OF LORD CHATHAM TO OFFICE. confidence than in all the statesmen and orators who aspired to the direction of her councils. Chatham had not appeared in public since the Christmas adjournment. He remained, as had been usual with him for the last ten years, in strict seclusion at his favourite country house near London, seldom accessible even to those political friends with whom he continued in close correspondence. Lord North, though he could not presume to propose to his great rival any such terms as those which the King had prescribed, yet endeavoured to ascertain indirectly upon what terms, if any, Chatham would consent to take office. Mr. Eden, one of the commissioners appointed under the new Conciliatory Act, had some communication with Lord Shelburne on the subject, but the result was what might have been expected. It does not appear that Shelburne thought it necessary to consult his chief upon a point so plain and simple. If the services of Lord Chatham were required, he must receive His Majesty's direct commands, and an unqualified commission. 361 Ch. 22. 1778 The King expressed the strongest resentment The King's when the result of Eden's conversation with Shelburne was reported to him. 'No advantage to this country,' said he, 'nor personal danger to myself, can ever make me address myself to Lord & LORD J. RUSSELL's Correspondence and Memoirs of Fox, vol. i. pp. 180-187. resentment. 362 Ch. 22. 1778 Chatham's reappearance in the House. CHATHAM'S LAST APPEARANCE Chatham, or to any other branch of Opposition.’h These were the sentiments which, in his Majesty's opinion, entitled him to expect that the nation would stand by him'; and upon which he appealed with confidence to the honour and fidelity of his ministers. Public opinion in these days had but a faint and imperfect utterance; but if the King had persevered in his determination to exclude Chatham from the direction of his councils at a time when the fortunes of the country were at stake, he might have been forced to consider that alternative of his own abdication with which he was accustomed to alarm his courtiers, whenever his will was thwarted or opposed. But the King and the country were relieved from the danger of a collision on this subject by an event which, though long anticipated, at length happened at a moment when it was least expected. Chatham had not, for many years, taken so active a part in public affairs, nor had his oratorical powers, in the estimation of many persons, displayed such remarkable vigour as in the short autumnal session of 1777. Besides the celebrated speeches on the Address, he had brought forward motions, and taken part almost daily in the debates relative to the American war. The pros pect of a rupture with France was supposed to have revived almost all his former energy; and hearts h Letter to Lord North, 15th March, 1778. Ibid. 17th March. IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS. which had begun to fail at the dangers and difficulties which were gathering round the empire, were re-assured by the presence of that Great Commoner who, called to power by the voice of the people, had once before redeemed his country from the disgrace into which she had fallen by the incapacity of her rulers, and had placed her at the height of power and glory. The first act of Chatham, on reading the French note of the 13th of March, seemed to indicate the vigour and promptitude of former days. His son, Lord Pitt, whom, by a strong measure, he had removed from Sir Guy Carleton's staff because he disapproved of the American war, was desired immediately to return to his military duties. The Duke of Richmond, having given notice of a motion for an address to the Crown for a recognition of the United States, with the view of averting a war with France, Lord Chatham intimated his intention of attending in his place for the express purpose of opposing the motion. 363 Ch. 22. 1778 appearance. It was on the 7th of April that Chatham ap- His last peared, for the last time, in parliament. He had risen from a sick bed, against the earnest entreaties of his friends, to be present on this occasion. Lord Camden, the oldest of his political friends, in a few minutes' conversation with him before he entered the House, was convinced that neither mind nor body would sustain him through the debate. He was led, or half carried, to his place by his young son, William Pitt, and his son 364 Ch. 22. 1778 Chatham's LAST SPEECH OF CHATHAM, in-law, Lord Mahon. The peers, who had risen as he entered, remained standing and uncovered until he had taken his seat. There was an unusually large attendance, and everybody was anxious to hear the sentiments of that exalted person, who, it was hoped and believed, was shortly to become the minister, or as his Majesty more aptly termed it, the dictator of the country. After the Duke of Richmond had spoken in last speech. introducing his motion, which was for the immediate withdrawal of the British fleets and armies from the waters and territories of the United Provinces, and the conclusion of a peace, Lord Chatham rose. He leaned as usual upon a crutch; his wasted features were hardly visible under the full-bottomed wig; but though sickness had dimmed, death alone could quench the fire of his eye. Though his body was bent with age and infirmity, he still retained that air of grandeur and authority which distinguished him above every orator and statesman in either assembly. As he slowly rose from his seat, the House became perfectly still. His voice was at first low and weak, but every word was distinctly uttered. He reviewed the whole of the American war, reminding the House of his predictions, and of their fulfilment. At times his memory failed, and his sentences were incoherent; but the speech contained some passages in his best manner. 'I rejoice,' said he, that I am still alive to lift up my voice against the dismemberment of this ancient and AND HIS LAST ILLNESS. noble monarchy. Where is the man who will dare to advise such a measure? My lords, his Majesty succeeded to an empire as great in extent as its reputation was unsullied. Shall we tarnish the lustre of this nation by an ignominious surrender of its rights and fairest possessions? Shall this great kingdom, that has survived whole and entire the Danish depredations, the Scottish inroads, and the Norman conquest; that has stood the threatened invasion of the Spanish armada, now fall prostrate before the House of Bourbon? Shall a people, seventeen years ago the terror of the world, now stoop so low as to tell its ancient, inveterate enemy Take all we have, only give us peace.' The Duke of Richmond replied, with expressions of profound respect for the name and authority of his illustrious opponent. His Grace's argument for hastily concluding a peace with the colonies on their own terms was, that we could not contend against France, Spain, and America united; and that this country was not bound to resent the insult which France had offered her, because Philip the Second had not gone to war with Queen Elizabeth for abetting the war with the Spanish Netherlands. 365 Ch. 22. death. 1778 It is easy to conceive what a field such reason- Chatham's ing as this would have afforded to the eloquence of Chatham. When the Duke sat down, Chatham, who throughout his speech had manifested an eager impatience to reply, immediately stood up. But the last effort had been made; he staggered, |