Feb. 11th, 1783.
My dear Brother,
Things are drawing near to their crisis. Lord Shelburne's
weakness is every day more apparent. Nothing is clearer than
that he cannot stand a week without some addition. The strongest
proof of this is what Pitt told me to-day: that it being thought
necessary to make some attempt at a junction with Fox, he had
seen him to-day, when he asked one question, viz., whether there
were any terms on which he would come in. The answer was, None,
while Lord Shelburne remained; and so it ended.
Upon this, I think one may observe, that the one must be very
desperate, the other very confident, before such a question
could be so put and so answered.
I told him I was glad the attempt was made, though I was not at
all surprised at the event. He said that he thought they would
now be justified in seeking for additional strength elsewhere. I
said I thought so too, but that I could not help trusting that
this expression did not go to include the idea of bringing back
any of the old people _to Cabinet offices_; that I thought the
line was clear that it was the duty of every man to do his
utmost to keep the Government in such hands as were fit and able
to hold it (under which description I could not include any of
that set); but that when it was so placed, it was idle to say
that support was not to be looked for where it could be had. He
said that, without making professions, he could with truth say,
that this had always been his idea. And so our conversation
ended--at least, this was the only material part of it.
There is no doubt but that they have been making proposals to
Jenkinson, and these must have failed before the other offer
could be made. On the other hand, I know for certain that
negotiations, _through more than one channel_, have been
_entamé_ between Fox and Lord North. This must be _bien en
train_, if one may judge by what I tell you in this letter.
In that case, as well as in that which I put to ----, I take it
for granted that I know your line; and whatever the effect of
that line must be with respect to my own fortunes, I have
infinitely too great a concern for your honour and my own, not
to desire and wish it most eagerly. The only thing which pains
me is the consideration of Bernard. If the interval should
afford you an opportunity for that, I should depart in peace.
Adieu.
Believe me,
Most sincerely and affectionately yours,
----