Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/40

 24 TflE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

"Brussels, 12 March, 1709. "My Lord, — Tho' 'tis some time past since I had the honour of your Excellency's letter, yet I deferred answering it till I had a proper occasion of entertaining my Lord Duke at large about the contents of it, which my waiting on him to Ostend, where he embarked last Friday, furnished. I am infinitely obliged to your Excellency for the entire confidence you are pleased to have in me, — 'tis the greatest and best mark of friendship, and which I assure your Excellency I shall always endeavour to deserve. As to your Excellency's being personally well with my Lord Duke, I believe you may certainly depend on it. I have always heard him mention your Lordship with friendship and esteem, and, upon my pressing, as far as was convenient, an eclaircissement on the occasion of your letter, his Grace expressed himself with kindness for your person and regard for your merit. As to what relates to parties in England, 1 have ever avoided speaking to my Lord Duke on that subject, and I always found his Grace declined, as much as he could, meddling in any domestic matters, or disposal of civil employments, con- fining himself to the business of the war wholly, or such foreign affairs as have a relation and connexion with it. As to what concerns your Excellency's interests or pretensions in the army, I can sincerely protest I never omitted any favour- able opportunity of improving, as far as was in my power, the good opinion my Lord Duke has with justice ever had of your Excellency ; and for your rank in the army, which was properly what lay in my Lord Duke's province, your Excel- lency was never forgot ; and I believe on all occasions when my Lord Duke can show his particular value for you, you will receive all the marks you can desire, which his Grace repeated to me several times "

To which Lord Raby replied on the 26th March, after a profusion of thanks, " I shall always own myself most obliged to his Grace for the justice he has done me in my promotion in the army, tho' he should not think fit to do anything else for me ; and you must give me leave as a friend to tell you,

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