require him to send it to him in writing. Pitt has sent a
respectful answer, disclaiming any disrespect to him; but saying
that he does not think it proper to do this until the question of
right has been discussed.

It is reported that the four Princes of the blood met yesterday,
and agreed to refuse the Regency under any limitations, and this is
to be declared in the House of Commons to-morrow. I have reason to
believe this to be true. Pitt saw the Queen yesterday; I do not
know what passed, though I think he is satisfied.

I enclose a letter from Camplin, upon which you must decide. I have
not yet seen Captain Nugent, who has sent me a letter from you, but
his business is wholly out of our cognizance.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

When Pitt was at Kew he saw Willis, who told him that he did not
think the difference in the King's state within these last two
days, of the smallest importance. That this sort of fluctuation was
naturally to be expected, and did not in any degree diminish his
hopes, which are as sanguine as ever.

MR W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Dec. 17th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

I have nothing to add to what I said in my last letter, on the
interesting subject of your situation and conduct in the events
that may most reasonably be expected to arise. It appears, however,
to me, to be of the utmost importance that you should not neglect
for a moment taking the opinion of the law servants of the Crown in
Ireland, with respect to the operation of a new patent granted by a
Parliamentary Regent here, under the English Great Seal, previous
to any proceeding having been held in Ireland. I have a real
confidence in Fitzgibbon's honour; but I think this a point of much
too great importance to yourself, to be vested on verbal opinions.
You may, and I think ought, both to keep these written opinions
secret, and to require them to do so; but as soon as you have
received them, you should, I think, transmit them to Lord Sydney,
to remain in his office. You will observe that the ground is now in
some measure cleared for you by the declaration of right, which we
came to last night, and which will certainly be agreed to by the
House of Lords. I expected to have been able to send you an exact