vigorous efforts (though attended with large expense) to a less effectual, and therefore less frugal, plan of war.

dens you may judge unavoidable, as will least distress and exhaust my people.

"My Lords, and Gentlemen,

"I have placed before you the dangers "I cannot here be unmindful of the sufand necessities of the public; it will be ferings of the poorer sort, from the present your care to lay in such a manner the bur-high price of corn, and the disturbances

of George the 2nd, Mr. Pitt received the seals of secretary of state, on the resignation of Mr. Fox; and his relations, the Grenvilles, were again placed in administration.

This sudden change was occasioned by a disagreement in the ministry, principally arising from the official jealousy of the duke of Newcastle, and hastened by the clamours of the nation for the ill success of the war.

and their friends were vested with other honourable though subordinate offices.

"So far the people were charmed with the promotion of individuals, upon whose virtues and abilities they had the most perfect reliance: but these new ingredients would never thoroughly mix with the old leaven. The administration became an emblem of the image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, the leg was of iron, and the foot was of clay. The old junto found the new associates very unfit for their purposes. They could neither persuade, cajole, nor intimidate them into measures which they thought repugnant to the true interest of their country. The new ministers combated in council every such plan, however patronised: they openly opposed in parliament every design which they deemed unworthy of the crown, or prejudicial to the people, even though distinguished by the predilection of the sovereign. Far from bargaining for their places, and surrendering their principles by capitulation, they maintained in office their independency and candour with the most vigilant circumspection, and seemed determined to

"The new administration, from which the duke of Newcastle was excluded, was of temporary duration; the king's antipathy to Mr. Pitt was increased by his opposition to the plan of continental warfare, in which he was joined by Mr. Legge. In consequence of his refusal to allow a sum of money not exceeding 100,000l. for the German war, the duke of Cumberland declined the command of the army unless Mr. Pitt was removed: he was accordingly dismissed on the 5th of April 1757, together with lord Temple and Mr. Legge. The king made several ineffectual attempts to form new arrangements; and the administration would have experienced the same fluctuation as it had undergone since the death of Mr. Pelham, had not a coalition fortunately taken place be-show, that he is the best minister to the sovetween Leicester-house, the duke of Newcastle, Mr. Pitt, and the Tories. This combination was too strong to be resisted; and the king, notwithstanding bis repugnance to acquiesce in the dictates of the new court, was compelled to accept a new administration, formed by the union of all parties." Coxe's Memoirs of Horatio Lord Walpole."

reign who acts with the greatest probity towards the subject. Those who immediately surrounded the throne were supposed to have concealed the true characters of these faithful servants from the knowledge of their royal master; to have represented them as obstinate, imperious, ignorant, and even lukewarm in their loyalty; and to have declared, that with such colleagues it would be impossible to move "Though the parliament of Great Britain the machine of government according to his unanimously concurred in strengthening the majesty's inclination. These suggestions, hands of government for a vigorous prosecution artfully inculcated, produced the desired effect: of the war, those liberal supplies had like to on the 6th of April Mr. Pitt, by his majesty's have proved ineffectual through a want of command, resigned the seals of secretary of harmony in her councils. In the course of the state for the southern department. In the last year the clamorous voice of dissatisfaction room of Mr. Legge, the king was pleased to had been raised by a series of disappointments grant the office of chancellor of the exchequer and miscarriages, which were imputed to want to the lord Mansfield, chief justice of the court of intelligence, sagacity, and vigour in the ad- of King's-bench. The fate of Mr. Pitt was ministration. In order to conciliate the good-extended to some of his principal friends: the will of those whom their conduct had disob liged, to acquire a fresh stock of credit with their fellow-subjects, and remove from their own shoulders part of what future censure might ensue, they admitted into a share of the administration a certain set of gentlemen, remarkable for their talents and popularity, headed by Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge, esteemed the two most illustrious patriots of Great Britain, alike distinguished and admired for their unconquerable spirit and untainted integrity. The former of these was appointed secretary of state, the other chancellor of the exchequer;

board of admiralty was changed, and some other removals were made with the same intention.

"What was intended as a disgrace to Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge turned out one of the most shining circumstances of their characters. The whole nation seemed to rise up, as one man, in the vindication of their fame: every mouth was opened in their praise; and a great number of respectable cities and corporations presented them with the freedom of their respective societies, enclosed in gold boxes of curious workmanship, as testimonies of their peculiar vene

which have arisen therefrom; and I recom- | for your most gracious Speech from the mend to you to consider of proper pro- throne. visions for preventing the like mischiefs hereafter.

"The importance of the present crisis, and the dangerous consequences which may result from the unnatural union of councils in Europe, are so sensibly felt by this House, that we should think ourselves wanting in duty to your majesty and our country, if we did not beg leave to offer at your royal feet our strongest assurances, that we will, to the utmost of our power, promote and effectuate such measures as shall be found expedient for vindicating the honour of your crown, and asserting the just rights of your majesty and your subjects.

"Permit us to return your majesty our most humble and grateful thanks, for your majesty's gracious condescension to the request of your parliament, in causing a body of your electoral troops to come into this country, at a conjuncture so critical to its preservation and defence.

ration. What the people highly esteem, they who were not perfectly agreeable to the peoin a manner idolize. Not contented with mak-ple: however unpopular the late ministry ing offerings so flattering and grateful to con- might appear, still they possessed sufficient inscious virtue, they conceived the most violent fluence in the privy council, and credit in the prejudices against those gentlemen who sucHouse of Commons, to thwart every measure ceeded in the administration; fully convinced, in which they did not themselves partake. that the same persons who had sunk the nation This consideration, and very recent experience, in the present distressful circumstances, who probably dictated the necessity of a coalition, had brought on her dishonour, and reduced her salutary in itself, and prudent, because it was to the verge of destruction, were by no means the only means of assuaging the rage of facthe fit instruments of her delivery and redemp- tion, and healing those divisions, more pernicition. The whole kingdom caught fire at the ous to the public than the most mistaken and late changes; nor could the power, the cun- blundering councils. Sir Robert Henley was ning, and the artifices of a faction, long sup- made lord keeper of the great seal, and sworn of port it against the united voice of Great Britain, his majesty's privy council, on the 13th of June: which soon pierced the ears of the sovereign. the custody of the privy seal was committed to It was not possible to persuade the people that sa- earl Temple: the duke of Newcastle, Mr. Legge, Jutary measures could be suggested or pursued, Mr. Nugent, visc. Duncannon, and Mr. Grenexcept by the few, whose zeal for the honourville, were appointed commissioners for exeof their country, and steady adherence to an upright disinterested conduct, had secured their confidence, and claimed their veneration. A great number of addresses, dutifully and loyally expressed, solicited the king, ever ready to meet half-way the wishes of his faithful people, to restore Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge to their former employments. Upon this they rested the security and honour of the nation, as well as the public expectation of the speedy and successful issue of a war, hitherto attended with disgraces and misfortunes. Accordingly, his majesty was graciously pleased to re-deliver the seals to Mr. Pitt, appointing him secretary of state for the southern department, on the 29th of June; and, five days after, the office of chancellor of the exchequer was restored to Mr. Legge: promotions that afforded universal satisfaction.

"It would not, perhaps, be possible to exclude from a share in the administration, all

cuting the office of treasurer of his majesty's exchequer: lord Anson, admirals Boscawen and Forbes, Dr. Hay, Mr. West, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. Elliott, to preside at the board of admiralty: Mr. Fox was gratified with the office of receiver and paymaster-general of all his majesty's guards, garrisons, and land-forces; and the earl of Thomond was made treasurer of the king's household, and sworn of his majesty's privy council. Other promotions likewise took place, with a design to gratify the adherents of either party; and so equally was the royal favour distributed, that the utmost harmony for a long time subsisted. Ingredients, seemingly heterogeneous, consolidated into one uniform mass, so as to produce effects far exceeding the most sanguine expectations; and this prudent arrangement proved displeasing only to those whom violent party attachment had inspired with a narrow and exclusive spirit." Smollett.

The King's Answer.] The King re- Westminster, on Wednesday the 8th in

Dec.

stant; and that another of the said printed papers be burnt, by the hands of the common hangman, before the Royal Exchange the same hour; and that the sheriffs of in London, on Friday the 10th instant, at

London and Middlesex do attend at the said times and places respectively, and cause the same to be burnt there accordingly."

Ordered, that the matter of the said ation on the 15th instant.

Complaint be taken into further consider

Dec. 15. The order of the day being

Complaint in the Lords of a Spurious Paper sold as the King's Speech.] 3. Complaint was made to the House, of a spurious and forged printed Paper, dis-read, for taking into further consideration persed and publicly sold as the King's Speech, intituled, "His majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on Thursday the 2nd of December, 1756; London, printed by T. Beskett, and by the assigns of R. Beskett, printer to his majesty, 1756." And the said Paper was read by the clerk and ordered to be taken into consideration to-morrow.

Dec. 4. The order of the day being read for taking into further consideration the matter of the Complaint made yesterday, of a spurious and forged printed Paper, dispersed and publicly sold as his majesty's Speech to both Houses of Parliament: The House was informed, “ That there were some persons attending without, who could give evidence relating to the printing and publishing of the said printed Paper." And thereupon John Spenceley, Anne Rivington, Jane Lawson, and John Miller, were severally called in and examined, upon oath, in relation thereto. And it appearing, upon the said examination, "That George King a seller in Hanover-street, Long Acre, and James Howe a printer who lives in the same house with the said King, were concerned in printing and publishing the said spurious and forged printed Paper :"

book

Resolved, 1. "That the said printed Paper is an audacious forgery, and a false, scandalous, and infamous libel, a high contempt of his majesty, his crown and dignity, and a notorious violation of the privileges of parliament; tending to poison the minds of the people, and to create and foment jealousies and animosities amongst his majesty's good subjects in this time of common danger. 2. That, in abhorrence and detestation of such abominable and seditious practices, one of the said printed papers be burnt, by the hands of the common hangman, in the New Palace Yard,

the matter of the said Complaint, the deputy gentleman usher of the black rod was called upon, to give an account of what he had done in pursuance of the order of the 4th instant, for taking into custody James Howe and George King; and acquainted the House," That he had taken the said George King; and that he was attending without, in custody; and that he had used James Howe; but that he absconded, and all possible endeavours to take the said could not be found."

Then the said George King was ordered to be brought to the bar and being brought accordingly:

And there

The House was informed, “ That there could give further evidence in relation to were some persons attending without, who the said James Howe and George King's being concerned in printing and publishing the said printed paper." upon Samuel Harrington a hawker, and James Howe, and William Garforth sercalled in, and examined upon oath, in revant also to the said Howe, were severally lation thereto. And having been severally cross-examined by the said George King, and withdrawn: The said George his defence: and denied his being conKing was heard what he had to offer in cerned with the said James Howe in printing and publishing the said paper; and said, "That he never had one of the said he had a witness without, who could prove printed papers in his possession; and that his being from home from 12 till 4 in the afternoon on the 2nd of December, and desired she might be called."

Ann Realton servant maid to the said

Whereupon Elizabeth Frazer, who lodged at the said King's house, was called in; and examined upon oath, in relation to the said King's being from home on the

2nd of December. And then she was di- | 4008 invalids, and voted 8,355,320l. 9s. 3d. rected to withdraw. And the said King, for the support of the same. having no other witness to call, nor any thing further material to offer in his defence, was ordered to be taken from the bar.

And a Report of Precedents, as to what punishments have been inflicted, or methods taken to vindicate the honour of this House, in cases of any breach of privilege or contempts to this House, made from a committee on the 25th of November 1724, was read: as was also an entry in the jour-ters, of the three denominations, in and nal of the 19th of February 1754, of the resolutions and judgment of this House, in the case of David Home, who had been guilty of forging, publishing, and selling, written protections.