Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 45.djvu/369

 done himself so much hurt that he will never be able to stand upon his legs again' (Letters and Works of the Earl of Chesterfield, 1845-1853, iv. 427). Chatham's many difficulties in managing his heterogeneous ministry were greatly increased by the despotic manner in which he treated his colleagues. Within four months all those members of the Rockingham administration who had been induced to remain in office resigned. To counterbalance these defections, Chatham made renewed overtures to the Bedford party (Chatham Correspondence, iii. 135), and, on their failure, the administration became more tory in character.

On entering office Chatham endeavoured to execute his long-cherished plan of making a great northern alliance against the house of Bourbon, but he soon found himself foiled in that direction by the selfish policy of Frederick the Great. He also formed schemes for transferring the power of the East India Company to the crown and for the better government of Ireland. In England one of the first things to engage his attention was the apprehended scarcity of corn. On 24 Sept. the celebrated order in council was issued which laid an embargo upon the exportation of grain. His maiden speech in the House of Lords on 11 Nov. 1766 was delivered in defence of this unconstitutional though necessary step. He is said to have spoken with 'coolness, dignity, and art' (, Memoirs of the Reign of George III, ii. 263). His speech, however, during the debate on the Indemnity Bill on 10 Dec. was less successful. He flouted the peers and involved himself in an altercation with the Duke of Richmond. Both lords were required to promise that the matter should go no further (Journals of the House of Lords, xxxi. 448), and 'from that day Lord Chatham, during the whole remainder of his administration, appeared no more in the House of Lords' (, Memoirs of the Reign of George III, ii. 291). Early in 1767 Chatham was absolutely incapacitated from all attention to business. From May 1767 to October 1768 he held no intercourse with the outside world. He refused interviews with his colleagues, and even declined a visit from the king. So much mystery was observed as to the nature of his malady that his friends were unable to fathom it, and his enemies declared that he was playing a part (see, Letters, v. 63, 131). Meantime Grafton assumed the duties of prime minister, the cabinet grew divided, and parliament unruly. The government was defeated on the annual vote for the land tax. Chatham's policy was overturned by his colleagues, and America was taxed by Charles Townshend, the chancellor of the exchequer. The king, however, insisted on Chatham remaining in office, 'for though confined to your house,' he wrote on 23 Jan. 1768, 'your name has been sufficient to enable my administration to proceed' (Chatham Correspondence, iii. 318). The privy seal was put in temporary commission on 2 Feb. 1768 for the purpose of hearing the arguments in the Warmley charter case, and was redelivered to Chatham at Hayes on the 21st of the following month. On 14 Oct. 1768 Chatham, in a letter written by his wife in the language of that abject respect which always marked his communications with the king, requested permission to resign (ib. iii. 343-4), and on the following day his seal was delivered by Camden to the king, who received it with some show of reluctance. A severe attack of gout at last relieved Chatham from the mental disease under which he had been suffering. In November 1768 he became reconciled to Temple and George Grenville (, Letters, v. 136). Some time, however, still elapsed before he resumed a part in public affairs. In July 1769 he showed himself at a levée, and had a private interview with the king (Grenville Papers, iv. 426-7). At the opening of the session, on 9 Jan. 1770, Chatham reappeared in the house and made two vigorous speeches on the address. He boldly asserted that the liberty of the subject had been invaded, both at home and in the colonies ; but, though he secured the adherence of Lord Camden, who openly denounced the Duke of Grafton's arbitrary measures, his amendment condemning the action of the House of Commons with regard to the Middlesex election was defeated by a large majority (Parl. Hist. xvi. 644, 646, 647-53, 656-65). On 22 Jan. Chatham, in a brilliant speech, seconded Rockingham's motion for a day to take into consideration the state of the nation. He asserted that the constitution had been 'grossly violated,' and declared that if the breach was effectually repaired the people would 'of themselves return to a state of tranquillity ; if not, may discord prevail for ever!' In order to deliver the House of Commons from the corrupt influences of the rotten boroughs, he suggested that an additional member should be given to every county. At the close of his speech he announced that Lord Rockingham 'and his friends are now united with me and mine upon a principle which I trust will make our union indissoluble' (ib. xvi. 747-55). A week later Grafton resigned, and North became prime minister.