Holwood, Oct. 5th, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
Your messenger brought me here, yesterday evening, your letter of
the 3rd instant; but I have deferred answering it till this
morning, because I wished for a little time to turn the subject of
it over in my own mind, and particularly to consider whether I
should communicate it to Pitt. After some deliberation with myself,
I have resolved not to make this communication, because I consider
the Lord Steward's staff as being, in fact, disposed of; and I
feel, on that account, an unwillingness to state, even to Pitt,
that you had entertained a wish to succeed to that office. I am
sure I need not say, that if this idea had ever come across my
mind, I should have given you the earliest intelligence in my power
of the death of the Duke of Chandos; and should have endeavoured to
prevent any steps being taken for filling up his office, till I
had heard from you. As it is, you will already have heard from me,
that our intention was to offer it to the Duke of Dorset; there not
being the smallest ground to imagine that the Duke of Leeds wishes
to quit his present situation. This offer was accordingly made two
days ago; and the Duke of Dorset has all but accepted it, desiring
only to have five minutes previous conversation with Pitt. He is to
come here for that purpose this morning; and I have no doubt, from
the turn of his letter, that he intends to accept. Under these
circumstances, you will, I am sure, approve of my saying nothing to
Pitt on that part of your letter; nor do I feel it necessary to
state to you all that would otherwise occur to me upon it as matter
for your consideration. * * *
Ever most sincerely and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.