remissness whatever on my part to follow up this business as
much as possible, and to press it forward in this strange scene
of procrastination. Nothing can make me happier than your
approbation of my conduct, and your kind disposition to trust so
much to that most unfeigned affection with which I am,

My dearest brother,
Ever yours,
W. W. Grenville.

P.S.--I mean to-morrow to write to Lord Shelburne, stating that
you have sent over a fresh despatch to Mr. Townshend, and
referring him to that for the absolute necessity of adopting
your proposal, which still leaves room for his settlement, if it
is thought proper and expedient. The one will remove the present
difficulty, the other prevent the rise of any fresh source of
discord. But how far the latter can or ought at this time to be
taken up, is with me very doubtful. If I get on Wednesday such
an answer as I wish, you shall see me very soon.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO LORD TEMPLE.

Pall Mall, Dec. 20th, 1782.

My dear Brother,

I am still unable to send you any final answer, although I must
confess that I think we approach much nearer to it than we have
done yet.

The Cabinet met yesterday. As I was not quite satisfied with
what I had said the day before on the subject of recognition,
and of the preamble, I thought it better to put a few words to
paper, and to send them to Townshend. I enclose a copy of that
paper and the letter which went with it. They were delivered to
Townshend during the Cabinet. I heard nothing at all from him
last night.

This morning I was surprised and shocked--and I cannot say which
I was most--by seeing in the papers the conversation which had
passed in the House on the subject of Ireland, of which
Fitzpatrick, though it was evidently a concerted thing, had not
thought proper to give me any notice whatever. I immediately
resolved to say something about it in the House to-day.
Accordingly I sent a note to Townshend, desiring to be allowed
to wait upon him in the morning. I told him my intention, and
questioned him upon the subject of the Cabinet. He showed me,
what (he said) was not properly a minute, but a memorandum taken
there. I could not copy that, but as soon as I came home I
endeavoured to recollect it, and believe the enclosed is very
near the words. This I