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began with putting a positive and unqualified negative on the pcerage of Lord Lorne. Then, as to the offices, he said, there were very few vacant. He had bestowed the Admiralty upon Sir Edward Hawke, and given to Mr. Jenkinson and Sir Piercy Brett the two vacant seats at that Board, and Lord Le Despencer was destined for the Post-office. And as to measures, he observed, he had never altered his opinion of the peace, it was the same that he had declared in Parliament: And with respect to Prussia, he was resolved to support and maintain the alliance with that monarch. From these answers, the Duke was convinced, that all thoughts. of negotiation were at an end, and next morning his Grace returned to Wooburn.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Further Arrangements.-Lord Chatham regrets the Loss of Lord Temple.-Seized with the Gout at Bath, and at Marlborough.--Comes to Hampstead. Another Change meditated. - General Conway wishes to resign.-Lord Northington wishes to resign.-King's Message to Lord Chatham.-Duke of Newcastle is very anxious to preserve the Union of the Opposition.-Application to Lord Rockingham.-Declaration of the Duke of Bedford, Lord Temple and Mr. Grenville.Declaration of the Duke of Newcastle.-Conference at Newcastle House.-Breaks off-Importance of the Minister of the House of Commons.-America the True Cause.-Second Conference at Newcastle House.-Anecdotes of Mr. Lownds's Tickets, and of the Judge's Tickets.-Nabob of Arcot's Members-Judge Yates tampered with.-Lord Rockingham waits on the King-Lord Holland advises the King.

1

WITH a view to detach some of the Duke of Bedford's friends from his Grace's interest, Lord Chatham, in ten days after the preceding negotiation was closed, gave the same peerage to the

Marquis of Lorne, which he had refused to the request of the Duke of Bedford. And at the same time Mr. Nugent, who was placed at the head of the Board of Trade, was created Lord Clare. But the American business, usually managed and transacted at that Board, was transferred to the office of the Southern Secretary of State; and the Board itself was reduced to the state of a board of reference only. As soon as Lord Chatham had made this alteration, and a few other lesser arrangements, he went into Somersetshire.

Although the vacant offices were filled, yet he was far from being satisfied with the choice he had been obliged to make of several of the individuals, or with the union he had been obliged to accept. And he regretted, more than any other circumstance, the loss of his brother Lord Temple-because he felt that loss more and more every day.-He now felt the loss of a repository of his confidence-the solace of his hours of affliction. Grief, vexation, and disappointment, preyed upon his nerves; which, though in early life, naturally strong, were now become weak, by age and infirmity. peerage had diminished his popularity. A considerable part of his ministry consisted of men who had been appointed through necessity, not through choice; and this circumstance being notorious to those whom he had selected in the first instance,

His

inspired them with a spirit of envy and ambition, to become the rivals of his situation and power He was agitated by contending passions a mind sometimes vigorous, and often depressed-his body tortured by pain, and imprisoned by infirmityhe fell into a paroxysm of the gout at Bath, which seemed to threaten his extinction. In the month of February 1767, he attempted to return to London, but was unable to proceed further than Marl borough; where he lay until March, and then finished his journey. He retired to a house he had hired at Hampstead; but was in so feeble a state he could not attend to any public business. He remained at Hampstead some time, having sold his estate at Hayes, in Kent. The air of Hampstead was too sharp for his disorder-that of Hayes he thought suited him better; therefore he wished to re-possess his former habitation; which being made known to Mr. Walpole, the purchaser, he very politely gratified his Lordship, notwithstanding he had bought the place for his own residence.

During his absence, Mr. Townshend, in some degree, assumed the reins of government. He supposed Lord Chatham's state of health to be such as would totally, and for ever, preclude his return to public business. He therefore meditated he accomplishment of some alliances, with a view

of forming another administration for the establish ment of his own power. In this project he was joined by General Conway. They cultivated a favourable understanding with Lord Rockingham. Their first object was the removal of the Duke of Grafton; but Lord Chatham arriving in the vicinity of London, the design was abandoned, and the Duke and Mr. Townshend became reconciled*.

During Lord Chatham's stay at Hampstead, the King sent frequent messages to him, desiring him not to be concerned at his confinement, or absence from public business; for that he [the King] was resolved to support him.

† "Early in the month of June, General Conway declared to several of his friends, that he had resolved to resign his office of Secretary of State; because his situation was of late become very disagreeable to him, not only from having been frequently over-ruled in his opinions respecting measures; but from his being sensible, that he was acting in opposition to his friends, and particularly to those friends with whom he anxiously wished to be re-united. And he made the same declara

*They had differed upon the affairs of India.

+ From the Political Register, (with several corrections and additions). Vol. I. page 201, &c.

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