The Rockingham or Foxite section were obviously unable to form an effective party with serious expectation of power, unless they had allies.

They might, no doubt, from personal dislike to Lord Shelburne, refuse to work under him; but personal dislike could be no excuse for formally and violently working against him, when his policy was their own, and when its success was recognised by them no less than by him as of urgent moment.

Instead of either working with the other section of their party, or of supporting from below the gangway that which was the policy of both sections, they sought to return to power by coalescing with the very man whose criminal subservience to the king's will had brought about the catastrophe that Shelburne was repairing.

Burke must share the blame of this famous transaction.

He was one of the most furious assailants of the new ministry.