268 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF [1804. 



designs, may I ask, are imputed to him by the chair- 

 man? 



"As to pious interpolations in Chatham, I utterly 

 deny the charge. The only alterations I made in that 

 article were an abridging what you say of Granville, 

 and investing some of your vital Christianity with a 

 more profane phraseology. It is very edifying to see 

 your surprise at your own goodness. * 



" You are very much mistaken if you suppose that 

 I countenance Wilberforce or his principles. I have 

 much respect for his talents, and great veneration for 

 his character. I shall read his book ' at a convenient 

 season/ but scarcely expect to get the length of 



W or King Agrippa. In the mean time I am 



very much flattered by the favourable opinion of such 

 men, and should be sincerely sorry to do anything to 

 scandalise them. I have no doubt you may have 

 Washington, and it will be better perhaps to let it get 

 to a greater length before it be cut down. I am told 

 it is dolefully tedious and ill written. I shall venture 

 a response on Sir W. if no Oriental competition pre- 

 sents itself. I have better hopes of young Hamilton. 

 You say nothing of Barrow's China. I hanker after 

 it; not because I have read it or heard anything 

 very prepossessing about it (for I have neither), but 

 chiefly because I wish to be put upon some tack that 

 will force me to make up my mind about that absurd 

 people. I shall also, if you wish it, try to give an 

 abstract of your ' Colonial Policy/ short and simple ; 



* Review on * Chatham's Letters,' July 1804, article 9. 



