The Life of Sir Rowland Hill and the

44 LIFE OF SIR ROWLAND HILL. [1846
which I expressed to you and Mr. Warburton when the offer was
first communicated to me, namely, that, under the circumstances of
the case, to accept office would expose the improvements which
remain to be effected to a serious risk of failure, and thus perhaps
bring discredit on the general plan as well as on myself; and consequently
that I should best consult the public interest and my own by
respectfully declining the offer of Government. I need not tell you
that I am most anxious for an opportunity of completing my plan,
and that throughout these negotiations I have proposed no con-
ditions, except that I should have the authority requisite to secure
the success of the measure. Much will undoubtedly be done by
making my office permanent, and by placing me in immediate communication
with the Postmaster-General, as well as the Treasury;
but I fear this is not enough. I think Colonel Maberly should have
been induced to resign. I see almost insuperable difficulty in
attempting to collect information and to issue instructions otherwise
than through the general secretary's office, and yet, judging from
past experience, it appears hopeless to look for his voluntary co-
operation, while his position makes him too strong to be effectually
coerced. But assuming that Colonel Maberly must remain in office,
then I think that my appointment should have been one of at least
equal rank with his. This point, as will be seen by the published
correspondence, was fully considered when I went into the Treasury,
and the reasons which then existed, the strength of which was in
effect admitted by Mr. Baring, apply with at least equal force now.
"
These are my own views on the subject, and I think it best to
state them without reserve; but seeing that Mr. Warburton, Mr.
Loyd, and yourself entertain a different opinion, that you all express
a strong conviction to the effect that if this opportunity of com-
pleting my plan be lost no other will be afforded me, that public
opinion would not support me in declining the offer, and that I may
look forward to a probable reorganization of the Post Office, and, if
I show that I possess the requisite administrative powers, to promotion,
at no distant period, to a position of higher authority I am
naturally led to distrust my own opinions, and to adopt the safer
guidance of my kind and able advisers.
"
After an interval of four years, during which my attention has
necessarily been devoted to other matters, I am therefore about to
enter on my arduous task. I shall look forward with as much hope
and as little apprehension as I can; but if improvement in the
mechanism and in the revenue of the Post Office should be less
rapid than I had anticipated under the impression that opposing