will, I hope, enable me to procure, against your | (Parker*) who read the same to both Houses : next meeting, such Treaties to be concluded, as will settle peace and tranquillity among our neighbours. endea If through the blessing of God my Yours to this end prove successful, I shall have the satisfaction to silence even those who will never own themselves convinced; and to let all the world see plainly, that what I have most at beart, is the good and welfare of my people, who may then be eased in their taxes, and enriched by their Trade. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I must return you my particular thanks for the Supplies you have so cheerfully granted, and for the late instance of your confidence in me. I promise you, that my endeavours shall not be wanting to make use of both to the best advantage for the good of my people. "My Lords and Gentlemen; "The practices which are daily used by a most restless and unhappy set of men, to disturb a government by whose clemency they are protected, require our utmost attention and vigilance. I must therefore recommend it to you, that in your several stations and countries, you will endeavour to quell that spirit of disaffection, which our common enemies are so industrious to foment." Then the Lord Chancellor prorogued the Parliament to the 20th of May ; after which it was farther prorogued to the 11th of No vember. FOURTH SESSION OF THE FIFTH PAR LIAMENT OF GREAT BRITAIN. The King's Speech on Opening the Session.] November 11. This day the King came to the House of Peers, and the Commons attending, his majesty delivered the following Speech into the hands of the Lord Chancellor, "About this time there were some changes in the Ministry. Sir Edward Northey was removed, and Mr. Lechmere was made Attorney General in his room. The earl of Sunderland was made President of the Council and first Commissioner of the Treasury. The other commissioners were Aislabie, Wallop, Baillie, and Clayton. Mr. Craggs and the lord Stanhope (who and lord Cadogan were soon after created earls) were appointed secretaries of state. The earl of Berkley was placed at the head of the Admiralty, with sir George Byng, sir John Jennings, Mr. Cockburne, Mr. Chetwynd, sir John Norris, and sir Charles Wager. The earl of Holderness was made first commissioner of the Board of Trade. In April, the Lord Chancellor Cowper (who had been made an earl) resigned the great seal, and went immediately into the country. Though it had been reported some months that he desired to retire, yet his resigning his employment at that juncture, was a great surprize to the public, and no small grief so all unprejudiced persons. The judges Tracy, My Lords and Gentlemen; "Since your last recess, I have, by the blessing of Almighty God, concluded such terms the greatest princes of Europe, as will, in all and conditions of peace and alliance between their example, and make any attempts to dishuman appearance, induce others to follow turb the public tranquillity not only dangerous but impracticable. "These engagements, I am persuaded, will be so much the more agreeable to all my good subjects, as they bind the contracting powers to support the Succession to these kingdoms in my family, to which some were not at all, and others not so fully bound by any former treaties. "During the whole course of these negocia Prat, and Mountague, were made commissioners of the great seal; but, about a month after, the lord Parker was made High-Chancellor." Tindal. "Thomas Parker was born in 1667, and if not a native was long a resident at Derby, where he followed the profession of an attorney. Abilities and interest procured him practice, that practice brought money, and money consequence. These united introduced wider field for his talents. him into the office of Recorder, which opened a He soon became a pleader at the bar, travelled the midland circuit, acquired additional estimation, was denominated the silver-tongued counsel,' and found interest enough in 1705, to cause himself to be returned a member for the borough of Derby with lord James Cavendish. Having now ascended into a political atmosphere, where his talents beamed with more diffusive brightness, he made rapid advances towards preferment. He was knighted in 1705, and appointed queen's serjeant. The Commons, sensible of his powers, chose him one of their managers in the trial of Dr. Sacheverell, which he conducted with great ability. In 1710, he was made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench; and refused the Chancellor's seals because his sentiments did not coincide with those of the Harleian ministry. He was created barou Parker in 1716, viscount Parker of Ewelme, in 1718, and then accepted the Seals. In 1721, he was further created earl of Macclesfield, and continued Lord Chancellor till 1725, when he was accused of selling places in Chancery, brought to trial, and fined 30,000l. The king called for the council book, and with a sigh dashed out his name. Unhappily for his lordship, party rage ran high, and a brand was fixed upon his name which never wore out. It must be presumed, however, that the charges were fully proved, as out of 93 peers who gave judgment, there was not one who pronounced Not Guilty.' He retired during the last eight years of his life to Derby, where he resigned his earthly existence, April 28, 1732." Orford's Royal and Noble Authors. Park's edit. vol. 4, p. 145. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "I must desire you to grant me such Supplies, as will enable me to carry on the service of the year. I have given orders to have the proper Estimates laid before you, whereby you will perceive I have reduced the expence as much tions, a most strict regard has been had to the interests of Spain; and better couditions have been stipulated for that king, than were insisted upon in his behalf even at the Treaty of Utrecht; but the war in Hungary, which by our mediation is since happily ended, having tempted the court of Spain unjustly to attack our circumstances can well admit. I have the the emperor, and the hopes they have since pleasure to observe to you that the funds approconceived of raising disturbances in Great Bri-priated for sinking the public debts, have antain, France, and elsewhere, having encouraged swered above expectation. I must however them to believe, that we should not be able to recommend to you to consider of proper meact in pursuance of our Treaties, for the defence thods for improving them, by preventing the of the dominions invaded by them, nor even Frauds and Abuses daily committed in the to support those other essential and necessary public Revenues, not doubting in all your proconditions of the Treaty of Utrecht, which proceedings you will have that regard to the invide against the great monarchies of Europe being at any time hereafter united under one Sovereign, they have not only persisted in such a notorious violation of the public peace and tranquillity, but have rejected all our amicable proposals, and have broke through their most solemn engagements for the security of our commerce, "To vindicate therefore the faith of our former Treaties, as well as to maintain those which we lately made, and to protect and defend the trade of my subjects, which has in every branch been violently and unjustly oppressed, it became necessary for our naval forces to check their progress. It was reasonable to hope, that the success of our arms, the repeated offers of friendship, which I have never ceased to make in the most pressing manner, and the measures taken in concert with the Emperor and the most Christian king, to restore the public tranquillity, would have produced a better disposition in the court of Spain; but I have received informations, that instead of listening to our reasonable terms of accommodation, that court has lately given orders at all the ports of Spain and of the West Indies, to fit out privateers, and to take our ships. "I am persuaded that a British parliament will enable me to resent such treatment, as becomes us: and it is with pleasure that I can assure you of the ready and friendly resolutions of our good brother the Regent of France, to concur and join with me in the most vigor ous measures. "The firm confidence I repose m the affection of my people, together with my earnest desire to ease them of every charge not absolutely necessary, determined me, immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of our great alliance, to make a very considerable reduction of our land-forces; nor could I better express, than by so doing, how little we apprehend the attempts of our enemies to disturb the peace of my kingdoms, even though Spain should think fit to continue some time in war. Our naval force imployed in concert with our allies, will, I trust in God, soon put a happy end to the troubles which the ambitious views of that court have begun, and secure to my subjects the execution of the many treaties in force relating to our commerce. violable preservation of the public credit, which may quiet the minds of all those that have trusted to parliamentary engagements. My Lords and Gentlemen; "There never was a time when your unanimity, your vigour, and dispatch, were more necessary to so many good ends, as those we have now in view. I have done my part, It remains with you to give the last finishing to this great work. Our friends and our enemies, both at home and abroad, are waiting the event of your resolutions: and I dare promise myself that the first have nothing to apprehend, nor the others to hope, from your conduct in this important juncture, who have, during the whole course of my reign, given such lively proofs of your zeal and affection to my person, and of your love to your country." Debate in the Lords on the Address of Thanks.] The King being withdrawn, and the Commons returned to their House, the lord Carteret moved for an Address of Thanks to his majesty, for his care in preserving the public peace, and the balance of ower in Europe; for the considerable reduction of the landforces; and for having obtained so great and farther securities of the, Succession to these kingdoms in his royal family; as also to congratulate the seasonable success of his majesty's naval forces; and to assure him, that the House would support him in the pursuit of those prudent and necessary measures be had taken to secure the trade and quiet of these kingdoms, and the tranquillity of Europe. He was seconded by the lord Tenham, but several lords excepted against the congratulating his majesty upon the seasonable success of his Naval Forces, and the promising to support him in the pursuit of those prudent and necessary measures he had taken, because it was, in elfect, to approve a sea-fight which might be at tended with dangerous consequences, and give the sanction of that august assembly to mea surcs, which, upon examination, might appear either to clash with the laws of nations, and former treaties, or to be prejudicial to the trade of Great Britain; that according to the constant usage of that House, they ought to proceed with the utmost caution and maturest deliberation in an affair, wherein the honour, and interest of the nation were so highly concerned. Lord Strafford insisted, That before they approved the sea-fight, they ought to be satisfied whether the same happened before or after the signing of the Quadruple Alliance, and therefore moved for an Address that sir George Byng's instructions might be laid before the House. To this it was answered by bam, Devonshire, and Argyle, the earls of Nottingham, Cowper, Oxford, and Ilay, the lords North and and Grey, and Harcourt. The Lords presented their Address to his MaThe Lords' Address of Thanks.] Nov. 13. jesty, as follows: "Most Gracious Sovereign, gard which your majesty has shewn for the trade of your subjects. The considerable reduction of the Land Forces which your majesty has made at this time, must fully satisfy all your subjects, that you will never desire the continuance of more troops than what are absolutely neces Lord Stanhope, That there was no manner of occasion for such an Address, since, by his ma"We, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal jesty's command, he had already laid before subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in the House the Treaties of which the late Sea-Parliament assembled, do return your majesty Fight was a consequence, and in particular from the throne: and desire to express to your our humble thanks for your most gracious speech the treaty for a defensive Alliance between the emperor and his majesty, made at Westminster majesty the true sensethis House has of your care the 25th of May, 1716; and the treaty of al-lance of power, in Europe; and of the tender rein preserving the public peace, and the just baliance for restoring and settling the public peace, signed at London the 22d of July, O. S. After this bis lordship accounted at large for the justice and equity of those Treaties, which were mainly calculated to preserve, restore and settle the peace of Europe, by re dering the treaty of Utrecht effectual, particularly in preventing the union of the two great monarchiessary for their safety. In a most particular of France and Spain, under one sovereign, and in securing the succession of these kingdoms in his majesty's royal family. At the same time, his lordship shewed how the court of Spain hadly, as will, under the blessing of God, perviolated the treaty of Utrecht, and acted against the public faith in attacking the emperor's dominions, while he was engaged in a war against the enemies of Christendom, and in what manner they had rejected his majesty's friendly offices, and repeated offers of mediat-power, stand by, and support your majesty, in cessary measures your majesty has taken, to the vigorous pursuit of those prudent and nesecure the trade and quiet of these kingdoms, and the tranquillity of Europe." tained such great and further securities of the petuate the Protestant Succession undisturbed. The King's Answer.] His Majesty returned this answer : "My Lords; "I thank you for this Address, so full of duty to me, and affection to your country. I cannot doubt but my endeavours, for the bappiness of my people and the tranquillity of Europe, will attain the ends proposed, when the enemies to both shall see me supported therein by this House with so much warmth and zeal." ing an accommodation between the emperor and his catholic majesty. To which purpose his lordship gave the House an account of his late journey to, and negociations in, Spain. He added, That it was high time for Great Britain to check the growth of the naval power of Spain, in order to protect and secure the trade of the British subjects, which had been violently oppressed by the Spaniards; to which purpose several letters were read: concluding, that both with relation to sir George Byng's instructions, and in all other respects, in this whole affair, his majesty had acted by the ad vice of his privy council; that he was one of that number; and he thought it an honour to have advised his majesty to these measures, be- Debate in the Cominons on the Address of cause he was persuaded they intirely agreed Thanks.] The Commons being returned to with the honour and interest of his country; their House, Mr. Craggs, by his majesty's comthat he doubted not, but, upon the strictest ex-mand, presented to the House copies, in Latin, amination, these measures would be approved of by all true Englishmen; and that he was ready to answer for them with his head. This speech delivered with becoming vehemence, made a great impression on the whole assembly, and though several peers still urged, that the making war before the declaring of it, was a manifest violation of the law of nations; and others raised less material objections; yet the question being put upon the lord Carteret's motion, the same was carried in the affirmative by 83 voices against 50. The Speakers for the Address were the lords Carteret and Tenham, and the earls of Sunderland and Stanhope; and on the other side, the dukes of BuckingVOL. VII. of several Treaties, with a List of them; and the title of the copies of the said Treaties were read, and then the lord Hinchingbroke moved, " That an humble Address be presented to his majesty, returning the thanks of the House for his most gracious Speech from the throne, and for the many and great instances which he bas therein given to his people, of his constant endeavours for their security and welfare; That the House has intire satisfaction in those measures which his majesty has already taken for strengthening the Protestant Succession, and establishing a lasting tranquillity in Europe; and particularly in relation to the crown of Spain; and is resolved to enable his majesty, 20 manner proposed, to the late measures, could have no other view, than to screen ministers, who were conscious of having done something amiss, and, who having begun a war against Spain, would now make it the parliament's war: concluding, that instead of an entire satisfaction, they ought to shew their entire dissatisfaction with a conduct that was contrary to the laws of nations, and a breach of solemn treaties. Upon this in concurrence with his allies, not only to re- | Great Britain; but that the giving sanction, in the sent the injuries that crown has already done to the commerce of these kingdoms, in breach of the treaties subsisting between the two nations, but will likewise support him, in the most vigorous and effectual manner, in such farther measures as his majesty shall judge necessary to complete the public tranquillity, and to check the growth of that naval power, which must otherwise prove dangerous to the trade of these kingdoms, and to the repose of Europe." The lord Hinchingbroke was backed by the lord Tyrconnel, sir David Dalrymple, Mr. Lechinere, Mr. Craggs, Mr. John Smith, sir Gilbert Heathcote, sir Wilfred Lawson, Mr. Hampden, Mr. Aislabie, Mr. Boscawen, and colonel Bladen; but the motion being opposed by Mr. Freeman, Mr. Heysham, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Snell, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Herne, sir Joseph Jekyll, Mr.Cowper, sir William Wyndham, Mr. Shippen, lord Molesworth, and general Ross, a warm debate ensued. The Country Party strenuously objected against the words, entire satisfaction in those measures which his majesty had already taken.' In order therefore to have these words left out of the Address, it was alledged in the first place, That it was unparliamentary and unprecedented, on the first day of a session to enter upon particulars: That the business in question being of the highest importance, viz. peace or war, deserved the maturest deliberation: That before they approved of the measures that had been taken, they ought to examine the Treaties, and the reasons on which those measures were founded, which must needs take up some time; and therefore they ought, for the present, according to the usual custom, to content themselves with returning his majesty their thanks for his Speech, with general assurances of their zeal and affection for his majesty's person and government, and then appoint a day to take the said Speech into consideration. Mr. Craggs gave the House an account of the measures which the king and his ministers had pursued for restoring and securing the tranquillity of Europe, and said, That upon that view a Treaty of defensive alliance between his majesty and the emperor had been signed in May 1716, and by that very gentleman, then in a high station, who now excepted against these measures: That, at the same time, his majesty sincerely desired and endeavoured to maintain a perfect friendship with the king of Spain, and had even proposed a defensive alliance to him, before he made one with any other power: That notwithstanding the engagements his majesty was under, to guaranty the neutrality of Italy, and to defend the emperor in the possession of his dominions, which, upon the invasion of Sardinia, might have justified his majesty's assisting his imperial majesty against Spain; yet the king chose rather to act as a friendly mediator, and, in concert with the regent of France, endeavoured to find out means of reconciling the interests of the emperor and of the king of Spain, as the only way to put a stop to the war that threatened Italy, and in which all Europe might be involved: that the Catholic king was often solicited by the British ininisters at Madrid, to concur with his majesty's good intentions, and to give such instructions to the Spanish minister here, as would put it in his majesty's power to stand up for the interest and advantages of Spain in the ensuing negotiations: that the Catholic king having declined to conTo this the Courtiers answered, that though cert measures with Great Britain, and deall applications from the House to the throne manding, in general, satisfaction for the breaches differed according to the various circumstances he pretended the emperor had made upon the of affairs, yet there were not wanting pre-Treaty of Utrecht, the balance of power in cedents to support the expressions excepted against, of which some instances were produced; That the measures that had been taken, were grounded on Treaties that had been laid before them, and which might be examined into as soon as the House thought fit; but that it was necessary, at this critical juncture, when the eyes of all Europe were fixed on this parliament, early to come to a vigorous resolution, which would not fail having its due weight abroad. This was warmly opposed by Mr. R. Walpole, who urged, That it was against the common rules of prudence, and the methods of proceeding in that House, to approve a thing before they knew what it was. That he was thoroughly convinced of, and as ready as any person in that assembly, to acknowledge his majesty's great care for the general peace of Europe, and the interest of Europe, and the security and liberty of the princes and states of Italy, all that his majesty, with the regent's assistance, could do, was to obtain of the emperor such conditions as were thought most agreeable to his catholic majesty; to wit, an absolute renunciation of the mo narchy of Spain and the Indies, and a very considerable settlement in Italy for a prince of Spain, particularly the great duchy of Tuscany: that as the emperor's pretensions to Sicily were the principal reasons of his opposing the Treaty of Utrecht, from which he could not afterwards be brought off by the Treaty of Baden, it be came necessary, towards an accommodation, to dispose of that island in favour of his imperial majesty, of whom, upon that consideration, his majesty and the regent of France obtained the disposition of Sardinia in favour of the king of Sicily; that these were the principal Articles of the Treaty of Alliance, for restoring and settling the public peace, commonly called the Quadruple Alliance, which was a long while depending, and at last signed bere, on the 22d of July, 1718: that in order to support the views of this Treaty, and to add weight to the endeavours for restoring the tranquillity of Europe, his majesty acquainted the Commons, towards the end of the last session of parliament, that he intended to employ a naval force when it should be necessay; whereupon this House unanimously resolved to return his majesty their Thanks for his unwearied endeavours to promote the welfare of his kingdoms, and to preserve the tranquility of Europe; and to assure his majesty, that they would make good such exceedings of men for the sea service for the year 1718, as his majesty, in his royal wisdom, should find necessary to obtain those desirable ends: That this unanimous Resolution undoubtedly implied an entire satisfaction in the measures his majesty was at that time concerting for preserving the tranquillity of Europe; and if an action has since happened in consequence of those measures, this cannot, with any justice, be called the War of the Ministers, but rather the War of the Parliament: that, however, it was not with design of making war, but only of restoring peace, that his majesty sent a strong squadron into the Mediterranean: that, pursuant to this view, as soon as sir George Byng reached the coast of Spain, he wrote a letter to that king, desiring him to accept his majesty's mediation, and to desist from the hostilities already begun; offering him his service, either to withdraw his troops, or even to assist him, in case the emperor should not consent to a suspension of arms; which the admiral proposed while an accommodation should be negociated; that the Spaniard, having with haughtiness rejected his majesty's repeated amicable proposals, and not only persisted in the violation of the public peace, by the invasion of Sicily, but likewise broke through most solemn treaties for the security of our Trade, it became necessary for his majesty's naval forces to check these insolent and violent proceedings, as well to maintain the faith of his majesty's engagements, and prevent the consequences of this war, as to protect and defend the trade of the British subjects, which labours under the heaviest hardships and difficulties. To confirm this last assertion, Col. Bladen produced a list of many merchant ships, taken or detained by the Spaniards. Mr. R. Walpole having made solemn professions of his duty and affection to the king, and of his readiness to acknowledge his majesty's royal care and constant endeavours for the security and welfare of his people, and the tranquillity of Europe; but distinguishing between his majesty and bis ministers, and shewing an unwillingness to approve the measures pursued by the latter, untill the treaties on which those measures were founded, had been fully and maturely examined: Mr. Craggs readily admitted of the distinction between the king and his ministers, adding, That he observed with a great deal of pleasure, how unanimous they were all for the king, and that he should be extremely sorry if the minis ters should be the occasion of any delay in the House's expressing their duty and affection to his majesty; that he owned ministers were not infallible; that he had the honour to be one of his majesty's servants, and had gone as great lengths as any in the measures that had been taken but that he was so positive, that in the course of this whole affair nothing had been done that was not entirely consistent with the faith of treaties, and the honour and interest of the nation, that he durst promise, both for him self and the rest of the ministers, that if the House came into this vote, which he thought of the highest importance at this critical juncture, no manner of advantage would be taken of it to palliate any faults, which, through human frailty, might have been committed; and that for his own part he was ready to undergo the severest examination, whenever the House should think fit to enquire into the conduct of the ministry. Upon the whole matter, the question being at last put, upon the lord Hinching broke's motion, it was carried in the affirmative by 216 votes against 155. The Commons' Address of Thanks.] Nov. 12. The lord Hinchingbroke reported the Address, which on the 13th was presented to his majesty, as follows: "May it please your Majesty; "We e your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled, do return our most sincer and unfeigued thanks to your sacred majesty for your most gracious Speech from the throne, and for the many and great instances, which you have been graciously pleased therein to give your people, of your constant endeavours for their security and welfare. "It is with the greatest pleasure that we have this opportunity to assure your majesty, that we have entire satisfaction in those measures which you have already taken, for strengthening the Protestant Succession to the crown of these realms in your own family, and for establishing a lasting tranquillity in Europe, and particularly in relation to the crown of Spain; and we are resolved on our parts, to the utmost of our power, to enable your majesty, in concurrence with your allies, not only to resent the injuries which that crown has already done to the commerce of these kingdoms, in breach of the Treaties subsisting between the two nations, but will likewise support your majesty in the most vigorous and effectual manner, in such farther measures as in your great wisdom you shall judge necessary to complete the publie tranquillity, and to check the growth of that naval power, which must otherwise prove dangerous to the trade of these kingdoms, and the repose of Europe. "We should be wanting in our duty to your majesty, if we did not express, in the most atfectionate manner, the great sense we have of |