6 Sir George Oxenden was seconded by Mr. Walter Chetwynd, and supported by Mr. Edward Thompson, and sir William Yonge. Some Members hereupon took exception at the words to secure the Commerce,' instead of which they thought it more proper to say restore the Commerce: And to support their opinion, took notice of the many and great losses sustained by the British merchants, by the depredations of the Spaniards, both in Europe and nistration, no man in the House had more true English behaviour and sentiments. It is certain that he had great volubility in speaking, which his enemies termed frothiness, but with no more justice, than as the term is applicable to any speaker, whose eagerness in supporting his friend's measures, render him a little too prolix on certain occasions. But in all other respects, sir William Young had great public and parliamentary abilities. .the West-Indies; not without reflecting on some persons, for not giving proper orders to secure our trade, to repress those insults, and to make reprisals, according to the law of nations. This occasioned a debate, upon the question, whether the word Secure should stand, or whether Restore' should be inserted instead of it; but sir George Oxenden, Mr. Walter Chetwynd, Mr. Edward Thompson, sir William Yonge, Mr. Doddington, Mr. Horatio admiral Hosier's and other English sea-officers instructions, which the government had suffered to be published, were likewise represented as being unfair, because the whole of the instructions were not exhibited. Captain, afterwards admiral Vernon, made a considerable figure in this debate. Being well acqaiuted with the nature of the service admiral Hosier had gone upon, and having few or none in the House who could contradict him upon their own experience, he laboured to prove, that the extracts from Hosier's instructions were spurious, or if not spurious, the instructions themselves were impracticable. "When the opposition shewed themselves in earnest to support their amendment, sir William endeavoured to prove with great success, that restoring and securing commerce was a distinction without a difference; because sup- "Sir Joseph Jekyl, master of the rolls, was posing, which he did not admit, that the British then, occasionally, in the opposition. He was commerce was ruined, it must be restored be- esteemed an honest, uncorrupted judge and fore it could be secured. Both he and Mr. senator; his affection for the Protestant sucThompson of York, who, with very moderate cession was unquestionable, and his abilities abilities, was a perpetual advocate for the both in law and equity were deemed to be conninister, and several other gentlemen, endea- siderable. Ile was, however, a weak politivoured to shew, that whatever was just in the cian, and a very indifferent speaker. But his outcry against the Spanish depredations, was character giving him weight, the opposition in a great measure owing to the insatiable thought they had gained a great point in bringavarice of the English merchants and command-ing him over to their side. His prepossessions ers of vessels, who carried on an illicit trade with the subjects of Spain in America, in defiance of treaties and the laws of nations, as well as to the manifest prejudice of the fair English trader. in favour of the old Whig principles were so strong, that he could not with any patience bear the thoughts of England detaching herself from the house of Austria, and being linked with that of Bourbon. This was a revolution A Pamphlet had been wrote at this time in politics, which he thought even endangered in favour, and under the countenance, of the the constitution, the security of which, he said, minister, and was supposed to be the work of a ought to be addressed for, as well as the secuprelate, who had greatly distinguished himself, rity of commerce. In short, the ablest speakers, by his political writings against the Tory minis- both for and against the measures of the admitry at the latter end of queen Anne's reign. nistration, exerted themselves to the utmost in The Pamphlet was spirited and genteel, but this debate; but the question being put, whecontained some, and those capital innaccura-ther the word 'secure' should stand, it was carcies, which the minister, who was, in matters ried in the affirmative, by a majority of 249 of that kind, inexcusably careless, had suffered agaiust 87." Tindal. to pass uncorrected and unquestioned. As it was known however to be a pamphlet of au"It is observable that his royal highness thority, Mr. Thompson and some others of the the Prince of Wales, to satisfy a laudable cucourt members ventured very injudiciously to riosity of being acquainted with the manner of quote it, in defence of the administration; par proceeding in the House of Commous, was preticularly some passages, tending to vindicate sent at this remarkable debate; which being the ministry in that unpopular part of their over, the lord Hartington moved, That a conduct, the keeping of Admiral Hosier's fleet message be sent to his Royal Highness, to so long inactive on the coasts of America. < express the satisfaction and great joy of this This, besides its being unparliamentary, gave 'House, at his Royal Highness's safe and hapgreat advantages to the opposition; for Mr.py arrival in Great Britain, &c.' His lordPulteney, by exposing one glaring inconsistency in it, that of confounding the Spanish flotilla and the galleons together, turned the whole of the court writings into ridicule. Some quotations, containing abstracts from VOL. VIII. ship was seconded by the hon. col. Onslow; Walpole, lord Finch, lord Malpas, Mr. Talbot, sir William Strickland, sir Paul Methuen, and sir Robert Walpole, insisted on the former; and on the other hand, sir William Wyndham, Mr. William Pulteney, capt. Vernon, Mr. Shippen, sir Joseph Jekyll, Mr. Lutwyche, Mr. Sandys, and Mr. Winnington, were as strenuous for the latter; and an eminent courtier having offered to produce a pamphlet, [Intitled, "Observations on the conduct of Great-Britain, with regard to the Negociations and other Transactions abroad,1729."] to justify the conduct of Great-Britain, with relation to the supposed inactivity of our squadrons, and the depredations committed by the Spaniards; and with that view, containing abstracts of the Instructions given to admiral Hosier, and the other Commanders of the British squadrons; Mr. William Pulteney animadverted upon,and exploded that pamphlet, as made up of glaring misrepresentations of facts, inconsistencies, and contradictions. He urged, that though the Author, by his bold launching into politics, his pretending to be let into the deepest mysteries of State, and his publishing part of the instructions given to our Admirals, would be thought to write with authority; yet it seemed very extraordinary, and highlyimprobable that an obscure and nameless pamphleteer should be favoured with Papers of such importance and private nature: that therefore it was more reasonable to believe, that this scribbler had surreptitiously procured these imperfect lights and lame abstracts from some of the under-clerks, which he printed with his crude and indigested observations, in order to curry favour; for that it could not be supposed, that men of so great abilities, as they who are at the head of our affairs, should not know the difference between the flotilla and galleons, or that they sailed from two ports, at a very great distance from each other. Mr. Pulteney was backed by to, and on the following day the House : present "We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled, beg leave humbly to return our sincere and unfeigned thanks for your Majesty's most gracious speech from the throne. "We congratulate your Majesty upon the safe arrival of his royal highness the prince of Wales, so much to the joy and satisfaction of your Majesty and all your people. "We are not insensible of the various and extensive views, which must naturally arise in settling and reconciling the different interests and pretensions of so many different powers, parties to the treaties of Hanover and Vienna; and we acknowledge, with the utmost gratitude, your Majesty's great wisdom and prudence, in avoiding, as far as was possible, all occasions of difficulties and delays, by concerting the most expeditious methods of concluding, with honour and justice, the negotiations depending at Soissons. "We have the happiness to see your Majesty indefatigable in the pursuits of the interests of your people; accommodating and composing the public differences, declining the temptation of military glory, and chusing rather to secure to your subjects their just rights and possessions, by the milder arts of inoderation and forbearance, than to plunge the nation unnecessarily into infinite and unknown expences. "But your faithful Commons are so fully convinced, that your own honour, and the honour of your kingdoms, are considerations so dear to your Majesty, and so inseparable from your royal mind, that we can, with the greatest confidence imaginable, entirely rely upon your Majesty's undoubted valour and resoluwhenever a proper occasion calls upon you for tion to do yourself and the nation justice, it; and we cannot in the least doubt, from your Majesty's constant and due regard to the rights, privileges, and interests of your people, but that your princely care will equally extend itself to the securing our commerce, and obtaining a just satisfaction for the and many great losses sustained by your trading subjects. "The mutual harmony and fidelity, so firmly Sir Joseph Jekyll said, that since the courestablished and subsisting between your Matiers so strenuously insisted on the word 'se-jesty and your Allies, cannot fail to create in cure,' he would readily comply with them, provided a small addition was inade to the Address, to put them in mind of securing the rights and liberties of the people. Capt. Vernon, member for Penryn, who said, That he would not pretend to determine, whether those scraps of Instructions published in the Pamphlet in question, were genuine or forged; but this he would venture to aver, that there were in them some things so very odd and inconsistent, as gave them a very suspicious aspect; or, if genuine, rendered them impracticable. Hereupon At last the question being called for, and put, Whether the word secure,' should stand? It was carried in the affirmative, by 249 votes against 87 and a committee wrs appointed to draw up the said Address. The Commons' Address of Thanks.] January 22. Sir George Oxenden reported the Address drawn up by the committee, which was agreed your Commons the highest satisfaction; and it is with pleasure we observe, that all endeavours and attempts to separate and dissolve this happy union, of such consequence to your kingdoms, and so essential to the preserving the peace and tranquillity of Europe, have proved vain and unsuccessful. "We beg leave to assure your Majesty, that we will, with the greatest chearfulness, raise the supplies necessary for answering and defraying the charges and expences of the ensuing year, and will not fail to make the proper disposition of the growing produce of the sinking fund. And if, after all your Ma-, jesty's unwearied endeavours to procure a safe and honourable peace, a rupture should become unavoidable, your Majesty may depend upon the zeal and affection of this House, effectually to support your Majesty, in carrying on a just and necessary war, and enable you to act with vigour in conjunction with your allies, as future events and the circumstances of public affairs may require. And as nothing can be more injurious to your Majesty's honour, and the interest and reputation of your people, than the vile and detestable practices of those, who by giving hopes of discontents, divisions and difficulties arising here at home, encourage the dilatory proceedings that have hitherto retarded the conclusion of this important transaction: We look with the utmost abhorrence upon the authors and contrivers of such base and unnatural artifices, who suggest the means of distressing their country, and clamour at the inconveniences which they themselves have occasioned. This makes it highly incumbent upon us to give your Majesty the most unfeigned assurance, that this House will, by an unshaken duty and affection to your Majesty, and by a steady perseverance in support of your government, convince the world, that no false and gronndless insinuations, no wicked designs and intrigues whatsoever, shall be able to alter or diminish that harmony and good understanding between your Majesty and your parliament, which our inclination, duty, and interest call upon us inviolably to preserve." that than to the king himself whose head they cut off: for though they were raised in defence of liberty, yet they served at last to support an usurper, and to establish an arbitrary military government: that the army king James 2 raised was the primary cause of his misfortunes, as it roused the true English spirit, and created those fears and jealousies, which his subsequent acts of power and bigotry made afterwards appear to be but too well grounded: that the nation were so sensible of the dangers they had escaped, by the seasonable coming over of a Deliverer, that one fundamental Article for the establishment of our Liberties, in the Bill of Rights, is, 'That the keeping up a stand'ing army in time of peace, is contrary to law :' that, accordingly, after the Peace of Ryswick the greatest part of the ariny was disbanded; and though, upon the just fear of a new war, the parliament complimented king William with an establishment of 10,000 men, yet the same was not obtained without oppositions many honest and sober men, among the warmest sticklers for the Revolution, looking upon it as an encroachment on our liberties, and being justly apprehensive it would prove a dangerous precedent: that during the late war, our Land-Forces, together with those in our pay, amounted to above 200,000 men, the load of which still lies heavy upon us; but after the Feace of Utrecht, there was a general reduction, except about 12,000 men: upon the late king's accession, when the Rebellion broke out in Scotland and England, the army was, indeed, augmented with several regiments, and other additional troops: but these were again reduced not long after: that in the year 1727, upon the prospect of the great dangers that were apprehended from the Treaty of Vienna, an augmentation of about 8000 men was moved for in this House; but the same was warmly opposed; nor was it granted but upon assurance that this expence should cease, as soon as the extraordinary occasion that called for it was over: that the event has shewn, that most of these dangers were ill grounded and chimerical, the court of Vienna having readily agreed to preliminaries, that have been looked upon as a sufficient foundation for a general pacification: That, at the solicitations both of the Emperor and king of France, the king of Spain being 'prevailed upon to come into the same measures, the Congress of Soissons was formed, in which, it seems a Provisional This was strongly opposed by Mr. William Treaty has been negotiated, among the minisPulteney, and Mr. Shippen, who urged, That ters of the principal powers, parties to the a Standing Army was altogether inconsistent Treaties of Hanover and Vienna, which has with our laws and constitution: that there is been approved of by his Majesty, and his Allies, no instance of any regular force kept in Eng-not without reasonable hopes of the concurland in time of peace, before the unfortunate reign of king Charles 1. That the Armies that were raised in former days, either to suppress intestine commotions, or for foreign service, were always disbanded immediately after those occasions were over: that the army in the time of king Charles 1 proved no less fatal and oppressive to the parliament that raised it, The King's Answer.] To this Address the King returned the following Answer: "Gentlemen, "I thank you for this very dutiful and affectionate Address, and for the assurances you have given me of your concurrence and support in my present engagements: You may depend upon it, that the honour and interest of my people shall be my principal care and concern, in all events." Debate in the Commons on the Number of the Land Forces.] January 31. The Commous being in a grand Committee on the Supply, a motion was made for continuing the same Number of Men for Guards and Garrisons in Great-Britain, as were provided for the year 1728, amounting to 22,955 men. rence of the courts of Vienna and Madrid: That therefore this seemed a most proper time to retrench our annual Expences, and by using the most exact œconomy, to shew they were willing to ease the nation of the immense load of Debt that lies upon it: That besides the present Establishment of Guards and Garrisons in Great Britain, the Forces in Minorca, Gibraltar, and the West-Indies, we pay for 12,000 Hessian auxiliaries and subsides to the king of Sweden, and the duke of Wolfembuttle: And since, by the situation of the Public Af fairs, it was apparent, that those extraordinary expences might with safety be lessened, they ought to begin with reducing, if not all, at least part of the additional Forces that were raised two years before: That his Majesty was entirely possessed of the hearts of his people, wherein his best security is; but if any thing could lessen their affections to the present happy Settlement, and make the nation jealous and apprehensive of dangers to our excellent constitution, it would be to see such numerous Forces kept up, while there was no inanner of business for them either at home or abroad. ful; 6 To this Mr. Walpole and Mr. Doddington answered, That arguments against Standing Armies drawn from antient times, were foreign and inconclusive, since, in those days, there were no regular forces kept up in any part of Europe; whereas at present, there is no kingdom nor state without them: That the supposed inconveniences and dangers from Standing Armies ought not to be of any weight, since more instances might be produced of their being beneficial than of their being hurtfor many States, and, in particular, the Republic of Holland, owe the preservation of their liberties to their regular troops; and others have been enslaved by encroaching ambitious neighbours for want of them: That the body of Forces now on the establishment, though larger than in former times, could give no jealousy or umbrage to any reasonable Englishman; for, if it deserves the name of an army, it is but an annual and parliamentary army, under the severest and strictest discipline, and not only dependent upon, but subservient and useful to the civil power; and therefore it was no less unjust than absurd, to entertain and infuse apprehensions from such an army: That as long as the main reasons, for which our national forces were encreased, subsisted, so long, in prudence, ought that addition to be kept up. That the public affairs have now, indeed, a fairer aspect than some years ago, yet no reasonable man would have the army reduced before a peace is fully concluded: That a provisional Treaty for that purpose had been concerted at Soissons, and approved of by his Majesty and his allies; but at this project was not yet accepted, either by the court of Vienna or that of Madrid, the fate of Europe was still undetermined; and therefore to reduce our forces in such a state of uncertainty, which, of course implies danger, would be the highest piece of folly, and expose the nation to fresh insults and depredations from the Spaniards. Then the question being put upon the motion, the following resolutions were carried without dividing. 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 1729, be, including 1,815 invalids, and 555 men, which the six Independant companies consist of, for the service of the highlands, 22,955 men, commission and non-commission officers included. 2. That the sum of 784,983l. 12s. 10d. be granted to his Majesty for defraying the charge of the said 22,955 effective men, for guards, garrisons, and other bis Majesty's land forces in Great Britain, Guernsey and Jersey, for the year 1729." Debt.] Feb. 3. Sir George Saunders, from the Mr. W. Pulteney's Observations on the Public commissioners of the navy, laid before the House, an Account of the Amount of the Interest-money which had been paid for Navy and Victualling Bills from the 25th of December, 1721, to the 25th of December, 1728. This account gave occasion to Mr. Pulteney to take notice, That notwithestablished in the management of the revenues, standing the good economy that was said to be the public debts still increased every year; to trary plainly appeared, from the produce of which the Courtiers answered, That the conthe Sinking Fund, by means whereof, the Supplies for this year would be raised, without laying any new taxes. Hereupon it was moved, "That this House will raise the supplies necessary for the current service of this year, without creating any new debt upon any fund whatsoever." But the question being put thereupon, it passed in the negative. Debtors' Relief Bill.] Feb. 6. In the House of Lords the Earl of Strafford took notice of the hardships of Insolvent Debtors in England, which his lordship observed, was worse than in Turkey, where, if after nine months imprisonment it appeared that they were unable to satisfy their creditors; they were upon oath of delivering up their all released by law. The earis of Aylesford and Ilay, and lord Bingley, pressed very much the hardship of imprisoning persons who are absolutely insolvent. The Lord Townshend observed, that the case of many debtors was, by the unmercifulness of their creditors, worse than that of galley slaves, who are provided for and kept clean; whereas in England they are in a starving condition, and rotting in a gaol. His lordship thereupon moved, "That Lists be sent up from all the Prisons in England of the debtors under confinement, and for what time, and for what sum, which was ordered accordingly." -On the 11th of March a Report was made from the Committee appointed to consider of the Case of Debtors, with respect to the imprisonment of their persons; and the Judges were ordered to bring in a Bill thereupon. Debate in the Commons upon the Hessian Troops.] Feb. 7. Mr. Pelham laid before the House a copy of the establishment of the Hessian Forces for the year 1729; and then, in a grand committee, the Commons considered the Subsidies payable to foreign princes. Mr. Pelham, sir William Yonge, and some other members, having shewn the necessity of making good his Majesty's engagements, which the Commons had made their own, by approving them; They were replied to by sir Philip Yorke and Mr. Talbot; but at last, by a Majority of 256 voices against 91, the following Resolutions were carried, viz. 1. "That the sum of 241,2597. 18. 3d. be granted to his Majesty for defraying the expence of 12,000 Hessians, taken into his Majesty's pay, for the year 1729. 2. The sum of 50,0001. for one year's Subsidy to the king of Sweden, pursuant to a treaty dated the 14th of March, 1726-7. 3. The sum of 25,000/. for one year's subsidy to the duke of Wolfenbuttle, pursuant to a treaty dated the 25th of Nov. 1727." Feb. 10. These Resolations being reported were agreed to by the House, without dividing: but it was resolved to address his Majesty, "That whenever it shall be necessary to take any Foreign Troops into his service, he will be graciously pleased to use his endeavours, that they be clothed with the Manufactures of Mr. I. Pulteney said thereupon, "He had so great regard for the king's honour, that he would readily, at any time, give his vote to enable his Majesty to answer and discharge his engagements; but that, at the same time, out of regard to their country whom they represented, and who laboured under a heavy load of debts and taxes, he thought it a duty incumbent on them, to retrench all superfluous expences: That in relation to the demand now before them, he would not enter upon the inquiry, whether such a large body of Hessian auxilaries was necessary at a time of perfect tranquillity, at least, of inaction: but he begged leave to observe, that the Landgrave of HesseCassel used to keep 7,000 men constantly in his pay; and as he had only added 5,000 men Petition of the American Merchants relatto make up the 12,000, which he was to furnishing to the Depredations of the Spaniards.] to the allies of Hanover, it seemed but reason- Feb. 21. A Petition of the Merchants trading able that Great Britain should pay for no more to, and interested in the British Plantations in than these 5,000 additional troops; adding, America, in behalf of themselves and many That the same might be said, with respect to others, was presented to the House, and read, the duke of Wolfenbuttle, who, notwithstand-complaining of great interruptions, for several ing the subsidy he received from Great Britain, maintained no more troops than he did before." Hereupon Sir Robert Walpole endeavoured to justify the measures that had been taken, in consequence of the Hanover alliance; and in particular to shew how useful this body of 12,000 Hessians had been, towards preventing the kindling of a war, for which the court of Vienna, with the assistance of Spanish subsidies, had made great preparations, and, in order thereto, had retained troops of three electors, besides the augmentation of its own. Adding, That for his part, he was fully convinced, that had it not been for the Hessians, the Emperor would not have come into the Preliminaries, and other pacific measures; and therefore they ought not to grudge an expence, which had already proved so beneficial to the tranquillity of Europe. To this, sir Joseph Jekyll and Mr. Lutwyche replied, That whatever gloss might be put upon such measures, yet, in their opinion, they were repugnant to the constant maxims, by which England, in former times, steered and squared its conduct, with relation to its interest abroad that when our glorious ancestors had any quarrels with their neighbours, they bravely fought them till they either beat them into peace, or forced them to buy it; of which there were many instances in our history: that our Navy is our natural strength; and, if well managed, our best defence and security: but if, in order to avoid a war, we are so condescending and.so free-hearted as to buy and maintain the forces of foreign princes, we are never like to see an end of such extravagant expences. Great Britain." years, past, of the trade of this kingdom to the Proceedings of the House. Feb. 18. A Com- . Ordered, That the said R. Raikes do attend this House upon this day fortnight. Feb. 26. A Petition of Robert Raikes, of the city of Gloucester, Stationer and Printer, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, "That, before the beginning of this ses sion of Parliament, he gave orders to his servant not to insert in his journal any of the Votes or Resolutions of this House: that the Paragraph complained of, was inserted without his knowlege, and was taken (as he is informed) from-a news-letter, sent by Mr. Gytheus (clerk of the |