L30/14/315/10

From Beilby Porteus, Hunton to 2nd Baron Grantham:

24 Dec 1777

From: 1777 To: 1777

At Parsonage since August; five months of the "most delightful weather...ever known in this Island". Winter arrived in last few days, takes hint to move to Winter quarters, provisions all consumed. Agrees with Grantham in keeping his house disengaged, hopes best reason of all takes place. Lease of Porteus' house at Lambeth doesn't expire for a year, will spend rest of Winter there. If they don't find a suitable House in London by next Winter will take a lodging just for furniture and look about at leisure. Has read some Spanish history this summer - two volumes of Robertson, and Watson's history of Philip II. Watson, Scotch Professor, book well received but subject dreadful "full of uch horrid scenes of Persecution, Treachery, Carnage, deliberate inhumanity & brutal ferocity" that hardly able to read second volume. Revolt of American colonies sometimes compared to that of United Provinces - "as much alike as Spanish Government is to English" etc.. Similar objection to Robertson's History [of America] i.e. cruelty of Cortez[?] and Pizarro. Consolatory that these acts are of individuals not Spanish Government. Spanish obliged to Robertson for "wiping off this stain from their National Character". Wishes same could be said for Duke of Alva's barbarity. Pleased to see Spanish Clergy condemned and opposed "intemperate zeal and fury" of the first Conqueror of America. Pizarro's chaplain, Valonde, an exception. Robertson's picture of American aborigines curious & entertaining. "M. Rousseau, the Abbé Raynal and other modern philosophers who are so fond of Savage Life would do well to read this description". Robertson attributes difference between `us & them' to improvements by Civil Society, Porteus objects to Christianity's influence being omitted. Mexicans highly civilised yet "inhuman & ferocious" etc... Charmed with characters of Curas and Pedro de la Garca, "two such men...in one century are almost sufficient to redeem credit of whole nation". Porteus notes that Dr. [Robertson] indebted to Grantham and Waddilove for main part of original material, wishes the Spanish Archives at Simapres[?] had been open to him to authenticate the history; not impossible that a whole new history of South America may come to light from those State secrets which may overthrow Dr. Robertson's version. Would like a more satisfactory account of Junih [?] in Paraguay, but will nonetheless read whatever he writes. No other publications in Spain presently besides translations from "French sermons and pastoral exhortations". [Brief comparison of amount of this type of literature produced in England and Spain]. Porteus will send copy of Dr. Blair's sermons also. Discussion of Mr. Allen's situation; the son of The Person who christened Grantham at Vienna. Porteus unable to help him, scarcely has the power to make tolerable provision for those that have claim on him i.e. his own chaplains, friends and relations. Comparison of his movements between London, Chester etc.. and Grantham's in Spain. Often troublesome and expensive. P.S. Tell Waddilove, Mr. Wilson of Helperby has had an arbitration in his favour against Clough. Porteus' sister Thompson has moved from Helperby to Bath and has let her house and land to Mr. Lascelles. Her old servants and neighbours being dead, country too lonely. See also L30/14/315/5.

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Robertson,
Watson,
Alva,
Rousseau,
Raynal,
Waddilove,
Blair,
Allen,
Wilson,
Clough,
Thompson,
Lascelles