ed your letter to Townshend,
with one from myself, of which I send you a copy, and wait his
answer with impatience. I was going on, when I was interrupted
by your letters, to state to you, that my conversation with Lord
Shelburne closed with his saying that the difficulties were
capital, and that he could not believe that they could be
overbalanced. I then observed, that a Cabinet was, I understood,
to be held to-day. He said yes, and at eleven, and that it was
then half-past ten, and therefore I must excuse him. As I had
been there above an hour and a half, I could not with any
propriety stay any longer.

According to Townshend's directions to me last night, I staid at
home the whole morning, under the idea that I was to be sent
for, as it was so directed in the King's approbation for the
Cabinet being held, which Townshend showed me. Why this was not
done, whether the Cabinet has not been held, or whether Lord
Shelburne thought he had received information enough for all, I
cannot pretend to say. It is certainly unnecessary for me to
observe, that the whole of this magnificent idea about a
settlement was most probably intended to draw your attention off
from the Bill you have proposed. I could do no otherwise than
acquiesce in sending it over to you, as I had already stated my
belief, confirmed so fully by your authority, that your proposal
was necessary, and to the adoption of it, on this ground, I
meant, if I could, to have pledged him by my last question; and
although he did not accede to what I then asked, yet I think I
should not have been justified in not agreeing to state to you
his objections--which certainly have their weight, especially as
he proposed an expedient in the room of yours, though
insufficient and improper for the reasons which, as I told you
above, I mentioned to him. I forgot to state in its proper place
that I reminded him of the danger which was almost inevitable,
that some enemy to Government would take the business up, if not
immediately done by Ministry themselves.

Half-past Eleven, P.M.

I have just received the enclosed answer from Townshend; and
though it contains nothing, yet I cannot but feel too much for
your impatience to delay till Wednesday night the acknowledging
your despatches, and the assuring you that there shall be no