viii
WILLIAM, EARL OF SHELBURNE
PAGE
the demands of France and Spain—Gibraltar—Lord Keppel's plan for its relief—Its success determines the Government to resist the extreme demands of France and Spain, and to demand a modification of the American terms—Strachey despatched to Paris—The Loyalists and debts—The question of Gibraltar a stumbling-block in the European negotiation—Rayneval's second visit to England—Attacks on Shelburne—Gillray's caricatures—The American Commissioners agree to some modifications of their original demands—The Maine boundary—Difficulties continue nevertheless—The question of the Loyalists—An Agreement at length arrived at Treaty signed by Oswald with the United States—Negotiations with Holland—Third visit of Rayneval to England—Gibraltar, Dominica and Florida—Parliament meets—Debates in both Houses—Shelburne and Pitt's statements as to the Treaty with America—The negotiations with France and Spain—Gibraltar—The peace and war parties in the English and French Cabinets—Keppel and Richmond threaten resignation—Final proposals of the English Government—Vergennes prevails over De Castries—The Newfoundland Fisheries—Peace signed—The commercial negotiations—The Maine boundary |
184 |
Fresh difficulties in Ireland as to the right of Imperial legislation—Civil Service Reforms—Their unpopularity—Memorandum by Shelburne on what was done and proposed—Anger of Horace Walpole—Violence of Burke—Resignations of Richmond, Keppel, and Carlisle—Proposals for a Coalition between Fox and North—Complicated political negotiations—Interview between Pitt and Fox—Opinion of the King—The Coalition determined upon—Parliament meets—Debates on the Preliminaries of Peace—The Government have a majority in the Lords, but are defeated in the Commons—Dr. Johnson on the situation—Question of a Dissolution—The Duke of Grafton resigns—Another hostile vote carried in the House of Commons—Panegyric of Shelburne by Pitt—Shelburne resigns—Pitt sent for, but declines to form a Government—Period of confusion—Mr. Thomas Pitt—The King consults Lord Ashburton—His account of the interview—The Coalition victorious—The Duke of Portland First Lord of the Treasury—Fox and North in office together—The vacancy in the Archbishopric of Canterbury—Morellet's pension—Debate on the Sinking Fund—Shelburne's speech—He goes abroad—Conflicting pictures by Morellet and Horace Walpole |
223 |
Public approval of the peace—Unpopularity of the Coalition—The King watches his opportunity—The India Bill of Mr. Fox—Public outcry—The Bill thrown out in the Lords by royal influence—Shelburne absents himself from the division—No communications pass between him and Pitt on the subject—Correspondence with Orde—Position of Jenkinson—Shelburne's want of confidence in him—Conduct of Temple in the crisis—Pitt forms an Admin- |
