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as it is an axiom in philosophy that effects are produced by antecedent causes. I noted down all the particulars I could collect, connected with this extraordinary event, and shall state them as briefly as possible, as the foundation on which our theory is established.

The Marquis of Granby, at the head of six regiments of British infantry, assisted by only two regiments of Hanoverian guards, undertook to charge the enemy's centre, composed of sixty squadrons of cavalry: and, to the honour of this little corps, they drove the enemy from the field, without any other assistance than what they received from the artillery of their own country. The whole of the allied army was under the command of Prince Ferdinand; the British forces under Lord George Sackville, whose instructions from his government were, to obey the orders of the prince, as commander-in-chief.

Either from the confused statements of two of Prince Ferdinand's aids-de-camp (the Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzroy, brother to the Duke of Grafton, and Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Ligonier), or from some misunderstanding between Lord George Sackville, the Marquis of Granby, and Prince Ferdinand, previous to the battle; the British cavalry, commanded by Lord George, was not brought into action. There were some expressions in the orders for rejoicing

after the victory, which were supposed to convey a very severe censure on Lord George, for disobedience of orders. Prince Ferdinand, in an emphatical manner, desired that his orders, for the future, might be more particularly obeyed. He also observed, "I regret that the Marquis of Granby had not the command of the British cavalry. Had he commanded, I make no doubt the success of the day had been much more complete and brilliant."

This severe reflection, the high spirit of Lord George, who had been twenty-two years in the army, could not brook, and a violent quarrel ensued between the parties. His contempt for Prince Ferdinand, his jealousy of the Marquis of Granby's fame, his detestation of the Graftons, made so deep an impression upon him, that he left the continent and returned home, where he found his character already sullied, and himself stamped with opprobrium as a coward and a dishonour to his country. Conscious of his own innocence, he wrote a short address, requesting the public to suspend its judgement until he had an opportunity of defending himself.

"The various reports that have been propagated to my disadvantage, and the many falsehoods which have been asserted to ruin my character, lay me under the necessity of remaining not entirely silent; though I am debarred at

present from stating my case to the public, as I should have done, had I not had assurances of obtaining a court-martial for my trial, the only legal and effectual method of convincing the world how little foundation there has been for the torrent of calumny and abuse which has been so maliciously thrown out against me.

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“I had rather, upon this occasion, submit myself to all the inconveniences that from the want of style, than borrow assistance from the pen of others, as I can have no hopes of establishing my character, but from the force of truth. I shall, therefore, as plainly and as distinctly as possible, relate a few circumstances, which will at least shew that no one could be more desirous than I was to bring truth to light, and subject my conduct to the strictest scrutiny.

"The instant I found, by the implied censure given out in orders the 2d of August, that my conduct had appeared in an unfavourable light to Prince Ferdinand on the day of action, I endeavoured to inform myself in what particular I had either failed or neglected my duty. I heard, in general, of disobedience of orders; but I could fix no certain period of time to my supposed crime, till Colonel Fitzroy acquainted me with what had passed between his Serene Highness and himself, in regard to the orders delivered to me by Colonel Fitzroy that day.

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Whenever my trial comes, I shall endeavour to clear up that point to the satisfaction of the public: my own assertions may have little weight, but the oaths of witnesses, whose veracity cannot be called in question, will, I trust, prove my innocence beyond the possibility of a doubt.

"Under these circumstances, I immediately applied for his Majesty's permission to return to England, that I might answer any accusation that should be brought against me. For as commander-in-chief of the British forces in Germany, no person there could order a courtmartial for my trial, had there been any accusation laid the power of summoning courtsmartial, and approving their sentences, being vested in me by my commission: and no British officer or soldier could be tried by any other authority. As soon as I arrived in London on Friday evening, the 7th, I instantly wrote the following letter to the Secretary of State:

MY LORD,

I HAVE the honour of acquainting your lordship with my arrival in England, in pursuance of his Majesty's permission sent to me, at my request, by your lordship.

I thought myself much injured abroad by an implied censure upon my conduct: I find I

am still more unfortunate at home, by being publicly represented as having neglected my duty by disobeying the positive orders of his Serene Highness Prince Ferdinand. As I am conscious of neither neglect nor disobedience of orders; as I am certain I did my duty to the best of my abilities; and as I am persuaded that the prince himself would have found that he had no just cause of complaint against me, had he condescended to have enquired into my conduct, before he had expressed his disapprobation of it from the partial representation of others: I therefore most humbly request that I may at least have a public opportunity given me of attempting to justify myself to his Majesty and to my country, by a court-martial being appointed; that, if I am guilty, I may suffer such punishment as I may have deserved; and if innocent, that I may stand acquitted in the opinion of the world. But it is really too severe to have been censured unheard, to have been condemned before I was tried, and to be informed neither of my crime nor of my ac

cusers.

• I am, my Lord,

• &c. &c. &c. 'GEORGE SACKVILLE.'

To Lord Holdernesse.'

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