operly called upon to do so. It was evident,
therefore, to ministers and to all men, that the rumour was
substantially correct, and on the 17th the subject was brought
prominently before the members of the house of commons. Mr. Baker moved
these two resolutions:--"1. That it is now necessary to declare that, to
report any opinion, or pretended opinion of his majesty, upon any bill,
or other proceeding, depending in either house of parliament, with
a view to influence the votes of the members, is a high crime and
misdemeanor, derogatory to the honour of the crown, a breach of the
fundamental privileges of parliament, and subversive of the constitution
of this country. 2. That this house will, on Monday next, resolve
itself into a committee of the whole house, to consider the state of the
nation." After an animated debate, these resolutions were carried by
a majority of nearly two to one, the numbers being one hundred and
fifty-three against eighty. A dissolution of parliament being now
apprehended, Mr. Erskine moved, that whoever should prevent that house
from discharging their duty in remedying the abuses which prevailed in
the government of the British dominions in the East Indies, should
be considered by them as an enemy to his country. This resolution
was attacked as an invasion of the king's prerogative, but it
was nevertheless carried, by one hundred and forty-seven against
seventy-three.

DISSOLUTION OF THE COALITION MINISTRY--PITT MADE PRIME MINISTER.

The above resolutions were designed as props to support the government,
but they were swept away by his majesty. On the 18th he was employed in
making dispositions for the formation of a new cabinet, and at twelve
o'clock that night a messenger delivered orders to Fox and Lord North,
that they should deliver up the seals of their offices without delay.
The seals were sent, and, on the following day, Earl Temple was directed
to send letters of dismission to all the other members of the cabinet.
At the same time Pitt was appointed first lord of the treasury and
chancellor of the exchequer; the Marquess of Carmarthen and Mr. Thomas
Townshend (created Lord Sydney) were nominated secretaries of state;
Lord Thurlow was reinstated as lord-chancellor; Earl Gower became
president of the council; the Duke of Rutland was constituted lord
privy-seal; Lord Howe was placed at the head of the admiralty; the Duke
of Richmond was made master-general of the ordnance; and Lord