this plan remained in theory only, a few weak men cried it up, as a mafter-piece

of

Fifthly, His Royal Highness promises, and will openly declare, that he will make no agreement with, or join in the support of any administration whatever, without previously obtaining the above-mentioned points in behalf of the people, and for the fake of good government. Upon thefe conditions, and these conditions only, his Royal Highness thinks he has a right not to doubt of having a most cordial support, from all thofe good men, who mean their country and this conftitution well, and that they will become his and his family's friends, and unite with him to promote the good government of this country; and that they will follow him, upon these principles, both in court and out of court; and if he should live to form an adminiftration, it shall be compofed, without diftinction, of men of dignity, knowledge and probity. His Royal Highness, farther promises to accept of no more, if offered to him, than 800000 /. for his civil lift, by way of rent-charge."

Anfwer to the foregoing Proposal,

The Lords and Gentlemen to whom a paper has been communicated, containing his Royal Highness the Prince's gracious intentions upon feveral weighty and important points, of the greatest confequence to the honour and intereft of his Majefty's government, and abfolutely neceffary for the reftoring, and perpetuating the true ufe and defign of parliament; the purity of our excellent conftitution, and the happiness and welfare of the whole nation,do thereinwith the greatest fatisfaction obferve, and moft gratefully acknowledge, the uprightness and generofity of his Royal Highness's

noble

of policy: but fince it has been carried into practice, the whole kingdom has condemned it as a mafter-piece of folly.

The Earl of EGREMONT fucceeded to Mr. PITT's office, being every way qualified for the purposes of the Favourite. Lord TEMPLE was out of town when Mr. PITT refigned, but returned a few days after, and immediately refigned his office of Lord Privy Seal. For fome time this high office was vacant,at length the Duke of BEDFORD was appointed to fill it.

noble sentiments and refolutions. And therefore beg leave to return their most dutiful and humble thanks for the fame, and to affure his Royal Highnefs, that they will conftantly and fteadily ufe their utmost endeavours to fupport thofe his wife and salutary purposes, that the throne may be ftrengthened, religion and morality encouraged, faction and corruption deftroyed, the purity and effence of parliament reftored, and the happiness and welfare of our conftitution preferved.

When the above answer was returned to the Prince, there were present,

The moment Mr. PITT was departed from the helm, the new minifters, under the directions of the Favourite,

adopted a very different plan, with regard to the measures with Spain, from that proposed by the late minister. They chofe to proceed by the tardy steps of an Ambaffador; and when upwards of three months had been trifled away, in dispatching memorials, letters, answers, &c.* a declaration of war against Spain came fneaking out, in January 1762,

*Whoever confiders the Situation of Spain, (unprepared as fhe was at the time the written advice was given) with respect to her ports, her fhips of war in those ports, her colonies, her commerce, her own, as well as the riches of France, on board her Ships, can never fufficiently lament the lofs of an autumnal campaign. If we add that the fleet of England was at no time fo formidable, her feamen never fo full of fpirit, and flushed with repeated victories; in Europe only, upwards of 140 fhips of war; in other parts of the world, above 100 more; we must fink in amazement at our fupineness and neglect of fo critical a period." Mr. Wilkes's ob¬ fervations on the Spanish papers, page 28.

Nov. 2. 1761. Two fhips have lately arrived at Cadiz, with very extraordinary rich cargoes, from the West Indies; fo that all the wealth that was expected from Spanish America, is now fafe in Old Spain." Lord Briftol's letter, in the Spanish papers, page 29. quarto edit,

which

which ought to have appeared in the preceding September; for at both periods, the neceffity was juft the fame. And it is evident, from the conduct of the British minifters, in this matter, that if Spain had chofen to continue evading and procrastinating, she might cafily have gained another three or four months, to arm and make preparations; for fo low did their pulfe beat, after Mr. PITT's refignation, that they durft not venture to declare war, until precipitated upon it by the rafhness of the enemy. This being apparent to the whole world, the miniftry, and more particularly the Favourite, were purfued and perfecuted, with the indignation and refentment of the honeft part of their countrymen; who now clearly. faw the wisdom and rectitude of the measure proposed by Mr. PITT and Lord TEMPLE, and therefore did not fail to teftify anew, their fincere veneration, for thofe truly honourable and respectable patriots.

CHA P. IV.

Debate on the fupply granted for the King of Portugal. Speeches of Mr. Glover, Lord George Sackville, and Mr. Pitt.

No

Otwithstanding the unprovoked treatment, which Mr. PITT had met with from the Favourite and his inftruments, yet he did not enter into a factious oppofition; but behaved in his retirement with that ferenity and dignity, which was fo worthy of his character, and of his fincere defire to promote the real welfare of his country. So far from oppofing government, or deferting the public, at this very critical juncture, he poured forth his manly eloquence to ftrengthen the hands, and to give refolution and spirit, to a feeble and irrefolute adminiftration. His zeal for the public, his firmness, spirit, and moderation, were no lefs admired, than the folid wisdom, deep policy, and heroic magnanimity of his counfels. When a supply of one million was defired, to affift the King of Portugal, Mr.PITT behaved, not like