Say for me how much obliged I am to General Hawker.

Whenever I come to town it will be a great gratification to me to see his sketches, if he will favour me with a sight of them. At present it will be quite sufficient if he will point out for Westalls choice such views as are connected with any prominent events or circumstances of the war.

The hints to which the note alludes would be highly useful to me: & I should be truly thankful to him for any circumstances which he can communicate concerning the movements of the army.

You would have heard from me sooner if I had not been deeply engaged in peninsular business. I am carrying on a brisk correspondence with Barth. Frere upon this subject, obtaining that sort of information which official papers do not communicate, from him, & thro him, from xx Sir S. Whittingham.

And I have also a box of papers from Sir Hew Dalrymple, which will it make it necessary for me to insert a few pages previous to concerning the affairs in Andalusia & the capture of Duponts army.

I should wish you now to let me have the clean sheets, which may come in three or four franks from his Right Honour.

Most heartily do I wish that his Rt Honour had it in his own power to do all that you deserve for Henry,

– I am sure there would be no delay in doing it. There is a heavy price paid for power, in the vexation of not being able to befriend those who deserve it, & the annoyance of perpetual solicitations from those whose impudence is their strongest claim. Our friend will provide for Welshmen by the dozen, by sending them to India, – some of whom peradventure (in profound secrecy be it said) had they left <here> to follow their natural national & natural instinct for forbidden mutton, might have been provided for at the public expense in a different but as distant a part of the world.

Will <he> be able to obtain a stall for Elmsley?

I must explain to you about Landors volume

concerning which you have escaped all trouble. It was in a frankable shape, – & I had no other means of franking it than under cover to Gifford, – the trouble which it would have given you would have been only that of leaving it at Rickmans door. But you were at Oxford when it arrived & Gifford very kindly sent it to Streatham. I give you xx much trouble in your factotumship for me, & I should be very sorry if you were to think I ever did it when it could be avoided.

Gifford said something to me about a paper on the State of the Country.

I could with hearty good will advise or defend bolder measures than this ministry have courage to think of: – & as you know, should not be deterred from the task by any apprehension of the ruffian-like attacks which it would draw on. But I do not think I could write to any purpose in the QR. where I should be restricted from the Cath: question.

Gifford & I (if I do not mistake his opinions) differing upon that momentous point. – & when other topics must be xx managed with a view rather to avoid offence, than to point out the right & only measures of honour & security.

I believe I shall dedicate my history to Lord Sidmouth,

now that he is now no longer in office.