Autograph letter signed with initial : London, to Solomon Dayrolles, 1755 May 2.

Relating news of the day and discussing his concerns over a possible war and his hopes for a continuing peace; saying "Peace and War seem yet so uncertain that no body knows which to expect. The people in general who always wish whatever they have not, wish for a war, but I, who have learned to be content with whatever I have, wish for the continuation of peace. My country folks think only of the new world where they expect to conquer, and perhaps will but I cannot help dreading the contrecoup of those triumphs, in the old one. I have ninety nine reasons against a Land war in Europe, the first of which being that we are not able to carry it on, I will not trouble you with the others. You have certainly heard of, and probably seen Earl Poulet's extraordinary motion, which he made in the house of Lords the day before the rising of the Parliament, when, it could not possibly have any good effect, and must necessarily have some very bad ones. It was an indecent, ungenerous and malignant question, which I had no mind should either be put or debated, well knowing the absurd and improper things that would be said both for and against it, and therefore I moved the house to adjourn and so put a quiet end to the whole affair. As you will imagine that this was agreable to the King, it is supposed that I did it to make my Court; and people are impatient to see what great employment I am to have, for that I am to have one, they do not in the least doubt, not having any notion that any man can take any step, without some view of dirty interest. Je les Laisse dire, I do not undeceive them et J'iray mon train. I have nothing to fear, I have nothing to ask, and there is nothing that I will or can have; retirement was my choice seven years ago, it is now become my necessary refuge; Black-heath, and a quiet conscience, are the only objects of my cares. What good I can do as a man and a Citizen, it is my duty, and shall be my endeavour, to do; but Publick Life, and I, are parted for ever. Tomorrow I go to Black-heath for the whole summer; if we have one; that little Hermitage suits best with both my inclinations and situation; 'tis there only, that I do not find myself déplacé. My little garden, the Park, reading and writing, kill time there tolerably and time is now my enemy;" sending his regards to Mrs. Dayrolles and to his godson whom he supposes "...by this time chatters a Babel language of English, French and Flemmish. So much the better c'est autant de gagné, et avec l'age it debrouillera ce petit cahos. Good night."