ABSTRACT
The Duke of Newcastle, expecting an application to the Opposition, had thereupon worked very hard to bring all the Opposition leaders to the resolve only to negotiate in common. By order of the Court Rockingham was summoned “to assist in the present critical situation of affairs”, and at their first interview Grafton was declared to have confessed that he was tired of his office and wished Rockingham to succeed him. The sense of secret forces at work was heightened by a part of J. Almon’s story to the effect that immediately after Rockingham’s departure from the King, Lord Holland went in to him for “a private conference which lasted a considerable time”. According to Almon’s account, an agreement for continued co-operation, made between Rockingham and Bedford on July 23rd, spoiled Court projects for continuing the work of dividing the Opposition.
