was to become a mere lit de justice for ordering the registration of royal decrees. But to make matters worse, Lord Shelburne was one of the "three honest and proper men," whom the King had hoped to make the instruments of his arbitrary notions,[1] and here he was, on the very question which was regarded as a test of devotion, flying in the King's face, and encouraging others to do the same. Therefore when, on the 5th December, Mr. Grenville "reminded His Majesty that Lord Shelburne was still in his service as his aide-de-camp, and asked if he thought it right to continue him, the King paused a moment, and said, No, I will remove him; he has acted like a worthless man, and has broke his word with me." It would have probably puzzled George III. to state what pledges had been given him by Shelburne to support the Court in the case of Wilkes, to whose arbitrary arrest he had been throughout opposed. Lord Holland, who was not in a position to speak with authority, had recently told the King that Shelburne would continue to support the Government so long as he thought it possible for the Ministers to direct the affairs of the country. A similar assurance had been given by Shelburne himself when resigning.[2] Nothing beyond this had passed, but what were such small considerations as these to the head of the House of Hanover, with whom nothing weighed except his own personal prejudice and an obstinate will.
Barré and Shelburne were both dismissed on Wednesday the 8th.
"My dear Lord," writes Barré the following day, "I received last night a total dismission from the King's service. A compliment of the same kind was sent to your Lordship, which I forward to you by the express.
"Campbell is to succeed me in Stirling Castle, though he assured me yesterday that he would not ask for it; this was a game settled at Luton,[3] and throws great obscurity upon the intentions in that quarter. Ned Harvey is to be offered the Adjutant-Generalship; Calcraft
- ↑ See supra, p. 142.
- ↑ See supra, pp. 209-210; Grenville Correspondence, ii. 203, 220, 236.
- ↑ The residence of Bute.
