George Bancroft, History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent, Vol. 4, 15th edition.

[249] to be refractory; so that when Charles Towns-

chap. X.} 1756.

hend, on one occasion, showed himself ready to second Fox in opposition, Pitt was obliged to chide him, before the whole House, as deficient in common sense or common integrity; and, as Fox exulted in his ally, exclaimed, loud enough to be heard by half the assembly, ‘I wish you joy of him.’ The court, too, was his enemy. George the Second, spiritless and undiscerning, and without affection for Leicester House, liked subjection to genius still less than to aristocracy. ‘I do not look upon myself as king,’ said he, ‘while I am in the hands of these scoundrels,’ meaning Pitt as well as Temple.¹ On the other hand, Prince George, in March, sent assurances to Pitt of ‘the firm support and countenance’ of the heir to the throne. ‘Go on, my dear Pitt,’ said Bute; ‘make every bad subject your declared enemy, every honest man your real friend. How much we think alike. I, for my part, am unalterably your most affectionate friend.’² But even that influence was unavailing. In the conduct of the war the Duke of Cumberland exercised the chief control; in the House of Commons the friends of Newcastle were powerful; in the council the favor of the king encouraged opposition.

America was become the great object of European attention; Pitt, disregarding the churlish cavils of the Lords of Trade,³ at once pursued towards the colonies the generous policy, which afterwards called forth all their strength, and ensured their affections. He respected their liberties, and relied on their willing co-operation. Halifax was planning taxation by