when I repeatedly stated the alternative to Lord Rockingham. It is plain Lord Rockingham perfectly understood it, by the decided steps which he risked during the summer. As to the public proposition, Lord Rockingham has certainly checked its popularity (as I have had very disagreeable experience of in this very county, through the medium of his connections), and may have made it on the whole unpopular. My letter to Lord Mahon as I told you was conceived in general terms. For as to any future plan, if any were to be adopted, it requires a great deal of consideration both as to matter and mode, and many people to be consulted. Be so good to tell as much as you please of this to the Duke of Richmond, when you happen to see him. There is no hurry, as no hurry was used towards me. You may assure him of my sincerest respect and esteem. I cannot give a greater proof than the dependence I had upon him as a public man, in case the summer negotiation had taken place. You will be so good as to set him right about Lord Mahon, who certainly mistook the general terms of my letter if he attempted to extract any specific proposition from it.
"As to having done right in the conversation, I will tell you frankly, I think decidedly so. If I was to make any remark, it would be that your wonted generosity of character made your language rather incline too much to forgiveness, where honour as party as well as public men has been forfeited. Nothing is farther from my intention than having any thing to do with them, if there is any other part left to take. I protest it is not myself I consider, but I owe nothing to them, and much to others. I owe a great deal to Dunning, and am responsible to the public about him; not to mention what I owe to the friend to whom I write. And there is nothing I wish so much, as that no friend whom I love should directly or indirectly commit himself to individuals or the public till we see further. The conduct of others during the summer will abundantly justify silence and inaction. As to voting, it is another matter, and I have nothing to offer one way or other. Charles Fox is scarcely entitled to ceremony.
