boroughs," so Walpole observed, "had petitioned;[1] and the greater part of England, all Scotland to a man, and Wales were against them.[2] The Old Whigs becoming alarmed, wished to draw back, after having voted for the motion of Rockingham, "that the House of Commons in the exercise of its judicature in matters of election is bound to judge according to the law of the land, and the known and established law and custom of Parliament, which is part thereof." Shelburne wished that the Opposition should break with Wilkes, but at the same time carry on the political campaign against the Court with vigour, especially in Parliament. An angry altercation took place at his house between the leaders of the Opposition, the consequences of which were only remedied by the interposition of Chatham, who at that time was affecting great cordiality towards Rockingham.[3] The Opposition in consequence gave a united vote on the bill introduced by Chatham, reversing the adjudications of the House of Commons against Wilkes,[4] and for his motion condemning the royal answer to the Remonstrance of the City of London on the King's inattention to their petition regarding the Middlesex Election.[5]
"It is gravely told us," Shelburne said on this last occasion, "that the answer lately given to the City Address is similar to the answers given by Charles I., Charles II., James II., and Queen Anne, to similar applications of their subjects for redress of grievances. But
- ↑ On the subject of the Middlesex Election.
- ↑ Walpole, Memoirs of the Reign of George III., iv. 41.
- ↑ Chatham Correspondence, iii. 437, 438, "I am a stranger to any particular incident at Lord Shelburne's, not being supplied with over much communication." Chatham to Calcraft, March 30th, 1770.
- ↑ Parliamentary History, xvi. 955, May 1st.
- ↑ The royal answer was, "As the case is entirely new, I will take time to consider of it, and will transmit an answer to you by one of my principal Secretaries of State." In two days Lord Weymouth wrote to the Sheriffs to know how their message was authenticated, and what the nature had been of the assembly in which it was drawn up. The Sheriffs went the next morning with a verbal message, and insisted on being admitted to an audience to deliver it. Alderman Townshend told the King he came by direction of the Livery in Common Hall assembled; the King replied, "I will consider of the answer you have given me." Walpole, Memoirs of the Reign of George III., iv. 93.
invented the whole story. The fact mentioned by Mr. Wade in the Introduction to his edition of the letters of Junius, viz. that the third Lord Lansdowne had not had the secret confided to him, proves nothing beyond the fact itself, more especially as it is not clear that he was aware that his father was preparing memoirs at the period of his death.
