PREFACE.
Henry Sidney, Earl of Romney, who died in 1704, appointed his nephews, Thomas Pelham, Henry Pelham, and John Sidney, his executors; and, among other things, he bequeathed to Thomas Pelham his cabinets and his papers.
Thomas Pelham, who was the eldest son of Sir John Pelham, married, for his first wife, Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir William Jones. His second wife was Grace, the daughter of Gilbert, Earl of Clare, sister of John Holles, Duke of Newcastle, who died in 1700. Their eldest son was Thomas Pelham, Duke of Newcastle, the minister. He was created Baron Pelham, of Laughton, and died in 1712. Henry Pelham, the second brother, married Frances, daughter and coheir of John Bynde, Esq. He died in 1712; and from him the present Earl of Chichester, the possessor of the Sidney and the Pelham Manuscripts, is directly descended.[1]
In selecting and preparing these papers for publication, and in searching for cotemporary notices illustrative of facts and persons, I have met with that assistance from my friends which I take this opportunity gratefully to acknowledge. From the
