George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 5, 13th edition.

[297] Pitt declared himself against the measures that had

chap XV.} 1765 June.

been adopted to restrain the American colonies from trade with the Spanish islands, and against the taxation of the colonies by act of parliament, which nothing but extreme illness had prevented him from opposing in the House of Commons, and of which his mind foreboded the fatal consequences. The discussion was renewed on the following Saturday, when Pitt, having obtained satisfaction as to measures and as to men, entered most thoroughly and most heartily upon the work of forming an administration. On receiving the news by an express from Pitt, Temple broke confidence so far as privately to communicate its substance to Grenville, who, before returning to London, hastened to Woburn, and received from Bedford full powers to dispose of him entirely as he should think fit. Meantime, Temple, with a predetermined mind, repaired on Monday to Pitt at Hayes. The two statesmen were at variance on no important measure except the policy of the stamp act, which Pitt was resolved to abrogate as inconsistent with right, and which Temple, in common with the great body of the landed aristocracy, desired to confirm. Here was an irreconcilable antagonism of opinion which was to divide them for the rest of their lives. On account of their difference on the American question, or from a perfidious concert with Grenville and Bedford, or for reasons that have remained unrevealed, Temple refused to take office. Pitt was alike surprised, wounded, and embarrassed. Lord Temple was his brother-in-law; had, in the time of his retiring from the office of paymaster, helped him with his purse; had twice gone into a ministry