Whitehall, Nov. 29th, 1792.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,
As we have, I think, nearly determined that, in consequence of the
situation of affairs, both at home and abroad, we cannot discharge
our duty to the country, nor even answer for its security, without
calling the whole or a considerable part of the Militia
immediately, I lose not a moment in apprizing you of it, both that
you may be enabled to hold yourself in readiness to take your
measures, and also to beg you to suggest to me any particular of
importance that may occur to you respecting the mode of doing the
thing.
Parliament must, as you know, by law be assembled within fourteen
days; and it will, I think, be so within twelve days of the
proclamation, which I expect to issue on Friday. But the precise
day is not yet determined, because we are desirous, before the
thing is known, to have troops enough round London to prevent the
possibility of anything happening in the interval, which they would
of course try if they saw an opening.
You must not, from this measure, think the alarm greater than it
is. The step is principally founded on the total inadequacy of our
military force to the necessary exertions.
At the time that the order is sent, directions will be given to
the Lord-Lieutenant immediately to assemble the serjeants, &c., and
to place the arms under proper guard. I am, as you will easily
believe, too much hurried to be able to go into more details.
We have nothing new from abroad.
Ever most affectionately yours,
G.