Memoirs of the Reign of King George the Third

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 edition. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE OF LORD DUTE. (Vol. i. p. 10.) Walpole is correct in stating that "Mr. Pitt had been for some time on the coldest terms with Lord Oute." What was the original cause of this coldness does not appear. Among the Elliot MSS. is a long letter from Lord Bute to Sir Gilbert Elliot, dated the 30th of April, 1760, expressing deep regret at the interruption of the "fraternal union" which had previously subsisted between him and Mr. Pitt, and empowering Sir Gilbert to use the first favourable opportunity to bring about a reconciliation. Efforts were accordingly made by Sir Gilbert to satisfy Mr. Pitt, and they elicited a long statement from the latter of his grievances, which is not very intelligible, except that jealousy at the superior favour and influence attained by Lord Bute at Leicester House was his most prominent feeling. When Lord Bute and Mr. Pitt met at Kew on the King's accession, no intercourse had taken place between them for some months; on that occasion some mutual civilities passed and nothing more. The meeting between Lord Bute and Mr. Pitt, after the council, (supra vol. i. p. 9, ) was at the request of Lord Bute, and not of Mr. Pitt, and it was sought by the former in the hope of his being able to recover Mr. Pitf s regard. He made every concession that the nicest honour could have required, to Mr. Pitt's private feelings, and expressed unqualified approbation of his public conduct, even with respect to the war, and ended by offering him his cordial and sincere friendship. Mr. Pitt's answer certainly held out no prospect of any reconciliation; it is cold and repulsive. He makes it plain that he would insist on entire and uncontrolled power in the cabinet; and the language in which this...