Hertford Street, Nov. 15th, 1788.
My dear Lord,
Grenville has informed me of a new and most flattering instance
of your regard for me; you may well conceive how sensibly I feel
the value of the offer of a seat from you, in the event of
Grenville's failure in the county; and I should certainly at
once throw myself on the chance of his success, (which, I trust,
cannot be doubtful), if I did not feel it to be my duty to
strain every nerve in the general cause, and to the utmost
extent of my ability to increase our numbers in the House of
Commons, by purchasing a seat for myself.
If the King should remain in his present unhappy state of mind,
and the Parliament be either dissolved, or expire by its natural
death under the government of a Regent, I shall think myself,
under those circumstances, bound, by my respect for the person
who placed me at Windsor, to endeavour to preserve that seat for
him; that he may find his own friends, where he was pleased to
leave them, whenever he may happen to recover his reason. But I
might fail in this attempt to maintain the trust reposed in me,
and the expense of the attempt might be such as to disable me
from purchasing any other seat; in that case your offer would be
most acceptable.
My brother Pole has found an opening in a borough, long the
property of Anderson Pelham (Grimsby); and there is every reason
to suppose, indeed I think it certain, that Pitt, in any event,
will have two seats at that place at the general election for
about £5000. My brother is able to advance £1000 of this money,
and I mean to give him £1500, which will bring him in; another
friend of Pitt's agrees to pay the remaining money for the other
seat. By these means, as far as I am able, I have secured a vote
which will count as well as mine, whatever misfortune may befal
me. It has, however, been necessary to take immediate steps for
the attainment of this object; and my brother and Mr. Wood are
to be at Grimsby on Monday next. Now, if any sudden stroke
should produce a dissolution of Parliament (which is possible),
I might find myself unable, from the shortness of the notice, to
raise a larger sum than the £1500 necessary for my brother's
election. In this case also, your offer would afford me a most
desirable resource.
You will perceive that I have stated to you the whole of my
situation openly, and without reserve; and you will, I am
persuaded, understand that I should gladly embrace any occasion
of uniting more closely my political fortunes with your
protection; but I think you will agree, that it is my duty to
endeavour in the first instance to strengthen the general cause
in which we are all embarked, and the support of which at this
moment presses most strongly on every feeling of public and
private honour, and affection.
Grenville has given you (I suppose) to-day the improved accounts
of the King's health; I really think them very encouraging, and
it seems to be the general opinion.
Ever, my dear Lord,
Your most obliged and affectionate friend,
Mornington.