St. James's Place, April 30th, 1783.
My dear Lord,
It is with much concern I find that your Excellency has not been
prevailed upon to continue in the execution of a Government
which all accounts agree, and universal opinion confirms, your
Excellency to have conducted with so much credit to yourself and
satisfaction to the country over which you have the honour to
preside. I could have hoped, that the many honourable
testimonies of regard given to you might have produced other
sentiments, and that the general wishes of the country might
have effected what the Administration here might have attempted
in vain. This, however, not having been the case, I have it to
notify to your Excellency, that the pressing instances of my
friends have been able to overcome my own apprehensions, and I
have consented to accept the arduous situation of becoming your
Excellency's successor.
I have had the honour of being declared this day, by His Majesty
in Council, as the person to relieve your Excellency, which, as
I understand your wishes to be, that it should be as soon as can
be, with any tolerable convenience to the affairs at home, and
the settlement of my establishment in Ireland, I shall forward
as much as possible. I hope, therefore, to be able to set off
from here in a month from the day of my declaration, at
furthest, by a week after, which I understand will be about the
time you find necessary for the arrangement of your affairs, and
the soonest you would have been able to have gone from hence.
I had the pleasure of a conversation the other day with Mr.
Grenville, who very politely acquainted me with your Lordship's
sentiments, and readiness to give every communication which
might be of service to a successor. These assurances I was happy
to receive, although I could entertain little doubt that a man
of your Lordship's honour and liberality of mind would feel a
pleasure and satisfaction in doing that which others, not with
the same liberality of sentiment, might consider only as a duty
upon them. I shall think myself much obliged, and shall derive
no small assistance from a communication of your Lordship's
active exertions and inquiries since you have been in Ireland;
and I make no doubt I shall find many plans which it will be
much for the interest of Ireland for me to adopt and carry into
execution.