Whitehall, Jan. 2nd, 1788.[B]
MY DEAR BROTHER,
You will probably not be a little surprised at the contents of this
letter. The Speaker died this morning at about nine o'clock, and
after some consideration, it has been determined that I should be
proposed to the House to succeed him. I am not quite sure whether
the choice will come on to-morrow or Monday. The situation is a new
one, it having always been held, that the King's commands are
necessary for the election of a Speaker, and his approbation for
confirming him in his situation. But this cannot be had under the
present circumstances; nor can the House take any steps to supply
the deficiency till they have a Speaker. At the Restoration and
Revolution, the House, in both instances, chose a Speaker, who was
acknowledged as such, and was never afterwards confirmed by the
King.
With respect to myself, the time for deliberation has not been
long. But upon the whole, I think the decision which I have made is
clearly right. If the King recovers before Parliament is dissolved,
it is clearly understood that my acceptance of this situation is
not to prejudice my other views; and in the public opinion, the
having filled this office, though but for a short time, will rather
forward them. If the Regent goes on without dissolving, I am then
in a situation which, though perhaps not perfectly pleasant, is
nevertheless respectable, and will give me occupation. If they
dissolve, and carry the Chair against me in the new Parliament, I
do not see how I stand worse, in any respect, for having held this
office. Such is my reasoning, and I think you will approve it. As
far as I can judge, there is no doubt of my carrying it _now_. I
have not yet heard whether they start any opponent, but I think
they have none whose personal connexions can materially vary the
proportion between the two parties: it is very sufficiently
decisive.
I have not heard the account of to-day at St. James's. Nothing can
be better than all the accounts, both public and private, for the
last three or four days. It is certainly not sanguine to entertain
the very best hopes; and the progress has even been more rapid than
Willis expected; so that I think we may look with some confidence
to March or April at latest.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.
[Footnote B: This is the date in the original, but it is evidently a
mistake. Mr. Grenville forgot that he was in a new year.]