Chapter I: Front Matter (1)

THE COURT AND CABINETS

OF

GEORGE THE THIRD.

VOL. II.

MEMOIRS

OF THE

COURT AND CABINETS

OF

GEORGE THE THIRD.

FROM ORIGINAL FAMILY DOCUMENTS.

BY

THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS,
K.G.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:
HURST AND BLACKETT, PUBLISHERS,
SUCCESSORS TO HENRY COLBURN,
13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.
1853.

LONDON:
Printed by Schulze and Co., 13, Poland Street.

CONTENTS

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

1788.

(CONTINUED.)

THE KING'S ILLNESS--CONDUCT OF THURLOW--PLANS OF MINISTERS--DISCUSSIONS IN PARLIAMENT--IRISH VIEW OF THE REGENCY QUESTION--PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRINCE'S PARTY--THE RATS IN BOTH HOUSES 1-83

1789.

DEATH OF THE SPEAKER--MR. GRENVILLE ELECTED IN HIS PLACE--COMMITTEE ON THE REGENCY--THE HOUSEHOLD BILL--CONDUCT OF THE PRINCES--ADDRESS TO THE PRINCE OF WALES FROM THE IRISH PARLIAMENT--RECOVERY OF THE KING--DECISIVE MEASURES OF LORD BUCKINGHAM--IRISH PROMOTIONS AND CREATIONS--DISSENSIONS IN THE ROYAL FAMILY--MR. GRENVILLE APPOINTED SECRETARY OF STATE--MR. ADDINGTON ELECTED SPEAKER--LORD BUCKINGHAM RESIGNS THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND 84-175

1790.

MR. GRENVILLE'S ELEVATION TO THE PEERAGE 176-181

1791.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CLAIMS--RESIGNATION OF THE DUKE OF LEEDS--FLIGHT OF THE ROYAL FAMILY OF FRANCE--PROSPERITY OF ENGLAND AT THIS PERIOD 182-198

1792.

MR. PITT'S BUDGET--THE STATE OF IRELAND--THE KING DISMISSES LORD THURLOW--DISCONTENTS IN ENGLAND--FRENCH EMIGRANTS--RETREAT OF THE DUKE OF BRUNSWICK--MEASURES OF INTERNAL DEFENCE--THE FRENCH CONVENTION DECLARES WAR AGAINST ENGLAND AND HOLLAND 199-233

1793.

CAUSES AND OBJECTS OF THE WAR--SECESSIONS FROM THE OPPOSITION--REVERSES IN HOLLAND--DISASTERS OF THE ALLIES--STATE OF FRANCE AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 235-249

1794.

PREPARATIONS IN ENGLAND FOR THE PROSECUTION OF THE WAR--INACTIVITY OF THE AUSTRIANS--LORD SPENCER AND MR. THOMAS GRENVILLE SENT ON A MISSION TO VIENNA--HOSTILE RESOLUTIONS OF THE OPPOSITION--SEVERAL OF THE LEADING WHIGS JOIN THE ADMINISTRATION--LORD CORNWALLIS APPOINTED TO THE COMMAND ON THE CONTINENT--PROGRESS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS--LORD FITZWILLIAM NOMINATED TO THE LORD-LIEUTENANCY OF IRELAND--HIS CONDUCT ON THAT OCCASION 250-323

1795.

LORD FITZWILLIAM'S ADMINISTRATION IN IRELAND 324-338

1796.

THE PROSECUTION OF THE WAR SUSTAINED BY REPEATED MAJORITIES IN PARLIAMENT--MR. BURKE'S SCHOOL FOR THE EDUCATION OF EMIGRANT CHILDREN--BUONAPARTE APPOINTED TO THE COMMAND IN ITALY--LORD MALMESBURY'S MISSION TO PARIS 339-360

1797.

DISCONTENTS IN ENGLAND--THE BREST SQUADRON--MOTION ON THE STATE OF IRELAND--AFFAIRS OF THE CONTINENT--LORD MALMESBURY'S MISSION TO LISLE 361-383

1798.

CONDITION OF ENGLAND--PLANS FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCES--THE AUGMENTATION OF THE MILITIA--VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS--A REBELLION BREAKS OUT IN IRELAND--LORD CORNWALLIS SUCCEEDS LORD CAMDEN AS LORD-LIEUTENANT--LORD BUCKINGHAM VOLUNTEERS FOR IRELAND--DIFFERENCES WITH LORD CORNWALLIS--MR. THOMAS GRENVILLE IS APPOINTED ON A MISSION TO VIENNA AND BERLIN. 384-421

1799.

ENGLAND ENTERS INTO A TREATY WITH RUSSIA AGAINST FRANCE--MR. THOMAS GRENVILLE'S MISSION TO THE CONTINENT--THE UNION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND--SUSPENSE RESPECTING THE FATE OF MR. GRENVILLE--PROGRESS OF EVENTS ON THE CONTINENT--AUSTRIA JOINS THE COALITION--VACILLATIONS AND INACTIVITY OF PRUSSIA--EXPEDITION TO HOLLAND--FURTHER AUGMENTATION OF THE MILITIA--PROJECTS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR 422-452

COURT AND CABINETS

OF

GEORGE III.

1788.

(CONTINUED.)

THE KING'S ILLNESS--CONDUCT OF THURLOW--PLANS OF MINISTERS--DISCUSSIONS IN PARLIAMENT--IRISH VIEW OF THE REGENCY QUESTION--PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRINCE'S PARTY--THE RATS IN BOTH HOUSES.

The fluctuations of the daily accounts from Windsor, and afterwards from Kew, to which place the King was ultimately removed at the instance of the Prince of Wales, and the effect they produced upon the public and the Opposition, greatly increased the difficulties of the Government in this unprecedented emergency. So long as there was the faintest hope of His Majesty's recovery, Mr. Pitt was enabled to avert extremities between the Administration and the Prince of Wales, by repeated adjournments of Parliament. The interest, therefore, which attached to the slightest items of intelligence contained in these letters may be easily understood. All other subjects were of inferior consideration. Even the serious inconvenience occasioned to the public service by the suspension of business in Parliament was forgotten in the one absorbing topic.

The uncertainty that hung over the issue, the responsibility that attended the treatment of the case, and the extreme caution observed by the physicians in the opinions they were called upon to pronounce, kept all classes of the people in a state of constant agitation. The Prince and his supporters availed themselves of these circumstances to strengthen their party in Parliament and out of doors. The passions of the inexperienced, and the hopes of the discontented, are always on the side of youth and excitement; and every vicissitude in the condition of the King that diminished the prospect of his recovery, augmented the ranks of the Opposition, which now became familiarly known as "the Prince of Wales's Opposition." Mr. Pitt acted throughout with the utmost reserve. Deeply impressed by the complicated hazards of the situation, he carefully avoided all allusions to his ulterior intentions in his intercourse with the Prince of Wales, which was strictly formal and official, and confined to such communications as were unavoidable in his position.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 15th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I enclose you the note, which I received from Pitt last night on
his return from Windsor. I have seen him this morning; and
understand that Warren said one thing which is still more
favourable. He told him that a more rapid amendment would, in his
opinion, have been a less pleasing symptom; and I find, from Pitt,
that on conversing both with Sir G. Baker and Reynolds, he found
them rather more sanguine, upon the whole, than Warren, but
agreeing with him in his general account. What I have learnt this
morning seems to confirm the pleasing hope which I cannot help
indulging, from all these circumstances, though, God knows, it is
still exposed to much doubt and hazard. The public account, which
has been uniformly less flattering than the private letters from
Windsor, states that he has had six hours' sleep, and that he is a
little better this morning. All the other accounts say that he is
certainly getting better.

Pitt saw the Prince of Wales yesterday, for the purpose of
notifying to him the step which the Council had taken, of ordering
prayers, and of acquainting him that he had written circular
letters to _all_ the Members of the House of Commons, stating the
probability of Parliament having to meet on Thursday; and that he
meant then to propose to adjourn.

Prince of Wales received the communication with civility, and told
him he was persuaded no opposition could be made to this. It is, I
think, plain, from Pitt's account of his general behaviour, and
from what one hears, that my conjecture is right, and that he will
dismiss Pitt without hesitation.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 17th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

The accounts for the last two days have been, I think, rather less
favourable than that of Saturday, which I sent you. You can,
however, hardly conceive the difficulty which we have, even at this
small distance, to procure such information as can be in any degree
depended on. All the private accounts are so strongly tinctured by
the wishes of those who send them, that no reliance can be placed
upon them; and the private letters of the physicians are frequently
inconsistent with each other, and even with the public account
which they send to St. James's. In general, that account has been
uniformly found to be the least favourable; and seems as if it was
drawn for the purpose of discouraging the hopes which their own
letters and conversation excite. The letters which they read to
Pitt, though frequently varying in their general tenor from the
public account, are not at all more detailed than that is, and take
no sort of notice of the most material circumstances. I imagine all
this is to be imputed to a difference of opinion which is supposed
to prevail amongst them, it being believed that Warren is strongly
inclined to think the disorder permanent, and that Reynolds is
sanguine in the contrary opinion. Pitt is gone down again to
Windsor to-day; but will hardly be back again time enough for me to
insert his account in this letter. The public account of to-day
says, I understand, that the King has had much quiet and composed
sleep, but is nearly the same as before. The sleep, I am told, is
generally considered as a favourable symptom.

Under these circumstances, there can, I think, be no doubt that the
two Houses will adjourn on Thursday, without opposition.

Everything remains as before. I think you clearly have done right
in stopping Corry, it being so much our interest to prevent, and
not to promote, negotiation. I think, on more reflexion, that the
idea of refusing the power of dissolving is impracticable, and may
be turned against us in the end; the other limitations will, I
believe, be proposed; and that alone will be sufficient to put all
negotiation out of the question.

Fox is expected in three or four days; but it seems impossible that
he should be here so soon.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 18th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I do not find from Pitt that he learnt anything very particular
yesterday in addition to what you already know. The King continues
much quieter, but still deranged in his intellects and
conversation. The fever has not yet entirely left him. The
physicians seem very unwilling to say anything with respect to his
situation, and declare that it must still be eight or ten days
before they can pronounce at all decisively as to the nature of his
disorder.

You seem, in your letter, to conceive the point of his recovery to
be much more desperate than I understand it to be thought even
after a derangement of months, or even years. There hardly passes a
day in which one does not hear of cases of that sort, and we are
now told that a disorder of this sort has appeared in several
instances in Devonshire in the course of this autumn, where the
patient has been in this way for six weeks together, and has then
entirely recovered.

I have no other news.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 20th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I went down yesterday to Windsor, as a matter of form, to inquire
after the King's health. Having nothing very material to write to
you in the morning, I thought it best to take the chance of being
back early enough to write before the post went out. This, however,
I found impossible, on account of the different people whom I met at
Windsor, and with whom I was naturally anxious to converse.

The account, as far as relates to the King's actual situation for
these two or three last days, is much less favourable than it has
been. The disorder of his intellects has continued almost, if not
entirely, without intermission for the whole of that time. He talks
incessantly for many hours together, and without any appearance of
sense or reason, sometimes knowing the persons who are about him, at
other times mistaking them, or fancying himself employed in
different occupations, such as taking notes on books, or giving
different orders. He has appeared several times to have that sort of
consciousness of his situation which lunatics are observed to
possess, and to use the same sort of methods for concealing it. All
this constitutes the gloomy side of the picture; and Warren is so
much impressed with this, that he told Pitt there was now every
reason to believe that the disorder was no other than direct lunacy.

On the other hand, I understand that he, as well as the other
physicians, are now agreed as to the cause of the disorder. You may
remember that, at the beginning of this unhappy situation, I
mentioned to you that an idea had been entertained of its proceeding
from some local cause, such as water on the brain, or some change in
the texture of the brain itself, by induration or ossification.
Warren has decidedly said, that he is satisfied this is entirely out
of the question; this he told Pitt in express terms. The cause to
which they all agree to ascribe it, is the force of a humour which
was beginning to show itself in the legs, when the King's imprudence
drove it from thence into the bowels; and the medicines which they
were then obliged to use for the preservation of his life, have
repelled it upon the brain. The consequence of this opinion is so
plain, that there certainly requires no professional skill to know
that his recovery must depend upon this single circumstance, whether
there is, or is not strength enough in his constitution to throw off
this humour by any other channel. The physicians are now
endeavouring, by warm baths, and by great warmth of covering, to
bring it down again into the legs, which nature had originally
pointed out as the best mode of discharge.

I was mentioning these circumstances yesterday to a person who lives
in intimacy with John Hunter, the anatomist. He told me that they
had been all stated to him three days ago, by Hunter, who had
collected them from the different inquiries he had made. Hunter
added, that we must still expect for some days, and perhaps even
weeks, to hear of no decisive alteration, but possibly of some
occasional variation from day to day; that at the end of this it
would probably come to some sort of crisis, by which it would appear
whether there was strength enough in the constitution to prevail
over the disease; that all he had heard of the manner of the King's
life, did unquestionably make him an unfavourable subject for such a
struggle, but that if it was the case of any common man, he should
have no hesitation in pronouncing even now that it would be very bad
luck indeed if he did not recover, and that the chances were nine to
one in his favour. You will easily suppose that this was said under
the seal of confidence, and that a professional man would not choose
to have his name quoted in a case of so much importance in which he
is not employed, and in which his opinions may be either founded at
present on false information, or may be defeated by the mode of
treatment adopted by those who are called in. I have, therefore,
mentioned this only to you, though possibly you may hear it from
other channels. On such authority, one certainly may be allowed to
indulge some degree of hope. I am, however, far from letting this
expectation take possession of my mind, but, on the contrary, have
prepared myself for the worst, and can with truth say that I have
made up my mind to meet it with cheerfulness, and to accommodate
myself as a reasonable man ought to do to my situation.

You will particularly see that this consideration had no effect on
my judgment, and that I feel as you do. On the question of a
coalition, no offers have as yet been made. The language of
Opposition inclines one to think that their idea is _to that_, but
the conduct of the Prince of Wales marks a desire of avoiding Pitt.
I believe he has had no communication with the Duke of Portland, or
with any of them, except Sheridan and Lord Loughborough; the latter
is supposed to be much in his confidence. Pitt has opened his plan
of Regency to Thurlow and Lord Weymouth, and they both approved it;
he is to lay it before the Prince of Wales in a few days, and will
then make it public.

Whatever is done, I have no conception that it can be brought to a
point so as to enable you to form any decisive judgment with respect
to your situation so early as the beginning of next month. We are
now at the 19th. Pitt means to-day to move an adjournment to this
day sevennight, and a call of the House for this day fortnight. It
is doubtful whether the business will even then be brought on, and
the intervening adjournment is made with the view of enabling Pitt
to put off the call to a more distant day if the King's situation
should be thought to render that a proper step.

Bernard is now out of town, but I understood from him that your
house in Pall Mall was let to the Duke of Gordon for another year,
to commence from Christmas.

I am just returned from the House, where Pitt moved the adjournment
for the whole fortnight (in consequence of an opinion of the
Chancellor's), and a call at the end of that term. Not a word was
said by any other person, and he himself barely stated that the
continuance of the King's illness had prevented the prorogation, and
that the same circumstance made it desirable to have the public
attendance when the House met again.

The public account of to-day is that he has passed a less disturbed
night, but that the fever continues.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 20th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

The accounts which Pitt received last night are more favourable
than any which have yet been sent. They stated particularly, that
during the whole course of yesterday the King was more composed,
and with less incoherency in his conversation, than he has been at
any period during the last fortnight. The opinion which I mentioned
to you yesterday prevents my being very sanguine with respect to
the _uniform_ continuance of these symptoms; but it is certainly no
light confirmation of that opinion to observe this sort of
fluctuation; and it is a pleasant circumstance to find that this
abatement of his disorder has followed so immediately on the
application of fomentations to the legs.

Since I wrote the above, the accounts of this morning have been
received. I enclose the public note, which admits that there is
some remission of the fever, by which word they describe the
delirium. The letter sent to Pitt only states that the King is less
well than he was during most part of yesterday. I do not learn that
there is yet any appearance of swelling or eruption on the legs. On
the whole, though the account of this morning is certainly less
encouraging, I think the two taken together by no means diminish
the hopes which I trust there is reason to entertain.

It is become very difficult to get at the real truth; for since
there has been an appearance of amendment, Opposition have been
taking inconceivable pains to spread the idea that his disorder is
incurable. Nothing can exceed Warren's indiscretion on this
subject.

You will probably have heard from other quarters how favourable the
appearance of yesterday, and the reception of Pitt's speech, were.
There seems to be just such a spirit and zeal gone forth among his
friends as one would most desire; and whatever is now the event of
this anxious moment, I am persuaded you will see him increase from
it in point of character, and lose little in point of strength.
What passed yesterday, and the tone of our friends, are much beyond
the expectations which I had formed.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 22nd, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I went this morning to Nepean, to speak about sending you the
official accounts of the King's health. He assured me that he had
regularly done so for the last week, and that he would continue it.
He sends a messenger to-morrow, so that this letter will be very
short.

You will receive the St. James's account of this day from Nepean. I
have not yet seen it, but am assured that all the private accounts
are favourable. So are, as far as I can learn, the declared
opinions of every medical man except those who are employed: and of
those, Warren only speaks unfavourably. The rest say nothing.

The indecency of any language held on your side of the water cannot
exceed that of the universal tone of Opposition within these last
four or five days. So long as they considered the case as
desperate, they were affecting a prodigious concern and reverence
for the King's unhappy situation. Now that people entertain hopes
of his recovery, they are using the utmost industry to combat this
idea--circulating all the particulars of everything which he does
or says under his present circumstances, and adding the most
outrageous falsehoods.

I think I can say with confidence, that no enmity against an
individual, much less against a person in such a rank as his, could
induce me to retail the different acts of frenzy which he may
commit in a state of delirium or insanity.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

Don't use your new cypher, for I doubt whether mine is not rendered
useless. I will write to you about it to-morrow.

P.S.--The cypher will be better set by the _last_ letter of the
word _en clair_, immediately preceding the cyphered part of the
letter. I will use it in that manner when I write.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 23rd, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

_I_[A] write this by Lord Sydney's messenger, but with such an
aching head that it is impossible for me to enter into much detail.
Pitt was at Windsor yesterday, and by his account, which he
collected from the persons who immediately attend the King's
person, there can be no doubt of the King's being much better, and
more composed than he has been since his illness began. At the same
time, the accounts of the physicians are gloomy, and with less hope
than they have before expressed. It is very difficult to reconcile
these contradictions. Rennel Hawkins, the surgeon who has attended
him during the whole illness, and sits up with him every other
night, has written a letter to Sir Clifton Wintringham, which the
latter has shown about London, in which the King's recovery is
mentioned as a thing certain, and likely to take place, sooner than
people in general expect. On these data you can judge as well as
we can here. I confess myself to be sanguine in my hopes of his
recovery. In the meantime, no pains are spared to circulate all
sorts of lies, in order to depress people's spirits on this
subject; and the support which is given to these gloomy ideas by
the language and conduct of the physicians does certainly produce a
considerable effect.

Think of the Prince of Wales introducing Lord Lothian into the
King's room when it was darkened, in order that he might hear his
ravings at the time that they were at the worst. Do not let this
fact come from you; it begins to be pretty well known here, and no
doubt will find its way to Ireland; but it is important that we
should not seem to spread the knowledge of anything which can
injure His Royal Highness's character in public opinion.

I think the best thing that can be done in Ireland is to let your
Parliament meet at its prorogation; and that you should then
communicate to them the King's situation, and the measures taken in
England. A similar proceeding might then be adopted in Ireland, and
your commission then revoked in the usual form by the Regent, which
I should think far preferable to any contrivances of Justices, &c.
Long before all this can be necessary, things will have begun to
take some more decided turn than in the present moment, when hopes
and fears make the opinions of people fluctuate from day to day.

Unless we are clearly satisfied (which is far from being the case
now), that the King is not mending fast, we shall certainly propose
another adjournment on the 4th. This will perhaps be opposed, but
if it is, we shall clearly have the opinion of people in general
with us on that point.

It is quite impossible for me to enter into the other discussions
in your letter, important as they are, for it is with difficulty
that I write this desultory stuff.

There seems to be a notion among Lord North's friends that he is
preparing to take a more moderate line, and more inclining to the
King than Fox's people. I suppose he has a mind to make a parade of
gratitude. He has not five votes in this Parliament, and yet any
appearance of difference of opinion might assist us.

If I am better to-morrow, I think of going to Stanlake for a few
days. I shall have the Windsor news as soon there as in town, and
will write to you from thence.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

Your cypher is, as I feared, spoilt by the unequal extension of the
paper in pasting. In future, in using the old cypher, I will use
_ou_ instead of _out_, and _er, es_, and _or_, in the three places
that are now occupied by _word, blank_, and _ends_. The cypher may
be set by the first letter, which is written _en clair_, as _I_ in
this letter.

[Footnote A: The letter thus written in _italics_ is the key to a new cypher in which these communications were carried on.]

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 24th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

The same contradiction still prevails between all the private
accounts, even those of the physicians themselves, and the public
information which they give either to Ministers or to the country.
At the same time, the medical people seem so confident in their
declarations of his not being better, that it cannot but shake the
trust which one should otherwise place in the accounts of his
improvement.

My head is by no means better to-day, so that you must excuse the
shortness of this.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

LORD BULKELEY TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Baronhill, Nov. 25th, 1788.
MY DEAR LORD,

When I left London last Saturday, the accounts were not arrived of
the state of the King's health. He was much better on the Friday
morning, but relapsed in the evening. I am afraid it is a very
hopeless case, though much time ought to elapse before anybody
ventured to pronounce for a certainty; and the physicians, who have
been so warped by party, or by an anxiety to pay their court to the
Prince, as to venture to do so, certainly deserve the severest
reprehension. The meeting of Parliament was much the fullest, in
both Houses, I ever saw; and in the House of Peers, the greatest
decency I ever witnessed, considering the hopes and fears of each
party. There were but seven Bishops (among whom Chester was one)
present, which is a proof that crows soon smell powder. I took the
opportunity of coming down here to settle my private affairs, which
my sudden departure had left unsettled, your brother William having
promised to send for me in case there is no appearance of the
King's recovering before the 4th of December, in which case another
adjournment would certainly take place, or in case Government
should not contest the Prince's becoming Regent without a Council.
It will be with great unwillingness I shall return, as I wish to
remain here till the beginning of February; but if I find we are
all expected to stand to our guns, and that our generals are ready
to fight a battle without a compromise, I shall leave my dear
Baronhill, and all my comforts, for all pleasures of war's alarms:
marching and countermarching in the House of Lords, drums beating,
and colours flying, &c. I supped at White's the night before I left
town, where Pitt was in high spirits, and Selwyn uncommonly
ridiculous; in general, our friends seem to await the approaching
storm with the greatest _sang-froid_ and philosophy: the longest
faces I saw were Lord Hawkesbury's, Lord Sydney's, and Sir George
Yonge's. I heard for certain that the Chancellor, who was suspected
of being _rattically_ inclined, was firm as a rock, and that the
whole Cabinet were determined to _die_ together. Fox was either not
found, or averse to returning, although the Opposition were looking
out for him as the Jews look out for their Messiah. _Je crois qu'il
boude un peu._ Sheridan and Lord Loughborough are those who more
immediately correspond with the Prince, with which, I believe, the
old Rockinghams were much dissatisfied; in short, there is every
reason to think there is a division among them, which, however, a
sense of common interest and common danger may rectify before the
day of trial. Your sister Williams, and Sir Watkin, were in town
both crying up the affection, humanity, filial piety, feeling, &c.,
of the Prince, and lamenting the little chance of the King's
recovery, &c. The Nevilles were to leave town last Sunday, and by
being in the neighbourhood of Windsor, can inform you, if they
choose it, of the real state of the late and present behaviour and
conduct of _some persons_ in that quarter who are so puffed by the
papers and by the Opposition. In the changes and chances of this
mortal life, our Barony of Braybroke appears to have been secured
at a lucky moment. I left Parry in town, and I set Rose and Steele
to coax him a little, for the old grievance sticks by him, and he
wants much persuasion to efface the memory of it. Sir Hugh is here,
and complains much of never having had one letter answered since
Pitt has been in power; notwithstanding which, I shall take him up
if the battle is to be fought before Christmas. I am afraid more
rats will run, on account of Pitt's inattention to these trifles,
than on any other account whatsoever; indeed I heard as much in
town. Rose and Steele may laugh at such details, but they are
necessary; and the constituent will not believe the member's
assiduity unless he sees a real or ostensible answer. I gave my
L100 to the Westminster election, in consequence of a letter from
Rose; I could ill spare it, but finding others were dosed in the
same manner, I gulped the grievance.

I am, my dear Lord's sincere friend,
B.

SIR WILLIAM YOUNG TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stratton Street, Nov. 25th, 1788.
MY DEAR LORD,

However, at a crisis of such national concern as the present, my
mind is impressed with its importance, and would communicate to you
the vicissitudes and opinions thereon of each hour, as leading in
the minutest variation to new consequences, and of the first
moment; yet I confess myself at a loss how to arrange these
_parvula quidam ex queis magun exoriuntur_, and give them their due
weight, by stating the deductions thereon as they appear to me,
within any compass of letter.

As to the fact on which our fears and speculations are to build,
the change of mere words in stating the malady, as daily announced
at St. James's, may be proper enough to keep alive the hopes of the
public, who will argue on mere words, in reality, within this
fortnight the King hath remained from day to day without any
variation in symptoms: so this very morning Dr. Gisborne told me,
as his opinion, resulting from conversation with his brother
physicians in immediate attendance. My friend Dr. Milman seems to
be of the like opinion. That _possibly_ His Majesty may recover the
perfect use of his understanding is not less believed than hoped
for: cases have been stated, more desperate than the present,
wherein the recovery hath been perfect. Yet much mischief is
already done, or rather the basis of mischief is already and
irremoveably laid. In future times, designing, ambitious and
profligate men may start the idea that what has been may be, and
in the desperate effort of factious opposition, even venture to
arraign the temper and health of mind, though it shows its perfect
state, and the wise measures of Government should put such daring
insult at defiance.

If the King remains a length of time in the same state, I would, on
such too probable circumstance, join my speculations to your
Lordship's, could I imagine any resting-place, or outlet, in the
labyrinth of cases and deductions which the subject affords. I had
best, therefore, confine my correspondence, and take up the
immediate matter and language of the mere day, unless I meant a
book rather than a letter.

The language touches on the hopes and views of partymen, and on the
interests of the country as complicated with the present
Administration remaining in power. My business calling me often
into the city, I speak as an eye-witness to the temper of men at
the Royal Exchange, and Lloyd's Coffee-rooms, never did
Administration stand so high in opinion of the moneyed and
commercial world: throughout the city, the fears of losing Pitt
from the finance make as much of the regrets of anticipation, as
the fears of losing the King from the throne. Should the change of
Ministry (too much apprehended) take place, it is thought that
Fox's party--to temporize with the public opinion, too strong
directly to meet in the teeth--will propose a coalescence of some
sort; but so narrowed, and in regard to Mr. Pitt, moreover, placing
him in such jar of official situation, that it cannot be in any
manner listened to. The refusal of the insidious offer is then to
be noised throughout the country, and a trial to be made to engage
the people "to join with those who proffered a sacrifice of
enmities to Pitt for the public good." _My opinion_ is, that the
trial will be abortive, and the present Administration retire (if
so necessitated), merely to return to power on the shoulders of the
nation. The Opposition, I understand, foresee their difficulties,
and are exceedingly embarrassed, even supposing the Regent, or
Regency, to venture on the change of Ministry.

I presume to hazard an opinion that such Regent, or Regency, cannot
and will not risk a change of Ministry with so precipitate
declaration in favour of our opponents, as some expect, at such
eventful crisis as the present. It is natural for men's hopes, or
fears, to colour too strongly the contingency on which their
relative interests depend. Some hope too much, and some fear too
much. If the Prince of Wales is made and continues at the head of
Regency a twelvemonth, then indeed a revolution in Ministry, or in
everything, may be worked out of the occasions ingenuity and
ambition may have to take hold of; but here I am running into a
book, and to avoid it close my letter. From time to time I shall
write, almost from day to day, if aught occurs deserving your
perusal. Meantime, and ever, my dear Lord, in truest affection and
attachment,

Your faithfully devoted friend and servant,
W. YOUNG.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 25th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I am very sorry to be obliged to say that the account from the
physicians to-day, confirmed by the most accurate testimony from
private quarters, state the King's situation in the most
unfavourable manner, his disorder having returned with great
violence. I do not understand that there is any return of bodily
complaint, so that nothing can be worse than this intelligence.
From what I now understand, it should seem that some considerable
time must elapse, even after the two Houses meet, before any
decisive step can be proposed, as it seems now to be thought
necessary that some mode of satisfaction should be given to the
Houses themselves, by means of Secret Committees, or otherwise,
respecting the King's situation, and that after that precedents
must be searched.

Fox arrived yesterday morning early, having come in little more
than nine days from Bologna. He expected, it is said, from the
accounts which he had received, to find the King dead.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 26th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I sit down to write a few words, because I know it is a
satisfaction to you to hear from me in such a moment as this,
although I have nothing particular to say.

The situation of the King continues to be such as I described it
yesterday; and Warren told Pitt yesterday, that the physicians
could now have no hesitation in pronouncing that the actual
disorder was that of lunacy; that no man could pretend to say, that
this was, or was not incurable; that he saw no immediate symptoms
of recovery; that the King might never recover; or, on the other
hand, that he might recover at any one moment. With this sort of
information we shall probably have to meet Parliament. I much hope
that the previous examination by the Privy Council may be judged
sufficient, without any further inquiry into the particulars of a
subject which one so little wishes to have discussed.

I have no other news of any sort.

I do not know, whether I mentioned to you in my last letter, that I
tried, but to no purpose, to make out that part of yours which was
written in the new cypher; my cypher, which you sent over to me,
being wholly spoilt in the pasting. I must, therefore, beg you to
write in the old cypher, with the alterations I suggested.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 27th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

The accounts of the King's situation continue to be so much the
same as for the last two or three days, that it now appears
perfectly plain that we shall be under the necessity of bringing
forward some measure for an intermediate Government immediately
after the 4th; and that there can be no further adjournment.

The Prince of Wales has sent a letter to the Chancellor, desiring
that all the members of the Cabinet may attend at Windsor to-day;
but this I imagine (and, indeed, his letter conveys it), has no
relation to any other subject, but to an idea of moving the King to
Kew, where he can take the air without being overlooked, as is the
case at Windsor. I have nothing new to write to you on other
subjects, though I believe I shall have in a day or two; probably
by Sunday's messenger.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 28th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

The Ministers were all sent for to Windsor yesterday by the Prince,
in order to give their advice with respect to moving the King. They
were detained so late, that Pitt went to Salt Hill to sleep there;
and is not yet returned, at least not to his own house, so that I
have not seen him.

I had a note from him yesterday evening, to say that they had not
seen the Prince, he having sent a written message to them by the
Duke of York. It related to the removal. He says, that the opinion
of the physicians, particularly of Addington, who had been desired
to come over that day from Reading, was favourable as to a
possibility, and even a prospect of recovery, and clear for
removing him as soon as possible.

We are still in the dark, as to the Prince of Wales's intentions;
though what passed yesterday confirms my opinion. The general
language leans to negotiation.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 29th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I received your letter of the 23rd, by the messenger only this
morning, and have sent the enclosed, which, as you will have seen,
exactly tallies with the ideas which I have stated to you in some
of my letters. I shall write to you to-morrow, being Sunday, when a
messenger would of course be sent with the official bulletin, and
as you may very probably receive that letter as soon as this, I
think it unnecessary to fatigue either you or myself with figures,
especially as I have nothing very material to say, except a
confirmation, from my subsequent conversation with Pitt, of the
ideas which I mentioned to you yesterday, particularly with respect
to Addington's opinion, which seems to have encouraged the rest to
speak out. Addington told Pitt that he had himself kept a house for
the reception of these unhappy people for seven years. That during
that period, he had hardly ever had fewer than ten or twelve with
him, and that of all those one only was not cured, he having died
in the house of bursting a blood-vessel. He said that the symptoms,
as they at present appeared, were those of a morbid humour, flying
about and irritating the nerves. The physicians desired Pitt to
see the King yesterday, which he did, and found him, though
certainly in a state of derangement, yet far better than he had
expected from the accounts. It is not yet settled whether he shall
be removed, as he has expressed some reluctance to it, and the
physicians are extremely averse to any force.

We are still under some uncertainty whether or not to propose a
further adjournment; in the meanwhile we have thought it absolutely
necessary to summon all our friends, as without their attendance,
we should not even have the decision of that question in our own
hands.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Nov. 30th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

There is no particular account of the King this morning, He was
yesterday evening removed to Kew. There was considerable difficulty
in persuading him to agree to this removal, but it was at last
accomplished without violence. Pitt saw him again at Windsor before
his removal, and thought him rather less well in his manner than on
the preceding day. Addington's conversation is still such as to
show that he thinks the probabilities greatly in favour of his
recovery. He mentioned particularly to Pitt, that he had in his
house one person whose case appeared to him exactly to resemble the
King's, and that this person had been cured.

We are still much undetermined about the time of bringing forward
the decisive measures. The general leaning of people's minds
appears to be for delay, and there is not anything that can perhaps
absolutely be said to require that immediate steps should be taken.
There are, however, several points of foreign business which seem
to press considerably, and there seems little reason to hope that
this situation will be at all altered within such a time as it
would be possible to wait. I am rather inclined towards bringing
the business forward on Thursday; and yet I am very apprehensive of
the effect which might be produced by any appearance or imputation
of precipitancy.

When the Cabinet went down to Windsor two days ago, in consequence
of the Prince of Wales's letter, he did not see them, but sent them
a written message by the Duke of York, respecting the King's
removal. This message, whether accidentally or not, was couched in
terms that were thought a little royal. Some caution was thought
necessary in wording the answer to avoid the style of giving His
Royal Highness advice, or of acknowledging any authority in him.

You will have heard, in all probability, much on the subject of the
Chancellor. His situation is a singular one. It is unquestionably
true that he has seen _Fox_, and I believe he has also seen
Sheridan repeatedly, and certainly the Prince of Wales. And of all
these conversations he has never communicated one word to any other
member of the Cabinet. Yet I am persuaded that he has as yet made
no terms with them, and that whenever they come to that point they
will differ. With this clue, however, you will be at no loss to
guess where the Prince acquires his knowledge of the plans of
Regency which are to be proposed, because, even supposing the
Chancellor not to have directly betrayed the individual opinions of
his colleagues, yet still his conversation upon these points, in
all of which he has explicitly agreed with the opinions of Pitt,
must lead to the communication of the plans in agitation. I am,
however, rather inclined to believe that Cuninghame's correspondent
has taken by guess one out of a variety of reports circulated, and
that he has been right by accident. The general belief of the
Opposition certainly is, as you may by their papers, that measures
of much more violence are intended.

Pitt has been induced, from his regard to the King, to dissemble
his knowledge of Thurlow's conduct, and to suppress the resentment
which it so naturally excites. There is no reason, but the
contrary, for believing that any of those who have acted with him
are at all disposed to follow his example. It is universally
reprobated, and explicitly by them. I think you will do well, if it
comes in question, to do as I do, which is to avoid saying anything
on the subject as long as I can; and when pressed, to profess
ignorance.

There is no great inconvenience arising, in reality, from the
communication of these intentions to the Prince. His intentions are
sufficiently decided, and he has no means of traversing our
schemes.

We do not yet know with certainty whether he has any idea of
negotiation; but if he has, it is unquestionably only as a cloak,
and meaning that it should be rejected. But the prospect of
detaching the Chancellor may make this less probable, although he
may perhaps insist on something of the sort being done to provide
for his _delicacy_. The general language is universal and immediate
dismission. If I am not mistaken, a storm is rising that they
little expect, and the sense of the country, instead of being
nearly as strong as in 1784, will be much stronger. But the party
in general are so hungry and impatient, that I think they will act
upon the better judgment of their leaders, and prevent them from
doing anything which may allow a moment's delay.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

It was beginning to be suspected that Thurlow was about to _rat_.
His conduct justified the worst doubts. Sir William Young confirms
the intelligence about his increasing and suspicious intimacy with
the Prince of Wales.

SIR WILLIAM YOUNG TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stratton Street, Nov. 30th, 1788.
MY DEAR LORD,

Since my last, all the intelligence to be given consists merely of
rumours and of opinions respecting the probable changes in the
Administration, on accession of the Prince to the executive
authority. The Prince, it is said, is wonderfully of late attached
to Thurlow. His Royal Highness hath not been equally gracious to
Mr. Pitt; and from the authority of a person who dined with him, I
am assured that his melancholy derived from the malady of his
father and King, is not of that deep and rooted sort for which "no
physic of the mind" can be found. Drinking and singing were
specifics on the day stated to me.

As to opinions alluded to above, they appear to me, who am not in
the secret, mere sermons to Shakspeare's text of "Harry, thy wish
was father to the thought." If aught is settled, your Lordship is
undoubtedly apprised of it; if things yet remain for arrangement,
your grounds for mere fabrics of speculation must ere this be
better laid than mine; and so, in either case, I'd better e'en
refrain from the subject, until Thursday begins the course of
authentic matter for my letters.

Meantime, a word in regard to myself. I write under the greatest
embarrassment of mind, between pressing necessity of not moving
from London and a justness of sentiment which would particularly at
this moment urge my repairing to you at the Castle. When your kind
friendship conferred what, at that moment, was a most essential aid
to my family subsistence, your goodness added that I need not visit
Ireland oftener than the convenience of my family allowed. Of this
goodness I by no means thought to avail myself, and proposed this
winter proceeding with my wife and son to the Castle, and returning
to accomplish the passing of my "Poor Laws," in February or March.

The loss of my father hath placed me in a situation wherein, from
the magnitude and delicacy of the concern, every hour may afford an
important crisis; and in which a single omission, a momentary
absence, may entail consequences irretrievable, in matters wherein
the result to me and mine is to be conjoined reputation and
affluence, or disgrace and penury. I cannot, under impression of
such alternatives, delegate an iota of conduct to a second person.
I have laid down a systematic plan of conduct for myself, which in
executing I am sure of honour and credit, have a certainty of
competence, and a prospect of considerable wealth. The more I
reflect, the more I am confirmed in the propriety of the grounds of
procedure which I have adopted, and I feel myself equal to the
accomplishment, as far as it depends on steady pursuit of a
well-weighed purpose. Obstacles, however, may arise, and
difficulties occur, such as I have _daily_ to obviate or to
surmount, in shape of impatient creditors, who, if they were not
led to just understanding of circumstances, would not wait two
years for a final liquidation of private claims, with an inventory
before them in the Commons of property to the amount of L200,000,
but would jump forward to their own and my loss. One of the two
years I have now securely in hand; the crop of 1789 being shipped
from Christmas to March, of produce all grown, and partly
manufactured. If Government leaves me the year 1790, at the close
of it there will not be a private debt, nor an article alienated of
security for public claims; and my gain of the income of 1788-9-90
is actually the amount of L45,000 clear gain, above the result of
immediate sale of the estates, which in ordinary course, or other
line than I have chalked out, would be the direct legal recurrence
for general liquidation of first public and then private claims.
_One year_ of this gain to _my residue_ I have already secured, the
second I have no doubt of, the third I have great hopes of, and at
the period thereof, the gross total of the Crown demand, without a
deduction or charge per centage, would scarcely necessitate any
sale, or but a partial one, should I wish quickly to clear all
away.

Having no reserve for you, my best friend, I have, in accounting
for my "fixing myself on the watch" in England this winter run into
these details; and further (which will explain them fully) enclose
a rough copy of my instructions to my attorneys in St. Vincent's,
which, when read, you will consign to the flames.

I have that grateful attachment to you, that I should yet scarcely
hesitate in hazarding a month's absence from home, did not I
anticipate that your friendship would rather chide than approve the
sacrifice. I am ever at your command, being, my dear Lord, in
truest affection,

Your devoted and obliged friend, &c.,
W. YOUNG.

The plans of Ministers are further developed in the next letter from Mr. Grenville.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,