=Source.=--_Correspondence of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham._ Vol.
iii., pp. 233 _et seq._ London, 1838-1840.
Mr. Townshend then mentioned the extraordinaries of America, and
the necessity of voting a particular sum; which he said he neither
could nor would move, unless the cabinet previously took the whole
state of America into consideration, and enabled him to declare to
the House the opinion of administration as to the forts, the Indian
trade, the disposition of the troops, in short the whole arrangements,
considered with a view to a general reduction of expense, and a duty
which he undertook should be laid to defray what remained: that he had
promised this to the House, and upon the authority of what passed in
the cabinet; and if he could not make it good, he should be obliged to
consider the best means, by what he should say or by his conduct, to
make it appear that it was not his fault, and against his opinion.[3]
I acquainted your Lordship of this the last time I had the honour of
waiting on you from Lord Barrington; the difficulty greatly arising
from several conjectural estimates being laid by him before the
House. I was surprised at Mr. Townshend’s conduct, which really
continues excessive on every occasion, till I afterwards understood in
conversation, that he declared he knew of Lord North’s refusal, and
from himself. The Duke of Grafton told me, and I suppose may tell your
Lordship, that he sent to Lord North to ask him. It appears to me quite
impossible that Mr. Townshend can mean to go on in the King’s service;
but of this your Lordship will judge much better than I can, after the
Duke of Grafton has given you a farther account.
I have the honour to be, with great respect,
Your Lordship’s most obliged humble servant,
SHELBURNE.