George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 6, 10th edition.

[60] and six against one hundred and eighty-eight for

Chap. Xxviii} 1767. Feb.

the Ministry. But not one of those who planned this impolitic act, derived from it any advantage. The good sense of the country condemned it; the city dreaded the wound given to public credit; Grenville, who joyfully accepted the congratulations of the country gentlemen, deceived himself in expecting a junction with Rockingham, and had in the King an inflexible enemy.¹ The ancient whig Connection, which had ruled England so long and still claimed to represent the party of Liberty, by creating an apparent excuse for Townshend's system of American taxes, only doomed itself more surely to a fruitless opposition. For so small a benefit, as a reduction on but one year's rental of nine farthings in the pound, and for a barren parliamentary triumph, it compromised its principles, and risked a continent.

This was the first overthrow on an important

March

question, which the Government had sustained for a quarter of a century. On hearing the news, Chatham rose from his bed, and ill as he was, hastened to London. Charles Townshend ‘was warm in the sunshine of majesty;’² but as Chatham attributed the disaster to his lukewarmness and wished to dismiss him, the King readily assented; and Lord North was invited to become Chancellor of the Exchequer. Townshend knew well what was passing;³ and in the debates on the East India question, with easy confidence gave a defiance,⁴ by asserting his own opinions. ‘I expect to be dismissed for it,’ said he openly; but Lord North