"MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--I was shocked this morning in putting my papers in order on my table to find a letter I wrote to you before I went into the country; you must have thought me shamefully inattentive to you, which I trust I never shall be while I retain my senses, for anxious as I am to avoid such an imputation in general I do assure you I am particularly so to stand clear of that in your opinion. I will now, however, make you ample amends for the seeming neglect by telling you that the expected messenger is arrived and brings us an account of peace _certain_ and _unequivocal_, on the very terms (I may say to you) _prescribed_ from hence; they secure to us great and essential points important to the interests of the country, and must prevent future occasions of quarrel with Spain; war with all its certain and possible consequences are (_sic_) avoided. So much for public benefits; what it must produce to the individual[25] to whom the merit is justly and fairly to be ascribed it is impossible at once to foresee--I mean with respect to character of everything that can be valuable to a man in his situation. "I have actually been drunk ever since ten o'clock this morning, and have not yet quite the use of my reason, but I am "Yours most faithfully and cordially, "GEORGE ROSE." Pitt's views as to a bounty on corn in the scarcity then[26] prevailing are given by Rose in the next letter. _Right Hon. G. Rose to Mr. Wilberforce._ "MY DEAR WILBERFORCE,--It would be very odd if your writing to me on the subject of your last, or indeed on any other, could require an apology; I regret only that I cannot give you the light upon it you wish. "With respect to measures within the reach of Government to relieve the scarcity I fear none can be effectual. Mr. Pitt cannot, as you know, after his declaration in Parliament, import at the expense or risk of the public, but he is inclined to give a bounty on corn imported when it shall be _below_ a certain price within a limited time. This is a new principle, but I really believe it would produce much good. The idea occurred to him on reading Mr. Richardson's letter to you, who stated the great discouragement of individuals importing to be the risk of prices being low on the arrival of cargoes in the spring; I was so much struck with Mr. Richardson's observations that I wrote to beg him to call on me last Monday, but he had unfortunately set off that morning for Liverpool. I am more than half disposed to take the chance of prevailing with him to come up again.