Jump to content

Page:Letters of Junius, volume 2 (Woodfall, 1772).djvu/218

From Wikisource
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
208
LETTERS OF

support of administration;" and with "endeavours in support of the ministerial nomination of Sheriffs." And he assigns two inconsistent motives for my conduct: either that I have "sold myself to the ministry;" or am instigated "by the solitary vindictive "malice of a monk:" either that I am influenced by a sordid desire of gain, or am hurried on by "personal hatred, and blinded by resentment." In his letter to the Duke of Grafton, he supposes me actuated by both: in his letter to me, he at first doubts which of the two, whether interest or revenge, is my motive. However, at last he determines for the former, and again positively asserts, "that the ministry have made me promises:" yet he produces no instance of corruption, nor pretends to have any intelligence of a ministerial connexion. He mentions no cause of personal hatred to Mr. Wilkes, nor any reason for my resentment or revenge; nor has Mr. Wilkes himself ever hinted any, though repeatedly pressed. When Junius is called upon to justify his accusation, he answers, "He cannot descend to an altercation with me in the newspapers." Junius, who exists only in the newspapers, who acknowledges he has "attacked my character" there, and