He continued to serve, but without further noteworthy incident, up to the peace made in the winter of 1762-63.  From that time until the difficulties with the American colonies came to a head in 1775, he was not actively employed afloat, although continuously engaged upon professional matters, especially as a close student of naval tactics and its kindred subjects, to which he always gave sympathetic attention.  During this period, also, he became a member of the House of Commons, and so continued until transferred from the Irish peerage to that of Great Britain, in 1782.  In 1770, at the age of forty-five, he became a rear-admiral, and, as has been already stated, received at once a proof of Hawke’s high confidence, by being appointed to the command of the squadron destined for the Mediterranean, when hostilities concerning the Falkland Islands threatened with Spain; a dispute chiefly memorable as the means of bringing into the navy both Nelson and Exmouth.  In 1775 he was promoted to vice-admiral, and in February of the following year was appointed commander-in-chief of the North American station.  Together with his military duties, he was, as has before been said, given powers, conjointly with his brother, to treat for the settlement of existing troubles.

Although his habitual reticence restrained his sentiments from finding expression in positive words, there can be little doubt that the necessity of raising his hand against the Americans caused Howe keener regret than it did to many of his brother officers.  He took instant occasion to address to Franklin a personal note, recalling their former association, and expressing an earnest hope that their friendship might contribute something to insure the success of his official mission.  In the five years that had elapsed, however, Franklin had been in the heat of the political struggle, and, philosopher though he was, he had not Howe’s natural phlegm.  Hence, his reply, while marked by respect and even formal cordiality toward the admiral himself, displayed a vivacity of resentment and a bitterness for which the latter had scarcely looked.  Still, his habitual equanimity was not ruffled, and he read the letter with the simple comment, “My old friend expresses himself very warmly.”

Howe’s arrival antedated the signature of the Declaration of Independence by less than a week.  During the period of attempted negotiation, while scrupulously faithful to his instructions, he showed to his late fellow-countrymen all the courtesy and consideration that the most cordial esteem could extend.  The incident of the official communication addressed by the Howes to Washington, in which they sought to evade giving him the title of “General,” is sufficiently familiar; but it is more rarely recalled that, in verbal intercourse with American officers, the admiral habitually styled him “General Washington,” and sent complimentary messages to him as such.  He even spoke of the colonies as “states,” and at the same time dwelt with evident emotion upon the testimonials of respect and affection which had been shown to his brother’s memory by the colonists.