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nd condemned. Mr. Pitt, when solicited by the Duke of Cumberland to take office, had named as one of his Dismissal of conditions, the restoration of officers dismissed on officers con political grounds. This the king had anticipated,

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demned.

and was prepared to grant. The Rockingham administration insisted on the same terms; and according to Mr. Burke 'discountenanced, and it is hoped forever abolished, the dangerous and unconstitutional practice of removing military officers, for their votes in Parliament.” 2

the Rocking

The Whig leaders were not less jealous of the influence of Lord Bute, than the ministry whom they dis- Conditions of placed; and before they would accept office, they ham minisinsisted" that the thought of replacing Mr. Mac- try. kenzie should be laid aside; and also that some of the particular friends of the Earl of Bute should be removed, as a proof to the world that the Earl of Bute should not either publicly or privately, directly or indirectly, have any concern or influence in public affairs, or in the management or disposition of public employments." These conditions being agreed to, a ministry so constituted was likely to be independent of court influence: yet it was soon reproached with submission to the "interior cabinet." Mr. The king's Pitt said, "Methinks I plainly discover the traces friends. of an overruling influence;" and while he disavowed any prejudice against the country of Lord Bute, he declared that “the man of that country wanted wisdom, and held principles incompatible with freedom." This supposed influence was disclaimed on the part of the government by General Conway: "I see nothing of it," said he, "I feel nothing of it: I disclaim it for myself, and as far as my discernment can reach, for the rest of his Majesty's ministers." 4

Whether Lord Bute had, at this time, any influence at

1 Walp. Mem., ii. 165; Duke of Cumberland's Narrative; Rockingham Mem., i. 193-196.

2 Short Account of a Late Short Administration.

8 Paper drawn up by Duke of Newcastle, Rockingham Mem., i. 218

4 Debate on the Address, 1766, Parl. Hist., xvi. 97, 101.

court, was long a subject of doubt and controversy. It was confidently believed by the public, and by many of the best informed of his contemporaries; but Lord Bute, several years afterwards, so explicitly denied it, that his denial may be accepted as conclusive.1 The king's friends, however, had become more numerous, and acted under better discipline. Some of them held offices in the government or household, yet looked to the king for instructions, instead of to the min· isters. These generally had obscure but lucrative offices, in the gift of the king himself and other members of the royal family. But the greater part of the king's friends were independent members of Parliament, whom various motives had attracted to the personal support of the king. Many were influenced by high notions of prerogative,-by loyalty, by confidence in the judgment and honesty of the king, and by personal attachment to his Majesty, and many by hopes of favor and advancement. They formed a distinct party, and their coherence was secured by the same causes which generally contribute to the formation of party ties. But their principles and position were inconsistent with constitutional government. Their services to the king were no longer confined to counsel, or political intrigue; but were organized so as to influence the deliberations of Parliament. And their organization for such a purpose, marked a further advance in the unconstitutional policy of the court.

The king continued personally to direct the measures of

1 His son, Lord Mountstuart, writing Oct. 23, 1773, said: "Lord Bute authorizes me to say that he declares upon his solemn word of honor, he has not had the honor of waiting on his Majesty, but at his levée or drawing-room; nor has he presumed to offer any advice or opinion concerning the disposition of offices, or the conduct of measures, either directly or indirectly, by himself or any other, from the time when the late Duke of Cumberland was consulted in the arrangement of a ministry in 1765, to the present hour." Tomline's Life of Pitt, i. 452, n. See also Rockingham Mem., i. 358-360; Lord Brougham's Sketches of Statesmen, Works, ii:. 49; Edint. Rev. cxli. 94; Quart. Rev., cxxxi. 236. Lord John Russell's Introduction to vol. iii. of Bedford Correspondence, xxxiii.

2 Burke's Present Discontents, Works, ii. 254

Parliament.

the ministers, more particularly in the disputes with the American colonies, which, in his opinion, involved the The king's in rights and honor of his crown.1 He was resolutely fluence in opposed to the repeal of the Stamp Act, which the ministers had thought necessary for the conciliation of the colonies. He resisted this measure in council; but finding the ministers resolved to carry it, he opposed them in Parliament by the authority of his name, and by his personal influence over a considerable body of his parliamentary adherents. The king affected, indeed, to support the ministers, and to decline the use of his name in opposing them. "Lord Harcourt suggested, at a distance, that his Majesty might make his sentiments known, which might prevent the repeal of the act, if his ministers should push that measure. The king seemed averse to that, said he would never influence people in their parliamentary opinions, and that he had promised to support his ministers." But, however the king may have affected to deprecate the use of his name, it was unquestionably used by his friends; and while he himself admitted the unconstitutional character of such a proceeding, it found a defender in Lord Mansfield. In discussing this matter with the king, his lordship argued “that, though it would be unconstitutional to endeavor by his Majesty's name to carry questions in Parliament, yet where the lawful rights of the king and Parliament were to be asserted and maintained, he thought the making his Majesty's opinion in support of those rights to be known, was fit and becoming." In order to counteract this secret influence, Lord Rockingham obtained the king's written consent to the passing of the bill."

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1 The king said his ministers "would undo his people, in giving up the tights of his crown; that to this he would never consent." Grenville Pa pers, iii. 370, 371.

2 Walp. Mem., ii. 259, 331, n. Rockingham Mem., ii. 250, 294.

8 Mr. Grenville's Diary, Jan. 31, 1766; Grenville Papers, iii. 353.

4 Grenville Papers, iii. 374; Walp. Mem., ii. 288; Rockingham Mem., i 277, 292.

5 Grenville Papers, ii. 374.

6 Rockingham Mem., i. 300.

The ministers had to contend against another difficulty, which the tactics of the court had created. Not only were they opposed by independent members of the court party; but members holding office, upon whose support ministers were justified in relying, were encouraged to oppose them; and retained their offices, while voting in the ranks of the Opposition. The king, who had punished with so much severity any opposition to measures which he approved, now upheld and protected those placemen, who opposed the ministerial measures to which he himself objected. In vain the ministers remonstrated against their conduct: the king was ready with excuses and promises; but his chosen band were safe from the indignation of the Government. Nor was their opposition confined to the repeal of the Stamp Act, a subject on which they might have affected to entertain conscientious scruples: but it was vexatiously continued against the general measures of the administration.1 Well might Mr. Burke term this "an opposition of a new and singular character, an opposition of placemen and pensioners." Lord Rockingham protested against such a system while in office; 8 and after his dismissal, took occasion to observe to his Majesty, that "when he had the honor of being in his Majesty's service, the measures of administration were thwarted and obstructed by men in office, acting like a corps; that he flattered himself it was not entirely with his Majesty's inclination, and would assure him it was very detrimental to his service." 4 This system, to use the words of Mr. Burke, tended "to produce neither the security of a free Government, nor the energy of a monarchy that is absolute." "5

The king, meanwhile, had resolved to overthrow the Rockingham ministry, which was on every account distaste.

1 Walp. Mem., ii. 259, 331, n.; Rockingham Mem., i. 250, 294, 321

2 A Short Account of a Late Short Administration.

8 Walp. Mem., ii. 322.

4 Rockingham Mem., ii. 53.

6 Present Discontents Works ii 721

ful to him. He disapproved their liberal policy: he was jealous of their powerful party, which he desired to break up; and, above all, he resented their independence. He desired ministers to execute his will; and these men and their party were the obstacles to the cherished object of his ambition.

try,

1766.

At length, in July, 1766, they were ungraciously dismissed; and his Majesty now expected from Duke of Grafthe hands of Mr. Pitt, an administration better ton's minissuited to his own views and policy. Mr. Pitt's greatness had naturally pointed him out as the fittest mau for such a task, and there were other circumstances which made him personally acceptable to the king. Haughty as was the demeanor of that distinguished man in the senate, and among his equals, his bearing in the royal presence was humble and obsequious. The truth of Mr. Burke's well-known sarcasm, that "the least peep into that closet intoxicates him, and will to the end of his life," 2 was recognized by all his contemporaries.

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A statesman with at least the outward qualities of a courtier, was likely to give the king some repose after his collisions with the two last ministries. He now undertook to form an administration under the Duke of Grafton, with the office of Privy Seal, and a seat in the Upper House, as Earl of Chatham.

For another reason also Lord Chatham was acceptable

1 Walp. Mem., ii. 337.

2 Letter to Lord Rockingham, Rockingham Mem., ii. 260.

8 Chase Price said, "that at the levée, he (i. e. Lord Chatham) used to bow so low, you could see the tip of his hooked nose between his legs.". Rockingham Mem., ii. 83. He had been in the habit of kneeling at the bedside of George II., while transacting business. - Wraxall's Mem., ii. 53. That he was ever true to his character, is illustrated by the abject terms of his letter to the king on resigning the office of Privy Seal, two years afterwards. "Under this load of unhappiness, I will not despair of your Maj. esty's pardon, while I supplicate again on my knees your Majesty's mercy, and most humbly implore your Majesty's royal permission to resign that bigh office." 14th October, 1768; Chatham Corresp., iii. 314.

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