Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/247

 longer. I would have had my sister Betty gon because she is a Whigg, but she rathere chose coming to stay with me all this day. Mr. Leigh's sister that you might have had is com to town twice as ugley and twice as fatt as ever ; I wish you could but see what a figure she is.

��[Peter Wentworth.]

London, December 25, 171 1. Dear Brother,

A Saturday last after the Lords had read the mony Bill, that and the Bill of accational conformity was past by Commission ; a great many Lords thought there was nothing more to be done, so went away. My Lord Notingham movM for an address to her Majesty, that the Congress shou'd not be openM till her Plenipo had instructions to lay all the pro- posals of the French before every one of the Ministers of the respective Allies ; 'twas argued by the Court that was giving them selves an unnecessary trouble, for her Majesty had told them in her speech that she wouM take care that all her i^lies shouM have reasonable satisfaction. There was but three score lords in the house and they saw 'twas to no pur- pose to divide about it, but my Lord Steward got words added that make it seem as if they thought the Address very needless. The words are these — if her Majesty had not given such instructions all ready, the Address was to be presented by the White Staves — so I don't know if it will be printed. I suppose they will send it you from the Secretary's office for I saw it in writing there. The Lords are adjourn'd till Wed- nesday sevenight, the Commons for three weeks. So this Christmass time we shall have little news to send you, and they say the frosts are so great that what good news you have to send us can't come to us.

There has been so many people has ask't me and seem'd to wonder I han't the curiosity to go over to this Congress, that I begin to have an inclination to ask the Queen leave for a month, and if you cou'd give me any hopes that when

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