Privy Purse, shall in future be paid fifth in the new order of payments. They have uniformly stood first, as they ought now to remain.
"5. No diminution of the Privy Purse, which in reality is the only fund of which I have the total disposal, and from which I pay private bits of benevolence and every improvement in my gardens: nay, many articles of convenience for the Queen as well as myself.
"6. In page 4 there is a very grating clause that the Crown shall be furnished for its table, household furniture &c. by open contract as an hospital. I am certain this must revolt every one's mind, if it had not stood part in Mr. Burke's Bill, and having been much reprobated in the House will now be proposed to show the weight acquired there.
"7. It will be impossible to carry on the common affairs of my household, if all payments are transferred to the Exchequer, for instance if a messenger is to be sent suddenly abroad he cannot get his travelling money under some days if it is to be paid at that office. The Secretary of State or the Chamberlain's Office must have money on account to answer such services, as also the Master of the Horse for the purchase of horses, the steward of the Household for several articles. I only give these instances that at the moment occur; many others must be under the same predicament. Lord Shelburne has seemed very solicitous for my health, which undoubtedly is much interested in the fate of this business. If I am made uneasy in my private situation, it cannot be expected I shall not severely feel it, and that it will add to my disquietude at having been forced to yield to the times.
"If Lord Shelburne has any wish to consult the Chancellor in the different stages of this business, I do not object to his showing him this letter; all that can be done at the Cabinet this day is to settle if a message is to be sent; then the words of it, and that a Bill when framed shall be laid before the Cabinet for examination previous to being presented to Parliament.
"G. R."
