Whitehall, Feb. 2nd, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
Our Parliament has this day been opened by Lord Bathurst, the
Chancellor being so ill as to make it absolutely impossible for him
to come down. The Commission was first read, and then Lord Bathurst
said, in a few words, that the Lords Commissioners being empowered
by the said Commission to declare the causes of calling the
Parliament, thought it their duty to call the attention of the two
Houses to the melancholy circumstance of His Majesty's illness, and
to recommend to them to provide for the care of His Majesty's royal
person, and the administration of the royal authority during His
Majesty's illness, in such manner as the exigency of the case
requires.
I think that my former calculation is rather too sanguine, and that
the 18th is the soonest that the Bill can pass, allowing for the
debate, of which notice has been given in both Houses, on the
Committee for the royal assent. The idea is, that the letters of
dismission are ready written, and will be sent that day.
I cannot yet learn, with certainty, who is to be the Home Secretary
of State. It is supposed to lie between Lord Stormont and Lord
Rawdon; and there is a report that they are quarrelling about that
as about everything else, and that the Duke of York espouses Lord
Rawdon's cause very warmly.
The accounts of Fox are that he is not at all better, and that he
has not been able yet to drink the waters. His death would throw
them into complete confusion, though the Prince is so far pledged,
that even in that case he must attempt to form a new Government.
We mean (but this _inter nos_ only) to move an Amendment upon the
Address, expressive of our satisfaction at the flourishing state in
which the public affairs are delivered into His Royal Highness's
hands, and of our hope that the same principles and measures will
continue to be pursued. I have no doubt of our carrying this, in
their teeth.
Everybody seems to think a dissolution certain. I imagine it cannot
by possibility take place till May or June, though some people
expect it in March.
I believe I mentioned to you in my last the great improvement which
these last few days have made in the King's situation, and the
strong hope which we derive from it.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.