150

had for several years saved to the government one hundred thou-sand pounds a year. I have never inquired whether this infor-mation is correct; nor if it should turn out to be so, have I anyintention of applying for a reward. My country is welcome tomy services in every way; but if in the vicissitudes incident to allfamilies, my posterity should be by misfortune, not occasioned byvice or indiscretion, reduced to beggary, I would advise them topetition the House of Commons for a remuneration; they may doit with a just confidence of being listened to. At a levee, soonafter the experiments on gunpowder had been made, I happenedto be standing next to the Duke of Richmond, then MasterGeneral of the Ordnance , and the duke informed His Majesty,that they were indebted to me for a great improvement in itsfabrication. On my saying that I ought to be ashamed of myself,inasmuch as it was a scandal in a Christian Bishop to instructmen in the mode of destroying mankind, the King answered, “ Letnot that afflict your conscience, for .the quicker the conflict,the less, the slaughter,” or in words to that effect. I mentionthis to do justice to the King, whose understanding it was thefashion to decry. In all the conversations I had with him, heappeared to me not to be at all deficient in quickness or intelli-gence.

In September, 1786, I wrote to the Duke of Rutland to thefollowing effect •.

“ The White Boys, I understand, give you trouble about tithes.I know nothing concerning the nature of their claims, but I will