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292 either conclude this matter, or put him notoriously in the wrong, leaving as little as possible for deliberation, as you may be sure, that those he will have to consult, are neither his friends nor mine."

Barré however did not think it advisable to call on Pitt, and at his advice Shelburne simply wrote the following letter, accepting the offer, leaving any further overture to come from Pitt himself. His letter ran as follows:—

"—Deeply sensible of the King's remembrance of such services as his Majesty's most gracious countenance and confidence could alone have enabled me to render to his affairs, I cannot hesitate to accept such a mark of his approbation, as his Majesty upon a full consideration of my conduct may judge proper to confer upon me, especially one which points me out by a promotion in the Peerage to the rank of Marquis, accompanied by his Majesty's gracious promise, if he should ever change his intention of reserving the first rank of the Peerage to his Royal family by making any other Dukes, of my succeeding to that rank.

"I am much obliged by your manner of communicating his Majesty's gracious disposition, as well as for the value which you are pleased to put upon the present Government receiving such a mark of my approbation.

"I shall wait your further commands, when you have had an occasion of laying me at the King's feet, which I trust to your goodness, that you will do with every expression of duty and devotion.

"I am with very sincere regard and respect,

"Your most faithful and most obed serv

"