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

[147] that Grenville might be armed with every degree of

chap. VIII.} 1763. Sept.

power.¹ Next Lord Shelburne withdrew from office, and remained ever the firmest friend of Pitt, giving an example of the utmost fidelity of attachment. At the same time Bedford doubly irritated at being proscribed² by the very statesman whom he had proposed to the king as minister, promised for himself and, as a consequence, for his numerous and powerful connection, to support the present system in all its parts.³ The king entreated him to take a place in the administration. Grenville, too, smothering alike his hatred and his fears, urged him to preside in the council. And Bedford, though personally indifferent to office, now that Bute had gone into retreat, under the influence of his friends, especially of Sandwich who became Secretary of State, accepted the post which was pressed upon him.

The union of the Bedford party and of Grenville, was, said Pitt, ‘a treaty of connivance;’ Lord Melcombe said, ‘It is all for quarter day;’ but it was more. From seemingly accidental causes, there arose within ten days out of a state of great uncertainty, a compact and well cemented ministry. The king, in forming it, stood on the solid ground of the constitution. The last great question in parliament was on the peace; and was carried in its favor by an overwhelming majority. The present ministers had made or supported that peace, and so were in harmony with