FROM EDWARD CORNWALLIS 18 DECEMBER 1745 OS

From the HON. EDWARD CORNWALLIS,1 Wednesday 18 December 1745 OS

Printed from Toynbee Supp. ii. 85, where the letter was first printed from the MS formerly in the Waller Collection. Damer-Waller; the MS was sold Sotheby's 5 Dec. 1921 (first Waller Sale), lot 112, to Field; not further traced.

Preston,2 December the 18th. IHAVE just time, dear Hor., to tell you where I am in pursuit of the rascally rebels3 but despair much of getting up with them. Our only hopes was part of Wade's* army stopping them, but such is the inactivity of that army5 that I have no hopes; the Duke6 is forty miles before us with a body of horse.7 This is the sixth day's march without halt with a thousand volunteers from the army and Bligh's8 reg[imen]t, our men much fatigued but in great spirits. How far we

miles from the city, 21 Sept. (London that 'Ned Cornwallis has just joined us Gazette, op. cit.; SELWYN 97 nn. 14-15). with his regiment and is of our expedi­ 8. Hon. Richard Edgcumbe (1716-61), tion' (CONWAY i. 215). eldest son of Lord Edgcumbe; 2d Bn 3. The Scottish rebels arrived at Pres­ Edgcumbe, 1758; M.P.; HW's friend and ton 12 December and left the following correspondent. morning on their retreat toward the 9. Not explained. border (W. B. Blaikie, Itinerary of Prince 10. Possibly a member of the Chasseloup- Charles Edward Stuart, Edinburgh, 1897, Laubat family, which included several p. 31; James Ray, A Compleat History of distinguished military officers, but not the Rebellion, Bristol, 1750, pp. 191-2). further identified (NBG x. 47). 4. George Wade (1673-1748), Lt-Gen., 11. As Lord of Cornwall, 1727; field marshal, 1743; commander-in- chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and chief in the north of England during the chief government manager in the Corn­ Jacobite rebellion, 1745; M.P. wall boroughs, Edgcumbe had numerous 5. 'Wade . . . made no attempt to in­ 'employments' in his gift. tercept the northward march of Charles' 12. Not identified. (J. W. Fortescue, History of the British 13. It was originally scheduled to meet Army, 2d edn, 1910, ii. 137). on 19 Sept., but was further prorogued to 6. William Augustus (1721-65), D. of 17 Oct. (SELWYN 97 n. 10). Cumberland; son of George II. 14. Possibly a son of Joseph Moyle (d. 7. On 13 Dec. a body of horse and 1742), M.P. Saltash during Q. Anne's reign dragoons reinforced by volunteers had (GM 1742, xii. 218). arrived under Oglethorpe, having marched 100 miles in three days through snow and 1. (1713-76), Lt-Gen., 1760; M.P. Eye ice. Cumberland arrived in the afternoon 1743-9, Westminster 1753-62; governor of of the same day and immediately gave his Nova Scotia 1749-52 and of Gibraltar orders for continuing the pursuit of the 1762-76; groom of the Bedchamber, 1747; rebels (ibid.; Daily Adv. 11 Dec. 1745; m. (1753) Hon. Mary Townshend, HW's Ray, op. cit. 200). first cousin (MANN iii. 177 n. 37). At this 8. Thomas Bligh (1685-1775) Lt-Gen., time he was Lt-Col. of the 20th Foot, 1754; M.P. () (MANN V. 238 n. 7). commanded by Thomas Bligh (ibid.). He was at this time in command of the 2. wrote HW 20th Foot. 13 Dec. 1745 from Wigan, near Preston,