entirely reduced: But being apprehensive that the majority of the Committee were for the motion, they endeavoured to put off the debate, by moving, That Mr. Speaker should resume the chair;' which being carried in the negative, by 290 votes against 84, * the Commmittee came afterwards to the following Resolutions. 1. "That the number of effective men to be provided for Guards and Garrisons in Great Britain, and for Guernsey and Jersey, for the year 1728, including 1850 invalids and 555 men for the six independent companies for the service of the Highlands, be 22,955 men, commission and non-commission officers included. 2. That the sum of 786,9741. 2s. 9d. be granted for defraying the charge of the said 22,955. effective men." These Resolutions, being the next day reported, were agreed to by the House. Debate in the Commons on the Hessian Troops.] Feb. 14. The House in a grand Committee on the Supply, considered of the estimate of the Charge of 2,224 horse, 1,836 dragoons, and 8,034 Foot of the Troops of the landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, for the year 1728. Then a motion being made, that the sum of 230,9231. 11s. 8d. be granted for the said Charge, the same occasioned a great Debate. Mr. Horatio Walpole hereupon set forth the state of affairs in Europe for some years past, and endeavoured to shew the absolute necessity of keeping up all our forces till the end of the present negociations, particularly the 12,000 men, which, by the Treaty of Hanover, Great Britain stood engaged to furnish. He was answered by Mr. Daniel Pulteney, Mr. W. Pulteney, sir William Wyndham, sir Wilfrid Lawson, aud Mr. Bramston, member for Malden, who objected, That by the said Treaty, the contracting parties were not obliged to furnish the succours stipulated therein, but within two months after requisition; and that, even in such a case, Great-Britain was only to furnish men of war, or transport-ships, or even subsidies of money, at the choice of the party requiring the said Succours. To this Mr. Horatio Walpole replied, That the late "Feb. 12. You guessed extremely right, in imagining that Mr. Penterhidter's discourse about disbanding of forces pointed at us, for in the debate on Friday about keeping the same number of forces, Mr. Pulteney, though he pretended that he had no other intention but to put off the question for some days in expectation of some news, from Spain, could not forbear reasoning in a manner that tallied esactly with Penterhidter's discourse. You will have learnt from others the success of the day, where the division was 290 against 86, the greatest najority that ever was known in a committee; and there is all the reason in the world to believe that the rest of the public business will be carried on by the same spirit and unanimity." Horace Walpole to the earl of Waldegrave: Coxe's Walpole. king, in his great wisdom, had thought fit to provide betimes the said body of 12,000 men, in der to obtain the ends of the Treaty of Hanover: that with this view a Convention was made with the landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, whose troops were the most ready at hand for that purpose, and much cheaper than the raising and maintaining national troops: that the necessity of making this Convention was the greater, by reason of an unforeseen disappointment from one of the contracting parties in the the forementioned alliance: that time had shewn, that the taking the said 12,000 men into his Majesty's Service was a wise and necessary precaution, since they had hitherto prevented the kindling of a war in Germany; and that as the same reasons, for which they were taken into pay, still subsisted, it was prudence and absolutely necessary to continue that expence till the intended congress at Cambray was over. Then the question being put upon the motion above-mentioned, it was carried in the affirmative by 280 votes against 84.* Feb. 15. Sir Charles Turner reported the said Resolution, which was agreed to by the House. Address for an Account of 250,000l. charged for Secret Service.] Feb. 19. It was resolved to address his Majesty for a particular and distinct Account of the Distribution of the Sum of 250,000l. which, in an Account laid before this House, shewing how the money given for the year 1727 has been disposed of, is charged to have been issued for other Expences and Engagements, over and above such as are therein particularly specified, for securing the trade and navigation of this kingdom, and preserving and restoring the peace of Europe; and of the time or times when the said sum of 250,00c. was issued and distributed. The Committee of Supply resolve to `raise 1,750,000l. on the Coal Duty.] Feb. 25. The Commons, in a Committee on the Supply, came, to the following Resolution, viz. That 1,750,000l. be raised by Grant or Sale to the Bank of England, of Annuities not exceeding 70,000l. per annum, being after the rate of 41. per cent. per annum, redeemable by parliainent, to commence from the 24th of June, 1728, and to be charged on the duties on coals and culm." Hereupon Mr. William Pulteney observed, That the Feb. 15. We had yesterday in the Committee of Supply a debate about continuing the Ilessians another year in his Majesty's pay, which called me up, and although the debate did not last long, yet the opposite party would come to a division, and we were 280 against 86, and I reckon that our dispute about foreign affairs is as good as over, and by what the King said to me this morning, I believe it will not be long before I shall have the honour to see you at Paris." Horace Walpole to the Earl of Waldegrave: Coxe's Walpole. shifting of funds was but perpetuating taxes, London affect their trade only; and that the inequality of the burden hereof is a great discouragement to the manufactures, as well as an hardship upon the whole trading people in and about the city of London; and praying the consideration of the House, and such relief as to the House shall seem meet." But a motion being made, and the question put, that the said Petition be rejected, it was carried in the affirmative, by 214 voices against 92. Sir Nathaniel Gould, an eminent merchant, said, He apprehended that gentleman had his notions out of a Treatise, intitled, "A State of the National Debt," &c. supposed to be written by that very gentleman; but that if he understood any thing, it was numbers, and he durst pawn his credit and reputation to prove that Author's calculation and inferences to be false and erroneous. To this Mr. Pulteney replied, That he took them to be right; and he would likewise pawn his credit and reputation to make good his assertion. Upon this Sir Robert Walpole took up the cudgels, and said, He would maintain what sir Nathaniel Gould had advanced. Several warm expressions having passed on both sides, Mr. Hungerford interposed, in a jocular speech, that put the House in good humour, and so the dispute ended.* Petition of the City of London, for Relief with regard to the Coal-Duty.] Feb. 26. A Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the city of London, in common council assembled, was presented to the House, setting forth, "That the Duties already laid upon Coals and Culm imported into the port of "Whitehall, February 24. Yesterday, as sir Robert Walpole was giving an account to the House of Commons of the state of the Sinking Fund, he acquainted them that since the year 1716, it had paid off of the nation's debts a certain sum (I think 6,000,000l. and 7 or 800,000l.) but that by the contracting of new debts the debt of the nation had upon the balance been lessened, as I remember, about two millions and half only. Mr. Pulteney answered him, and averred that the debt of the nation, instead of being at all lessened, was greatly increased since 1716, and that though he was not now prepared to prove it, he would undertake to do so in two or three days, and put his reputation upon it. Sir Robert put his reputation upon making out the truth of what he had advanced. In the debate mention having been made of the book published about a twelve-month ago, as was thought by Mr. Pulteney's direction, called, "A State of the National Debt," sir Nathaniel Gould said he had carefully examined that book, and would undertake to prove it very fallacious. So it is expected there will on the next proper occasion be a formal debate upon this subject; but some say they remember that some such challenge was formerly given by the same gentleman, but not supported."-De la Faye to the Earl of Waldegrave. Coxe's Walpole." Then sir Charles Turner reported the above Resolution, which being read a second time, and a motion being made and the question put, that the said Resolution be recommitted, it passed in the negative: After which the said Resolution was, upon the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. The King's Answer to the Address for an Account of 250,000l. charged for Secret Service.] Feb. 29. Sir Paul Methuen reported to the House, That their Address for a particular and distinct Account of the sum of 250,000l. &c. had been presented to his Majesty, and that his Majesty had commanded him to acquaint the House; That the late King, his Majesty's royal father, having the like occasion, received from the last parliament the most dutiful acknowledgments of bis great care and wisdom, in taking such steps, and entering into such engagements, as he thought would best conduce to the security of this kingdom, and the preservation of the peace of Europe; and at the same time the strongest assurances of their future support, in all such farther measures, as he should find necessary and expedient, for preventing a rupture, and for the honour and advantage of these kingdoms: and a power being accordingly given by parliament to his late Majesty, for issuing and applying such sums of money as he should find necessary, for answering and defraying such expences and engagements, as had been or should be made, for these great and necessary purposes; some part of the money, mentioned in this Address, had been issued and disbursed by his late Majesty; and the remaining part had been applied by his present Majesty, for carrying on the same necessary services; for strengthening his alliances; and in fulfilling Engagements of the utmost importance to these kingdoms, and to the general tranquillity of Europe, and which require the greatest secrecy. His Majesty therefore hopes, That this House will repose the same confidence in him; and be assured, that the money has been necessarily expended, pursuant to the power given by act of parliament, and for the uses and purposes thereby directed; and that a particular and distinct Account thereof cannot be given without manifest prejudice to the public." Upon this Mr. W. Pulteney raised several weighty objections against such a vague and general way of accounting for public money, as tending to render parliaments altogether insignificant and useless; to cover embezzlements; and to screen corrupt and rapacious ministers; urging the increase of the National Debt, notwithstanding the so much boasted Sinking Fund, and insisting on having that important affair immediately debated in a Grand Committee. But the court-party waved it, by moving to adjourn the House to the 4th of March; which, after some debate, was carried in the affirmative by 202 votes against 66. Debate in the Commons on the State of the National Debt.] March 4. The Commons, in a Committee of the whole House, considered of the State of the National Debt, and the proper officers were examined as to the following Accounts, viz. "1. An Account of such National Debts, incurred before December 25, 1716, as are redeemable by parliament, with the interest attending the same, and when the same are redeemable. 2. An Account of the Money paid into the Exchequer on the Duties on Coals and Culm, from the 29th of Sept. 1720, to the 29th of Sept. 1727, distinguishing each year; and also the Account of the present annual and other charges thereupon. 3. An Account shewing how the Moneygiven for the service of the year 1727 hath been disposed of, distinguished under the several heads, until the 15th of February, 1727, with the deficiency thereupon. 4. An Account of the Estimate of the Debt of his Majesty's Navy, as it stood on the Sist of December, 1727." Then a motion was made by the Courtiers, That it appears, That the Monies already issued and applied towards discharging the National Debts, incurred before Christmas 1716, together with the sum of 220,4351. 16s. 4d. q. which will be issued at Lady-Day 1728, towards discharging the said debts, amount to 6,648;762l. 5s. 1d. & q.' Hereupon there arose a very warm debate, and Mr. Daniel Pulteney endeavoured to shew the fallacious tendency of that motion; and was seconded by Mr. William Pulteney, and supported by lord Morpeth, Mr, Shippen, and sir William Wyndham. They suggested in general, That notwithstanding the Supplies that were annually raised in the last reign; notwithstanding the great sums of money given from time to time, for extraordinary expences and secret service; notwithstanding the produce of the Sinking Fund; yet the Public Mr. Daniel Pulteney was at that time in high credit for his great knowledge of public business and foreign transactions. He was a man of vast application and uncommon talents. He was a cold, but weighty speaker, and though other members in the opposition had brighter parts, none of them had equal abilities, because his natural capacity, which was sound and vigorous, had been improved by study and application. He put himself at the head of the debate upon this occasion, and being quite master of the subject, he endeavoured to shew there was fallacy and deceit in the motion." Tindal. Debts, for the gradual discharge of which that famous project was said to be contrived, were rather increased than lessened; and this in a time of almost uninterrupted peace and, tranquillity, which must be owing to a very profuse management of the public treasure; and yielded but a very melancholy prospect; since at this rate our debts must still grow faster in case of a war or public troubles; so that the heavy and numerous taxes that now lay upon the nation, must be perpetuated to the latest posterity. Then, entering upon particulars, they took notice of the artifice with which the accounts that lay before them, were drawn up : that in order to swell that of the sums said to bave been issued and applied towards the discharge of the Public Debts, incurred before Christmas 1716, there were added to it above three millious, for the advanced price given in the year 1720, in order to make the irredeemables redeemable, which could not properly be called a payment of those debts: whereas, on the other hand, in the Account of the present National Debt, or of the increase of that debt since Christmas 1716, several large sums were omitted, particularly one million, raised upon the credit of the Civil List, and several deficiencies on the Land Tax, Malt, and other funds which certainly still remained a public debt. Hereupon Sir Robert Walpole, having shewed the nature and state of the Public Debts and the operation and efficacy of the Sinking Fund, strenuously maintained the assertion contained in the motion. The opposite party perceiving that the majority of the Committee were for the motion, moved that Mr. Speaker should resume the chair; but, after some debate, the question being put upon this second motion, it was carried in the negative by 250 voices against 97. Then the question being put upon the first motion, it was carried without dividing; and the farther consideration of the State of the Nation, in relation to the National Debt, was put off to the 8th.* *Whiteball, March 7. I was glad that what my lord directed me to write about the parliament was so useful to your lordship. There was last Monday a great battle in the House of Commons, carried with the usual majority of above 250 to 90 and odd; but it was a domestic point, wherein our neighbours take no very great part. It was the dispute Mr. Pulteney raised about the vast increase of our debt, more than was paid off by the Sinking Fund. It appeared clear to the House, that above six millions had been paid off by that fund since 1716. To day is appointed to debate the other part of the question, how many new debts are incurred since that year: and it is generally said, that it will be made plain, that with the debts properly said to be contracted for services within that time, at least two or three millions will have been paid off. For the purchasing the long annuities, the March 8. The Commons, in a Committee, of the whole House, resumed, the consideration of the National Debt, and after a long debate came to the following Resolutions, which, together with the Resolution of the 4th instant, are as follow: viz. 1." That the Monies already issued and applied towards discharging the National Debts incurred before Christmas 1716, together with the sum of 220,435. 16s. 4d. q. which will be issued at Lady day 1728, towards discharging the said debts, amount to 6,648,762l. 5s. 1d. q. 2. That the several National Debts, including the Debt of the Navy as it stood Dec. 31, 1727, contracted and incurred since December 25, 1716, for answering and defraying the annual charges and expences of the public, for the current service of the several years since the said 25th of December, 1716, amounted on the 8th day | of March, 1727, to the sum of 2,605, 545l. 16s. Od. q. 3. That the National Debt contracted since the 25th of December, 1716, for or in respect of the sum advanced by the South Sea Company, pursuant to an act of the 5th year of king George I. for the liberty of increasing their capital stock, being so much thereof was applied to the Sinking Fund, doth amount to the sum of 328,6731. 4s. 10d. q. 4. That the National Debt contracted since the 25th of December 1716, for making good the yearly deficiencies of the general fund, from the establishment thereof to and for the year ending at Michaelmas, 1726, the surplus whereof is applicable to the Sinking Fund, amounts to the sum of 703,740l. 6s. 2d. ¿q.” army debentures, and such deficiencies as have been provided for, are strictly speaking, debts contracted before 1716. I shall be very glad to see this clearly determined, for it will stop the clamours of those who have all along been asserting that we run in debt continually; and that our Sinking Fund does not suffice to pay exceedings annually contracted; with other such general accusations, that, like throwing of dirt at random, stick with many." George Tilson to the earl of Waldegrave: Coxe's Walpole. "The Opposition, recollecting their former defeat by a large majority, and seeing that the House wholly differed from their representations, did not lay their wonted stress on the main question, but loudly called again upon the minister for an account of the sum lately employed in secret service. To these clamours Walpole made the usual reply, that it had been expended in negotiations too delicate to be specified. In the midst of his speech, an account was transmitted by lord Townshend, that the convention with Spain was signed at the Pardo. Walpole availed himself of this information; and acquainting the House with the news, added, "That the nation would be now relieved from the burthen of the late expences, and that he could assure the members who called so loudly for a specification of the March 12. Sir Charles Turner having reported the above-mentioned four Resolutions, the same occasioned a long debate, which was chiefly managed by Mr. William Pulteney on the one side, and Sir Robert Walpole on the other. Upon the whole, the first of the said Resolutions being read a second time, and a motion made, and the question being put, That the said Resolution be re-committed, it passed in the negative: After which the said Resolution was agreed to by the House. The second Resolution being read a second time, and a motion being made, and the question being put, That the said Resolution be re-committed, it passed in the negative: Then the said Resolution was agreed to by the House. The third Resolution, being read a second time, was agreed to by the House. The fourth Resolution being read a second time, was, with an Amendment, agreed to by the House, and is as followeth, viz. Resolved, "That the National Debt contracted since the 25th of Dec., 1716, for making good the yearly Deficiencies of the General Fund, from the establishment thereof, to and for the year ending at Michaelmas, 1726, the surplus whereof is applicable to the Sinking Fund, amounts to the sum of 703,740l. 6s. 24d. and that by virtue of two acts of parliament of the 5th year of king George 1. farther Additions have been made to the capital stock of the South-Sea Company, for making good several Deficiences of the original and additional funds of the said Company settled, and established before the 25th Decem ber, 1716, amounting together to the Sum of 290,028/. 19s. 11d." sentation of the State of the National Debt, the A Committee appointed to draw up a RepreSinking Fund, and the Public Credit.] The Courtiers having carried their point so far, it humble Representation be made to his Majesty was moved, and resolved, nem. con. "That an upon the said Resolutions, and upon the debate of the House; laying before his Majesty a particular Account of the National Debts discharged and incurred since the 25th day of December, 1716, distinguished under their proper Heads and Services; with a State of the Sinking Fund, and of the Public Credit," and a Committee was appointed to draw up the said Representation. Debate concerning the Omission of an Article of 300,000!. in the Account of the Public secret service money, that it had been expended in obtaining the conclusion of that peace, the preliminaries of which were now signed. The designs of those (he said) who had laboured to disturb the tranquillity of Europe, were thus defeated; and the purchase of peace, and the prevention of war, on terms so cheap, were highly beneficial to the public." This information spread general satisfaction through the House; the question was instantaneously called for, and the resolutions passed without a division." Coxe's Walpole, 1 Debts.] April 5, The House was informed, jesty's late royal father to the crown of these realms, as it was a matter of the last conse. quence to the nation, was become the care and concern of all, who wished well to our present and future prosperity. This produced several considerations in Parliament, to find out, and settle some means of putting this great Debt into a method of being gradually reduced and diminished; and the Sinking Fund was at last happily established, to general satisfaction. This Fund became immediately the favourite article in all parliamentary considerations, relating to the public revenues, and was consi、 dered as a national interest, worthy of the highest regard and attention; which was, by all possible means, to be cherished and improved, and the produce of it set apart, and poses, and was appropriated by Parliament, to pay off and discharge national debts, incurred before the 25th day of December, 1716. This extraordinary omission, however, occasioned a great complaint and Debate, wherein severe reflections were made on the neglect and carelessness, with which the Public Ac-kept distinct, froin all other services and purcounts, laid before the House, were drawn up, and thereupon it was moved, "That in order to prevent the same for the future, all Accounts, to be delivered to this House from the Exchequer, be signed by the Auditor of the Exchequer, or the Clerk of the Pells, or by their lawful Deputies, or chief clerks, or one of them." But the question being put upon the said motion it was carried in the negative. "Hence arose that distinction in the Public Revenues, which has ever since been so far continued, and kept up, that the nation has seemed to have two different interests; one, in the produce of the Sinking Fund, for the dis charge of the National Debt, another, in the annual Supplies, granted to the crown, for Carrying on the current service of the year. "But several controversies having of late THE COMMONS' REPRESENTATION TO THE KING OF THE STATE OF THE NATIONAL DEBT, THE SINKING FUND, AND THE PUBLIC CRE-years been started, concerning what real beneDIT.] April 8. Sir William Yonge reported from the Committee, appointed to draw up a Representation to be made to his Majesty, upon the Resolutions of the House, the 12th of March last, and upon the Debate of the House laying before his Majesty a particular Account of the National Debts, discharged, and incurred, since the 25th day of December 1716, distinguishing under their proper Heads and Services, with a State of the Sinking Fund, and of the Public Credit; that they had drawn up a Representation accordingly, which they had directed him to report to the House and he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the clerk's table; where the same was twice read, and amended, and is as follows; viz. "Most Gracious Sovereign ; "Your Majesty's most dutiful and faithful subjects, the Commons of Great Britain, in Parliament assembled, having, in duty to your Majesty, for the sake of truth, and for the bet ter information and satisfaction of all your good people, taken into their consideration the State of the National Debt, in regard to what debts have been discharged and paid off, since the establishment of the Sinking Fund for that purpose, and what new debts have, within the said time, been contracted and incurred, beg leave, with all duty and submission, to lay the same before your Majesty in this our most humble Representation. "The National Debt of this kingdom contracted in carrying on two long and expensive wars, before the bappy accession of your Ma fit had accrued to the nation from the produce and application of the Sinking Fund, if considered and compared with new Debts, supposed to have been incurred within the same time; the Commons of Great Britain, truly sensible of the weight of this National Debt, a burthen, of itself sufficient to create some uneasiness in the minds of the people, without the help of any aggravations, or misrepresentations, thought it a duty incumbent upon them, so far to enter into the consideration of this important affair, as to examine, and state, how much of the National Debt, incurred before the 25th of December, 1716, had been actually paid off, or discharged, and what new debts had been really contracted and incurred in support of the public, and in carrying on the current ser vice of the several years, tince that time. "It is well known, with what content and chearfulness your Majesty's subjects have all along paid and contributed towards the annual interest of this National Debt, contracted and incurred in securing to them the inestimable blessings of your Majesty's auspicious reign, and the Protestant Succession in your illustrious family, and in defence of their Religion, Liberties, and Properties, which, they always thought, could not be purchased, and preserved at too dear a rate: and, from the time they had the comfort of having a Sinking Fund set tled and established, that gave them, the prospect and hopes of seeing this great Debt gra dually reduced, and discharged, it was a satis faction, that rendered the burthen easy and light; and your people seemed even to forget the great expence they had been at, happy in |