whose dignity and authority can only be supported by his presence. That animated with the same spirit as influenced those real patriots who planned and carried into execution that glorious Act, by which alone his majesty became intitled to the imperial crown of these kingdoms, and not from any desire to lay a restraint on the illustrious person on the throne, derogatory to the true glory of the crown, we with the most earnest and fervent prayers for the safety of these kingdoms, under the influence of his majesty's royal person and equitable government, humbly intreat his majesty's most auspicious and powerful protection by his residence in these kingdoms, with a people who will never desert him in a day of danger, and who are ever ready to support his majesty and his illustrious House at the hazard of their lives and fortunes." This motion was not seconded. Upon which the earl of Chesterfield moved the House to adjourn, which motion, according to the orders of the House, being to take place, that of the earl Poulet for an Address became thereby postponed; but lord Poulett having declared that, in truth and common sense he looked upon that motion of the earl of Chesterfield's to be a negative put on his own, insisted on a division, in which he appeared to be the only lord against the adjournment.* The King's Speech at the Close of the Session.+] April 25. The King put an * In the original publication of this motion, there was subjoined the following paragraph : "The London Evening Post having refused to publish this motion with the authority, permission, and indemnity of the noble lord who made it, the world is therefore acquainted with it, that it may not be misled, and that it may reflect how much more dangerous an influence it is that thus secretly undermines the liberty of the press, than a total subversion of it by arbitrary power and ministerial authority; for, by this means, the world may be deceived, and the transactions of patriots as well as ministers be concealed." The situation of public affairs requiring his majesty to go to Germany this summer, had created great apprehensions in the minds of men, lest the French might either intercept him in bis journey, or prevent his return. The earl of Poulet had made a motion, or rather a speech, in the House of Peers, against his majesty's leaving the kingdom at that juncture; but he was the only lord who divided from his question. Notwithstanding this, the public uneasiness continued still to be very end to the Session with the following Speech to both Houses : "My Lords and Gentlemen, have given of your duty and affection to "The many eminent proofs which you my person and government, during the afforded me the greatest satisfaction; and course of this session of parliament, have the honour, rights, and possessions of my the zeal you have shewn for supporting crown, has been no less agreeable to me. My desire to preserve the public tranhave religiously adhered to the stipulations quillity has been sincere and uniform. I it my care not to injure, or give just cause of the treaty of Aix la Chapelle, and made of offence to, any power whatsoever; but I never could entertain a thought of purchasing the name of peace at the expence of suffering encroachments upon, or of Great Britain, either by ancient possesyielding up, what is justly belonging to sion, or by solemn treaties. Your vigour have enabled me to be prepared for such and firmness, on this important occasion, contingencies as may happen. If reason able and honourable terms of accommoda tion can be agreed upon, I shall be satisfied. In all events, I shall rely on the justice of our cause, the effectual support of my people, and the protection of the Di vine Providence. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I return you my thanks, for the necessary provisions you have made for the great; and the more so, as it was apprehended that there would, during his majesty's absence, be no good agreement amongst the regency, who were as follows. His royal highness William duke of Cumberland; Thomas lord archbishop of Canterbury; Philip earl Hardwicke, lord high chancellor; John earl Granville, president of the council; Charles duke of Marlborough, lord privy seal; John duke of Rutland, steward of the household; Charles duke of Grafton, lord chamberlain ; Archibald duke of Argyle; duke of Newcastle, first commissioner of the treasury; duke of Dorset, master of the horse; earl of Holderness, one groom of the stole; marquis of Hartington, of the secretaries of state; earl of Rochfort, commissioner of the admiralty; sir Thomas lord lieutenant of Ireland; lord Anson, first Robinson, secretary of state; Henry Fox, esq. secretary of war. Tindal. "Notwithstanding the possession of the king's confidence, and lady Yarmouth's influence, the duke of Newcastle was perplexed in the distribution of places, and as much embarrassed in the choice of co-adjutors, as if be steadily to pursue those good principles which you have so solemnly professed to me, and, with so much honour to yourselves adhered to: Let it be your endeavour to maintain tranquillity and good order in your several countries, and to cultivate in my good subjects just notions of my government and measures, which are, and shall always be, directed to their happiness and prosperity." service of the current year. The extraordinary supply which you have granted me towards augmenting my forces by sea and land, is such a proof of your confidence in me, and of your constant attention to the service of your country, that I cannot sufficiently express the satisfaction I take in this seasonable care of the safety of my kingdoms and dominions, or in the evidence it has produced of the extent of our public credit, and of the zeal of my subjects in this conjuncture. "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "I have nothing to desire of you, but had been thwarted by cabals in the closet. His jealous temper rendered him unwilling to admit any persons, likely from their talents, weight or influence, to weaken his authority; he was therefore averse to nominate, for his co-adjutor, either Mr. Fox, or Mr. Pitt; the former, because he was agreeable to the king, and warmly supported by the duke of Cumberland; the latter, on account of his aspiring temper and transcendant abilities. But both were too highly esteemed by the public, and had too many adherents in parliament to be wholly overlooked on this occasion. "Mr. Fox had importuned for the posts occupied by Mr. Pelham as due to his past services; but finding that the duke of Newcastle had designed the treasury for himself, he applied for the office of secretary of state; and through the intervention of the marquis of Hartington, obtained a promise of the seals, accompanied, as he thought, with the direction of the House of Commons. His nomination was even announced to the cabinet council, and he wrote circular letters to the members, declaring that the king had been pieased to entrust him with the conduct of the House of Commons. But discovering in a conference with Newcastle, that he was not to have the management of the House of Commons, he refused to submit to what he called a degradation, and declined the acceptance of the seals. "Mr. Pitt, as before, made no solicitation, but expected the offer of the seals; and when he heard of Mr. Fox's appointment, complained that be was not consulted, but only informed, and that his inveterate enemy was raised to a post which was his due. But the duke of Newcastle, who was less desirous of having Mr. Pitt as a co-adjutor than Mr. Fox, alledged the king's personal antipathy as an excuse for his exclusion, and gave the office to sir Thomas Robinson, whose extensive knowledge of foreign affairs, and long residence at the court of Vienna, rendered him a proper person to fill the southern department. "The duke of Newcastle, however, endeavoured to sooth Mr. Pitt, by appointing his brothers-in-law, Mr. George and Mr. James Grenville, to the offices of treasurer of the navy, and lord of the treasury, and his friend The parliament was then prorogued to the 27th of May: but it did not meet until the 13th of November. Mr. Lyttelton to the post of cofferer of the household. Mr. Legge, a person of considerable talents and great popularity, was, after a short delay, constituted Chancellor of the Exchequer; and other changes were made in the subordmate offices, calculated to give strength to government. "All parties were dissatisfied with these arrangements, and their dissatisfaction was augmented by the subsequent conduct of the duke of Newcastle, whose only view was to engross the sole confidence of the sovereign. Even most of those who had been raised to new offices were no less discontented. Mr. Legge complained that he was a mere cypher in government, and the Grenvilles thought their rank and connections deserved more consideration than they received, and declared that nothing would satisfy them while their great friend, Mr. Pitt, was dissatisfied. "This being the state of parties, the two rival orators naturally repressed their recipro cal jealousy, and, though they retained their places, united their endeavours to counteract the measures of the new secretary of state. Sir Thomas Robinson, who has been already mentioned as the secretary and friend of Mr. Walpole, though personally agreeable to the king, and, by his diplomatic knowledge, eminently qualified for fulfilling the duties of his office, was yet ill calculated to resist the weight of the combination against him. without parliamentary influence, and though he spoke with judgment and information, and conducted the business of government with credit through the second session of the parliament, while the two great orators were silent, yet he was unable to enter the lists against the gigantic talents of Pitt and Fox when they meditated opposition. He was "At the close of the session, therefore, perceiving the increasing embarrassments of his situation, he determined to resign; but retained his office till a successor could be appointed. The contest for the seals immediately recommenced, and the summer of 1755 was passed in intrigues and negotiations, which terminated in his resignation in November 1755, a few days before the opening of the third session." Coxe's Memoirs of Horatio ford Walpole. THIRD SESSION OF THE "With a sincere desire to preserve my people from the calamities of war, as well as to prevent, in the midst of these trou ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT bles, a general war from being lighted up OF GREAT BRITAIN. The King's Speech on Opening the Session.*] November 13, 1755. The King opened the Session with the following Speech to both Houses : "My Lords and Gentlemen, "The present critical conjuncture of affairs, and my constant inclination to have the advice and assistance of my parliament on all important occasions, have made me desirous to meet you here as early as possible. "Since your last session, I have taken such measures as might be most conducive to the protection of our possessions in America, and to the regaining of such parts thereof, as had been encroached upon, or invaded, in violation of the peace and contrary to the faith of the most solemn treaties. "For this purpose, the maritime force of this kingdom has been got ready with the utmost application and expedition, and been principally employed: some land forces have been sent from hence to North America; and all proper encouragement has been given to the several colonies there, to exert themselves in their own defence, and in the maintenance of the rights and possessions of Great Britain. * "On the 13th of November the session was opened, and the opposition to the Address, as well as to the Treaties, in subsequent debates, was extremely vigorous and well supported. On the side of the minority, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge particularly distinguished themselves; but the numbers in their favour were not so great as was expected. "The new arrangements were soon declared. Mr. Fox at length gained his favourite object; he became secretary of state, and Mr. Pitt, who refused to act a subordinate part, and entered into opposition, was dismissed; the seals of Chancellor of the Exchequer were taken from Mr. Legge; the Grenvilles were removed, and the whole family phalanx united with the Tories and the partisans of Leicester-house. Sir George Lyttleton was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, lord Barrington secretary at war, Mr. Doddington treasurer of the navy, and Mr. Furnes, another of the late Prince's adherents, was made a lord of the treasury; the duke of Newcastle continued at the head of administration." Coxe's Memoirs of Horatio lord Walpole. in Europe, 1 have been always ready to accept reasonable and honourable terms of accommodation; but none such have hitherto also contined my views and operations to been proposed on the part of France. I have hinder France from making new encroachments, or supporting those already made; to exert our right to a satisfaction for hostilities committed in a time of profound peace: and to disappoint such designs as, from various appearances and preparations, there is reason to think, have been formed against my kingdoms and dominions. "By these methods, I have pursued the and for which I had the satisfaction to replan which I formerly pointed out to you, ceive the strongest assurances of your vigorous support. ceedings so absolutely necessary to our "What other power can object to proown defence and security? My good brother the king of Spain sees with concern these differences; and the part which he Europe makes him earnestly wish the pregenerously takes in the common welfare of servation of the public tranquillity: he has also given assurances, that he will continue in the same pacific sentiments. no doubt of the vigorous and cheerful sup"In pursuing these great ends, I make port of my parliament; and that, whilst I am engaged in this just and national cause, the affectionate assurances which they gave me the last session will be effectually have greatly increased my naval arinamade good. In consequence thereof, I ments, augmented my land forces in such a manner as might be the least burthensome, and have concluded a treaty with the empress of Russia, and another with the landgrave of Hesse Cassel, which shall be laid before you. I see "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I have ordered the proper officers to lay before you estimates for the services of the ensuing year; and likewise accompts of the extraordinary expences which have been made this year, in pursuance of the with great concern, that the necessary power given me by parliament. services before mentioned will require large supplies: I ask only such as shall be requisite for the effectual carrying on of those measures which shall be necessary to support what has been begun, according to your inclination, for the security of my kingdoms and dominions, and for the purposes which have been already mentioned to you. Whatever you! grant shall, with the strictest economy, be applied to those uses only for which it shall be given. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "I rely upon your duty and good affections, which I have so often experienced. There never was a situation in which my honour, and the essential interests of Great Britain, called more strongly for your zeal, unanimity and dispatch." Debate in the Lords on the Address of Thanks.] His majesty having retired, The Duke of Marlborough moved, that an humble Address be presented to his majesty, to return him the thanks of this House, for his most gracious Speech from the throne. To express our just sense of his majesty's tender regard for his people, in being desirous to preserve them from the calamities of war; and, at the same time, in not yielding to any terms of accommodation that were not reasonable and honourable.-To declare our conviction of the high importance of the British possessions and rights in America to the trade and well-being of these kingdoms; and our gratitude to his majesty, for exerting his royal care and vigilance to protect them from invasion and insult, and to redress such encroachments as had been already made. To express our surprise, * NOTES of Debate on the Address, the defence of Hanover only: 3. The most deNovember 13, 1755. From the Ori-lusive of all; a preventive measure. ginal in the hand-writing of Lord Chancellor HARDWICKE. Earl Temple, contra. 1. Objects to that part about the Electoral dominions-Not fit for this House to give these assurances-The nation is not in a condition to be able to make them good. 2 Obj. Some words that approve the two Treaties with Russia and Hesse Cassel-And also to approve the conduct of the ministry; and of the Regency during this summerThose Treaties concluded in an improper and in a criminal inanner-Vain and delusive appearances held out to the parliament, at the beginning of the last session, of the continuance of the public tranquillity-At the beginning of the preparations at Brest last summer, this nation defenceless-A superior force to admiral Boscawen sent by France after him; before Holbourne sailed-Foreign objects pursued last summer-The great attention to his majesty's German dominions; proceeding from the most generous principle in his majesty, the love of his native country, but encouraged and cherished by his ministers to make their court-Principiis obsta. 1. Absolute destruction-impracticable. 2. As to the second-A high violation of the Act of Settlement, to which the present royal family owe the throne-This may possibly come before your lordships in your judicial capacity-If this prevails now, there never can be a time, in which the same thing must not be done-If the German dominions were annexed to this crown, I should be of the same opinion as I am now-It will tempt France to divert your strength and defence from your colonies and the naval war-Hanover has a constitutional defence of its own, by being part of the Germanic body-at worst can be only exposed to be ravaged and the quarters of a French army for a time-England ought not and into lay down its army till demnified-Would much rather give a great sum to dedommage the king, than undertake the previous defence. 3. Consider it in the light of a preventive measure-These measures more likely to kindle a war upon the continent than to prevent it -Provoke the king of Prussia-How far can we go?-Subsidies are of a very growing and prolific nature-First the Bavarian subsidy; next the Saxon subsidy-These pretended to I do not lay it down as an invariable rule of be for the desirable object of the election of a politics that this great commercial kingdom king of the Romans-That object was a phanshall never take any part in support of the con- tom-is now disappointed and sunk into obtinent-Had I lived at the beginning of the livion-Now another phantom raised of keepGrand Alliance, before Holland was a bankrupting your power upon the continent-How far country, and whilst Prussia was in the same scale with us, I should have concurred. The question now is a war upon the continent or not in defence of Hanover?—If it had not been predetermined to slight and insult parliament, it would have been impossible for the administration to take such a measure, previous to the consent of parliament-The ministers are to blame and not his majesty. These measures may be represented in three different lights: 1. The first to be considereda great war upon the continent: 2. A war for [VOL. XV. ] can we go in pursuit of this phantom? You can set no bounds to this expence. The war, on the limited plan of a maritime and American war, will next year cost you not less than 7 millions-All our measures are considered by halves-half peace-half war-If we could be once left to stand upon national measures only, we might be able to extricate ourselves. I have the honour of the greatest authority concurring with me, if his health would permit him to attend. Proposes an Amendment, to leave out the [2 M] we look upon the preservation of his government, and of the Protestant succession in his royal House, as the only security, under God, of our religion and liberties; that no menacing preparations or appearances shall deter us from vigorously act though we are far from desiring to injure or molest any of our neighbours, we are ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes in the defence of his majesty, and of the possessions, commerce, and just rights, of Great Britain. The Earl of Marchmont seconded the motion. Earl Temple moved to leave out, in the last paragraph but one, these words; "or against any other of his dominions, although not belonging to the crown of Great Britain, in case they should be attacked on account of the part taken by his majesty for the support of the essential interests of Great Britain." that in a time of full peace, and contrary to the faith of the most solemn treaties, hostilities should have been committed on the part of France; and to thank his majesty, for having increased his maritime armaments with so great application and expedition, and for augmenting his landing up to these principles; and that, forces, at the same time that his majesty has given encouragement to the colonies to exert their strength on this occasion, as their duty, interest, and common danher, oblige them to do.-To acknowledge the prudence and magnanimity of his majesty's views, to prevent a general war in Europe, and in confining his operations to those necessary ends which he has graciously declared to us. To express our satisfaction in the pacific declarations of his Catholic majesty; which are so agreeable to the amity subsisting between the two crowns, and to the general welfare of Europe.-To promise his majesty our most zealous and vigorous concurrence and assistance, in this just and national cause; and that nothing shall be wanting, on our part, to make good those solemn asBurances which were given to his majesty the last session; or to support his majesty in all such wise and necessary measures and engagements as his majesty may have taken, in vindication of the rights of his crown; or to defeat any attempt which may be made by France, in resentment for such measures; and to assist his majesty in disappointing or repelling all such enterprizes as may be formed against his kingdoms, or against any other of his dominions, although not belonging to the crown of Great Britain, in case they shall be attacked on account of the part taken by his majesty for the support of the essential interests of Great Britain.-To assure his majesty of our inviolable duty and affection to his sacred person; that words," and any other of his dominions al This motion occasioned a long debate, in which the duke of Bedford, the duke of Newcastle, the Lord Chancellor, and earl Granville spoke for the motion; and earl Temple, the earl of Pomfret, and lord Talbot against it: also the earl of Halifax spoke particularly against the treaties. But upon the question being put, the motion was agreed to without a division. Protest against that part of the Address which relates to the King's German Dominions.] Upon the rejection of his motion, earl Temple entered the following Protest upon the Journals. "Dissentient: "1st, Because the words of the Address objected to, pledging the honour of the nation to his majesty in the defence of his electoral dominions, at this critical conjuncture, and under our present encumbered and perilous circumstances, tend not only to mislead his majesty into a fallacious and delusive hope, that they can be defended at the expence of this country, but seem to be the natural and obvious means of drawing on attacks upon those electoral dominions; thereby kindling a The two Treaties ruinous war upon the continent of Europe, in which it is next to impossible that we can prove successful, and under which Great Britain and the electorate itself may be involved in one common destruction. Earl Temple, to vary his motion. Earl of Halifax, con. strongly hinted at in the motion. Duke of Newcastle, pro. Lord Bathurst, pro. Earl Temple. Lord Chancellor, pro. "2dly, Because it is, in effect, defeating the intention of that part of the Act |