Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from The Political Memoranda of Francis Fifth Duke of Leeds: Now First Printed From the Originals in the British Museum; Edited, Together With Other Papers, and With Notes, Introduction, and Appendix
The Duke of Leeds was a statesman 'of the Ciceronian type. He represents a time when the business of the country was conducted by the members of a few privileged families, who, conscious of their position and of their duties, trained themselves carefully for their high behest, and considered that each action of their lives should re?ect the magnanimity which properly belonged to so lofty a vocation. The Memoranda commence two years before the out break of the American war, but as they were not written down till 1780 the entries of the first six years are deficient in fulness and interest. When that year is reached we find the King supporting Lord North and the war policy against the growing discontent of the country. The Duke Of Leeds joins thehgppqsition, and is dismissed from the Lord Lieutenancy of the East Riding. Under June 1780 some graphic pages are devoted to the Gordon riots. In November a new parliament was returned, which was to witness the downfall of Lord North; the ministries of Lord Rockingham, of Lord Shelburne, and the coalition ministry of Fox and North under the Duke of Portland. It was not to be dissolved until William Pitt, made Prime Minister contrary to its will, had subdued its stubborn ness by his own unshaken resolution and prepared the country to rise in enthusiastic support of his administration. A minute account is given of the circumstances of Lord North's resignation. During the Rockingham administration the Duke of Leeds appears to have been in constant communication with Lord Shelburne, and his notes of their conversations throw an interesting light on the character of that mysterious politician, so able and powerful, so mistrusted and disliked. The narrative of the Shelburne ministry is even more copious.
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