Paul Methuen (diplomat)

Sir Paul Methuen PC KB (c. 1672 – 11 April 1757), of Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire, was an English diplomat and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1708 and 1747. He was an envoy to Portugal between 1697 and 1708 and later a holder of public offices, particularly in the Royal household.

Sir Paul Methuen

Early life

Methuen was born in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, the son of John Methuen and his wife Mary Cheevers, daughter of Seacole Cheevers (or Chivers). His parents' marriage was unhappy and they separated when he was in his teens. His father inherited the lease of the manor of Bishops Cannings, near Devizes.[1] He was educated privately then at a Jesuit school in Paris.[2]

Diplomatic career

Methuen went to Lisbon in 1691, when his father was appointed minister there. He gained valuable diplomatic experience and the esteem of King Pedro. During two absences of his father he became chargé d'affaires, rising to Minister on his father's appointment as Lord Chancellor of Ireland in 1697. He was unable to prevent a Portuguese-French alliance in 1701. When his father returned to Portugal a special envoy in 1702, they were successful in breaking the alliance in 1703. The led to the Methuen commercial treaty between England and Portugal, the basis of Britain's monopoly of Portuguese trade for much of the 18th century. His father remained in Portugal as ambassador. In 1705, Methuen served with the army, being present at the capture of Gibraltar. On his return to England to obtain military supplies he was appointed Minister to Savoy, but succeeded his father as ambassador to Portugal on the latter's death in July 1706.[2]

Political career

Methuen was still abroad when he was elected Whig Member of Parliament (MP) for Devizes at the 1708 general election. He served on three committees, including one on 9 March 1709 to draft a bill to prohibit French wines and other products more effectively. This reflects his mercantile connections and experience in negotiating commercial treaties. Also in 1709, he supported the naturalization of the Palatines. He was appointed as a Lord of the Admiralty in November 1709 and was returned unopposed at the ensuing by-election. . At the 1710 general election, he was returned initially at Devizes in a double return but his opponents were declared elected. He asked to be removed from the Admiralty board, because he considered himself unsuitable, and refused another public office. At the 1713 British general election, he was returned in a contest as MP for Brackley on the interest of the Duke of Bridgwater, but was unseated on petition on 20 April 1714. He was appointed a Lord of the Treasury and was sworn as a Privy Councillor on 29 October 1714.[2]

At the 1715 general election, Methuen was returned unopposed as MP for Brackley. In 1715, he was sent as ambassador to Spain and Morocco to negotiate a commercial treaty, but had to return because of ill-health. He became Secretary of State for the Southern Department in 1716, but resigned with Robert Walpole in 1717. When Walpole resumed office in 1720, he became Comptroller of the Royal Household.[3] He appears to have sold the lease of Bishop's Channing in 1720.[1] At the 1722, he was returned unopposed at Brackley and exchanged office in 1725 to become Treasurer of the Household. He was made a Knight of the Bath by George I in May 1725. He was returned as MP for Brackley in the general elections of 1727, 1734 and 1741, but after the death of his patron the Duke of Bridgwater, he was not put forward for Brackley at the 1747 general election.[3]

Death and legacy

Methuen died, unmarried, in 1757, and was buried in the south aisle of Westminster Abbey, near his father John. His only brother Henry had been killed in a brawl in Lisbon in 1694. His heir was his cousin Paul Methuen, for whom he bought Corsham Court.[3] That Paul's grandson was created Baron Methuen.

Methuen, Massachusetts, was named after him; it is the only community in the world that bears his name.

Notes

  1. "Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 7 pp 187–197 – Parishes: Bishop's Cannings". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  2. "METHUEN, Paul (1672-1757), of Bishops Cannings, Wilts". History of Parliament Online (1690-1715). Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  3. "METHUEN, Paul (c.1672-1757), of Bishops Cannings, Wilts". History of Parliament Online (1715-1754). Retrieved 27 September 2018.

References

  • Karl Wolfgang Schweizer, ‘Methuen, Sir Paul (c.1672–1757)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, (Oxford University Press, Sept 2004; online edn, Oct 2008) , accessed 3 November 2008.
  • G. F. R. Barker, ‘Methuen, John (1650–1706)’, rev. Thomas Doyle, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, (Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Oct 2008) , accessed 4 November 2008.
  • Burke's Peerage (1939 edition), s.v. Methuen.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
John Methuen
English Minister to Portugal
1697–1702
Succeeded by
John Methuen
as ambassador
Preceded by
?
English Minister to Savoy
1705–1706
Succeeded by
John Chetwynd
Preceded by
John Methuen
British Minister to Portugal
1706–1708
Succeeded by
?
Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by
Josiah Diston and
Sir Francis Child
Member of Parliament for Devizes
1708–1710
With: Josiah Diston
Succeeded by
Sir Francis Child and
Thomas Richmond Webb
Preceded by
William Egerton and
John Burgh
Member of Parliament for Brackley
1713–1714
With: William Egerton
Succeeded by
John Burgh and
Henry Watkins
Preceded by
John Burgh and
Henry Watkins
Member of Parliament for Brackley
1715–1747
With: William Egerton, to 1733;
George Lee, 1733–1742
Sewallis Shirley, from 1742
Succeeded by
Sewallis Shirley and
Richard Lyttelton
Political offices
Preceded by
James Stanhope
Secretary of State for the Southern Department
1716–1717
Succeeded by
Joseph Addison
Preceded by
Hugh Boscawen
Comptroller of the Household
1720–1725
Succeeded by
Daniel Finch, Lord Finch
Preceded by
The Earl of Cholmondeley
Treasurer of the Household
1725–1730
Succeeded by
The Lord Bingley
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Sir James Lowther, Bt
Senior Privy Counsellor
1755–1757
Succeeded by
The Duke of Dorset
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