Copy of a letter : "Gloucester Lodge"[London], to Spencer Perceval, 1809 Aug. 28.

Posing two questions in reply to his letter of the same date (MA 855.26); asking "First, Is the Duke of Portland aware that his resignation is in contemplation; or has he himself intimated a disposition to resign? Of course I do not allude to his former offers of resignation, with which I am perfectly acquainted : nor to the representation which I well know to have been made to him, recently, on the part of his own family...Secondly, as you state yourself to be confident that an arrangement might be made in the event of the Duke of Portland's retirement, will you allow me to enquire whether this confidence proceeds from your own view of things or from any communication with any, & with whom, among the members of the Government?"