Add MS 37390-37397

WHITWORTH PAPERS. Vols XLIII.-L. Correspondence of Lord Whitworth, as Plenipotentiary, in conjunction with Lord Polwarth, at the Congress of Cambray; 1722-1725. The Congress was held in accordance with a stipulation of the Quadruple Alliance with a view to adjust the remaining differences between the Empire and Spain, through the mediation of France and Great Britain. Though Whitworth's Full-powers and Instructions are dated 9 Feb. 172½, he did not arrive at Cambray till October. For a whole year the real business of the Congress was delayed, as it was thought advisable to settle first the question of the Investiture of Charles, son of Philip V. of Spain, with the Duchies of Tuscany, Parma, etc. Further delay was caused by the sudden death (2 Dec. 1723) of Philippe, Due d'Orléans, Regent of France, so that the Congress was not formally opened till April, 1724. After it had sat for a year, the negotiations came to a stand-still in March, 1725, owing to the affront of Spain at France's refusal to continue the scheme for the marriage of Louis XV. with the Infanta, and, in the following May, they were broken off altogether on the announcement of the conclusion of a secret treaty between Philip V. and the Emperor. The correspondence is mainly with Lord Carteret, Lord Townshend and (from April, 1724) Thomas Pelham Holles, Duke of Newcastle, Secretaries of State, and with Sir Luke Schaub, Ambassador at Paris, and Horace Walpole [1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton 1756], who acted with Schaub from Oct. 1723, and finally superseded him in April, 1724. Eight volumes.