Note 71 — BOOK THE FIRST 1807-1810
Reading edition
[The following anecdote appears in a manuscript volume containing various reminiscences and short essays written by Lord Holland, which may possibly relate to the incident mentioned in the text: “In the Coalition Administration there was a Cabinet held for granting pardons and reprieves and signing warrants of execution, etc., when a difficulty occurred that had not been foreseen, viz., that when sentence of death was converted into transportation there was no place to transport the felons to. Some conversation ensued between Lord North and Mr. Fox, when His Majesty, with a levity quite unusual to his character, said, ‘Gentlemen, the felons used to be sent to America. But America is now lost. It is none of my fault. It is for you, gentlemen’ (addressing Mr. Fox and Lord North) ‘to settle it between you;’ and retired half bowing and skipping out of the room. Mr. Fox, probably from having been disconcerted at so strange a sally, would never allow that there was the least pleasantry or fun in this singular trait of His Majesty; and General Conway observed on the spot that it seemed to him His Majesty was a little touched in the head.”]