The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift/Volume 11/From Charles Ford to Jonathan Swift - 5

by Charles Ford

FROM CHARLES FORD, ESQ.

LONDON, JULY 20, 1714.

WHO would ever do any thing for them, when they are so negligent of their own interest? the captain must see what use it would be to him to have it published, and yet he has not returned it. You have another copy by you: I wish you would send it; and if you do not care it should appear in your own hand, I will get it transcribed. My secretary is a boy of ten or eleven years old, and no discovery can be made by him. I do not know what my lord Bolingbroke may do, but I dare say Barber does not suspect from whence it comes. However, I wonder he has not mentioned it to you^[1].

I thought you had heard the historiographer's place has been disposed of this fortnight. I know no more of him who has it, than that his name is Maddocks^[2]. It would be impudence in them to send for you; but I hope you will come. A reconcilement is impossible; and I can guess no reason why matters are delayed, unless it be to gain over some lords, who stick firm to the dragon, and others that are averse to the captain^[3]. The duke of Shrewsbury declares against him in private conversation; I suppose because he is against every chief minister, for it is known he has no kindness for the colonel^[4]. Lord Anglesey rails at the chancellor, for some opinion the attorney and solicitor general have given relating to Ireland. Who can act, when they have so much caprice to deal with?

Mr. Lewis says, he will speak to Mr. Bromley for his part, and will engage it shall be paid as soon as lord Bolingbroke has given his. But it was mentioned before my lord treasurer, and he immediately took the whole upon himself. If they lived near one another, and a house between them was on fire, I fancy they would contend who should put it out, until the whole street were burned. Mr. Lewis goes into Wales the week after next. I shall have the whole town to myself. Now it is my own, I begin not to value it. Pope and Parnell tell me, you design them a visit. When do you go? If you are with them in the middle of a week, I should be glad to meet you there. Let me know where you are to be in Herefordshire, and I will send you some claret. It is no compliment, for I am overstocked, and it will decay before I drink it. You shall have either old or new; I have too much of both.

I paid the woman for your handkerchiefs; but should not have given her so much, if she had not assured me you had agreed with her. I think you may very well shake off the old debt, and she will have no reason to complain. So I told her; but if you would have me, I will pay her.

Pray send me the other copy^[5], or put me in a way of recovering the former. I am, &c.

1. This relates to the Free Thoughts.
2. Thomas Maddocks, esq.
3. Lord Bolingbroke.
4. Lord Oxford.
5. Of the Free Thoughts.