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Downing Street Apl. 21st 1803

Copy

My Dear Sir

I received your letter between Six & Seven this evening, I am sorry that mine did not reach you before you left Town. It was written on Monday evening & was sent to Baker Street on Tuesday as soon as it had been copied; but was returned to me as I was going into the house of commons yesterday afternoon, with the information that you had set out for Ld Carrington's before it was deliver'd in Baker Street.

One of the reasons which let me to refer to what had passed in the month of January was shew that the disposition which occasioned the communication through Ld Melville was not created by recent occurrences, I must add that the Idea which I entertained at that time, was not of your returning to your former situation, but precisely what was suggested for your consideration through Ld Melville. I was not confined to myself but was communicated previous to the meeting of Parliament in february, to some of our Friends, particularly to the Chancellor, Lord Hawkesbury, Ld Castlereagh and the Attorney General.

I will only add that having received your Permission, I will not fail to lay your letters, together