aited upon, and who was suspected, moreover, to
be unfavourable to Fitzgibbon. Much delay and suspense consequently
ensued, and it was not until June that the patent was made out.
Fitzgibbon was immediately created a Baron. From that point his
promotion in the peerage advanced rapidly. In 1793, he was created
Viscount Fitzgibbon; and in 1795, Earl of Clare.

The King's recovery now enabled Ministers to resume those measures which
the late unhappy suspension of public affairs had so grievously
interrupted. One of the first subjects that called for consideration was
the abolition of the Slave Trade. Mr. Wilberforce had succeeded in
raising such an excitement throughout the country about his forthcoming
motion, that the West India interest took alarm, and desired to know
whether it was the intention of Government to adopt the measure. But Mr.
Pitt, who had not yet pledged the Administration to any step beyond that
of inquiry, maintained a reserve on this point, which the enthusiasm of
Mr. Wilberforce may be said to have forced upon him. A letter from Sir
William Young touches on this matter; and alludes, also, to some
unseemly conduct on the part of the Princes, which is spoken of in a
similar spirit of deprecation in other letters. The circumstances that
rendered their proceedings on this occasion the more conspicuous and
objectionable were, that the ball at White's Club, referred to, was
given in honour of His Majesty's birthday, and happy restoration; and
that the Queen had signified her intention of being present.

SIR WILLIAM YOUNG TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stratton Street, April 22nd, 1789.
MY DEAR LORD,

The week passed hath not afforded an item of information worthy the
sending you. I have now a circumstance or two to mention in the
political line, and a little scandal to garnish it with, of a sort
"_quod predetendici potuisse, et non potuisse refelli_." Of
business in the first place. Steele told me yesterday, that on Mr.
Fox's motion this day to repeal the Hop-tax, it was meant to give
it up with the best grace possible. The next piece of Parliamentary
intelligence is respecting the Slave Trade; a committee from the
planters and merchants of the West Indies waited the other day on
Mr. Pitt, to put the short question, whether Government supported
Mr. Wilberforce in his motion for the _Abolition_ of the Slave
Trade? Mr. Pitt answered,