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 legislature 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

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long; that he was going to the House of Lords upon particular business, and it was growing late. Lord Eglintoun then desired he would stay only five minutes. This was refused: lastly, he requested only three minutes; and this was refused also. But in the expostulation it came out, that it was to meet Lord Bute, whom Lord Eglintoun supposed was, by this time, waiting at his own house, and he wished to fetch him. At length, pressing the matter very earnestly, Lord Temple answered warmly, By G-d I will not;-that was his expression, and immediately stepped into his carriage.

He

The Duke of Bedford and Mr. Grenville met Lord Bute at Lord Eglintoun's. The conference was very short: Lord Bute followed Lord Holland's advice he heard them-and then left them. afterwards said to Lord Eglintoun, that he did not meet the person he wanted to meet (Lord Temple) but the person he did not want to meet (the Duke of Bedford). Some time afterwards, Mr. Pitt mentioned this meeting in the House of Commons. Mr. Grenville did not deny it; but said, "That the single proposition made, or point spoken of, was relative to the best means of preventing the intended repeal of the Stamp Act. No other subject was mentioned."

Notwithstanding the ill success of this project,

Lord Bute found means, through one of the Princess's confidants, to amuse Lord Temple with assurances, that a Carte-blanche would, in a very little time, be offered to him: and this manœuvre was managed so well, he was completely duped by it: he believed the assurances for some time. The design was to engage him warmly in the opposition to the repeal of the Stamp Act; and he fell into the snare. Having implicitly adopted the American politics of his brother, the American politics of the Court became an easy, and almost a natural gradation.

During the progress of the bill for the repeal of the Stamp Act, it was strongly insinuated in parliament, that the bill was very far from being agreeable to the King; upon which Lord Rockingham asserted, that his Majesty's approbation of the measure was clear and unequivocal. Next day, Lord Strange maintained the contrary-that his Majesty highly disapproved of the bill. Lord Rockingham was greatly surprised by this explicit declaration from Lord Strange; and at his next audience of the King, he requested the honour of his Majesty's opinion in writing; which the King refused to give. This circumstance was an indisputable proof, that notwithstanding the late negotiation had not succeeded, yet his Majesty still withheld his confidence from his present servants.

Another change of ministers was doubtless in contemplation; although no fresh applications for that purpose were yet made.

However unfortunate these ministers might be in the closet, yet they rendered great and important services to the country. Their proceedings and conduct are well known; they are to be found in the public accounts of the time; but there is one measure of that administration which has been very imperfectly stated. It is concerning Dunkirk,

This point, of frequent and anxious discussion, seems to have been mistaken by the British ministers, prior and subsequent to Lord Rockingham. From the peace of Utrecht, in the year 1713, to the month of September 1765, all our demands concerning the demolition of Dunkirk have originated in a wrong principle. We have insisted upon levelling the ramparts, upon filling up the cunette, &c. These were immaterial points, to which the French Court consented, after some affected hesitation. The fortifications on the land side are of no consequence to England. It was the harbour alone that ought to have engaged our attention. Lord Rockingham saw this mistake; in his administration only, was the demolition of the harbour seriously attempted: and had he re