as been any of Lord Stafford, Lord
Weymouth, &c. Lord Lonsdale is still uncertain, and so is, I
believe, the Duke of Northumberland--though this will have been
brought to a point by this time. The general idea is, that he has
connected himself with the Independents, of which there was some
appearance last session. It is said that they mean to support Pitt
as the Minister, but to oppose any restrictions on the Regent. This
is not the less likely to be their conduct, on account of its being
absolute nonsense.

With respect to individuals in the House of Commons, there are
several who have long been wavering, and who have sent the most
positive assurances of support.

There is every reason to believe that the country will continue
entirely with us, and that addresses will be presented from all
parts to the Regent, to continue the Government. I am afraid that,
in point of time, nothing can be done of that sort in Ireland,
without exposing you to much embarrassment.

I conceive that our Regent will probably be appointed, the Bill
passed, &c., &c., by about the 10th or 12th of January, and that we
shall then immediately be dismissed. You certainly must remain till
your Parliament has met and appointed the Regent for Ireland,
because there is no one else who can vacate your commission; and I
think the contrivances which you once mentioned for avoiding it,
are liable to great objections. Now, you will observe, that the
addresses from Ireland could not be presented to the Prince of
Wales till he was Irish Regent, and that it would be a very awkward
thing to have the people there addressing him to continue you in
Ireland, after you had declared your own resolution to quit it in
consequence of the removal of your friends here. I wish you would
consider all this attentively, because, if these difficulties could
be removed, it would certainly be very desirable that it should
appear as far as possible to be the united sense of all the three
kingdoms, as well as of both Houses of Parliament, and of the King,
that the present Government should remain; and that these Whigs
should recommend the dismission in the teeth of all these.

Willis sent last night a note to Pitt about his attendance at the
Committee to-day. In a postscript, he tells him that he think