ion was actually
made, and made in person by Pitt, who, with a thorough knowledge of the
character of Fox, believed that the most direct mode of ascertaining his
sentiments was not only the most honourable to both, but the most likely
to attain its end, either by a candid refusal or immediate acceptance,
is here authoritatively stated by Mr. Grenville. Fox's answer is
conclusive as to the real obstacle which impeded all negotiation. While
Lord Shelburne was in office nothing could be done: no party would
consent to coalesce with him. The humiliating condition to which he had
lowered the Administration, is shown in the straits to which it was now
reduced--seeking support alternately from opposite parties, and finding
its offers rejected in turn by both.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO LORD TEMPLE.

Pall Mall, Feb. 6th, 1783.

My dear Brother,

Townshend's messenger is nowhere, waiting for this letter; and
as, by a mistake, I was not till now informed of his going
to-night, I have only time to write a few lines, just to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, and
to say a very little upon the singular situation of things here.

To-day, when I delivered your despatches to Townshend, I entered
into a conversation with him on this subject, saying that you
trusted to him for information, &c., &c. He perfectly agreed
with me in thinking that it could not go on without some new
arrangement of some sort or other. At the same time, he said
that he knew of no negotiation going on with Lord North. That
there was no truth in the reports which have circulated so much
that Jenkinson was to be Chancellor of the Exchequer, Pitt
Secretary, and himself Paymaster. That he had good reason to
believe that there had been a negotiation between Lord North and
Fox, but that it was now off. That, for his own part, he saw no
reason for proscribing all Lord North's people from _office_,
but he should not like to see them in _Government_.

Upon this text it is not very easy to reason. The prevailing
idea certainly is that Lord Shelburne is making overtures to
Lord North. Whether those are to go to Cabinet arrangement, or
only to provision for Lord North's family and offices of
emolument, &c., for George North, &c., &c., I do not know; if
the former, it is clear that he keeps it from the knowledge both
of Townshend and