N° 29.

Thursday, Jan. 31, 1771.

THE paper is extremely well printed,

and has a great effect'; it is of the utmost importance to the public cause that the doors of the House of Lords should be opened on Tuesday next, perhaps the following may help to shame them into it.

We hear that the ministry intend to move for opening the doors of both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday next, in the usual manner, being desirous that the nation should be exactly informed of their whole conduct in the business of Falkland Island.

low, but the preparation was actually made in the full belief, on the part of the cabinet themselves, that they would be compelled to go to war, by the existing temper of the people, irritated by the dishonourable negotiation concerning the Spanish seizure of Falkland Islands, and that they should be accused of indolence, and even cowardice, by the approaching Parliament. The session opened only four days afterwards, and the question of hostilities was so much upon a balance, that in the lower House not fewer than 159 members divided against the Minister, upon the address of thanks and approbation.

It refers to JUNIUS, No. XLII. For the nature of the subject alluded to, see the Letter, and the Notes subjoined to it; as also Miscellaneous Letters, No. LXXXVIII. and the note in explanation.

(Next Day.)

The nation expect, that on Tuesday next at least, both Houses will be open as usual, otherwise there will be too much reason to suspect, that the proceedings of the ministry have been such as will not bear a public discussion.

We hear that the ministry intend to move, that no gentleman may be refused admittance into either House on Tuesday next. Lord North in particular thinks it touches his character, to have no part of his conduct concealed from the nation.

The resolution of the ministry to move for opening both Houses on Tuesday next does them great honour. If they were to do otherwise, it would raise and justify suspicions very disadvantageous to their own reputation, and to the King's honour.

SIR,

Tuesday Noon, Feb. 5, 1771. I DID not receive your letter until this day. I shall be very glad to hear what you have

to communicate.

You need not advertise any notice.

C.

N° 31.

(Private)

Monday, Feb. 11, 1771.

OUR correspondence is attended with difficulties, yet I should be glad to see the paper you mention; let it be left to-morrow without farther notice. I am seriously of opinion that it will all end in smoke'.

C.

N° 32.

Monday, Feb. 18, 1771.

If you are not grown too ministerial in

your politics, I shall hope to see the enclosedannounced to-morrow, and published on Wednesday*.

In reference to a notice from the Attorney-General for publishing Letter of JUNIUS, No. XLII. but which was never farther proceeded upon.

2 This note accompanied No. xc. of the Miscellaneous Letters. The Printer had some scruples about publishing the whole of it; and in the Public Advertiser of Feb. 20, gave the usual mark, "A Letter," that a private letter was in waiting upon this subject. In consequence of which the subsequent note was received, dated Feb. 21.

N° 33.

SIR,

Feb. 21, 1771.

Ir will be very difficult, if not impracticable, for me to get your note. I presume it relates to Vindex'. I leave it to you to alter or omit as you think proper ;-or burn it.-I

'The following is a copy of the letter which Mr. Woodfall addressed to the author under the feigned name of Mr. John Fretley, and directed it to him at the New Exchange Coffeehouse, in the Strand.

"SIR,

"To have deserved any portion of your good opinion, affords me no small degree of satisfaction-to preserve it shall be my constant endeavour. Always willing to oblige you as much as lies in my power, I, with great avidity, open your letters; and sometimes, without reading the contents, promise the publication.-Such is my present situation, and I hope you will not be offended at my declining to publish your Letter, as I am convinced the subject of it must, if I was to insert it, render me liable to very severe reprehension. That I am not grown too ministerial in my politics, every day's paper will, I hope, sufficiently evince; though I rather hope some little regard to prudence will not by you be deemed squeamishness, or tend to lessen me in your opinion, as I shall ever think myself your

"P.S. I shall wait your directions what to do with the paper in question, as I did not chuse to trust it under cover till I was further acquainted with your pleasure."

think the argument about Gibraltar', &c. is too good to be lost; as to the satirical part, I must tell you, (and with positive certainty,) that our gracious is as callous as stockfish to every thing but the reproach of cowardice. That alone is able to set the humours afloat. After a paper of that kind he won't eat meat for a week".

You may rely upon it, the ministry are sick of prosecutions. Those against JUNIUS cost the Treasury above six thousand pounds, and after all they got nothing but disgrace. After the paper you have printed to-day, (signed Brutus 3) one would think you feared nothing. For my own part I can very truly assure you that nothing would afflict me more than to have drawn

For the explanation of this passage, see Miscellaneous Letters, No. xc. signed Vindex.

* See Vol. II. p. 130. note.

3 This Letter was addressed to Lord North, and as it is short, it is here transcribed, in proof that JUNIUS was not severe in his opinion of it, nor singularly acrimonious in the phraseology originally adopted by himself.

TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD NORTH.

MY LORD,

I never address your Lordship but I feel the utmost horror and indignation; for I consider you as a man totally regardless of your own honour, and the welfare of your country.

The severity of a writer cannot be supposed to give your Lordship any uneasiness; a minister, whose schemes extend only to the exigencies of a year, but little regards his present or future reputation; yet it is a duty we owe to the public to

trace