Pall Mall, April 28th, 1783.
My dear Brother,
Yesterday and this evening, I received your letters of the 21st
and 24th instant.
With respect to the first, there is, I think, no need of saying
anything as to its contents, except that it appears to me most
clearly that the Bill passed as a measure of the new Government,
especially from the Duke of Portland's words, which I took down
and sent to you. In all events, however, it had passed before I
received your despatch relating to it; so that the delivery of
that could have been of no use either in influencing their
conduct in present, or affording room for comments upon it in
future.
The despatches contained in your packet of the 24th, I have this
night sent to Lord North, conceiving, from the expressions of
your note, that I had no option whatever with respect to them.
If I had felt myself at liberty, I must own that I think I
should have hesitated about it; as Lord Northington is formally
announced, and consequently your main object, that of a speedy
release from your situation, will soon be accomplished by the
natural impatience he will feel to take, what you, on the other
hand, are so desirous to give him. All other objects, that of
marking to the King and to them your sense of the personal
incivility they have shown you, and that of pointing out their
scandalous inattention to the business of Ireland, might have
been attained by twenty other ways; while I cannot but fear that
this will be liable to the imputation which they are so
studiously endeavouring to fix upon you, and which, of all
others, I should think you would wish to avoid--that of throwing
additional difficulties in the way of your successor. I am
convinced nothing is farther from your intention: his situation
will already be much less easy than every Englishman--and
particularly every man who looks forward, and probably at no
very distant period, to a share in the Government of the
empire--must wish it. And even the appearance of contributing to
his difficulties will, I think, hurt you here; at the same time,
that it will give him an opportunity of throwing upon your
shoulders any want of success which he may experience.
Upon these considerations, which I am sure you feel, and which I
trust you will excuse my stating, I think of leaving my name
with him to-morrow, and of expressing either to him or to
Wyndham, with civility, but at the same time with a proper
reserve (so as not to commit you or myself), my readiness to
give any information in my power which they may wish to receive.
If I see either of them to-morrow, I shall most likely in a very
few days be able to inform you, in person, of the probable day
of your release. I look forward with much impatience to our
meeting. In the meantime,
Believe me, my dearest brother,
Ever most sincerely and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.
Upon reading this over, I find I have said nothing of the House
of Commons. Jemmy is not in town, and I own I think the saying
anything on the subject now (after Lord North's appointment),
would be so strong, that I am afraid to venture upon it without
his advice.