JET. 32.] PROPOSED COALITION. 459 



""WINDSOR, September 23, 1809. 



" MY LORD, The Duke of Portland having signi- 

 fied to his Majesty his intention of retiring from his 

 Majesty's service, in consequence of the state of his 

 Grace's health, his Majesty has authorised Lord Liver- 

 pool, in conjunction with myself, to communicate with 

 your lordship and Lord Grenville, for the purpose 

 of forming an extended and combined administration. 



" I hope, therefore, that your lordship, in conse- 

 quence of this communication, will come to town, in 

 order that as little time as possible may be lost in 

 forwarding this important object; and that you will 

 have the goodness to inform me of your arrival. 



" I am also to acquaint your lordship that I have 

 received his Majesty's commands to make a commu- 

 nication to Lord Grenville of his Majesty's pleasure. 



" I think it right to add, for your lordship's infor- 

 mation, that Lord Castlereagh and Mr Canning have 

 intimated their intention to resign their offices. I 

 have, &c." (Signed) "SPENCER PERCEVAL." 



To this Lord Grey returned the following answer : 



LORD GREY TO MR PERCEVAL. 



"HowicK, September 25, 1809. 



" SIR, I have this evening had the honour of re- 

 ceiving your letter of the 23d, informing me that in 

 consequence of the Duke of Portland's intention of 

 retiring from his Majesty's service, his Majesty had 

 authorised you, in conjunction with Lord Liverpool, 



