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428

WILLIAM, EARL OF SHELBURNE

CH. XII

Whig leaders, and the following outline of a Ministry was agreed upon:[1]—

First Lord of the TreasuryLord Moira.
Chancellor of the ExchequerMr. Sheridan.
Secretary of State for Foreign AffairsLord Lansdowne.
Secretary of State for Home AffairsMr. Fox.
President of the CouncilDuke of Grafton.
Lord Privy SealDuke of Bedford.
First Lord of the AdmiraltyLord Wycombe.
President of the Board of TradeLord Hawkesbury.
Secretary at WarMr. Grey.

All arrangements were however abruptly terminated in 1801 by the recovery of the King. The Addington Administration was successfully formed, and the position of the Opposition, as Fox felt, became more hopeless than ever. They resolved however to persevere with their opposition in Parliament, where Fox had now returned. "The line of conduct to be taken," he wrote to Lord Holland, "seems quite clear; as Lord Lansdowne would say, simplicity and consistency.[2] Removal and censure of Pitt and his associates; Religious Liberty to its utmost extent; Reform in Parliament; Liberty of the Press, in which I include pardon in all instances, and indemnity in others to Libellers, &c.; not only peace, but a good understanding if it can be had with Bonaparte, and everything that is mild and conciliating to Denmark, Sweden, &c."[3]

During the session of 1801 accordingly, the Opposition continued to urge on the Ministry the necessity of concluding peace. The retirement of Pitt and Grenville had made a negotiation easier. Their successors Addington and Hawkesbury were not pledged never under any circumstances to treat with the existing Government of

  1. ↑ In a paper among the Lansdowne House MSS., more than one proposed arrangement is given, Mr. Fox and Lord Lansdowne changing places.
  2. ↑ The allusion is explained by the following passage from the Journal of Elizabeth, Lady Holland, "Upon the breaking or rather stoppage of the Bank, Messrs. Fox, Grey, and Sheridan went to him to concert measures for the ensuing debate, upon which he said: 'I will tell you, gentlemen, very fairly my opinion, which has always been publicity and simplicity.' With these two words they were obliged to be contented, and extract from them what meaning they could if any they had" (i. 210-211, January 20th, 1798).
  3. ↑ Memorials of Fox, iii. 187.
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