Note 109 — 505.
Reading edition
On August 18, 1787, the Right Hon. W. Eden (afterwards Lord Auckland) was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the King of Spain; but he was at this time in Paris, assisting the Duke of Dorset in negotiating a Treaty of Commerce with France. His conduct in accepting from Pitt the mission to France was severely condemned by the old followers of Lord North. Among the numerous squibs which his action provoked, the following may be quoted:—
"A mere affair of trade t' embrace, Wines, brandies, gloves, fans, cambrics, lace; For this on me my Sovereign laid His high commands, and I obey'd— Nor think, my Lord, this conduct base. "Party were guilt in such a case, When thus my country, for a space, Calls my poor skill to Dorset's aid, A mere affair of trade! "Thus Eden, with unblushing face, To North would palliate his disgrace: When North, with smiles, this answer made: 'You might have spar'd what you have said— I thought the business of your place A mere affair of trade!'"