et the example of a measure by which alone Ireland was to be
preserved to this country.

In a state of unreserved communication, such as ought to prevail
between a Lord-Lieutenant and his employers, or with a Secretary to
whom one might speak openly, and put such a point on its true
bearing, there would be no difficulty; but you know how far we are
from such a situation. Nor can I honestly advise the taking any
steps towards the removal of any part of the British Militia from
Ireland; though if any is to come away contrary to my opinion, I
feel and acknowledge the justice of your claim, and should, for
every personal reason to yourself, be most anxious to contribute
towards relieving you from such a scene. But even then, how to make
the application, and urge the claim without putting it into his
power to say that there is an appearance of declining service, I
know not, and yet I much wish to manage it. I have made an indirect
suggestion, in the hope that it may be conveyed to him, of the
propriety of considering (if any come away) how the choice should
be made; but I cannot answer for it that this will be stated to
him, and still less that he will pay any attention to it; and I am
restrained by the very forcible consideration I have already
mentioned, from taking more direct and active steps.

Lord Castlereagh was now appointed to the Secretaryship in Ireland, and
the question of the Union, which had been for some time under the
consideration of Government, began to shape itself into a practical
form. We have here the first rough outline of the views of Ministers
upon that measure.

LORD GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Dropmore, Nov. 5th, 1798.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,

I am extremely obliged to you for your constant and kind letters,
which supply the vacancy of all other information. You will
perhaps know before you receive this, that after having employed
Pitt, and through him, me, and also General Ross, separately, to
press Tom to accept the thankless office of his Secretary, Lord
Cornwallis has, without one word of communication to him, written
to say that, Pelham declining, he desires to have Lord Castlereagh.
It is of a piece with all the rest! Pelham _has_ declined, and so
the whole thing will go on exactly as it does now. Yet, lamenting
this m