But the truth is, that the promoters of that war have saved the historian the trouble of trying them.  They have pleaded guilty.  “I have seen,” says Burke, “and with some care examined, the original documents concerning certain important transactions of those times.  They perfectly satisfied me of the extreme injustice of that war, and of the falsehood of the colours which Walpole, to his ruin, and guided by a mistaken policy, suffered to be daubed over that measure.  Some years after, it was my fortune to converse with many of the principal actors against that minister, and with those who principally excited that clamour.  None of them, no, not one, did in the least defend the measure, or attempt to justify their conduct.  They condemned it as freely as they would have done in commenting upon any proceeding in history in which they were totally unconcerned.”  Pitt, on subsequent occasions, gave ample proof that he was one of these penitents.  But his conduct, even where it appeared most criminal to himself, appears admirable to his biographer.

The elections of 1741 were unfavourable to Walpole; and after a long and obstinate struggle he found it necessary to resign.  The Duke of Newcastle and Lord Hardwicke opened a negotiation with the leading Patriots, in the hope of forming an administration on a Whig basis.  At this conjuncture, Pitt and those persons who were most nearly connected with him acted in a manner very little to their honour.  They attempted to come to an understanding with Walpole, and offered, if he would use his influence with the King in their favour, to screen him from prosecution.  They even went so far as to engage for the concurrence of the Prince of Wales.  But Walpole knew that the assistance of the Boys, as he called the young Patriots, would avail him nothing if Pulteney and Carteret should prove intractable, and would be superfluous if the great leaders of the Opposition could be gained.  He, therefore, declined the proposal.  It is remarkable that Mr. Thackeray, who has thought it worth while to preserve Pitt’s bad college verses, has not even alluded to this story, a story which is supported by strong testimony, and which may be found in so common a book as Coxe’s Life of Walpole.

The new arrangements disappointed almost every member of the Opposition, and none more than Pitt.  He was not invited to become a place-man; and he therefore stuck firmly to his old trade of patriot.  Fortunate it was for him that he did so.  Had he taken office at this time, he would in all probability have shared largely in the unpopularity of Pulteney, Sandys, and Carteret.  He was now the fiercest and most implacable of those who called for vengeance on Walpole.  He spoke with great energy and ability in favour of the most unjust and violent propositions which the enemies of the fallen minister could invent.  He urged the House of Commons to appoint a secret tribunal for the purpose of investigating the conduct of the