460 POLITICS. [1809. 



to communicate with Lord Grenville and myself, for 

 the purpose of forming an extended and combined 

 administration; and expressing a hope that, in conse- 

 quence of this communication, I would go to London, 

 that as little time as possible might be lost in forward- 

 ing this important object. 



"Had his Majesty been pleased to signify that he 

 had any commands for me personally, I should not 

 have lost a moment in showing my duty and obedi- 

 ence by a prompt attendance on his royal pleasure. 



" But when it is proposed to me to communicate 

 with his Majesty's present ministers for the purpose 

 of forming a combined administration with them, I 

 feel I should be wanting both in duty to his Majesty, 

 and in fairness to them, if I did not frankly and at 

 once declare, that such an union is, with respect to me, 

 under the present circumstances, impossible. This 

 being the answer which I find myself under the neces- 

 sity of giving, my appearance in London could be of 

 no advantage, and might at a moment like the pre- 

 sent be attended with much inconvenience. 



" I have thought it better, therefore, to request that 

 you will have the goodness to lay my duty at the 

 feet of his Majesty, humbly entreating him not to 

 attribute to any want of attachment to his royal per- 

 son, or to a diminished zeal for his service, my declin- 

 ing a communication which, upon the terms proposed, 

 could lead to no useful result, but might be of serious 

 detriment to the country, if, in consequence of a less 

 decisive answer from me, any further delay should 



