Ministers will think it a point
of spirit to seem rather less desirous of peace since your
defeat in the West?

Howe is still off the Texel, and the Dutch safe within.

What mere politics I write to you! One might as well be a
newspaper editor at once, I believe, as anything that politics
can make one: but all other pursuits are as idle and
unsatisfactory, and that's a comfort.

Yours ever,

R. B. Sheridan.

[Footnote 1: The Duke of Rutland had been appointed by the new Ministry
Lord-Lieutenant in Ireland and General Burgoyne Commander-in-Chief
there.]

MR. FOX TO MR. THOMAS GRENVILLE.

Dear Grenville,

I have only time to write a line to tell you that I have
received your letter by Gregson, and also that by the post
containing the letters that passed between M. de Vergennes and
you. I do not choose to tell you anything more of my opinion by
this conveyance, than that all you have done is perfectly and
exactly right, and that His Majesty is of the same opinion.

Rolle moved yesterday, and Rosewarne seconded, a sort of censure
on the recal of Rodney, and Lord North made such a figure as
made even his enemies pity him; he showed such a desire to
support the motion, without daring to do it, as was perfectly
ridiculous. Adieu!

Yours, ever affectionately,

C. J. F.

We are all surprised at your not knowing the great news on the
24th, which was the date of your letter by Gregson.

Every account from Ireland is pleasant to the greatest degree.

St. James's, May 31st, 1782

MR. THOMAS GRENVILLE TO MR. FOX.

Paris, June 4th, 1782.

Dear Charles,

The _public_ letter which I send to you by Lauzun, is, as you
will see, of no other use than that of accounting for his
journey, and enabling him to carry to you this _private_ one, of
which I had once almost determined to be myself the bearer; an
apprehension, however, that so sudden an arrival might be
embarrassing to you, has decided me not to take that step, till
I had explained to you my reasons for wishing to do so, though I
should not care to write them, except in the full confidence
that they will be seen by no person whatever but yourself.
Recollect always that this letter is written in that confidence,
and I am sure I never can repent of having sent it.

You will easily se