Autograph letter signed : London, to [Sir Philip Francis], 1779 Feb. 6.

Offering his opinion and the opinions of other supporters of Francis on the current state of affairs in the campaign by Francis against Warren Hastings; relaying results of his conversations with D'Oyly and Ellis; discussing the options before Francis; saying that "....therefore taking the whole state of things together, I own I incline to the opinion, that if you could make an agreement with H[astings] & B[ristow] on terms honorable to yourself, & not disadvantageous to the public Service, by which they would resign immediately, or within a time that would be equivalent to doing it immediately, for the purpose of putting you in the chair before a new System took place, it would be for your interest to do it; because it would give you an absolute certainty of the Government as long as you chose to hold it, of which in the present state of men and things in this Country, with all the chances in your favor, you can not by any other means be reckon'd to have at most, more than a precarious probability;" suggesting that if he is able to make an agreement with Hastings, that it be done in secret; commenting on the war with America; saying "it is generally thought our American affairs bear a better aspect than for some time past, that is, not from our success, but from the Congress & people quarrelling;" wishing him well.