dertake this most arduous charge, I communicated to Mr. Dundas
about a week ago my final acceptance of the Government of Madras,
with the provisional succession to Bengal after Lord Cornwallis. My
appointment not having yet been formally made by the Court of
Directors, I cannot yet acknowledge my destination to India; you
will, therefore, be so good as to speak of the whole matter merely
as a vague report until you hear further from me.

Thus, my dear Lord, you will perceive that whatever has been done
relating to Hobart in the conclusion of this arrangement for India,
has received the sanction of his nearest relations, of persons
whose affectionate friendship for Hobart, and just discernment of
his interests, will readily be acknowledged by you. In a situation
of peculiar delicacy and embarrassment, it has been a great
satisfaction to me to have been able to submit every step which I
have taken in this affair to the judgment of such a man as Mr.
Sullivan.

The various delays which have retarded the conclusion of this
arrangement, have rendered it impossible for me to embark with Lord
Cornwallis. However, I am in constant habits of the most
confidential intercourse with him from day to day; and I mean to
pass six weeks or two months with him in Bengal before his
resignation of the government. My departure will probably not take
place sooner than July or August.

Finding that the office of Private Civil Secretary at Bengal would
be well worth my brother Henry's acceptance, I mean to take him
with me. After a very accurate inquiry from Lord Cornwallis, I am
concerned to find that it would not be in my power to be of any
assistance to Mr. Fisher in India. My intention is to take no other
person, besides my servants, excepting my brother Henry, and to
avoid all engagements universally in Europe, in order to secure
myself against any temptation to an irregular distribution of
patronage. In this resolution, which I formed very early, on
principles which a long attention to the affairs of India has
enabled me to fix with some degree of confidence, I have been
strongly confirmed by Lord Cornwallis, and I am persuaded that you
will approve of my determination.

Pray accept my cordial thanks for the kindness and friendship
which appear in every