have more to hope and
less to fear from the troops of Hanover, than from any other; since
they have the same reason with ourselves to desire the success of the
queen of Hungary, and to dread the increasing greatness of the French;
and that they can be suspected neither of treachery nor desertion. It
is not very consistent with that candour with which every man ought to
dispute on publick affairs, to censure those measures which have been
proposed, without proposing others that are more eligible; for it is
the duty of every man to promote the business of the publick; nor do I
know why he that employs his sagacity only to obstruct it, should
imagine, that he is of any use in the national council.

I doubt not but I shall hear many objections against the use of these
troops, and that upon this question, virulence and ridicule will be
equally employed. But for my part, I shall be little affected either
with the laughter that may be raised by some, or the indignation that
may be expressed by others, but shall vote for the continuance of
these measures till better shall be proposed; and shall think, that
these troops ought to be retained, unless it can be shown, that any
others may be had, who may be less dangerous, or of greater use.

Mr. PITT then rose up, and spoke, in substance as follows:--Sir, if
the honourable gentleman determines to abandon his present sentiments
as soon as any better measures are proposed, I cannot but believe,
that the ministry will very quickly be deprived of one of their ablest
defenders; for I think the measures which have hitherto been pursued
so weak and pernicious, that scarcely any alteration can be proposed
that will not be for the advantage of the nation.

He has already been informed, that there was no necessity of hiring
auxiliary troops, since it does not yet appear, that either justice or
policy required us to engage in the quarrels of the continent, that
there was any need of forming an army in the Low Countries, or that,
in order to form an army, auxiliaries were necessary.

But not to dwell upon disputable questions, I think it may be justly
concluded, that the measures of our ministry have been ill concerted,
because it is undoubtedly wrong to squander the publick money without
effect, and to pay armies only to be a show to our friends, and a jest
to our enemies.

The troops of Hanover, whom we are now expected to pay, marched into
the Low Countries, indeed, and still remain in