I see by the papers this morning that Mr. Jenkinson(14) is dead.  He had the reversion of my place, which would go away, if I should lose my brother.  I have no pretensions to ask it, and you know It has long been my fixed resolution not to accept it.  But as Lord North is your particular friend, I think it right to tell you, that you may let him know what it is worth, that he may give it to one of his own sons, and not bestow it on somebody else, without being apprised of its value.  I have seldom received less than fourteen hundred a-year in money, and my brother, I think, has four more from it.  There are besides many places in the gift of the office, and one or two very considerable.  Do not mention this but to Lord North, or Lord Guilford.  It is unnecessary, I am sure, for me to say to you, but I would wish them to be assured that in saying this, I am incapable of, and above any finesse, or view, to myself.  I refused the reversion for myself several years ago, when Lord Holland was secretary of state, and offered to obtain it for me.  Lord Bute, I believe, would have been very glad to have given it to me, before he gave it to Jenkinson; but I say it very seriously, and you know me enough to be certain I am in earnest, that I would not accept it upon any account.  Any favour Lord North will do for you will give me all the satisfaction I desire.  I am near fifty-three; I have neither ambition nor interest to gratify.  I can live comfortably for the remainder of my life, though I should be poorer by fourteen hundred pounds a-year; but I should have no comfort if, in the dregs of life, I did any thing that I would not do when I was twenty years younger.  I will trust to you, therefore, to make Use of this information in the friendly manner I mean it, and to prevent my being hurt by its being taken otherwise than as a design to serve those to whom you wish well.  Adieu!  Yours ever.

(14) Charles Jenkinson, at this time one of the lords of the treasury.  In 1786, He was created Baron Hawkesbury, and in 1796 advanced to the dignity of Earl of Liverpool.-E.

Letter 12 To George Montagu, Esq.  Strawberry Hill, Sunday, [July 15, 1770.] (page 38)

I am sorry I wrote to you last night, for I find it is Mrs. Jenkinson(15) that is dead, and not Mr.; and therefore I should be glad to have this arrive time enough to prevent your mentioning the contents of my letter.  In that case, I should not be concerned to have given you that mark of my constant good wishes, nor to have talked to you of my affairs, which are as well in your breast as my own.  They never disturb me; for my mind has long taken its stamp, and as I shall leave nobody much younger than myself behind me for whom I am solicitous, I have no desire beyond being easy for the rest of my life I could not be so if I stooped to have obligations to any man beyond what it would ever be in my power to return.