principles relative to American independence known, the people of America would be backward to treat with him for peace; but he had learned enough from the information received during the last two months, to know that there was no man with whom the Americans would more willingly treat than with himself. As to the steps that had been already taken towards a peace with America, he entreated their lordships to give him credit when he assured them, that the principle laid down relative to peace with America at any rate, and which had been correctly stated by the Duke of Richmond, had not in the smallest degree been departed from: the despatches upon that subject must remain secret for the present; but the day would come when the publication of them could not be attended with any injury to the public: to that day he looked with an earnest anxiety; and he was convinced, both they and the public would then be satisfied that the insinuations thrown out, relative to a change of system towards America, were totally without foundation.
The language of despondency, he declared in conclusion, which had been so often held, had never, in his opinion, been productive of any good; he would have the world know, that though this country should have received a fatal blow by the independence of America, still there was a determination to improve every opportunity, and to make the most vigorous exertions to prevent the Court of France from being in a situation to dictate the terms of peace; the sun of England would set with the loss of America; but it was his resolution to improve the twilight, and to prepare for the rising of England's sun again.[1]
The following day Fox protested loudly against the assertion made by Shelburne that the recent resignations were in reality owing to the manner in which the Treasury had been filled, and wrote to Shelburne to complain. Shelburne it would seem did not attach any importance to the previous announcements made by Fox of his intention to resign. "You must be sensible," he wrote in reply to the out-going Secretary of State, "that Sunday was not the
- ↑ See Parliamentary History, xxiii. 188-196, 200, 201.
