The only obstruction to the appointment of Fitzgibbon, was the
disqualifying circumstance of his birth. It was held to be a dangerous
precedent to appoint an Irishman to the office; but it was maintained on
the other side, that Fitzgibbon's was an exceptional case, and could not
pass into a precedent. Having come to London, to see Mr. Pitt on the
subject, he writes thus to Lord Buckingham: