Pall Mall, March 20th, 1783.
My dear Brother,
I have this moment heard from indisputable authority, that the
following curious scene has passed. The King saw the Duke of
Portland yesterday, and ordered him to bring him an arrangement.
In consequence of this, a consultation was held between the
heads of the new allies. It was agreed that Fox and Lord North
should be the two secretaries, the latter going to the House of
Lords. It was also agreed that Lord Stormont should be
President, but with a stipulation on the part of Fox that he
should not be of the Cabinet. To this Lord North demurred; and
upon consulting Lord Stormont, the latter peremptorily refused,
telling him that he had explained it differently to him. This
Lord North could not deny, but offered Lord Stormont his own
terms, if he would agree to anything short of Cabinet. The
refusal was persisted in, and Lord North returned to his allies,
who were equally peremptory on their part, and so ended the
whole negotiation, Lord North refusing to treat any further. The
Duke of Portland went to the King and informed him of this, but
offered to undertake it separately. The King's answer was, that
such an arrangement would be liable to all the objections of
weakness, &c., as it would only include one party out of three.
And so ended the treaty of coalition and partition! Coke, of
Norfolk, gave notice two days ago, that if nothing was settled
by to-morrow he would move an Address. Of course, this will have
to be done. My opinion is, that a second offer will be made to
Pitt, and that he will accept. I will write again to-morrow if
there is anything worth writing. Adieu.
My dearest brother,
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.