Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 2).djvu/329

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1783-1785
MR. PITT
293

For some time nothing more was heard from Pitt, either as to the Peerage or on any other subject, and Shelburne himself not being in London, and not intending to go there, wrote to Barre, that he thought their conduct might be misunderstood, and that he had better call on Pitt. "As to writing a note desiring to see him," he continued, "or going any further than calling at his door, the omission of which in the present circumstances would I am clear be an act of estrangement if not of hostility both upon your part and mine, I leave entirely at your own judgment and feeling, according to the circumstances you may happen to learn. I only think in general, that the whole, King, Pitt, and myself, make but one interest properly considered, and that it may be taken up higher than what you seem to do. I take it for granted the struggle is to get Jenkinson into the Cabinet. It is inconceivable to me after Pitt's letter my not hearing further. It was impossible for me to go to town after saying in my letter that I should wait.

"After what you mention I think whatever conversation you have, had better be confined to the Peerage, especially as they do not think it necessary to consult me about the arrangements in question. Adieu."[1]

Whether any interview took place does not appear, but at the end of November, Pitt wrote as follows to Shelburne:—

"My dear Lord,—I had great satisfaction in receiving the honour of your Lordship's letter, and have in consequence of his Majesty's commands, to acquaint your Lordship that he has given orders for preparing the Patent of creation. Your Lordship will probably receive an official notification from Lord Sydney, and will have the goodness to communicate to him the title which you wish to have inserted. If it should not be inconvenient to your Lordship to kiss hands on Wednesday in the next week, the creation may be then immediately completed. If any thing should be likely to prevent your Lordship

  1. Shelburne to Barré, November 1784.