(1773, Dec. 1)—­This is the severest criticism which I have heard passed upon you.  In all other particulars be assured that you have as much of the general esteem of the world as any man that ever came into it, and will preserve the highest respect from it if you will only from this time have such a consideration, and such a management of your fortune, as common prudence requires.  Charles has destroyed his, and his reputation also, and I am very much afraid that, let what will be done now, they will in a very few years be past all kind of redemption.  You will have been the innocent cause of much censure upon him, because all the friendship in the world which you can show him will never wipe off what he and his family at this instant stands (sic) accused of, which is, setting at nought the solemnest ties in the world and after the maddest dissipation of money possible, the amassing for his sake 50,000 pounds to pay everybody but those who deserved the first consideration, and without which he could never [be] said to be free, and it would [be] a constant reproach to be easy.  When there was no idea but of his having 20,000 advanced, which sum was otherwise to have been left him, and I said that such and such persons would be paid first, you did not seem to credit it.  Was I right? or not? in my conjectures?  If I tell you now, that 16,000 pounds more than the present sum of 50,000 will come, I cannot pretend to say from what quarter, but I mean from the Holland family; and, if I tell you also, that as much more will be borrowed for purposes which do not now exist; I must tell you that I think that these sums will be sent after the others, if you do not strenuously oppose it, and if somebody does not watch over the springs from whence these supplies are to flow.

As to Hare,(92) you will do me the justice to own that I have not said a word to impeach his friendship to you.  But I must set him aside as a man capable of transacting this business.  It is not de son ressort, and I know that he has difficulties to combat with, if he undertakes it, which are insuperable.  Now, when I talk of men of business, I will explain myself.  I mean three for example:  Mr. Wallis, if ever you consult him, Mr. Gregg, and Lavie.  I would also seriously apply to my Lord Gower for his advice, and make him a confidant in what relates to this business.  He has very powerful motives for interesting himself in it.  All others I would silence at once by saying that you had fixed upon particular persons to talk with upon this subject, and that you would not listen an instant to any other.  After one or two attempts to discuss the point they would give it up, and, knowing in what channel it was, would be more afraid to trifle with you about it.  Charles never opens his lips to me upon the subject, and when Hare was last at my house he did not say a single word relative to it.  The bond was not so much as mentioned.  To speak the truth, I had rather that they would not, for I should not be able to keep my temper if they did.