“I hope you are convinced I was not mistaken in my judgment of Lord Pelham; he is very silly but very good-natured.  I don’t see how it can be improper for you to get it represented to him that he is obliged in honour to get you chose at Aldburgh, and may more easily get Mr. Jessop chose at another place.  I can’t believe but you may manage it in such a manner, Mr. Jessop himself would not be against it, nor would he have so much reason to take it ill, if he should not be chose, as you have after so much money fruitlessly spent.  I dare say you may order it so that it may be so, if you talk to Lord Townshend about it, &c.  I mention this, because I cannot think you can stand at York, or anywhere else, without a great expense.  Lord Morpeth is just now of age, but I know not whether he’ll think it worth while to return from travel upon that occasion.  Lord Carlisle is in town, you may if you think fit make him a visit, and enquire concerning it.  After all, I look upon Aldburgh to be the surest thing.  Lord Pelham is easily persuaded to any thing, and I am sure he may be told by Lord Townshend that he has used you ill; and I know he’ll be desirous to do all things in his power to make it up.  In my opinion, if yon resolve upon an extraordinary expense to be in Parliament, you should resolve to have it turn to some account.  Your father is very surprizing if he persists in standing at Huntingdon; but there is nothing surprizing in such a world as this.”

Later in August Lady Mary wrote again on the same subject, and this letter shows that she had been at pains to acquire some practical knowledge of borough-mongering.

“You seem not to have received my letters, or not to have understood them; you had been chose undoubtedly at York, if you had declared in time; but there is not any gentleman or tradesman disengaged at this time; they are treating every night.  Lord Carlisle and the Thompsons have given their interest to Mr. Jenkins.  I agree with you of the necessity of your standing this Parliament, which, perhaps, may be more considerable than any that are to follow it; but, as you proceed, ’tis my opinion, you will spend your money and not be chose.  I believe there is hardly a borough unengaged.  I expect every letter should tell me you are sure of some place; and, as far as I can perceive you are sure of none.  As it has been managed, perhaps it will be the best way to deposit a certain sum in some friend’s hands, and buy some little Cornish borough:  it would, undoubtedly, look better to be chose for a considerable town; but I take it to be now too late.  If you have any thoughts of Newark, it will be absolutely necessary for you to enquire after Lord Lexington’s interest; and your best way to apply yourself to Lord Holdernesse, who is both a Whig and an honest man.  He is now in town, and you may enquire of him if Brigadier Sutton stands there; and if not, try to engage him for you.  Lord Lexington is so ill at the Bath, that it is a doubt if he will live ’till the election; and if he dies, one of his heiresses, and the whole interest of his estate, will probably fall on Lord Holdernesse.