WASHINGTON RETURNS TO PEACE Nearly two years elapsed before the real settlement of the war.

The English held New York City, Charleston, and Savannah, the strong garrisons.

It seemed likely that they would have been glad to arrange the terms of peace sooner, but there was much inner turmoil at home.
The men who, through thick and thin, had abetted the King in one plan after another to fight to the last ditch had nothing more to propose.
Lord North, when he heard of the surrender of Yorktown, almost shrieked, "My God! It is all over; it is all over!" and was plunged in gloom.

A new ministry had to be formed.

Lord North had been succeeded by Rockingham, who died in July, 1782, and was followed by Shelburne, supposed to be rather liberal, but to share King George's desire to keep down the Whigs.