Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/86

72 may have been in direct form, to carry out the promises which had been made. When, however, he opened the subject to the King, the resolute resistance of that monarch placed him in the most difficult position. So passionate was the King in his determination to resist what he held to be a violation of his coronation oath, that the very proposal brought on a return of his mental disease. That Pitt ought to have made himself acquainted with the view of the King before committing his administration absolutely to emancipation must be allowed, but he may be excused for not anticipating so decided an opposition. When he became aware of it the act was done, and there was no way of escape with honour, for to have obtained such a concession on conditions which he was unable to perform, could not but affect his character, not for personal veracity, but at least for responsible statesmanship.

The firstfruits of the union, as regards its effects on English parties, were not long in ripening. On the 3ist of January, the same month in which the United Parliament first sat, Pitt wrote to the King, explaining that he felt that some measure of relief to Catholics was required by the State of Ireland, would be safe as regarded England, and was so imperative that he could not remain in office if it was not granted. George III., who had just before said, "I shall reckon any man my personal enemy who proposes any such measure," replied to his minister's letter the day after it was sent. He hoped to retain Pitt in office, but could not even discuss any proposition to alter the existing constitution in Church and State. Further correspondence ended in the acceptance by the King of the resignation on the 5th of February, and Addington was entrusted with the formation of a new Ministry. The King's illness and other causes delayed the formal conclusion of the business, but on the 14th of March Pitt withdrew from office, and was accompanied in his retirement by Dundas, Spencer, Grenville, and Windham. This was an event most momentous in the history of English parties. It broke up one of the strongest Ministries which