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CHAP.
LV.

1783.

Mr. Bankes.

Lord North.

ment, not prepared by previous inquiry to enter with effect into those important investigations, and therefore praying that his Majesty would not hearken to the secret advice of particular persons, who might have private interests of their own, separate from his true interests and those of his people.

Mr. Bankes said he was authorized by Mr. Pitt to assure the committee that he had no intention to advise either a dissolution or a prorogation. In a long debate which followed, the principal feature was a speech from Lord North, who, with his usual wit and pleasantry, combined with knowledge and ornamented by taste, censured the new ministry, and vindicated his own. Adverting to a former night, he observed, it had been said that a starling ought to be placed in the House and taught to speak the words "coalition! "coalition! cursed coalition!-Now for my part," he proceeded, "I think that, while there is in this House "an honourable gentleman, who never fails, let what "will be the subject of debate, to curse the coalition, there will be no occasion for the starling, and while he "continues to speak by rote and without any formed "idea, I think what he says will make just as much 'impression as if the starling himself were to utter his "words. As to the coalition and the abuse so often "thrown upon it, they always bring to my mind two persons for whom I felt no inconsiderable concern;

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they were shut up in the Eddystone light-house, to "mind the fire; they were of different principles, and "therefore, although they were shut in from all inter"course with the rest of mankind, and although they "might by their conversation have amused one another, "yet they never exchanged a word for six weeks, and "each would have let the fire go out, and seen all the navy of England dashed to pieces under them, rather "than give up the most trivial point to the other. Now "the enemies of the coalition would have had my right "honourable friend and me resemble these two men ; "but we considered the safety of the public our principal care and duty, and, in order to save the ship of "state from running ashore, or dashing against the rocks,

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"we agreed at all events that the fire in the light-house "should not be extinguished, but that, let who would "stir it, it was to be kept in. Thus what some affected "to call a curse, was in reality a blessing to the nation."

CHAP. LV.

1783.

Mr. Erskine's motion was carried without a divi- Address voted. sion; and all the necessary steps were immediately taken for framing an address and presenting it to the King.

answer.

An anwer was returned without delay, in which 24th. his Majesty assured the House that he would not in- The King's terrupt their meeting by any exercise of his prerogative, either of prorogation or dissolution.

Mr. Fox's

observations.

Mr. Fox, treating this answer, according to its real import, as a mere assurance that the House should not be prevented from meeting again after the recess, wished for the shortest possible adjournment, and proposed the eighth of January. The state of the country would not admit of a long recess; for, as the present ministers could not stand long (and indeed to talk of the stability and permanency of their government would only be to laugh at and insult them), it would be necessary to move for another set of writs in the room of those who, in forming another ministry, should vacate their seats. He did not know that he should make one of the next administration; but he was impatient that the sense of the House might be soon. taken on the weak young men who accepted offices under present circumstances. Their youth, indeed, was the only possible excuse for their rashness; as they did not seem to understand a pretty broad hint from the House, it would, perhaps, require a broader to convince them of the necessity of retiring, which might be conveyed in some pointed resolution after the holidays, and Parliament secured against a dissolution. The House finally adjourned to the twelfth of January; but not until Lord Beauchamp had moved that the Commissioners of the treasury ought not to permit champ's mothe acceptance of bills from India, until the House tion. should be satisfied that sufficient means could be provided for their payment out of the clear effects of the Company after discharging all sums due to the public.

Lord Beau

CHAP.
LV.

1783.

Lord Surrey's motion.

Adjournment.

Lord Mulgrave having observed that, the Lords of the treasury being authorized by an act of Parliament to consent that the Directors should accept bills, it would be absurd to restrain them by a resolution of one branch of the legislature; Mr. Scott very candidly said that, if it was once admitted to be necessary, it was perfectly constitutional for that House to advise any executive branch of government, however legally established.

Lord Surrey then moved for an address, praying that the King would not grant the office of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for any other term than during pleasure, before the 20th of January.

The Lords, on the same day, adjourned to the 20th of January.

CHAPTER THE FIFTY-SIXTH.

1784.

Difficult situation of ministers.-Strength of the opposition.— Decline of their popularity.-Increasing confidence in Mr. Pitt.-His conduct on the vacancy of a clerkship of the Pells. Dissolution of Parliament expected.-Mr. Fox moves a committee on the state of the nation.-Speech of Mr. Pitt.-Debate.-Lord North's motions in the committee.-Mr. Fox.-Lord Surrey.-Debate.-King's message concerning Hessian Troops.-Observations.-Mr. Pitt moves to bring in his India Bill.—First Reading.—Bill rejected.-- Discussions on supposed intention to dissolve Parliament.—Mr. Pitt personally appealed to-remains silent.-Violent debate.-Adjournment and termination of the debate.-Motion of Lord Charles Spencer.-Further proceedings.-Debate on a petition for reform.-Situation of public affairs.-State of public feeling.-Mr. Pitt's reasons for not dissolving Parliament.-London address.Union of parties proposed.-Conduct of Lord North.Meeting at the Saint Alban's Tavern.-Committee on the state of the nation.-Motion of Mr. Grosvenor.-Mr. Fox. -Mr. Pitt.—Mr. Coke's motion. Mr. Powys.—Mr. Pitt. -Resolutions carried up to the King.-Proceedings in the House of Lords.-Motion of Lord Effingham-opposedsupported. Observations on Mr. Pitt.-Resolutions carried. -Proceedings in the House of Commons.-Effects of these proceedings.Public meetings.-- Middlesex.-Westminster.-Effect of these meetings.-Proceedings in Parliament respecting supplies.-Motion by Mr. Powys.-Address carried. The King's answer. -Further proceedings.-- Debate on the King's answer.- Mr. Fox moves a representation to the King.—Mr. Dundas.-Other speakers.-Motion carried by a majority of one only.-Other business.-Prorogation and dissolution of Parliament.

CHAP.
LVI.

1784. Difficult situ

ation of ministers.

Strength of opposition.

Decline of their popu

larity.

Increasing

Mr. Pitt.

WHEN the King, by exercising his just prerogative, had dissolved an administration, the principles and conduct of which he did not approve, their successors were placed in a situation of unwonted difficulty and peril. The opposition was strong in connexions and influence, and the members who composed their majorities would not easily be made to feel shame or despair, while they followed leaders possessed of such gigantic talents for every form and species of debate. Yet this powerful opposition was falling in public opinion, although the symptoms of its decline were not at first obviously manifest. The vigorous argumentation of Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke, the dexterous dialectics of Mr. Sheridan, and the eloquent reasoning and playful wit of Lord North, could not influence the public to view the coalition without disgust; and the tendency of their late proceedings to invade the rights of the Crown, to vilify the other branch of the legislature, and to delay, if not altogether to impede, public business, because they were not allowed to guide it, produced, among many members who had been friendly to them, hesitation, caution, and even suspicion.

Mr. Pitt had not, in the House of Commons, the confidence in aid of one cabinet minister. He relied principally on the experience and ability of Mr. Dundas and Mr. Jenkinson, and the youthful talent and attachment of Mr. Grenville. He was also assured of the unlimited confidence of the King, and a general opinion was entertained, not of his ability alone, but of his patriotism and integrity, which, at his early age (less than twentyfive years), nothing could impeach, but which passing events contributed to enhance. Fortune, just at this time, presented an opportunity of displaying his cha

11th January. Conduct on the vacant

Clerkship of

the Pells.

racter.

By the death of Sir Edward Walpole, a valuable sinecure, the Clerkship of the Pells, became vacant. Mr. Pitt, known to be unendowed with wealth, and to have sacrificed to the public service hopes of emolument and advancement in an honourable and lucrative profession, might, without reproach, have taken the office to himself, or secured or gratified some adherent

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