Lordship, who I am persuaded will do me justice in regard to yourself at least. As to the King, surely there must have been sad misrepresentations: my past conduct, whatever my future may be, not having merited it of a generous Prince, whom I have often heard your Lordship say, felt so much from a different conduct than what my heart tells me, and you must be sensible I have ever observed towards him. I feel for his Person, for his Office, and for the State, and no accident I hope, will prevent my preserving the most temperate conduct with these views; none can certainly give me more concern than your not being thoroughly persuaded of the respect and esteem with which I am, and have been,
My dear Lord,
Bute to Shelburne.
September 20th.
My dear Lord,—With regard to your Lordship's letter, I never doubted that you would come to taste a little of those compliments I have been receiving more or less these seven years, and though I at present check all conversation that leads to politicks, people have told me that I am abused from every quarter. I am the more surpris'd from hearing the violence of some who not long ago were tame indeed, but these are topicks I shall not long be troubled with. With regard to the great Personage you mention, I cannot believe the reports made you to be true. I know he was disgusted at the time you chose to resign; but I also know he was pleased with your manner of doing it and with the declaration you made him, and said upon it, that he would suffer no man to hurt you in His opinion, while you continued firm to your own generous resolutions. This was the day after you resign'd, since which I protest on the word of a gentleman I know no more of politicks, of the King, or the Ministers' ideas or measures than I do of the Mogul's Court. I have heard one or two I call my friends, wish you had
