Nov. 7th, 1788.
My dear Brother,
I have written to you by this day's post, and now take the
opportunity of Lord Sydney's messenger. I am afraid that it
would be very sanguine indeed to say that there is even _any_
hope that the King will recover both his health and his
understanding, though the physicians do not say that it is
absolutely impossible for his disorder to have a crisis which
may produce such an effect. His disease is now almost entirely
confined to his brain. He has all along had an agitation of
spirits, which has been gradually increasing; and for these two
days he has been quite delirious. It is apprehended that this is
the effect either of water on the brain, or of an ossification
of the membrane. If it is only an humour checked, it is still
possible that he might throw it out by some violent crisis, such
as either to destroy him, or entirely to restore him. But this,
I again repeat, there seems little reason to hope.
If his indisposition of mind continues, without some more
material bodily illness, he may live years in this melancholy
state; and this, of all events that can happen, is perhaps the
most to be feared. He was, however, thought yesterday to be in
imminent danger of death. Should this not happen, but the other,
it seems generally agreed that the Prince of Wales must be
appointed Regent, with kingly power.
We have no grounds on which to judge of our own situation,
except from such conjectures as you are equally able to form on
the grounds of the P.'s former conduct and language.
He sent yesterday for Thurlow to Windsor; and about half an hour
ago, Pitt received a note from the Chancellor, who is returned
to town, saying that the P. had commanded him to desire Pitt's
attendance at Windsor to-morrow morning at eleven.
Pitt is gone to call upon the Chancellor, to learn the nature of
his conversation of yesterday. We understood that the object of
his going down yesterday was only that he might be consulted as
to the steps that might safely be taken with the King in his
present unhappy situation. The message of to-day looks like
something more, though it seems too early for any negotiation,
even if other considerations made that probable.
Fox is out of England, but has, as we understand, been sent for.
It appears a great question whether they will offer any
negotiation, or, if they do, what measures ought to be pursued.
I think the opinions rather lean to the idea that Pitt cannot at
once decline all negotiation, but that he will be sufficiently
grounded in refusing to listen to any proposal that shall not
leave him in his present situation, from whence he cannot be
removed without disgrace and degradation.
I need not say, that I am very desirous of knowing your
sentiments on the possible circumstances that may arise out of
this melancholy event, and that without them, I shall enter into
no engagements with a view to any new Government.
As these events may possibly produce much interesting
discussion, which I should be unwilling to trust to the post, I
have enclosed a transcript of our cypher, not having got a
duplicate. It can easily be made for present use either with
paper or pasteboard.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.
My own persuasion is, that they will not attempt to negotiate at
all, but turn us all out at once, which I am sure is the thing
we ought most to wish. I trust I am not mistaken in the
confidence that you wish, in this, or indeed any other course
that this situation may give rise to, that I should act in the
fullest concert with Pitt; whom, indeed, I could not desert
without the most despicable ingratitude.