The conversation then turned more particularly upon what
was to be done, in which the only very settled idea that I could
find was, that your preamble was not to be adopted.

Pitt then threw out the idea of declaring the intention of the
Act of Repeal, and making the new enacting clause a consequence
of the principles then adopted. We talked this over a little. I
pressed for something being settled to send over to you. The
answer Lord Shelburne gave me was, that the Cabinet lawyers were
all dispersed, and without them nothing could be finally
settled. Pitt then went away. I continued the conversation, and
asked Lord Shelburne if it would not be right, as he had
approved of Pitt's idea, that I should see Pitt, and endeavour
to put something upon paper upon it. In this he agreed.

When I went home, I sent the enclosed note to Pitt, and in
consequence of it saw him yesterday morning. I was near two
hours with him, drawing up something of a form. At last, the
Bill No. 1. was settled: more, I believe, because we were both
tired out with weighing words, than for any great merit that I
see in it. However, at the time I thought it might do; but in
the course of the day, thinking it over, I disliked it, and sent
the form No. 2. to Pitt, who desired to see me again. When I
went to him, he proposed, after some conversation, the Bill No.
3., which I took to consider.

But, in the meantime, I am _au dernier point_ at a loss what to
do in it; because, after an absence of six weeks, I know no more
of the present ideas of people in Ireland, and of the squabbles
and distinctions of words on which the whole turns, than the
Ministers here do; and less, God knows, I cannot know! If you
wait till something is formally sent you, I shall certainly be
reduced to the necessity either of putting the business off, or
of doing something in a hurry, without knowing whether it be
right or wrong. For you may depend upon it, that neither will
any of the unlearned Ministers pledge themselves to a specific
form, nor will the learned come from their rural retreats one
hour before the 17th.

In this situation I feel myself obliged to lay upon my oars, and
to entreat you to return the messenger as soon as possible, to
say whether any and which of the forms will do, or what kind of
thing I am to press f