In spite of this it is probably true that from this time the mass
of the English people were against further attempts to coerce
America. A change of ministry was urgently demanded. There was
one leader to whom the nation looked in this grave crisis. The
genius of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, had won the last war
against France and he had promoted the repeal of the Stamp Act.
In America his name was held in reverence so high that New York
and Charleston had erected statues in his honor. When the defeat
of Burgoyne so shook the ministry that North was anxious to
retire, Chatham, but for two obstacles, could probably have
formed a ministry. One obstacle was his age; as the event proved,
he was near his end. It was, however, not this which kept him
from office, but the resolve of George III. The King simply said
that he would not have Chatham. In office Chatham would certainly
rule and the King intended himself to rule. If Chatham would come
in a subordinate position, well; but Chatham should not lead. The
King declared that as long as even ten men stood by him he would
hold out and he would lose his crown rather than call to office
that clamorous Opposition which had attacked his American policy.
"I will never consent," he said firmly, "to removing the members
of the present Cabinet from my service.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197