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WOLFE TO THE. DUKE OF RICHMOND UNPUBLISHED LETTERS P. L. CARVER ALTHOUGH it is necessary that my name should stand at the head of this article the responsibility for the principal contents is not my own, and I propose to retire from the scene after a short explanation.* A few months ago I suspected that a document of literary importance which I was anxious to trace might have found its way to Goodwood, and the Duke of Richmond and Gordon very kindly gave permission, through his secretary, for a search to be made among the historical papers in his muniment room. The immediate object was not attained, but in the course of the search I found a collection of letters written by Wolfe to the third Duke of Richmond, apparently undisturbed since the eighteenth century, and certainly not known to historians. A further request for permission to copy and publish these letters was readily granted, and it was thought fitting that the publication should be in a Canadian journal. The third Duke of Richmond was born in 1735, and succeeded to the title in 1750. In December, 1752, when in Paris, he met Wolfe for the first time as the guest of Lord Albemarle,- and, the following year, obtained a commission in Lord Albemarle's regiment , the 20th Foot, of which Wolfe was Lieutenant-Colonel. "As far as my discernment goes," Wolfe wrote to his father after the first meeting, "he promises to make a considerable figure in our way, to which his genius seems to lead him, and what is uncommon at eighteen, he is not entirely taken·up with the outward appearances and gildings ofsoldiership, but aims at the higher and more solid·branches of military knowledge." The Duke is best remembered for his long political career, but 5n his youth he fulfilled the prediction that he would make a "considerable figure" as a soldier. Temperamentally he was well qualified to be Wolfe's intimate friend; but Wolfe, who profoundly respected order and degree, would· not have written to a person so exalted for the mere pleasure of imparting confidences. When he writes to the Duke it is because he·has something important to say, *Dr. Carver has cast his commentary in the form of nates; these are printed after the text of the letters. [EDITORs' NoTE] 11 12 THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO QUARTERLY usually about the state of the army, the prospects of the war, or matters which deserve the notice of the higher powers. The last letter of the series, dated from Louisbourg, will, I think, be found the most interesting; but the others contain many passages which seem prophetic in the light of later events, and have allusions to more than one person, then obscure, whose name lives in history. LETTER I My Lord Duke, I am ashamed to have had a letter from your Grace, so long in my possession, unanswered, your civility to me, deserves an earlier, & a more becoming return, but I am still more concerned that it has not been in my power to comply wt. your Grace's intentions and zeal for the service: our Colonel1 has been so little amongst us,' that he has hardly given any directions at all, and none concerning the improvement of your Company,3 & your Grace knows that no step can be taken in these matters independent of the Will, & orders of the chief. The Troops did not camp this summer, nor wou'd your Grace have been pleased with them, if they had; after what you have seen in France and Germany, both as to Evolutions & Fire-our poor performances, wou'd rather raise your contempt, than merit your approbation; I cannot tell you, how ignorant we are and withal how conceited & presumptuous. The Infantry is in motion towards the Coast of Kent, to oppose the French, who seem to intend an Invasion} I shou'd think it a very hazardous undertaking at this season of the year, before a superior fieet, & in presence of a considerable Army: The Invaders have many difficulties to struggle wiJh, & many dangers to encounter , before they get ashoar; and if they shou'd land, they will find the old hereditary hatred that...

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