en by me; and when I go
to the Treasury, and tell the Minister who issues the money to me
(whenever it shall be issued) that I have employed it in the
maintenance and the education of those whom I do not myself know,
nor can tell in any regular and authorised manner from whom I
received them, I should make a very despicable, not to say a
criminal figure. I cannot take your Lordship's pleasure from the
Bishop of Leon; though he tells me he is (not your Lordship's
friend and adviser) but your clerk, as you have never informed me
of this his relation to you. I therefore, for my voucher and
justification, request that you will be pleased (the Committee and
the Bishop absolutely disclaiming all choice) to send me a list of
the names, circumstances and description of the boys whom you send
to me, or have sent, together with a certificate, that having duly
examined into the several claims and pretensions of the candidates,
you have found these the best entitled.

When I have received this attestation as my authority and voucher,
far from cavilling at either the person naming, or the names, I
shall receive them most cheerfully; happy that your Lordship
having generously and nobly taken to yourself the election, these
objects have obtained security for a powerful protection, to place
them, as successively they shall be qualified, in some way useful
to themselves and to the public. I shall take care that they do no
dishonour to your patronage; at least to the moment in which
(having received them from your hands) I deliver them back into the
same benevolent and protecting safeguard.

My dear Lord, have the goodness to excuse the length of this
letter, on account of the weight of my responsibility and the very
difficult situation in which I stand.

Mrs. Burke begs leave to join me in the most truly respectful
compliments to Lady Buckingham, and if we may be permitted, on very
little acquaintance, to Lord and Lady Temple. No persons can more
sincerely wish, than we do, all kind of honour and happiness to you
and all that belong to you.

I have the honour to be, with the most perfect respect and
affection,

My dear Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient and faithful humble servant,
EDM. BURKE.

The name of Buonaparte appears for the first ti