occasion, and I was so. I stated to you that the general
acceptance of such an offer, might naturally be considered to
imply a condition, on the person accepting it, of conforming in
his Parliamentary conduct with yours. I also stated to you at
large the reasons why I could not sit in the House of Commons
under the slightest implication of any such restraint, and I was
happy in finding you concur with me on that point, of which I
was perfectly satisfied by the warmth with which you disclaimed
any idea of your intending or wishing to restrain my freedom by
any condition whatsoever. The motives you were pleased to assign
for a conduct so very flattering and honourable to me, were an
additional incentive to my wishing rather to decline the
intended favour. I thought it beyond my merit, and I urged you
to confer it upon some other gentleman. These same sentiments I
repeated in many conversations I had with you on the subject;
but your friendly partiality persevered and prevailed. I do not
dwell on these facts from any supposition that you have
forgotten them, which could not be consistent with the very
honourable solicitude with which I know you have always borne
testimony to them, and to my independence. But I recal them to
show you that I also remember them, as forming the principal
ground of the obligation to you, which I uniformly felt, and
professed.

From that period to the present, we have concurred in sentiments
and acted together. I now understand from you that you have
engaged to support the present Administration. From what I have
heard of His Excellency, and what I know of you, I cannot doubt
that you have acted consistently with the public interest, and
your own honour; but being an utter stranger to the principles
or the measures which Administration may adopt, I feel that I
could not, without hazarding the sacrifice of my principles or
my character, follow your example in that point, however I
respect it. I see clearly, that while we remain as at present,
we shall both of us be exposed to that calumny, which you find
has even already been put into motion against us. Were I to go
to the House and vote as you may--for on any ordinary occasion I
could not forget my regards for you so much as to vote against
you--it would be relinquishing that independence which I