Page "William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe" Paragraph 10

In Parliament he was generally sympathetic to the American colonies.

He publicly opposed the collection of legislation intended to punish the Thirteen Colonies known as Intolerable Acts, and in 1774 assured his constituents that he would resist active duty against the Americans and asserted that the entire British army could not conquer America.

He also let government ministers know privately that he was prepared to serve in America as second in command to Thomas Gage, who he knew was unpopular in government circles.

In early 1775, when King George called on him to serve, he accepted, claiming publicly that if he did not, he would suffer " the odious name of backwardness to serve my country in distress.

" He sailed for America in March 1775, accompanied by Major Generals Henry Clinton and John Burgoyne.

In May 1775 his colonelcy was transferred to the 23rd Fusiliers.