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3 - War minister

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 September 2009

Jeremy Black
Affiliation:
University of Durham
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Summary

I was always of opinion that the greatest strength and solidity in His Majesty's councils would be wanting to carry on the present unequal war with any prospect of success; but a still greater strength will, certainly, be necessary whenever any event shall fortunately make a peace practicable, and as, in that peace, the King's German dominions must be included, prejudices are to be combatted; popular clamour will be raised, and ought to be withstood; but can only be conquered by a solid and strong administration.

Earl of Holdernesse, June 1757

Fye Billy, so Naughtily thus to behave,

What just Dub'd a Freeman, and List for a Slave

With Pelham and Anson those true Packhorse Peers,

And Fox the Trained War-Horse, to draw in the Geers

The Presents of Britons, so meanly Abuse,

Turn again, a Court Hack, for a Stall in the meuse

As Sarah's ten Thousand, came just in the Nick,

Will you Play a whole Nation, the same scurvy Trick.

She knew not indeed, how Her Legacy Sped;

But the Nation is Living, tho' Sarah is Dead.

Anon., The Poets Address to the Right Dis-honourable William Pitt, summer 1757

Pitt's claim to fame rests on British success during the Seven Years War and this chapter will concentrate on British policy and Pitt's role during that conflict, but it is first necessary to consider his position and strength as minister.

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Pitt the Elder , pp. 129 - 225
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1992

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  • War minister
  • Jeremy Black, University of Durham
  • Book: Pitt the Elder
  • Online publication: 30 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511560354.004
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  • War minister
  • Jeremy Black, University of Durham
  • Book: Pitt the Elder
  • Online publication: 30 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511560354.004
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • War minister
  • Jeremy Black, University of Durham
  • Book: Pitt the Elder
  • Online publication: 30 September 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511560354.004
Available formats
×