endeavoured to fcreen and justify thofe Counsellors, by throwing on that good, pious, and well-meaning Prin· cefs, all the Blame and Odium of their evil Counfels.' As to what was alledg'd, that the cenfuring the late Mini fters, without hearing them, and condemning the Peace, without examining into Particulars, was unjust and unprecedented, it was anfwer'd, That they muft diftinguifla between cenfuring Minifters, and condemning the Peace in general, and condemning particular Perfons. That they might, in Equity and Juftice do the firft, becaufa the whole Nation is already fenfible that their Honour and true Intereft were given up by the late Peace; that in due Time they would call them to an Account, who made and advifed fuch a Peace; but God forbid they fhould ever condemn any Perfon unheard." On this Occafion, Mr. Stanhope took Notice of a Report industrioufly fpread abroad, That the prefent Minifters never defigned to call the late Managers to an Account, but only to cenfure them in general Terms: But he affur'd the House, that notwithstanding all the Endeavours had been used to prevent a Discovery of the late Mifmas · nagements, by conveying away feveral Papers from the Secretaries Offices, yet the Government had fufficient Evidence left, to prove the late Miniftry the most corrupt that ever fate at the Helm: That those Matters would foon be laid before the Houfe; and that it would appear, that a certain English General had acted in Concert with, if not receiv'd Orders from, Marshal Villars.

Sir William Wyndham endeavoured to prove, that the Peace had been very beneficial to this Kingdom; and of fered to produce a Lift of Goods, by which it appear'd, that the Customs had increas'd near 100,000l. per Annum. But he was immediately taken up by Sir Gilbert Heathcote, who readily own'd, Sir William might, indeed, produce a Lift of vaft Imports from France, but defy'd him to fhew that our Exports thither, particularly of our Woollen Ma nufactures, had encreas'd fince the Peace. He added, That Imports being only our Confumption, rather prove our Lofs than our Gain; and that the Nation gets only by Exports, which keep up our Manufactures, employ our Poor, and bring in Returns in Money; to which Sir William` Wyndham made no Reply. Nor far'd it better with Sir William Whitlocke, who having fuggefted, that the Whigs defign'd to involve the Nation in a new War, and lay Six Shillings in the Pound, was affur'd by Mr. Walpole, that. none in the prefent Ministry, were for a War, if the

Lame

fame could any Ways be avoided; and that he doubted not, but Two Shillings in the Pound would be fufficient towards this Year's Service.

After thefe, and fome other Speeches, a Motion, being made, and the Queftion put, That the Addrefs of Thanks be recommitted, it pafs'd in the Negative, by a Majority of 244 Voices against 138; and then it was refolv'd, That the Houfe do agree with the Committee in the faid Address; and order'd, that the Members of the Houfe, who are of his Majefty's Moft Honourable Privy Council, fhould know his Majefty's Pleasure, when he would be açtended by the Houfe. The King having appointed the next Day, the Commons, with their Speaker, attended his Majelty accordingly at St. James's, with their Addrefs, to which his Majefty return'd this most gracious Answer:

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Gentlemen,

Thank you for the many kind Affurances you have given me in your dutiful and loyal Addrefs.

No endeavours fhall be wanting on my Part, to promote your true Intereft, and endear my self to all my People: And I will depend on your Zeal and Affection, to defeat all evil Defigns, that may tend to difquiet the Minds of my People, and difturb the Tranquility of my Government,

The Speaker having, on the 26th of March, reported his Majefty's Anfwer, it was refolv'd, to prefent an humble address to his Majefty, to return the most humble Thanks of this Houfe, for his moft gracious Answer to their Addrefs.

March 29, the Order of the Day being read, for taking into Confideration his Majefty's Speech to both Houses, the fame was read again by Mr. Speaker, and a Motion being made for a Supply to be granted to his Majefty, it was refolv'd, that the Houfe would on the 28th, refolve it felf into a Grand Committee, to confider of that Mo tion.

Upon Information fome Members of the Houfe of Commons had receiv'd, that vaft Quantities of French Gold had of late been imported, and brought into the Tower to be coin'd; and in order to find out the Perfons to whom the fame had been remitted, which might give a Handle for further Discoveries: A Motion was made, and it was thereupon refolv'd, That an Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, that he would be pleas'd to direct the proper

• Officers

Officers to lay before this Houfe an Account of what Gold and Silver had been coin'd at his Majefty's Mint in the Tower of London from Lady-Day 1713 to Lady-Day 1715; and also an Account of what Gold and Silver remain'd in the Tower in order for Coinage at Lady-Day 1715 And alfo an Account of the feveral Denominations and Species, in which the faid Gold and Silver were brought into the Tower." After this, the Houfe proceeded to the Reading the Petitions left with the Clerk of the Houfe, relating to controverted Elections, to the Number of about 112; of which 25 were read that Day, and the other the following Days; and most of them referr'd to the Confideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections; and a few order'd to be heard at the Bar of the House.

On the 28th of March, the Commons being inform❜d, that John Richmond Webb, Efq; defir'd the Opinion of the House, in relation to his taking his Place in the Houfe, in refpect to his being conftituted Governour of the Ile of Wight, by Lettets Patents which pafs'd the Great Seal fince his Election, but iffu'd pursuant to a Warrant granted before the Election; the faid Warrant and Letters Patents were ordered to be laid before the House. Then the House refolv'd itself into a Committee of the whole House upon the Supply, of which Committee Mr. Farrer was chofen Chairman; and having confider'd of the Motion made the Friday before, it was refolv'd, That a Supply be granted to his Majefty. This Refolution was the next Day reported, and agreed to by the Houfe; after which, it was refolved to addrefs his Majefty for feveral States, Accounts, and Eftimates, viz.

1. An Account of the Deficiency of the Money granted in the Year 1714.

2. An Estimate of the Ordinary of the Navy, for the Year 1715, with the Half pay of the Officers of the Navy and Marines, and what may be further neceffary for extraordinary Repairs of the Fleet.

3. An Account of the Extraordinaries for Guards, Garrifons, and Land-Forces for the Year 1714; and also of the growing Charges for the fame, for the Year 1715.

4. An Estimate of the Charge of the Office of Ordnance for Land-Service, for the Year 1715.

5. A State of the Debt of the Navy to Christmas laft. 6. An Account of all the Ships in Sea-Pay, employ'd in 1714.

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7. A Lif

7. A Lift of the Regimental and Warrant Officers, that are to be in Half-Pay, for the Year 1715.

8. An Account of the feveral Officers in Half-Pay, for the last Year, that have been provided for, or are fince dead.

9. An Account of the Capital and Annual Fund of the South Sea Company, for the Year 1715. And,

10. An Account of what Ships have been paid off fince the Ceffation of Arms, by what Orders, when dated, and at what Times paid off. All which Papers the King order'd to be laid before the House by the proper Officers.

The fame Day, the Warrant and Patents conftituting John Richmond Webb, Efq; Governor of the Isle of Wight, being laid before the Houfe, the fame, and alfo feveral Sections of of the Act of the Sixth Year of Q. Anne, Chap.7. entitled, An Act for the Security of her Majesty's Perfon and Government, and the Succeffion to the Crown of Great Britain in the Proteftant Line, were read: After which, General Webb took his Place in the Houfe, the faid Act being judg'd not to affect his Cafe. That Evening, the Grand Committee of Privileges and Elections fat the firft Time, and chofe for their Chairman Richard Hambden, Efq;

March 30, The Commons read moft of the remaining 'Petitions about controverted Elections, proceeded to the reading of the reft, on the laft Day of this Month; and amongst others, read two Petitions of Edward Harley, Efq; commonly call'd Lord Harley, complaining of undue Elections and Returns for the Borough of New Radnor, and for the Borough of Bishops Caftle in the County of Salop.

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March 31, The Commons refolv'd, that feven feveral humble Addreffes fhould be prefented to his Majefty, by fuch Members of the Houfe as were of the Privy Council, That his Majefty would direct that the feveral following Papers to be laid before the House, viz.

1. All Powers, Inftructions, Memorials, Letters, and Papers, relating to the late Negotiations of Peace and Commerce, and to the Ceflation of Arms.

2. The Proceedings relating to the Demolition of Dunkirk.

3. The Reprefentation from the Ruffia Company, and the Merchants trading to the Eaft-Country.

4. The Reprefentations and Memorials from the Merchants trading to Spain and the Weft-Indies.

5. An Account of the Proceedings at the Courts of the South Sea Company, relating to the Affiento and South Sea Trade.

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6. The

6. The feveral Memorials of the Clothiers to the Com- · mithioners of Trade, and what Directions the faid Commiflioners receiv'd relating to fuch Memorials.

7. The Reprefentations and Memorials of the Turky Company, and of the Italian Merchants.

April 1. The House of Lords met according to their last Adjournment, and adjourn'd farther to the 11th.

The fame Day the Commons order'd, that Dr. Awbrey be defir'd to preach before this Houfe upon the 29th of May. Then in a grand Committee on the Supply, came to the following Refolutions:

1. That Ten Thousand Men be allow'd for the SeaService for the Year 1715, beginning from the 1ft Day of January 1714.

2. Thar a Sum not exceeding 41. per Man per Month, be allow'd for maintaining the faid Ten Thousand Men for 13 Months, including the Ordnance for Sea-Service. 3. That a Sum not exceeding 5386781. s. be granted to his Majefty, to make good, for the Services of the Navy, the like Sum, which in the Year commencing from Christmas 1714, is to be paid by the Treafurer of the Navy, by quarterly Payments to the South Sea Company purfuant to the Act of Parliament in that Behalf: Which Refolutions were the next Day reported, and agreed to by the Houfe.

The Day before feveral Eftimates relating to the Office of Ordnance, and the Navy, were laid before the Com mons pursuant to former Addreffes; and it was resolved, to prefent other Addreffes to his Majefty, that he would be pleas'd to direct the proper Officers to lay before the House,

1. An Eftimate of the Half-Pay of the Officers and Chaplains who had ferv'd well in the Trains of Artillery in Flanders and Spain, and on feveral Expeditions; with › what Allowances they have on the Establishment in the Office of Ordnance, and what would be requir'd to compleat their Half-Pay.

2. That the refpective Commiffioners of his Majesty's Customs for England and Scotland, do lay before this House an Account of all Woollen Manufactures, and of all Lead, Tin, and Fish that have been exported from Great Britain, in the feveral Years from Chriftmas 1708 to Christmas 1714 refpectively; and to what Places, and in what Ships exported; and alfo an Account of the grofs and real Pro duce of the Cuftoms for the fame Time; and alfo an Account of the Produce of the Cuftoms for Wine and