Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/14/333/94
  • Title
    From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham, Madrid:
  • Date free text
    May 1778
  • Production date
    From: 1778 To: 1778
  • Scope and Content
    Difficulties encountered getting to see Lord Weymouth about Shadwell. Goes frequently to Sir Stanier Porten's office, finds him uncommunicative, never offers to let Fritz see Grantham's letters to him. Fritz feeling ignorant of public affairs. Talk of indolence and inattention to business by Ministry but no talk of change. Lord North thought to be immoveable, Lord Chatham would have come in if he'd survived fit in House of Lords, his death leaves Lord Shelbourne and Lord Camden to take part with Government. Opposition equally disunited. War seems inevitable; discussion of situation. M D Estaing's [?] fleet at Cadiz increasing suspicions about Spanish neutrality etc.... Discussion of American situation. Howe is not popular. Burgoyne has returned to be tried by Court Martial at his own request. Apprehensions of public calamity great, regular bankruptcies of people of fashion etc... Mr. Earle an example. Applied to Lord Weymouth for lieutenancy for Shadwell in a newly raised troop of Light Dragoons. Unsuccessful. Weymouth's manner implied any other reasonable application may be more successful. 16 May 1778 M. D Estaing's fleet not definitely at Cadiz. Commission of enquiry in cause of Bourgoyne’s [sic] ill success, cannot be tried by Court Martial being a prisoner and only in England on parole. Impediment in Parliamentary provision for Lord Chatham's heirs. Funeral may not take place at public expense. Lord Holderness died. Relates story of the King's decision as to whom he gave the Warden of the Cinque Ports position; Lord North. Duke of Dorset and Lord G. Germaine or nephew expected it. Lords Barrington and Wilbraham just visited. Escarano says Almodobar will be there by end of June.
  • Level of description
    item
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