Thus, to go no further, three of the most powerful members of the cabinet were in direct opposition to him.

The abolition then, amidst this difference of opinion, could never become a cabinet measure; but if so, then all his parliamentary efforts in this case wanted their usual authority, and he could only exert his influence as a private man[A].
[Footnote A: This he did with great effect on one or two occasions.

On the motion of Mr.Cawthorne in 1791, the cause hung as it were by a thread; and would have failed that day, to my knowledge, but for his seasonable exertions.] But a difficulty, still more insuperable, presented itself, in an occurrence which took place in the year 1791, but which is much too delicate to be mentioned.

The explanation of it, however, would convince the reader, that all the efforts of Mr.Pitt from that day were rendered useless, I mean as to bringing the question, as a minister of state, to a favourable issue.
But though Mr.Pitt did not carry this great question, he was yet one of the greatest supporters of it.

He fostered it in its infancy.