debts the late ministry run the Civill List into, to the year 1710; only Mr. Smith made a motion that to make her Majesty perfectly easy they might see what debts has been these three years last past, and was seconded by Craggs, but it came to nothing. They were at it again to-day, and Mr. Smith appeal'd to Mr. Lownds if when he left the Treasury there was any more owing then 200,000, and now by the estimate they saw ■'twas about 500,000. They tell me Mr. Hamden talk't to this purpose, that he beleived there was nothing owing, but this wou'd be a fine sum to lay out in the next election. They battled a good while, then came to a division, and the court carryed it by 100 against 40.
��[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]
June 26, 1 7 13.
Tho' I am always very glad to hear from your Lordship, it is a lessening of your satisfaction to have it owing to a mis- take, for I made noe complaints of you to My Lady Portland nor was in the least inclin'd to take it ill that you had not writ to me, for certainly the foot, upon which you have allow'd me to live with you, is above such little regards.
I only told her that I did not find by the frequency of your letters that you were more at leisure then you had been, and this she took for a complaint, tho' never design'd for any.
I do not know what to say to you about the trade business, being stunn'd to find people soe ready to divide upon every occasion, which must give a great advantage to another set, better regulated and united. Some would give it a turn as if the French were overjoy'd to be off this treaty, that was soe much for our advantage. This hath been an unlucky year for duels. There was one two days agoe at Hamsted between one Mr. O'Brien and Coll. Hickman, and the last was kill'd. Mr. Vernon who was in Denmark is going to be married to Mrs. Boyle, My Lady Clifford's daughter, who hath neither beauty nor fortune to tempt him. My Lord Lonsdale is going into the same state with My Lord Burlington's sister,
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