Grafton resigned, and Conway wished to resign because he and not Pitt held the helm, he still attempted to remain a little longer at the post of most responsibility, and to treat as an equal with the statesman whom the country wished to see armed with almost dictatorial powers. Not only the country, but the King as well, was hostile to the Whigs. The liberal measures with which Rockingham followed up the repeal of the Stamp Act, though insufficient to neutralize the popular cry, only rendered him more and more obnoxious to the Court, which had one thing—and one only—in common with Pitt, its hatred of the old Whig connection. Thus when the Administration was but a year old, premature decrepitude ended in dissolution and death. Pitt, once more summoned by the King, now refused to treat with any one. He even ventured at last, though ill and suffering, to defy the refusal of the overbearing Temple to act with him. To the friends of Rockingham he offered office, but to Rockingham himself he tendered no invitation.
It has been said that he should have heartily joined with the Whigs, and Rockingham, it has been argued, especially by comparison, showed great moderation at this difficult moment.[1] But while Pitt desired to act cordially with the Whigs and on Whig principles, he yet was determined not to be dictated to by any connection. He himself declared he "acceded to the present administration, not they to him, and that he brought not a single man along with him that had not voted with him all the last winter."[2] Whatever faults he was guilty of at this time, were faults of manner and of style arising from his love of stilted expressions and turgid writing. His actions were not susceptible of blame. To Grafton, Conway, Dowdeswell, Lord John Cavendish, Dartmouth, Hertford, Charles Townshend, and the Duke of Portland, he offered places in the Ministry. It was the fault of Lord John Cavendish, not of Pitt, if he, with Dartmouth and Dowdeswell, refused those offers. Whether Rockingham would have consented
