presented from the several counties and cities in England.' This likewise with only languid and light objections, passed without a division. To complete the night we reported to the House immediately, and the three resolutions were adopted likewise without a division."[1]
The brilliant success which had rewarded Dunning's efforts was followed by a reaction similar to that which had rendered nugatory the great speech of Burke on the 11th of February. The Court had a real majority in the House, and it was only the fear of the approaching General Election which had induced so many members to desert Lord North. Dunning saw his followers diminish on each successive division, and when on the 10th he moved to exclude twelve officers of the Household from sitting in the House, he only had a majority of two votes.[2] Two days after the Bill for disqualifying Revenue Officers from voting at elections was thrown out by 226 to 195.[3] This was immediately followed by the House of Lords throwing out the Contractors Bill by 57 to 41,[4] and when, on the 24th, Dunning moved an Address to the Crown that no dissolution nor prorogation of Parliament should take place till proper measures had been taken to diminish the influence of the Crown, he was defeated by 51 votes.[5] Two days after, the House being again in Committee on the Petitions, a motion "that the Chairman do leave the Chair" was carried against Dunning by 43, and immediately afterwards several fresh clauses of Burke's Bill were lost. On the 18th of May, Burke declared he would divide no more.[6]
Dunning had seen his great triumph of the 6th of April become merely historical; but the popular movement in the country continued to grow, and notwithstanding the unwillingness of Rockingham, the two great questions, of the Reform of the Representation
