to Mason, "there would be a new scene indeed."[1] The most sedulous attempts had been made to conceal the danger of his condition from the world. "Lord Shelburne," said the King on being informed of the decision of the Cabinet, "must see I am certain, with no small degree of resentment, the total ignorance that those who have governed Lord Rockingham cautiously try to keep both me and him in, as to the desperate state of that Lord, which certainly is with a view to some arrangement of their own. I am apprised that Lord Shelburne, though he has gone great lengths at the expense of his opinion in giving way as to American independence, if it can effect peace, would think he received advice in which his character was not attended to, if he intended to give up that, without the price set on it which alone could make this kingdom consent to it. Besides he must see that the great success of Lord Rodney's engagement has again roused the nation so far that the peace which would have been acquiesced in three months ago, would now be matter of complaint. From the language of Mr. Fitzpatrick it should seem that Lord Shelburne has no chance of being able to coalesce with Mr. Fox; it may not be necessary to remove him at once, but if Lord Shelburne accepts the Head of the Treasury, and is succeeded by Mr. Pitt as Secretary for the Home Department and British Dominions, then it will be seen how far he will submit to it. The quarrelling with the rest of the party, as a party, would not be wise. If they can be got to remain, it would be advisable; but it would not be right, if only to be attained by Lord Shelburne's being placed in the shoes of Lord Rockingham, that is the head of a party, when in reality he would be the slave of it. He must be the Minister placed on a broad bottom."[2]
In the evening of the same day on which the above letter was written, Lord Rockingham died. He had
