miffion to the reigning ministry, let me afk, whether he did not defert the caufe of the whole army, when he fuffered Sir Jeffery Amherst to be facrificed, and what share he had in recalling that officer to the fervice? Did he not betray the just interest of the army, in permitting Lord Percy to have a regiment? And does he not at this moment give up all character and dignity as a gentleman, in receding from his own repeated declarations in favour of Mr. Wilkes?

IN the two next articles I think we are agreed. You candidly admit, that he often makes fuch promises as it is a virtue in him to violate, and that no man is more affiduous to provide for his relations at the public expence, I did not urge the last as an abfolute vice in his difpofition, but to prove that a carelefs difinterefted fpirit is no part of his character; and as to the other, I defire it may be remembered, that I never defcended to the indecency of inquiring into his convivial hours. It is you, Sir William Draper, who have taken pains to reprefent your friend in the character of a drunken landlord, who deals out his promifes as liberally as his liquor, and will fuffer no man to leave his

table

table either forrowful or fober, None but an intimate friend, who must frequently have seen him in these unhappy, difgraceful moments could have defcribed him fo well.

THE laft charge, of the neglect of the army, is indeed the most material of all. I am forry to tell you, Sir William, that, in this article, your first fact is false, and as there is nothing more painful to me than to give a direct contradiction to a gentleman of your appearance, I could wish that, in your future publications, you would pay a greater attention to the truth of your premises, before you fuffer your genius to hurry you to a conclufion. Lord Ligonier did not deliver the army (which you, in claffical language, are pleafed to call a palladium) into Lord Granby's hands. It was taken from him much against his inclination, fome two or three years before Lord Granby was commander in chief. As to the state of the army, I should be glad to know where you have received your intelligence. Was it in the rooms at Bath, or at your retreat at Clifton? The reports of reviewing generals comprehend only a few regiments in England, which, as they are immediately under the royal inspection, are perhaps

4.

haps in fome tolerable order. But do you know any thing of the troops in the WeftIndies, the Mediterranean, and North America, to fay nothing of a whole army abfolutely ruined in Ireland? Inquire a little into facts, Sir William, before you publish your next panegyric upon Lord Granby, and believe me you will find there is a fault at head-quarters, which even the acknowledged care and abilities of the adjutant-general cannot correct.

- PERMIT me now, Sir William, to addrefs myself perfonally to you, by way of thanks for the honour of your correfpondence. You are by no means undeferving of notice; and it may be of confequence even to Lord Granby to have it determined, whether or no the man, who has praided him fo lavishly, be himself deferving of praife. When you returned to Europe, you zealously undertook the cause of that gallant army, by whose bravery at Manilla your own fortune had been eftablifhed. You complained, you threatened, you even appealed to the public in print. By what accident did it happen, that in the midít of all this buffle, and all thefe clamours for juftice to your injured troops, the nante

of

of the Manilla ranfom was fuddenly buried in a profound, and, fince that time, an uninterrupted filence? Did the ministry suggest any motives to you, ftrong enough to tempt a man of honour to desert and betray the cause of his fellow-foldiers? Was it that blufhing ribband, which is now the perpetual ornament of your perfon? Or was it that regiment, which you afterwards (a thing unprecedented among foldiers) fold to colonel Gifborne? Or was it that government, the full pay of which you are contented to hold, with the half-pay of an Irish colonel? And do you now, after a retreat not very like that of Scipio, presume to intrude yourself, unthought-of, uncalled-for, upon, the patience of the public? Are your flatteries of the commander in chief directed to another regiment, which you may again dispose of on the fame honourable terms? We know your prudence, Sir William, and I should be forry to stop your preferment.

JUNIUS.

LET

LETTER IV.

SIR,

TO JUNIU S.

17. February 1769.

I RECEIVED Junius's fa

your last night; he is determined to keep his advantage by the help of his mask; it is an excellent protection, it has faved many a man from an untimely end. But whenever he will be honest enough to lay it aside, avow himself, and produce the face which has fo long lurked behind it, the world will be able to judge of his motives for writing such infamous invectives. His real name will difcover his freedom and independency, or his fervility to a faction. Disappointed ambition, refentment for defeated hopes, and defire of revenge, affume but too often the appearance of public fpirit; but be his defigns wicked or charitable, Junius fhould learn that it is poffible to condemn measures, without a barbarous and criminal outrage against men. Junius delights to mangle carcafes VOL. I.

D

with