the promised retrenchment impracticable, there was a new demand, and a new grant of 500,000l. more to discharge new incumbrances. I might mention too the Spanish ships which were taken in the famous Mediterranean sea-fight, and, as we have reason to believe, sold for a considerable sum of money. Nor is it possible to forget the 125,000l. which we could only be told, the last session, in a general unexplained article, was secretly disposed of, for the public utility, for the conservation of the peace of Europe, and for the security of the commerce and navigation of Great Britain. After all these and other extraordinary supplies, I am informed there yet remains a debt in the civil government of above 600,000l. If so, surely there must have been a most egregious neglect of duty, to say no worse; there must have been a strange spirit of extravagance somewhere, or such immense sums could never have been so soon, so insensibly, squandered away. And it is amazing that this extravagance should happen under the conduct of persons pretending to surpass all their predecessors, in the knowledge and care of the public revenue: But we are not to wonder that the world has been free in its censures, since none of these sums have been accounted for, since they have been employed in services not fit to be owned. None but those who were in the secret, and who had the disposal of them, can refute the reflections that are made without doors, not only on the ministry, but even on both Houses of Parliament, I must say no nore; But I heartily wish, that time, the great discoverer of hidden truths and concealed iniquities, may produce a list of all such, if any such there were, who have been perverted from their public duty by private pensions; who have been the hired slaves, and the corrupt instruments of a profuse and vain-glorious administration. If there have been none such, then the whole weight, then the whole guilt of the late mismanagement lies on the ministers themselves. But it seems to be matter of universal joy to the nation, that the case is like to be altered: We hope we have arrived at a day of better œconomy: We hope such practices will be so far from being imitated, that they will be detested and abhorred; nor can any one entertain the least doubt of this, when he considers that a prince is ascending the throne, who will choose a knowing, faithful, and frugal ministry; who will not permit bis domestic or foreign affairs to be negociated by bribery and corruption, for want of sufficiency and skill in politics; whose wisdom will enable him, and whose goodness will incline him, not only to inspect the management of the civil list branches, but in justice to his parliaments, and in compassion to his people, to direct and require a due and exact disposition of all the other public funds, according to their respective appropriations. Now, in consequence of this most just notion of his Majesty's frugality, which, amongst other his innumerable virtues, endears him so much to his subjects, I hope I may, without of fence, propose the addition of some words to your question, that may restrain it to 700,000l. And in this I as much consult the service of his Majesty, and the honour and dignity of the crown, as those who are for granting the funds without any restriction. For, in my humble opinion, the voting a greater sum than was settled on his late Majesty, is only voting an indemnity, is voting at least in favour of ministers whose conduct, as I have already hinted, if laid before you, and duly examined, would perhaps rather deserve your censure than approbation. : Besides, the surplus of these branches is appropriated to the Sinking Fund; and, that, I thought, had been a sacred depositum, reserved for the gradual discharge of the national debt I thought it would have been looked upon as a sort of sacrilege, to have diverted the least part of it, on any pretence whatsoever, from its original uses; and it is as surprizing to me, that the honourable person should be for destroying his own darling project, and that he should be for pulling down the boasted monument of his glory; as it may be to others, that I am for supporting any scheme of his, which might have transmitted his name with advantage to posterity. If his Majesty was rightly apprized of these circumstances he would doubtless rather be content wh a clear annual revenue of 700,000l. than suffer his first demand of money, by any precipitate proof of our zeal, to carry the least appearance of being burthensome to his people, who have long laboured under the pressure of grievous and exorbitant taxes; for he has been graciously pleased to signify from the throne his fixed resolution, By all possible means to merit their love and affection, which he shall always look upon as the best support and security of his crown.' I will detain you, Sir, no longer, but desire you would conclude your question with these words, In like manner as they were granted and continued to his late Majesty, which make up the clear yearly sum of 700,000l.' To this Speech no reply was made, but the question being put, sir Robert Walpole's motion was agreed to without any farther opposition.* "It is a curious observation of Smollett, which must tend to shew with how much partiality and inaccuracy he compiled his History, that, to these particulars (namely, in the speech of Shippen) which, were indeed unan'swerable, no reply was made. Even this 'mark of decency was laid aside, as idle and superfluous.' The fact was, that no reply was made, not because the arguments were unauswerable, but because no one seconded the motion: a circumstance of which Smollett takes no notice. Belsham also observes with no less inaccuracy, The amendment was rejected with a great majority,' which would lead the reader to suppose, that there was a division. July 4. The Resolution of the Committee, in pursuance of the above motion, was reported and agreed to, and a Bill ordered to be brought in thereupon. July 5. The Bill, For the better support of his Majesty's Household, &c.' was presented to the House, and read the first time. The King's Message for settling a Dowry on the Queen.] July 6. The said Bill was read the second time, and committed to a grand committee; and then sir Paul Methuen delivered to the House a Message, signed by his Majesty, which was read, as follows, viz. 100,000l. per Annum voted for that Purpose.] July 7. The Commons, in a Grand Committee, took into consideration his Majesty's Message, and resolved, 1. "That a provision be made for the Queen, in case she shall survive bis Majesty, of 100,000l. per annum during her life, with his Majesty's palace of Somerset-House, and Richmond Old Park. 2. nity of the Queen, in case she shall survive his Majesty;' and to three other Bills. After which his Majesty made the following Speech to both Houses : "My Lords and Gentlemen; "I cannot but express the greatest satisfaction in the convincing proofs you have given me, in this session, of your duty and affection to my person, and zeal for iny government. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; unanimity and dispatch, in granting me the "I must particularly thank you for your revenues necessary for the support of my family, and the occasions of my civil government; which you have done in a manner so very agreeable, and with such a due regard to the honour and dignity of the crown, that if any thing could add to my own inclinations of making the happiness of my subjects my principal care and study, this instance of your particular confidence in me would engage me more strongly to make use of the power, which you have given me of doing good, in promoting the honour and interest of my people. "The ample provision you have made for the Queen is another instance of your regard deserve, and I shall always acknowledge. for me, which I am confident she will very well My Lords and Gentlemen; "It is a great happiness to me to see the nation in so prosperous and flourishing a condition, at the highest pitch of glory and reputaEurope, defending themselves in their just prition, of great weight in holding the balance of vileges and possessions, and vindicating the honour of the crown of Great Britain. "At home I find, among my protestant sub That bis Majesty he enabled to charge the said 100,000l. per annum on all, or any of the duties or revenues, settled for the better sup-jects, such mutual charity and forbearance difport of his Majesty's Household, and the honour and dignity of the crown, which shall subsist after his Majesty's demise." July 8. Mr. Farrer reported the said Resolutions, which being agreed to, nem. con. a Bill was ordered to be brought in. July 10. The Civil List Bill was read the third time, passed, and sent up to the Lords; then sir Robert Walpole presented to the House a Bill, To enable his Majesty to settle a Revenue for supporting the royal dignity of 'the Queen,' &c. which was read the first time. July 11. The said Bill was read a second time, and committed. July 14. The said Bill was read the third time, passed, and sent up to the Lords. fused throughout the kingdom, that the national church repines not at the indulgence given to scrupulous consciences; and those, that receive the benefits of the toleration, envy not the established church the rights and privileges which they by law enjoy. conjunctures has flowed that general tran"From these happy causes and favourable quillity, that rise of public credit, and that im provement of trade and commerce, which have greatly increased our wealth and power, and given us that respect and influence abroad, which has so much advanced the glory and happiness of this nation. "But all these blessings, great and valuable as they are, had not been secured and transThe King's Speech at the Close of the Ses- mitted to us, without your having carefully sion.] July 17. The King came to the House avoided all occasions of strife and division; of Peers, with the usual solemnity, and the without a strict regard to public faith, a conCommons attending, his Majesty gave the royal stant care and attention towards discharging assent to an Act, For the better support of the national debt, and without that singular his Majesty's Household, and of the honour steadiness and resolution, which this parlia and dignity of the crown of Great Britain;'meut has shewed upon all proper and necesalso to an Act, For enabling his Majesty to 'settle a revenue for supporting the royal dig But in fact, there was no amendment duly moved and seconded, and the original motion of course, passed unanimously." Coxe's Walpole. sary occasions. "I can therefore make no doubt, but that your behaviour, and the temper you have shewn, will sufficiently recommend this parliament to the esteem and good opinion of their country; who, from the same conduct, and by pursuing the same measures, may promise themselves all future prosperity. "The expiration of this parliament now drawing near, I will give orders for issuing the writs for calling and electing a new parliament, as soon as it can conveniently be done; and I am persuaded that the general contest and emulation in expressions of duty and affection to me, which, to my great satisfaction, I have universally met with, will be further demonstrated by the choice of a parliament, zealously affected to our present happy establishment in the Protestant succession; and in return, nothing shall be wanting on my part, that can contribute towards improving a good correspondence and harmony between me and my people, and that can tend to perfect and perpetuate the happiness of Great Britain." The Parliament dissolved.] Then the Lord Chancellor prorogued the parliament to the 29th of August; but on the 7th of the saine month a Proclamation was issued for dissolving this parliament, and calling of another.* FIRST SESSION OF THE SEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. Meeting of the New Parliament.] January 23, 1728. This day the New Parliament met at Westminster. The King being seated on his royal throne, adorned with his crown and regal ornaments, and attended with his officers of state; the Lords being also in their robes; com "His Majesty now proceeded to settle his Ministry, his Council, and his Household; and that, in such a manner, as proved he was resolved to give the preference to the friends of! his family, and of public liberty. The seals of the secretaries of state were continued with the duke of Newcastle and the lord Townshend; Mr. Pelham, the duke's brother, was appointed secretary at war. The duke of Rutland was appointed Chancellor of the dutchy of Lancas ter. Sir Robert Walpole was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, and first Lord of the Treasury and, by the union of these two offices in his person, was considered as prime minister of state; the other lords of treasury, were sir Charles Turner, Mr. Doddington, sir George Oxenden, and Mr. Clayton. Lord Torrington was placed at the head of the Admiralty, and the other members of that board were, Mr. Cockburn, sir John Norris, and sir Charles Wager, sir Thomas Littleton, the lord Malpas, and Mr. Molyneux. The earl of Chesterfield was appointed to go embassador to Holland, and the lord Carteret was made lord lieutenant of Ireland." "Meanwhile the general election for members of parliament was going on in the nation, with a spirit, which sufficiently testified the confidence which the people of England repos. ed in the administration," Tindal. manded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to let the Commons know, It is his Majesty's pleasure, they attend him immediately, in this House. Who being come; the Lord Chancellor said, "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "I am commanded by his Majesty to let you know, he will defer declaring the causes of his calling this Parliament, till the House of Commons have first of all a Speaker; and that, therefore, it is his Majesty's pleasure, that you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, repair to the place where you are to sit, and there proceed to the Choice of a proper person to be your Speaker; and that you present such person whom you shall so choose here, on Saturday next, at one o'clock, for his Majesty's royal approbation." Then his Majesty was pleased to retire, and the Commons withdrew.} List of the House of Commons.] The following is a List of the Members of the House of Commons: A LIST of the HOUSE OF COMMONS in the Seventh Parliament of Great Britain, which met at Westminster, January 23, 1728. BERKSHIRE. Sir John Stonhouse,-Died; a new writ ordered, Jan. 17, 1734. Robert Packer,-Died; a now writ ordered, Winch. H. Packer. Wallingford. William Hocks, Abingdott. Robert Hucks. Richard Pottenger. George Lewen, BUCKS. Sir Wm. Stanhope, Richard Hampden,-Died; and a new writ was ordered, Jan. 21, 1729. miralty; and a new writ being ordered, June 1, 1782, he was re-elected. Lestwithiel. Darrell Trelawney,-Died; a new writ ordered, Feb. 17, 1728. Sir Orlando Bridgman,-Made his election for Blechingley. Sir Edward Knatchbull,-Died; a new writ ordered, April 20, 1730. Anthony Cracherode,-Solicitor to the Trea George Treby,-For Plympton in the last Parliament, made master of the household; and a new writ being ordered, May 8, 1780, he was re-elected. Walter Cary,-Made one of the chief clerks of the council; and a new writ being ordered, May 14, 1729, he was re-elected. Berealston. Sir F. Hen. Drake,-Made his election for Tavistock. Sir John Hobart,-Made his election for Norfolk. Sir Archer Croft,-Made a commissioner of trade and plantations, and a new writ being ordered, May 15, 1730, he was reelected. Henry lord Walden,-Succeeded his father as earl of Suffolk. A new writ ordered, Jan. 18, 1734. William Morden,-Changed his name to Harbord. Tiverton. Arthur Arscot, Sir Wm. Yonge,-Made his election for Honi ton. James Nelthorpe. |