sixth Earl of Denbigh (1719-1800). He was Master of the
Royal Harriers, and was deprived of his office by Lord Rockinghham.

(216) Percy Charles Wyndham was returned March 11, 1782.

(217) Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes (1717-1787), Minister of
Foreign Affairs under Louis XV. His policy had been to humble
England by assisting the United States.

(1782,) March 16, Saturday morning, 10 o'clock.--We divided this
morning between one and two; our majority was nine, the numbers 236
and 227. I came home; my cough is so bad that I shall put off all
my engagements to dinner, and stay at home, I believe, till I have
got rid of it. But there is to be another trial of skill on
Wednesday. Charles's arrogance both in the House, and out of it, is
insupportable. I can neither think or speak of him with patience.
Gilbert voted with us, Sir J. Wrottesley against us, Lord Trentham
went away, McDonald with us. This is Denbigh's way of calculation;
he was positive that we should have 30, or at least 22.

But good God! what a Government is this! if the King has not the
power of choosing his own Ministers. It is enough, when he has
chosen them, that they are amenable to Parl(iamen)t for their
conduct. But if it is in the power of any man, on account of his
Parl(iamen)t[ary] talents, to force himself upon the King and into
Government, when his private character would exclude him from
ever(y) other station, or society, I wish for my own part not to
belong to that Government in any shape whatever; and it would
satisfy my mind infinitely more, that, while things remained upon
that foot, that neither of us were in any kind of employment
whatsoever. But I do not presume to dictate to you. You can see and
feel for yourself, with as much discernment and sensibility as
another.

Lord North was thought to speak better, and with more spirit than
before. I could not go down into the H(ouse) to hear the Advocate, I
was so oppressed with my cold. You will see the substance of the
speeches in the Chronicle; I suppose that you have all our papers.
Storer will write to you, and tell you of his conversation with
Charles, but do not say that I anticipated the account. I must talk
with Gregg upon the subject of your return here, for neither the
removal, or the mode or the time, will be weighed by any other
scales than those of their own convenience.

The Fish voted with us, and upon the merit of this assistance, and
at this important crisis, I sup