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ſenſible, in common with their country, of the value of thoſe ſervices to which his life had been hitherto devoted, particularly to thoſe commercial intereſts in which they were deeply concerned* Under this impreſſon a certain number of merchants and ſhip-owners met, and reſolved to raiſe the ſum of 100,000l, to be preſented to him as a free gift— the well-earned reward of his meritorious exertions; each ſubſcriber engaging never to divulge the name of himſelf, or of any other perſon contributing, in order to prevent its being known to any one except themſelves, who the contributors were. The only exception to this engagement of ſecrecy was a reſpectable Baronet[1] who was deputed to come to ihe Author to learn in what manner the token of eſteem and gratitude (as it was expreifed) could he preſented mod acceptably to Mr. Pitt; whoſe name was to be as carefully concealed from Mr. Pitt as the others.
- ↑ Sir Robert Preſton, then member for Dover, who gave many proofs of kindneſs and attachment to Mr. Pitt, but never a&ed a ſingle favor of him; but who being ſtill living, no further tribute of juſtice can be paid to him,
