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ported by similar unanimity, had he found the same fidelity in the closet.

The restoration of Mr. S. Mackenzie, the fact of his own peerage, and his sudden difference with Lord Temple, gave cause and credit to a suspicion, which all the minions of the court assiduously encouraged and circulated, and which in a short time prevailed throughout the kingdom-That the Earl of Chatham had joined the Earl of Bute. However strong the appearances were, it is certainly true, that the suspicion was unfounded. What was said of Lord Rockingham, on a similar cause of suspicion, might with equal veracity be said of Lord Chatham

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That with the Earl of Bute he had no personal connection, nor correspondence of council; neither courted him, nor persecuted him.**

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CHAPTER XXXII.

Embargo on the Exportation of Corn-State of Parties-Conference between Lord Chatham and the Duke of Bedford at Bath-Conference between Lord Chatham and Lord Edgcumbe-Its consequences-The Admiralty offered to Lord Gower-Conduct of the Court-Second Conference with the Duke of Bedford-Breaks off.

THERE never was known in England so wet a summer as that of this year. From the month of March to the month of August, there were not successively two fair days. This uncommon season injured the corn harvest prodigiously. Towards the end of the summer, when the extent of the injury was manifest, ministers held several councils upon the subject. At length they issued a proclamation, commanding an embargo to be laid on the exportation of corn. Lord Chatham did not attend any of these councils. To the second council he sent his opinion in writing, which was in favour of the embargo. When Parliament met, ministers defended their conduct upon this particular point, by the same arguments, and avowed the same doctrines which had been used in the defence of similar ar

bitrary measures by the friends of the Stuarts. The constitution was very ably supported by Lord Mans field, Lord Temple, and Lord Lyttleton. And their arguments were afterwards published in à pamphlet, entitled, A Speech against the suspending and dispensing Prerogative. Many people ascribed this speech to Lord Mansfield. But they were mistaken. The pamphlet was written under the eye of Lord Temple, by a gentleman at the bar, who was present at the debate, and who was also assisted in the composition by Lord Lyttleton.

A few days after the proclamations were sisued respecting the embargo *, Lord Chatham retired to Bath for the benefit of his health. During his stay at Bath, the Duke of Bedford came there for the same reason. Lord Chatham solicited an interview with his Grace. His Lordship's view was, to detach the Duke from Mr. Grenville. Lord Chatham was not unacquainted, that a powerful and violent opposition was forming against him. It was menaced, that this opposition would consist of the late ministry, whom for distinction's sake, and because the Duke of Newcastle was yet alive, was sometimes called the Pelham's; of the relations of his own family, and their friends, who, though a minor party, were yet a growing one; and of the

* They were dated September 26th, 1766,

Bedford interest, which at that time was respectable, firm, and compact. The two last interests were united. His design was to separate them; and to strengthen his administration by an acquisition of the Duke of Bedford. He therefore opened his conference with his Grace, by making the strongest assurances, that he should be particularly happy to see the King's administration countenanced and supported by his Grace's approbation and interest. The Duke making no reply to this exordium, Lord Chatham proceeded, by saying, that he would frankly lay before his Grace the principal measures he intended to pursue.

First. He intended to keep the peace inviolate, and to keep a watchful eye over the Princes on the Continent, that they did the same.

Secondly. He would enter into no continental connections, nor make any subsidiary treaty with any European power.

Thirdly. He would observe such a strict and rigid economy, as should command the approbątion of the most frugal member of Parliament.

The Duke replied, that these were the very measures for which he had always declared and contended. They were his measures, and he would

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certainly support them, whether his friends were in, or out of office.

Not a word was spoken of America, nor of any arrangements.

They parted in similar conceptions, that this interview was only a prelude to another. And this accounts for a great part of the Bedford interest being neuter at the meeting of Parliament.

Lord Chatham's next step, was an attempt to divide the Newcastle interest. He began with Mr. Shelly, the Duke's near relation. To him, he promised the Staff of Treasurer of the Houshold"; which at this time was in the hands of Lord Edg cumbe. In his expectations of accomplishing his design, he was too sanguine. It is true, he procured the dismission of Lord Edgcumbe, and the appointment of Mr. Shelly; but the dismission of Lord Edgcumbe was attended with consequences which rather weakened than strengthened his administration; and so far from dividing, or dismaying his opponents, rather cemented their union, and provoked their resentment,

The particulars of this dismission were follows:

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