The vacant offices were filled up as follows: Lord Shelburne went to the Treasury, and at once appointed Mr. Pitt Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr. Orde Secretary to the Treasury.[1] The Seals of the Home and Colonial Department, with the lead in the House of Commons, were given to Thomas Townshend, whose place of Secretary at War was filled by Sir George Yonge. Colonel Barré became Paymaster of the Forces, and Mr. Dundas, a former supporter of Lord North, Treasurer of the Navy. Lord Temple went to Ireland as Lord-Lieutenant, with Mr. William Grenville, afterwards Lord Grenville, as his secretary. The Secretaryship for Foreign Affairs, a place of the utmost importance owing to the pending negotiations, was conferred on Lord Grantham, for many years minister at Madrid. His long diplomatic experience was expected to prove of invaluable service. He was living in retirement in Yorkshire, when the news of this appointment reached him.[2] Richmond and Conway retained their former places. Of the old ministers they had proved themselves the most anxious to avoid a rupture. Grafton considered it right to remain, owing to Shelburne having on former occasions yielded the Treasury at his advice to Rockingham. Keppel's sense "of what was due to the country, to the fleet in general, and to the officers he had himself sent on different commands, prevailed over all other considerations," and though personally connected with the Rockinghams, he too stayed in office. Lord Camden from old attachment to Shelburne kept his post as President of the Council, but doubting the stability of the system, expressed a characteristic wish to resign at the end of three months.[3] Mr. Pepper Arden, the friend of Pitt, became Solicitor-General, while the Chancellor and the Attorney-General retained their places; so did Lord Ashburton. The King found himself with an
