ough it is
imagined to go only to fifty or one hundred Knights, and to some
enlargement of boroughs, to take place only on proof of
delinquency, as in the case of Cricklade and Shoreham.

No news of any Dutch peace, nor can I guess why we are arming,
as is said to be the case; but query. Adieu.

Ever yours,
W. W. G.

LORD NORTHINGTON TO LORD TEMPLE.

St. James's Place, May 7th, 1783.

My dear Lord,

Your despatch of the 29th of April, afforded me no small degree
of pleasure, as it conveyed to me such flattering assurances of
your Lordship's esteem and regard; sentiments perfectly similar
to which, I beg to assure your Lordship I entertain for you,
with the utmost sincerity and attachment. I feel likewise, with
much satisfaction and gratitude, those kind and liberal offers
of information and communication upon all points which may tend
to give me an early knowledge of the state and situation of that
country, and shall hope from such assistance to be the better
enabled to encounter the many difficulties and embarrassments
which I already foresee against my Administration. I sincerely
wish it was in my power to answer that part of your Lordship's
letter upon the subject of my speedy departure, as you wish; but
although on many accounts, both of a public and private nature,
some delay is unavoidable, it is my wish and my intention, as
far as concerns myself, that a delay of a moment shall not be
created, that is not of absolute necessity for my own
indispensable convenience. Some attention is likewise necessary
to His Majesty's servants, whose time is now so much employed in
the parliamentary discussion of many subjects of great
importance. The many objects which claim much consideration, as
stated in your Excellency's despatches, and which have been
pressed so frequently, and urged so forcibly by your Lordship on
His Majesty's late servants, and which appeared to them so
weighty in themselves, and of such moment as to require so long
a time for deliberation, cannot be suddenly and easily resolved
upon by Ministers of so short a date in office, and with such a
pressure of public affairs upon them, occasioned by a
discontinuance of any active or responsible Government for such
a period, for which they cannot be in the least responsible.

I could, ther