spoken it _verbatim et
literatim_), and to inform you of the terms upon which I aspire
to so much of your confidence as to flatter myself that you will
be kind enough to give me the most convincing proof of it that a
public station is capable of affording, which is that of
remaining in the Lieutenancy of Ireland. This request is
certainly premature, and very possibly may be useless, as I may
never be authorized to make it; but as it is not less a
testimony of my regard for the public than of my esteem and
respect for your Excellency, I do not hesitate at depositing it
in your custody, and have great satisfaction in the idea of
leaving with you such a pledge of my zeal for the welfare of
both kingdoms.

I am,
Most sincerely,
Your Excellency's most faithful and obedient servant,
Portland.
His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant, &c., &c., &c.

(ANSWER.)

LORD TEMPLE TO THE DUKE OF PORTLAND.

Dublin Castle, March 2nd, 1783.

My dear Lord,

A course of westerly winds having for the last anxious week cut
off our communication with England, six mails crowded upon me
yesterday such a load of public business, that I was forced to
delay till this morning the acknowledgments which are so much
due for your Grace's secret and confidential letter. I need not
say how truly I feel the extent of the partiality which I have
so often experienced, and which has certainly influenced you
against your better judgment in the offer which you are so good
as to make to me. Removed as I am from the immediate scene of
English politics, I am but little able to decide upon those
minutiae, which are often the principal springs which move the
machine; and under this want of information, I must confess
myself much distressed by the means employed to obtain an
object, in which, for obvious reasons, I should probably not
have engaged, but which in all contingencies I should hardly
have ventured to pursue in the mode which has succeeded. Both
kingdoms stand in need of a solid and substantial Government;
and in that spirit of candour which I am sure will entitle me to
your Grace's good-will, I must acknowledge that such an
arrangement as is proposed does not hold out to me any
reasonable expectation of a duration, even as long as that of
the Ministry which it supersedes; and conse