Page:Life of William Shelburne (vol 1).djvu/257

Rh Thus the King again found himself without advisers. At length in desperation he sent Cumberland to negotiate with the rump of the old Whig party, and the Rockingham-Newcastle administration emerged out of the chaos. Pitt refused the overtures which the new Whig leader at once made to him. Shelburne followed his example, declining the post which Rockingham offered him:

—I did myself the honour to wait upon your Lordship on last, but had not the good fortune to find you at home; and I should have desired the honour of a conversation with you, if I had had any expectation of succeeding with you in what I was empowered to propose.

I must, nevertheless, in order not to appear wanting in respect to your Lordship, desire to know from your Lordship, whether it would be agreeable to you to return to preside at the Board of Trade.

The conversation I have had with Mr. Dempster has given me the utmost satisfaction, as it permits me to flatter myself that your Lordship is not disinclined to give your countenance and assistance in support of His Majesty's present servants, as well as that your Lordship is far from objecting to any applications being made to Colonel Barré.

His reply was in these terms:

—It is impossible for me, except I could convey to your Lordship at the same time how desirous I have ever been, by unalterable duty and respect, to preserve His Majesty's good opinion, to express to you