Period I.

St. John, in regard to religion, but confined his 1676 to 1714. remarks to the fubject of debate. He explained, in a calm and diftinct manner, the accounts of the public expenditure, and confirmed the truth of his report, by the original receipts, and the most authentic testimonies. After having proved that the inquiry was founded on party animofity, he concluded by observing, "If he is accufed, who cannot be charged with any crime, or any just fuf picion of a crime, and whom the member who fpoke laft could neither fear nor hate, take heed left the constitution fhould receive a wound through his fides. It is obvious, how much the multitude is under the influence of bribery, it is obvious, that the people of England are at this moment animated against each other, with a fpirit of hatred and rancour. It behoves you, in the first place, to find a remedy for thofe diftempers, which at prefent are predominant in the civil conftitution, and unless you reject this inquiry with becoming indignation, I leave you to conjecture the fituation to which this kingdom and government Report of the are likely to be exposed *." But the zeal and eloquence of Walpole had no effect; for the committee was appointed, confifting of perfons principally Tories, and two notorious Jacobites; all previously determined to arraign the proceedings of the former administration. The refult of their inquiry was given in a most extraordinary report, which paffed the houfe on the 12th of April, and

committee.

Cunningham's Hiftory of Great Britain, vol. 2. p. 349, 350.

was

was presented to the queen on the fame day. After Chapter 6. ftating the great arrears due from public taxes, 1711 to 1713 many embezzlements and fcandalous abuses, evil mismanagement in public offices, and misapplication of parliamentary fupplies, it boldly afferted, "That of the monies granted by parliament, and "iffued for the public fervice to Christmas 1710, 66 THERE REMAINS UNACCOUNTED FOR, THE

SUM OF £.35,302,107. FOR A GREAT PART "OF WHICH NO ACCOMPTS HAVE SO MUCH AS << BEEN LAID BEFORE THE AUDITORS; and for

the reft, though fome accompts have been brought "in, yet they have not been profecuted by the "accomptants, and finifhed." This unqualified reproach caft by the house of commons on the ex-minifters, had for a short time a prodigious effect in increasing the unpopularity of the Whigs. The people conceived it to be impoffible, that the commons would advance fuch an affertion, without the most convincing proofs in its favour. A general belief gained ground, that the nation had been deceived and betrayed; fresh confidence was placed in the new minifters, who thus difplayed their care for the people, and proved their capacity by contriving fuch means as might ascertain and discharge fo vast a debt.

Walpole.

In oppofition to thefe accufations, Walpole again Anfwered by came forth as the champion of his colleagues, and published "The Debts of the Nation stated and "confidered," and the "Thirty-five Millions accounted for." In these publications, the author, who is called by Arthur Mainwaring, the best master

Period 1. of figures of any man of his time, gave, in a small 676 to 1714. compass, fo accurate a scheme of the public debts, efpecially of the navy, together with the management of the revenues, the anticipations, the debts, and the reafons and neceffity of them, as entirely undeceived the public, and refuted the calumnies which had been fo induftriously raised *. He proved, in a clear and fatisfactory manner, that the debt of the navy, which was estimated at £5,130,539, did not exceed £. 574,000; and that of the whole £35,000,000, all but £4,000,000 had been accounted for.

Walpole had distinguished himself too ably in the house of commons, and by his publications had proved himself too warm a friend of the fallen ministry, and too powerful an adverfary to the reigning administration, not to be singled out as one of the facrifices to be made at the fhrine of party vengeance. His expulfion, therefore, from the house of commons was refolved, and a meeting held by the leaders of the oppofite party for the purpose of confulting on the means of proceeding, But the injustice of this act was esteemed fo flagrant, and the imputations of guilt fo faint and falfe, that many of those who had united to overturn the late adminiftration, declared their averfion to this malicious defign, Bromley †, however, removed their fcruples, by declaring that the expulfion of Walpole was the unum neceffarium,

* Conduct of Robert Walpole, efquire, from the beginning of the reign of queen Anne, to the prefent time, 1717, p. 29.-Tindal.Oldmixon.

↑ Letter from Horace Walpole to Etough, September 21, 1751

as

corruption.

as they could not carry on the business, if he was Chapter 6. fuffered to continue in the house. It is no won- 1711 to 1713. der, therefore, that his enemies, who could command a majority, fhould find a plaufible pretext. Accused of The commiffioners of public accounts laid a charge of venality and corruption against him for forage- December 21« contracts in Scotland while he was fecretary at war. They accused him of having taken, in two contracts, two notes of hand, one for 500 guineas, the other for £.500, the fifft of which had been paid, and a receipt given in his name, and of the other £.400 was paid. It appeared, from examining of the witneffes, on oath, that the contractors, rather than admit into their partnership Robert Mann, agent for Walpole, who, according to the tenour of the original agreement, referved a fhare for a friend, to have a benefit of the fifth part, if not redeemed by the contractors with a fum of money, had preferred paying the 500 guineas and .500; and that Mann had received the money for the firft note, and had obtained the fecond note as a depofit for the fum fpecified to be paid.

1712.

In confequence of these reports, Walpole was January 17 heard in his own defence, though no particulars of his fpeech are preferved in the proceedings of parliament; after he had withdrawn, a warm debate took place, which lafted till paft ten at night. His friends, on this occafion, fupported him with fo much zeal, that the house was divided four times in the fame fitting; and the minifters, who carried all political questions in this feffion with

only

ἐσ

Period 1. only a trifling oppofition, gained the motions for 1676 to 1714 his condemnation and expulfion, by a small majority. On the firft divifion, in which Pulteney, then his intimate friend, afterwards his moft bitter opponent, was teller, the amendment, to leave out the words, and notorious corruption," was negatived by a majority of 52. The main question paffed in the affirmative by 57. The motion for committing him to the Tower by only twelve, and his expulfion was decreed by 22*. These fmall majorities fufficiently prove, either that Walpole poffeffed great perfonal influence in the house, or that many of the Tories confidered his accufation a fcandalous profecution, and would Expelled the not give their votes against him. The house, however, refolved," That Robert Walpole, efquire, was guilty of a high breach of truft, and notorious corruption: That he fhould be committed prifoner to the Tower of London ;" and on a fubfequent motion, which was carried only by a majority of twenty-two votes, That he fhould be expelled.

house.

Committed

to the Tower.

On the next morning, Walpole furrendered himself a prisoner, and was committed to the Tower. It was expected, that he would have petitioned, and fubmitted himself to the cenfure of the houfe; but he refufed making any conceffion, which could imply a confcioufnefs of guilt, and

* ft. 155 against 207. 2d. 148-205. 3d. 156-168. 4th. 148 -170. The motion of cenfure against the duke of Marlborough was carried by a much greater majority, 270 against 165.-Journals. ↑ Journals. Chandler's Debates.