3. What do you conjecture may be the probable duration of his
complaint?
These are not the precise words, but the substance. They all
answered the first question decisively, that he is now incapable,
&c.
To the second, Warren gave an ambiguous answer; but said that the
majority of persons afflicted with _all the different species_ of
this disorder, recovered. An explanatory question was put to him,
which it took about an hour and a half to settle; whether, as far
as experience enabled him to judge, he thought it more probable
that the King would or would not recover. To this he said that he
had not, and he believed no one else had, sufficient data to answer
that question.
All the rest stated, though in terms more or less strong, that the
probability is in favour of recovery.
The time, they all declared themselves unable to speak to.
A question was put to them, to show the degree of experience each
had had in these cases. That of the three first appeared not to be
great; that of Reynolds more; and Addington stated the particulars,
which you already know, about his house at Reading.
On the whole, I think the impression of the examination was
universally more favourable than was expected.
After the Council was formally broke up, Pitt proposed, in
consequence of some things which had been thrown out by Lord
Stormont and Lord Loughborough, that it should be understood, that
any proposal for further examination in Parliament should be
resisted. After some conversation, this was acceded to; and Monday
settled as the day when these papers are to be taken into
consideration. A Committee is then to be moved to search
precedents, so that the motion itself cannot come on till Friday,
or more probably Monday se'nnight.
Ever yours,
W. W. G.