Speech, after which Mr. Secretary Stanhope | a jealousy in those two powers, and has made acquainted the House, That his majesty had commanded him to lay before the House, "Copies of Letters which passed between count "Gyllenburg, the barons Gortz, Sparr, and "others, relating to the design of raising a Re"bellion in his majesty's dominions, to be sup"ported by a force from Sweden;" which he presented to the House accordingly, and the said copies were read. They are too voluminous to be inserted at full length in this work; we shall therefore present the reader with the following faithful Abstract of the said Letters; The first Letter is from baron Sparre, to count Gyllenburg, dated at Paris, September 25, 1716; in which the Baron acquaints the Count, "That three days before, he was informed that he [count Gyllenburg] had entered upon business with some lords of the chief of the Pretender's party: that, they took it for granted, he was authorised to do so, by the king of Sweden; and, in a word, that he was inclined to believe, That his Swedish majesty would espouse the interests of that prince. In the first place," adds the baron, "I will tell you that I shall be charmed with it; and then, that it is not from a motive of curiosity, that I ask, whether what I have heard be true; but, that I may co-operate with you, though indirectly, till I have powers like yours, with which, you know, we are obliged to proceed very cautiously. Do me the friendship to let me know, what there is in this matter, as soon as possible. I flatter myself you will find your account in it." The next is a letter from count Gyllenburgh to baron Gortz, dated London, Sept. 29, O. S. Oct. 9, N. S. 1716; which, being very material, deserves to be inserted at length. "In answer to your excellency's letter," says the count, "of the 22d past, I now do myself the honour to acquaint you, that every body here is of opinion, that either France is extremely weak, or else, that the regent aims at the throne, and is desirous to purchase it of king George, at any rate; for otherwise, it is thought impossible, that France could condescend to make so ignominious a sacrifice, as she does, of a work [Mardyke] which cost her so much, and for which the late king would have undergone a ten years war. People go so far here, as to ay wagers, that the young king of France will be dispatched, before a certain time, to make room for his uncle. But, if the report, which is current at present, proves true, that the young king is fallen ill of the small pox, it is very possible, that Providence may confound his vast projects, which among other things, tend to set up the court of Hanover to serve France, in our stead, as a balance against the power of the emperor; and it was with this view, that France already offered, last spring, to consent to guaranty to the Hanoverians the possession of the duchy of Bremen. If the emperor considers well the fime, at which France takes these steps, and England is so forward to answer them, he will find that his last advantage over the Turks has begot them bethink themselves, in good time, of securing one another, mutually, against his power. I know not with what design it is done but the ministry at present, give out, that the peace of the north is actually in agitation, and that it will be concluded to the satisfaction of the king of Sweden. My friends would persuade me, that this is done, in order to quiet a little the minds of those, whose eyes my paper (Remarks of an English Merchant, &c.) has opened. Be that as it will, I can assure your excellency, that never any paper met with a more general approbation; and, if I might venture to give my opinion, I should think it would not be improper to cause it to be printed in French, in Dutch, and even in English, at the Hague. Your excellency may be assured, that if these gentlemen here make any answer to it, I shall be ready to baffle them intirely, and that there is nothing in the world I should so much wish for. Whether they do this, or not, I intend to have several pieces ready against the meeting of the parliament, and to publish them by a little at a time, the impatience of the people here not suffering them to read long deductions; And, if I had wherewithal to defray the expence, I would cause some of them to be printed immediately, and the papers to be conveyed into such places, that it should not be in the power of this court to hinder the impression. The intimations, which have been made me, terininate in bringing in the Pretender; but, as I cannot enter upon that affair, without an express order from the king, my master, I have avoided coming to the particulars.— Ten thousand men transported hither from Sweden, would do the business: and, I believe, we shall not be at a loss for money.—I send you, inclosed, the translation of the Paper, which has been published here." Baron Gortz, in his Answer, dated at the Hague, Oct. 5-16, 1716, is of opinion," That hitherto, they need not be much disturbed about the treaty between France and Great Britain;" and adds, "That the count's printed piece deserves the approbation it meets with: that he has sent it to the king, and will take care to get translations of it into other languages printed, He desires to know the expence of printing the other pieces of the count's composing cautions him, not to make any mention, in his letters to the king, nor to his correspondents in Sweden, of what has been insinuated to him about the Pretender; but that in the mean time, he will run no risque, in acquainting him with all the particulars on that head; and that, above all, it will be necessary to make him clearly understand, how ten thousand men might do the business; that is to say, what scheme has been contrived, and what motive they propose to offer, to induce the king of Sweden to enter into this affair." Count Gyllenburg, in his Answer, dated at London, Oct. 12-23, 1716, tells baron Gorte, "I say nothing to the alliance lately made by France. Last spring, France offered the Hanoverians their guaranty of the possession of Bremen, and I doubt not, but they have now done it. How do we know, but this may produce good dispositions at Vienna towards us? It was in jest only, that count Volkra told M. Petkum, that his master would enter into that alliance. I am very glad, that my pamphlet meets with your excellency's approbation. I assure you, that to print the pieces, that will be necessary, will cost me, at least, sixty pounds. Printers must be bribed to it, for they run great risques in printing any thing that displeases the government: but I will keep an exact account of every penny. I would begin with our Treaty, and make short remarks upon it. Afterwards, I will print extracts from the custom house, to show the little necessity there is of the trade to Petersburgh and Riga, especially this year. Then I will come to the Hanover declaration of war, and will examine it, if it be necessary. After that I will proceed to every one of our enemies, and I doubt not, but to undeceive the nation." an end to all our misfortunes, by raining those who are the authors of them. As to what I have to say of the time, the sooner the better, after the trade of Gottenburg is ended, or be fore it begins." The next Letter is from count Gyllenburg to his brother Gustavus Gyllenburg, secretary to baron de Gortz, dated at London, Octobe 16-27, 1716; in which the postscript to baro Gortz, is only material, which is as follows "I have since spoken with two of the princi pals, who have assured me, that there shall be 60,000l. sterling, ready, as soon as I shall sbew them a line from the king, with assurances under his own hand, that he will assist them. As for the scheme, I shall have it within a few days. One of them, who is the chief promoter of this affair, assured me, that we had nothing to apprehend from the Regent on this occasion,' By a Letter dated at the Hague, November 3, 1716, M. Gustavus Gyllenburg acquaints his brother the count, that he has given baron Gortz his letter of the 16-27th of October, to read, as well as the note therein inclosed; to which he made him the following answer: " It is my repeated advice, to forbear speaking any at all of money; but to hear people only, so as to learn clearly what they are able and disposed to do, and to acquaint me with it, without opening yourself to them." The next Letter is from count Gyllenburg to baron Gortz, dated at London, November 4, 1716, as follows; "In answer to what your your excellency has done me the honour to write to me in the postscript to your letter of the 16-27th past, I grant there will be no harm in hearing the insinuations of this court, if they were made not only without my promising to make report of them to his majesty, but also my giving them hopes of his majesty's being resolved to be reconciled to the Hanoverians, and to sacrifice Bremen to them for some equiva lent on the part of the czar. But as, without that, they will make no overtures, for fear we should make use of them to increase still more the distrust, which is between the northern allies, and so make an advantage of them; it is not in my power, to get any thing particular out of them; nor am I able to say of what service to us their assistance against the czar would be; but if I were to guess by their discourse, who have been talking with me about it, as from themselves, though I easily perceived it was by order of the ministers, I should believe, that, if the preliminary concerning Bremen was settled, the English ministers would be very well pleased to retrieve the false step they To this letter count Gyllenburg subjoins this remarkable postscript: "Your excellency will have seen by my last to M. de Mullern, what I have written upon the subject in question. You will be pleased to send, or keep back that letter, just as you shall judge convenient. However, I beg you would be pleased to inform me which you do. There is no medium; either Bremen, or the Hanoverians, must be sacrificed. The latter is not so difficult, considering the general discontent. Ten thousand men would be sufficient. The male-contents require but a body of regular troops to which they may join themselves. That body, being transported in the month of March, when the easterly winds reign, and when it will not in the least be dreamt on, will cause a general revolt. We must also have arms for between 15 and 20,000 men, and as many accoutrements as can be got; for, as to horses, we shall have them here. Your excellency may easily judge of what advantage this will be to the king; and in my poor opinion, we have no other course to take, unless we are willing to give up every thing. My friends are not in town, but I shall speak with them some day next week and then your excellency may expect their scheme : in the mean time, I should be of opinion, that if the business could be done, without making use of a great many English, there would be the less risque run; for I do not know, whether I ought to touch upon what the king must have further for although they will endeavour to do everything that I ask, yet, as it must be by a contribution raised amongst a great many, it may happen, that there may be a false bro-have made, by talking loudly of the defensive ther. Our men once landed, I answer for the rest. In the meantime,I beg you would remember what I had the honour to write to you, last summer, concerning one N Nobody knows the sea and the coasts better than he, and he is a brave and honest man. In short it will be a glorious enterprize, which will put treaty between us, and by persuading the nation to give us the succours therein stipulated, either in money or ships. I should fancy also, that we might come to an agreement in relation to what they ought to help us to take from the czar, by way of reprizal for our losses in Germany, On the other hand, and if we do Not submit to them, your excellency may be assured, that, as well to justify their past actions, as to force us to a compliance, they will prevail upon the mercenary parliament, which they have at present, to take vigorous resolutions, and even to declare war against us. This is what we must expect. The English ministers do not inince the matter; and they have already made it appear, that they will stick at nothing. They are all furious persons. Sunderland, who is, in a manner, at the head of affairs, and who has got all the interest he has with the king of England, by having consented to what has been done against us (being besides our enemy) is at present at Hanover, to take his instructions from the Germans, and your excellency may depend upon it, he will execute them with all the boldness [Effronterie] imaginable. Your excellency will therefore find, we ought to make use of this opportunity to enter into measures against people, who certainly will not do things by halves. We must either ruin them, or be undone ourselves, that is, if it be in their power to bring it to pass. "Postscript. My friends are now in town. An express, which came to them yesterday from the pretender, will put them in a better condition for forming a plan. To day they are going about it. There are only five or six of the most considerable persons consulted. They would know, in case we agree, whether the money must be paid here or elsewhere, or if it most be sent over to Sweden. They have also asked me, if we had any occasion for seaofcers, for then they could furnish us with good ones." In another Letter, at London, November 13, 1716, count Gyllenburg made good his promise to baron Gortz, about gising him his sentiments 66 about the business contained in the baron's lost postscript. The sun thereof" says the count is what I have already hinted, that we must determine one way or other, and that very speedily. We have not, in my humble opinion, any time to lose in consultations. If we do not take advanfage of their present animosity, it will cool; for the court, that is to say, the prince's party, does all that is possible to gain them. With the most considerable, it would perhaps be necesary to go on roundly. They run the hazard of their lives and fortunes in declaring themselves, so that they will not speak but upon good security. And as to the people of the second rank, besides that it would perhaps be dangerous so much as to hearken to their proposals, these proposals of theirs are of so little consequence, and so confused, that we should not be able from them to form any idea of the affair. I should likewise be of opinion, that, till I receive fresh orders from your excellency, the safest way will be to avoid all conversations of that kind." The next Letter is from M. Gustavus Gyllenburg to the count his brother, dated at the Hague, November 17, 1716, the substance of VOL. VII. which is as follows: "On Tuesday last arrived here a letter from baron Sparre, importing, that he had hopes of succeeding in his solicita tion, to have Mr. Lench sent to the king. In his letter was inclosed one from the duke of Ormond to baron Gortz, in which the duke says, that the king his master had ordered him to let him [Gortz] know, that he expects shortly a supply of money; that he will then remit sixty thousand pounds sterling to his Swedish majesty, leaving the disposal of it to him; and that he begs him to look upon this as an earnest of his good will to him. The bearer of this letter added, that the remittances might be made either to, or to. M. Sparre has since told the baron, in confidence, of the men of war that we have brought in France, which will be ready and delivered. And that we are soliciting the court of France to send a person to the czar, to make advantage of the pacific disposition he is now in. But as this solicitation meets with many obstacles, and that, besides, France does not appear over forward to do any thing for us, unless it be in concert with England. M. Sparre takes notice, that my lord Mar has a cousin-german, named Erskine, with the czar, who is physician and privy-counsellor to that prince; which favourite has wrote letters to my lord Mar, giving a very particular account of the czar, viz. That the czar will not attempt any thing more against the king of Sweden; that he has fallen out with his allies; that he can never be friends with king George; that he hates him mortally; that he is sensible of the just cause of the Pretender; that he wishes for nothing more than a conjuncture, in which he may be able to restore him to his dominions; that the czar, having the advantage wholly on his side, cannot make the first step; but, if the king would make the least advance, there would be very soon an accommodation between them. The Pretender has sent to desire baron Sparre to procure him returned answer, that, as this would be the leave to retire to Stockholm. M. Sparre has same thing as declaring war by sound of trumpet, it would absolutely spoil the business in hand." In this Letter, M. Gustavus Gyllenburg inclosed the copy of another Letter, from baron Gortz to baron Sparre, dated November 12, 1716, as follows: "I still look upon the sending Mr. Lench as very uncertain, because, I am persuaded, that France will not take any step, that may give the least suspicion, or by have finished the treaty of alliance, that is now which they may disgust England, before they depending. Yet methinks they might venture have a mind to send a person to the king, to to intimate to the court of England, that they sound his majesty's intentions more thoroughly touching a reconciliation, and in order to qualify themselves the better to do good offices. Aš to the affair of England and the duke of Ormond Letter to me, of which you have sent me a copy, I cannot forbear telling you 2 D agreement with the czar, we ought to conclu it within three months at the very farthest. T canal of my lord Mar seems to be alike inco venient and impracticable, because of the leng of time, which that circulation of correspon ence would unavoidably take up. Yet I cann but think, that, by the canal of the favouri physician, the good dispositions of the cz might be improved, if they are indeed such have been represented. If the czar com hither, and one can get a private conversatio with the favourite, we might certainly carr things on far, supposing, as I said, that what the favourite has written be well founded. In the mean while I am contriving some other way If we fix upon a project, that is in any tolerable degree promising, I shall not be withheld by the difficulties and hardships of the voyage from being the bearer of it myself. If in the mean time your friends would enter into my scheme, I should be the more sure of bringing the king to a thorough good liking of their business. But I will not venture to convey any thing of this to his majesty, otherwise than by word of mouth. It is satisfaction enough to me to know originally, that I am in no danger of giving of fence to Sweden by the part I take upon me to act in this affair. The fancy of the Pretender's retiring to Stockholm surprises me: It would be blazing abroad our secret intelligence by sound of trumpet." frankly, Sir, that, if my scheme upon it be not approved and complied with, I cannot enter at all into that affair. It is upon the foundation of my scheme, that I have actually opened the matter to the king; and it would be directly to spoil all to make me depart from it. Any reasonable man will easily comprehend the impossibility, in this case, of settling a treaty in form. Doubtless it would be running too great a hazard on both sides, to depend upon its being kept secret. The best way is, to prepare on each side the materials necessary for the work before us. When all is ready for execution, it will then be time enough to make treaties, if it be judged requisite. I do not know, even whether it would be right to do what is desired under the name of lending assistance; and I am very much inclined to think, that it would be better to avow openly our own interest, and the concern we have for maintaining the English liberties. Your friends must place so much confidence in us, as to furnish us with what we want, to put ourselves into a condition of becoming useful to them. The sum required is not exorbitant: 300,000 crowns may satisfy us at present, for we want nothing but to augment our naval force at Gottenburg. I do not see what hazards your friends can run in this. I will give them sufficient security; and, from the humour all the world knows the king to be of, they may very safely conclude, that if his majesty should not be able to satisfy this loan by a real assistance, he would do all he possibly could to reimburse our friends; the rather, because his majesty would not have it known, that he had touched any money for such a purpose as this is lent. These gentlemen might, however, the more to engage the king's affection, give their offer the turn expressed in my scheme: though, for my part, I will not accept it, on any conditions, that may distinguish it from a common loan. But all depends upon their determining speedily, and beginning forthwith, by furnishing the 300,000 crowns for the men of war, without which they must not flatter themselves, that any thing can be done. I am upon the scent of getting a fourth hundred thousand even in England. France cannot reproach us with this agreement, while no treaty or convention can be produced to prove it. What I said above, of the cautious behaviour of the court of France towards England, is no doubt applicable likewise to the negotiating of an accommodation with the czar. It is probable, the court of France would not proceed in a negotiation of that kind, but by concert with England; and you will grant me, that this would not by any means suit our interest. This reflection leads me into an opinion, that the canal of France is not at present the most commodious for us. It may suffice therefore to have offered to make use of that canal without pressing the matter further. Nor can M. Lench be the manager of this negotiation. For going to, and coming from Sweden, at the season of the year we are now in, requires time; and, if we come to any On the 12-23 of November, 1716, baron Gortz wrote from the Hague the following Letter to count Gyllenburg: "I told you 10 my letter of Friday, that Ldeferred answering yours of the 13th, which I am now going to do. You say, Sir, that as to the affair you are pressed about, it would be necessary to go roundly to work with the principals. I am intirely of the same opinion. The business then is to speak plainly. I believe, Sir, it will be thought a suf ficient proof of our frankness, to declare as you may do, that nothing is more natural, nor more sweet, than to revenge an affront one has re ceived; but that in point of prudence, it ought to be maturely considered, whether the passion of revenge can produce the desired effect. If your people do but make the least reflection upon this rule, they will undoubtedly perceive, that it is intirely their business to make the success of the enterprize, which they desire, appear probable to us. After that, it will be likewise proper, that they should help us in settling the necessary points, that is, that they should assist us with money. As I run no risque with you, Sir, I make no scruple of telling you in confidence, that the business in hand has for some time been part of my cor respondence with ambassador Sparre. The principal members of the present court of Avignon, offer on the part of their master 60,000l. sterling, to engage the king's affection. I remonstrated thereupon, that the delicacy of the conjuncture ought to caution us against closing too hastily with this offer, but that I proposed to treat upon the foot of a commor 安診 loan; and that in that case, being furnished with the king's full power to negotiate money for his majesty's services, I might accept it, giving them assurances on the king's part for repayment; that, if at the same time they would communicate to me a plan of the principal affair, I would not fail to send it to the king; and that, in case his majesty should be unwilling to enter into the design in question, he would at least pique himself upon taking care, that the sum, which I should have borrowed in his name, should be punctually discharged; so that the lenders would run no risque of their money, but that, on the contrary, they would| have put it out to a good advantage, and that, in short, the offer being made upon the foot beforementioned, without stipulating any other conditions than being reimbursed, thes king might be more effectually wrought upon by that mark of their good will, than by directly soliciting the succours they desire. I added to all these intimations, that, in case the king relished the project of a Revolution to be brought about in England, it night perhaps do better to give this enterprise the turn of its being intended to revenge the unworthy proceedings of the kings of England, and to maintain the English liberties. You have herewith, Sir, the copy of a pecuniary contract, which I have just now settled with some private persons in this country. You will find by it, that there is a considerable advantage to be made, which it was necessary to allow to strangers, since nobody in Sweden had courage enough for it. If your people had a mind to engage in it, abstractedly from the grand affair, I would admit them forthwith as far as the sum of 300,000 crowns. The king's printed patent, whereof you have herewith a copy, sufficiently secures every individual person from all frauds with regard to the States bonds, upon which the money is advanced. But they must determine speedily, or lay aside all hopes, as I have just now observed to ambassador Sparre, in a postscript, which I communicate to you. If the thing be taken upon the foot beforementioned, it may go on; but otherwise nothing can be done. In a word, we must have money, and, after that, we must know what they are in a condition to do in England, and what part they expect the king should take, to put this design into motion, and to support it." In Answer to baron Gortz, count Gyllenburg wrote to him the following very remarkable Letter, dated at London, Dec. 4, 1716: "As soon as I had received your excellency's letter of the 23rd past, I went to one of the principals at his own house, with whom I have had a long and intimate friendship. I shewed him your excellency's letter, which I inforced the best I could. Whereupon he asked me, whether I had spoke of it to any one of his party? And, I telling him I had not, he desired me, for the love of God, not to do it. We were made to believe from Avignon, said he, that all went on currently: that baron Gortz had accepted our offer, and had given positive assurances on the part of the king of Sweden, of his assistance. We have been pressed on the affair of the money, and to form a scheme; and we have actually applied ourselves to both the one and the other. In the midst of all this, here are three posts arrived from Avignon, and no farther signs are shewn of so much haste. This change has very much perplexed us, we not knowing to what to impute it, unless to the prince's indisposition. But all is now become clear. They were too sure of their point at Avignon; they reckoned immediately on the assistance of the king of Sweden; and now they are afraid, on one hand, of damping our courage, by owning frankly, that they had deceived themselves; and, on the other, they dare not, upon an uncertainty, engage to supply them with money, being sensible, it is the last that we shall give them, if we should find it employ ed to any other purpose than we designed; and without direct assurances first given of our hav ing the succours we need. You see, therefore continued he, of what consequence it is, if you wish us well, that you do not make known, to any person, what I see our court of Avignon conceals with so much care. If you act otherwise, you will destroy the credit of the chevalier de St. George here, which perhaps will be of necessary use to you, and you will make his adherents your implacable enemies; for, if their design fail, they will be regardless, whether Sweden perishes or not; and yet you know, that it is they, who have hitherto defended your cause, as well in the country, as in the parliament of England, and who have obliged your enemies to act with more caution and reserve, than they would otherwise have done. You will still have occasion for their assistance in the next session of the parliament of England, which your enemies are preparing to incense terribly against you, as well by pamphlets, which are already actually in the press, as by petitions of the merchants, who have lost their ships, and who now meet twice a week to consult. Now, (said he) to return to baron Gortz's letter, give me leave to tell you freely, that, if the question was explicitly and simply, whether we should assist the king of Sweden, and we consented, it might then be worth while to ask, what security we required, and what gain we insisted on? But that is not the case at present, nor ever will be. For I must own to you ingenuously, that there are very few amongst us, who have any concern for the interests of foreign princes, any longer than while they affect our own, and that even very palpably: • Manus nostræ oculatæ sunt; credunt quod 'vident: Our eyes are in our hands; what they see we believe.' So that for you to flatter yourselves, that, out of respect or friendship, we should part with our money to any whatsoever, would be to know nothing of us. You can never alter our minds on that article; so you must just take us as we are. As for gain, can we hope for greater in any country, than |