108

ADDRESS TO THE KING.

affairs; but failing in this, he reappeared in Parliament, fully expecting a repetition of the invectives which had been before heaped upon him. Sparing him, however, the opposition principally directed their attacks at Lord Sandwich, who was at the head of naval affairs. Fox began the debate, and was followed by Lord Mulgrave, who defended Sandwich. Fox finally moved a resolution, affirming that during 1781, naval affairs had been grossly mismanaged. Admiral Lord Howe seconded Fox, and though the ministry were supported, yet their majority was now reduced to twenty-two.

The Duke of Richmond moved an inquiry into the conduct of Lord Rawdon in regard to the execution of Colonel Hayne; but he was unsuccessful. Germaine's resignation was at length accepted, and as a reward for that minister's acquiescence in his majesty's opinions in regard to American affairs, he was made a peer of the realm. This honour produced a great sensation in the House of Lords, and sharp debates followed it. On the 22d of February, Fox renewed his attack on Sandwich, in which he was warmly seconded by Pitt. His motion failed, but the minister's majority was reduced to nineteen. On the 22d, General Conway moved an address to implore his majesty "to listen to the advice of his commons, that the war in America might no longer be pursued for the impracticable purpose of reducing the inhabitants of that country to obedience by force; and to express their hopes that his majesty's desire to restore the public tranquillity might be forwarded, and made effectual, by a happy reconciliation with the revolted colonies." Upon a division, two hours after midnight, ministers were left with a majority of one! This night's debate may be said to have fairly terminated the American war.

Instead of resigning immediately, Lord North brought a bill before the House, through the attorney-general, for the purpose of making a truce between England and America; but this time the ministers were defeated by a majority of nineteen. An address to the king, presented by General Conway to the House, praying for the discontinuance of the American

war, was then carried by the victorious opposition. A vague answer was returned by the king, and after voting thanks, Parliament passed another motion of General Conway, declaring those enemies to the king and country who should advise the further prosecution of offensive war on the continent of North America. Various debates followed until the 15th of March, when Sir John Rous moved "that the House could no longer repose confidence in the present ministers," and although this motion was not immediately passed, a few days terminated the struggle.

Lord North finally obtained the reluctant permission of the king to resign, and a new cabinet was to be formed.

110

THE NEW CABINET.

The Marquis of Rockingham became premier, as first lord of the treasury, Shelburne and Fox were made secretaries of state; Camden, Grafton, and Cavendish, were all promoted; Keppel was placed at the head of naval affairs, whilst General Conway took charge of the military; Burke was made paymaster, Barré got the place of treasurer to the navy, and Townshend was secretary at war. Pitt, destined to shine hereafter, was left without an office.

In the cabinet were five of the friends of Lord Rockingham, and five of Shelburne's; the eleventh being Lord Chancellor Thurlow, the king's-man. Such a cabinet could not long hold together. Shelburne was opposed to the recognition of American independence; and before any important action could be had on the relations with that country, the death of the Marquis of Rockingham put an end to the administration.

This happened on the 1st of July, 1782, and the king immediately put Shelburne at the head of the ministry, whereupon all the friends of Rockingham, Conway excepted, resigned their offices. Pitt was now made chancellor of the exchequer, and the other vacant places were filled by Shelburne's friends; two days after, on the 11th of July, the king prorogued Parliament.

PECIAL instructions had been given to Dr. Franklin and the other commissioners in Paris, not to conclude peace without the consent of the French government, in compliance with the articles of the treaty with that power. They were now placed in a complicated and embarrassing situation. The right of fishery on the Grand Bank and the western boundary of the United States, were subjects of the utmost importance to America, whilst France was indifferent about either, and Spain was interested in restricting the United States as much as possible, on the west. Mr. Fitzherbert and Mr. Oswald, who acted as commissioners for Great Britain, met those on the part of the United States, Franklin, Adams, Jay, and Laurens, and provisional articles of peace between England and America, were then agreed upon, November 30th, and were to be afterwards inserted in

112

RECOGNITION BY HOLLAND.

the treaty which was about to be concluded between those two countries and France. These articles secured the independence of the United States, and all that could reasonably be expected by them.

Meanwhile another European power had recognised the independence of America, the United Provinces of Holland. Upon learning the capture of Laurens, Congress had commissioned John Adams to be minister plenipotentiary to the States General, and he was empowered to negotiate a loan of money from the Hollanders. Adams soon after presented to them a memorial, informing the States of his mission; but it was not until a year afterwards, that he was received and acknowledged as an American minister. Influenced by the consideration of the advantage they must derive from the commerce of the Americans, the United Provinces of Holland acknowledged the independence of America, on the 19th of April. By the 8th of October, Adams succeeded in concluding a treaty of amity and commerce, and a loan of money was also obtained.

The Spanish envoys were very strenuous in their endeavours to procure the cession of Gibraltar to Spain by England; but they were unsuccessful, and preliminary treaties of peace were signed on the 20th of January, 1783, by France, Spain, and Great Britain.

But few military events occurred in America, during 1782. A British galley, in Ashley river, manned with forty-three men, and mounting twelve guns, was taken by Captain Rudolph, with thirteen men, without loss, on the 19th of March. He removed such stores as he found on board of her, and returned to his place of embarkation. After the capture of Cornwallis, Wayne had led the Pennsylvania line to the aid of Greene, and he was then sent into Georgia, where he performed some active service.

On the 21st of May, Colonel Brown marched out of Savannah in force, with the intention of having an engagement with Wayne; but that commander advanced rapidly from Ebenezer, where the legislature was sitting, and by a bold