yet there has been no more removes since Lord Cunningsby. Nay the Whigs report that they expect it will be a thro' change, but by the long demure that is some conclude the leading men of both sides are agreed, and that there will be
no New P and very few more changes if any. I have
seen Mr. Harley's coach at Mr. Boils* door and several affirms that Lord Halifax and Lord Summer have been offten with Mrs. Masham, and that Lord Halifax was to go over a Plenipo but he wou'd not accept of the Employ unless he cou'd have assurance there wou'd be no new Parliament ; but since the French Ministers are gone from Holland there's an end of his stipulations. I doe believe matters wou'd be agreed if they did dare to trust one another, for if the present Ministry wou'd engage that the Present Parliament shou'd take noe notice of the addresses that has been, th' other party wou'd be sattisfied with the points they have gain'd and wou'd not, at least till the winter was over, attempt any more. 'Twas affirmed and all over the town that Prior had the Commission of trade, and in the Prints, but I am sure he has not, 'tis yet undisposed of The man Lord Treasurer solicited for to go to Portugal was Lord Trylawly ;t Lord PortmoreJ came in certainly by the other interest. In my last I writ you Lord Berkley's opinion that you under valued your pretentions in being contented with so little as a Commissionar of Trade, and that he did not think your asking leave to come over as material as I did : but I can't be perswaded but if you cou'd work it about so as to be thought to come over for your pri- vate affairs as you did two years agoe, you might make it worth your journey, for tho' before you can obtain leave and be here all matters will be agreed or else the Queen intirely in new hands, yet I think when you are upon the spot, you
- Henry Boyle, Secretary of State, afterwards Lord Carleton.
t Sir Charles O'Hara was raised to the Irish peerage as Baron Ty rawly in January, 1707, for his military services. After his long campaign in the Peninsula he was made commander-in-chief of the forces in Ireland.
X David Colyear, a distinguished military man, was created Earl of Portmore in 1703. He married Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester, the mistress of James II.
�� �
