;ET. 30.] AMERICA AND NEUTRALITY. 387 



that the public were pleased with the whole affair, 

 and that the ministers have upon the whole gained 

 considerably by it. Nevertheless, I find the abuse of 

 it, which the opposition papers have very properly 

 indulged in, and of which the * Morning Chronicle ' 

 has set the example ever since it received the hint, is 

 producing daily some impression. One advantage 

 at least is gained by this means, that ministers are 

 compelled to defend their conduct instead of raising a 

 great exultation about the success of it. I strongly 

 suspect they will be still worse off in Portugal, for 

 the emigration of the Prince to Brazil is a step which 

 I never will suspect him of till I see him there. The 

 most notable point, however, is the concession to 

 America. This is all very well in itself, but comes 

 with a sad grace from them, and must injure them in- 

 calculably with the country. I learn from my brother 

 James, who has been in London for a few days, that 

 the consternation of the class of people who are 

 always with ministry, but especially with the present 

 set, is great beyond description; and that the ridicule 

 which this proclamation excites is very amusing. 

 You will remark that the point conceded does not 

 leave the other rights claimed in a situation at all 

 more comfortable or easy than before. I drew up 

 a statement of the whole American question for 

 Jeffrey's review ; and having procured a copy, I shall 

 enclose it to Lord Lauderdale and request him to 

 ; forward it to you when he has read it He was so 

 good as to write me a letter on some points, at your 



