Last week, we mentioned the rumour that a negotiation bad
been opened with the Duke of Marlborough for the sale of the borough of Woodstock ; adding, that the story had not been contradicted. It turns out to have been founded on fact ; as will appear from the following rich correspondence between the Duke and two of his sons, published yesterday in the Times. 1.-Fron Lord John Churchill to Lord Blaadford.
"Brookes's Club, June 26, 1837.
"DEAR BLANDVORD-t must first thank you for your communication in regard to the —. My principal object in writing to you is, however, to know a bother you would heel disposed (with my father) to the following-viz. to be called up to the Mouse of Lords, and give your support to the Queen's Government, as at present con- stituted under Lord Melbourne. and bring me in for Woodstock. If you could manage the latter for me. it strikes me very forcibly I could arrange the former for you.
"' I am not authorised by any person to make this communication to yon; nor would I do it, but that I know that if you answer me by return of post, it will be your own answer uninenenced by others. '' I could add a great deal more on this subject ; but as it would only make you believe I had some unexplained motive iu so doing, I shall say no more than that the present object of my letter is to sound you as to your disposition, and to state, that should you on reflection feel disposed to agree, 1 will willingly try what I can do in regard to the matter. If I come iu for Woodstock, I should consider myself bound to adopt the Liberal side. and I would be at no expense to myself. When that side ceased to be supported by the Duke of Marlborough, either present or next, I would then take the Chiltern
Hundreds. "Very affectionately yours, Jour." "The Marquis of Blandford." 2.-Fet,m Lord Bleadford to Lard John Chrochi i tsi.rd. June 111 MT might be acceptable to me ; but, having formerly declined to w 1 am the less disposed now to pot on Lord Melbourne's. •• My MARROW-I thank you much For the proposition Very affectionately yours which you probably ttsayki wear LordELGANreDyir'ialibunv.. , 8.—From the Duke of Marlborough to Lord Blandford.
junet ore. I KM prepared to say, and to insist, that it would have completely of the impolicy of !Hinging in a Conservative Member for Woodstock at this critical I could have explained to you what I must liON do on paper. "MY num BLAND/ORD.-YOU Mere two or three days close to we and did net .44 From letters I received from John mut others. I was confirmed in the opinion I be Blenheim, til-edy desire ,yed I. all chance of carrying the point about the pension ; which, atter all. is more you, affair than mine. I understood from John. that he had written to you at Oxford, And assured you of ms much; and as I heard nothing more from you, I concluded that vela good sense would see, that were Ito bring in any Conservative. before this matter wa disposed of I should be cutting your throat and my own. I am grieved you do not to it in tint light ; however, i eau assure you two of the most influential of ---. ca fully concur iu my slew of the case."
Extract (runs Jokes LAter.
"I need hardly add. that if you suffer a Member to be returned for Woodstock who opposes Lord Melbourne's Government, I iliiiik you will have to whistle for what )00 are striving for; and at all events, you will nut, I trust, expect myself or others, who h; base been working fur you iu your petition case, to do any more, after your retuning an Opposition Member to Goverumeut. Pray give this consideration tor your oat sake. and that of both your families.
" Very affectionately yours, dear B., M. M."
This transaction is plain enough without a commentary. A peerage and a round sum of the public money were offered for a borough ; and doubtless Ministers genteelly sanctioned, though they would not, of course, formally " authorize " the proposal. " John " Churchill could have no puwer himself to make such a bargain with his father and brother. This is one of the pure Whig methods of procuring 4 Ministerial majority.
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