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consequence of any arrangement that might be formed on that ground) He might have to act confidentialy. He is firmly of opinion that He would not on this supposition have any chance of answering His own Idea of being usefull to the country in one of the great points on which He lays a principal Stress but by returning to the management of the Finances.

Besides this consideration He stated not less pointedly & decidedly His sentiments with regard to the absolute necessity there is in the conduct of the affairs of this country, that there should be an avowed & real Minister, possessing the chief weight in the council & the principal place in the confidence of the King. In that respect there can be no rivality or division of power. That power must rest in the Person generaly called first Minister, & that Minister ought, He thinks, to be the person immediately at the head of the finances. He knows to His own comfortable experience that notwithstanding the abstract truth of this general proposition, it is no ways incompatible with the most cordial concert & mutual exchange of advice & intercourse amongst the different members of Government & different branches of executive departments, but still, if it should come unfortunately to such a radical difference of opinion that no spirit of conciliation or concession can reconcile, the sentiments of the Minister must be allowed & understood to prevail, leaving the other members of Administration to act as they may