.MjY0Ng.MTkwOTQ

Downing Street Apl. 18th 1803

Copy

My Dear Sir

I am sorry that it has not been possible for me to return an earlier answer to your letter which I received late on friday night. you must forgive me in saying that if you had not discouraged my proposed visit to Bromley Hill on Thursday, you might perhaps have been saved the trouble of writing it. You have however I find been since inform'd that there had been no misunderstanding on the Points to which you particularly refer, & that the communication was made to my colleagues in the manner you wish'd & were intitled to expect.

You say that "you did not consider ,, yourself as having made to me any propositions ,, on the subject & that our interview at Bromley Hill ,, originated as you conceive in a strong wish expressed ,, by me that you might be indeed to return to your ,, former situation in the King's service, It is certainly true that you originated no proposition, but some expressions which dropp'd from yourself at the close of our last conversation in January, & some information which reach'd one through a most respectable Channell led me to believe that your view of the State of public affairs might induce you to conquer your personal unwillingness to return to an official situation, provided you understood that such was the wish intertain'd in