himself to be master of the situation. Not only was the Opposition once more at variance, but during the last campaign a substantial amount of success both on sea and land had rewarded the efforts of the English commanders. General Arnold deserted the American cause, and it was reported that dissensions between the Colonists and their French allies were on the increase.[1] The Armed Neutrality had as yet produced but little effect; France was undoubtedly growing weary of the war, and in the month of December Necker made a secret overture for peace, on the basis of a truce during which the two armies in America were each to retain the territories it then occupied. In a moment of infatuation this moderate proposal was rejected. Shortly afterwards Necker was driven from the French Ministry, and the Court of Versailles determined on a vigorous prosecution of the war. The Court of St. James', on the other hand, "was insolent and seemed determined to stick at nothing."[2] A whole gang of paid scribblers was let loose against the Opposition. Mr. Turnbull, son of the American Governor of Connecticut, was arrested as a spy, and the letters found upon him were asserted to have proved that Richmond and Shelburne were traitors. More duels were openly recommended, and language of the utmost violence both in and out of Parliament was used to provoke them.[3]
Never had union been more necessary among the chiefs of the Opposition. This was especially felt by Richmond, who early in December took the opportunity of expressing his opinion to Barré, whom he had met in the House of Lords. "He began," the latter wrote to Shelburne, "with lamenting your absence, and wishing most earnestly that you would come to town; he pressed me to write to you upon the subject. He doubted whether we could do much or even any good, if we were united, but being divided all was lost. He appeared not only in earnest, but much agitated, and as far as I could judge he apprehended that you was quite off, and deter-
