Holwood, April 12th, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
As I understand that Mr. Pitt writes to you by this messenger, in
order to state to you the nature of the King's answer to his
letter, and to explain the arrangement which is proposed to you as
a solution of this unpleasant business, I feel that I can have
nothing to add. I have already mentioned to you, in the most full
and unreserved manner, the whole of my feelings on this occasion,
and I see nothing in the present state of it which can at all vary
them. I still continue very desirous that this business may not
proceed to those extremities which you have mentioned, because I
think such a step, independent of its public consequences, would
close our political prospects in this country, and would, besides,
be liable to a construction which we should most wish to avoid. But
I also continue in the full determination to abide by your decision
upon it, and that your conduct shall regulate mine; because I feel
this as no less due to myself than to you, on an occasion in which
I certainly think the King has been much wanting to you.
If I were to write volumes to you, I could only enlarge upon these
points, on which I have already fully written to you, and with the
same freedom and sincerity as if I were thinking aloud. I always
feel some embarrassment and difficulty in writing upon points in
which I am myself so much interested; although I have not, on this
occasion, suffered that consideration to weigh with me, so as
either to say what I should not otherwise have said, or to leave
unsaid anything which I felt I ought to say. I have now, therefore,
only to conclude, with my sincere assurances of the uniform and
warm affection with which I am,
My dear brother, most truly yours,
W. W. G.