Chapter 223: Voltaire’s King
June, 1729
“We must credit Lord Hastings, he was able to produce something from a situation that could have gotten quite difficult for him and for us.” James said as he put down the letter from Brussels and his ambassador to the court of Archduke Charles.
“Indeed, Sire. Lord Hastings has done a magnificent job.” Henry St John, Viscount Bolingbroke and his Southern Secretary said.
“However, we wish for Robert Daniel to return to Brussels as Hastings deputy. We are not sure we wish to experience such a dramatization of interactions again.” James said. He’d listened to St John and put Daniel on the boat to Stockholm to serve as the deputy to the ambassador there, but decided after reading this letter this morning that Daniel’s tact would be better suited for Hastings and his blundering.
“Yes, Sire. I shall write to him at once.” Bolingbroke said, making a note of it.
James then fixed his eyes on Sir Watkins, President of the Board of Trade and said. “We also wish for our traders in the East India Company to know that they are to stop helping the Ostend Company in purchases and suggestions. And to remind the Emperor of India of whose rifles helped him gain the throne.”
“Yes, Sire.” Sir Watkins said without issue.
Robert however said. “Sire, would that not be infringing on the rights of the company to operate independently of the Crown?”
James looked at his chancellor and said. “They are there by our grace. They shall listen to us or not. but they shall suffer the consequences.” He said simply.
Walpole remained silent at that, Sir Watkins however, spoke. “Sire, there are some concerns relating to trade that have been voiced by our merchants.”
“Relating to?” James asked. Merchants like bankers always had concerns, and they always wanted the government to sort them out, despite their so called intolerance of government.
“The movements in Italy of King Louis of France and King Felipe of Naples.” Sir William said. “They are concerned that the two will go to war over Tuscany once the Grand Duke dies and as such this will affect trading routes.”
James said nothing for a moment. Felipe and Louis of Bourbon were completely different to one another. Louis was like his grandfather in that he was always scheming and plotting, Felipe was like his grandfather in that he was constantly ruled by some zealous desire no one else possessed. “And they want for us to intervene?” James guessed. He was not loathe to do it, but still.
“Sire, I think if there is to be an intervention it must on the side of France.” Robert Walpole said.
“Why?” James asked. “We thought you were against our alliance with France?”
Walpole shifted slightly in his chair and then said. “I am, Sire, but I also believe that if we send troops into aid France in Italy, it will show the Prince of Modena that we too can be relied upon. Eventually France and Naples are going to go to war, and then they are going to reconcile. It would break the Bourbon family if they did not. Therefore, Modena will be left alone. That is where we can come in. Trade, naval protection, all things we can offer that the French will promise and withdraw. Furthermore, Modena is the rightful claimant.”
James was impressed with the argument, he’d heard it from Caroline as well, as to why she now supported Modena succeeding in Tuscany over Lorraine. And he himself had long thought Tuscany could become Britain’s foot into Italy, still, he was curious. “George, what do you think?” He asked of his son.
The lad stopped fiddling with his pen and looked at him. “I think Sir Robert is right, Your Majesty. I think that there will be a war, and it will be across the continent. I think we would however be better served sending a naval detachment to the Mediterranean, than to engage in a long term ground war strategy. Naples fleet is poor, and if we dominate there, we control trade with Africa.”
James looked at his son and saw something he’d not seen before. He saw a man ready for the challenges that were to be thrust upon him when James eventually died. Privately he thought to himself
perhaps that Voltaire fellow has been good for the lad after all. Externally, he said. “Very well. We shall instruct the admiralty to keep things on preparation and send word to Sir William Rowley to begin preparations for departure from Gibraltar.”
The Duke of Grafton who was on his last legs nodded and said. “I shall be most honoured, if Your Majesty would grant me the honour of leading the squadron from Plymouth.”
James looked at the old man, he had wanted to give that post to George, but decided against it and said. “It would be our pleasure.”
The man smiled. “Thank you, Sire.”