St. James's Place, May 16th, 1783.
My Lord,
The last letter which I had the honour of receiving from your
Lordship has very sufficiently stated the determinations you are
come to with regard to your stay, and that your resolution is
fixed, at _all events_, not to be in Dublin on the 4th of June.
I must confess myself perfectly at a loss to conceive what those
_particular reasons of delicacy_ may be, which appear to have
made such weighty impression on your Lordship's mind, so as to
have produced this resolution; but as the consequence will be
the placing the Government of the country in other hands, and is
a measure which does not seem to meet with the approbation of
His Majesty, I shall think it my duty (however greatly my
convenience must be the sacrifice) to attend, to the utmost of
my power, to His Majesty's wishes, that such an event may not
take place.
It is my purpose, therefore, to relieve your Excellency from
your Government, as you desire, before the 4th of June, and to
be in Dublin on that day, under circumstances the most
unpleasant and mortifying, an half-formed household, and the
impossibility of being able to pay that respect and reverence
which is due to the happy event of that day. It is my intention
to quit London on the 28th or 29th instant, and to make it a
point to be at Holyhead early on the 1st of June, so that if the
wind is fair and the tide should serve, I may be in Dublin that
night.
I cannot too frequently return my thanks to your Lordship for
the very kind and friendly intentions you have of affording me
every communication in your power, and of allowing me to derive
every assistance I can from your Lordship's great knowledge of
the country, its interests, and the view of its parties and
leading men. It will be with the greatest pleasure I shall ever
receive any instance of your Lordship's regard, and I am sure
none can be more agreeable, or of more importance to me, than
this will be.
With regard to the articles of domestic accommodation, I shall
reserve the discussion of them to Sir Willoughby Acton and Mr.
Fremantle. Sir Willoughby proposes to set out for Dublin on
Monday next, and is so obliging as to undertake this trouble for
me. He will have the honour of paying his respects to your
Excellency, if you will give him leave.
I have the honour to be, my dear Lord,
Your most obedient and faithful humble servant,
Northington.