First premiership William Pitt the Younger

1 first premiership

1.1 india
1.2 parliamentary reform
1.3 finances
1.4 foreign affairs
1.5 king s condition

first premiership

india

his administration secure, pitt begin enact agenda. first major piece of legislation prime minister india act 1784, re-organised british east india company , kept watch on corruption. india act created new board of control oversee affairs of east india company. differed fox s failed india bill 1783 , specified board appointed king. pitt appointed, along lord sydney appointed president. act centralised british rule in india reducing power of governors of bombay , madras , increasing of governor-general, charles cornwallis. further augmentations , clarifications of governor-general s authority made in 1786, presumably lord sydney, , presumably result of company s setting of penang own superintendend (governor), captain francis light, in 1786.

parliamentary reform

in domestic politics, pitt concerned himself cause of parliamentary reform. in 1785, introduced bill remove representation of thirty-six rotten boroughs, , extend in small way, electoral franchise more individuals. pitt s support bill, however, not strong enough prevent defeat in house of commons. bill introduced in 1785 pitt s last parliamentary reform proposal introduced in parliament.

finances

in new way pay national debt (1786), james gillray caricatured queen charlotte , george iii awash treasury funds cover royal debts, pitt handing them moneybag.

another important domestic issue pitt had concern himself national debt, had doubled £243 million during american war. every year third of budget of £24 million went pay interest. pitt sought reduce national debt imposing new taxes. in 1786, instituted sinking fund £1,000,000 year added fund accumulate interest; eventually, money in fund used pay off national debt. 1792 debt had fallen £170 million.

pitt paid careful attention financial issues. fifth of britain s imports smuggled in without paying taxes. made easier honest merchants import goods. lowering tariffs on smuggled items such tea, wine, spirits , tobacco, grew customs revenue £2 million.

foreign affairs

pitt sought european alliances restrict french influence, forming triple alliance prussia , holland in 1788. during nootka sound controversy in 1790, pitt took advantage of alliance force spain give claim exclusive control on western coast of north , south america. alliance, however, failed produce other important benefits great britain.

the king s condition

in 1788, pitt faced major crisis when king fell victim mysterious illness, form of mental disorder incapacitated him. if sovereign incapable of fulfilling constitutional duties, parliament need appoint regent rule in place. factions agreed viable candidate king s eldest son, prince george, prince of wales. prince, however, supporter of charles james fox; had come power, surely have dismissed pitt. however, did not have such opportunity, parliament spent months debating legal technicalities relating regency. fortunately pitt, king recovered in february 1789, after regency bill had been introduced , passed in house of commons.

the general elections of 1790 resulted in majority government, , pitt continued prime minister. in 1791, proceeded address 1 of problems facing growing british empire: future of british canada. constitutional act of 1791, province of quebec divided 2 separate provinces: predominantly french lower canada , predominantly english upper canada. in august 1792, coincident capture of louis xvi french revolutionaries, george iii appointed pitt lord warden of cinque ports, position incumbent responsible coastal defences of realm. king had in 1791 offered him knighthood of garter, suggested honour go elder brother, second earl of chatham.