28 HE COEDS AND REMINISCENCES OF GOODWOOD 



During the momentous years 1767 to 1782, tlie 

 Duke was uniformly in opposition. From the com- 

 mencement of the conflict he deprecated a rupture 

 with our colonies; and on the 18th of May, 1770, 

 after an introductory speech, he proposed eighteen 

 resolutions to the House of Lords, " producing one 

 of the most animated debates that ever occurred in 

 Parliament." 



The errors of ministers during the four preceding 

 years were pointed out, and the future separation 

 of the Trans-Atlantic provinces from the mother 

 country was accurately predicted. 



It was during the debate raised by the Duke on 

 this very same question, on the 7th of April, 1778, 

 when he urged the necessity of peace with the 

 colonies at any price, that Chatham was seized with 

 his last illness. 



Not only was his Grace so thoroughly opposed to 

 the American war, but he was a great advocate of 

 Parliamentary Eeform, and the measure which he 

 introduced into the House of Lords in 1781 was 

 very similar to that which in 1832 his descendant, 

 as a cabinet minister, assisted to formulate and carry 

 in the same assembly. He was in favour of annual 

 Parliaments and manhood suffrage. 



His Grace became one of the most popular men in 

 the kingdom, and by his acts gained the esteem and 

 respect of all clases. He, as well as the Duke of 



