526 POLITICAL CORRESPONDENCE. [1811. 



mination of my connection with the Duke of Bedford, 

 in the course of which I am sure I have never ex- 

 perienced for a single moment any more restraint on 

 my conduct than if I had been member for West- 

 minster indeed a great deal less. (This is one of 

 the circumstances which I have stated in my answer 

 to the above offer, because the mention of ' independ- 

 ent manner' seemed to call for such an explanation.) 



" When I say it might risk such a termination, I, 

 of course, mean that my present seat might be filled 

 up, and new connections formed, which could not 

 easily be broken to make way for me in the event of 

 my afterwards being thrown out ; so that I should 

 be anxious for some explanation on this head before 

 embarking in such a scheme. These, however, are 

 matters which a party cannot avoid looking into; 

 and it is neither their duty nor their interest, as I 

 think, to neglect such opportunities. 



" Having stated the case to you, I shall now men- 

 tion what I have said in return. A former letter 

 having miscarried, I was forced to answer those 

 which came last without delay ; but for that reason I 

 declined giving a definitive answer. I explained the 

 matter of ' independence ' as above stated. I also 

 plainly told them that a very moderate expense was 

 all I either could or would encounter ; and I added, 

 with respect to principles, that I am a very sincere 

 and warm lover of liberty, and entertain the utmost 

 hatred of every kind of oppression ; and that I am 

 generally friendly to reform, differing, however, with 



