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Foreign News
March 6, 1767
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A letter from John Wilkes in France to the Duke of Grafton on November 1, 1766, expressing loyalty to the King, denying associations with traitors, and pleading for clemency to end his exile and return to England.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
We have received the following from France, and are assured it is a genuine copy of the letter, which Mr. Wilkes wrote to his Grace the Duke of Grafton, First Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.
My Lord,
Nov. 1, 1766.
It is a very peculiar satisfaction I feel on my return to my native country, that a Nobleman of your Grace's superior talents, and insensible integrity, is at the head of the most important department of State. I have been witness of the general applause, which has been given abroad to the choice his Majesty has made, and I am happy to find my own countrymen zealous and unanimous in every testimony of their approbation.
I hope my Lord, that I may congratulate myself as well as my country, on your Grace's being placed in a station of so great power and importance. Though I have been cut off from the body of his Majesty's subjects, by a cruel and unjust proscription, I have never entertained an idea inconsistent with the duty of a good subject. My heart still retains all its former warmth for the dignity of England, and the glory of its Sovereign. I have not associated with the traitors to our Liberties nor made a single connection with any man who was dangerous, or even suspected by the friends of the Protestant Family on the throne. I now hope that this rigour of a long unmerited exile is past: and that I be allowed to continue in the land, and among the Friends of Liberty.
I wish, my Lord, to owe this to the mercy of my Prince. I entreat your Grace to lay me with all humility at the King's feet, with the truest assurance that I have never, in any moment of my life, swerved from the duty and allegiance I owe to my Sovereign, and that I implore, and in every thing submit to his Majesty's Clemency.
Your Grace's noble manner of thinking, and the obligations I have formerly received, which are still fresh in my mind, will, I hope, give a full propriety to this address, and I am sure a heart glowing with the sacred Zeal of Liberty must have a favourable reception from the Duke of Grafton. I flatter myself that my conduct will justify your Grace's interceding with a Prince, who is distinguished by a compassionate tenderness and goodness to all his subjects.
I am, with the truest respect,
MY LORD,
Your Grace's most obedient,
And most humble servant,
JOHN WILKES.
My Lord,
Nov. 1, 1766.
It is a very peculiar satisfaction I feel on my return to my native country, that a Nobleman of your Grace's superior talents, and insensible integrity, is at the head of the most important department of State. I have been witness of the general applause, which has been given abroad to the choice his Majesty has made, and I am happy to find my own countrymen zealous and unanimous in every testimony of their approbation.
I hope my Lord, that I may congratulate myself as well as my country, on your Grace's being placed in a station of so great power and importance. Though I have been cut off from the body of his Majesty's subjects, by a cruel and unjust proscription, I have never entertained an idea inconsistent with the duty of a good subject. My heart still retains all its former warmth for the dignity of England, and the glory of its Sovereign. I have not associated with the traitors to our Liberties nor made a single connection with any man who was dangerous, or even suspected by the friends of the Protestant Family on the throne. I now hope that this rigour of a long unmerited exile is past: and that I be allowed to continue in the land, and among the Friends of Liberty.
I wish, my Lord, to owe this to the mercy of my Prince. I entreat your Grace to lay me with all humility at the King's feet, with the truest assurance that I have never, in any moment of my life, swerved from the duty and allegiance I owe to my Sovereign, and that I implore, and in every thing submit to his Majesty's Clemency.
Your Grace's noble manner of thinking, and the obligations I have formerly received, which are still fresh in my mind, will, I hope, give a full propriety to this address, and I am sure a heart glowing with the sacred Zeal of Liberty must have a favourable reception from the Duke of Grafton. I flatter myself that my conduct will justify your Grace's interceding with a Prince, who is distinguished by a compassionate tenderness and goodness to all his subjects.
I am, with the truest respect,
MY LORD,
Your Grace's most obedient,
And most humble servant,
JOHN WILKES.
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
What keywords are associated?
John Wilkes
Duke Of Grafton
Exile
Clemency
France
Loyalty
King
What entities or persons were involved?
John Wilkes
Duke Of Grafton
King
Where did it happen?
France
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
France
Event Date
Nov. 1, 1766
Key Persons
John Wilkes
Duke Of Grafton
King
Event Details
John Wilkes writes from exile in France to the Duke of Grafton, praising his appointment, affirming loyalty to the King and England, denying traitorous associations, and pleading for royal clemency to end his unmerited exile and return among friends of liberty.