Portraits of Illustrious Personages of Great Britain Volume . 10 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840 Excerpt: ...that he had conferred a lasting benefit on the country. In April, 1785, Mr. Pitt brought before the House of Commons a plan for a gradual and moderate reform of the representation in Parliament. He knew that the King was unfriendly to that measure, and for that reason, as well as in order to deprecate any hostile use being made of the Crown's influence, he thought it his duty to communicate the details of the project to his Majesty. The King's reply left him at liberty to pursue what he felt convinced was the proper course. "Mr. Pitt," said the King in a letter dated the 20th of March, "must recollect that though I have ever thought it unfortunate that he had early engaged himself in this measure, yet that I have ever said that as he was clear of the propriety of it, he ought to lay his thoughts before the House; that out of personal regard to him, I would avoid giving any opinion to any one on the opening the door to Parliamentary reform except to himself; therefore, I am certain, Mr. Pitt cannot suspect my having influenced any one on the occasion." The measure was rejected by a majority of seventy-four, and thus terminated the last effort made by Mr. Pitt in favour of a measure of which he was at this time the warm and conscientious supporter, although his opinions on the subject afterwards underwent a total change. Having endeavoured to place the commercial intercourse between Great Britain and Ireland upon a footing advantageous to both countries, and having been thwarted in this design by the influence of that factious spirit which has so often been fatal to the peace of Ireland, the session of Parliament closed. In September, 1786, he entered into a commercial treaty with France, which, although it was thought by some persons to b...