The New Ministry and the Preparations of the New Campaign in Flanders

Although George had lost Granville he was far from reconciled to the situation. Harrington, who replaced Granville, was an old friend, and entirely acceptable, but the King had great reservations about the ‘New Allies’ with whom the Pelhams had created the new ‘Broad-Bottomed Administration’. The Duke of Bedford had long opposed both Walpole and Granville. His constant opposition and landed influence, made him a centre of gravity for other opposition groups such as Viscount Cobham and his ‘Cubs’ and the Prince of Wales’ Leicester House grouping. Bedford's father in law, Lord Gower, a prominent Tory, also gave him links to this large, but excluded group.

The Pelhams knew that these groups had to be accommodated and by 17 December the main changes had been agreed. The most significant changes were at the Admiralty. Winchelsea had to go. Bedford claimed this office for himself and insisted that the Earl of Sandwich be second Lord. This meant that the loyal Old Corps Whig, John Cockburne, had to be sacrificed. Lord Archibald Hamilton, an adherent to Leicester House, retained his post. Lord Baltimore, another Leicester House man, had to cede precedence to Lord Vere Beauclerk, the naval officer and Old Corps Whig, who returned to the Admiralty, possibly to counter the loss of Cockburne. Rear Admiral Charles Hardy had been appointed by Winchelsea after Admiral Cavendish's death in July 1743, had himself died on 27 November 1744. He was replaced with Captain George Anson. Anson was the naval hero of the moment, but he was also politically well connected. His family home was at Shugborough, Staffordshire, where he was neighbour to Lord Gower the prominent Tory and father-in-law of Bedford. Although firm Whigs, the Ansons were well established in this strongly Tory county society. Phillipson, the most junior member, had to go in favour of George Grenville, a leading and ambitious member of Cobham's ‘Cubs’ (Table 8.1)

The political balance was broadly maintained with an almost straight replacement of the Granville–Bath connection with that of Bedford– Cobham, but the professional balance was enhanced with the inclusion of Beauclerk and Anson.