d certainly have
declared, that as your junction with the Government cannot fail to
be of great advantage to the country, so it could not be injurious
to the Catholic cause, which can prosper only by the regular and
steady progress of a prudent and temperate system. On this point,
however, I repeat that I would not venture to obtrude my weak
judgment. I am obliged to attend the King to-morrow, otherwise I
should have endeavoured to see your Lordship and Lord Grenville; on
my return I hope for that advantage.

Believe me always, my dear Lord,

With true esteem and regard,

Yours most faithfully,

WELLESLEY.

My brother Arthur has mentioned Lieut.-Col. Fremantle to me with
great regard. I shall be very happy, if it should be in my power,
to promote his wishes; but, in the very extended state of my old
engagements, I cannot make any decision before my arrival in
Ireland.

MR. W. C. PLUNKET TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Dublin, Dec. 3, 1821.

MY LORD,

The mails have arrived here after a continuance of eight or nine
days of storm, and I have just received your Lordship's letter of
the 30th. I hasten to acknowledge it, and to express the strong
sense I entertain of your Lordship's kindness and confidence. When
I was in town last March, I took the liberty of asking Lord
Grenville's advice, with reference to an overture which had been
made to me on the part of his Majesty's Ministers, and on which I
had declined to act, until I should have the opportunity of
learning his sentiments; finding that he had formed a decided
(and I must say most unfortunate) resolution not to become a
member of administration, but knowing, at the same time, how
entirely his views and opinions on the state of public affairs
coincided with those of the Government, I felt disposed to accede
to the proposal which had been made, of resuming my former office
of Attorney-General in Ireland. Your Lordship was not then in
town, or I should certainly have availed myself of your confidence
and friendly interest in my affairs, and have asked the benefit of
your advice. Lord Grenville agreed with me that there was _no
possible objection to the proposed arrangement_; at the same
time he suggested the propriety of holding myself free as to the
time and mode of dealing with the Roman Cath