difficulties, and subject to so much obloquy? His intimate friends urged him to take this step, when the convention was carried in the house of commons by a majority of 28. In fact, he did request the king's permission to resign. He stated his embarrassments. He observed, that his opposition to this war would be always imputed as a crime, and that ill success would be attributed to him. The king remonstrated against this resolution, exclaiming, "Will you desert me in my greatest difficulties?" and refused to admit his resignation. The minister reiterated his wishes, and the king again imposed silence in so authoritative a manner, that he acquiesced, and remained at the helm.

But his compliance with the king's commands is by no means sufficient for his justification. Had he come forward on this occasion, and declared that he had opposed the war as unjust, and contrary to the interests of his country; but finding the people clamorous for hostilities, he would therefore quit a station which he could not preserve with dignity, as he was unwilling to conduct the helm of government, when he could not guide it at his own discretion, and to be responsible for measures which he did not approve. Had he acted this noble and dignified part, he would have risen in the opinion of his own age, and have secured the applause of posterity.

The consequence of his continuance in office was repeated mortifications from those with

• Correspondence between Horace Walpole and Etough. Walpole and Etough Papers.

[CHAP. 53.] whom he acted, and insults from those who opposed him; and in less than two years from this period, he was reduced to a compulsory resignation.

The truth is, he had neither resolution nor inclination to persevere in a sacrifice, which circumstances seemed to require, and to quit a station which long possession had endeared to him. But ministers are but men: human nature does not reach to perfection; and who ever quitted power without a sigh, or looked back to it without regret?

CHAPTER 54.

1739-1741.

Meeting of Parliament-Return of the Seceders-Efforts of Opposi tion-Embarrassments of Walpole-Supplies-Capture of PortoBello-Expedition to America-Altercations in the CabinetForeign Affairs-Death of the King of Prussia-Of the EmperorInvasion of Silesia.

THE declaration of war rendered it necessary that the parliament should be assembled at an earlier season than usual. The king, in his speech from the throne, November 15, 1739, spoke a language which could not have been stronger, had it been dictated by opposition. In the opening, he observed, "The present posture of our affairs has obliged me to call you together at this time, sooner than has been usual of late years, that I may have the immediate advice and assistance of my parliament, at this critical and important conjuncture. I have, in all my proceedings with the court of Spain, acted agreeably to the sense of both houses, and therefore I can make no doubt, but I shall meet with a ready and vigorous support, in this just and necessary war, which the repeated injuries and violence committed by that nation, upon the navigation and commerce of these kingdoms,

and their obstinacy and notorious violation of the most solemn engagements, have rendered unavoidable."

He then mentioned the augmentation of his forces, and his confidence in being furnished with the necessary supplies. After adverting to the heats and animosities which had, with the greatest industry, been fomented throughout the kingdom, and had chiefly encouraged the proceedings of the court of Spain, he concluded by observing, "Union among all those who have nothing at heart but the true interest of Great Britain, and a becoming zeal in the defence of my kingdoms, and in the support of the common cause of our country, with as general a concufrence in carrying on the war, as there has appeared for engaging in it, will make the court of Spain repent the wrongs they have done us; and convince those, who mean the subversion of the present establishment, that this nation is determined, and able, both to vindicate their injured honour, and to defend themselves against all our open and secret enemies, both at home and abroad."*

In the house of lords, the address passed, though not without much altercation from the peers in opposition, at the mention of heats and animosities, and on a division, the numbers were 68 against 41.t

In the commons it occasioned a warm and violent debate, which did not so much relate to the subject of the address, as to the return of ↑ Lords' Debates.

Journals. Chandler.

the seceding members to their duty. Mr. Archer having moved the address, which was, as usual, the echo of the speech, Pulteney began by vindicating the secession. He enforced the necessity of that measure, for the purpose of clearing their characters to posterity, from the imputation of sitting in an assembly, where a determined majority gave a sanction to measures, evidently disgraceful to the king and the nation. "This step," he said, "however it has been hitherto censured, will I hope, for the future, be treated in a different manner; for it is fully justified by the declaration of war, so universally approved, that any farther vindication will be superfluous. There is not an assertion maintained in it, that was not, almost in the same words, insisted upon by those who opposed the convention. Since that time, there has not one event happened, that was not then foreseen and foretold. But give me leave to say, Sir, that though the treatment which we have since received from the court of Spain may have swelled the account, yet it has furnished us with no new reason for declaring war; the same provocations have only been repeated, and nothing but longer patience has added to the justice of our cause. The same violation of treaties, the same instances of injustice and barbarity, the same disregard to the law of nations, which are laid down as the reasons of this declaration, were then too flagrant to be denied, and too contemptuous to be borne. Nor can anyone reason be alleged for justifying our going to war now, that was not of equal