Note 96 — Chapter IV

William Pitt, younger brother of Thomas Pitt, of Boconnok, in Cornwall, was originally a Cornet of Horse, and broke by Sir R. Walpole at the time of the Excise, when his kinsman, Lord Cobham, lost his regiment for opposing that scheme. He was then made Groom of the Bedchamber to the Prince of Wales. The old Duchess of Marlborough left him ten thousand pounds, and her grandson, Mr. Spencer, entailed the Sunderland estate upon him after his own son. When Sir Robert Walpole resigned, and Mr. Pulteney was created an Earl, Mr. Pitt said, “He now knew his place in the House of Commons.” He continued in Opposition, and distinguished himself greatly against the Hanover troops, and personally against Lord Granville, till the fall of that Minister. On the coalition, he pretended to desire nothing for himself; but as soon as his junto were placed in good employments, he began opposing again, till in a very short time he was made Vice Treasurer of Ireland, and was designed for Secretary at War, which the King (at the instance of Lord Bath) refusing to make him, occasioned the revolution of three days in 1746; soon after which he was made Paymaster of the Forces on the death of Mr. Winnington, the King persisting in not letting him have any place that could give him the entrée of his closet.