ion; that, in
particular, I have a friend in your Excellency; and that,
although in one of our last conversations you concluded your
expressions of great kindness with something that threatened
reluctance to my retirement, yet it was done with a countenance
and in a manner that flattered me with hopes that there was a
friendship under it, that would afford me your assistance
whenever the occasion should direct me to look up to and solicit
your Excellency for it.

All these circumstances concurring (and so many concurring
together I cannot, according to a reasonable calculation of
human affairs, much expect), determined me to do as I have done.
I have struggled to overcome my passion for my office in
Ireland; but I submit, because I am worn out, or rather am as
near being worn out as, I think, a man who wishes to preserve a
dignity of character should approach to. I have exceedingly
wished to afford your Excellency every assistance in my power
during your Administration; and if I retire from the Great Seal,
I shall most certainly retain that wish, and display it by such
proof as you can desire, and as I can with the warmest
attachment afford you. Your Excellency will be a gainer by a
change, as you will have the exertions of a younger and more
vigorous man, and my best help added to it.

I did not come out of the King's closet until between six and
seven yesterday evening, and I was then so fatigued that I could
not set pen to paper.

I have not said anything upon this subject to anybody here, save
only to the King and Mr. Pitt.

Permit me to beg your Excellency's friendship in this matter,
that so much concerns me and my family. Your kindness in it, you
may rely upon it, will never be forgotten by me, and I shall
transmit the remembrance of it to those who are to come after
me. I have now done, and have the honour to be, with the most
sincere attachment and respect, my very good Lord, your
Excellency's most faithful and most obedient, humble servant,

Lifford.

His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland

The only obstruction to the appointment of Fitzgibbon, was the
disqualifying circumstance of his birth. It was held to be a dangerous
precedent to appoint an Irishman to the office; but it was maintained on
the other side, that Fitzgibbon's was an exceptional case