of swearing the
Members; but this does not seem to me to be at all material, and I
am persuaded that you will feel with me that it is unavoidable. The
writ once moved, the election may come on upon the tenth, or at
latest, the eleventh day from the Monday, so that the whole notice
will not exceed a fortnight.

I reserve, till I see you, the particulars of the negotiation of
which I have spoken, and of our present situation with a view to
that important point. I am sorry for the delay in making the other
arrangements, but you must allow something for the difficulties
which always occur in bringing points of this nature to bear, and
for the various loads which press at such a moment as this on
Pitt's time, by whose personal negotiations alone all this must be
done. Pray let me know, by the return of my messenger, when I may
expect you in town.

I am sorry to hear of so long a sick list. Adieu, my dear brother,
and believe me

Ever most truly and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

1791.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CLAIMS--RESIGNATION OF THE DUKE OF LEEDS--FLIGHT OF
THE ROYAL FAMILY OF FRANCE--PROSPERITY OF ENGLAND AT THIS PERIOD.

The first object to which the attention of Ministers was addressed at
the opening of Parliament in 1791, was a measure for the further relief
of the Roman Catholics. The only objection urged against it by the
Opposition was that it did not go far enough. Mr. Pitt himself held the
same opinion, but did not consider it expedient to act upon it.

The interest which Lord Buckingham never ceased to feel in Ireland,
where this question of Catholic disabilities was a spring of constant
agitation, led him to regard the subject in relation to that country
with much solicitude. Agreeing in principle with Mr. Pitt, he held that
the Roman Catholics should be placed on the same footing in both
kingdoms; and that whatever privileges were bestowed upon them in
England should also, and at the same time, be granted to them in
Ireland. Mr. Hobart, who had been his Lordship's secretary during his
last Administration, and who was continued in that appointment by his
successor, Lord Westmoreland, corresponded with him frequently on this
topic; and it may be gathered from his letters that the views of the new
Lord-Lieutenant were unfavourable to the demands of the Roman Catholics.
In the early part of the correspondence, Mr