1819 Mar. 23

To Erskine

II . Whig Merits?

IV. Reform […?]

Fox

How to save Fox &c

3

3

2. Was it then not his real opinion? Well then on a point of this vital importance, he /his discourse and deportment/ was insincere more insincere, insincere to such a degree as to divest him of all just /rational/ claim to our confidence

This then not being his opinion /sentiments/ how came he to profess it /them/. I will declare to Your Lordship my opinion, though you My Lord if your opinion coincide with mine, dare not declare it.

As a party man the course he took /joined in/ had for its official cause and motive, its being what seemed to his party what the most promising and indeed the /an/ indispensable course for taking its best chance of driving out the men then in power and seating itself in their places. He belonged to that party which two years after prevailed and soon after split and quarreled and split and quarreled again and […?] and so forth

As an individual the course he so joined in had for its most particular efficient cause and motive the promoting his Election to serve for Westminster at the then next Parliament.

Witness the following resolu /Resolution/ [*]

[*] Wyvel. I. 221