CHAPTER V

Ministers consult about a Bedchamber Woman-The Queen dreads the Loss of Abigail-Her Secret Petition to Her Tory Friends-What Peter Wentworth has to say-Common Discourse of the Town-Her Majesty slighted by the Duchess of Marlborough-Her Words repeated and exaggerated to the Queen-Desires to wait on the Sovereign-Her Majesty's Dread of an Interview-The Duchess hurries to Kensington Palace -Is admitted to the Royal Presence-Interview and Conversation with the Queen-their Final Parting-Insolent Letter from Her Grace-The Queen determines to dismiss Lord SunderlandThe Duke and Duchess beg Her to retain HimHer Majesty's Reproach to the Duchess-Who forwards Her Some Private Letters-The Queen's Brief Reply--Lord Dartmouth receives the Seals of Office-His One Great Defect-Lord Godolphin sends William Penn with a Message to the New Secretary of State.

THE

CHAPTER V

HE Duke of Marlborough on returning to town was received with friendliness by the Queen ; but a few days later Her Majesty was alarmed by a report that "the victorious army commanded by the Duke of Marlborough was getting up a petition in order to place him in a life-long command," and that her Whig Ministers were about to move an address in Parliament for the removal of Abigail from her service.

Whatever doubt there may have been regarding the first part of this rumour, there was none concerning the latter; for however extraordinary it may appear, it was certainly true that the great Ministers of State met privately and held grave councils regarding a bedchamber woman. Amongst them all, Lord Sunderland distinguished himself by his advocacy of violent measures; whilst true to his character, the Duke of Marlborough urged moderation, and declared it would be unconstitutional to force the Queen to abandon her favourite.

Her Majesty's dread lest Abigail should be taken

from her, drove her to consult her Ministers' opponents, when separately and with secrecy the Tory peers, and Jacobites who had been averse to the Revolution, were brought to her. In his History of Great Britain Cunningham says that the Queen begged "that they would be mindful of their duty to her, and neither to agree to any petition from the army which the Duke of Marlborough should present to Parliament, nor suffer Mrs. Masham to be taken from her." And, in parting from each, she earnestly said, "If ever any recommendation of mine was of weight with you, as I know many of them have been, I desire this may be especially regarded."

Though these conferences were private, news of their object soon spread abroad, when the Duke of Marlborough waited on Her Majesty "to clear himself from the calumnies of his enemies," and assure her he was unaware the Army had any intention of petitioning Parliament to make him Captain-General for life. The invaluable correspondence of Peter Wentworth reflects. the gossip of the town on these movements of the Court. Writing to his brother on January 24th, 1710, he says

"Upon the Duke's coming to town his friends report all is well and right again, but others talk as if there was great matters in agitation such as the Queen can never consent to. 'Tis certain there's a great Hurly burly at Court, but the particular accations 'tis impossible for me to learn, at least not saft for me to writ, however I'll venture to tell you what

"3f Things sbou'd come to Extremitys" 455

common report says, vis, that Ld. M—

insists upon

his being sole General during the Queen's and his joint lives, and the Dutchess of Ormond, Lady Fretcheville, lady Hide, Coll Masham, and Mrs. Masham together with their brother and sister be immediately remov'd from Court. This they say has not a little alarmed the Queen, who is said to be so much astonished at it that she has frequent consultations with the Contrary party what to do in so nice a conjuncture, and that the General officers has been sounded by both Sides to discover what they wou'd do if things shou'd come to extremitys.

"If these things comes to be more common discourse, I'll venture to writ more at large. It has been talk't as if yesterday was to have been the day to have mov'd for an address in the House of Commons to the Queen, to have had Mrs. Masham removed from Court, and all this sessions they say the House of Commons was never fuller, so 'twas not thought a proper time to move what they were not sure of carrying. Whether the party adverse to Mrs. Masham had any such designe, I can't say, but this am asure of that the Queen gave the Vice Chamberlain Cook orders to tell all her friends in the House of Commons, that is to say all that had any dependant, that any such address wou'd be very disagreeable to her.

"The Court is still in deep mourning" adds this gossip "wearing Coffs upon their coats sleeves, wch will be till Lady day, and no Arms upon the Coaches;

VOL. II.

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