He was much too honest and simple for a court. His talents were discerned and acknowledged—his manners were admired; but his incorruptibility was his ruin. He was appointed, with certain coadjutors, to a very responsible situation in a foreign country. He had various accounts of foreign Princes to check, and, in the simplicity of his heart, conceived that his first duty was to watch the interests of his country. In the accounts of one foreign Prince he detected a trifling error of 1200_l._ With great delicacy and respect, he ventured to communicate the circumstance to his Highness. Sir, replied the Prince with great indignation, did you think I was bred in a counting house? In short, the evidence of his probity, and of the want of it in those with whom he acted, is alike irrefragable: nor have the accounts in which he was concerned with others, to the amount of more than half a million, ever yet been duly balanced. Whilst abroad, he was much noticed by Sir Charles Stuart, brother to Lord Bute, who had the command in Portugal. This gentleman was so much impressed with the accuracy and excellent precision in which his military accounts were kept, that he wrote home in his favour, and recommended the general adoption of his plan. He embarked with the fleet under Lord Nelson, when he went to Egypt, but separated from him at Marmora, and went to Constantinople. Here he renewed his acquaintance with Lord Elgin, and travelled through Greece with Mr. and Mrs. Nesbit, parents of Lady Elgin. On his return to his native country, he gave a memorable example of the most inflexible integrity, which nevertheless served to embitter the remainder of his life. He was required by some individuals with whom he was connected in service, to do that with his and their common accounts, which it may be presumed they thought compatible with rectitude, but which to him seemed disreputable and dishonest. Notwithstanding repeated importunity of friends, the most flattering invitations, and splendid promises, he continued firm and immoveable, and pertinaciously resisted every effort and every offer. As his seeming obstinacy had a tendency to implicate some individuals of high station, in what would have had but an awkward appearance, if any parliamentary enquiry had been set on foot, attempts were made to prevail upon him to accept of a lucrative appointment abroad. But this also he constantly refused, from the manly impression that it would look like shrinking from the investigation of truth; and he also thought that artifice, fraud, and self-interest, might be exerted in his absence, to do that with respect to his accounts, which never could take place, when he was present to explain or refute.