tion and the reciprocal interests of both. Let us unite our endeavours in so good a work. I cannot conclude without expression to your lordship, how anxious I shall be to hear from you. I have the honour, &c. &c.

"Grosvenor Square, Tuesday, P.M. Five O'Clock, April 9, 1782.”

"ROCKINGHAM.

"I write in a great hurry, as I expect Col. Fitzpatrick to call for the letter every moment. He sets out from hence."

The letter from Fox contains all that ingenuous frankness and that candid simplicity which so eminently marked his character. It was as follows:

MY DEAR LORD,

"If I had occasion to write to you a month ago, I should have written with great confidence that you would believe me perfectly sincere, and would receive any thing that came from me, with the partiality of an old acquaintance, and one who acted upon the same political principles. I hope you will now consider me in the same ligh but I own I write with much more diffidence, as I am much more sure of your kindness to me, personally, than of your inclination to listen with favour to any thing that comes from a secretary of state. The principal business of this letter is to inform you that the Duke of Portland is appointed Lord

Lieutenant of Ireland, and Colonel Fitzpatrick, his secretary. And when I have said this, I need not add, that I feel myself in every private as well as public account, most peculiarly interested in the success of their administration. That their persons and characters are not disagreeable to your lordship, I may venture to assure myself, without being too sanguine, and think myself equally certain, that there are not in the world two men whose general way of thinking upon political subjects, is more exactly consonant to your own. It is not therefore too much to desire and hope, that you will at least look upon the administration of such men, with rather a more favourable eye, and incline to trust them, rather more than you could do most of those who have been their predecessors. Why should not the complete change of system, that has happened in this country have the same effect there that it has here? and why should not those who used to compose the opposition in Ireland, become the principal supporters of the new administration there; on the very grounds on which they opposed the old one? In short, why should not the whigs (I mean in principle, not in name) unite in every part of the empire to establish their principles só firmly that no future faction shall be able to destroy them. With regard to the particular points between the two countries, I am really not yet mnaster of them sufficiently to discuss them, but I can say in general, that the new ministry have no

other wish than to settle them in the way that may be most for the real advantage of both countries, whose interests cannot be distinct *. This is very general,, indeed, and if this language came from persons whose principles were less known to you I should not expect you to consider it as any thing but mere words; as it comes from those of whom I know your good opinion, I trust it will pass for something more. All we desire is favourable construction, and assistance as far as is compatible with your principles; for to endeayour to persuade men to disgrace themselves (even were it practicable, as in this instance I know it is not) is very far from being part of the system of the ministry. The particular time of year at which this change happens is productive of many great inconveniences, especially as it will be very difficult for the Duke of Portlaud to be at Dublin before your parliament meets; but I cannot help hoping that all reasonable men will concur in removing some of these difficulties and that a short adjournment will not be denied if asked. I do not throw out this as knowing from any authority that it will be proposed, but as an idea that suggests itself to me, and in order to shew that I wish to talk with you and consult with you in the same frank manner, in which I should have done before I was in this situation,

This explicit admission of the principle upon which the -new ministry meant to proceed, was a great cause of its acceptance by all parties in Ireland.

so very new to me. I have been so used to think ill. of all the ministers whom I did know, and to suspectthose whom I did not, that when I am obliged to call myself a minister, I feel as if I had put myself into a very suspicious character; but I do assure you I am the very same man, in all respects, that I was when you knew me, and honoured me with some share in your esteem; that I maintain the same opinions and act with the same people. beg your pardon for troubling you with so long a letter; but the great desire I fcel in common with my friends, that we should retain your good opinion, must make my apology.

I

"Pray make my best compliments to Mr. Grattan, and tell him, that the Duke of Portland, and Fitzpatrick, are thoroughly impressed with the consequence of his approbation, and will do all they can to deserve it. I do most sincerely hope that he may hit upon some line that may be drawn, honourably and advantageously for both countries, and that, when that is done, he will shew the world that there may be a government in Ireland, of which he is not ashamed to make a a part. That country can never prosper, where what should be the ambition of men of honour, is considered as a disgrace *. I must beg pardonagain for the unconscionable length of this letter. I do assure you, my dear lord, that there is no

A noble maxim; and worthy the constant recollection of all men called upon to act a part in the councils of any

one who more values your esteem, or is more so licitous for the continuance of it, than

"Your very obedient humble servant,

"Grafton Street,

C. J. Fox."

April 4, 1782,

It may easily be supposed that the patriotic party in Ireland, and with them the people, of Ireland, were elevated with the most sanguine hopes of accomplishing their long wished for end, under the auspices of a ministry so constituted, and it may be equally supposed that with such dispositions towards the welfare of Ireland, on the part of the administration, no unnecessary delays would take place in conferring whatever boon was meant to be bestowed. On the 14th of of April, the Duke of Portland arrived in Dublin, and immediately took upon himself the government of Ireland. He was received with excessive demonstrations of joy. When the parliament met, on the 16th of April, the galleries and bar of the house of commons were crowded, and expectation was raised to enthusiasm. As soon as the speaker had taken the chair, Mr. J. H. Hutchinson, his majesty's principal secretary of state, rose, and announced that he was charged by the lord lieutenant, to communicate a message to the house. The purport of this message was to recommend to the house, to take into its con