July 5, 1766

Rockingham Ministry Falls, Pitt Returns to the Government

After the resignation of the Marquess of Rockingham, George III turns to William Pitt, elevated to Earl of Chatham, to run the government. Chatham's frequent absences from the Cabinet, because of increasingly poor health, leave much policymaking up to his ministers. Charles Townshend, Chancellor of the Exchequer, takes particular advantage of the freedom to push forward his plans for raising a revenue in America.