notions upon it, but I doubt whether those may not be considerably
varied by the consideration which you suggest of being able to
carry more for the King by remaining, than otherwise.

I have had a good deal of conversation with Pitt on the subject. He
promises me that he will, immediately after Tuesday, discuss it
thoroughly with me, and enable me to send you his decided opinion
how you ought to act. I find, from what he says, that he apprehends
Lord Thurlow's opinion to be contrary to ours. This, however,
seems immaterial, except with a view to future support, and,
probably, cannot easily be brought to a point, as no Cabinet
measure or instructions can be grounded upon it. The idea still
continues of proceeding by Bill; and as we preface that with an
assertion of the right in both Houses, it must still be a
considerable time before any measure can come in question with
respect to Ireland.

I believe we shall word the proposition in a less abstract form,
and apply it more particularly to this individual case, still,
however, asserting the right.

The account is less favourable to-day, notwithstanding that of
yesterday. I saw a letter from Willis to Pitt, in which he said
that the King "had passed the day calmly, and was, in other
respects, much the same as yesterday."

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

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

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

I had yesterday some conversation with Pitt on the subject of your
letter, which I had received in the morning.

On the best consideration, we agreed that the line I before
mentioned to you is the best which you ought to follow; that you
should write a letter, to be delivered immediately upon the Prince
of Wales being Regent, to state the doubts, to suggest the solution
of Lords Justices, to desire His Royal Highness's commands upon the
danger of giving offence here, by the appearing to raise
difficulties in Ireland. This was agreed to be more proper, even to
the King, than leaving them to open the Parliament. Pitt has
received a very haughty letter from the Prince of Wales to Thurlow,
complaining of his general behaviour to him, and of his not having
had Pitt's plan communicated to him, and ordering Thurlow to