f March, says: "It is the opinion of men of different parties that
a majority in Parliament would act with your Lordship if you was at the
head of the Treasury. From what I have collected in the course of this
day, I agree entirely in this opinion. Some who have voted with Lord
North would draw with you." How far this contemplated escape from the
embarrassments that impeded the coalition might have been matured into a
practical shape had Lord Temple been in London, we can only infer from
the general confidence which was reposed in his ability, high character
and personal weight; but his distance from the scene of action precluded
the possibility of carrying the project into effect, even had he been
disposed to accept the position, which may be reasonably doubted. Events
pressed impatiently for a solution, and the activity of the hybrid
Opposition admitted of no delay. At the very moment when Mr. Astle was
hastily writing off to Lord Temple to apprize him that there existed
this desire to invite him to undertake the construction of a Cabinet,
General Cuninghame was dispatching another letter, to inform him that a
new Administration was actually in course of formation, of which he
could then give him no further particulars, than that Lord Rawdon was to
be called to the Upper House, and Townshend to be created a peer. In the
evening of the same day this piece of intelligence takes a more definite
and authentic form.

GENERAL CUNINGHAME TO LORD TEMPLE.

London, March 1st, Eight o'clock, P.M.

My Lord,

Lord North is now with the King. The Duke of Portland, or Mr.
Fox, will be sent for to-morrow.

I have the honour to be, my Lord,
Your most obedient humble servant,
Robert Cuninghame.

Mr. Fox, however, was not sent for. The King's reluctance to negotiate
with him could not be overcome: upon that point His Majesty was
inflexible; and interview after interview followed, ending in the same
unsatisfactory way, the country continuing to be kept in a state of
uncertainty and alarm, and, as Mr. Grenville describes it, "wholly
without any Government whatsoever."

GENERAL CUNINGHAME TO LORD TEMPLE.

London, March 4th, 1783.

My Lord,

In these uncertain times, it is difficult to relate events with
precision; but I believe there is no doubt of Lord North's
having been near three hours last night with the King, and that
they parted without agreeing to any A