Letter from Henry Seymour Conway, London, to the Duke of Portland, 1783 July 27 : autograph manuscript signed.

Declining to support the application of Lord Elphinstone to a post in the British Army and declaring his support for Major Ross; saying "...I had not the smallest idea of any difficulty arising on the subject as the singular merit of Major Ross as an officer; the repeated [illegible] applications of Lord Cornwalles on his favour made me judge; there was not a person in the army that would have been at this time oppos'd to him nor a possibility of his not succeeding : Col. Ramsay's death has been long foreseen. I had three applications from Gen. McKay in Major Ross's favour, which I had signified my entire concurrence in. I believe your Grace will not find on enquiry to Lord Elphinstone; who is indeed out of the Army, has the smallest Military title to be his Competitor for an Active & Efficient post such as Adjutant General & of any Civil pretensions are allow'd to set aside such recommendation for such Employments against the opinions & engagements of the Commanders of his Majesty's Forces in both Countries, I confess my Lord that I shou'd see an absolute impractability in attempting to support the discipline of the Army."