Pall Mall, April 29th, 1783.
My dear Brother,
I have this day seen Lord Northington. He entered a good deal
into your complaint with respect to their personal usage of
yourself, and said that as soon as the new Government were
appointed, they had written to express to you those wishes,
which every one felt, for your remaining; that your answer to
that had not been received till a few days before his
acceptance; and that they had written to notify to you the day
of his being to be declared, which had been postponed till
to-morrow, merely out of attention to you, in order that it
might not take place till you was apprized of it.
To this I answered, that I did not understand you had received
any other communication than the mere official notification of
Lord North's appointment; but that, be that as it might, I was
sure it would not alter (as it was a matter only between Lord
North and the other Ministers, and you) your wishes to place the
Government in your successor's hands with every possible
advantage.
We had a little more conversation, which turned entirely on
generals, with many expressions of personal civility on his
part; and that he intended to write to-morrow, immediately after
his being declared, to state to you the time which he desired
for his preparations, &c., &c.
Pitt spoke to Lord Bulkeley the other day, to express how much
he admired your conduct and character, particularly in remaining
so long; and that you were the person to whom the country looked
for the first situations.
Adieu, my dear brother.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.
Tom asked me to-day, whether you had mentioned anything to me of
your having received a letter from him.
This interview was followed by an immediate communication from Lord
Northington.