going upon an embassy for my friend within doors." I found Messrs. Glynn and Dunning in the diningroom with Mr. Wilkes and Philips, and a good deal of discourse upon the proceedings upon writs of error, &c. passed; but Mr. Wilkes was desirous to suspend any resolution being taken, until the return of Sir W. Baker and Mr. Fitzherbert, which happened in about two hours; when after a long conversation with them, and Lord Rockingham's Secretary, Mr. Burke, who came with them, Mr. Wilkes came up stairs, and told us, that as he could not reverse his outlawry, either by error or appearance, until November Term, and as he did not chuse to surrender, and lie in prison all that time, he had determined to go abroad again. He told me, that they had not given him any money, nor would Lord Rockingham make him any promise; and that he had been forced to borrow one hundred pounds of Mr. Fitzherbert, as a private friend. He had received one hundred and thirty pounds before, from the subscription of one thousand pounds per annum promised by the ministry, of Mr. Fitzherbert: which made the whole received of this boasted affair, six hundred and thirty pounds for the year 1765. Mr. Wilkes said, he would certainly come in November, and take his chance.

"Sir W. Baker asked Lord Rockingham what he intended to do for Mr. Wilkes? Lord Rockingham

answered, Mr. Wilkes must trust to his honour. Sir W. Baker said, he would certainly have no objection to do that, but thought that something should be mentioned of his intentions; that if his Lordship would give his honour to intercede with the King for his pardon, or do any thing else in his power for his service, he would acquaint Mr. Wilkes, who would be satisfied with respect to time, &c. But as to trusting to his Lordship's honour at large, he would construe that as a neglect of Mr. Wilkes; and should acquaint him, that he had nothing to expect from his Lordship; and that he should look upon this as a slight of himself. And desired that Mr. Burke might go with him to Mr. Wilkes, to whom he delivered the above message."

In a few days afterwards, Mr. Wilkes returned to France. When the peace of the American colonies had been settled, the ministry took into consideration the state of Canada; for which great province the late ministers had provided no constitution. This defect they conceived it necessary to supply. And for this purpose, they drew the outlines of a plan of government, preparatory to a bill. This plan, or principal features of one, was submitted to the Chancellor (Lord Northington), who, so far from approving of it, or offering to correct it, condemned the whole measure in the most violent terms of indignation and intemperance :

It is to be observed, that the Chancellor had never been cordially their friend; and he seemed eagerly to seize this opportunity of expressing his dislike. His manners were not of the most gentle kind, nor was his language very polished, whenever he indulged in his natural disposition of reproach; harsh and bitter, vulgar and brutal, were epithets frequently applied to his character by many of those whose intercourse with him gave them a perfect knowledge of his language and manners. And, perhaps, upon no event in his life, they were more justly merited than the present. He went to the King, and complained to his Majesty of the unfitness of his servants; he told the King, in terms of the utmost plainness, that the present ministers could not go on, and that his Majesty must send for Mr. Pitt.

It is easy to conceive, from the opposition the ministers had met with, as well in parliament as at court, that this advice was agreeably received. In consequence of it, his Majesty commissioned the Chancellor to confer with Mr. Pitt, on the subject of a new arrangement.

CHAPTER XXXI.

Lord Northington opens his negotiation with Mr. Pitt.Duke of Grafton resigns,-Several Persons refuse Places.-An Eighteen Days Journal, -Mr. Pitt sees the King,-Lord Temple sent for, and goes to the King.-Conference between Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple, at Hampstead, They differ and separate.-Lord Temple has an Audience of the King. Returns to Stowe,—Mr. Pitt created Earl of Chatham.-His extraordinary Grants,——Mr. Townshend, Manager of the House of Commons-Several Persons refuse Places. Lord Rockingham refuses to see Lord Chatham, Mr. Stuart Mackenzie restored.Lord Chatham not united with Lord Bute.

LORD Northington opened his negotiation with Mr. Pitt, through the channels of the Duke of Grafton, and Mr. Calcraft. Mr. Pitt was at that time at his new estate in Somersetshire; from which place he was sent for. He arrived in London on the eleventh of July; and the same evening he had a conference with Lord Northington.

The Duke of Grafton had lately resigned his office of Secretary of State, and attached himself to

Mr. Pitt: this attachment he had publicly avowed in the House of Lords*. When it was indisputably clear, that Lord Rockingham's administration was not honoured by the countenance and support of Mr. Pitt, not only the Duke of Grafton, but several other personst refused to contribute their assistance; from an apprehension that a new administration would in a short time be appointed, of which, each man flattered himself with becoming a part, under the idea of forming a moré comprehensive system. Nobody doubted the honour and integrity of Lord Rockingham: it was even admitted, that his administration had been

* His Grace said in the House of Lords, That he had no objection to the persons, or to the measures of the ministers he had recently left; but that he thought they wanted strength and efficiêncy to carry on proper measures with success; and that he knew but one man who could give them that strength and solidity (meaning Mr. Pitt); that under him, he should be willing to serve in any capacity, not only as a General Officer, but as a Pioneer, and would také up a Spade and a Mattock.'

+ Lord Shelburne refused the Board of Trade, and Colonel Barre, Vice Treasurer of Ireland.

His Lordship refused also the Embassy to Paris.

Lord North refused the Exchequer, also Vice Treasurer of Ireland.

ton.

Lord Townshend refused to go to Paris of Madrid.

Lord Egmont refused the Seals resigned by the Duke of Graf

Lord Hardwicke refused them likewise,

Lord Lyttleton refused a cabinet situation.