Pall Mall, April 15th, 1783.
My dear Brother,
I enclose you the papers of this morning, which will give you a
pretty exact idea of the conversation, rather than debate, which
took place upon the second reading of the Irish Bill. The
"Morning Post" comes nearest to the Duke of Portland's speech.
That in the "Morning Chronicle" was evidently inserted by some
of their people (to whom that paper is devoted), and contains
rather what he ought to have said, and, perhaps, what he was
instructed to say, than what he actually did say. None of the
papers have, however, given the following words, which I
remarked to Mornington the moment they were spoke, and took down
upon paper as soon as I came home, so that I can be positive as
to their having been exact.
"As to this Bill, I concur in it, because I think it was made
_necessary_ by what was done last year, and consider it as _a
necessary consequence_ of that."
After this, I hope we shall not have to hear Mr. Fox, in
England, or those whom he supposes his friends in Ireland, say,
what Mr. Fox said when the Bill was first moved for, that it was
_wholly unnecessary_.
I waited to send this off till I saw whether there would be any
alteration proposed, or any debate on the wording of the Bill in
the Committee. I went to the House, and there saw Lord Thurlow,
who told me that if the Bill had not come recommended by you, he
should have had a great deal to say upon it; but as it was, he
meant not to speak at all with respect to it, on your account.
I hear nothing of any successor to you, and begin to be a little
uneasy about it, for a reason which Jemmy desired me to press to
you, though, I confess, it appears stronger to him than it does
to me. What I mean is, that in the manner in which these people
are going on, throwing away the scabbard entirely both with the
King and the people, it is utterly impossible but that they must
overturn themselves almost immediately; and if a change should
happen while you are still in Ireland, you could have no excuse
for not remaining, which, after all that has passed, would be
most unpleasant.
Now for my own part, I own I do not expect quite so sudden a
dissolution of the present Government, because I am sure they
will not resign, and I do not think the King will be able to
turn them out till the session is over. Still, however, your
being here would be very material, standing in so high a
situation as you do; and in that idea I have a wish, if you
should not disapprove of it, to take an opportunity in the House
of Commons, immediately after the holidays (or at least as soon
as I can hear from you, supposing nobody appointed before), to
call the attention of the House to the situation of Ireland,
suffering at least as much from an interregnum as this country
did, and to say that the same motives which made it, in the
opinion of all the world, necessary for Lord Shelburne and Pitt
actually to quit their situations before a successor was
appointed, rather than hold responsible office without
responsibility, must also in the end actuate you, however
unwilling, &c., &c.
Lees is appointed Under Secretary to Lord North. The Duke of
Dorset forced out at the requisition of the Prince of Wales,
contrary, as it is said, to an express promise made to him by
the King. Fortescue (Lord Clermont's nephew) desired me to
remind you of a promise of the Linen Board next after two,
which, he says, is now the case.
Ever yours,
W. W. G.
Up to this time, no successor was found for Lord Temple. Mr. Grenville,
writing on the 19th, says: "They are under real difficulties about your
successor. They have offered the situation even to Lord Althorpe, who
refused it two days ago. I rather think, putting together circumstances
and appearances, that it will end in Lord Hillsborough." A successor,
however, was at last found in the person of Lord Northington.