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Rh boroughs," so Walpole observed, "had petitioned; and the greater part of England, all Scotland to a man, and Wales were against them. The Old Whigs becoming alarmed, wished to draw back, after having voted for the motion of Rockingham, "that the House of Commons in the exercise of its judicature in matters of election is bound to judge according to the law of the land, and the known and established law and custom of Parliament, which is part thereof." Shelburne wished that the Opposition should break with Wilkes, but at the same time carry on the political campaign against the Court with vigour, especially in Parliament. An angry altercation took place at his house between the leaders of the Opposition, the consequences of which were only remedied by the interposition of Chatham, who at that time was affecting great cordiality towards Rockingham. The Opposition in consequence gave a united vote on the bill introduced by Chatham, reversing the adjudications of the House of Commons against Wilkes, and for his motion condemning the royal answer to the Remonstrance of the City of London on the King's inattention to their petition regarding the Middlesex Election.

"It is gravely told us," Shelburne said on this last occasion, "that the answer lately given to the City Address is similar to the answers given by Charles I., Charles II., James II., and Queen Anne, to similar applications of their subjects for redress of grievances. But