William Nassau de Zuylestein, 4th Earl of Rochford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Earl of Rochford KG PC
Portrait by Bartholomew Dandridge
Secretary of State for the Northern Department
In office 1768–1770
Prime Minister	Duke of Grafton
Preceded by	The Viscount Weymouth
Succeeded by	The Earl of Sandwich
Secretary of State for the Southern Department
In office 1770–1775
Prime Minister	Lord North
Preceded by	The Viscount Weymouth
Succeeded by	The Viscount Weymouth
Leader of the House of Lords
In office 1770–1775
Prime Minister	Lord North
Preceded by	The Viscount Weymouth
Succeeded by	The Earl of Suffolk
Personal details
Born	17 September 1717
Died	29 September 1781 (aged 64)

William Henry Nassau de Zuylestein, 4th Earl of Rochford (born 17 September 1717 – died 29 September 1781) was an important British figure. He was a courtier (someone who attends a royal court), a diplomat (someone who represents their country abroad), and a statesman (a skilled political leader). He came from both English and Dutch families.

The Earl of Rochford held high-level ambassador jobs in Madrid, Spain, and Paris, France. He also served as a Secretary of State for both the Northern and Southern Departments in Britain. He is known for bringing the Lombardy poplar tree to England in 1754.

King George III trusted Rochford as his expert on foreign affairs in the early 1770s. He was also a loyal and hard-working cabinet minister. Rochford was the only British Secretary of State between 1760 and 1778 who had spent his career as a diplomat.

Rochford played key roles in several big events. These included talks with Spain about the Manila Ransom (1763–66) and France taking over Corsica (1768). He also helped during the Falkland Islands crisis in 1770–71. He was a vital member of the government during the early part of the American War of Independence. Due to illness, he left his job in November 1775.

Biography of the Earl of Rochford

Early Life and Education

William Henry Nassau van Zuylestein was born in 1717. He was the older son of Frederick Nassau van Zuylestein, 3rd Earl of Rochford. His mother was Elizabeth Savage. His family had roots in both England and the Netherlands. They were related to Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, a son of William the Silent, a famous Dutch leader.

Rochford went to Eton College from 1725 to 1732. There, he became friends with three future Secretaries of State: Conway, Halifax, and Sandwich. However, he also made a lifelong enemy at Eton, Horace Walpole. Instead of going to university, Rochford studied at the Academy at Geneva. He learned to speak French as well as he spoke Dutch and English. In 1738, at age 21, he became the 4th Earl of Rochford after his father passed away.

Working for the King

In 1739, Rochford became a Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King George II. This was a special sign of royal favor. He held this role until 1749. He believed strongly in the Whig party's ideas. He was a loyal supporter of the Hanover family's right to rule Britain. He also liked Sir Robert Walpole's peaceful foreign policy.

During the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, Rochford offered to raise a group of soldiers. However, they were not needed. He was active in politics in Essex, supporting the government. He was not a great speaker, so he didn't make a big impact in the House of Lords. In 1748, he was made Vice-Admiral of Essex. He wanted a high political job. He avoided political groups and became friends with the King's son, the Duke of Cumberland. Cumberland helped Rochford get a diplomatic job after the War of the Austrian Succession. In January 1749, he was named Envoy to Turin, Italy.

Envoy in Turin

Rochford arrived in Turin on September 9, 1749. Turin was a very important court for British foreign policy at that time. He started as an Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. This was the highest rank for a British diplomat, just below an ambassador. He agreed to a lower salary at first to prove himself. This made him work hard to become a professional diplomat.

His first talks were successful. He helped English miners and Protestant communities in the Piedmont Alps. After this, he received his full salary. He became friends with the king, Carlo-Emmanuele III, by going on early morning hunting trips. Rochford made useful friends at court and was well-liked by other diplomats in Turin. He played a small but helpful part in the talks for the Treaty of Aranjuez (1752). In 1753, he traveled around Italy. He also used spies to get information about the Young Pretender's court in Rome. He used British consuls to learn about trade and French actions in Corsica. He rewarded them by removing a tax on British ships at Villafranca.

Lord Lieutenant of Essex

Rochford was called back from Turin during the Seven Years' War (1755–63). He went back to working for the King. George II made him First Lord of the Bedchamber and Groom of the Stole. These were very important jobs. He also became a member of the Privy Council in 1755.

From May 1756, Rochford was Lord Lieutenant of Essex. He helped create the Essex regiment of militia (a citizen army). He became its Colonel in November 1759. When King George II died in 1760, Rochford lost his court jobs. But he received a good pension. In the early 1760s, he was involved in local Essex politics. He also improved the park at his St Osyth estate. He added a formal Dutch garden and a maze. However, his land income was not very high for an earl. So, he needed to return to diplomacy for money. He was named Ambassador to Spain on June 18, 1763.

Ambassador to Spain

Rochford's secret orders for his Madrid embassy were mainly about stopping French influence over King Carlos III. He also had to report on Spain's naval rebuilding after their late entry into the Seven Years' War. His first big negotiation was about Spain kicking British logwood cutters out of the Yucatán Peninsula in Honduras. With strong support from Grenville's government, Rochford threatened naval force. Spain backed down, but this made Rochford seem anti-French and anti-Spanish.

He was less successful in making Spain pay the disputed Manila Ransom. The French foreign minister, Choiseul, suggested they use arbitration (a way to settle disagreements). Rochford found out about a French plan to set fire to British naval shipyards. This plan was put off until 1770. He became friends with the British consul-general in Madrid, Stanier Porten. This made him more interested in trade. He used consuls and paid spies to get good information about Spain's navy. While in Madrid, he befriended the young French writer Beaumarchais. Beaumarchais' experiences in Spain later inspired his play The Marriage of Figaro. Near the end of his time as ambassador, Rochford saw the Madrid Riots of 1766.

Ambassador to France

Rochford's move to Paris was unexpected. He left Madrid so quickly that he had to pawn his silver to pay his debts. He insisted on taking the very capable Porten with him as his secretary. Choiseul immediately tried to get Rochford involved in a plan. This plan was to trade Britain's claim to the Manila Ransom for giving up the Falkland Islands. But a previous ambassador's wrong report and the inexperience of the Secretary of State, Lord Shelburne, ruined this deal. Choiseul was very angry and unfairly blamed Rochford.

Rochford was almost the only diplomat in Paris brave enough to stand up to Choiseul's bullying. Their talks about things like Dunkirk, the Canada Bills, and the East India Company's claim for war costs in India were often heated. Rochford prepared well and knew all the details. He won some concessions from Choiseul on these issues.

Choiseul's biggest success (and Rochford's biggest failure) was France secretly taking Corsica from the Republic of Genoa in 1768. Rochford warned early about the likely terms. He even paid a spy to get a copy of the draft treaty. But the British cabinet, led by Lord Grafton, was too busy with riots in London. They failed to support their ambassador in Paris. Rochford also got very sick for two weeks during this crisis. This allowed Choiseul to finalize the deal with Genoa. Britain's protests after this were useless. An angry Rochford returned to London to resign. Instead, he was offered a place in the cabinet. He finally accepted on October 21, 1768, on the condition that Porten would be his assistant.

Northern Secretary

Some people, like Edmund Burke, thought it was strange that Rochford became Northern Secretary. All his diplomatic experience had been in southern countries. But Lord Weymouth had insisted on taking the Southern Department, which was seen as more important. British foreign policy was at a very low point in the 1700s because of the Corsican problem in 1768. But Rochford's smart and capable handling of his new job made British foreign policy stronger. British diplomats abroad were happy to work with a Secretary of State who understood diplomacy. He kept them informed regularly. Historian Hamish Scott said that Rochford "almost single-handed" saved Britain's reputation in Europe.

Britain's main goal then was an alliance with Russia. But Empress Catherine II and her foreign minister, Panin, wanted a large payment. Rochford refused this. Instead, he convinced King George III to spend secret money in Swedish politics. This was to support Russia and reduce French influence. Britain's envoy in Stockholm, Sir John Goodricke, used this money well. He helped keep Sweden's liberal government. According to historian Michael Roberts, Rochford was much more practical than Choiseul in dealing with Swedish matters.

Falklands Crisis

Spain forced a British military group off the Falkland Islands in May 1770. This caused a major diplomatic crisis that almost led to war in Europe. Historians used to think this crisis was solved by a "secret promise" from Prime Minister Lord North. They believed North promised Britain would quietly leave the islands later if Spain gave the fort back.

However, new research shows a different story. North's "secret promise" almost ruined a plan for a strong response, backed by the threat of naval force. This strong plan was Rochford's idea, supported by King George III. Even though he was Northern Secretary in 1770, Rochford's advice to the cabinet was key. Weymouth was often lazy and absent. This left Rochford to manage Weymouth's Southern Department job as well as his own. It was Rochford who told the Admiralty to prepare a fleet for war. He sent a simple demand to Madrid: Spain must say their officers were wrong and give the fort back.

Spain's response depended on French support if war broke out. France started to prepare a fleet. But the French king fired Choiseul in December 1770. This removed the chance of French support. Also, Britain calling back its envoy Harris from Madrid showed Britain was still ready for war. Weymouth also resigned in December 1770. Rochford replaced him as Southern Secretary on December 19, 1770.

Southern Secretary

Rochford had already taken charge of the Falklands talks. Now, he received Spain's agreement to his demands. The talks about reducing weapons over the next few months were often difficult. There was still a risk of war until April 1771. Then, all sides reduced their weapons at the same time, as Rochford had suggested. After Sandwich became First Lord of the Admiralty, Rochford's replacement as Northern Secretary was Lord Suffolk. Suffolk spent a year improving his French to talk with foreign diplomats in London. Meanwhile, Rochford was effectively the foreign minister. He handled all of Britain's diplomatic letters until 1772. Before the separate Home and Foreign offices were created in 1782, the Southern Secretary had many domestic duties. These included overseeing Ireland. The letters about Ireland were almost as many as all Rochford's other domestic letters from 1771–75.

Rochford's first successes as Southern Secretary were to convince the new French foreign minister, the duc d'Aiguillon, to settle the long-running Canada Bills dispute. He also stopped a French attempt to send more troops to their areas in India. After King George III's clumsy actions in Denmark in 1772 to support his disgraced sister, Queen Caroline, Rochford's next big challenge was the Swedish crisis of 1772–73. This followed the power grab by Gustavus III in August 1772. This crisis again brought Europe close to war. Russia threatened to invade Sweden, and France threatened to send a fleet to the Baltic to support Gustavus. Rochford played a key role. He advised Russia to be careful and warned France that Britain would also send a fleet to the Baltic. Panin finally decided not to invade, and the crisis eased.

The First Partition of Poland in 1772, as Rochford noted, "changed absolutely the System of Europe." It showed that Russia and Prussia were becoming powerful new nations. With encouragement from George III, Rochford started a risky new policy of secret friendship with France. The long-term goal was to form a defensive alliance of the sea-faring colonial powers. This would balance the "eastern powers." The Swedish crisis ruined this plan. Rochford then tried to build friendship with Spain. This was an attempt to break up the Family Compact between France and Spain. Relations with both French and Spanish powers were better by 1775 than they had been since 1763. However, France's secret support for the American colonies increasingly worked against this policy.

Rochford's most difficult domestic duty as Southern Secretary was to act for King George III. This involved difficult talks in May 1773 with the King's brother, the Duke of Gloucester. Gloucester had secretly married Horace Walpole's niece, Maria Waldegrave, in 1766. She was now expecting a baby. Gloucester wanted money for his family. Because of the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, King George III felt betrayed by his brother. He was deeply hurt and at first refused to reply. Rochford was the only cabinet member willing to help as a go-between. Horace Walpole's dislike for Rochford turned into strong hatred. He spoke badly of Rochford because he couldn't openly speak badly of the King.

Retirement

Rochford retired on November 11, 1775, due to poor health. He received a good pension and a promise of the 'Blue Ribband' (Knight of the Garter). He was offered the important job of Viceroy of Ireland twice in 1776. He would have been a great choice, but he said no because of his health. On June 12, 1776, Rochford was elected Master of Trinity House. This group is in charge of lighthouses, pilots, and helping sailors.

For George III, he also held secret talks with Beaumarchais. He made a quick, secret trip to Paris. He tried to convince the French government to stop sending help to the American rebels. He concluded that France was about to declare open war. He became a Knight of the Garter in 1779. His last years were spent working with the Essex Militia. He continued even after the threat of a French invasion passed. He died at St Osyth on September 29, 1781. His nephew, who never married, took over his title. When his nephew died in 1830, the Rochford title ended.

Personal Life

Lucy Yonge, portrait miniature by Richard Cosway

In May 1742, Rochford married Lucy Younge. She was the daughter of Edward Younge from Durnford in Wiltshire. They did not have any children together. Rochford and Lucy first lived at Easton in Suffolk. This property was inherited from his uncle, Henry Nassau. They only moved to the family home at St Osyth in Essex after Rochford's mother died in 1746. Rochford also bought a house in London, at 48 Berkeley Square. He owned it until 1777.

Rochford had a daughter named Maria Nassau with Martha Harrison. Lucy adopted Maria, and she lived with them in Paris and later at St Osyth. After Lucy's death in 1773, Rochford brought Ann Labbee Johnson and her children to live with him at St Osyth. His will named Ann as the only person to manage his estate.

When he was young, Rochford was a skilled horseman and an expert yachtsman. He once raced his yacht from Harwich to London. He was also involved in early cricket matches in Essex. He used his yacht to visit his family lands in Holland. He loved English country dancing and helped make it popular at the court in Turin in the 1750s. He also loved theatre, music, and opera. He played the baroque guitar. He was very interested in plants. He collected plant samples on a trip to the Swiss Alps in 1751 to send home to St Osyth. Most famously, he is known for bringing the first Lombardy poplar tree to southern England. He brought a young tree strapped to his carriage in 1754.

Legacy and Importance

Rochford did not have huge public triumphs or sign major treaties. Many of his most important secret talks were not known at the time. Because of this, he was quickly forgotten after his death. His reputation also suffered because Horace Walpole often spoke badly of him. In his book Memoirs of the Reign of King George III, Walpole said Rochford was "a man of no abilities and of as little knowledge." Yet, elsewhere, Walpole had admitted Rochford was honest and flexible.

Rochford's personal papers were lost for a long time. This meant historians knew little about his personal life. However, many of his letters to others have survived. Detailed research in British and foreign diplomatic records has given a clearer picture of the 4th Earl of Rochford's public career. As a diplomat, he was very professional. He was organized and careful, mastering the details of complex talks. He was respected as a tough negotiator and an honest person.

His experience in diplomacy was very valuable when he became Secretary of State. It is clear from foreign records how well he managed British foreign policy until the American War of Independence began. He was very well-informed. His unreleased Plan to Prevent War in Europe (1775) shows he was a strategic thinker. He was one of Britain's most imaginative Secretaries of State in the 1700s.

King George III once said Rochford had "many amiable qualities." He added that his "Zeal makes him rather in a hurry." The King also told Stanier Porten that Rochford was "more active and had more spirit" than anyone else in the North cabinet in the early 1770s. Historian Hamish Scott described Rochford as "the ablest man to control foreign policy in the first decade of peace [after 1763]." He called him "a statesman of intelligence, perception and considerable application."

Rochford's main diplomatic goal was to try to separate Spain from the Family Compact with France. In his last year in office, Rochford assured Spanish ministers that Britain wanted them to stay neutral. He said Britain would not attack first. He also warned Spain that their colonies in Central and South America might follow the example of the rebellious North American colonies. These ideas meant Spain did not immediately join France in open war at sea in 1778. They waited another year. It was not Rochford's fault that British commanders in America wasted the time gained. Historians now agree that the American rebels won the war mainly because Britain's naval resources were spread too thin by the involvement of France and Spain.

Timeline

• 1717 – William Henry Nassau van Zuylestein is born at St Osyth.
• 1725–38 – Educated at Eton College and the academy in Geneva.
• 1738 – Becomes the 4th Earl of Rochford after his father's death.
• 1738–49 – Serves as Lord of the Bedchamber to George II.
• 1748 – Appointed Vice-Admiral of the coasts of Essex.
• 1749–55 – Serves as Envoy Extraordinary at the court of Turin.
• 1755–60 – Becomes a member of the Privy Council and Groom of the Stole to George II.
• 1756 – Appointed Lord Lieutenant of Essex.
• 1759 – Becomes Colonel of the Essex Militia.
• 1763–66 – Serves as Ambassador to Spain.
• 1766 – Witnesses the Madrid Riots.
• 1766–68 – Serves as Ambassador to France.
• 1768 – Fails to stop France from taking Corsica.
• 1768–70 – Serves as Secretary of State for the Northern Department.
• 1770–71 – Takes charge during the Falklands Crisis.
• 1770–75 – Serves as Secretary of State for the Southern Department.
• 1773 – Conducts secret talks with France.
• 1773 – Helps resolve the Swedish Crisis.
• 1775 – Writes an unreleased 'Plan to Prevent War in Europe'.
• 1775–81 – Enjoys retirement.
• 1776 – Becomes Master of Trinity House.
• 1779 – Becomes a Knight of the Garter.
• 1781 – Dies at St Osyth on September 29.

Arms

The Earls of Rochford used the coat of arms below. They inherited it through Frederick of Nassau, lord of Zuylestein. He was an illegitimate son of Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange.

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  Arms of Nassau-Zuylestein. The 3 pillars are known as "Zuylen" in Dutch.

See also

• Ambassadors (from United Kingdom to France)