from Boston. His bill for quieting the troubles in Ameri- ca. His bill rejected. Receives the thanks of the city of CHAP. XLIII. Duke of Grafton resigns. Lord Chatham's CHAP. XLIV. Lord Chatham's speech on the, address, and his amendment. On the employment of the Indians in North America. On the returns of the army. On the capture of General Burgoyne's army. His motion on the employment of the Indians. His speech against the motion to adjourn. 298 CHAP. XLV. Lord Chatham's zeal and anxiety respecting America. His last speech in Parliament. His last plan to preserve America. His sudden illness in the House of Lords. 349 AND SPEECHES. CHAPTER XXX. Lord Bute resolves to change the Ministry againDisregards the Duke of Bedford-Tries to gain Lord Temple-Meeting at Lord Eglintoun's---Again tries to gain Lord Temple-Amuses Lord Temple-Lord Strange's Assertion-Lord Rockingham's Request-Affair of Dunkirk-Negotiation with Mr. Wilkes-Proposition for the Government of Canada--Disapproved by the Chancellor, who advises the King to send for Mr. Pitt. BEFORE the meeting of Parliament, the new ministry having shewn an inclination to reverse the system pursued by their predecessors; Lord Bute, who had been the author of that system, took a resolution to remove them. He was no longer terrified by the threats of impeachment. Duke of Bedford had connived so long, his Grace could not now bring forward his menaced accusation upon any ground or pretence of public principle. He had moreover been recently stigmaVOL. II. B The His tized by violent marks of popular odium*. Grace was not at this time, in the judgment of the Favourite, an object of dread or respect. Lord Bute's attention at this period, was directed to another nobleman. Since the reconciliation between Lord Temple and his brother Mr. Grenville, there had commenced a coolness between his Lordship and Mr. Pitt, and between his Lordship and Mr. James Grenville. They imagined from several circumstances, that their brother had supplanted them in his Lordship's favour and confidence. To dissolve all great connexions had been Lord Bute's favourite maxim, from the moment of his accession to power. Nothing, therefore, could be more favourable to his project than this family division. He resolved to seize the opportunity which this circumstance seemed to offer. Accordingly, a few days after the meeting of Parliament, when Mr. Pitt had given the decision for the repeal of the Stamp Act, by the preceding speech (See Appendix U.) which Mr. Grenville had opposed, he solicited an interview with Lord Temple and Mr. Grenville, for the purpose of forming a new administration. His first application was to Lord Eglintoun, between whom and Lord Temple there subsisted a very warm * By the Spitalfield weavers, who had assembled in multitudes before his house. Several partizans of Lord Bute were seen amongst them. friendship. Lord Eglintoun opened his commission to Lord Temple at Lord Coventry's, where they dined on the first Sunday after the meeting of Parliament. The conversation began upon the affairs of America, in which the three Lords agreed in opinion, that a repeal of the Stamp Act would be a surrender of the authority of the British le gislature over the colonies. Lord Eglintoun finding that Lord Temple was of their opinion, said to his Lordship, "Let us talk no more upon that subject here, but let us go to your brother.-Has your Lordship received no message from him?” Lord Temple said, he had not: and in a few minutes after they went to Mr. Grenville's. This matter had been more explicitly opened to Mr. Grenville, by Mr. Cadogan, now Lord Cadogan, and Mr. Grenville had requested Lord Suffolk to acquaint the Duke of Bedford with it. Upon seeing his brother, he instantly told him, without being asked a question, that an opening had been made to him of an accommodation with Lord Bute, and that he wanted to consult his Lordship upon making the Duke of Bedford a party to the affair." Lord Temple replied, "that he might do as he pleased, but that he, himself, would have no concern in the matter." Another channel to Lord Temple was then pursued. This was by Mr. W. G, Hamilton, who was in the most confidential intimacy with his Lordship, and who, from the time of the separation of Mr. James Grenville, was intended to be his Chancellor of the Exchequer, if ever he accepted of the Treasury. But Mr. Hamilton, knowing his Lordship's temper and resolution, with respect to Lord Bute, did not warmly recommend the proposition. Next day (Monday) Lord Eglintoun went to Mr. Grenville's, to desire him to meet Lord Bute at his house; but Mr. Grenville was gone to the House of Commons; upon which Lord Eglintoun went there to him; but meeting with Mr. Stuart Mackenzie, he incautiously told him of the intended meeting, and that gentleman immediately informed Lord Holland, who seeing Lord Bute, a few moments after, told his Lordship, " That he was going to do a very foolish thing; but as he had gone so far he must not stop; but give them the meeting, hear what they had to propose, and then leave them." Lord Temple called upon his brother just as he had returned from the House of Commons. In a minute or two afterwards, Lord Eglintoun came in; and being rejoiced to see his Lordship, begged he would stay there ten minutes, while he went home. Lord Temple said he could not stop so |