blanche_; which, after two days' deliberation, he has this day
refused. No other person has yet been sent for. Lord Gower was
with the King on Monday, but I believe no offer made to him.

Whether the King has any resource left, or whether he will (as I
rather think) acquiesce, God knows. _Voila tout que je sais_;
and so, good night.

GENERAL CUNINGHAME TO LORD TEMPLE.

London, Wednesday Night,

Feb. 25th, 1783.

My Lord,

I have this instant heard Lord North say, he believed that Mr.
Pitt was First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the
Exchequer; and I know a variety of circumstances to confirm it.
The same army will be fought under another general, in the
expectation of its being strengthened by deserters before the
next action.

I have the honour to be, with great respect,

My Lord,
Your most faithful and obedient humble servant,
Robert Cuninghame.

GENERAL CUNINGHAME TO LORD TEMPLE.

London, Thursday Night,

Feb. 26th, 1783.

My Lord,

There seems now no doubt of Mr. Pitt's having been offered, and
having refused, being First Lord of the Treasury. What may or
may not happen to-morrow, nobody can conjecture, The House of
Commons will probably adjourn till Monday.

I have the honour to be, with true respect,

My Lord,
Your most faithful and obedient humble servant,
Robert Cuninghame.

The refusal of Pitt, who was sagaciously waiting his
opportunity--foreseeing what would come of these desperate efforts to
patch up an Administration--and the King's personal aversion to Fox, and
dissatisfaction with Lord North for his union with him, rendered it
necessary to look for help elsewhere. In this extremity Lord Temple was
thought of, as one of the few men whose courage and integrity might be
confidently relied upon.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO LORD TEMPLE.

Pall Mall, Feb. 28th, 1783.

My dear Brother,

I have been, for these last five days, in the most anxious
expectation of being able to write to you something certain
about the situation of things here. Still, however, they remain
in the same unsettled state. The invincible repugnance continues
to operate in the strongest manner; it is avowed, and was
certainly the cause of the late offer, which has been declined;
notwithstanding the promises of support from many of thos