Lord North begs leave to return his Majesty his most greateful acknowledgements for his very gracious note. He trusts that by his Majesty's powerful interposition every thing will be right. By a conversation he had with Lord Howe today, He thought that he perceived him to be very uneasy at the apprehension that he would be thought to decline service, in a critical moment, &, therefore, hopes that there is not in his mind any determination to avoid the appointment.
Friday. Feb: 2 [1776]. m pt 6 P: M. 40
1. Fortescue, ed., Correspondence of George Ill, Ht 336.