"I also give to William Pitt, of the parish of Cha?. V. St. James's, within the liberty of Westmm-'—»-^' ster, Esq; the sum of ten thoufand pounds, upon account of his merit, in the noble desence he has made for the support of the laws of England, and to prevent the ruin of his country."

CHAP.

CHAP. VI.

State bf the Ministry—Lord Carlisle disappointed of the Privy Seal—Lord Cobham joins the Pelhams —Lord Granville opposed in Council, and resigns —The Broad Bottom Ministry appointed—Mr. Pitt's reply to Sir Francis Dajhwood, on the Address—Mr Pitt's reply to Mr. Hume Campbell, on the Noblemen's new raised Regiments.

*

C^p- From the time that Sir Robert Walpole had v^^-l^been compelled to relinquish the government, '744- the British councils had not been influenced by the principles of any system, plan, or regulation. State os It was a government of expedients, proceeding the mini- fortuitously; too cowardly to act upon a bold measure, and too ignorant to frame a wise one. The members of the cabinet being comprised of Deserters from all parties, became a faction, without confidence in each other. Lord Bath, who had been their creator, was the only cement, which held them together.

It has been observed, that Lord Carter et, who had been made Secretary of State by Lord Bath, had gained an ascendancy in the closet, by favouring the predilections of the King, respecting Hanover. This ascendancy alarmed the orher members of the cabinet. . They beheld, with jealousy, Lord Carteret's encreasing influencewith the King. There was, however, a manly

firmness

firmness and constitutional dignity in Lord Carteret's conduct. His German measures were always communicated to the British cabinet in the 1744. first instance; nor was there any attempt ever made to carry them into execution, until they had been proposed to, and adopted by, his colleagues in office. But had the King concerted them secretly, and not communicated the information to his British ministers, until it was necessary to involve his British dominions in the expence, and when it was too late to make any alteration; it is more than probable, that there was not not a gentleman, either in or out of court, at that time, who, if he had been Secret tary of State, would not, in such a case, have laid the Seals at his Majesty's seet.

It has long been seen clearly, -and faid by wise and honest men, that the foundation of all other factions, is the saction at court. The court faction, which had been lately formed by Lord Bath, gave rise so several sactions. During these disputes, Lord Cobham and his friends, kept aloof.

The unsettled state of the ministry was made apparent to the whole kingdom, bv the contention amongst them for the Privy Seal, which Lord Gower had resigned.—Lord Bath, who intersered upon the occasion, and affected to act by the authority of the King, sent for Lord Carlisle, and assured his Lordship he should be appointed Privy Seal; and Lord Carlisle thought himself so certain of the place, that he informed his, friends Vol. I. H the

Cmr. the appointment was made. The Pelbams resisled this scheme of Lord Bath's with all their

1744. might; and the Duke of Newcastle went to the King, and demanded the place for Lord Cholmondeley. Those who knew the King, said his Majesty was taken by surprise, and consented with reluctance. Several other alterations were made, by which the power of Lord Bath's sriends was decreased, and that of the Pelhams advanced. This arrangement, however, was but of short duration. The two parties continued to struggle for superiority.

A war with France was the favourite measure of the King at this time, on account of his German dominions; which were exposed to the enmity of France, by his alliance with the court of Vienna; and Lord Carteret, now Earl Granville, by the death of his mother, entering fully into his Majesty's views respecting this war, became a favourite in the closet.

The circumstance of a savourite in that situation, was a matter of great alarm to those, who could not endure a rival. Sixteen thousand Hanoverian troops were last year taken into British pay. This measure was extremely obnoxious to the nation. Lord Granville avowed the measure, and being secure, as he thought of the King's support, he treated his colleagues with some hauteur, in a debate in council upon is. Lord The Pelhams were now convinced, that Lord Cobham Granville was both their rival and their enemy; Pdhams! ar,d therefore they resolved, to remove, if possible, so dangerous a competitor. In order to

carry carry this point, their sirst step was to strengthen their party. They made overtures to Lord Cobham, who, at the request of the Duke of JVewtastle, met his Grace at Lord Harrington**. At this meeting, the accession of Lord Cobbam was settled- The principal terms were, that the expence of the Hanoverian measures should be diminished, and that his Lordship's friends should be included in the next change of the ministry. With respect to his Lordship, and the Grenvillis, the matter was easy—-all the difficulty was concerning Mr. Pitt. The King had entertained a violent prejudice against him, on account of his opposition to German measures. This prejudice, Lord Granville was supposed to have encreased, by stating in the closet, more than once, Mr. Pitt's parliamentary conduct, in the most unfavourable light. The Duke of Newcastle promised to remove this prejudice from the King's mind, and to accommodate Mr. Pitt at a future period, which, he assured Lord Cobham, should not be sar distant.

The junction of Lord Cobbam with the Pelhams, influenced several others to follow his example; such as Sir John Hind Cotton, Mr. Waller, Mr. Doddington, and many more; so that this junction had the effect of a coalition of parties. Indeed it must be consessed, that all parties, except Lord Bath's, joined in opposing Lord Granville.

This union was negociated, and completed, during the summer and autumn of 1744. The

H 2, sirst