have gone back to my old situation if it had even been offered to me, which it was not[.] My friends know that this is no idle boast or affectation: I neither desired it, nor is my health or strength now equal to it.

I was glad to see by the newspapers that and by your letter that there is some prospect of a satisfactory termination of the difficulties between you & the Trustees of the M^cGillivray Estate: — Law is a long lane, & sometimes both rough & muddy; but "it is a long lane that has

no turning, " says the Devonshire proverb; & I hope your's will lead you into an open country with fine prospects[.] I hope we shall see you during the Session: I think it will not open until after the 20^th January: Unless Sir George Murray carries through his proposed measure early in the Session of Parliament, & Sends it out here before the close of our Session, the discussion of the Supply Bill may give rise to the same questions & debates & divisions as last year[.] But you gentlemen of the L. Council will be unpardonable if you do not go right upon

this & all questions now when you have the advantage of M^r Viger among you to put you in the right way which he will undertake to do on any given subject, if you will only hear him for three or four hours. I suppose you have seen the historical & biographical sketch of the Legislative & Executive Councils which formed the Appendix to Sir James's dispatch, laid before Parl^t by Sir Geo. Murray: If you have not I can send it to you, together with copy of the amended Bill

which

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