Pitt; the latter, I have very good reason to
believe, would object to it.

In the meantime a storm is brewing, and will probably burst when
the preliminaries come to be considered, unless some event takes
place before that time. Lord Keppel and the Duke of Richmond
both assign the badness of the peace for their reason for
resigning. Lord Carlisle does the same, but I understand his
great objection goes to the Loyalists, to whom he considered his
personal honour engaged. The report of the day is, that the Duke
of Grafton has followed their example. Of this Townshend said
not one word to me, nor did I hear it till after I had seen him.
This rather makes me disinclined to believe it, though his Grace
has certainly had a kind of flirtation with Fox for some days
past.

Upon the whole, the only thing which I can at all venture to
pronounce with certainty, is that it cannot do as it is; and
that if Fox's people continue, as I believe they will, to stand
aloof, they must either all resign, or fill up the vacancies as
fast as they occur, day after day, with Lord North's people. _En
quo discordia cives prodaxit miseros._

In the case of an immediate resignation, Lord North's people
will come in by storm (Fox not having the least chance): in that
of gradual admission, they will sap the Government by degrees.
In either case, there is too much reason to fear the return of
the old system of corruption on one side, and faction on the
other.

With regard to the peace, I own I cannot think it so bad, all
things considered. If one measures it by an _uti possidetis_, it
is surely advantageous; and I see no reason for being at all
confident that another campaign would have put us in a better
situation to negotiate. In this line, I had intended to have
stated my ideas on the day of debate in the House of Commons;
but I am deterred by reading your opinions, and by a fear, I
believe too well grounded, that you will take an active part the
other way; and I cannot reconcile myself to the appearance of a
Scotch family. If it had not been for this, I think it would
have had a handsome appearance in the hour of their distress,
and would not have had a bad effect in Ireland; if, indeed, we
are any longer interested there, which I begin to doubt. Adieu,
my dearest brother.

Ever most