Ambassage (as he calls it in his will). Macpherson speaks of him, in 1713, as Secretary for Embassies, Secretaire des Ambassades. It was not a mere title, but a distinguished and responsible office. An anonymous author calls him Count de Robethon, and his signature might seem to confirm such an appellation, if it were not that in his will, which was written with his own hand, he does not own to any title of nobility.
The change of ministry in England in 1710 caused much uneasiness in Hanover. The Electress Sophia alludes to the Earl of Rivers’ embassy on this occasion, in a letter, drafted for her by Robethon:—
“The good-natured Lord Rivers told me he clearly perceived I was of the Duke of Marlborough’s party. I answered that if the Queen had made an ape her general, and he had gained as many battles and towns, I would be equally for him.”
An amusing fact as to the Duke of Marlborough is brought to light. “He could not write the French language, and his French letters were written by Mr. Cardonnel, his Secretary. Sometimes, to give greater weight to their contents, he transcribed Mr. Cardonnel’s drafts with his own hand. But this innocent imposition ceased when, during an illness of his secretary, the Duke wrote to Robethon in English, excusing himself for not using the French language by saying, ‘Poore Cardnall is sick.’” In modernised spelling, this note is printed by Sir Henry Ellis thus:—
“August 18, 1710. — Poor Mr. Cardonnel being sick, I must ask your pardon for writing in English; but I would not defer any longer returning you my thanks for your obliging letter of the 5th, and assuring you at the same time of the satisfaction I take in the good choice the Elector has made of Monsieur de Bothmer. Our conjecture in England is so very extraordinary, that it will require not only his diligence, but also his utmost prudence. I pray God everything may end for the best; but our dismal aspect seems rather favourable for France than for ourselves. — I am with truth, Sir, your faithful friend and servant,
“Marlborough.”
Robethon, though of the discarded party, felt it to be his duty to write respectfully to their successors, and sent by Lord Rivers a letter to Secretary St. John (afterwards Viscount Bolingbroke). Baron Hervart was disposed to think favourably of the new ministry, and had frequent interviews with its members. He happened to call upon St. John on the 2d November, and the question was put to him, “Do you know Monsieur Robethon?” “Perfectly well, sir,” replied the Baron, “and you can’t address yourself to any one that will tell you more about him than I.” “I am happy to hear that,” St. John said; “take the trouble of reading that letter; I believe you will find it is written very well.” “Sir,” said Hervart, “as I was for four years in a regular course of correspondence with him, I know what he can do.” St. John proceeded to say, “It is a letter which Lord Rivers brought me from him, and he said a great deal to his advantage. I want to write an answer to him. Will you kindly let me know the titles which should be on the address of his letters? Since you have been so long acquainted with him upon the footing of a perfectly honest man, I shall be very happy to do him a pleasure, when the opportunity offers, and I wish we may be friends.” Hervart was charmed with this speech, and asked, “Do you consent, sir, to my letting him know your favourable opinion?” “I shall be much obliged to you,” was St. John’s answer.
Baron Hervart accordingly wrote to Robethon, and the dialogue quoted above is a part of his letter, which began with a polite hesitation as to Robethon’s remembering his name after a cessation of correspondence for ten or twelve years, and expressed real pleasure in resuming it, “no time having been able to make me forget a man whom I always highly esteemed.” The Baron also spoke to James Robethon and Monsieur De La Mothe. The latter wrote to his nephew on the 3rd November 1710:—
