Whitehall, July 30th, 1788.
My dear Brother,
I have not written to you for the last ten or twelve days, on
account of my time being wholly taken up with the election. You
know me well enough to imagine, that a canvass of this sort for
a fortnight together, especially in such a place as Westminster,
was no very agreeable undertaking for me. We were, however, in
want of nothing but active exertion; and I felt that I owed it
to the cause in which we are embarked to set the example. I am
persuaded, that if this had been done a little sooner, nothing
could have prevented our success; but Lord Hood's security for
the first three days, and his total inactivity for three days
more, after the opposition had been declared, gave the enemy so
much the start of us, that it is wonderful we should have been
able to do what we have. As it is, Townshend will certainly be
returned. It is impossible, without more minute inquiry, to
speak with _real_ confidence as to the event of a petition. It
is _unquestionable_, that their majority is owing to bad votes,
and to bribed votes; but in what proportion, it is not yet
possible to say. Before a Committee, it will be easy to detect
and strike off the former; but the proof of bribery is often
difficult, if not impossible. It must, therefore, depend on a
more minute inquiry to decide what probability there is of
succeeding in a petition. Even if we fail, this contest has, I
am satisfied, laid the foundation of an opposition at the
general election, not to Townshend only, but also to Fox. The
advantage of this you will easily see, is not the one vote, more
or less, in the House of Commons, or any _éclat_ from this
particular place; but the benefit we shall derive from carrying
the war into their head-quarters, and engaging their attention
to one point--an object, which was, I am sure, of the utmost use
to us last time.
The election is not yet over, nor will Lord Hood decline the
poll. It will, therefore, last till Monday next, unless closed
before by the consent of both parties.
Lord Howard's peerage, with limitation to Neville, is settled;
and will, I believe, take place in a fortnight, at furthest. I
have this morning received your letter of Saturday last. You do
not mention in it what the sort of expectation is which you wish
to be enabled to hold out to Doyle in future. I shall, for that
reason, not say anything about it to Lord Sydney at present, as
nothing could be done in it till the King comes back from
Cheltenham; and by that time I may receive your answer, without
which I should be embarrassed what to ask or press for.
I have not yet done anything about the Comptrollership of
Chelsea. I need not say, that your wishes (especially in behalf
of Tompkins, under all the circumstances which interest you for
him), are the most powerful of all considerations with me; but I
own that, from my knowledge of him, I cannot help doubting how
far he is equal to discharge an office of that sort of detail,
without involving himself and me in difficulties, which would in
the end be greatly distressing, even to yourself. You, however,
know him much better than I do; and I should therefore be
obliged to you, if you would consider this doubt, and let me
know what you think of it.
Lord Chatham is better, and goes on mending; but he is not yet
out. As far as I have an opportunity of judging, his appointment
has been well received.
I have been so pestered with that Hoghton, and his eternal
Ensign Maudesley, that I shall be obliged to write him word,
that if the young man will wait upon you, you will see him,
which is the only way that I see of putting an end to a weekly
correspondence on the subject.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.
You have never sent me any answer about the Bucks Justices, by
which means I am offending Powis and the rest of them; nor about
the Cranbourne chair proposal, by which means that business is
delayed.