William Pitt the Younger intelligence network of spies and informers to crush the United Irishmen. In April 1797, the Pitt government was badly shaken by the mutiny of the entire fleet at Spithead with the sailors demanding a pay increase to match inflation. The Spithead mutiny occurred at exactly the same moment that the French and their Dutch allies were preparing for an invasion of Great Britain which threw the government into a state of panic. To regain control of the fleet, Pitt agreed to sailors' demands for pay increases and to have George III pardon the mutineers. By contrast, the more political "floating
William Pitt (courtier) William Pitt (courtier) Sir William Pitt (1559 – 29 May 1636) was an English courtier and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1614 and 1625. Pitt was the son of John Pitt, clerk of the exchequer to Queen Elizabeth, and his wife Joan Swayne, daughter of John Swayne. He became comptroller of the household and a principal officer of the exchequer in the reign of James I. He acquired the manor of Stratfield Turgis from the Marquis of Winchester inl the reign of James I and also acquired property at Stratfield Saye. In 1614, Pitt was elected