St. James's Square, Nov. 28th, 1789.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
I have just received your letter. Things remain hitherto on the
same footing, with every appearance of doing well. All depends,
however, on the ultimate arrangement of the point referred. I own I
am inclined to hope better things than you seem to do. Real
friendship and connection is, I agree with you, not to be hoped
for; but if public appearances are preserved, and public support
effectually, even though not cordially, given, all is obtained that
is in any degree necessary for public objects; and the present
disposition does, as far as I can judge, go the whole length of
what I have now stated. It is by no means a difficult or new
situation for people to act together in public business without the
bond of private connection and friendship. It is indeed very rare,
I believe; and what I consider as a most singular and peculiar
happiness, that the contrary should exist to the degree to which it
does, and it would, I am afraid, be much too sanguine to entertain
hopes that this should be extended to the case now in question. I
will not fail to let you know as soon as anything occurs on the
main point.
There is every appearance that the Flemish revolution is complete.
Trautsmansdorf and the patriots are running a race for Luxemburg,
where the former means to wait for succours. There are not fifteen
thousand troops in the provinces, and there are above forty
thousand of the patriots already armed, and the whole country with
them. They collect the revenues of the country, on which they
maintain their army. They flatter themselves that, allowing for the
necessary requisitions for passage, &c., no effectual force can be
brought to act against them till the spring; and the style of the
Emperor's concessions, as well as the mode of making them, looks as
if he was of the same opinion.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.
It was some compensation to Mr. Grenville that, in his official capacity
as Secretary of State, he had the satisfaction of conveying to Lord
Buckingham His Majesty's entire approval of the line of conduct his
Lordship had pursued in Ireland. After expressing His Majesty's concern
at the state of Lord Buckingham's health, which rendered him unable any
longer to serve His Majesty in the situation of Lord-Lieutenant, the
letter signifies the royal approbation of his Lordship's attachment and
zeal in the discharge of the important duties of his station; adding,
"and, particularly, I have His Majesty's express direction to acquaint
your Lordship with the satisfaction which His Majesty has felt from
your attention to maintain the honour and dignity of his Crown, and to
preserve the constitutional connection between his two kingdoms of Great
Britain and Ireland, under the interesting circumstances which were
occasioned by His Majesty's late indisposition."
Feeling the delicacy of the position in which he was placed by his
relationship to Lord Buckingham, in having to convey this gracious
message, Mr. Grenville submitted a draught of the letter to His Majesty
for his approval, before it was forwarded. Upon this draught His Majesty
made the subjoined minute:
Windsor, October 17th, 1789. Eighteen minutes past Ten o'clock.
The draught of an answer to the Marquis of Buckingham's letter of
resignation meets entirely with my sentiments. If I thought any
alteration necessary, it would be by more explicitly stating the
allusion to his very commendable conduct, during my late calamitous
illness, which would render the approbation in effect more marked.