CHAP." inclined, and seemed resolved to repair to the XV. 1727. 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 Highlands, and make the best stand he could "with such as repaired to him; and this measure was approved by Lord Inverness, and his other subjects attending him, with whom he advised. Upon my inquiring if that Lord was with the King, he shifted giving a direct answer; but being put to it, he said he was not actually present "with him, but kept at a little distance, so as His Majesty could send often to him, and have him "when he pleased."* When asked for his opinion in this momentous affair, Lockhart desired to consult Colonel Clephane, a zealous Jacobite, who had taken an active part in the Rebellion of 1715.† and was now living in exile. The answer of Cameron is another strong proof how rife were cabals and jealousies even at so small a Court as James's. He declined to send for Clephane, who he said was "of the Marrian faction;" and he did not yield till Lockhart had pledged himself for Clephane's honour and fidelity, and had inveighed against the folly of keeping up divisions at a crisis when all hands were necessary. Both Clephane and Lockhart agreed, that the project of going over to Scotland, without either a settled scheme or foreign succour, was utterly hopeless, and could serve only to lose the cause and ruin its adherents altogether. It appeared that Inverness and Dunbar, who ad * Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 359. See the first volume of this history, p. 233. XV. 1727. vised the scheme, meant themselves to stay abroad, CHAP. the one attending the Prince, and the other managing affairs with foreign Powers; and Lockhart could not forbear remarking, that he should have had a much better opinion of these two gentlemen, if they had thought fit to run equal hazard with their King, in a project they so much approved. 66 The answers which James received from Paris and from London were equally discouraging, and urged him in the strongest manner to forbear so desperate an enterprize. "You will observe, Sir," writes Atterbury, "what a spirit of caution and "fear possesses your friends at home, and how 'they dread any alarm being given to the Govern"ment, or taken by it...... It appears that nothing "is to be expected from them, without a foreign, "and a very considerable assistance. .... It is 'plain that the Tories at this turn hoped to get into 'place, if not into power; and though they re"solved to keep their principles and inclinations "if they had done so, I much question whether 66 66 66 they really would, or rather I am satisfied that "the bulk of them would not; and therefore it is "a happiness to you, Sir, that their aims have "hitherto been and will probably continue to be "defeated."* Nor was the Pretender left quiet and undisturbed to mature his plans; on the contrary the *Bishop Atterbury to James, August 20. 1727. Appendix. XV. 1727. CHAP. French government urged by the English, sent positive directions to the Duke of Lorraine to compel James to quit his territories. The Duke, who was little more than the vassal of France, durst not disobey, and wrote to James in his own hand, pressing him in the strongest manner to go out of his country in three days. Thus," says James," in my present situation, I cannot pretend to do any thing essential for my interest, so that all "that remains is the world should see that I have "done my part."* He determined however, by the advice of Atterbury, instead of crossing the Alps, to repair to the Papal State of Avignon. But even there the French influence was exerted 66 to dislodge him. In the ensuing spring he was * James to Atterbury, August 9. 1727. Appendix. Account of the Funeral Ceremonies of the Princess Avignon; but Dunbar still retained the chief influ- CHAP. ence at the little Court of the Pretender. XV. Meanwhile events in England were proceeding 1728. very far from favourably to his cause. The new Parliament, which met in January, 1728, displayed a ministerial majority even greater than the last. "On the first day," says Horace Walpole, "we had 427 members in the House, most of "them sincere and hearty friends, and in perfect "good humour." * Their choice for Speaker (Sir Spencer Compton being now a peer) fell unanimously upon Mr. Arthur Onslow, sprung from a family which had already twice filled the chairt, and endowed with high personal qualifications for that office. During three and thirty years did this accomplished man continue to preside over the House of Commons, with thorough knowledge of forms, and perfect impartiality of judgment; and even after his retirement he still contributed to the public service, by his ready advice and guidance to younger politicians. + The King's speech on opening the session lamented the tedious and still unsettled negotiations * To Earl Waldegrave, January 24. 1728. pole. Coxe's Wal + See Parliamentary History, vol. i. p. 703; and vol. vi. p. 744. "It was permitted to the compiler of this work to visit that "excellent man in his retirement, and to hear those observ"ations on the law and constitution, which, particularly in the 66 company of young persons, Mr. Onslow was fond of commu"nicating." Hatsell's Precedents, vol. ii. Preface, p. ix. ed. 1785. XV. 1728. CHAP. with Spain, and the consequent necessity of continuing warlike preparations; but did not omit the usual professions of economy, and willingness to reduce the national expenses. Such professions, in fact, are frequently the most ardent where the supplies to be demanded are largest. To the address, in answer, Shippen moved an amendment, and inveighed against Hosier's expedition as useless and insignificant; for that we might have rifled the galleons at Carthagena, and plundered Porto Bello, and have had those riches in our hands to dispute with the Spaniards.* He was seconded by Wyndham; but their observations were so ill received by the House, that they did not venture on a division. Almost the first occasion when the opposition made a stand was when they had reason and justice completely on their side. It was proposed by Horace Walpole that the sum of 230,000l. should be granted for maintaining, during this year, 12,000 Hessians in the British pay-a measure quite unworthy the King of England, but very advantageous to the Elector of Hanover. If troops were wanted, could we not raise them at home? Or, if a similar step had been taken in the rebellion of 1715, amidst pressing and fearful danger, can it be urged that the precedent applied to orderly and settled times; and might we not quote against this motion the very words of its mover * Mr. Tilson to Earl Waldegrave, February 2. 1728. |