HANC ICONEM
CAROLI PRATT, EQ.
SUMMI JUDICIS, C. B.
IN HONOREM TANTI VIRI,
ANGLICÆ LIBERTATIS LEGE
ASSERTORIS,
S. P. Q. L.
IN CURIA MUNICIPALI
FONI JVSSEVRNT
NONO KAL. MART. A. D. MDCCCLXIV.
GULIELMO BRIDGEN, AR. PRÆ. VRB.
This portrait, painted by Reynolds, was engraved by
Basire. The corporations of Dublin, Bath, Exeter, and
Norwich, paid him the like compliment; and in a pe-
tition, entered in the journals of the city of Dublin, it
was declared, that no man appeared to have acquitted
himself in his high station with such becoming zeal for
the honour and dignity of the crown, and the fulfilling
his majesty's most gracious intentions for preserving the
freedom and happiness of his subjects, and such invincible
fortitude in administering justice and law, as the Right
Honourable Sir Charles Pratt, knight, the present lord-
chief-justice of his majesty's court of common pleas in
England, has shown in some late judicial determinations,
which must be remembered to his lordship's honour while
and wherever British liberties are held sacred.
Higher honours, however, than the breath of popula-
lar applause awaited Sir Charles Pratt. On the 16th
of July 1765 he was created a peer of Great Britain,
by the style and title of Lord Camden, Baron Camden,
in the county of Kent; and, July 30. 1766, on the re-
signation of Robert earl of Northington, he was ap-
pointed lord high-chancellor of Great Britain; in which
capacity he, in a speech of two hours, declared, upon
the first decision of the suit against the messengers who
arrested Mr Wilkes, that "it was the unanimous opi-
nion of the whole court, that general warrants, except
in cases of high treason, were illegal, oppressive, and un-
warrantable. He conducted himself in this high office
so as to obtain the love and esteem of all parties; but
when the taxation of America was in agitation, he de-
clared himself against it, and strongly opposing it, was
removed from his station in 1770.
Upon the fall of Lord North he was again taken in-
to the administration, and on the 27th of March 1782
appointed president of the council; an office which he
resigned in March 1783. On the 13th of May 1786, he
was created Viscount Bayham of Bayham Abbey, Kent,
and Earl Camden.
Whether we consider Earl Camden as a statesman,
called to that high situation by his talents; as a lawyer,
defending, supporting, and enlarging the constitution;
or as a man, sustaining both by his firmness and unshak-
en integrity—in all he excites our general praise; and
when we contemplate his high and exalted virtue, we
must allow him to have been an honour to his country.
He died on the 18th of April 1794 at his house in Hill-
street, Berkeley-square, being at that time president of
his majesty's most honourable privy-council, a governor
of the charter-house, recorder of the city of Bath, and
F. R. S.
He married Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Ni-
cholas Jefferys, Esq. son and heir of Sir Jeffery Jefferys
of Brecknock Priory, knight, who died in December
1779, and by whom he had issue John Jefferys Pratt
(now Lord Camden), born 1759, and several daughters.
His seat at Camden Place, Chiswick, was the residence
of the great William Camden; on whose death it came
by several intermediate owners to Weston, Spencer, and
Pratt, and was much improved by his lordship.