duty of your office, and you will draw the tooth of envy, conciliate men to you, and be even better pleased with yourself, than by any other mode of action whatever. I am not sure I know you enough to judge of the manner you will take this advice, but I write it unprejudiced by party views or prejudice. I know it calculated for your interest and if it does not suit your plan, 'tis only a few minutes lost in decyphering this scrawl."
At the same time Weymouth, who declared he considered "his political existence" as connected with that of Shelburne, and was above all things anxious to gain him over to the Bedford faction, wrote:
"I am very sorry to find that since I saw you, you have had another reason to be offended of the same kind as the former. I am sure, if these matters are not cleared up soon, that things cannot go on; but at the same time I think that the strength and power of the persons whom you have so great reason to complain of, seem to be of so short a duration, that it is scarce worth your while to quarrel with them; they cannot stand without your support, and you certainly will without theirs, but insults are not to be borne, and I can easily see, as I am sure you do, that your present situation is very critical."[1]
In deference to these persuasions, Shelburne gave up the idea of immediate resignation and waited, but not for long, for a great change was impending.
- ↑ Weymouth to Shelburne, June 16th, 1763.
