likely to be satisfactory, unless, on Lord Fitzwilliam's going, you succeed either to the situation of President or Privy Seal. I am not sure whether, in case of extremity, I could not make an arrangement which might enable me to propose to you to be Lord Steward, or Master of the Horse, which, I conclude, you would not object to. At present, however, I have left this part of the subject depending on the point whether the Duke of Portland will prevail on Lord Mansfield to set aside his pretensions to be President; and he has not yet quite made up his mind on the subject.

With respect to the supporters of Government, they seem to make no difficulty in continuing them in their present situations, with only one exception. But unluckily that exception is the Chancellor' whom they make a point of removing; which I have positively refused to concur in, and it there also remains to be seen whether they will give way. On these two points it will chiefly depend whether we can go on or not, though perhaps it is not quite impossible that it may end in Lord Fitzwilliam's retaining his present situation, which in some views would be best of all. On the whole, my present opinion is that they will not push things to an extremity, and that, finding me determined on the points I have mentioned, they will ultimately give way upon them.

There are still some other subordinate points which may be embarrassing, but on which I am sure you will

1 Lord Fitzgibbon.

give every reasonable facility, if the essential ones are settled. I find an opinion strongly entertained that if the Provostship is to be given on academical, and not political grounds, that principle is but half executed, and a marked affront at the same time offered to the University, if it is given to any but one of their own body. It will therefore be very much wished that you should not press the recommendation of Bennet. He is otherwise so well provided for, that I hope, as far as concerns him, you will be under no difficulty. I am chiefly afraid of your being embarrassed with respect to the other arrangements you intended dependent on this, particularly Marly's promotion. But that point can probably be settled through Grattan, if matters are accommodated. The other difficulty is respecting the Secretary of State, which, on the same supposition, they will naturally want to make use of for some of the new friends; and they may state some reason, if they are not allowed to make room for any by removal. To this I should see no great objection, if we can find some other adequate provision for Douglas, which I hold to be indispensable.

I am afraid, from your letters, that your first impres sion on all I have written will be, that I am too moderate in conceding; but you must consider how much depends, in such a moment as this, on avoiding both the reality and the appearance of weakness and disunion in the Government at home. The task on our hands is difficult enough for all our joint efforts; and every sentiment of jealousy or resentment ought to be lost in a sense of its importance and urgency.

I enclose you a Memorandum on the subject of the 83rd, which it may be of the utmost importance that we should have here as soon as possible; and I shall be much obliged if you will send it with your usual despatch. We have a scheme on which I will write to you soon, by which I think [we might have] some additional troops in a state of very good discipline, almost immediately.

Mr. Cooke arrived at the moment that we were engaged in an explanation, which had nearly brought to a point all the questions respecting Ireland which it was necessary to discuss, and the little which then remained to be done is since completed. Under the variety of urgent business which presses from all quarters, I have not time to-day to write to you as fully as I wish, but I think it better to write shortly rather than add to a delay which has been too long already. As far as you are personally concerned, I have proceeded all along on the idea with which the statement of your sentiments in a Memorandum which Mr. Cooke has sent me perfectly coincides: namely, that you have no personal anxiety to remain in Ireland, but that after what has passed you could not quit the Lord Lieute

nancy without coming immediately to some situation here of such rank and distinction as to prove unquestionably that your conduct is approved, and your personal consideration and importance is not lowered. I am aware, however, from your former letters, that an office actually in the Cabinet is what you would look to for this purpose. On this point I must fairly state to you that no such arrangement is practicable; and however happy I should have been to gratify any wish of yours, if the state of political parties had left more opening, I am sure you will feel that I could not sacrifice to that object a system which circumstances have rendered (at a critical time) essential to the King's service. I must add, though I must be always ready and glad to acknowledge how creditably and advantageously you have conducted the King's Government in Ireland, I do not think that even that plea makes it a matter necessary that you should on your return succeed to a Cabinet office. The place which I now expect to be enabled immediately to propose to you is that of Master of the Horse. Lord Mansfield, on succeeding to the Presidentship, is to give up the office of Lord Justice General, which I am quite sure the Duke of Montrose will readily accept in exchange for that of Master of the Horse; but as he is on his road from Scotland, I have not yet seen him.

This situation is always considered, in point of rank, as not beneath any claims or pretensions; and I am therefore persuaded, even though your wishes may have pointed to one of a different nature, you will on consideration reckon this arrangement satisfactory.

With respect to the system in Ireland, every idea is disclaimed which ought to give any reasonable jealousy. Whatever may arise to require instruction from hence will be settled in the same manner as any other branch of government, and certainly not without my full concurrence. No violent changes of any sort are in contemplation, and it is completely understood that the former supporters of Government will be fairly and honourably treated and consulted with, while new friends are admitted to a fair participation, and former distinction of parties put as far as possible out of the question, as it has been here. With respect to Lord Fitzgibbon in particular, I have full assurances of a disposition to act with him in the manner due to his situation; and as his name has been so much brought into question, I mean to take the first opportunity of writing to him, to state explicitly the result of what has passed.

There remain, I think, but two other points on which I need say anything. The first of these relates to your recommendations and engagements. As to the first, I much wish to leave the Provostship open for further discussion. The grant of the Secretaryship of State, I think, will be completed, and Mr. Douglas will be ready to resign it immediately on our settling an arrangement for him here. The Secretaryship of State, it is understood, should then be annexed to the office of Chief Secretary, and the other office of Keeper of the Signet given to Ponsonby. The Deanery of Ferns will be given to your recommendation. The vacant Bishopric I should hope you will not object to my