juncture, than any vote of approbation; we therefore cannot concur in approving measures and counsels not yet examined into, the further consideration whereof may be also precluded by this resolution. 2. "The Papers hitherto laid before the House in order to the consideration of his Majesty's Speech, are such only as concerned the accession of the States-General to the treaty of Hanover, and the letters and memorials since the arrival of the British fleet on the coast of Spain in America; but none of the negociations or measures (which we suppose to have been many) that have been carried on between the Courts of Great Britain and Vienna, and the Northern powers, which his Majesty's speech and the Resolution also may have relation to, have as yet been communicated to this House: But all those measures, and niany others unknown (as we believe to this House) are in our opinions, intended to be approved and justified by this Resolution; to which therefore we cannot concur, no more than if it had declared the measures honourable, just, and necessary, which shall hereafter be taken for the purposes therein mentioned. 3. "Although we rely, in the most dutiful manner, on the declaration made from the throne, concerning a secret dangerous engagement for placing the Pretender on the throne of these kingdoms; yet finding by the papers laid before the House, that any such engagement or measure, for putting the same in execution, is absolutely denied on the part of the crown of Spain (one of the supposed parties to the said engagement) we cannot agree to the resolution, because time may evince, that the informations his Majesty has received concerning that engagement were not justly grounded; and the measures taken to prevent the executions of them (whatever they were) not having been as yet particularly considered, we cannot declare them honourable, just and necessary. 4. "We find it charged in one of the papers laid before the House, that very considerable sums of money have been sent and employed in France, Holland, Prussia, Sweden, and other places, to promote and accomplish the designs of the British court; which insinuation, as vile as we think it is, the Committee have not yet taken the same into their consideration, though a thorough examination into the grounds of that insinuation is, in our opinions, absolutely necessary for the honour of his Majesty's government, and the satisfaction of this House; we cannot therefore agree to the Resolution, which, as we conceive, may be construed to stop all future inquiries into this matter. 5. "Whatever measures may have been taken to preserve Gibraltar and the Isle of Minorca, yet we cannot agree to declare them honourable, just, and necessary, before they have been fully considered by the Committee; and the rather, because we find it asserted, on the part of Spain, in one or more of the me morials before the House, that a positive pro mise has been made, on the behalf of Great Britain, for the restitution of Gibraltar to Spain; on the performance of which promise Spain, as it appears to us, still insists: We cannot there fore agree to the resolution, before the truth and all the circumstances of that pretended promise are thoroughly examined into; which promise, if it should appear to have been made, as is asserted, we are of opinion, that it was highly criminal in those who advised it. 6. "The measures taken for maintaining the British commerce and the tranquillity of Europe have not, as we think, been under the distinct consideration of the Committee, since the Memorials and Letters were laid before the House; And the oppositions made, if any, on behalf of Great Britain at the court of Vienna, to the Ostend Company, are unknown to us, as well as the circumstances relating to the late Baltick expedition; and yet all these matters were the proper consideration of the Committee; for which, and the other reasons abovementioned, we being apprehensive, that the resolution proposed may not give solid ground of satisfaction to the people of Great Britain, or to any foreign powers in alliance with us, or conduce to the honour of his Majesty's government, or the support of the dignity of this House, cannot agree thereto.(Signed) Scarsdale, Bruce, Strafford, St. John' de Bletsoe, Weston, Oxford and Mortimer, Bristol, Montjoy, Lechmere, Gower, Compton, Coventry, Aberdeen, Boyle, Bathurst, Foley. Lord Lechmere moves for an Address to the King, to make farther Instances with the King of Prussia and the States General for their more entire concurrence with his Majesty.} After this a motion was made by lord Lechmere, and seconded by lord Foley, "That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, representing the deep concern of this House, on the prospect of the imminent dangers which threaten these kingdoms, and all Europe, at this juncture, from the formidable confederacies which his Majesty assured his parliament were entered into between the courts of Spain, Vienna, Russia, and other great powers, whereby the general tranquillity may soon be broke, and Europe engaged in a new war. And it appearing to this House, from the Act of Accession of the States General, and the separate Articles thereto belonging, that their accession is made upon several conditions and reserves on their part, and particularly, that in the separate Article concerning the commerce from the Austrian Low Countries to the Indies, it is provided, That, if, on account of their use of their 'rights of commerce, or in hatred of that alliance, any disturbance should happen, and his imperial Majesty should suspend or retain the payment of the subsidies due to the re.. public, for the maintenance of their troops in the places of the barrier, or the payment of the interest and principal placed by mortgage 1 < on divers funds assigned by his Imperial Majesty for the security of that payment, or make use of any other kind of reprizals or ways of force, that it is the intention of the other contracting powers to protect and 'maintain the States General in their rights of commerce to the Indies, and guaranty them from all the consequences which might result there from, without having power to proceed by force against the company of Ostend, be'fore the contracting powers shall have agreed thereon. And, by another separate Article, it being stipulated and reserved to the States General, that they shall continue to have the same liberty, with respect to every thing that ⚫ shall be proposed to them by the contracting powers, upon such points, whose object shall be the maintaining the balance of power in Europe, as they had before their accession, without being bound by their accession to take part in the measures which they should not consent to.' "And it appearing to this House, That his Prussian Majesy did not concur in in the said accession of the States General, in consequence of all which the strength and security which the Treaty of Hanover might otherwise import, in the present unhappy conjuncture, is much weakened, and, in case of a general rupture, the danger as well as the barthen of the war must fall upon Great Britain, and the preservation of the balance of power in Europe depends on the continuance of the friendship and assistance of France alone, unless more effectual ineasures are taken for that great end. "Therefore that this House, out of duty to his sacred Majesty, and from their unfeigned zeal for the safety of his government and the liberties of Europe, doth most earnestly beseech his Majesty, to make new and pressing instances with his Prussian Majesty, and the States General, to concur with his Majesty, and his other allies, in such manner as the present critical and dangerous juncture requires, and as, in the event of a war, in case a war is unavoidable, his Majesty may, by the blessing of God, secure a just balance of power in Europe, as well as the religion, liberties, properties and commerce of his subjects." Protest against rejecting it.] But this being objected to, and the question put, whether such an Address be made to his Majesty? It was resolved in the negative. "Dissentient' "The Address proposed representing, as we think, the present state of the late defensive alliance made at Hanover, which, for ought appears to us, is the main support on which Great Britain can depend, beside its own strength, in a case of a general rupture in Europe; we thought it highly necessary, that it should have passed into a resolution, whereby his Majesty's hands might have been strengthened in his future concerts with his allies, and such further measures effected, as are necessary to preserve his alliances during the war, against the danVOL. VIII. gerous combinations levelled against Great Bri- Bristol, Coventry, Strafford, Bathurst, Motion for a farther Consideration of the King's Speech.] Then it was moved to resolve, That this House will on this day sen'night take into farther consideration his Majesty's most gracious Speech. And after debate, the question being put on the said motion? It was resolved in the negative. Protest on its passing in the Negative.] "Dissentient' 1. Because the Committee having sat one day only on the consideration of his Majesty's Speech, could possibly deliberate but upon few of the many weighty points which arise thereon; on all which the advice and support of this House, in our opinions, is absolutely necessary; and since even the facts relating to many of these weighty matters have not, as we conceive, been yet laid before the House, we think the farther consideration of the speech should not have been refused; there not being, as we believe, any precedent for such a refusal, under the like circumstances on the Journals of this House. 2. "His Majesty's Speech containing the causes of calling his parliament, and the advice of this House to the crown being required thereon, the refusal of the day proposed, seems to us tending to disable the House from discharging their duty to the crown, as well as to the kingdom, in this critical and dangerous juncture; and as the further consideration proposed, is thereby at present refused, the precedent, as we fear, lays a foundation for depriving this House, in future timer, of any opportunity at all for such considerations, by which means this House must, in our opinions, be rendered useless in those great affairs whereon the safety and support of the liberties of the kingdom may depend.. (Signed,) Bruce, Aberdeen, Strafford, Bristol, Scarsdale, Oxford and Mortimer, Lechmere, Weston, Masham,Coventry, Bathurst, Montjoy, Boyle, Foley, St. John de Bletsoe, Gower, Compton." A Supply voted.] January 20. In a Committee of the whole House his Majesty's Speech was taken into consideration by the Commons.. 2 N And a motion that a supply be granted to bis | solution, being the next day reported, was Majesty, was unanimously agreed to. agreed to by the House. Jan. 21. Mr. Farrer, from the said Committee, reported the Resolution for a Supply, the King of Spain founds his Demand of the Motion for a Copy of the Letter, on which which was agreed to nem. con. and it was resolved, to address his Majesty for the usual Es-Sandys moved, "That an humble Address be Restitution of Gibraltar.] February 6. Mr. timates for the year 1727. Jan. 23. The Commons resolved to address his Majesty for the "Accession of the States General to the Treaty of Hanover, together with the separate Articles, if there were any as also for the Copies of such Memorials, and Letters with the Answers thereto, as passed between his Majesty's ministers, and the courts of Vienna and Spain, since the communication of the Treaty of Peace between the emperor and the king of Spain, to his Majesty by the emperor's minister:" But a motion being made by sir William Wyudham, and the question put, to address his Majesty, for a copy the Memorial presented to the king of Sweden, by Mr. Poyntz, his Majesty's envoy extraor dinary, relating to the accession of the crown of Sweden to the treaty of Hanover, dated at Stockholm the 4th of June, 1726: as also another motion being made by Mr. Pulteney, and the question put to address his Majesty, for of the Secret Offensive Alliance between the em peror and the king of Spain, both these questions were carried in the negative, without dividing. presented to his Majesty, that he would be founds his liance." Demand for the Resti This motion was seconded, and strenuously supported by sir William Wyndham, Mr. Hungerford, and also by Mr. William Pulteney, who took notice of a Letter, written in 1721, to one of the Emperor's Plenipotentiaries at Cambray, wherein a Promise for the Restitu tion of Gibraltar was expressly mentioned: But they were opposed by Mr. Henry Pelham, Mr. Thomas Broderick, Mr. H; Walpole, and sir Robert Walpole. The latter did not disown, That such a promise might indeed have been made in a former administration; but this he was sure of, that if there was such a promise, it was upon certain conditions, which, not having been performed within the limited the Declaration or Letter, the communication of which was insisted on, the same was altoge ther impracticable and unprecedented; the private letters of princes being almost as sacred as their very persons. Then the previous question being put, whether the question upon Mr. Sandys's motion should be put? It was carried in the negative, by 204 voices against 97. Debate on the Number of the Land Forces.] Jan. 25. The Commons, in a grand conimittee, cosnidered farther of the Supply, particularly with relation to the Land forces; and Mr. Henry Pelham, having shewn the necessity of an aug-time, was thereby become invalid; and as for mentation of about 8,000 men, dragoons and foot, the same was warmly opposed by Mr. Shippen, Dr. Friend, sir William Wyndham, Mr. Hungerford and others: who were answered by Mr. Henry Pelham, col. Bladen, sir William Yonge, and general Wade; so that it was, at last, resolved by 250 voices against 35, 1. "That the number of effective men to be provided for guards, garrisons, and land forces for the year 1727 be, including 1850 invalids, and 555 men, which the six independant companies consist of for the service of the highlands, 26,383 men; 2. That the sum of 885,4941.9s. 4d. be granted for defraying the charge thereof." These Resolutions being the next day reported, were agreed to by the House. Jan. 27. Copies and Translations of several Memorials, Letters, &c. relating to the courts of Vienna and Spain, were laid before the House, after which, in a Grand Committee, the Commons considered of ways and means to raise the Supply, and sir Robert Walpole having shewed the necessity of laying four shillings in the pound on land, the same was opposed by some members, who alledged, That it were more eligible to apply the produce of the Sinking Fund towards the present necessities; but the question being put upon sir Robert Walpole's motion, it was resolved in the affirmative, by 190 voices against 81, which Re Feb. 7. The Commons resolved to address his Majesty for Copies of such Memorials and Representations, as have been made to the Court of Vienna, concerning the Charter granted to the Ostend Company, with the Anmoved, "That another Address be presented swers thereto After which, the lord Morpeth to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to direct Copies to be laid before this House, of all such Memorials, or Representations to his Majesty, from the crowns of Sweden and Denmark, as did induce him to send the squadron of ships the last year into the Baltic, at so great an expence to this kingdom." He was seconded by sir William Wyndham; but opposed by sir William Yonge, and the hon. Mr. Verney. Hereupon Mr. Walpole endeavoured to justify all the steps that had been taken by Great Britain, since his Majesty's happy accession, particularly from the opening of the Congress of Cambray to this present time, to preserve the balance of power, the peace of Europe, and the tranquillity of the north; and with this last view to prevent the Czarina's designs against Sweden and Denmark, in favour of the duke of Holstein. Mr. William Pulteney answered him, and was replied to by Mr. Broderick; and the question being put upon the lord Morpeth's motion, it passed in the negative, by 196 voices against 79. Motion relating to the Sum of 125,000l. charged for Extraordinaries in the Account of the Deficiencies of last Year's Grants.] Feb. 13. Upon the order of the day, for the House to go into a Grand Committee to consider of the Supply, several Papers were referred to the said Committee, viz. the Copy and Translation of the Convention between Great Britain, the States General, and the landgrave of Hesse Cassel, February 13th, 1701-2, also the Estimate of the charge of 4,000 horse, and 8,000 foot of the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, from the 1st of April, to the 24th of December 1727. Then a motion was made by the Court party, and the question put, "That the Account sbewing how the money given for the service of the year 1726, has been disposed of, distinguished under the several heads, until the 1st day of February 1726-27, and the parts thereof remaining unsatisfied, with the deficiency thereupon, be referred to the said Committee:" But there being in that Account an Article of the sum of 125,000l. charged, in general terms, as issued out for other engagements and expences over and above such as are therein ticularly specified, Mr. Shippen, Mr. Onslow and Mr. Willian Pulteney strenuously insisted, That before the said Account of the Deficiency of the last year's Grants was referred to the Grand Committee, which reference, according to the usage of parliaments, tacitly implies an acquiescence in the disposal of the money therein mentioned, the House should be acquainted with a particular disposition of so considerable a sum as that of 125,000l. This was as strongly opposed by sir William Strickland, Mr. Horatio Walpole, and sir Robert Walpole, so that the previous question being put, That the question be put upon the motion beforementioned, the same occasioned a debate that lasted till six in the evening, when the said previous question being called for, it was resolved in the affirmative, by 178 voices against 78; and the main question being put, it was ordered, That the said Account be referred to the said Committee. This done, the House went into a Grand Committee on the Supply, and resolved to grant the sum of 160,306/. 17s. 5d. to make good the deficiency of the Grants for the year 1726. par An Address for an Account of the said Sum.] Feb. 14. The above-mentioned Resolution being like to meet with great opposition, by reason of the 125,000l. above-mentioned, it was moved, and resolved, without dividing, to address his Majesty for a particular and distinct Account of the distribution of the sum of 125,0007, which, in an Account laid before the House, shewing how the money given for the year 1726, has been disposed of, is charged to have been issued for other engagements and expences, over and above such as are therein particularly specified, for the securing the trade of this kingdom, and preserving the peace of Europe; and also of the times when the said sum of 125,000l. was issued and distributed. After this, Mr. Farrer reported the Resolution on the Supply above-mentioned, which was agreed to. Petition from the Commissioners of Hawkers to enable them to compound for a Debt to the Crown.] Feb. 15. A Petition of George Townsend and others, late Commissioners for Licensing Hawkers, &c. was presented to the House, and read, praying, That leave may be given to bring in a Bill to enable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury to compound with the Petitioners for a debt due to the crown, occasioned by the default of Thomas Tomkins, late Cashier of the said office, who hath withdrawn himself beyond the seas, or that they may have such other relief as to the House shall seem meet. Sir Robert Walpole having acquainted the House, That his Majesty gave his consent, that such a Bill might be brought into the House, as was de sired by the Petitioners, the said Petition was referred to a Committee of the whole House.. The King's Answer to the Commons' Address.] Feb. 21. Sir Paul Methuen reported to the House, That his Majesty had commanded him to acquaint this House: "That the sum of money mentioned in their Address of the 14th, has been issued and disbursed, pursuant to the power given to his Majesty by Parliament, for necessary services and engagements of the utmost importance to the trade and navigation of this kingdom, and the tranquillity of Europe, and which require the greatest secrecy; and therefore a particular and distinct Account of the distribution of it cannot possibly be given, without a manifest prejudice to the public." Mr. Pulteney moves for a second Address on that Head.] Hereupon Mr. William Pulteney endeavoured to shew the insufficiency of that answer, alledging, That he had an entire confidence in his Majesty's great wisdom, paternal care and royal word; but that when in the last session the House came to a Resolution," effec tually to provide for and make good all such for the security of the trade and navigation of expences and engagements as should be made, this kingdom, and for the preservation of the peace of Europe;" the Commons did not thereby divest themselves of their undoubted right of being acquainted with the disposition of public money; that if they gave up so essential a right, that House would become altogether useless, or serve only blindly to approve of and register the acts and deeds of the mi-. nisters. That he did not, in the least, doubt the issuing and disbursement of the 125,000. in question, for necessary services: but that if they were satisfied with such a general Ac-| count, the same might in future reigns prove a very dangerous precedent, and serve to cover embezzlements of the public treasure; there fore he moved, "That a farther humble Address be made to his Majesty, humbly representing the indisputable right of this House, to have particular and distinct Accounts laid before them of the disposition of all money granted by this House, for the service of the public; and that this House did most earnestly beseech his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to order such an Account of the 125,000l. said to have been expended for securing the trade of this kingdom, and preserving the peace of Europe, to be forthwith laid before the House." This motion was seconded by Mr. Shippen, but was opposed by Mr. Doddington, Mr. Lewis and sir William Yonge; upon which there was a high and warm debate, from ome till six in the afternoon. The courtiers represented, That the sum in question was inconsiderable, and that it was impossible effectually to carry on important negotiations, without expending a great deal of money in secret service. And Mr. St. John Broderick mentioned in particular, a case in queen Aune's reign, when the Commons acquiesced in such a general Answer, for a more considerable sum. The precedent by him quoted was read by the clerk, as follows, viz. which, Mr. Onslow chiefly insisted on the promise made to the House the last session, by a great man in the administration, That they should have a particular Account of all the money that should be expended upon that Vote of Credit, which promise induced the House to come so readily into it. They were answered by sir William Strickland, Mr. Trelawney, Mr. Conduit and sir Robert Walpole; to whom sir Thomas Hanmer replied; after which the question upon Mr. Pulteney's motion being called for, it was carried in the negative, by 235 voices against 110. Then it was moved and resolved, without dividing, "That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to return his Majesty the Thanks of this House, for his great care and wisdom in taking such steps and entering into such Engagements, as his Majesty thought would best conduce to the security of the trade and navigation of this kingdom, and to the preservation of the peace of Europe; and to assure his Majesty, That this House, placing an entire confidence in his Majesty's goodness and regard for the true interest of his people, will stand by and support his Majesty, in all such farther measures as his Majesty shall find necessary and expedient for preventing a rupture, and for the honour and advantage of these kingdoms." Petition from the Commissioners of Hawkers, Report from the Committee relating to the &c.] Feb. 28. In a Committee of the whole House, they examined the allegations of the Petition of the late Commissioners for licensing nexed to it, and likewise called in aud exaHawkers and Pedlars, and also the Papers anHouse to attend the said Committee, and came mined several of the persons ordered by the to several Resolutions, the report whereof was put off till the 7th of March. Upon this occasion very severe reflections were made on the neglect and loose management of his Majesty's revenues. "On the 16th of January, 1710-11, Mr. Secretary St. John acquainted the Commons, that their Addresses of the 5th and 8th instant, had been presented to her Majesty, viz. That she would be pleased to give direction to the proper officers to lay before the House, accounts relating to the poundage and days-pay, deducted out of the pay of the · army; of the deficiencies of the grants, and of the funds since Michaelmas, 1701; of the · payment of her Majesty's proportion of subsidies to her allies; of all the pensions payable out of the revenue, and warrants and di- March 7. Mr. Farrer reported from the rections for pensions; and also of the distri- Committee of the whole House, to whom the butions of the contingencies, and forage and Petition of George Townsend, &c. late Comwaggon money granted for the forces in Flan- missioners for licensing Hawkers, &c. had been ders in her Majesty's pay, and of the distri- referred, the Resolutions they had directed butions of the money granted for contingen-him to report, which were as follows, viz. “1. cies of the guards, garrisons and land-forces in Great Britain: and that her Majesty had 'been pleased to give directions for laying all the said accounts before this House, except the accounts of contingencies, and that the account touching the deficiencies of the grants and funds, had already been laid before the House; and that other of the accounts were preparing, and would soon be laid before the House; but that as to the account of contingencies, it was not possible from the nature of the service, which required the utmost secrecy, for any account of them to be made; but that they were really distri"buted.' Some objections were raised to this prece dent, as if the case was not parallel: besides That it appears to this Committee, that no money was paid into his Majesty's Exchequer on account of the Duties upon Hawkers and Pedlars, from Midsummer, 1719, to Midsummer, 1725, except 1,500l. although the Commissioners for managing the said revenue are required, by act of parliament, to pay all the money arising by the said Duties, into the Exchequer, once in every week. 2. That it ap pears to this Committee, that by reason of the loose, careless and neglectful management of the late Commissioners for the Duties upon Hawkers and Pedlars, there is a deficiency of 36,693l. 13s. 5d. over and above 6,000l. which has been paid by the securities of Thomas Tomkins, late cashier to the said Commis sioners." |