“I received this morning yours of April 12, and at the same time the enclosed which I send you.  Tis the first I have received since the detection of that falsehood in regard to Mr. Birtles.  I always send my letters open, that Mr. Clifford (who has the character of sense and honesty) might be witness of what I said; and he not left at liberty to forge orders he never received.  I am very glad I have done so, and am persuaded that had his reformation been what you suppose it, Mr. Clifford would have wrote to me in his favour.  I confess I see no appearance of it.  His last letter to you, and this to me, seems to be no more in that submissive style he has used, but like one that thinks himself well protected.  I will see him, since you desire it, at Valence; which is a by-town, where I am less likely to meet with English than any town in France; but I insist on his going by a feigned name, and coming without a servant.  People of superior fortunes to him (to my knowledge) have often travelled from Paris to Lyons in the diligence; the expense is but one hundred livres, L5 sterling, all things paid.  It would not be easy to me, at this time, to send him any considerable sum; and whatever it is, I am persuaded, coming from me, he would not be satisfied with it, and make his complaints to his companions.  As to the alteration of his temper, I see the same folly throughout.  He now supposes (which is at best downright childish) that one hour’s conversation will convince me of his sincerity.  I have not answered his letter, nor will not, till I have your orders what to say to him.”

[Avignon] May 6 [1742].

“I here send you enclosed the letter I mentioned of your son’s; the packet in which it was put was mislaid in the journey; it will serve to show you how little he is to be depended on.  I saw a Savoyard man of quality at Chambery, who knew him at Venice, and afterwards at Genoa, who asked me (not suspecting him for my son) if he was related to my family.  I made answer he was some relation.  He told me several tricks of his.  He said, that at Genoa he had told him that an uncle of his was dead and had left him L5,000 or L6,000 per annum, and that he was returning to England to take possession of his estate; in the meantime he wanted money; and would have borrowed some of him, which he refused.  I made answer that he did very well.  I have heard of this sort of conduct in other places; and by the Dutch letters you have sent me I am persuaded he continues the same method of lying which convinces me that his pretended enthusiasm is only to cheat those that can be imposed on by it.  However, I think he should not be hindered accepting a commission.  I do not doubt it will be pawned or sold in a twelvemonth; which will prove to those that now protect him how little he deserves it.  I am now at Avignon, which is within one day’s journey of Valence.”

“Avignon, May 23 [1742].