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Declaration of American Independence—Meeting of Parliament—Shelburne attacks the King's Speech—Debate on the Civil List—Question of Parliamentary control—Advanced views of the Opposition—Speech by Shelburne—Return of Chatham to political life—His motion for conciliation with America—Speech of Shelburne—High praise of it by the younger Pitt—Scene with Archbishop Markham—Battles of Brandywine and Germantown—The surrender at Saratoga—Letters of Chatham—Protest of the Opposition against private subscriptions to raise troops—France makes a Treaty with the American Colonies—Lord North's Bills for conciliation with America—Their chilling reception—Shelburne's "sunset" speech—General wish that Chatham should become Prime Minister—Differences of opinion between Shelburne and Rockingham as to the necessity of recognizing the entire independence of the revolted Colonies—The King unwillingly accepts the idea of Chatham being in office, but refuses him the Treasury—North employs Eden as negotiator—Shelburne and Charles Fox—The Opposition unable to agree as to terms—The complete independence of America the stumbling-block—Shelburne insists that Chatham must be Dictator—The King declines and calls Shelburne a perfidious man—Could Chatham have been successful?—The Duke of Richmond's motion in the House of Lords on conciliation with America—Last appearance of Chatham—Description of the scene by the Duke of Grafton—Death of Chatham—His character—Shelburne succeeds him as leader—Death of Lord Temple—His character as drawn by Shelburne—Jenkinson becomes Secretary at War and Thurlow Chancellor—Trial of Keppel—Communications between the leaders of the Opposition—Shelburne undertakes to accept the leadership of Rockingham in a united Ministry—Verses by Garrick—Anecdotes of Barré—War with Spain—National danger—Risk of invasion—A letter from Barré discussing the risks—Victory of Rodney off Cape St. Vincent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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Lord Shelburne marries Lady Louisa Fitzpatrick—Irish affairs—Commercial propositions of Lord North—The Land question—Land let by the "ounce"—The Clergy as landlords—Roman Catholic disabilities—Two motions on |
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