May 19. 1780 In my last written by last post I gave you an intimation which if it came time enough will I hope have been sufficient to stop you from taking any step incompatible with the idea suggested to you by this. I asked L. whether he would have any objection to take upon him such an employment: he said, no, provided there was a salary. But what is there to be done said he, "with regard to the young men that "may be sent over here for education"? I answered, nothing more as I understood than just to give an eye to them now and then: to see that they are provided with proper masters, & settled in proper families and to pay them their allowances so many times a year. To this he would have no objection. I then told him what your views were with regard to the getting the appointment for yourself, and the reasons you had to think it would be given you were you to ask for it: and thereupon asked him whether upon your getting it for him instead of yourself (if you could do such a thing) it would be any injury done to him were you to have a share in the profits? he said, no certainly: I therefore asked him what share he would think a reasonable one? he said you should have an equal share. I think this perfectly fair not to say generous on his part; and therefore can not but recommend it to you to close with it and write to the D. immediately. You will then be at liberty to accept the Russian offer; which if less in point of profit than what you would give up by this plan, would be more in your own way, and and afford you such a scope for exercising your invention as you could not have by any other means. You are by this time grown so saucy I suppose, that you would scarcely say thank you for any assistance that my pen could give you, however as a means of saving your precious time, Sir, I take the liberty of suggesting the limits contained in the other , with the most profound deference to your better judgment & superior savoir-faire. I have read over the above & subscribe very heartily to the terms your Brother mentions. But before any engagement with his Highness I should wish to see a from him: As then I could judge not how far the thing suits me — which as times go is the first question a man asks but what is of more consequence, whether I suit the King. We are in hourly Expectation of news from Clinton and Rodney. The latter has been ill but is recovered & writes in high Spirits — Sir Charles Hardy is dead. If Barrington succeeds to the Command it will be no less to the Country, or the Service — You would name Lord Howe — Give me Barrington.