Pall Mall, Jan. 19th, 1783.
My dear Brother,
I received last night your letters of the 15th, and this morning
went to Townshend with them. We proceeded together to the
Premier's, who expressed great dissatisfaction at the contents
of your despatch. We had a good deal of conversation about it,
which ended in Townshend's proposing that _he_ should on Tuesday
move for leave to bring in the Bill, and that in the meantime
your opinion might be taken on the preamble proposed by Lord
Ashburton. I thought it worth while to fall in with this idea,
provided, as I expressed myself, that the motion was made on
Tuesday, and in such words as should be pledges to Ireland of
satisfaction.
My reason for this, was my wish that you should have an
opportunity of seeing the enclosed preamble, which Townshend is
to send you formally to-night, and judging upon it. You see it
is directly adverse to the principle of recognition; still, as
it is so very strong as to the future, and the doubts being
capable of being referred to Lord Mansfield's decision, I cannot
help hoping that it may do. On the other hand, it will certainly
pass the two Houses better; because Lord Mansfield, the
Chancellor, Lord Loughborough _and Lord Ashburton_, will, in the
case of a recognition, protest against the repeal being at all
conclusive or satisfactory. This would be strong for us to meet,
and therefore I think you may fairly take the new ground;
express your adherence to your old opinion, that the Bill does
not contradict it, but that it was an object to carry it with as
little opposition and to make it as generally satisfactory as
possible.
I am to apologize to you in the strongest manner for not
adhering to your positive instructions. But in such a case, and
at this distance, one must act much on one's own judgment; and I
cannot help thinking that if you had been on the spot, you would
have done the same, considering how far they are pledged by
Townshend's motion, and that there will be little _appearance_
of delay.
Jemmy agrees in opinion with me. I write this in great hurry,
and need not exhort you to return an answer as early as
possible. I have not at all pledged you to approve of Lord
Ashburton's preamble, which, _au contraire_, I have combatted
here, but have said: "I am incapable of judging," &c., &c.
Ever yours,
W. W. G.
You must not be angry with Townshend for sending Lord
Ashburton's Bill for your consideration, as I have taken that
upon myself to him.