such an impression of the Queen's great merit, and are so prepossessed with the reports of her being ill "used by some about you, that it is in vain to attempt dispossessing them of that notion....... May God Almighty direct you in this, perhaps, "the most critical step of your life!"* There was also another incident, soon after Mr. Lockhart to James, July 23. 1726. He writes in the name of all James's "Trustees" in Scotland. XIV. 1726. wards, that did infinite disservice to James's cause CHAP. in England. Lord North and the Duke of Wharton had lately gone abroad, and openly attached themselves to the Pretender's party, and now, each separately, renounced the Protestant and embraced the Roman Catholic faith. This led to a general belief in England, that their motive was only to please their new master; and that there was no such sure road to his confidence as by professing his religion. The odium of such a rumour amongst a Protestant people need not be explained, and could not be exaggerated. Wharton, especially, was well known to be no Christian of any Church, nor ever in his life suspected of a conscience. We may observe, however, that neither to him, nor to Lord North, did any benefit accrue from their conversion. North found himself so little trusted and regarded at the Jacobite Court, that, in disgust, he entered the Spanish service, and continued in it till his death, in 1734. Wharton, even before his change of religion, had been received with the highest favour at Rome: he obtained from the English mock-monarch the order of the Garter, and the ducal titles of Wharton and Northumberland, and was sent ambassador to Spain, to assist Ormond in pressing for an expedition, and to vindicate the late separation in the Pretender's family. James had not yet discovered that this wayward and capricious man was always far more dangerous to his friends than to his ene CHAP. mies; and that his talents served only to render his frailties more conspicuous and more despised. XIV. 1726. On arriving at Madrid, in April 1726, Wharton soon began the usual complaints of all those who negotiate with the Spaniards. "I see the Duke "of Ormond has been very active here; but nobody that has not been something conversant "with this Court can imagine how impracticable it "is to do business." * He found, as he says, the King and Queen 'implacable" in the affair of James's consort. His own behaviour at Madrid was most strange and indiscreet. According to Mr. Keene, then British consul," the Duke of "Wharton has not been sober, or scarce had a 66 pipe out of his mouth, since he came back from "his expedition to St. Ildefonso. On Tuesday "last I had some company with me that he "wanted to speak with, upon which he came directly into the room, made his compliments, "and placed himself by me. I did not think "myself obliged to turn out his star and garter; "because, as he is an everlasting talker and tippler, in all probability he might lavish out some 66 thing that might be of use to know. . . . . He "declared himself the Pretender's prime minister, "and Duke of Wharton and Northumberland.... "Says he, You will shortly see the event; it is "in my power to make your stocks fall as I "think fit; my dear master is now in a post * Duke of Wharton to James, April 13. 1726. Appendix. 66 6 XIV. "chaise, but the place he designs for I shall CHAP. "not tell you. . . . . Hitherto my master's in"terest has been managed by the Duchess of 1726. Perth, and three or four other old women, who “meet under the portal of St. Germain's; he "wanted a Whig, and a brisk one, to put them "in the right train, and I am the man! You may now look upon me, Sir Philip Wharton, 66 6 66 6 Knight of the Garter, and Sir Robert Walpole, "Knight of the Bath, running a course, and, by “‘Heaven, he shall be hard pressed! He bought 66 6 66 6 my family pictures, but they will not be long "in his possession; that account is still open; "neither he, nor King George, shall be six "" months at ease as long as I have the honour to serve in the employ I am in!' He men"tioned great things from Muscovy, and talked so much nonsense and contradictions, that it was "neither worth my while to remember, nor yours “to read them. I used him very cavalierly, upon "which he was affronted; sword and pistol next day; but, before I slept, a gentleman was sent "to desire every thing might be forgot. What a pleasure must it have been to have killed a prime minister!"* 66 Soon after these degrading scenes, a letter was delivered to Wharton, under the Privy Seal of England, commanding him, on his allegiance, to return forthwith, and threatening outlawry in case Letter to Mr. Robinson, April 5. 1726. Hardwicke State Papers, vol. ii. p. 636. XIV. 1726. with much unconcern. CHAP. of his failure. Of this Wharton himself speaks He writes to James, "I "had rather carry a musket in an odd-named "Muscovite regiment, than wallow in riches by "the favour of the usurper. . . . . I am told, from good hands, that I am to be intercepted by the enemy on my passage. I shall take the best precautions I can to obviate their malice. I set "out, infallibly, on Tuesday next, and hope to be "with you in three weeks, wind, weather, and Whigs permitting !” * 66 When Wharton first arrived, he had found Ripperda lately returned from Vienna, created a Duke, and ruling the country as prime minister. Great efforts were expected from him for the regeneration of Spain, and the restoration of the Stuarts ; but in caprice, fickleness, and folly, Ripperda might be worthily compared even with Wharton himself. Though a Dutchman, he out-bragged the Spaniards themselves. He passed the day in boasting of the mighty things he meant to do. He gave the most opposite assurances in different quarters; and instead of deceiving others, only made them angry, and himself contemptible. According to William Stanhope, the British minister, "immediately after his "landing at Barcelona, all the officers of the gar"rison went to wait upon him, to whom he said, "that the Emperor had 150,000 men ready to "march at an hour's warning, and that Prince Eugene promised, that in case of a war, he would * Letter, June 8. 1726. Appendix. |