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The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 11/From Charles Ford to Jonathan Swift - 11

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FROM CHARLES FORD, ESQ.


AUG. 14, 1714[1].


I HOPE you did not pay the two shillings for postage. If you did, pray send me the cover that I may inquire into the meaning of it. I suppose you expect news upon Craggs's return from Hanover; but I do not hear a word more than what you have in the lords justices speech. Yesterday morning after he came, the whigs looked dejected, and our friends very much pleased; though I do not know any reason for either, unless it was expected by both sides, that he would have brought orders for alterations. It seems the dragon's entertainment was on a family account, upon the agreement between lord Harley and lord Pelham; and only those, who were concerned in their affairs, were invited. But slighter grounds would have served to raise a story at this time; and it was sufficient, that my lord Townshend and lord Cowper dined at his house. However, we look upon him as lost to our side; and he has certainly made advances of civility to the whigs, which they have returned with the utmost contempt. I am told dismal[2] begins to declare for his old friends, and protests he was really afraid for the protestant succession, which made him act in the manner he did. The foreign peers are certainly deprived of their ​right of voting by the express words of the act of succession; and it appears it was the intention of the legislature at that time, for prince George of Denmark was excepted by name; but it is thought the lords will interpret it otherwise, when it comes to be tried. They do not lose the other privileges of peerage, and their posterity born here may sit in the house. The same clause extends to the house of commons; and no foreigner can enjoy any employment, civil or military. They may be favourable to the lords, who are all whigs; but I doubt poor Duke Disney will lose his regiment. I suppose Barber has given you an account of lord Bolingbroke's pamphlet. If you and he are not come to an éclaircissement upon it, shall I send to him for it; I long for the other. Yesterday the commons voted nemine con. to pay the Hanover troops, that deserted us in 1712. To day sir William Wyndham, Campion, and two or three more, gave some opposition to it; for which they are extremely blamed. I think they had acted right, if they had spoke against it yesterday; but it seems they were not then in the house. They had not strength enough to day to come to a division.

Once more I wish you a good journey, and a quick return; and I hope you will find things go better than you expect.

  1. ↑ On the back of this letter is the following note of the dean. "Memorandum, I left Ledcomb, Aug. 16, 1714, in order to Ireland."
  2. ↑ The earl of Nottingham.
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