"Sam": or The history of mystery./ By C. W. Webber.

468 "SAM:" OR, THE HISTORY OF MYSTERY.
Lord Stormount's residence in Portland Place. Having
imparted to him the disastrous information, and taken him
into the carriage, they instantly proceeded to the Chancellor's
house, in Great Russel Street, Bloomsburv, whom they found
at home; when, after a short consultation, they determined
to lay it themselves, in person, before Lord North. He had
not received any intimation of the event when they arrived
at his door, in Downing Street, between one and two o'clock.
The first minister's firmness, and even his presence of mind,
gave way for a short time, under this awful disaster. I
asked Lord George afterwards, how he took the communication when made to him? "As I would have taken a ball in
my breast," replied Lord George. "For he opened his arms,
exclaiming wildly, as he paced up and down the apartment
during several minutes,' O! God! it is all over!' Words
which he repeated many times, under emotions of the deepest
agitation and distress."
When the first agitation of their minds had subsided, the
four ministers discussed the question, whether or not it might
be expedient to prorogue Parliament for a few days; but, as
scarcely an interval of forty-eight hours remained before the
appointed time of assembling, and, as many members of both
houses were already either arrived in London, or on the road,
that proposition was abandoned. It became, however, indispensable to alter, and almost to model anew the king's
speech, which had already been drawn up, and completely
prepared for delivery from the throne. This alteration was,
therefore, made without delay; and at the same time, Lord
George Germain, as secretary for the American department,
sent off a despatch to his majesty, who was then at Kew,
acquainting him with the melancholy termination of Lord
Cornwallis' expedition. Some hours having elapsed before
these different, but necessary acts of business could take
place, the ministers separated, and Lord George Germain
repaired to his office in Whitehall. There he found a confirmation of the intelligence, which arrived about two hours
after the first communication; having been transmitted from
Dover, from which place it was forwarded to Calais with the
French account of the same event.
I dined on that day at Lord George's; and though the
information which had reached London in the course of the