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

[92] ‘We may as well demand one from you,’ cried Rich-

Chap. XXX.} 1767. July.

mond,¹ ‘that you never will disturb that country again.’ Sandwich interposed to reconcile the difference² by substituting an ambiguity for the explicit language of Grenville.

Yet the same difficulty recurred on discussing the division of employments. In the House of Commons the lead must belong to Conway or Grenville. Against the latter Rockingham was inflexible; and Bedford equally determined against the former. So at one o'clock at night the meeting broke up without any result, though the Duke of New Castle, in his vain entreaties, had been moved to tears.³

The next day Newcastle, whom forty years experience had accomplished as an adept in the art of constructing Ministries by compromise, made an effort to revive the system which had flourished during his long career; and the two parties met once more at his house. But the difficulty about America could not be got over. Rockingham again avowed his distrust of Grenville⁴ and Temple, and insisted on Conway's taking the lead in the House of Commons. This left no possibility of agreement; ‘and we broke up,’ says Bedford, ‘with our all declaring ourselves free from all engagements to one another, and to be as before this negotiation began.’

During the suspense the King, who had never been in earnest for a change,⁵ would not admit Rockingham