I  go  into  the  city  to-morrow,  to  confer  with  the  mer-
chants again  upon  it ;  that,  if  they  see  any  hopes,  we  may
at  least  try  the  event.  But  I  own  my  expectations  are  now
very  slender,  knowing  as  I  do,  that  nothing  is  to  be  done
in  Parliament,  that  is  not  a  measure  adopted  by  ministry
and  supported  by  their  strength,  much  less  any  thing  they
are  averse  X.o  or  indifferent  about.
I  took  the  opportunity  of  discoursing  with  his  Lordship
concerning  our  particular  affair  of  the  change  of  govern-
ment, gave  him  a  detail  of  all  proceedings  hitherto,  the
delays  it  had  met  with,  and  its  present  situation.  He  was
pleased  to  say,  he  would  inquire  into  the  matter,  and  would
talk  with  me  further  upon  it.  He  expressed  great  satisfac-
tion in  the  good  disposition,  that,  he  said,  appeared  now
to  be  general  in  America,  with  regard  to  government  here,
according  to  the  latest  advices;  and  informed  me,  that  he
had  by  his  Majesty's  order  wrote  the  most  healing  letters
to  the  several  governors,  which,  if  shown  to  the  Assemblies,
as  he  supposed  they  would  be,  could  not  but  confirm  th;it
good  disposition.  As  to  the  permission  we  want  to  bring
wine,  fruit,  and  oil  directly  from  Spain  and  Portugal,  and
to  carry  iron  direct  to  foreign  markets,  it  is  agreed  on  all
hands  that  this  is  an  unfavorable  time  to  move  in  those
matters;  George  Grenville  and  those  in  the  opposition,  on
rvery  hint  of  the  kind,  making  a  great  noise  about  the  Act


^Et.  62.]  PARLIAMENTARY  BRIBERY.  ^5i

of  Navigation,  that  palladium  of  England,  as  they  call  it,
to  be  given  up  to  rebellious  America,  &c.  &c.,  so  that  the
ministry  would  not  venture  to  propose  it,  if  they  approved.
