occasions given much uneasiness to Ministers. He seemed to move in an
orbit of his own, independently of his colleagues; while the influence
he exercised over the King's mind, and his repulsive bearing, made all
approaches to him difficult and hazardous. The first consideration, when
an unexpected question sprung up, was to ascertain what view Thurlow was
likely to take of it; and it was sometimes as necessary to conciliate
him and to wait upon his moods, as if he had been a powerful, but
doubtful supporter, instead of a member of the Government. "We may do
with, but cannot do without him," appears to have been the general
feeling in reference to him; and it was only by the most skilful
management that Mr. Pitt averted those dissensions in the Cabinet which
his strange line of conduct had so palpable a tendency to provoke. At
last the Chancellor committed himself openly to a hostile vote upon a
vital measure, and left it no longer possible for the Minister to
palliate their differences by private negotiations. The character and
dignity of the Administration was at stake, and there was but one
alternative left. The extremity to which matters were thus reduced is
glanced at hesitatingly by Lord Grenville. The commentary which he did
not think it right to make at such a moment may now, however, be
supplied. The vote of Lord Thurlow placed the Cabinet in this position,
that it remained for the King to choose between them. Mr. Pitt was
prepared to resign, if the decisive advice he tendered to His Majesty
was not immediately acted upon.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

St. James's Square, May 15th, 1792.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I have the happiness of being able to send you an account of the
capture of Seringapatam. The news is brought by a letter from a Dr.
Abercromby, who was sent with Lord Cornwallis's despatches, in the
'Vestal.' He put this letter on board another vessel in the
Channel, and it comes by express from Bristol.

A decisive action took place about the 6th of January, at a village
near Seringapatam. Tippoo's army was entirely routed, and a few
days after the place surrendered. Tippoo is said to have been
wounded in the action, and carried to the hill-fort: this is all we
know. If the "Gazette" is out in time, Goddard will send it you.

The Duke of P. and his friends have declined being at the Council.
We mean, nevertheless,