Lord Holderness arrived yesterday, exceedingly mortified at not finding himself immediate secretary of state, for which purpose he was sent for; but Lord Halifax would not submit to have this cipher preferred to him.  An expedient was proposed of flinging the American province into the Board of Trade, but somehow or other, that has miscarried, and all is at a stand.  It is known that Lord Granville is designed for president-and for what more don’t you think?-he has the inclination of the King—­would they be able again to persuade people to resign unless he is removed?-and will not all those who did resign with that intention endeavour to expiate that insult?

Amid all this new clash of politics Murray has had an opportunity for one or two days of making himself talked of.  A month ago his brother(247) obtained leave, on pretence of his health, to remove him into the custody of the sergeant-at-arms; but he refused to go thither, and abused his brother for meanness in making such submissive application.  On this his confinement was straitened.  Last week, my worthy cousin, Sir John Philips, moved the King’s Bench for a rule to bring him thither, in order to his having his habeas corpus.  He was produced there the next day; ’but the three Judges, onhearing he was committed by the House of Commons, acknowledged the authority, and remanded him back.  There was a disposition to commit Sir John, but we have liked to be-pleased with this acknowledgment of our majesty.

Stitara(248) has declared to her son that she is marrying Shirley, but ties him up strictly.  I am ready to begin again with a panegyric of My nephew, but I will rather answer a melancholy letter I have Just received from you.  His affairs are putting into the best situation we can, and we are agitating a vast match for him, which, if it can be brought to bear, will even save your brother, whose great tenderness to mine has left him exposed to greater risks than any of the creditors.  For myself, I think I shall escape tolerably, as my demands are from my father, whose debts are likely to be satisfied.  My uncle Horace is indefatigable in adjusting all this confusion.  Do but figure him at seventy-four, looking, not merely well for his age, but plump, ruddy, and without a wrinkle or complaint; doing every body’s business, full of politics as ever, from morning till night, and then roaming the town to conclude with a party at whist!  I have no apprehensions for your demands on Doddington; but your brother, who sees him, will be best able to satisfy you on that head.

Madame de Mirepoix’s brother-in-law was not Duke, but Chevalier de Boufflers.  Here is my uncle come to drop me a bit of marriage-settlements on his road to his rubbers, so I must finish—­you will not be sorry; at least I have given you some light to live upon.  Adieu!

(234) George Bubb Dodington.