CHAPTER 55.

1740 1741.

Meeting of Parliament-Address-Views of Opposition-Motion for the Removal of Sir Robert Walpole-Speech of Sandys-Conduct of the Tories-Shippen withdraws.

IN these critical circumstances, both at home and abroad, the last session of this parliament assembled on the 18th of November, 1740. The king, in his speech from the throne, said, "I acquainted you, at the close of the last session, that I was making preparations for carrying on the just and necessary war in which I am engaged, in the most proper places, and in the most vigorous and effectual manner. For this purpose strong squadrons were got ready, and ordered to sail upon important services, both in the West Indies and Europe, with as much expedition as the nature of those services and the manning of the ships would admit. A very considerable body of land forces was embarked, which is to be joined by a great number of my subjects raised in America; and all things necessary for transporting the troops, and carrying on the designed expedition, were a long time in readiness, and waited only for an opportunity to pursue the intended voyage.

"The several incidents which have happened in the mean time have had no effect upon me, but to confirm me in my resolutions, and determine me to add strength to my armaments, rather than divert or deter me from those just and vigorous methods which I am pursuing, for maintaining the honour of my crown, and the undoubted rights of my people.

"The court of Spain having already felt some effects of our resentment, began to be sensible that they should be no longer able to defend themselves against the efforts of the British nation. And if any other power, agreeably to some late extraordinary proceedings, should interpose, and attempt to prescribe or limit the operations of the war against my declared enemies, the honour and interest of my crown and kingdoms must call upon us to lose no time in putting ourselves into such a condition, as may enable us to repel any insults, and to frustrate any designs formed against us, in violation of the faith of treaties. And I hope any such unprecedented steps, under what colour or pretence soever they may be taken, will inspire my allies with a true sense of the common danger, and will unite us in the support and defence of the common cause.

"The great and unhappy event of the death of the late Emperor, opens a new scene in the affairs of Europe, in which all the principal powers may be immediately or consequentially concerned. It is impossible to determine what turn the policy, interest, or ambition, of the

several courts, may lead them to take in this critical conjuncture. It shall be my care strictly to observe, and attend to their motions, and adhere to the engagements I am under, in order to the maintaining of the balance of power, and the liberties of Europe, and in concert with such powers as are under the same obligations, or equally concerned to preserve the public safety and tranquillity, and to act such a part, as may best contribute to avert the imminent dangers that may threaten them." *

He then, in the usual language, demanded the necessary supplies, recommended the parliament to prohibit the exportation of corn, which the great scarcity rendered necessary, and concluded by exhorting them to make provision for removing the difficulties which obstructed the manning of the fleet. In the house of commons, when an address was moved, testifying the gratitude and affection of the house, and their resolution to support the king in the vigorous prosecution of the war; the opposition proposed to insert the words, to make a due examination into the application of the supplies given the last session of parliament.' But the insertion of these words, which were intended to intimate a diffidence of administration, was negatived by 226 against 159, and the original address was carried.t

The great scene of political altercation during this session was the house of peers, where the duke of Argyle, in particular, made a conspi

cuous figure on the side of opposition. The king was no sooner withdrawn, and the speech read by the lord chancellor, than the duke of Argyle suddenly rose, before any of the ministerial peers could make the customary motion, and proposed an address, to assure the king that the house would support him with their lives and fortunes in prosecution of the just and necessary war in which he was engaged. After stating that the ancient mode of drawing up the address was short and general, reprobating the modern custom of echoing back the speech from the throne, paragraph by paragraph, and expressing approbation of every measure referred to in the speech; he with great animation, and with no less acrimony, arraigned the mode of conducting the war, in which he declared that no one right step had been taken, either in the commencement or prosecution. He particularly blamed the miscarriage of the expedition against Ferrol, and even insinuated that secret orders had been given by ministers against making any attempt on the coast of Spain, and that the sailing of the grand fleet, which had been delayed, was the effect of the king's presence. He mentioned the culpable neglect, and more than neglect, in not sending supplies to admiral Vernon. He severely reprobated the speech, which he considered as the speech of the minister, for not naming the power who might attempt to limit or prescribe the operations of the war. He concluded by proposing to revive the ancient method of addressing, simply to "congratulate his

majesty on his safe return to his regal dominions: To assure his majesty that they would stand by him with their lives and fortunes, in the prosecution of the war; and as a further proof of their duty and affection to his majesty's sacred person, royal family, and government, to declare that they would exert themselves in their high capacity of hereditary great council of the crown, (to which all other councils were subordinate and accountable) in such manner as might best tend to promote the true interest of his majesty and the country in the present juncture.” Lord Bathurst seconded the motion.

This address was opposed by lord Haversham, who moved another. The previous question being called for by the duke of Newcastle, the duke of Argyle's motion was negatived by 66 against 38; and the address, according to the ordinary form, which was proposed by lord Haversham, passed without a division; but a violent protest was signed by two-and-twenty peers.

The great aim of opposition in this memorable session was, to increase the unpopularity of the minister, by inveighing against his misconduct in the prosecution of the war, by imputing to him all the miscarriages and ill success to him, by harassing him with repeated motions and questions relative to the production of papers and letters, and to the prosecution of the war, which might tend either to criminate him if granted, or if denied, might throw an odium on Lords' Debates, vol. 7. p. 418,