ministry muft inevitably happen in a short time, and then France, ftrengthened with that alliance, and England embarraffed with a new war in Portugal, might from a minister lefs able and firm than Mr. PITT, obtain fuch a peace, as at this instant she could not hope for. Of this very alarming connexion, Mr. PITT had the most early and authentic intelligence, together with the most positive affurances, from perfons of undoubted veracity, who are at this hour in no common sphere of life. About the fame time M. Bussy, the French minifter in London, deliver, ed to Mr. PITT a memorial from Spain, defiring that fome differences, which fubfifted between England and her, might be fettled, at the fame time as those with France. This was a proceeding extremely irregular, as Spain had a minister of her own at the British court; who, when applied to, haughtily avowed and justified this infolent behaviour. Mr. PITT returned the memorial as inadmisible. It is proper to remark; that fome time before, a memorial from the English ministry,

had

had been presented to the Spanish court, relating to the points in difpute with Spain, and returned as inadmiffible. This memorial, which was very interefting to the public, was (for certain reafons, which perhaps only the Favourite can explain) never published in the garbled collection of " papers relative to the rup"ture with Spain," though undoubtedly it would have been of real confequence, to fee not only the matter, but the manner of expreffion; as Mr. PITT afterwards publicly declared, he made the refufal of that memorial, the precedent of his conduct with refpect to the memorial fent over verbatim from Spain, and delivered by M. Bussy. But juftice and impartiality did not ferve the views of the Favourite.

From this strange conduct of France, in her management of Spain, and her ambaffador undertaking the Catholic King'. bufinefs, Mr. PITT was confirmed in his fufpicions, that France was not at prefent fincere in her defire for peace. Therefore the negotiation broke off.

CHA P. III.

Mr. Pitt and Lord Temple declare against Spain. Are counteracted by the Favourite, who denies their having had any intelligence of the family compact. Is contradicted and convinced of his error by Lord Temple. Lord Temple and Mr. Pitt take their leaves of the council. Lord Granville's high opinion of them. Mr. Pitt refigns. Is calumniated by the Favourite and his faction. Explains his refignation. The Favourite's plan of government. Lord Temple refigns. Cowardice of the miniftry. War declared against Spain. Lord Temple and Mr. Pitt applauded.

MR. PITT, forefeeing a war with

Spain inevitable, inftantly prepared for it. And being on this occafion, as he had been on every other, firmly fupported by his brother, Lord TEMPLE, they fubmitted their advice, in writing, to his Majesty, "to recall Lord BRISTOL," at that

time, the British ambaffador at Madrid. But the Favourite by his arts, and pernicious counfels, had fo managed matters, that the credit and influence of these illustrious perfonages, were confiderably weakened. They were not infenfible of it. But this being the happy opportunity of obliging Spain to declare herself, and this being business of the utmost importance to the public, they refolved, against whatever oppofition might be formed, to attempt this signal service for their country. After it had been deliberated three times in the cabinet, Mr. PITT faw his influence in the State, fo

Some time after, Lord Temple, in a great affembly, after recommending unanimity in the ftrongeft terms, did declare, "That he would make

but one obfervation upon all that had been faid, "relative to the Family Compact, viz. that it was "allowed to have been figned in August, ratified in "the first week of September, and the written advice

66

was given and dated on the 18th of the fame "month." Upon which the Favourite afferted, "That there was NO intelligence of fuch a fact, fo "conftituted, at that time." To which Lord Temple replied, "That there was intelligence of "the highest moment, relative to those matters at "that time; that he was not at liberty to publish «it, but would refresh his lordship's memory in "private," which he accordingly did.

loft,

Toft, that only his faithful friend Lord TEMPLE, adhered to his opinion. They now found it was time to refign, and that their refignations were ardently wished for, by the Favourite.

When they were about taking their leaves of the third and laft council, fummoned to déliberate on the conduct of Spain, Lord GRANVILLE (then lord prefident) expreffed, in his own nervous and manly eloquence, "His very high opi-.

"nion of their confummate wisdom, pe"netration, honour and integrity, and in "a most particular and emphatical man"ner, mentioned the great number of in"furmountable difficulties which they

had had to struggle with." No other proofs need be given, than the words of this great man, of the difficulties, which rendered it impoffible for thefe difinterefted patriots, to continue in the fervice of their country.

Altho' the KING declared to Mr. PITT when that Minifter refigned, which was on the 5th of October 1761, that he was very forry to part with so able a servant

yet