—I took for granted you would take for granted that Brittan and I, with ———'s sanction, had settled the right thing for a Notification. If we had consulted you, who had already undertaken more than you could possibly get through, the Paper would not have been done in time. There must be a division of employments. The most urgent and important thing was the Notification: if Brittan and I (who are intimately acquainted with the Terms of Purchase and the feelings of the colonists) had called you (who are not) to help, it would have taken a long time to explain for your information; you, with your hands already full, would have neglected something else; and the important object would have been defeated after all. As it was, we had but just time to be ready for Lord Lyttelton.

I have not time or strength for further apology.

I never heard of a more flighty proceeding than for Hutt to take you to Harington to confer about shipping. If you go as private people, well: but if as members of the Committee, there is no doing business in this way.

page 262

There are things to be done of the greatest urgency, of which I shall bring a list to Charing Cross.

But really you must trust to me in these matters, not requiring me to write beforehand with long explanations. I am old and experienced, you young and quite without experience in such things: and besides, I have not an atom of strength to spend on anything but essentials. It will be difficult enough to get the thing done, but it may be if I am let alone, and cheerfully helped as much as possible. You must not lecture me. After the 30th of June, you may manage yourself; and I will ask no questions.

Here's a waste of strength—writing all this.