concluded, that great remittances had been made to that am- Will. III. baffador, and that these were distributed among thofe, who 1700-1. refolved to merit a fhare in that wealth, which came over fo copiously beyond the example of former times. elections. Upon the view of the house it appeared evidently, that the Partiality in Tories were a great majority; yet they, to make the matter judging fure, refolved to clear the house of a great many, who were engaged in another intereft. Reports were brought to them of elections, that had been fcandaloufly purchafed by fome, who were concerned in the new Eaft-India company. Inftead of drinking and entertainments, by which elections were formerly managed, now a moft fcandalous practice was brought in of buying votes, with fo little decency, that the electors engaged themfelves by fubfcriptions to chufe a blank perfon, before they were truffed with the name of their candidate. The old East-India company had driven a course of corruption within doors with fo little fhame, that the new company intended to follow their example, but with this difference, that, whereas the former had bought the perfons, who were elected, they refolved to buy elections. Sir Edward Seymour, who had dealt in this corruption his whole life-time, and whom the old company was faid to have bought before at a very high price, brought before the house of commons the difcovery of fome of the practices of the new company. The examining of thefe took up many days. In conclufion the matter was fo well proved, that feveral elections were declared void; and fome of the perfons so chofen were for fome time kept in prifon, after they had been expelled the houfe. In thefe proceedings great partiality appeared; for, when in fome cafes corruption was proved clearly against some of the Tory party, and but doubtfully againft fome of the contrary fide, that, which was voted corruption in the Whigs, was called the giving alms in the Tories. to own the A defign was laid in the house of commons, to open the A defign laid feffions with an address to the king, that he would own the for an address king of Spain. The matter was fo far concerted that they king of had agreed on the words of the vote, and feemed not to Spain. doubt of the concurrence of the houfe. But Mr. Monkton Burnet. oppofed it with great heat, and among other things faid, that, if this vote was carried, he should expect, that the next vote would be for owning the pretended prince of Wales. Upon this occafion it appeared, how much popular aflemblies are apt to be turned by a thing boldly faid, though the confequence is ever fo remote; fince the connexion of these two Will. III. points lay at fome diftance: for the issue of the debate was 1700-1. quite contrary to that, which was defigned, and the addrefs was laid afide. An address On the 14th, upon reading the king's fpeech, the confideof the com- ration of it was adjourned till the next day; but in the mean mons to fup- time the house came to this refolution, "That they would port the king. The king's The memorial of the Dutch communicated to the commons. Cole, P. 320. "ftand by and fupport his majesty and his government, and "take fuch effectual measures, as may best conduce to the "intereft and safety of England, and the prefervation of the "Proteftant religion." This refolution was prefented to the king by the whole house, on the 17th of February, to which gave them this answer: he I thank you for this addrefs, and your ready concurrence "to thofe great ends therein mentioned, which I take to "be extremely important to the honour and fafety, of Eng"land; and I affure you, I fhall never propofe any thing, "but what is for our common advantage and fecurity. Ha"ving this occafion, I think it proper to acquaint you, that "yesterday I received a memorial from the envoy extraor"dinary of the States-general, a tranflation whereof I leave. "with you. As to the first part of it, I think it neceffary "to ask your advice; and as to the latter part, I defire your "affiftance." In this memorial, mentioned by the king, the Statesgeneral acquainted his majefty, "That they having confi"dered, that their delay of owning the duke of Anjou for "king of Spain was fubject to malicious interpretations, as "if their aim had been only to gain time to put themselves "in a warlike pofture, they thought themselves obliged to acknowledge the duke of Anjou without any condition, "referving to themfelves to ftipulate, in the negotiation "ready to begin, the neceflary conditions to fecure the peace "of Europe; in which negotiation they are firmly refolved "to do nothing without the confent of his majefty and the "other powers interefted in the maintenance of the peace, as "they have exprefsly declared to the ambassador of France. "That therefore thy prayed him to fend to his minifter at "the Hague, neceffary inftructions and orders to act con"jointly in this negotiation, and that nothing be concluded "but wherein England and Holland may equally find their "fecurity, and which at the fame time may tend to ftrengthen "the public tranquility. But as it may happen not to be "poffible to agree with France and Spain on reasonable con"ditions, and that, the negotiation being interrupted, they "may be fuddenly attacked by the numerous troops, which Will. III. "France has ordered to move towards the frontiers, their 1700-I. "envoy is to reprefent to his majesty the urgent neceffity "they fhould have, in fo great a danger, of the affiftance "of England, and to defire him to get the fuccours, ftipu"lated by the treaty, in readinefs, that they may rely on "them, if occafion required." The next day, this memorial was communicated to the house of lords. And the commons, upon report of the king's answer to their addrefs, refolved, "That an humble addrefs "be made to his majefty by fuch members, as are of his "privy-council, that he will please to cause the treaty be"tween England and the States-general of the 3d of March "1677, and all the renewals thereof fince that time, to be "laid before the houfe." Which being done by Mr. fecretary Hedges; the house refolved, "That an humble address "be made to his majefty, that he will please to enter into "fuch negotiations, in concert with the States-general of "the United-Provinces, and other potentates, as may moft "effectually conduce to the mutual fafety of these kingdoms, "and the States-general, and the prefervation of the peace "of Europe; and giving him affurances of fupport and affif"tance, in performance of the treaty made with the Statesgeneral the 3d of March 1677.' It is obferved, that the defiring the king in this address to enter into new alliances with the States for our mutual defence, and for the prefervation of the peace of Europe, was not carried without much difficulty; thofe words being confidered, as indeed they were, an infinuation towards a war. The addrefs was prefented, the day following, by the whole houfe, when the king made them this anfwer: "Gentle"men, I thank you heartily for the advice you have given "me, and your unanimous refolution to fupport and affift me "in making good the treaty mentioned in your address; and "I will immediately order my minifters abroad to enter into negotiations in concert with the States-general and other potentates, for the attaining of thofe great ends, which you defire. Nothing can more effectually conduce to our "fecurity, than the unanimity and vigour you have fhewn "on this occafion. And I fhall always endeavour, on my part, to preserve and increafe this mutual truft and confi"dence between us." On the 17th of February, Mr. fecretary Vernon commu- The earl of nicated to the commons by his majesty's order a letter, which VOL. XV. F Melfort s letter to the came earl of Perth. Will. III. came to London nat defignedly, as is fuppofed, in the French 1700-1. nail. This letter was dated the 18th of February, N. S. Cole, P. 319. and was written by the earl of Melfort to his brother the earl of Perth, then governor to the pretended prince of Wales. It contained his fchemes to fet on foot another invafion, and difcovered that he held a clofe correfpondence with the earl of Arran, now duke of Hamilton. Melfort urged it in many arguments, to get the earl of Middleton difcarded, and recommended himself, as much fitter to be trufted. This letter was alfo communicated to the house of lords, who ordered it to be printed (a), and the next day presented an (a) This letter was as fol- will; and it is a question, if lows: My dearest Brother, Since I promised to put in writing what we had not time to talk fully of, I am fet down to it in the morning, that my letter may be ready for the melfenger, if any call. I told all that I had heard at Verfailles, and the favourable audience I had of madam Maintenon; for which I beg it of you to return my most humble thanks to the queen, and beg her to be fo good, as to thank madam Maintenon, and know of her, what can be done in that matter: It will be a great charity in the queen. I told you, among other things, the great fleet the king intends to put out, this fummer; the orders being given, and the money ready, the ftores full, and every one concerned active in their ftation. There is no doubt, but this fleet will be matter of the fea, for fome time, if not for all the fummer; because the Dutch dare not ftir, till the English be ready; and they have long debates, yet, before they can be in a condition to act, if they have the they will have it at all. The king never had fo favourable a conjuncture, if he can perfuade this king, that his affairs are really in the circumstances they are in; but there is the difficulty. The king and queen have more authority with the king, and with madam de Maintenon, than any other in the world can have; but that is not all. There fhould be fome one, acceptable to the minifters, who should lay before them thofe proofs their majefties cannot enter into the detail of, and explain the reafons, make plans and memoirs, by their majefties approbation, to convince them of the neceffity, and fhew the eafinefs of reftoring the king, the glory it brings their kingdom, and the advantage to religion. How this will be done, their majefties are wife enough to confider; and, I think, it is not a fubject fit for me to enter upon; but their friendships, in general, who know not the half of what I know, in this matter, think, that it will not be well done by a Proteftant minifter, lazy in his temper, an enemy to France by his inclination, tainted with com mon an address to the king, "Humbly returning their thanks Will. III. "and acknowledgments to his majefty for his concern ex- 1700-1. monwealth principles, and a- "preffed Addrefs of the lords on affairs, do what they would, to the king's do what they can; and remem- fpeech. ber the fable of the dog, who Pr. H. L. loft the fubftance, by catching II. 20, at the fhadow. Affurances from the non-jurors, the foundest and moft venerable part of the Englifh church, would be of great ufe, at this time, to perfuade to undertake this great affair; for, befides their own example, at a landing, and their preaching and writing to the people, that their religion was in no danger, it is molt certain, they know better than any other can do, what the Church of England, in general, would do for the king's fervice; and they, being to run all the hazard, would be better believed at the French court, than any other, as I found by experience. The king cannot but be fenfible, that the true Church of As to the Catholics, and England party, and their prin- other affociates with them, uncipal head, now the bishop of fortunately for the king, they Norwich, has been filent for a were thought to have too much long time; and their majesties inclination for me, and so have may remember, what weight been reckoned as useless to the the court of France laid king. upon their joining the king (I mean the non-fwearing clergy) in cafe of a landing. Therefore all arts fhould be used, without delay, to get them to enter into a correfpondence again; and every impediment ought to be remored, I fay, without exception. And though, fometimes, it is of hard digeftion for fovereigns, who ought to be obeyed, with out referve, to yield to the humours of fubjects, yet prudence fhould teach them, when they cannot, without injuring their And I must beg leave to fay, that undertaking was the beft feather in his wing; and was moft juftly thought fo by him, and the court of France, even to that degree, that they pretended, if this, and the other article, concerning the clergy, could be made appear, they would concar with the king to invade England. They confifted of feven regiments of horfe and dragoons; their arms, trum pets, kettle-drums, ftandards, &c. were all ready, and are yet in furety. Their men were all F 2 lifted, |