S. Germain, July 8, 1712.

My Lord W------

I thank you heartily for your Letter; and you may be firmly assured of my Friendship. In Answer to what you hint that some of our Friends suspect; I protest to you, upon theWord of a King, and my Lord M---ton will bemy Witness, that I never held the least Corresponddence with any one Person of the Tory Party: I observe, as near as I can, the Instructions of the King my Father, among whose Papers there is not one Letter, as I remember, from any Tory, except two Lords and a Lady, who, as you know, have been for some Years past devoted to Me and theWhigs. I approve of the Scheme you sent me, sign’d by our Friends. I do not find 24's Name to it: Perhaps he may be sick, or in the Country. Mid---ton will be satisfied to be Groom of the Stole; and if you have Ireland, 11 may have the Staff, provided 15 resigns his Pretensions; in which Case, he shall have 6000l. a Year for Life, and a Dukedom. I am content 13 should be Secretary, and Lord; and I will pay his Debts when I am able. I confess I am sorry your General Pardon has so many Exceptions; but you, and my other Friends, are better Judges of that. It was with great Difficulty I prevailed on theQueen to letme Sign that Commission for Life, tho’ her Majesty is entirely reconciled. If 2 will accept the Privy-Seal, which you tell me is what will please him, the Salary shall be doubled. I am obliged to his good Intentions how ill soever they have succeeded. All other parts of your Plan I entirely agree with; only as to the Party that oposeth us, Your Proposal about Z may bring an Odium upon my Government: He stands the first Excepted; and we shall have enough against him in a legal way. I wish you would allow me twelve more Domesticks of my own Religion, and I will give you what Security you please, not to hinder any Designs you have of altering the present Establish’dWorship.