is the more confpicuous from standing alone. All I mean to fay is, that it proves nothing in the present argument. JUNIUS. I LETTER SIR, XXVIII. Nov. 15, 1769. Admit the claim of a gentleman, who publishes in the Gazetteer under the name of Modefius. He has fome right to expect an answer 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 reason 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 intention to cenfure, nor even to try the perfons concerned in the refcue of General Ganfel; but Modeftus 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 his station, why is he minister ?—I will not defcend to a fcurrilous altercation with any man; but this is a subject 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 fupposed to have taken up this caufe, are of little importance, compared with the facts themfelves, and the obfervations I have made upon them. Without a vain profeffion of integrity, which, in these times, might justly be fufpected, I fhall fhew myself in effect a friend to the interefts 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 ministry, or whether I am animated by a just and honourable purpose of obtaining a fatisfaction to the laws of this country, equal, if poffible, to the violation they have fuffered. JUNIUS. LET LETTER XXIX. To his Grace the DUKE of GRAFTON. My LORD, Nov. 29, 1769: THOUGH my opinion of your Grace's integrity was but little affected by the coyness with which you received Mr. Vaughan's propofals, I confefs I gave you fome credit for your difcretion. You had a fair opportunity of dif playing a certain delicacy, of which you had not been suspected; and you were in the right to make ufe of it. By laying in a moderate ftock of reputation, you undoubtedly meant to provide for the future neceffities of your character, that, with an honourable refiftance upon record, you might fafely indulge your genius, and yield to a favourite inclination with fecurity. But you have discovered your purposes too foon, and, inftead of the modest 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. 1 Your cheek turns pale: for a guilty confcience tells you, you are undone-Come forward, thou virtuous minifter, and tell the world by what intereft Mr. Hine has been recommended to fo extraor dinary dinary 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 profecute fuch a creature as Vaughan, while you are bafely fetting 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 fhould 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 I LETTER XXX. To his Grace the DUKE of GRAFTON. My LORD, Dec. 13, 1769. Find, with fome furprife, that you are not fupported as you deferve. Your most determined advocates have fcruples about them, which you are unacquainted with; and, though there be nothing too hazardous for your Grace to engage in, there are fomethings too infamous for the vileft prostitute of a news-paper to defend. In what other manner fhall we account for the profound, fubmiffive filence, which you and your friends have abferved upon a charge which called immediately for the cleareft refutation, and would have juftified the fevereft measures of refentment? I did not at tempt to blaft your character by an indirect, ambiguous infinuation, but candidly ftated to you a plain fact, which struck directly at the integrity of a privy counsellor, of a firft commiffioner of the treasury, and of a leading minister, who is fuppofed to enjoy the first fhare in his Majefty's confidence. In every one of thefe capacities I employed the moft moderate terms to charge you with treachery to your Sovereign, and breach of trust in your of |