St. James's Square, Nov. 6th, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
The drawing-room was so very late yesterday, that it was impossible
for Pitt to go into the closet afterwards, as it was not over till
past five, and the King had to go back to Windsor. This being the
case, we have agreed that, in order to prevent any further delay,
Pitt shall write to the King upon the subject, stating all the
arguments upon it, and at the same time reserving a ground for
speaking to the King upon it at the next levee, if it should be
necessary. I own I am by no means sorry that the circumstance of
the lateness of the drawing-room, has given a plea for having
recourse to this mode, as I have always observed it to succeed best
with the King. There are many things which can be much more
strongly put in a letter than in conversation with him, especially
on any subject on which he is unwilling to converse; and all the
points of this particular business may be more forcibly urged by
being collected and stated with a reference to each other, in a
manner which the King's desultory way of speaking makes almost
impossible. I am persuaded, therefore, that whatever the chance is
of success in this business, it is greater in this mode; especially
as Pitt will still have to mention it to him on Wednesday, if his
written answer is not favourable.
I would write to you oftener, or desire Bernard to do it when I
cannot, on the French and Flemish news, but that I really find the
papers are every morning just as good intelligencers as I could be.
They will even tell you all that I can about the Duke of Orleans'
mission, which is evidently only a pretence for leaving Paris, as
he has not even affected to talk to the King, or his Ministers,
about any business, except to ask, in general terms, what is
thought of the state of the Low Countries? to which you may suppose
the answer would be quite as general, even supposing that we had
anything more particular to say, which we have not.
What the motive was for his leaving Paris, I know no more than by
the general report which circulates there as well as here, of his
having been detected in plans against the small remains of the
King's authority.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.