Paul Methuen

Sir Paul Methuen (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. 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. He was educated privately and then at a Jesuit school in Paris. 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 as a special envoy in 1702, they were successful in breaking the alliance in 1703. That 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. 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, reflecting 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.