reestablish our credit.

But, my lords, this only treaty, which it was for our interest to make,
seems to have been made without any intention of observing it; for about
this time all the northern powers were alarmed by the approaching
election of Poland, and every nation that had any thing either to hope
or fear from the event of it, endeavoured to influence it.

How this election was determined, my lords, and by what means, it is
unnecessary to relate; but it may not be improper to remark, that
whatever cause we may have to congratulate ourselves upon the choice, it
does not appear that we had any part in promoting it. Nay, as it is not
common for ministers to keep the best part of their conduct secret,
there is reason for suspecting that they were not altogether without
foundation reported to have favoured France.

The emperour of Germany, sensible of his own interest, promoted the
election with vigour and resolution, proportioned to the greatness of
the danger that might have arisen from neglecting it. By this conduct he
drew upon himself the resentment of the French, who had now a pretence
for taking measures which might effectually reunite them to Spain, and,
as the event showed, alienate us from the emperour, and, therefore, in
vindication of the claim of Stanislaus, declared war upon Germany, in
conjunction with Spain.

Now, my lords, the emperour learned to set the true value upon his
alliance with Britain, and all Europe had an opportunity of remarking
our spirit, our power, and our vigilance. The troops which we prevailed
upon his imperial majesty to admit into Italy, were now drawn out of the
garrisons against him, his dominions were attacked on each side, by
formidable enemies, and his British allies looked with tranquillity and
unconcern upon the difficulties into which they had betrayed him. The
liberties of Europe were endangered by a new combination of the houses
of Bourbon; and Britain, the great protectress of the rights of mankind,
the great arbitress of the balance of power, either neglected or feared
to interpose.

Of the event of the war, my lords, I need only observe, that it added
new strength to France, and contributed to such an union between her and
Spain, as the most artful politician cannot hope to dissolve.

Thus, my lords, whether by negligence, ignorance, cowardice, or
treachery, it is not easy to determine, we were made the instruments of
the French policy. Thus was that power ena