262 Miscellaneous Papers 



of Mr. Williams to have mentioned this to Lord North. Proposes that 

 Mr. [Thomas] Walpole get leave for him to wait upon Lord North 

 and to ask him proper questions, so that he may discover the rascal who 

 traduced his character in this affair. Some think Lord North was 

 trying to discover from Mr. Williams whether he (Wharton) corres- 

 ponded with Dr. Franklin, others think a letter was forged in his 

 name. L. 2 p. XL VII, 116. 



Fro7n P C ^ to — Benson, Paris. 



[1778.] May 22. [London.] 



Acquaints him that Admiral B[yro]n has gone to America to su- 

 persede Lord Howe, with twelve sails of the line. Burgoyne was un- 

 der examination at the War Office this morning. Gen. [Robert] 

 Monc[k]ton arrived from Portsmouth. The charge of rashness cannot 

 be removed or shifted to [Viscount] Sackville. The rising in Ireland 

 is serious and alarming. It is believed that the [French] fleet has 

 returned to Toulon and stocks have advanced a little on it. The idea 

 of a revolution in C[anad]a is laughed at. L. i p. XLIV, 120. 



^ [Disguised handwriting, probably that of Thomas Digges.] 



From J[oh]n Williams to Samuel Wharton. 1778. May 23. 



States that he has been grossly misrepresented and declines giving 

 any other answers than to desire him to recollect that Wharton sought 

 him. A. L. S. 2 p. (Copy.) XLVII, 115a. 



From Samuel Wharton ^0 John Williams. 1778. May 26. [London.] 



Expresses astonishment at the extraordinary contents of his letter 

 of May 23d. Incumbent upon him to exhibit the particulars of his 

 complaint and proofs, in order that he may have a fair opportunity 

 of proving that he has been grossly and scandalously traduced. As- 

 serts that he neither by conversation, letter, or memorial, ever informed 

 Lord North or any of his family or any of the Ministers, of any letter 

 written by him or any act or thing done by him. Asks him to com- 

 municate the names of his informers and every particular circumstance 

 belonging to so base and groundless a calumny, that he may have the 

 opportunity of vindicating himself. L. S. 3 p. (Copy.) 



XLVII, 117. 



