Some little time ago my nephew, Lord Orford, discovered in his library
at Wolterton some rather interesting old papers dealing with certain
negotiations which appear to have at one time been afoot between the
Pretender and Sir Robert Walpole. It is said that a picture formerly
existed at Houghton in which both Sir Robert (as a youth) and his father
were shown wearing the Stuart tartan, but notwithstanding this my
ancestor has always been regarded as an uncompromising upholder of the
Hanoverian succession. Nevertheless, it would appear from the
correspondence which he discovered that at one time Sir Robert was not
altogether disinclined to learn the Pretender’s proposals, though of
course he may have only done this from diplomatic reasons. The principal
portion of the documents in question consists of a memorandum drawn up
by a certain Mr. Thomas Carte, whose name is well known to historical
students. A non-juring clergyman, he had strong Jacobite leanings, and
is known to have been much interested in the Stuart cause. My nephew’s
father, Mr. Frederick Walpole, appears to have made some inquiries about
him of his friend Mr. Whitwell Elwin, the well-known editor of the
_Quarterly Review_, for the following letter was found appended to the
correspondence:—
BOOTON RECTORY, NORWICH,
_March 18, 1865_.
DEAR MR. WALPOLE—I have been an age in answering your letter
owing to my reading the name of Thomas Carte as Thomas Lart. I
could not remember that I had ever heard of the name of the
latter gentleman, and I searched books and indexes in vain in
order to discover what my memory would not supply. Five minutes
ago I took up your note, and again scrutinised the word, when
all of a sudden it flashed upon me that the name was Carte,
though your C is very indistinct. You will find an account of
him in any English Biographical Dictionary. If you want any
details beyond what an ordinary book of reference will supply
you must come to me again. Andrew Stone was sub-preceptor to
George 3. when Prince of Wales. There are stories of him in
Horace Walpole, Mahon’s History, and other books. He was chiefly
noted, I think, for his supposed Jacobite bias in early days.
You must not assume that I shall be always as dilatory in
answering questions. I should have written at once if I could
have solved your problem.
Two or three months, I presume, will bring an election which
will carry you into Parliament, and long may you flourish there.
I do not hear a word of East Norfolk. If Stracey is goose enough
to stand it will only end in a fall. He will have no support
worth the name. I was delighted to hear that you and Lord O.
were one again.—Believe me, ever sincerely yours,