CHAP. XIV.

Mr. Pitt's first Administration.—Raises two thousand Highlanders.-Goree taken.-Refuses to support the Duke of Cumberland.-Commanded to resign. Presented with the Freedom of several Cities and Corporations.-The King's distresses.-Mr. Pitt made Minister upon his own terms.-The Correspondence of the Admiralty given to Mr. Pitt.

ON the second of December 1756, Parliament met. The first measure of government, after sending away the foreign troops, was the establishment of a national militia.

On the first of January 1757, orders were given for raising two thousand men in the High

Earl of Sussex, Lord Down, and Lord Robert Bertie, with the Earls of Pembroke and Euston, and Lord Digby, lords of the Bedchamber.

Messrs. Schutz and Peachy, with hon. S. Marsham, hon. G.

Monson, C. Ingram, and E. Nugent, grooms of the bedchamber.

Lord Bathurst, treasurer.

Hon. James Brudenell, privy purse.

S. Fanshaw, comptroller.

lands of Scotland for the British service in America. This measure reflected the greatest honour upon Mr. Pitt's wisdom and penetration; and whether he adopted it from the, paper, which the reader will find in the note, or whether it originated with himself, it equally shewed the superiority of his mind to all vulgar and local prejudices*. He sent a squadron to the

* The following plan for carrying on the war was submitted to his Royal Higness the Duke of Cumberland, in May 1756, and was by his Royal Highness's command-delivered to Mr. Pitt, by the Earl of Albemarle in December 1756:

"France constantly keeping numerous armies in pay, is always prepared for war. Wars of a short duration, for the most part, have proved advantageous to that kingdom; but wars of a long continuance very detrimental and ruinous to the people. If the present war is well conducted, before the next year ends that nation will be filled with complaints of losses, and his Majesty's subjects joyful for the successes against their enemies.

"The land forces in Great Britain and Ireland may be put on a better establishment, by raising more infantry. Two thousand horse of all denominations are sufficient for the service of Great Britain, and one thousand dragoons for Ireland. The troopers and dragoons reduced will form several companies of grenadiers.

"The British regiments of foot would appear nobly if they contained twelve companies in each, two of them grenadiers.

"Improvement in agriculture, fisheries, multiplying and enlarging manufactures, the increase of buildings, &c. give so

East Indies, under admiral Stevens, and andther to the West Indies, under admiral Coles.

much employment, that workmen are wanted in most parts of England.

"Therefore, it is expedient to procure out of Germany some regiments for the service of America, and reward them with lands at the conclusion of the war.

Two regiments, a thousand men in a corps, may be raised in the north of Scotland for the said service, and on the same terms. No men on this island are better qualified for the American war than the Scots Highlanders.

"Certainly the Scots regiments in the Dutch service ought immediately to be recalled. Better it will be for them to serve their own country than to perish in sickly garrisons.

"In the north of Ireland two thousand brave Protestants, or more if necessary, might be raised with celerity and facility, upon the promise of having lands assigusd to them when the war is finished.

"It ought not to be supposed that the French really intend to invade Great Britain or Ireland; the difficulties and dangers which must attend the enterprise, are more than enough to deter them: Nevertheless the report of an invasion made such an impression on the minds of some men in power, or they would have it so believed, that this idle rumour, or feint, occasioned the loss of Minorca, and the neglect of sending so many ships as were necessary in the West Indies.

"The naval forces of Great Britain being more than twice as strong as the French, and this kingdom so well provided with

He sent a small fleet to the coast of Africa, which took the island of Goree from the French,

conveniences for constructing ships of war, that three may be built here as soon as one in France; the British cruisers and squadrons may always exceed the French by a third in all parts, which must distress their commerce to a high degree, ruin their fisheries, and starve the inhabitants in the French sugar colonies. The war continuing three or four years, France must inevitably be greatly distressed; her merchants bankrupted, and her manufactures brought to ruin; others obliged to seek their food in foreign countries; whereas in England the manufactures, more especially the woollen, sell at higher rates when at war with France, than in times of peace.

"When the French perceive this nation takes proper means for maintaining a war, and that their secret friends are deprived of directing and administering the affairs of this government*, they will use every artifice and device that fraud and cunning can suggest, to make an insidious peace; but it is earnestly recommended, that the war may endure until the enemy is entirely subdued in America, and so totally disabled as not to become troublesome to this kingdom in future times."

Note, by the author of the preceding:

* When his Royal Highness formed the administration, of which Mr. Fcx had the lead, the French perceived this influence of their secret friends somewhat abridged; and although they still had a share of power, yet they were obliged to act very cautiously. Upon the administration being put into the hands of Mr. Pitt, these secret friends were wholly excluded from the cabinet. While he guided, Great Britain was in her own hands. When in the next reign peace was resolved upon, those secret friends came forward again to conduct the negotiation. Then Mr. Pitt was forced out of administration. He then felt the secret influence of the closet. Our allies were deserted, and peace was made with the enemies of the nation, who were the friends of these secret friends.

and with it a valuable branch of commerce was. obtained. This was the first successful measure of the war.—The nation having been accustomed to disaster and disappointment, this conquest operated greatly to the advantage of Mr. Pitt's character. (See Appendix A.) His resolution was to employ the whole of the British fleet.

The debates in Parliament were few and inconsiderable this session. Although Mr. Pitt delivered a message from the King, requesting a sum of money for the support of the army that was forming in Germany, he did not support the motion.

The late cabinet saw that the King was very far from being reconciled to Mr. Pitt. They eniployed every secret whisperer to widen the breach, and filled every private channel to the royal ear with insinuations against him. An inquiry was instituted into the causes of the loss of Minorca, which, if possible, increased their disapprobation. But the circumstance which offended his Majesty most was, Mr. Pitt's refusal to support the army in Germany; in which refusal he was joined by Mr. Legge. The Duke was preparing to set out for Germany, and the Royal request, at first, was to have an immediate supply of money, without waiting for the approba