ABSTRACT
W h e n George III finally secured the services of Pitt in July 1766 he must have felt that he had at last reached a genuine oasis in his search for a stable administration. His new minister, whatever his other disadvantages, was at least free from the fetters of ‘connection’ : he was the minister of the King’s own choice rather than one forced on him by political necessity. As such George III was prepared to give him his full confidence and to co-operate with him in every way in building up his control over Parliament. Here, though he lacked the cohesive strength of firm political alliance, Pitt could depend on the support of the independent members, relieved to find a first minister in whom both they and the King had confidence, and also on that of the City and trading elements. Outwardly Pitt’s ministry promised to be a firm and successful administration, sympathetically in tune with the new elements in the economy and in society. Yet in two years it was to have bungled the reconstruction of the affairs of the East India Company, aroused a storm of passion ate resistance to British colonial policy in America, and created a new crisis over Wilkes. The oasis proved a mirage; the search for stability was to consume four more years.
