adhered to one set of men and measures? Is he sure that he has never sided with those whom he was first hired to abuse? Has he never abused those he was hired to praise? To say the truth, most men's politics sit much too loosely about

TO THE PRINTER OF THE PUBLIC ADVERTISER.

SIR,

LONG and impatiently have I waited to see justice done to a much injured character. From the goodness of the cause, my expectations were great, but I have been cruelly disappointed. To enter the lists against such an able antagonist upon equal terms, would be the height of presumption; but truth, plainly and simply told, I doubt not, will shew itself superior to falsehood, though dressed in the most beautiful language of the elegant JUNIUS.

Unprejudiced by party, unbiassed by faction, it grieves me exceedingly, that a spirit of licentiousness should be able so far to influence some of the greatest geniuses of this nation. Is it possible to see without concern some of the most respectable names, and the most unexceptionable characters, so undeservedly attacked, and detraction conveyed in the most persuasive language, from the masterly pen of an accomplished writer? When every man of superior talents ought to exert himself to the utmost to support the dignity of government, how unfortunate is it that the greatest abilities are made subservient to a factious spirit, totally subversive of all the principles of social happiness! But the times are become so unpardonably licentious, that the greater the name, the higher the rank, the more dignified the character, and the more exalted the station, the more they become objects of envy, while the envenomed darts of illiberal abuse are pointed by the sons of sedition from every quarter, with unparalleled matice and unrelenting fury.

Subordination and subjection is the province of some; superiority and command undoubtedly belongs to the station of others. Obedience to the laws, respect for the magistrate, and duty to superiors, are essentially necessary in every well governed state. Every attempt then to make the laws, or the magistrate, be less respected, and every endeavour to break the chain of subordination, so necessary in civil society, tends to the destruction of government, and to the introduction of anarchy and confusion.

That factious, turbulent, licentious minds, should make this their constant employment, is not to be wondered at; but people of sense, judgment, and abilities, to make it their study, is amazing indeed!-What end can it answer? What purpose can it serve? If our superiors should do any thing contrary to the laws, or prejudicial to the interests of this country; if they should use any means to encroach upon our liberties, to deprive us of our privileges, or to subvert that happy form of government which we now enjoy; surely there are other means of redress left, besides calumniating magistrates, judges, generals and ministers. Though party preju

dice,

them. But as my friend's military character was the chief object that engaged me in this controversy, to that I shall

return.

JUNIUS asks what instances my friend has given of his

dice, and the influence of passion, may carry even men of sense to extraordinary lengths sometimes, yet I am convinced, that a cool dispassionate moment's reflection, will point out more constitutional remedies for all our misfortunes, than a factious appeal to a giddy, unthinking, uninformed mob: and very little demonstration will be necessary to make it evident, that the unbounded abuse of dignities tends to make the bulk of the people trample on all law, despise subordination, and destroy that government from which they claim protection.

JUNIUS is possessed of superior abilities; he has a flow of fine language at his command, his composition is masterly, his stile elegant, and the arrangement of his words is beautiful and harmonious. What excellent purposes might these talents serve, were they employed for the service of his country! What a pity they should be prostituted to depreciate government, and made subservient to such unphilosophic passions! unworthy of the man-unworthy of the pen of the accomplished JUNIUS!-Not one of the king's servants escapes him; but (for what cause heaven knows) his most pointed shafts have been directed against the Commander in Chief, who is, perhaps, the most unexceptionable character in the present administration. I was in hopes Sir W. Draper would have continued a defence so worthy of his abilities; but I imagine he is so busy at present about building his temple to Concord, and perhaps so taken up with his new friend, Mr. Wilkes, that he has forgot the correspondence he gave rise to, where Lord Granby is attacked in a most unpardonable manner; where he has been insulted as a soldier, despised as a general, his generosity laughed at, and even his private hours of social relaxation have been most ungenerously held up as an object of ridicule to the public eye.-For shame, JUNIUS!-this was not well done.-Whatever censure may be due to a man's public character, it is unmanly-it is cruel-it is unjust, to bring the secrets of social amusement, and the unguarded hour of convivial enjoyment, to be held out as an object of censure to the unfriendly world! Have you a spark of generosity left, JUNIUS! and can you read this without a blush?

My Lord Granby's character, as a man, as a soldier, and even as a general, will stand the test. The honesty of his heart, the integrity of his intentions, his intrepidity as a soldier, and his conduct as an officer, are unimpeached. It is true, his talents as Commander in Chief have never been tried in the field; but if we may be allowed to judge from the whole of his conduct during the late war in Germany, where the execution of many important enterprises were entrusted to him by one of the greatest generals, and one of the best judges of military merit in Europe, we may form great expectations, with the highest probability of not being disappoint

ed.

military skill and capacity as a general? When and where he gained his honour? When he deserved his emoluments? The united voice of the army which served under him, the glorious testimony of Prince Ferdinand, and of vanquished ed.—He knows how to obey; he knows that a good soldier never disputes the commands of his superior. He always discharged his duty to the satisfaction of Duke Ferdinand, whose approbation, thanks, and acknowledg ments he repeatedly obtained. Wherever he was employed, he gained honour to himself—he was beloved and esteemed by the army under his command-he was honoured and respected by the enemy-dear to the victors! generous to the vanquished! You know, JUNIUS, that he feared not to lead on the cavalry at Minden. He gained glory and honour at Warburg. It was the corps under his command who fought and gained the battle of Phillinghausen. He was principally concerned, and acted as became the soldier and general at Wilhelmstahl. And towards the end of the war, when the army was so situated, that if a rising ground on the left had been taken possession of by the French, it might have been attended with the worst consequences; and when the generals destined to lead a corps to occupy it, declared the service impracticable, my Lord Granby arose from a sick-bed, in the middle of the night, assumed the command of the corps, marched, with a fever upon him, in an inclement season, took possession of the post, and secured the army.—This did the soldier!

Is it necessary to ask where my Lord deserved every thing he has got after this? These are but few instances, among many others, where his Lordship acquired unfading laurels. But after all, what are the postswhat are the employments of trust and profit which he has centered in himself and family, since he became Commander in Chief? He is at the head of the army without pay; one of the name of Manners has been promoted from half-pay to a troop, and another he has appointed his aid-decamp: and those of his friends, who have been distinguished by royal favour, are so eminent in their profession, that hitherto the tongue of malice has not dared to move against them. His own employments are marks of royal favour and confidence, the consequence of long and faithful services.—These were not acquired by factious conduct, or licentious scribbling: no, Sir, he, like every man of honour, would disdain to be distinguished by such inglorious means.

Well do you know, JUNIUS, that it would have been in vain for my Lord Granby to have opposed the nomination of my Lord Percy; and you know as well, that this is not the first time ministerial influence has been too powerful for a military commander. It is equally ungenerous and unjust therefore, to say that he has betrayed the interests of the army. It is well known, that the general condition of the army is better, much better, at present, than it has been for many years, even in America, and the garrisons abroad: your information therefore is ill founded in this point; but the

truth

enemies, all Germany will tell him. JUNIUS repeats the complaints of the army against parliamentary influence. I love the army too well, not to wish that such influence were less. Let JUNIUS point out the time when it has not prevailed. It was of the least force in the time of that great man, the late Duke of Cumberland, who, as a prince of the blood, was able as well as willing to stem a torrent which would have overborne any private subject. In time of war this influence is small. In peace, when discontent and faction have the surest means to operate, especially in this country, and when, from a scarcity of public spirit, the wheels of goverment are rarely

truth is, JuNtus is no friend to Lord Granby, and is willing to believe, and ready to propagate every infamous report to his disadvantage.

My Lord Granby's generosity, Sir, knows no bounds; but it is directed to much nobler objects than you would endeavour to insinuate. Often have I seen his generous hand stretched out to supply the wants of the needy soldier; nor did the meanest follower of the camp go hungry from his door. His house was open equally to British and foreigners: his table was hospitality itself, and his generous, open countenance gave a hearty welcome to all his guests. Hence harmony reigned through the whole army, disputes had no existence, and officers of different nations emulated the social virtues of the British chief. By such means he gained the hearts of all the army; they followed him with confidence, and fought under him from attachment. No danger was too much-no attempt too daring, under his command. Whatever JUNIUS may think (though he may, for aught I know, be perfectly unacquainted with them himself) the gaining the affections of the soldiers will always be esteemed no mean qualification in a general. My Lord Granby has his foibles and weaknesses, no doubt of it; so has every man. Is there one on earth perfect? But to expose these foibles and weaknesses with all the power of persuasive language, while you conceal, slightly pass over, or endeavour to ridicule those shining parts of his character, those eminent virtues which you cannot imitate, it is ungenerous, and very unlike the gentleman.

You will forgive me I hope, Mr. Printer, for troubling you with an epistle of such an amazing length; but I hope you will think with me, that the subject required it. I acknowledge myself very unequal to speak of my Lord as he deserves; but I have attempted this much, from an opinion that when such an unexceptionable character is attacked, the defence becomes a public concern. It matters not, whether the malicious dart be pointed from the closet courage of a disgraced soldier, the oratorical powers of a disappointed dependant politician, or from the mad ravings of a lunatic adventurer; the sensible, unprejudiced part of mankind will see their infamous motives, and they will alike despise the illiberal production and the ungenerous author. TITUS.

moved, but by the power and force of obligations, its weight is always too great. Yet, if this influence at present has done no greater harm than the placing Earl Percy at the head of a regiment, I do not think that either the rights or best interests of the army are sacrificed and betrayed, or the nation undone. Let me ask JUNIUS, if he knows any one nobleman in the army, who has had a regiment by seniority? I feel myself happy in seeing young noblemen of illustrious name and great property come among us. They are an additional security to the kingdom from foreign or domestic slavery. JUNIUS needs not be told, that should the time ever come, when this nation is to be defended only by those, who have nothing more to lose than their arms and their pay, its danger will be great indeed. A happy mixture of men of quality with soldiers of fortune is always to be wished for. But the main point is still to be contended for, I mean the discipline and condition of the army, and I still must maintain, though contradicted by JUNIUS, that it was never upon a more respectable footing, as to all the essentials that can form good soldiers, than it is at present. JUNIUS is forced to allow that our army at home may be in some tolerable order; yet how kindly does he invite our late enemies to the invasion of Ireland, by assuring them that the army in that kingdom is totally ruined! (The colonels of that army are much obliged to him.) I have too great an opinion of the military talents of the lord-lieutenant, and of their diligence and capacity, to believe it. If from some strange, unaccountable fatality, the people of that kingdom cannot be induced to consult their own security, by such an effectual augmentation, as may enable the troops there to act with power and energy, is the commander in chief here to blame? Or is he to blame, because the troops in the Mediterranean, in the West Indies, in America, labour under great difficulties from the scarcity of men, which is but too visible all over these kingdoms! Many of our forces are in climates unfavourable to British constitutions: their loss is in proportion. Britain must recruit all these regiments from her own emaciated bosom, or, more precariously, by Catholics from Ireland. We are likeVOL. I.

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