zards to the kingdom, which
never was exposed to such calamities, and, I fear, never can
recover such a shock. I trust, then, that I do not break through
the bounds of that respect, which I so truly feel, when I say
that no consideration shall make me a friend to such a
coalition, or to the component parts of it. These opinions I
have not concealed, having (from a very particular circumstance)
been forced to explain them.

The whole of these considerations will, I hope, justify me to
your Majesty, for a step which I have taken with the utmost
reluctance; but which, in conscience and duty, was unavoidable.
And I trust that you will not for a moment believe that I could,
by such a step, mean to increase those difficulties, which I
would relieve with my life; but that my official letter was
written under the idea that the new Administration was formed
upon principles and characters which I could not approve. But in
all contingencies this Government has suffered so materially
from the uncertainty of the last eight weeks, and from the
necessary delay of several points which have been submitted, and
which I think most essential to Government (so much so, that I
have been truly importunate respecting them), that I very much
fear the general event, and my own personal credit, from
consequences which I foresee, but cannot now wholly prevent. But
whatever may be my fears, I will not press this consideration
till your Majesty's arrangements shall be made, in the hopes
that I may then be allowed to retire, particularly if my
confidence and good-will cannot (as is too probable) engage me
to the support of the new Ministry.

I need not add, that whenever your Majesty's goodness shall
relieve me from the situation, I shall quit it with that regret
which is the natural result of leaving a great and essential
work of Government incomplete, which I had vanity enough to
imagine I might, by your Majesty's goodness, be enabled to
restore. And with the same vanity I will add, that I had rather
that your Majesty should collect the present state of Ireland
from any one than from myself.

Suffer me then, Sire, to hope that my system and my conduct have
not been unacceptable to you. Suffer me likewise to hope that
your Majesty sees the reasons for this resignation, neither
founded in per