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My dear Bob:

Tom Eden is so violent a Patriot, that he will not let me write one Word worth your reading, as he says that my accursed Politics have already brought a Slur on the Blood of our Family ー take plain Facts therefore without any Comment ー Ld Dartmouth has quitted the Seals ² for the Privy Seal, which was vacated by the Dismission of the Duke of Grafton, his Grace having made a Crane-necked Turn in his Politics since last Year: ³ it is another of my disgraces to be honoured with the Friendship of your new Principal, who I believe will fill his Department ably and actively, and is particularly intimate with the Commanders in chief on your Continent ー ⁴ Ld Rochford has retired on honourable and amicable Terms, ⁵ we are removing to his Office as Senior, but retain th.e Northern Department, Ld Weymouth ⁶ succeeds to the Southern ー the other smaller Promotions you will see in the Papers ー about four fifths of the House of Commons continue as blindly devoted, as your humble servant to a System of Exertion, that this Nation can make beyond any Nation in the World, and that we are Fools enough to think the Nation thoroughly disposed to make ー You, who are a moderate Man, and wish well and kindly to both Parties, at the same Time that you dislike the Extremes of the Language and Conduct pursued by both, will distinguish Truth from Falshood in the strange Jumble of Misrepresentation, with which our News-papers are stuffed ー I shall only add for the present, that I hope we shall all find some Bridge at last to head us back to our old good Humour and Prosperity: but we have a rough Road to go over, before we can arrive at it. Believe me ever very affectionately yours