hip, during his stay there,
was busily engaged in politely closing his numerous public
correspondences with the allied powers, the Barbary states, and the
respective British envoys, &c. at the various courts.

On arriving at Palermo, the latter end of May, every preparation was
made, by his lordship, and Sir William and Lady Hamilton, for
immediately going to England. One of the chief objects of his lordship's
attention, had been to promote, by all possible means, the general and
individual prosperity of Bronte; by enriching the country with the
improvements of agriculture, and preserving the people from oppression.
He selected, with this view, a governor, of unimpeachable honour, and of
uncommon abilities in directing agricultural operations. The name of
this gentleman was Graffer; and he had, already, for some time, acted in
that capacity, highly to the satisfaction of his lordship. The following
letter to Sir John Acton, occasioned by some interesting communications
from Mr. Graffer, not only affords a satisfactory proof of that
gentleman's integrity, but a fine picture of his lordship's ever anxious
regard to the comfort of those who had claims on his powerful and benign
protection.

"Palermo, 2d June 1800.

"SIR,

My object, at Bronte, is to make the people happy, by not suffering
them to be oppressed; and to enrich the country, by the
improvements of agriculture. For these reasons, I selected Mr.
Graffer, as a proper person for governor; as his character for
honesty is unimpeachable, and his abilities as an agriculturist
undeniable: and yet, it would appear, that there are persons who
wish, for certain reasons, to lessen the king's most magnificent
gift to me; and, also, to make the inhabitants of that country more
miserable than they were before the estate came into my possession.
Several people who have hired farms, on the contract of not letting
them to what we in England call middle-men, have already done so;
and I am told, that I either have been, or am to be, induced to
consent that a superior, or rather that all Bronte causes, should
be tried at Palermo. Now, as this is a measure so repugnant to
justice, and which must heap ruin on those it is my wish to render
happy, I intreat that, except such causes as the present laws of
Sicily oblige to resort to some superior court, it may never be
imagined that