any exertion, out of the strict line of his positive duty[.]

For myself I look forward, in public matters, with scarcely a hope of amendment[.] The retirement of M^r Stanley, happening at the moment it did, was a fatal blow to the cause of order, peace & good government in this Province[.] Never was any thing more unlucky[.] The reading of M^r Roebuck’s letter will shew you that the cause of the Clique was in a most critical situation when that untoward event occurred; and that that alone saved them from a complete defeat, and prevented the introduction of M^r Stanley’s measure for again investing the Crown with the controul of the revenues of the 14^h of the King, which would have enabled the Provincial Gov^t to put down the faction for ever[.] The violence of the Clique had thrown them into the jaws of destruction, from which this unlucky chance rescued them[.] It is a fact, of which they are themselves now aware, that they had but four friends upon the Committee; and even if M^r Stanley had chosen to take any further interest in the question after his resignation, or to press for a more decisive report, his influence would still have carried a much more unfavourable report (to them); than the meagre and unmeaning thing we have seen; but even that is a rejection of their 92. resolutions.

I had a letter not long ago from Lord Dalhousie from the North of Italy where he was on his return to England[.] He writes in a very dejected way as to his health; but I am in hopes that the German baths at which he stopped on his way down the Rhine have been of Service to him[.] At any rate he must have been better, to make the exertions of taking his seat in the House of Lords; — but of course he did not do this with any idea of attending to Public business[.] There are later letters from him written while he was at the Baths on the Rhine; & letters from Scotland me... of the latter end of July mention his arrival at his own mansion[.] He always writes with great affection, of his old

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