Townshend Charles

Townshend, CHARLES (1725-67), a grandson of the preceding, entered Parliament in 1747, and soon made for himself a brilliant reputation; but his faults balanced his talents, and his unstability gained him the name of "the weather-cock." Thus, when in 1761 he became War Secretary he supported Pitt and Bute alternately. He held office in the first Rockingham Administration, but on its break up became Chancellor of the Exchequer under Chatham. During the incapacity of the latter he was the leading minister, and used his position to resume the policy of taxing America, to which he was opposed. Had it not been for his sudden death Townshend would have become Premier instead of Grafton.