Statesman; born in
England, March 19, 1730; became the recognized chief of the Whig party in 1764; and the head of the cabinet in the following year.
He made a vigorous effort to establish harmony between the
American colonies and the mother-country, against the opposition of the
King and his own colleagues.
In 1766 he secured the repeal of the stamp duties, but before he was able to carry out the other measures in his scheme he was forced by growing opposition to resign his office.
On March 28, 1782, when Lord North resigned the office of prime minister, the
Marquis of
Rockingham was again called to the head of the cabinet.
The avowed principle of
Rockingham and his colleagues was to acknowledge the independence of the
United States and treat with them accordingly.
Lord Shelburne still hoped
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Lord Rockingham. |
for a reconciliation and the restoration of the
American colonies as a part of the
British Empire.
John Adams was at
The Hague, negotiating a treaty
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of commerce, and overtures were made to him, as well as to
Franklin at
Paris, to ascertain whether the
United States would not agree to a separate peace, and to something less than entire independence.
With this object, the ministry appointed
Sir Guy Carleton to supersede
General Clinton in command of the
British army in
America, and commissioned him, along with
Admiral Digby, to treat for peace.
Their powers to treat were made known to Congress, but that body declined to negotiate, except in conjunction with
France, in fulfilment of the agreement of the treaty of alliance at
Paris.
While these matters were under consideration Lord Rockingham died, July 1, 1782.
