opinion, influenced by a dislike to men and not to measures; and there appeared to him to be something personal in the business, for if Mr. Fox had such a dislike to the political sentiments of Lord Shelburne, why did he ever accept of him as a colleague, and if he only had suspicions but nothing more, why did he not call a Cabinet council, and become certain, before taking such a hasty step as he had done. He then reiterated what Conway had already said, viz. that it was the intention of the Government to persevere in a policy of peace, economy, and reform. After a few more words from Fox, the debate closed by Mr. Coke withdrawing his motion on the subject of Colonel Barré's pension.
In the House of Lords the proceedings were less excited. Richmond made a speech of a character similar to that of Conway. Shelburne then rose, and after thanking Richmond for his support, said that it was from his measures, not from his promises, that he expected to derive support; and if they should not be found to deserve it, he would not repine at not finding it. He lamented as much as any man the loss of Lord Rockingham; he lamented also the loss the Cabinet must sustain by the retreat of Mr. Fox and Lord John Cavendish, on account of the splendour of the abilities of the one, and the unimpeached integrity of the other: but still he would not think so ill of the other eight ministers who remained in the Council, as to suppose that they were not as attached to principle, and as zealous in the support of it, as either Mr. Fox or Lord John Cavendish; and consequently he said the public might rest satisfied, that while they continued in office, there would be no departure from those great principles which had formed the basis of the Administration. And here, he continued, he wished to observe, that he was bound to those principles, only because he thought them just and expedient: for he did not go into the Cabinet, as the avowed supporter of any man, or body of men; he had taken a share in the Administration of the country, merely as a member of the community, who had been chosen for that purpose by his
