I wrote to Lord Grenville
as soon as I was authorized to write to any person, and I wrote to
your Lordship at the same period of time. In my letter to Lord
Grenville I requested an interview previous to my departure, for
the purpose of receiving his inestimable advice; at that moment I
had no idea of any other object. I could have attended Lord
Grenville to-morrow, but I have received the King's commands to
wait on him at Brighton, and I must depart early. On my return I
shall be happy to pay my duty at Dropmore or in London, according
to Lord Grenville's convenience.

I was very insufficiently informed of the circumstances mentioned
by you, and was not aware even of their general tenor until
yesterday.

I need not state what my ardent wishes are. The Duke of Wellington
did not know of the commands which I had received from Brighton
when he spoke of the possibility of my visiting Dropmore to-morrow.

Ever, my dear Lord, yours most faithfully,

WELLESLEY.

THE MARQUIS WELLESLEY TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Richmond, Dec 3, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

In my short note this evening I stated to your Lordship generally
the restraints which precluded my earlier communication with you
and Lord Grenville; my desire, expressed to him, of receiving the
great benefit of his advice previously to my departure for Ireland;
and my earnest and anxious hope that Lord Grenville, your Lordship,
and your friends, might concur in acting with the Government which
had called me to the administration of the affairs of Ireland.

I was informed a few days ago (but in no distinct statement) that
it was probable that your Lordship and Lord Grenville might give
your countenance to the Government, and that some of your friends
might accept office; but it was not until yesterday that I
understood the arrangements for that desirable object to be in any
advanced state, and from what I then collected, I had hoped that
all difficulties had been removed.

My desire to see Lord Grenville rested entirely on my sense of the
advantage of receiving his opinions, which I was satisfied he would
impart to me with all the freedom and confidence of
long-established friendship, and of mutual esteem and affection;
but I should not have presumed, without his express injunction, to
suggest any opinio