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LIFE OF WILLIAM
EARL OF SHELBURNE

AFTERWARDS

FIRST MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

WITH EXTRACTS FROM HIS PAPERS

AND CORRESPONDENCE

BY

LORD FITZMAURICE

(SECOND AND REVISED EDITION)

IN TWO VOLUMES

VOL. II
1776-1805

MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED
ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON

942.073

1295f

ed. 2

v. 2

COPYRIGHT

251726

2

CONTENTS

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Declaration of American Independence-Meeting of Parliament-Shelburne

attacks the King's Speech-Debate on the Civil List-Question of

Parliamentary control-Advanced views of the Opposition-Speech by

Shelburne Return of Chatham to political life-His motion for con-

ciliation with America-Speech of Shelburne-High praise of it by the

younger Pitt-Scene with Archbishop Markham-Battles of Brandywine

and Germantown-The surrender at Saratoga-Letters of Chatham-Pro-

test of the Opposition against private subscriptions to raise troops-France

makes a Treaty with the American Colonies-Lord North's Bills for con-

ciliation with America-Their chilling reception-Shelburne's " sunset

speech-General wish that Chatham should become Prime Minister-

Differences of opinion between Shelburne and Rockingham as to the neces-

sity of recognizing the entire independence of the revolted Colonies-The

King unwillingly accepts the idea of Chatham being in office, but refuses him

the Treasury-North employs Eden as negotiator-Shelburne and Charles

Fox-The Opposition unable to agree as to terms-The complete independ-

ence of America the stumbling-block-Shelburne insists that Chatham must

be Dictator-The King declines and calls Shelburne a perfidious man-

Could Chatham have been successful?-The Duke of Richmond's motion

in the House of Lords on conciliation with America-Last appearance of

Chatham-Description of the scene by the Duke of Grafton-Death of

Chatham-His character-Shelburne succeeds him as leader-Death of

Lord Temple-His character as drawn by Shelburne-Jenkinson becomes

Secretary at War and Thurlow Chancellor-Trial of Keppel-Communica-

tions between the leaders of the Opposition-Shelburne undertakes to accept

the leadership of Rockingham in a united Ministry-Verses by Garrick-

Anecdotes of Barré-War with Spain-National danger-Risk of invasion

-A letter from Barré discussing the risks-Victory of Rodney off Cape St.

Vincent

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Lord Shelburne marries Lady Louisa Fitzpatrick-Irish affairs-Commercial pro-
positions of Lord North-The Land question-Land let by the "ounce "--
The Clergy as landlords-Roman Catholic disabilities -Two motions on

Irish affairs by Shelburne in the House of Lords-The Irish Parliament
demands free trade-Commercial proposals carried-Demand for administra-
tive reforms in England-Speeches of Shelburne and Fox-County associa-
tions and meetings-The Yorkshire and Buckinghamshire Petitions-Duels
between Lord Shelburne and Mr. Fullarton, and between Charles Fox and
Adam-Demand for Parliamentary Reform-Petition and debates in both
Houses-Dunning's motion on the increase of the influence of the Crown-
The Armed Neutrality-Attacks on Shelburne in connection with the Lord
George Gordon Riots-Dunning on the question—Interference of the mili-
tary-Negotiations between North and Rockingham-Dr. Price and the
Sinking Fund-His pamphlet on America-Differences between the leaders
of the Opposition-Conversation between Barré and Richmond on the
necessity of cordial union

CHAPTER III

LORD SHELBURNE AND THE KING

1780-1782

PAGE

• 37

Shelburne and Grafton retire into the country-Rupture with Holland-The
rights of neutrals-The Constitution of the States of Holland-The Armed
Neutrality-Speech of Shelburne on the 1st of June 1780-He recognizes
the impossibility of restoring the former connection with the revolted
Colonies by force of arms-Interviews in London between Grafton and Shel-
burne Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown on the 25th of
November 1781-Shelburne's speech on the ruinous condition of the country
at home and abroad-Lord North tries to reconstitute his Ministry-Lord
George Germaine-Debates in the House of Lords-Speech of Shelburne on
the constitutional rights and position of the House of Lords-His hope that
some tie may still be maintained between the American Colonies and the
Mother Country-Lord North is hard pressed in Parliament, and resigns-
Offers by the King to Lord Rockingham-The King on Lord Rockingham's
terms-The King proposes to Lord Shelburne to take the Administration-
He declines-The King refuses to negotiate personally with Lord Rocking-
ham-He employs Shelburne as intermediary-Shelburne says Rockingham
must be Prime Minister-Lord Rockingham forms a united Ministry-
Shelburne becomes Secretary of State-He consents to the recognition of
American Independence-Disastrous condition of affairs-Ireland demands
absolute Parliamentary Independence-The Duke of Portland Viceroy-His
hopes that Grattan may not prove irreconcilable-These hopes disappointed
-Repeal of Poynings' Acts and of the 6th of George I.-Correspondence
between Shelburne and Portland-The Irish policy of the Rockingham
Administration-Correspondence of the King with Lord Shelburne in regard
to the Civil List and the Royal Household-The Contractor's Bill-Pitt's
motion on Parliamentary Reform

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CHAPTER IV

THE FIRST NEGOTIATION IN PARIS

1782

Condition of foreign affairs at the accession of the Rockingham Ministry-
Opposite views of Shelburne and Fox-Russia and the Armed Neutrality-
Shelburne desires an understanding with France-Vergennes and De Castries
-The war party in France-Possibility of separating the American and
French negotiations-Divergent views of the European belligerents and the

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