after it was mentioned. Your Lordship ask'd me, pray ask Lord Bute whether this quite agrees with his promise? His words to you I believe were, Lady Caroline will be the first the King makes. Add to this, G. Grenville put over my head, sans dire gare![1] Surely, if I am left to digest all this, it is incumbent on me to shew that a wrong opinion has been conceived of me, and Lord Bute will have preferr'd doing a great deal to drive a friend from him, to the doing a very little to preserve one."
A day after he wrote again:[2]
"The more I think, the more I wish for this salve to honor, and the more I wish for it from Lord Bute in a friendly generous way, that will for ever oblige me to him. In order to get it so, say nothing that may have the least tendency to anger if disappointed. I should not like to grant to a person that should but insinuate a threat. I hope Lord Bute is of the same make.
"In that belief I wish to be his friend, and hope he does not despise me so much as not to wish it in some degree too."
An interview took place immediately after the receipt of this letter. Here is the account which Shelburne gives of it to Bute.[3]
October 12th.
My dear Lord,—Read the inclosed,[4] and see how much I have overshot what was intended. Do not shame me as a negotiator. 'Tis impossible for me to tell you all that passed with Mr. Fox. Whatever may be my opinion with regard to opposition, I did not look on it as my business to contribute in the least to one. I therefore took up the conversation upon the footing of the inclosed note. It came to this—Mr. Fox certainly felt it as a neglect that such great attentions should be shown to the
- ↑ The lead in the House of Commons was given to George Grenville on the retirement of Mr. Pitt. On the resignation of the Duke of Newcastle in May 1762, Lord Bute became head of the Treasury, and George Grenville Secretary of State.
- ↑ Fox to Shelburne, October 12th, 1761.
- ↑ Shelburne to Bute, October 12th, 1761.
- ↑ The two previous letters.
