n your successor's hands with every possible
advantage.

We had a little more conversation, which turned entirely on
generals, with many expressions of personal civility on his
part; and that he intended to write to-morrow, immediately after
his being declared, to state to you the time which he desired
for his preparations, &c., &c.

Pitt spoke to Lord Bulkeley the other day, to express how much
he admired your conduct and character, particularly in remaining
so long; and that you were the person to whom the country looked
for the first situations.

Adieu, my dear brother.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

Tom asked me to-day, whether you had mentioned anything to me of
your having received a letter from him.

This interview was followed by an immediate communication from Lord
Northington.

LORD NORTHINGTON TO LORD TEMPLE.

St. James's Place, April 30th, 1783.

My dear Lord,

It is with much concern I find that your Excellency has not been
prevailed upon to continue in the execution of a Government
which all accounts agree, and universal opinion confirms, your
Excellency to have conducted with so much credit to yourself and
satisfaction to the country over which you have the honour to
preside. I could have hoped, that the many honourable
testimonies of regard given to you might have produced other
sentiments, and that the general wishes of the country might
have effected what the Administration here might have attempted
in vain. This, however, not having been the case, I have it to
notify to your Excellency, that the pressing instances of my
friends have been able to overcome my own apprehensions, and I
have consented to accept the arduous situation of becoming your
Excellency's successor.

I have had the honour of being declared this day, by His Majesty
in Council, as the person to relieve your Excellency, which, as
I understand your wishes to be, that it should be as soon as can
be, with any tolerable convenience to the affairs at home, and
the settlement of my establishment in Ireland, I shall forward
as much as possible. I hope, therefore, to be able to set off
from here in a month from the day of my declaration, at
furthest, by a week after, which I understand will be about the
time you find necessary for the arrangement of yo