Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/264

 BURKE. 953 The first session of the new parliament, which was dis- tinguished by the accession of Pitt and Sheridan to the opposition, presented a scene similar, to that of many pre- ceding years. The ministry, supported by their numbers, continued to resist with effect, the attacks of the oppo- sition, which were energetic, and supported by a com- bination of talents never equalled. This assertion will not be regarded as an exaggeration, when we refer to the last effort of the opposition in the session of 1781. A motion by Fox, for the house to resolve itself into a committee, to consider of the American war, was supported by She- ridan, by Dunning, by Pitt, by Burke, and by Fox. The ensuing session was very different in its history and in its results. The long continuance of the war with America had so completely shaken the confidence of the country members in the wisdom of the ministers, that hopes were entertained by the opposition, that a reiterated and well conducted series of attacks might finally ensure success. The contest was commenced by a resolution, moved by Mr. Fox, on February 7, 1782, accusing Lord Sandwich, then at the head of the Admiralty, of gross mis- management in the conduct of naval affairs. The small majority by which this motion was negatived, encouraged them to proceed in their plan; and, several motions hav- ing been decided against them by a diminishing majority, on the 8th of Mareh, Lord John Cavendish moved certain resolutions, recapitulating the failures, the misconduct, and the expenses of the war. These resolutions were met by a motion for the order of the day, and were lost by a majority of only ten. This defection on the side of the administration gave heart to the minority, and they rallied with redoubled force and spirits on the 15th of March, when a motion of Sir John Rous, " That the house could bave no farther confidence in the ministers, who had the direction of pub- lic affairs," was negatived only by a majority of nine. The minority followed their fortune, and, on the 21st of