send you over a case given to me by the Duke of Athol, who has
particularly desired my attention to the subject. He is to bring
it forward this year. Can you tell me where I can find any of my
father's papers upon it?

I have got the cypher, which answers perfectly. I keep it, in
order to have another made from it. I shall be anxious to hear
of your little girl's doing well.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, April 30th, 1788.

My dear Brother,

Bastard's motion came on yesterday, and was lost, on the
previous question, by 221 to 169. This division very far
exceeded my expectations, and, indeed, I believe those of most
people, considering the popular nature of the question, and the
many personal considerations which induced people to vote
against us on this point, who do so on no other. It has, I
imagine, entirely put an end to any further discussion of this
subject. It will not diminish your satisfaction on this occasion
to hear that the previous question was moved by me, and that I
had the good fortune not only to satisfy myself, which I have
not done before in the course of this session, but also to
satisfy my friends so well, that the question was rested on my
speech, no other member of Government saying anything.

This event puts an end to all considerations as to any immediate
contingencies to affect our decision of the point which relates
to me. It is therefore not necessary to take any immediate steps
upon it, till we can find some satisfactory solution. You see
that my mind leans at present to taking the Rolls at the
diminished value, but _for life_; thinking, as I do, more and
more, every day, that such a grant would be perfectly legal and
maintainable against all the world, on the ground of precedent,
of authority, and on the words of the statute itself.

The idea of Lord Clanbrassil's office had occurred to me. I have
no difficulty in stating to you fairly my feelings upon it,
because I know you will enter into them, and judge, after
comparing them with the convenience which you would yourself
derive from such an arrangement, preferably to any other. Lord
Clanbrassil's life I had taken from the Peerage at fifty-nine,
but sixty would not materially alter the calculation.