it was known that Massachusetts would not lack the support of other Colonies. On the 19th July the riots became known in England. The news was closely followed by letters from the Crown officers announcing an insurrection and demanding troops. The Bedford party insisted on the necessity of using force, and did so with the greater acrimony, because they hoped that one result of such a course being adopted would be the resignation of Shelburne,[1] who openly "declared that the difficulty was much exaggerated; that it was understood in its origin, its principles, and its consequences, that it would be absurd to wish to send to America a single additional soldier or vessel of war to reduce colonies which would return to the mother-country of themselves from affection and from interest, when once the form of their contributions should be agreed upon."[2] His place was now offered to Egmont, but refused by the latter, who declared that he could not take office without Grenville.[3]
The battle in the Cabinet raged all through August and September. It was decided to send troops, and troops were sent. Bernard clamoured for more troops, and more troops were sent.[4] The Bedford party was not however satisfied.[5] "The Administration," wrote Knox, the Under Secretary of State, to Grenville, "are all, except Lord Shelburne, agreed upon coercive measures. The Chancellor is wholly and absolutely of that opinion."[6] At the same time Shelburne was the only member of the Cabinet opposed to moving for the expulsion of Wilkes from the House of Commons, which was now clamorously demanded by the King's friends.[7]
On the 5th of October Grafton wrote to Hayes to inform Chatham that he insisted on the dismissal of Shelburne. Chatham had not seen Shelburne or written
- ↑ Whateley to Grenville, July 26th, August 4th, 1768. Grenville Correspondence, iv. 321, 332.
- ↑ Francés to Choiseul, July 29th, 1768, quoted by Bancroft, v. 123.
- ↑ Chatham Correspondence, iii. 334.
- ↑ Walpole, Memoirs of the Reign of George III., iii. 231. General Gage to Commodore Hood, August 11th, 1768. Commodore Hood to Lord Temple, September 14th, 1768.
- ↑ Autobiography of the Duke of Grafton, 215; Hillsborough to Bernard, July 30th, 1768.
- ↑ Knox to Grenville, September 15th, 1768.
- ↑ Whateley to Grenville, October 11th, 1768. Grenville Correspondence, iv. 371.
