act in concert with them," writes Lord John Cavendish to Rockingham with reference to some overtures made by the Court in June, "but I am strongly and clearly against dividing the bear's skin."[1] The condition of the Opposition was a source of unmingled satisfaction to the King. He summoned Thurlow to the Upper House in order to strengthen the debating power of the Ministry, and made him Chancellor in the place of Lord Bathurst. At the same time Lord North was created Warden of the Cinque Ports, his official emoluments being thereby raised to £12,000 a year. "There was no danger under the circumstances," said Shelburne, "of the breed of the true Court spaniel becoming extinct."[2]
The new Warden of the Cinque Ports was fortunate in being the holder of what was become only an honorary office in regard to the defence of the coast; for the year which followed the death of Chatham saw one long succession of disasters to the English arms, especially at sea. Howe found himself without warning suddenly confronted by a superior French fleet in the West Indies; Keppel was in the same position in the Channel. Only the skill of the commanders saved their fleets from destruction. Keppel was tried by court-martial, but the charges against him were pronounced malicious and ill-founded. The decision was looked upon as a party victory, for Keppel belonged to the Opposition. During the trial the leaders of the Rockingham Whigs established themselves at Portsmouth, in order to show their sympathy with Keppel. Shelburne sarcastically proposed that an Act of Parliament should pass to hold Parliament on board ship, and Charles Fox being told by one of the Cavendishes that their friends at Portsmouth were finely warm, replied, "Then I will go thither: I want to see what their warmth is; I have never seen any in them."[3]
"During these various, unhappy, and serious occurrences," says the Duke of Grafton, "Lord North was well known by his friends, and indeed by some of us,
