Pall Mall, Dec. 5th, Eleven at Night.
My dear Brother,
In consequence of their having altered their minds about
Ireland, I was summoned to give my opinion. I think the words as
they stand now are sufficiently strong, and they passed to-night
without the least animadversion: "The liberal principles adopted
by you with respect to the rights and commerce of Ireland, do
you the highest honour, and must, I trust, ensure that harmony
which ought ever to subsist between the two kingdoms."
We have had no division to-night. The speakers, Lord N., Fox,
Burke, Townshend and Pitt.
Lord N. uncommonly well, holding off from both sides. Fox and
Pitt both worse than usual. The chief debate about peace. The
giving up Gibraltar was thrown out by Banks, and strongly
objected to by Lord N., Burke, and Fox.
Johnstone made an attack upon Lord Howe, which was as ill
received as it deserved to be. I would have sent you a copy of
the King's Speech, but it is so uncommonly long, that it is not
out yet. It is utterly impossible to travel through the great
variety of matter which it comprehends. Remarkably full house.
Bulkeley was in the House of Lords; says that Shelburne
acquitted himself very well. Lord Stormont attacked him about
the Independence. He defended it as the wish of the people. Lord
Fitzgerald spoke but badly. No division there.
Ever yours,
W. W. G.
Keith Stewart answered Johnstone, defending Lord Howe very
warmly. Everybody who spoke after Johnstone reprobated him. Duke
of Richmond attacked Lord Sandwich.