FOOTNOTES:

City address to the king, 3 May, 1746.

Cruel as the duke's conduct had been, it had the effect of crushing the rebellion. London and the kingdom could once more breathe freely, and the citizens could follow their commercial pursuits without fear of further abortive attempts being made to restore the crown to the Stuarts. Instead of blaming the duke for his drastic measures, they applauded him and formally thanked the king for giving him the command, "Permit us, Sir"—they said, addressing his majesty—"to return our most unfeigned thanks ... for the appointment of his royal highness the duke to this important service, whose conduct and bravery (so early conspicuous) have by the blessing of the Almighty produced this our happy deliverance: a glory reserved for one of your illustrious family, endowed with those princely qualities which render him amiable to those under his command, and formidable to his enemies." They, at the same time assured his majesty that itwould be always their firm resolution, no less than their indispensable duty "to oppose every attempt of the common disturbers of the peace of Europe" against the rights of his crown.[143]

The general election, 1747.

One effect of the rebellion was to strengthen the hands of the government. The subscription lists that had been opened during the crisis were the means of displaying to the world who were Jacobites and who were not, and when the general election came on in the summer of 1747 it went hard with those who entertained Jacobite proclivities. Barnard and Culvert retained their seats for the city, but Slingsby Bethell and Stephen Theodore Janssen were returned in place of Lambert and Heathcote. "Both Westminster and Middlesex have elected court candidates," wrote Walpole to his friend,[144]"and the city of London is taking the same step, the first time of many years that the two latter have been whig; but the non-subscribing at the time of the rebellion, has been most successfully played off upon the Jacobites."

Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, Oct., 1748.

The rebellion had also a considerable effect upon the war on the continent, for the Austrians, deprived of English succour, lost nearly the whole of their possessions in the Netherlands to France. The French, however, were unsuccessful in Italy, whilst at sea the English navy attacked their colonial possessions, and captured the island of Cape Breton. All parties being ready to come to terms, a peace was at length concluded (Oct., 1748) at Aix-la-Chapelleon the general principle of restitution of all conquests.[145]

The Newcastle administration, 1754-1756.

From the time when Henry Pelham succeeded Carteret (Nov., 1744) as Prime Minister, the strife of parties was lulled by the simple expedient of admitting into office any man capable of rendering himself dangerous to the government. Pelham's administration thus became distinguished as the Broad-bottomed Administration. Upon his death in March, 1754, the era of tranquillity passed away. He was succeeded in the Premiership by his brother the Duke of Newcastle. Already there was danger of war with France, as well as opposition at home, but with the assistance of Charles Fox, Newcastle contrived to get through the year. Before another twelvemonth had elapsed, however, England was again threatened with a French invasion.[146]

The National Militia Bill, 1756.

On the 11th November (1755) the lords of the council wrote to Slingsby Bethell, who had just entered upon his mayoralty, instructing him to call out the whole of the City's militia for immediate service. The letter was laid before a special Court of Aldermen on Saturday, the 15th, when it was resolved to summon the Commissioners of Lieutenancy to meet that afternoon, and a special court of Common Council for the following Tuesday.[147]The Common Council having assembled on the day named the Lord Mayor communicated to them the contents of the letter hehad received. A motion was thereupon made for applying to Parliament for a more effectual National Militia Bill, but a debate arose, and the matter was adjourned for further consideration. On the 25th the debate was resumed, but upon being put to the vote the motion was lost. Nevertheless, a Bill for better ordering the militia of the country was introduced into Parliament the following spring and passed (10 May, 1756), but the City's militia was exempted from the Bill.[148]

Importation of foreign mercenaries.

Newcastle was not the man to conduct a great war. A fresh election had taken place soon after his appointment as first lord of the treasury, and the result had given the ministry a handsome majority. Nevertheless, so helpless was he that he could devise no better plan for saving the country from invasion than by importing Hessian and Hanoverian mercenaries. Worse than this, his proposal was adopted, although Pitt left a sick bed on purpose to go down to the House and solemnly protest against such a course.[149]

A tax on plate opposed by the City.

A proposal, made by the chancellor of the exchequer, Sir George Lyttelton, to impose a tax upon plate, for the purpose of raising supplies, was reasonable enough, but it met with opposition not only from Pitt but also from the City,[150]partly on account of the existing inland duties being already sufficiently heavy and partly because this particular tax would teach servants to become informers. At the same time the citizens avowed themselves ready to hazard their livesand their fortunes in support of the king and the Protestant succession.[151]

The loss of Minorca, 1756.

The threatened invasion was only a trick played by the French king to draw off attention from the real object of attack—the capture of Minorca. Owing to dilatoriness on the part of the ministry Byng was despatched too late to save the island. This loss excited the utmost indignation. The cry was loud against the government, but louder still against Byng, who was accused of rank cowardice, if not treachery. Newcastle was content to make a scapegoat of the admiral, and ordered him home under arrest to await trial. The feeling of disgust which prevailed in the city at Byng having withdrawn to Gibraltar without hazarding a brush with the enemy manifested itself by the display of a placard at the Royal Exchange advertisingThree kingdoms to be let.[152]Whilst Byng awaited his trial, popular clamour, throughout the country rose to such a pitch that at last war was declared (17 May, 1756). In August the citizens again assured the king of their readiness to shed their last drop of blood and contribute all that might be necessary for the defence of the kingdom and colonies, but they none the less expressed an eager hope that Byng and those who were responsible for losses in America should be brought to punishment.[153]

A "representation" to city members, Oct., 1756.

The recent failures and the general weakness and incapacity of Newcastle irritated the country to such a degree that the ministry became frightened, and inOctober (1756) Fox, who for the last year had undertaken the duties of the leadership in the House of Commons, resigned. At this juncture the Common Council again drew up a "representation" for the guidance of the city's representatives in parliament.[154]First and foremost they were to insist upon a strict and impartial parliamentary enquiry into the causes of the recent disasters at Minorca and in North America, which had rendered the British name contemptible; and in the next place they were to seize the earliest opportunity of urging the necessity of establishing a constitutional militia and of ridding the country of those foreign mercenaries, whose numbers had been constantly increasing, whose support had become an intolerable expense, and who claimed to be above the law of the land. They were to vote for no supplies until this were done. They were further instructed to endeavour to limit the number of placemen and pensioners, which of late had so remarkably increased; to restore at a proper season triennial parliaments, as being the only means of obtaining a free representative of the people; to keep an eye on the proper application of public money; and finally to see that the country did not become involved in continental affairs so as to threaten its independence.

Newcastle succeeded by Pitt, Nov., 1756.

This representation was not without its effect. In November Newcastle resigned, and Pitt, although nominally only secretary of state under the Duke of Devonshire, became virtually prime minister. He had not been many weeks in office before he gratified the City by sending the Hanoverian and Hessian troopsout of the country, as well as by passing a Bill for re-organising the national militia.

Execution of Admiral Byng, 14 March, 1757.

Just as the year was drawing to a close Byng was brought to trial. Owing to a comparatively recent change that had been made in the articles of war the court found itself compelled to bring in a verdict of guilty without any imputation on the personal courage of the admiral.[155]The extent of his criminality was that he had failed to do all that might have been done to save Minorca. Pitt, who was no favourite with the king, was courageous enough to plead for a royal pardon, but the king turned a deaf ear. The country deemed itself betrayed, and called for a victim. The timorous Newcastle had long promised a deputation of citizens that Byng should be speedily brought to justice. "Oh! indeed he shall be tried immediately, he shall be hanged directly."[156]The trial had taken place, and although the court that tried him had shown an unmistakable desire to treat him with leniency, the City began to show signs of impatience and clamoured for his death. Papers bearing the words "Shoot Byng, or take care of your king" are even said to have appeared posted up in the Royal Exchange.[157]The citizens had their wish. The sentence was carried out, and Byng was shot on the quarterdeck of the "Monarque" at Portsmouth (14 March, 1757).

Civic honours for Pitt and Legge, 24 May, 1757.

Soon after this Pitt was dismissed. His dismissal was the signal for a general ebullition in his favour. The Common Council presented both him and Legge(who had served under him as chancellor of the exchequer) with the Freedom of the City and gold boxes, in testimony of their conduct during their "honourable tho' short administration." The City declared its appreciation of the noble efforts of these ministers "to stem the general torrent of corruption and revive by their example the almost extinguished love of virtue and our country," their zeal in promoting a full and impartial enquiry into the real causes of the late disasters in America and the Mediterranean, and lastly their efforts to support the glory and independence of Great Britain, the true interests of the crown and the rights and liberties of the subject.[158]The example thus set by the city of London was followed by other corporations in such quick succession that for some weeks, as Lady Hervey wittily remarked, "it rained gold boxes."

Coalition of Pitt and Newcastle, June, 1757.

The king tried to get Newcastle, with his subservient band of supporters, to accept office again, but the duke could not make up his mind whether to resume office or not, and for nearly three months the country was without any ministry at all. At last a compromise was arranged in June between Pitt and Newcastle,[159]whereby the former undertook all affairs of state, leaving to Newcastle the business of patronage, such as his soul loved. Pitt threw himself heartily into the war, determined to raise the national spirit. His task, however, was a difficult one, owing to the incompetency of those he found in command. Thus, for instance, an attempt to take Rochefort failedthrough dissension between Admiral Hawke and General Mordaunt. The Common Council were on the point of considering the advisability of addressing the king on the subject, when the mayor informed them that one of the clerks of the Privy Council had waited on him at the Mansion House to inform him that directions had already been given for an enquiry into the cause of the recent miscarriage; and so the matter was allowed to drop.[160]

Subscriptions for bounties, 1759-1760.

Thanks to Pitt's military reforms and to the confidence he inspired, the remainder of the reign was marked by a series of successes culminating in the conquest of Canada. In the summer of 1759 the French again threatened an invasion, but it caused no alarm. A new spirit had been breathed into the nation and animated both services. The City resolved to open a subscription list at the Guildhall for encouraging the enlistment of recruits, and to contribute £1,000 towards the fund. By way of further encouragement the Freedom of the City was offered gratuitously to every soldier who should produce to the chamberlain a testimonial of his good behaviour during his term of service, and who should wish to be admitted to the privilege of exercising a trade within the city and liberties. A committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements for carrying out the enlistments, and Pitt was desired to lay these resolutions before his majesty as an humble testimony of the City's zeal and affection for king and government.[161]The king commissioned Pitt to thank the City on his behalf, and to express the satisfactionhe felt at this signal proof of the City's resolution to support the war.[162]The money raised between August, 1759 and June 1760, amounted to a little over £7,000, which was distributed in bounties to 1,235 men, enlisted for the term of the war with France, at five guineas a head. The livery companies subscribed to the fund: the Grocers' contributing 500 guineas, the Goldsmiths' and the Fishmongers' respectively £500, the Clothworkers' £300, and other companies lesser sums. The names of Pitt himself and of Legge also appear as having each subscribed £100.[163]

City address in conquest of Canada, 16 Oct., 1760.

But of all the achievements abroad at this time none caused so much joy as the capture of Quebec (Sept., 1759). The City once more embraced the opportunity of presenting a congratulatory address to the king, at the same time expressing deep regret at the loss of so gallant an officer as Wolfe.[164]A year later it again offered its congratulations on the complete conquest of Canada,[165]promising to assist in the preservation of that valuable acquisition, and "to prosecute the various and extensive services" of the just and necessary war. Pitt was delighted with the address. "The address of the city of London," he wrote to Grenville, "will speak for itself, and I believe you will think that it speaks loud enough to be heard at Paris.... How it was heard at Kensington you need not be told, as the address is big witha million in every line. Were it able to produce an advantageous peace it would be most happy; next to that, such generous and warm assurances ofsupporting the war cannot but give the highest satisfaction to government."[166]Within ten days of listening to the address the king died (25 Oct.).

The City's admiration for Pitt.

On the last day of the month the first stone was laid of Blackfriars Bridge. The bridge was originally known as Pitt Bridge, and bore an inscription in Latin and English testifying the City's affection for the great statesman who had done so much to restore the ancient reputation of the British empire,[167]whilst the approach to the bridge was for some years known as Chatham Place.

FOOTNOTES:[74]Repertory 131, fo. 285.[75]Id., fos. 287, 289-291.[76]Journal 57, fos. 154b-155b; Repertory 131, fos. 345-348. For the next two years the Common Council became practically powerless, the lord mayor for the time being summoning a court only when he thought fit. In 1728 the council only met four times, viz., twice in February and twice in May, after which no court was held until June, 1729. It was then thought high time to re-enact the old Act of Common Counciltemp.Richard II, when Brembre was mayor, compelling the mayor for the time being to summon a Common Council once a quarter at least, and a Bill for that purpose was brought in and passed.—Id., fos. 166b, 174b, 176, 177b, 182, 188b, 197b, 198, 201.[77]Hervey, Memoirs, i, 88.[78]Repertory 132, fos. 40-57.[79]Journal 57, fo. 162. An account of the entertainment, its cost, etc., is given by Maitland, i, 541-543.[80]Repertory 132, fos. 10, 16.[81]Id., fo. 9.[82]Journal 57, fo. 162.[83]Repertory 132, fo. 381.[84]Another portrait of Queen Caroline, by the same artist, is preserved in the National Portrait Gallery, having been transferred thither from the British Museum in 1879.[85]Memoirs, vol. i, c. vii.[86]Journal 57, fos. 274-274b.[87]Hervey, Memoirs, i, 176-179.[88]Parl. Hist., viii, 1281-1307; Maitland, i, 558, 559.[89]Journal 57, fos. 278b-280. On quitting office the lord mayor (John Barber) received the special thanks of the Common Council for having afforded them this opportunity of preserving the trade and liberty of the citizens.—Id., fo. 298.[90]Journal House of Commons, xxii, 108, 109, 112, 113.[91]Hervey, Memoirs, i, 200-202.[92]Repertory 138, fos. 243-246. See also theDaily Courant, cited in theGentleman's Magazine, iv, 208.[93]Repertory 138, fo. 252.[94]Repertory 139, fo. 2.[95]Repertory 138, fo. 228; Journal 57, fos. 318-319; Repertory 140, fo. 254; Journal 57, fos. 375-377.[96]Memoirs, i, 317.[97]Journal 57, fo. 319b; Repertory 138, fo. 237.[98]Repertory 141, fos. 48, 60, 69, 75.[99]By an article of this treaty England obtained the right of sending yearly to Panama one ship of 600 tons, and no more, for the purpose of trading with the Spanish colonists. This restriction was evaded by putting a fresh cargo on board under cover of the night to take the place of that which had been discharged the previous day.[100]Hervey, Memoirs, ii, 484, 485.[101]Journal 58, fo. 122; Journal House of Commons, xxiii, 248.[102]Ecclesiasticus, c. xxxviii, v. 33.[103]Horace Walpole, who always showed intense dislike to anyone who had opposed his father, Sir Robert, describes Glover as "the greatest coxcomb and the greatest oaf that ever met in blank verse or prose."—Walpole to Mann, 3 March, 1742; Letters, i, 136.[104]According to Maitland (i, 599) Champion was the senior alderman below the chair. This was not the case. There were two senior to him, but these, as well as Champion, were set aside by the livery, who returned Sir John Salter and Sir Robert Godschall to the Court of Aldermen. The Court selected the first named.—Common Hall Book, No. 7, fo. 277.[105]Maitland, i, 600.[106]Repertory 143, fos. 469-472.[107]Journal 58, fos. 167-168b.[108]Walpole to Mann, 12 Nov., 1741.—Letters, i, 89.[109]The poem is preserved among the Percy Reliques, ii, 397.[110]Maitland, i, 608.[111]Common Hall Book, No. 7, fo. 284b.[112]Repertory 144, fos. 389, 400. Journal 58, fo. 182b.[113]Maitland, i, 610.[114]Common Hall Book, No. 7, fo. 285. Repertory 144, fo. 406.[115]Journal 58, fos. 190-191.[116]Maitland, i, 611.[117]He had for some reason been sworn into office before Lord Cornwallis, the Constable of the Tower, with the same ceremony as if sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer; and it was expressly provided that the city's rights and privileges were not to be prejudiced thereby.—Repertory 145, fo. 151. Common Hall Book No. 7, fo. 288.[118]Walpole to Mann, 22 Jan., 1742.—Letters, i, 117.[119]Journal 58, fo. 222b.[120]Journal House of Commons, xxiv, 49, 111.[121]Journal House of Commons, xxiv, 231. Journal House of Lords, xxvi, 138.[122]Journal 58, fo. 225b. Maitland, i, 624.[123]Journal 58, fos. 254-256. Maitland, i, 628.[124]Extract fromCommon Sensecited by Maitland (i, 630).[125]Journal House of Commons, xxiv, 568. Journal 58, fo. 307b.[126]Maitland, i, 633.[127]Repertory 148, fo. 165.[128]Walpole to Mann, 1 March.—Letters i, 292.[129]The same to the same, 5 March.—Id.i, 294.[130]Repertory 148, fo. 230.[131]Journal 58, fo. 377b.[132]Journal 58, fos. 378, 383; Repertory 149, fos. 398, 399.[133]Francis, "History of Bank of England," i, 162.[134]Hogarth's famous picture of the "March to Finchley" is preserved in the Foundling Hospital.[135]Journal 59, fo. 16b.[136]"I had this morning a subscription book brought me for our parish. Lord Granville had refused to subscribe. This is in the style of his friend, Lord Bath, who has absented himself whenever any act of authority was to be executed against the rebels."—Walpole to Mann, 22 Nov., 1745; Letters, i, 404-405.[137]Walpole to Mann, 9 Dec., 1745;Id., i, 409.[138]Repertory 150, fos. 40-47.[139]Walpole to Mann, 9 Dec.; Letters, i, 410.[140]Francis, "History of Bank of England," i, 161.[141]Journal 59, fo. 15.[142]Walpole to Mann, 1 Aug., 1746.—Letters, ii, 43. The Freedom of the City was conferred on the 6 Aug. Journal 59, fo. 44.[143]Journal 59, fo. 33.[144]Walpole to Mann, 3 July, 1747. Letters, ii, 92.[145]The peace was not proclaimed in the City until the 2 Feb., 1749. Repertory 153, fo. 138.[146]"I need not protest to you, I believe that I am serious, and that an invasion before Christmas will certainly be attempted." Walpole to Chute, 20 Oct., 1755. Letters, ii, 477.[147]Repertory 160, fos. 3-5.[148]Journal 61, fos. 23b-24, 25, 57; Journal House of Commons, xxvii, 523, 600. The City was in the habit of claiming that its militia should be dealt with by a separate Bill to the rest of the kingdom.[149]Walpole, "Memoirs of the last ten years of the reign of George the Second," ii, 30, 31; Journal House of Commons, xxvii, 539.[150]Journal 61, fos. 49b-52; Walpole, Memoirs, ii, 24-28.[151]Journal 61, fo. 55b.[152]Walpole, "Memoirs of George the Second," ii, 68.[153]Journal 61, fos. 80b-81b.[154]Journal 61, fos. 114-115b.[155]Walpole, Memoirs, ii, 121-124.[156]Id.ii, 70.[157]Walpole to Mann, 3 March, 1757; Letters, iii, 64-66.[158]Journal 61, fos. 156, 158-158b.[159]Walpole, Memoirs, ii, 224; Walpole to Mann, 20 June, 1757; Letters, iii, 83.[160]Journal 61, fo. 186.[161]Journal 62, fos. 32b-34.[162]Journal 62, fo. 35.[163]Id., fos. 113-116.[164]Journal 62, fos. 37-38.[165]Id., fos. 140, 158b.[166]Pitt to Grenville, 18 Oct., 1760.—Grenville Correspondence, i, 355.[167]Journal 62, fos. 161-161b. A lead plate, bearing the inscription in English, is preserved in the Guildhall Museum.

[74]Repertory 131, fo. 285.

[75]Id., fos. 287, 289-291.

[76]Journal 57, fos. 154b-155b; Repertory 131, fos. 345-348. For the next two years the Common Council became practically powerless, the lord mayor for the time being summoning a court only when he thought fit. In 1728 the council only met four times, viz., twice in February and twice in May, after which no court was held until June, 1729. It was then thought high time to re-enact the old Act of Common Counciltemp.Richard II, when Brembre was mayor, compelling the mayor for the time being to summon a Common Council once a quarter at least, and a Bill for that purpose was brought in and passed.—Id., fos. 166b, 174b, 176, 177b, 182, 188b, 197b, 198, 201.

[77]Hervey, Memoirs, i, 88.

[78]Repertory 132, fos. 40-57.

[79]Journal 57, fo. 162. An account of the entertainment, its cost, etc., is given by Maitland, i, 541-543.

[80]Repertory 132, fos. 10, 16.

[81]Id., fo. 9.

[82]Journal 57, fo. 162.

[83]Repertory 132, fo. 381.

[84]Another portrait of Queen Caroline, by the same artist, is preserved in the National Portrait Gallery, having been transferred thither from the British Museum in 1879.

[85]Memoirs, vol. i, c. vii.

[86]Journal 57, fos. 274-274b.

[87]Hervey, Memoirs, i, 176-179.

[88]Parl. Hist., viii, 1281-1307; Maitland, i, 558, 559.

[89]Journal 57, fos. 278b-280. On quitting office the lord mayor (John Barber) received the special thanks of the Common Council for having afforded them this opportunity of preserving the trade and liberty of the citizens.—Id., fo. 298.

[90]Journal House of Commons, xxii, 108, 109, 112, 113.

[91]Hervey, Memoirs, i, 200-202.

[92]Repertory 138, fos. 243-246. See also theDaily Courant, cited in theGentleman's Magazine, iv, 208.

[93]Repertory 138, fo. 252.

[94]Repertory 139, fo. 2.

[95]Repertory 138, fo. 228; Journal 57, fos. 318-319; Repertory 140, fo. 254; Journal 57, fos. 375-377.

[96]Memoirs, i, 317.

[97]Journal 57, fo. 319b; Repertory 138, fo. 237.

[98]Repertory 141, fos. 48, 60, 69, 75.

[99]By an article of this treaty England obtained the right of sending yearly to Panama one ship of 600 tons, and no more, for the purpose of trading with the Spanish colonists. This restriction was evaded by putting a fresh cargo on board under cover of the night to take the place of that which had been discharged the previous day.

[100]Hervey, Memoirs, ii, 484, 485.

[101]Journal 58, fo. 122; Journal House of Commons, xxiii, 248.

[102]Ecclesiasticus, c. xxxviii, v. 33.

[103]Horace Walpole, who always showed intense dislike to anyone who had opposed his father, Sir Robert, describes Glover as "the greatest coxcomb and the greatest oaf that ever met in blank verse or prose."—Walpole to Mann, 3 March, 1742; Letters, i, 136.

[104]According to Maitland (i, 599) Champion was the senior alderman below the chair. This was not the case. There were two senior to him, but these, as well as Champion, were set aside by the livery, who returned Sir John Salter and Sir Robert Godschall to the Court of Aldermen. The Court selected the first named.—Common Hall Book, No. 7, fo. 277.

[105]Maitland, i, 600.

[106]Repertory 143, fos. 469-472.

[107]Journal 58, fos. 167-168b.

[108]Walpole to Mann, 12 Nov., 1741.—Letters, i, 89.

[109]The poem is preserved among the Percy Reliques, ii, 397.

[110]Maitland, i, 608.

[111]Common Hall Book, No. 7, fo. 284b.

[112]Repertory 144, fos. 389, 400. Journal 58, fo. 182b.

[113]Maitland, i, 610.

[114]Common Hall Book, No. 7, fo. 285. Repertory 144, fo. 406.

[115]Journal 58, fos. 190-191.

[116]Maitland, i, 611.

[117]He had for some reason been sworn into office before Lord Cornwallis, the Constable of the Tower, with the same ceremony as if sworn before the Barons of the Exchequer; and it was expressly provided that the city's rights and privileges were not to be prejudiced thereby.—Repertory 145, fo. 151. Common Hall Book No. 7, fo. 288.

[118]Walpole to Mann, 22 Jan., 1742.—Letters, i, 117.

[119]Journal 58, fo. 222b.

[120]Journal House of Commons, xxiv, 49, 111.

[121]Journal House of Commons, xxiv, 231. Journal House of Lords, xxvi, 138.

[122]Journal 58, fo. 225b. Maitland, i, 624.

[123]Journal 58, fos. 254-256. Maitland, i, 628.

[124]Extract fromCommon Sensecited by Maitland (i, 630).

[125]Journal House of Commons, xxiv, 568. Journal 58, fo. 307b.

[126]Maitland, i, 633.

[127]Repertory 148, fo. 165.

[128]Walpole to Mann, 1 March.—Letters i, 292.

[129]The same to the same, 5 March.—Id.i, 294.

[130]Repertory 148, fo. 230.

[131]Journal 58, fo. 377b.

[132]Journal 58, fos. 378, 383; Repertory 149, fos. 398, 399.

[133]Francis, "History of Bank of England," i, 162.

[134]Hogarth's famous picture of the "March to Finchley" is preserved in the Foundling Hospital.

[135]Journal 59, fo. 16b.

[136]"I had this morning a subscription book brought me for our parish. Lord Granville had refused to subscribe. This is in the style of his friend, Lord Bath, who has absented himself whenever any act of authority was to be executed against the rebels."—Walpole to Mann, 22 Nov., 1745; Letters, i, 404-405.

[137]Walpole to Mann, 9 Dec., 1745;Id., i, 409.

[138]Repertory 150, fos. 40-47.

[139]Walpole to Mann, 9 Dec.; Letters, i, 410.

[140]Francis, "History of Bank of England," i, 161.

[141]Journal 59, fo. 15.

[142]Walpole to Mann, 1 Aug., 1746.—Letters, ii, 43. The Freedom of the City was conferred on the 6 Aug. Journal 59, fo. 44.

[143]Journal 59, fo. 33.

[144]Walpole to Mann, 3 July, 1747. Letters, ii, 92.

[145]The peace was not proclaimed in the City until the 2 Feb., 1749. Repertory 153, fo. 138.

[146]"I need not protest to you, I believe that I am serious, and that an invasion before Christmas will certainly be attempted." Walpole to Chute, 20 Oct., 1755. Letters, ii, 477.

[147]Repertory 160, fos. 3-5.

[148]Journal 61, fos. 23b-24, 25, 57; Journal House of Commons, xxvii, 523, 600. The City was in the habit of claiming that its militia should be dealt with by a separate Bill to the rest of the kingdom.

[149]Walpole, "Memoirs of the last ten years of the reign of George the Second," ii, 30, 31; Journal House of Commons, xxvii, 539.

[150]Journal 61, fos. 49b-52; Walpole, Memoirs, ii, 24-28.

[151]Journal 61, fo. 55b.

[152]Walpole, "Memoirs of George the Second," ii, 68.

[153]Journal 61, fos. 80b-81b.

[154]Journal 61, fos. 114-115b.

[155]Walpole, Memoirs, ii, 121-124.

[156]Id.ii, 70.

[157]Walpole to Mann, 3 March, 1757; Letters, iii, 64-66.

[158]Journal 61, fos. 156, 158-158b.

[159]Walpole, Memoirs, ii, 224; Walpole to Mann, 20 June, 1757; Letters, iii, 83.

[160]Journal 61, fo. 186.

[161]Journal 62, fos. 32b-34.

[162]Journal 62, fo. 35.

[163]Id., fos. 113-116.

[164]Journal 62, fos. 37-38.

[165]Id., fos. 140, 158b.

[166]Pitt to Grenville, 18 Oct., 1760.—Grenville Correspondence, i, 355.

[167]Journal 62, fos. 161-161b. A lead plate, bearing the inscription in English, is preserved in the Guildhall Museum.

The accession of George III, 1760.

On the 26th October George III was proclaimed king in the city in the presence of the mayor and aldermen.[168]The usual addresses were presented by the Courts of Aldermen and Common Council, special reference being made by the latter body to the "bloody and expensive war" in which the country was then engaged. They expressed a hope that the new king would continue to carry on the war as prudently and successfully as it had been carried on hitherto, until an end should be put to it by a firm and honourable peace. The king in reply echoed this wish of the citizens, and promised to look after their "liberties, commerce and happiness."[169]

The fall of Pitt, 1761.

George had not long been seated on the throne before he began to display unmistakable signs of a determination to follow the precepts instilled into his young mind by his mother, the Princess of Wales, and to "be a king" in fact as well as in name. The six months that elapsed before Parliament was dissolved[170]were marked with no great changes, althoughindications were not wanting of what was likely to take place. With the dissolution (20 March, 1761), however, important changes were made in the ministry, and it became clear that the king was resolved to rule by ministers of his own choosing. Bute, the particular friend and adviser of the Princess of Wales, was appointed one of the secretaries of state. His admission into the ministry could not mean otherwise than sooner or later the dismissal of Pitt, for on the great question of the day—the war with France—they were in direct antagonism; and so it turned out. Pitt would gladly have made peace[171]had not the honour of the country demanded a declaration of war with Spain as well as with France owing to a secret clause in the Family Compact which had come to his knowledge. The ministry refused to declare war, and in the following October Pitt and his brother-in-law, Earl Temple, resigned. In consideration of his great services a peerage in her own right was conferred on Pitt's wife, whilst a pension of £3,000 a year, for three lives, was bestowed on himself.

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