I shall very soon have a particular account of the present plan of operation. I have now the ball at my foot, and may give it what tune I please, as I am to be allowed largely, if I fairly enter in co-partnership. The French King is in a very peaceable humour, but very ready to take fire if the Jacobites renew their address, which the Young Pretender assures him of, and he will the readier bestirr himself, as the English Jacobites hourly torment him. Troops, Scotch and Irish, are daily offered to be smuggled over: _but I have positively yet refused to admit any_. The King of Spain has lately promised to add greatly to the Young Pretender’s patrimony, and English Contributors are not wanting on their parts. I suspect that my letters of late to my friends abroad are stopt, pray enquire, for I think it very unfair dealings. I am in a few weeks to go north to put some order to my affairs. I should have been put to the greatest inconveniency if _21_ (Bruce) had not lent his friendly assistance; but as I have been greatly out of pocket by the Jants I took for Mr. Pelham, I shan’t be in condition to continue trade, if I am not soon enabled to pay off the Debts then contracted. I have said on former occasions so much upon this head to no effect that I must now be more explicit, and I beg your friendly assistance in properly representing it to the Duke of Newcastle. If he thinks that my services, of which I have given convincing proofs, will answer to his advancing directly eight hundred Pounds, which is the least that can clear the Debts of my former Jants, and fix me to the Certain payment yearly of Five hundred at two several terms, he may command anything in my power upon all occasions. I am sorry to be forced to this explanation, in which I always expected to be prevented. I am so far from thinking this extravagant, that I am perswaded it will save them as many thousands, by discarding that swarm of Videts, which never was in the least trusted. If the Duke of Newcastle’s Constituent (the King) was acquainted with this, I dare say he would esteem the demand reasonable, considering what he throws away upon others of no interest or power on either side. I beg you’ll acquaint me with the soonest of the Duke of Newcastle’s answer, and assure him of my ready obedience to his commands. I have referred to _21_ to enlarge further upon this, and other subjects I have been conversing with him some days ago, _as he can inform you of my great hurry and confusion for this fortnight past_,[204] which will be all the apology I will make for this hurried scrawl, and I beg you’ll be fully convinced of the great esteem etc. etc. etc.