generofity or avarice of a man, whofe private fortune is immense. The proofs of his munificence must be drawn from the ufes to which he has applied that fortune. I was not speaking of a Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, but of a rich English duke, whofe wealth gave him the means of doing as much good in this country, as he derived from his power in another. I am far from wifhing to leffen the merit of this fingle benevolent action ;-perhaps it is the more confpicuous from ftanding alone. All I mean to fay is, that it proves nothing in the prefent argument. LETTER XXVI. JUNIUS. TO THE PRINTER OF THE PUBLIC ADVERTISER. SIR, I Admit the claim of a gentleman, who pub. lishes in the Gazetteer under the name of Modeftus. He has fome right to expect an anfwer from me; though, I think, not fo much from the merit or importance of his objections, as from my own voluntary engagement. I had a reafon for not taking notice of him fooner, which, as he is a candid perfon, I believe he will think fufficient. In my first letter, I took for granted, from the time which had elapfed, that there was no inten tion tion to cenfure, nor even to try the perfons concerned in the rescue of general Ganfel; but Medeftus having fince either affirmed, or ftrongly infinuated, that the offenders might still be brought to a legal trial, any attempt to prejudice the caufe, or to prejudice the minds of a jury, or a court martial, would be highly improper. A man, more hoftile to the miniftry than I am, would not fo often remind them of their duty. If the Duke of Grafton will not perform the duty of his ftation, why is he minifter?—I will not defcend to a fcurrilous altercation with any man: but this is a fubject too important to be passed over with a filent indifference. If the gentlemen, whofe conduct is in queftion, are not brought to a trial, the Duke of Grafton fhall hear from me again. The motives on which I am supposed to have taken up this caufe, are of little importance, compared with the facts themselves, and the obfervations I have made upon them. Without a vain profeffion of integrity, which, in thefe times might justly be fufpected, I shall shew myfelf in effect a friend to the interests of my countrymen, and leave it to them to determine, whether I am moved by a perfonal malevolence to three private gentlemen, or merely by a hope of perplexing the miniftry, or whether I am animated by by a juft and honourable purpose of obtaining a fatisfaction to the laws of this country, equal, if poffible, to the violation they have fuffered. LETTER JUNIUS. XXVII. TO HIS GRACE THE D OF G MY LORD, Though my opinion of your Grace's integrity was but little affected by the coyness with which you received Mr. Vaughan's proposals, I confefs I give you some credit for your discretion. You had a fair opportunity of displaying a certain delicaty, of which you had not been fufpected; and you were in the right to make ufe of it. By laying in a moderate flock of reputation, you undoubtedly meant to provide for the future neceffities of your character, that with an honourable refistance upon record, you might safely indulge your genius, and yield to a favourite inclination with fecurity. But you have difcovered your purposes too foon, and, instead of modeft referve of virtue, have fhewn us the termagant chastity of a prude, who gratifies her paffions with diftinction, and profecutes one lover for a rape, while fhe folicits the lewd embraces of another. Your Your cheek turns pale: for a guilty conscience tells you, you are undone.-Come forward, thou virtuous minifter, and tell the world by what interest Mr. Hine has been recommended to fo extraordinary a mark of his Majefty's favour; what was the price of the patent he has bought, and to what honourable purpose the purchase money has been applied. Nothing less than many thousands could pay Colonel Burgoyne's expences at Prefton. Do you dare to prosecute such a creature as Vaughan, while you are bafely setting up the Royal Patronage to auction? Do you dare to complain of an attack upon your own honour, while you are felling the favours of the crown, to raise a fund for corrupting the morals of the people? And, do you think it poffible fuch enormities should escape without impeachment? It is indeed highly your intereft to maintain the present house of commons. Having fold the nation to you in grofs, they will undoubtedly protect you in the detail; for while they patronize your crimes, they feel for their own. JUNIUS. LET LETTER XXVIII. TO HIS GRACE THE DOF G MY LORD, I Find with fome furprife, that you are not fupported as you deserve. Your most determined advocates have scruples about them, which you are unacquainted with; and, though there be nothing too hazardous for your Grace to engage in, there are fome things too infamous for the vileft proftitute of a news-paper to defend. In what other manner shall we account for the profound, fubmiffive filence, which you and your friends have obferved upon a charge which called immediately for the clearest refutation, and would have juftified the feverest measures of refentment? I did not attempt to blast your character by an indirect, ambiguous infinuation, but candidly stated to you a plain fact, which ftruck directly at the integrity of a privy counsellor, of a first commiffioner of the treasury, and of a leading minifter, who is supposed to enjoy the first share in his Majesty's confidence. In every one of these capacities I employed the most moderate terms to charge you with treachery to your Sovereign, and breach of truft in your office. I accufed you of having fold, a patent |