.

Nothing appears more evident, than that we had opportunities of
observing, at least, all the preparations of the French, and of watching
the moment of their departure, and that our force on the coast of Spain
was sufficient to have confined their fleets for ever in their harbours,
or to have destroyed them at their first entrance into the open seas, of
which we may justly inquire, why it was not attempted, but shall inquire
to no purpose till we know when they departed, that we may consider the
state of our own forces, and whether our enemies escaped by our
negligence, cowardice, or weakness.

Mr. WINNINGTON then spoke to the following purpose:--Sir, that we
cannot deliberate upon subjects which we do not understand, and that,
therefore, no necessary or useful information ought to be denied to the
house, I shall readily admit; but must observe, at the same time, that
the reputation of the house would be very little consulted, in demanding
information which cannot be given.

To address his majesty to inform us of the time at which the squadrons
of our enemies sailed, is to inquire of him what it ought to be the
highest care of those princes to conceal from him, and which he can only
know by having spies in their privy councils.

And of what importance is it to inquire what intelligence was brought
him, or when he received it, if it appears that his intelligence must be
in its own nature uncertain and dubitable?

That they have left their ports is now certain, because they have been
twice discovered in different parts of the world; but, as we can now
only form conjectures on their designs and courses, so, before they
sailed, it was impossible to know when they were fully equipped, or what
time was fixed for their departure. It is to be remembered, that they
form their measures, and make their preparations in their own dominions,
and therefore, have more advantages of concealing their schemes than we
of discovering them.

Mr. Advocate CAMPBELL then spoke thus:--Sir, this motion, which has been
represented as unreasonable and absurd, is, in my opinion, not only
proper, but important.

It is important, because it will enable us to judge, upon sufficient
foundations, of the conduct of the ministry, who are censured by the
voice of the nation, for having been either defective in vigilance or in
activity, for having been either ignorant by their own fault of the
designs of the enemy, or perfidiously passive in permit