To MANN 3 DECEMBER 1741 OS 219 To MANN, Thursday 3 December 1741 OS Downing Street, Dec. 3d OS, 1741. HERE I have two letters1 from you to answer! You can't conceive my joy on the prospect of the Spaniards going to Lombardy: all advices seem to confirm it. There is no telling you what I have felt and shall feel, till I am certain you are secure. You ask me about Admiral Haddock; you must not wonder that I have told you nothing of him; they know nothing of him here. He had discretionary powers, to act as he should judge proper from his notices.2 He has been keeping in the Spanish fleet at Cales. Sir R[obert] says, if he had let that go out, to prevent the embarkation, the Tories would have complained, and said he had favoured the Spanish trade, under pretence of hindering an expedition which was never designed. It was strongly reported last week that Haddock had shot himself3—a satire on his having been neutral, as they call it! The Parliament met the day before yesterday,4 and there were 487 members present. They did no business, only proceeded to choose a Speaker, which was, unanimously, Mr Onslow,5 moved for by Mr Pel­ ham,6 and seconded by Mr Clutturbuck.7 But the Opposition, to flatter 1. Ante 19 Nov. and 26 Nov. 1741 NS. 4. The proceedings of the House on 1 2. The government had already ordered Dec. OS are in Journals of the House of Haddock to keep the Spanish fleet block­ Commons xxiv. 7-8. aded at Cadiz. On 15 Sept. 1741 OS the 5. Arthur Onslow (1691-1768), Speaker lords justices instructed him to protect of the House of Commons 1728-61; M.P. Minorca from any threatened attack but Guildford 1720-7, Surrey 1727-61. His his earlier orders remained in force. In speech of acceptance is in ibid. xxiv. 8. November, after hearing of the Barcelona 6. Hon. Henry Pelham (1696-1754), expedition, they told him that they could brother of the Duke of Newcastle; M.P. not send him 'any positive or absolute Seaford 1717-22, Sussex 1722-54; first lord rules from hence for your conduct, which of the Treasury and chancellor of the Ex­ must be governed by the motions of the chequer 1743-54; a supporter of Sir Robert enemy' (H. W. Richmond, Navy in the War Walpole (G. F. Russell Barker and Alan H. of 1739-48, Cambridge, 1920, i. 163, 165; Stenning, Record of Old Westminsters, ante 11 Nov. 1741 NS, n. 13). 1928, ii. 729; Venn, Alumni Cantab.). His 3. 'A rumour was spread yesterday that speech, proposing Onslow as Speaker, is Admiral Haddock was dead . this re­ printed in Journals of the House of Com­ port meets with no credit' (Daily Adv. 27 mons xxiv. 7-8. HW's parallel between Nov. OS). In 1742, 'his attitude can only be Henry Pelham and Sir Robert Walpole is attributed to the complete nervous break­ in Mem. Geo. II i. 231-6. down from which there is no doubt he was 7. Thomas Clutterbuck (ca 1671-1742), suffering at this time' (Richmond, op. cit. lord of the Treasury, 1741; treasurer of the i. 177, citing Dr Lidderdale's letter of 17 Navy, 1742; M.P. Liskeard 1722-34, Plymp- April), but there is no record of an attempt ton Erie 1734-42 (post 9 Feb. 1742 OS; at suicide. Venn, Alumni Cantab.). Sir Robert Wal-.