Chapter C: J. Fox (14)

I now grow so clumsy and weak in my limbs, and so soon grow
tired and fatigued to a degree painful to me, that although my
mind seems as well as ever, yet I am sure that I cannot long do
my duty, and there is nothing I dread so much as sitting upon a
great seat of justice as a kind of ruin, and in a state of
decay. In my seventy-fourth year, I am not sure that avarice may
not lay hold of me, and tempt me to stay where I am, until I
feel or am made to feel, by being told that I have stayed too
long; and that peevishness too, an attendant upon old age, may
not put an end to that command of temper, which I have ever
endeavoured to preserve; and that, with such enemies to fair
fame, I may soon impair and sully the character and esteem which
I may at present have.

Under these impressions, my wishes to retire become divided,
which they were not until within these few days past. I should
have been happy in first declaring this to you, wishing in
everything to do that which but expresses my sincere attachment
to and regard for your Excellency. But being going into the
royal presence, I resolved to lay myself at His Majesty's feet,
and express to him my apprehensions and my wishes to retire, if
I could do so in a manner honourable and convenient to myself,
when His Majesty's service would admit of it. Accordingly,
yesterday, in the closet, I did as I had resolved. His Majesty's
kindness and goodness to me was beyond what I can express.
Retirement, before decay actually comes on, meets his ideas
perfectly; and I have every reason to think that I am lucky in
the choice I have made of the present opportunity.

I have also communicated my wishes to Mr. Pitt, who received me
with attention and kindness. He said he would confer with His
Majesty upon the subject, and forthwith communicate the matter
to you, without whose participation and concurrence I cannot be
at ease and happy. Upon a measure of such importance as this is
to me, I exceedingly wish that you should be possessed of the
motives and principles upon which I act; and I will state them
to you without reserve. But permit me first to say, that I hope
and think that avarice cannot be imputed to me; for, parting
with £10,000 per annum, for what must be greatly below it,
excludes the imputation. Ambition must be equally out of the
question, for I want no advancement in the Peerage.

Now, as to my motives and principles at this time. I am in my
seventy-fourth year, and although my mind, assisted by
experience for a number of years, that makes few things new to
me, may be as good as ever, yet the weakness of my limbs, my
inability to go through any bodily fatigue, and many other
monitions that tell me the day of great infirmity is at hand,
ought not to be unattended to by any man who hath sound sense or
any religion about him.

I stand well, as I flatter myself, with the people of Ireland,
to whom I have administered justice for more than twenty years,
with both Houses of Parliament, and with the Bar of Ireland;
with all of whom I have lived without a quarrel with any man,
but I hope without forgetting what belonged to me to be mindful
of.

The country of Ireland quiet beyond what I have known it at any
time: a circumstance corresponding and consisting with my
declarations, at all times, that I would not ever be found to
act like a man who leaves the ship in a storm. And to these I
hope I may add that I have friends in Administration; that, in
particular, I have a friend in your Excellency; and that,
although in one of our last conversations you concluded your
expressions of great kindness with something that threatened
reluctance to my retirement, yet it was done with a countenance
and in a manner that flattered me with hopes that there was a
friendship under it, that would afford me your assistance
whenever the occasion should direct me to look up to and solicit
your Excellency for it.

All these circumstances concurring (and so many concurring
together I cannot, according to a reasonable calculation of
human affairs, much expect), determined me to do as I have done.
I have struggled to overcome my passion for my office in
Ireland; but I submit, because I am worn out, or rather am as
near being worn out as, I think, a man who wishes to preserve a
dignity of character should approach to. I have exceedingly
wished to afford your Excellency every assistance in my power
during your Administration; and if I retire from the Great Seal,
I shall most certainly retain that wish, and display it by such
proof as you can desire, and as I can with the warmest
attachment afford you. Your Excellency will be a gainer by a
change, as you will have the exertions of a younger and more
vigorous man, and my best help added to it.

I did not come out of the King's closet until between six and
seven yesterday evening, and I was then so fatigued that I could
not set pen to paper.

I have not said anything upon this subject to anybody here, save
only to the King and Mr. Pitt.

Permit me to beg your Excellency's friendship in this matter,
that so much concerns me and my family. Your kindness in it, you
may rely upon it, will never be forgotten by me, and I shall
transmit the remembrance of it to those who are to come after
me. I have now done, and have the honour to be, with the most
sincere attachment and respect, my very good Lord, your
Excellency's most faithful and most obedient, humble servant,

Lifford.

His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland

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:

MR. FITZGIBBON TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

No. 5, Arlington Street, Oct. 6th, 1788.

My dear Lord,

Immediately after my arrival in England I saw Mr. Pitt, and
mentioned to him that I had your Excellency's authority to say
that Lord Lifford had, a very few days before he left Ireland,
intimated a wish to resign the Great Seal. Under the impression
of the opinion you were so good to give me, I did not go further
than to request of Mr. Pitt that he would apprise me of any
vacancy which might happen in the first instance, that I might
have a fair opportunity of stating my claims, which I considered
to be pretty strong, upon the King's Government, not to be
passed by in any promotion which might take place in the line of
my profession. This he has promised to do; but I have not since
heard from him. However, I waited upon the Chancellor a few days
since, and he told me that Lord Lifford had, when he was in
town, intimated his wishes to Mr. Pitt, as he had done to your
Excellency, not to return to Ireland. I am confident, however,
that nothing is finally arranged, either with respect to
accepting Lord Lifford's resignation, or appointing a successor
to him, or I should have heard from Mr. Pitt.

The Chancellor's reception of me was very flattering, as he was
pleased unequivocally to declare his good opinion of me as a
public and a professional man; and from what fell from him, I
have reason to suppose that with your Excellency's support, and
Mr. Pitt's approbation, I shall not meet any opposition from
him. What Mr. Pitt's sentiments upon the subject may be, I have
not a conjecture, as he never in any degree opened himself to
me, further than in general terms of his personal good opinion
of me. With him, however, I must conclude that your Excellency's
recommendation would be decisive.

Lord Lifford returns to London on the 20th of this month, and I
must suppose that very shortly after, something decisive will be
done. One thing is extremely clear--that if he should return to
Ireland, he cannot very long remain in his present situation.
And, circumstanced as I am in that country, your Excellency
cannot wonder that I wish fairly to see my way. I shall
therefore certainly endeavour, before I leave London, to possess
myself of Mr. Pitt's sentiments upon this subject; to which end,
it will be very material to me that he should be possessed of
your Excellency's. May I therefore request of you, to give me
such an answer to this letter as I may show to him. Your
Excellency, I am satisfied, most perfectly understands, that I
am not by any means anxious to quit my present situation, and
that so long as I continue to hold it, I will continue to serve
the Crown with zeal and fidelity. My only object at present is,
fairly to know the ground upon which I stand on this side of the
water. The very open and friendly communications which your
Excellency has had the goodness to make to me from your first
arrival in Ireland, leave me no room to doubt of my situation
there.

I have the honour to be, my Lord, with perfect respect and
esteem, your Excellency's obedient and very humble servant,

John Fitzgibbon.

His Excellency the Marquis of Buckingham.

Up to this time, notwithstanding the interview with the King, Lord Lifford had not relinquished the Seals. Lord Buckingham was in favour of Fitzgibbon's claims, but seems to have been a little plagued by the incessant correspondence in which they involved him, especially as he had strong reasons for desiring to postpone the retirement of the Chancellor. "I again say," he writes to Fitzgibbon in one of the numerous epistles this affair cost him, "that nothing will make me happier than your success; but for very many reasons, which I frankly stated to you, I trust that the opening will not be made immediately, and I as fairly tell you that I will not _facilitate_ it. You know what I mean by all this mystery." He did _not_ facilitate it; and Fitzgibbon was compelled to wait upon the convenience of Government.

In the meanwhile, some new vexations had arisen between Lord Buckingham and the Ministry; but what they were, does not appear.

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

Castlehill, Sept. 20th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

Your letter of the 14th reached me here this morning. I say
nothing to you of the feelings which have been excited in my
mind, by your detail of the particulars of your situation,
because I am sure that you do justice to my sentiments on such a
subject. Pitt has written to desire me to meet him at Burton on
Monday next; and in the present state of this business, I feel
peculiarly anxious for an opportunity of conversing with him
upon it.

It is unquestionably better in every point of view, that I
should have such an opportunity before I go over to you; and I
am persuaded you would not wish me to neglect this. After I have
seen him, as I shall then be within little more than a day's
journey from town, I shall wish to return there for a day or
two, even if I should immediately afterwards set out for
Ireland. But you may assure yourself, that if I should see any
reason to think that my going over there could be of the least
service, or advantage to you, I will not let any personal
inconvenience stand in the way of it so long as it continues
possible.

It gives me an inexpressible satisfaction to find, from your
letter, that Pitt's conduct to you in this instance has been
such as I expected. If I am not grossly deceived in the
opportunities which I have had of observing his character and
disposition, you will find his behaviour uniformly the same on
every other occasion that may occur. I make you no assurances on
this occasion with respect to myself, having a pleasure in
thinking them unnecessary.

I confess the motive for this whole transaction, in the quarter
where it evidently originates, is to me utterly inexplicable;
the whole being so entirely inconsistent with every idea that I
can form to myself of _his_ situation, his present or future
views, his interest, or his personal feelings. I by no means
think the circumstance which you mention sufficient to afford a
clue for it; and the more I reflect upon it, the more
incomprehensible it seems to me.

Adieu, my dear brother; whatever, and wherever you are.

Believe me ever most sincerely and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

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

(Most Secret.) Whitehall, Oct. 22nd, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I have just received your letter of the 18th. You will have
seen, by my last, the delay which has arisen in examining Lord
Nugent's papers, and proving his will, on account of the absence
of Macnamara and the Drummonds. I sent off a messenger to the
former immediately after I had written to you; and have received
an answer from him, by which I understand he will be in town on
Thursday night.

23rd.--I was interrupted yesterday, and could not, by any
contrivance, return to finish my letter, though I was anxious
that you should hear from me, that there has as yet been no sort
of difficulty or interruption; and I conclude, therefore, that
there will be none.

I have forwarded your letter to the Chancellor, and added to it
one from myself. I mean, _if possible_, to see him, though that,
you know, is no easy matter, as I understand the Duke of Grafton
is asking it, at Selby's request, for a man who was active
against me. I could wish that you would write Wodley a few
lines, to explain that you were hampered by former engagements,
&c., as I found from a conversation with Camplin, that he had
been perfectly satisfied with the explanation you had with him
on the subject of Newport, and that he was in expectation of
having this. Camplin thinks him of considerable importance.

My impatience, in the letter to which your last was an answer,
was owing to my having made no allowance for east winds, which
detained the mail near a week, and brought me two of your
letters together. You must, therefore, excuse a very unprovoked
lecture on punctuality.

I wish I could say to you that anything more is done about your
commissions; but this has been, and continues to be, absolutely
impossible, for a reason which gives us all no small degree of
uneasiness--I mean the King's illness, which begun with a
violent spasmodic attack in his stomach; and has continued with
more or less violence, and with different symptoms ever since.
We put as good a face as we can upon it; and, indeed, I hope
that the danger is now over, but I cannot but own to you that I
think there is still ground for a good deal of alarm. He brought
on this particular attack by the great imprudence of remaining a
whole day in wet stockings; but, on the whole, I am afraid that
his health is evidently much worse than it has been, and that
there is some lurking disorder in his constitution, which he has
not strength to throw out. I have again mentioned to Pitt the
subject of the commissions; and he has promised to endeavour to
bring it to a conclusion as soon as the King is sufficiently
recovered to allow him to see him on that business. But this may
yet be some time, as a part of the King's disorder is an
agitation and flurry of spirits, which hardly gives him any
rest. I need not mention to you, that I should not allow myself
to say all this, but in the strictest confidence, and that,
independently of the King's great dislike to its being known
that he is ill, we have the strongest reasons of policy, both
foreign and domestic, in the present moment particularly, to
wish that idea not to prevail.

Your conjecture about Denmark and Sweden, and your subsequent
reasoning upon it, are both perfectly just. The Cabinet of the
former is, in the present moment, entirely subservient to the
views of Russia, which are to annihilate Sweden, and thereby to
gain the entire dominion of the north. Both Prussia and England
have a strong and evident interest to prevent the accomplishment
of this plan, but it can be done only by a vigorous exertion.
Such an exertion is now making; and I certainly think that if we
had any enemies able to stir, it would involve us in a most
unwelcome, though necessary war. But I rely with no little
confidence upon the weakness of France, whose difficulties,
instead of being at all diminished, are hourly increasing; their
public credit falling even below what it was at the time of
Neckar's appointment, and their discontents again getting to the
most serious pitch. Add to this, that we have every reason to
believe that we have the concurrence and good wishes of Spain in
the object which we are pursuing, and I think we have, I may
say, nothing to apprehend from measures which would, in any
other situation of Europe, be most critical indeed. The K. of P.
has already _required_ Denmark to evacuate Sweden, under the
threat of the invasion of Holstein; and we are seconding him
with remonstrances very near as strong, though couched in more
conciliatory terms. It remains to see what she will do.

I am called away, and have only time to add that the account of
the King this morning, from Sir G. Baker, is _much_ more
favourable; and that if he does well, there is a plan now, I
believe settled, by which the arrangement about which you
inquire will certainly take place before the meeting of
Parliament.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

The lecture on punctuality alluded to, occurs in a previous letter, in which Mr. Grenville said: "I earnestly wish you would answer the questions I put to you about your own business with a little more punctuality. I know your other avocations; but you cannot conceive how distressing your silence often is to me."

In the above letter, which is marked "most secret," we have the first announcement of the King's illness and its origin. The utmost pains were taken to conceal it from the public; and two days afterwards the King went to the levée, to dissipate suspicion. "I find from Pitt," says Mr. Grenville, writing on the 25th, "that the King went to the levée yesterday, in order to show himself, but that he was very weak and unfit for business." The effect of the appearance at the levée is subsequently described.

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

Whitehall, Oct. 26th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I am very sorry to be obliged to give you a less favourable
account of the King's health than that which you received by my
last letter. His appearance at the levée on Friday was an effort
beyond his strength, but made with a view of putting an end to
the stories that were circulated with much industry. He has,
however, considerably weakened himself by it, and his physician
now declares that rest, and an absolute cessation from all
business, are of indispensable necessity to him. I am much
mortified at the delay which this occasions in the final
conclusion of the business about your commissions; but you must
easily see that, in the present crisis, it must be productive of
other bad consequences, which you would yourself think of more
importance. God knows what the result of it will be. The present
situation is sufficiently embarrassing; but if it turns out ill,
all sense of personal inconvenience, mortification, or
disappointment, will, I fear, be lost in considerations of
infinitely greater moment. At present, however, there is, I
believe, unquestionably no danger; but I cannot divest myself of
the persuasion that these are only the symptoms of some disorder
lurking in his constitution, and which he has not sufficient
strength of habit to throw out. I need not say that you may
depend upon hearing from me as often as I hear anything
authentic as to his situation, and that if I do not write
constantly, it will only be because I have nothing new to
communicate on which I can at all depend.

There are no fresh accounts from the Bannat. The troops of
Denmark, acting in Sweden, had agreed on the 10th to a
suspension of hostilities for eight days, and there seemed
reason to hope that this period would be prolonged. They had
passed the Gothelba on which Gothenburg stands, but had
retreated again beyond it.

27th.--I have heard no further account of the King. The story
which you will see in the papers about Lord Holland, is, I
believe, utterly unfounded. I have found the list of the deeds,
&c., contained in the iron chest. Camplin says that Colonel
Nugent has two duplicates of it. I have therefore directed him
to send the list itself over to you by this day's post. You will
see that Lord G. B.'s renunciation deed is not mentioned in the
list; and Camplin, who made the list, says he never heard of it.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

The letters that follow, depict the distressing anxieties which, day by day, throughout this painful interval, attended the progress of the fatal malady.

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

Whitehall,

Nov. 5th, 1788, Five o'clock.

My dear Brother,

I have delayed till this hour writing to you to-day, as I have
nothing of any consequence to write about, excepting the King's
health; and I wished to send you the account which I have just
received from Pitt, and which I now enclose. The general alarm
on the subject is very great, and it is impossible not to feel
that so long an illness without much amendment, if any on the
whole, and without coming to any crisis, has a most serious
appearance. You may naturally conceive the exultation, not
wearing even the appearance of disguise, which there is in one
party, and the depression of those who belong to the other. I
think some few days more must now decide the point, not,
perhaps, by the blow actually happening within that time, which
I trust there can be no reason to fear, but by showing whether
he has strength sufficient in his constitution to throw out the
disorder which is evidently lurking in it, and which will
otherwise infallibly destroy it by no very slow degrees.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

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

Whitehall, Nov. 7th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I waited yesterday before I wrote to you, in the hopes of seeing
Pitt, who had promised to call upon me, and carry me to the
place where we were to dine; but he was delayed by a visit from
the Chancellor so long, that I found myself too late for the
post.

I sincerely wish that I had better news to communicate to you;
but I believe you must consider the thing as completely over.
The King has now been two days entirely delirious, and during
part of the time has been thought to be in the most imminent
danger. It now appears that Warren, Heberden and Sir G. Baker,
who are the three physicians who attend him, profess themselves
unable to decide whether the disorder is or is not of such a
nature as may soon produce a crisis which may lead either to
health or death. The other alternative is one to which one
cannot look without horror--that of a continuance of the present
derangement of his faculties, without any other effect upon his
health. He is certainly at present stronger in body than he has
been, but I understand with much fever. I believe the general
idea of his danger is now very prevalent; but we endeavour (I
know not with what success) to keep these particulars as much as
we can from the public. I have ventured to write this and a
former letter by the post, because you do not seem to have
entertained any apprehensions that, under the sort of
precautions which I take in sealing, &c., this mode is unsafe;
and I think they are such as must have enabled you to detect any
improper tricks being played. The sending a messenger would give
so much alarm, that I thought it much better to avoid it. If the
event happens, which there is now so much reason to dread, it is
possible that I may have much to write to you, and I should not
then have the same confidence in the post. For this reason I
have enclosed a paper, of which you know the use. It is a
transcript of what you left with me, which I have been prevented
sending you before, and cannot send now. Bernard can supply it
in a temporary manner with pasteboard.

Fox is not yet returned, nor have we as yet any ground for
judging of the immediate measures which would be taken, beyond
those which result from former conduct and language.

Since I wrote the above, I understand that Lord Sydney sends off
a messenger. Lest, however, there should be any mistake in this,
I send this letter by the post. The enclosure I will send by the
messenger.

I received your letter of the 3rd this morning. You may easily
conceive that I cannot now enter into the particulars of it. I
will only say that, with regard to the papers, I am persuaded
that, if you yourself have an opportunity of conversing with M.
(as is perhaps too probable), there will be no difficulty in
anything which you desire.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

There is one point on which I much wish for your answer, with as
little delay as possible. Suppose an immediate dissolution, and
an opposition started in Bucks--as will certainly be the case,
either for one or both members--would you have me stand? I
mention this, because the delay may be decisive.

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

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.

MR. NEVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanlake, Nov. 7th, 1788.

My dearest Lord B.,

I have but one moment, before the post goes out, to tell you
that I am this instant returned from Windsor; and find from the
best authority that the King's life is unfortunately despaired
of. Warren, Heberden, Baker, and Reynolds are attending. I
believe the fever has settled on the brain, as there is much
delirium. The Chancellor was at Windsor last night, and all the
Princes of the Blood are sitting up in the next room to him. The
Queen has had fits, but is better to-day.

Doubtless your situation will enable you to hear sooner and more
authentically, but I could not avoid giving you myself this
lamentable detail.

The Prince seems frightened, and was blooded yesterday.

Kate undertook to write in my name to Hester, instead of you and
Lady B. I sincerely condole with her, and hope soon to hear a
better account of her.

Ever yours most affectionately,
R. A. Neville.

LORD SIDNEY TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

(Most Private.) Whitehall, Nov. 7th, 1788.

My dear Lord,

It is with the utmost concern and mortification that I am under
the necessity of acquainting your Excellency of the dangerous
state in which His Majesty's health has been for these last two
days. Notwithstanding the various reports which you may have
seen, real symptoms of danger did not appear till yesterday. The
disorder, about the middle of yesterday, attacked His Majesty's
head, and he has had a very indifferent night, and, I am afraid,
is not much better to-day.

The Queen supports herself with her usual good sense and
fortitude, but is still much affected both in health and
spirits, though tolerably composed.

His Majesty, during his whole illness, has had the consolation
of receiving the unremitted attention of the whole Royal Family,
of the value of which he has shown himself affectingly sensible.

In short, my dear Lord, the case may not be desperate; but it is
full of extreme danger. God send us a happy issue of it.

My best respects to Lady Buckingham and Lord Temple. I write, as
you may imagine, in great confusion and anxiety.

I am, with great esteem and regard, Your Excellency's most
obedient, humble servant.

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

Whitehall, Nov. 8th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I am afraid that I shall be obliged to send this letter away
without any particular or authentic account of the King. Pitt is
gone down to Windsor this morning, and is not yet returned;
unless he comes back before the post goes out I shall have
little more than common report to send you.

I understand the immediate object of the Prince's desiring to
see him, was to inquire about a paper which the Queen imagined
the King had put into Pitt's hands respecting an arrangement for
the younger part of his family; but Pitt has no such paper.

The latest authentic account I have seen, was a note which Pitt
received from Sir G. Baker, about nine yesterday evening, and
which was, therefore, probably written about six or seven. He
then says that the King appeared better in his health, but that
there seemed reason to fear that his delirium would be
permanent. And this, I am sure, you will agree with me in
thinking the worst thing than can happen.

Since that, the idea is, as far as I can collect from a variety
of different reports, that his fever was considerably increased
afterwards, and that between two and four this morning he was in
the utmost danger, but that he is since better. One account
adds, but I am afraid to give credit to it, that he was relieved
by the bursting of a swelling on one of his legs, and by a very
great discharge from it. Some crisis of that sort is
unquestionably the only thing to which we can look with any
reasonable ground of hope for the recovery both of his health
and of his faculties. But this very consideration makes me very
backward in giving credit to this report, unless it had more
foundation than any which I can trace for it.

In the event which Sir George Baker's note gives reason to
apprehend, there will be the greatest embarrassment as to the
mode in which it is possible to proceed to any appointment of a
Regent. The Parliament is now prorogued only till the 23rd
instant, and must meet at that time, because no person but the
King has authority to prorogue it further. But, as you well
know, Parliament cannot proceed to business without the session
being opened by the King, or by some Commission authorized by
him. No Regent can be appointed or authorized to exercise acts
of royal authority but by Act of Parliament; nor can any such
Act be valid and binding in law without the King's consent.

The Revolution affords the only thing like a precedent even for
the principles on which we can proceed; and yet that is a case
widely different from the present, because then the person
possessed of the right was declared either to have abdicated
that right, or forfeited it, or both. Here the King may not live
many years under an incapacity of exercising the right, and yet
may afterwards be restored to his faculties.

It is a heavy calamity that is inflicted upon us in any case
except that of his perfect recovery; but in the event which
there seems most ground to fear, it may give rise to serious and
difficult questions, such as cannot even be discussed without
shaking the security and tranquillity of the country.

I am obliged to close this letter without any more information.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

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

Whitehall, Nov. 9th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I am much concerned that I was obliged to send off my letter
yesterday evening, and the rather as there will be no
opportunity of sending this till to-morrow. I find that there
was not the least foundation for any part of the reports which I
mentioned to you.

Pitt came back last night. He said the physicians do not
apprehend present danger, but that their fear is that the
insanity will be permanent, but they will not pronounce anything
yet. The Prince had a long conversation with him relating to the
King's situation, but nothing from which he could collect what
he thought of doing in the two cases that may arise. The general
notion is, that he will try to negotiate with Pitt from the fear
of his popularity; but I do not think it probable. He treated
Pitt with civility, but nothing more.

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

Sunday, Nov. 9th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

There was no truth in any of the reports which I mentioned to
you in my letter by the post yesterday. Pitt came back to town
last night about nine, and afterwards called here. He had seen
all the physicians, and had much conversation with them. They
seemed still unwilling, or unable, to decide as to the nature of
his disorder; but Warren appeared to incline to the opinion of
an ossification. They told him that they had determined, as an
experiment, to give the King medicines to remove his fever, in
order to observe whether this produced any effect on the state
of his mind, and to draw an inference from that whether the
disorder on his brain was connected with the fever. They
accordingly gave him two doses of James's powder in the course
of the day, but without any other effect than lowering his
pulse; and this morning we have the severe mortification of
hearing that a third dose has operated by a profuse
perspiration, so as almost entirely to remove the fever, but
that the state of his mind continues unaltered. The physicians,
however, all agree that it must still be at least a fortnight
before they can venture even to pronounce that it is a disorder
of the brain. That even in that case they can give no further
opinion; that disorders of that sort are of all others those
that are least understood; and that this may continue for many
years, or may suddenly leave him, or as suddenly kill him.

I need not tell you the effect which this dreadful calamity
produces. Pitt had yesterday a long conference with the Prince;
but it turned chiefly on the situation of the King, and the
state and progress of his disorder. Nothing passed from which
any conclusion can be drawn with respect to future measures. He
treated him with civility, but nothing more.

The general idea is that _they_ mean to try a negotiation. But
whether the Prince means that, and whether Pitt ought in any
case to listen to it at all, or in what degree, are questions
which it is difficult indeed to decide. There could never be a
more favourable moment for Pitt's leaving the Government, with a
view to his own credit and character. But then, on the other
hand, his own personal situation must be so embarrassed: there
is so much danger of an imputation of pride, and a factious
desire of keeping alive differences, that my opinions fluctuate
almost from hour to hour. I am still, however, inclined to
believe that they will not make the experiment, though the
conversation upon it, and the general persuasion of its being
intended, make it more difficult for them to avoid doing
something of that sort.

The present idea is, to let Parliament meet on the 23rd,
because, indeed, no one has authority to prorogue it further.
That then it should be stated to them--supposing things to
continue in their present unhappy state--that the King's health
has not admitted either of his proroguing them, or of his
signing a Commission to open the session, and, therefore, to
propose that they should adjourn. As soon as the physicians feel
themselves able to pronounce it a disorder seated on the brain,
they must be examined before the Council, and the circumstance
stated to Parliament, and a Bill brought in to enable the Prince
of Wales to act as Regent. It seems a great doubt whether any,
and what limitations ought to be proposed. Those under which the
King was authorized to appoint a Regent, in case of minority,
appear too great; nor, indeed, would it as I conceive be
possible, in the present state of things, to carry on such a
Government. The great object to be looked to, seems to be the
keeping the Government in such a state as that if the King's
health should be restored he might be, as far as possible,
enabled to resume it, and to conduct it in such a manner as he
might judge best.

I suppose there never was a situation in which any set of men
ever had, at once, so many points to decide, so essentially
affecting their own honour, character, and future situation,
their duty to their country in a most critical situation, and
their duty to their unhappy master, to whom they are
unquestionably bound by ties of gratitude and honour,
independent of considerations of public duty towards him. I hope
God, who has been pleased to afflict us with this severe and
heavy trial, will enable us to go through it honestly,
conscientiously, and in a manner not dishonourable to our
characters.

God bless you, my dear brother. Nothing would be such a
satisfaction to me as to be able to talk all this over with you,
instead of this slow and imperfect communication.

I found that Bernard was still in town, and have therefore
desired him to stay, because I thought he could be of little use
to me, and that all this may take a sudden turn which may make
his being on the spot very important.

I send you a letter which I had begun in cypher, that you may
see how far you can make it out. In going it over, which you
will observe I was doing, I observe a few mistakes, but not, I
think, such as would materially embarrass you.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

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

Whitehall, Nov. 10th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

I have nothing of any consequence to add to the account which I
sent you yesterday by Lord Sydney's messenger. Pitt is gone down
to Windsor this morning, but will probably not be back before
the post goes out. The account of this morning is, that the King
has slept well last night, but is in other respects much the
same.

The last, which is a material part, shows that we have little to
hope from the effect of the medicines with respect to the state
of his mind; the consequence must be such as I mentioned to you
in my last. If Pitt makes offers to Fox, his situation may be
very difficult; but I think he should hold off as much as he
can.

Pray let me know your opinion on that point, and on the various
others which are connected with it. I hope I may depend on these
letters not being seen by _any_ person. I have a real confidence
in Fitzherbert's honour; but I should not write with the same
freedom if I thought even he saw what I may have to write.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

LORD BULKELEY TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanlake, Tuesday, Nov. 11th, 1788.

My dear Lord,

It was my intention to have left this place yesterday for
Baronhill, but the most natural and justifiable anxiety keeps me
here until Thursday or Friday. We have been at Windsor the last
three mornings, and sorry am I to tell you that poor Rex's state
seems worse than a thousand deaths; for unless God interposes by
some miracle, there is every appearance of his living with the
loss of his intellects. Yesterday the fever, which had raged the
day before, was abated; but the lucid intervals were few, and
lasted a very short time. I saw the General, who was exceedingly
guarded, as they all are who really love poor Rex; the real
state, however, of his melancholy condition seems now to have
transpired, and my letters from London are full of the greatest
consternation. The Queen sees nobody but Lady Constance, Lady
Charlotte Finch, Miss Burney, and her two sons, who, I am
afraid, do not announce the state of the King's health with that
caution and delicacy which should be observed to the wife and
the mother, and it is to them only that she looks up. I
understand her behaviour is very feeling, decent, and proper.
The Prince has taken the command at Windsor, in consequence of
which there is _no command whatsoever_; and it was not till
yesterday that orders were given to two grooms of the bedchamber
to wait for the future and receive the inquiries of the numbers
who inquire; nor would this have been done, if Pitt and Lord
Sydney had not come down in person to beg that such orders might
be given. Unless it was done yesterday, no orders have been
given for prayers in the churches, nor for the observance of
other forms, such as stopping the playhouses, &c., highly proper
at such a juncture. What the consequences of this heavy
misfortune will be to Government, you are more likely to know
than I am; but I cannot help thinking that the Prince will find
a greater difficulty in making a sweep of the present Ministry,
in his quality of Fiduciary Regent, than in that of King. The
Stocks are already fallen 2 per cent, and the alarms of the
people of London are very little flattering to the Prince. I am
told messenger after messenger has been sent for Fox, who is
touring with Mrs. Armstead on the continent; but I have not
heard whether the Prince has sent for him, or given any orders
to Fox's friends to that effect. The system of favouritism is
much changed since Lord Bute's and the Princess-Dowager's time,
for Jack Payne, Master Leigh, an Eton schoolboy, and Master
Barry, brother to Lord Barrymore, and Mrs. Fitz, form the
Cabinet at Carlton House.

I am, my dear Lord,
Sincerely yours,
B.

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

Whitehall, Nov. 11th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

The account of to-day is in every particular exactly the same
with that of yesterday. The disorder in the brain is increased.
The Cabinet is to meet on Thursday, to receive the report of the
physicians; a Privy Council will be called for Monday or
Tuesday.

Parliament must meet on Thursday sevennight, to which day it now
stands prorogued; and it will then, I imagine, adjourn itself. I
wait with impatience to hear from you. I am called off, and
prevented from writing any more.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

MR. NEVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Windsor Castle,

Wednesday, Nov. 11th, Four o'clock, 1788.

The King had more sleep last night than the night before; but is
in other respects the same as before. I fear there is very
little hope of amendment, as he has no fever, and his pulse and
appetite are as good as ever. The King had some lucid intervals
this morning, conversing with great composure with a page, whom
he recollected but to have seen since his illness; and he also
mentioned his son, Prince Augustus, who is going to the South of
France. He soon, however, returned to his unfortunate agitation
and delirium, in which he still continues. Sad state!

Ever yours affectionately, in haste,
R. A. N.

LORD SYDNEY TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

(Secret and Separate.) Whitehall, Nov. 13th, 1788.

My dear Lord,

I am not at all surprised that your Excellency should
participate in the distress, which every honest man feels upon
the present unhappy state of the King's health. The account,
however, of this morning is rather more favourable than those of
some days past; though certainly not such as to lay any part of
our anxiety at rest. There does not, however, appear any
symptoms which seem to threaten His Majesty's life with
immediate danger. He had more fever yesterday than for some days
past, but since it has subsided, he has been in a state of more
composure than before.

The Parliament will meet this day sevennight, and adjourn; if in
the intermediate time there should not be an opportunity of
receiving His Majesty's pleasure for a prorogation.

You may easily believe that the hurry and ferment is great at
present. People in general, of all ranks, seem to be truly
sensible of the calamitous effects to be dreaded from an
unfavourable termination of His Majesty's disorder. But, as you
may easily imagine, there are not wanting those who are thinking
of extracting _good_ to _themselves_ out of this misfortune; nor
are they over anxious to conceal their eagerness to accomplish
their ends. I am old enough to have been in the scene on a
demise of the Crown, an event which does not bring the virtues
of men more into light than the contrary qualities. I do not
promise myself a more agreeable picture of mankind, than one
which I have never thought of but with disgust and detestation.

I refer your Excellency to my official despatch for the business
which has passed in a Committee of the Privy Council to-day, on
the subject of a prayer. The Dissenters and the Jews have begun
upon that subject already. Indeed every demonstration of alarm
and affection has been shown through the whole town, and, as far
as can be learned, in all parts of the country.

I am, with the truest esteem and regard, my dear Lord,
Your most obedient humble servant,
Sydney.

The next letter from Mr. Grenville is of special importance; he lays down the whole plan of the Ministry in reference to the proposed Regency, developing and investigating the arguments with remarkable clearness and penetration.

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

Whitehall, Nov. 13th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

Your messenger has performed his journey with uncommon
expedition, and brought me your letters at a little after eleven
this morning. The account of to-day is, I think, more favourable
than that of the two preceding days. The King had last night a
strong return of his fever, which left him this morning more
composed than he has been for several days. Warren's account
adds that he even "understood questions that were put to him,
though he soon relapsed into his former inconsistency." The
material part of this, I think, is that it proves him never to
have been without fever, though it has been kept under, and
therefore affords ground still to hope for such a crisis as may
end this scene, either by his death or by his total recovery.
And there can be no doubt that even, for his sake, either of
those alternatives is preferable to his continuing in his
present situation, though with the possibility of recovering his
reason by intervals.

This circumstance affords an additional and strong reason for
delaying as long as possible the taking any decisive steps for
providing for carrying on the Government under the present
circumstances. It is intended to meet Parliament on the 20th,
and circular letters are to be sent to-day to all the members,
notifying the probability of this. But, as things now stand,
Pitt means immediately to propose to them to adjourn; and it is
most likely that this will meet with no opposition, especially
as Fox cannot be in town by that time.