ABSTRACT

The meeting of parliament had been fixed for November 8th, and Grafton must have viewed the approach of a new session with apprehension and dread. He was aware that any further postponement of the Wilkes question was out of the question, that the ministry would be arraigned both for its foreign and colonial policy; and that his strength had waned in almost exact proportion to the increase of his difficulties. The arrival of Chatham in London certainly did not mean the instant fall of the Grafton ministry, but, from his discourse to the king, it was abundantly clear that he bore no goodwill to the ministers. Arranging to wait upon Grafton on the evening of Friday, January 12th, he took his wife and his two brothers into his confidence, discussing with them the line of conduct he ought to pursue.