of the Council, of Safety, 1775-76. 343

With Regard to the Plan of Operations to be adopted by
General Gage, it must depend upon his own Judgment and
the Opinion of the able Generals with him, & I have only to
add that it is his Majesty's Express Command, that you do
exert every Endeavour, and employ every Means in your
power to aid & support him and admiral Graves in all such
operations, as they may think proper to undertake for carrying
the King's Orders into full Execution & restoring the authority
of his Majesty's Government:

The attention you appear to have given to the Preservation
of Peace and good Order in your Government is very much
approved by the King & I have his Majesty's commands to
assure you of his royal Acquiescence in your wish to return to
England, when the state of affairs in your Government will
admit of it. In the mean Time I hope your private Affairs
here, will not suffer by the very honorable Resolution you have
taken of remaining in Maryland so long as the present Dis-
orders continue:

I am Sir y^r mo. ob^{t
hble Servt}

Dartmouth.

	[William to Robert Eden.] My dear Bob. Downing Street Novr 15th Tom Eden is so violent a Patriot, that he will not let me write one Word worth your reading, as he says that my accursed Politics have already brought a slur on the Blood of our Family: take plain Facts therefore without any Com- ment. Ld Dartmouth has quitted the Seals for the Privy Seal, which was vacated by the Dismission of the Duke of Grafton, his Grace having made a Crane-necked turn in his politics since last Year. It is another of my Disgraces to be honoured with the Friendship of your new Principal, who I believe will fill his Department ably and actively, and is particularly intimate with the Commanders in chief on your Continent. Ld Rochford has retired on honourable and amicable Terms, we are removing to his Office as Senior, but retain the Northern Department, Ld Weymouth succeeds to the Southern, the other smaller Promotions you will see in the Papers. About four fifths of the House of Commons continue as blindly devoted as your humble servant to a system of Exertion, that this Nation can make beyond any Nation in the World and that we are Fools enough to think the Nation thoroughly disposed to make. You who are a moderate Man, and wish well and kindly to both Parties, at the same Time that you dislike the Extremes of the Language and Conduct pursued by both, will distinguish Truth from Falshood in the strange Jumble of mis-	Virginia Copy.