th a strict fidelity, and support
his quarrel with the utmost zeal; with a zeal which can never be
expected from the mercenary troops of any other foreign power.

This naturally leads us to inquire what other troops we can depend
upon; the answer to this inquiry is short and positive; that as
affairs now stand abroad, we can depend upon none but these; let us
carry this consideration with us in a survey of all Europe; _shall we
take into our pay sixteen thousand of the Dutch?_ Would this be the
means of bringing Holland into alliance with us? Would they act at
their own expense, would they exert their own proper force? Would they
pay their own troops in aid of the common cause, when they found this
nation ready to do it for them? They would act like madmen if they
did. _Shall we hire_ Danes? Is there a gentleman in this house, who is
not convinced that this power has been warped, for some time past,
towards the interest of France? When we hired these troops in the last
instance, did they not deceive us? Did they not even refuse to march?
nay, farther, are they not in all appearance now upon the point of
being employed in a quarrel of their own? a quarrel in which they will
have need of all their force. _Shall we then hire_ Saxons? An
honourable gentleman seemed to think that there may be some
possibility of this, and perhaps there may hereafter, when the king of
Prussia's views are known, and the part he shall resolve to act; but
Saxony is certainly now too much exposed to, and cannot fail to be
alarmed at his growing power; at the great augmentation of his armies,
and the secret and vast designs which he seems to meditate. This
measure, therefore, is not practicable in the present conjuncture;
that electorate cannot hazard its own security in these precarious
circumstances, by lending out so great a body of its troops. Would
gentlemen advise the hire of Prussian troops to serve us in this
conjuncture? They who do advise it, must forget strangely the part so
lately acted by that prince, and the variety of his conduct with
regard to his different allies within the space of the two last years.
I shall guard myself in my expressions, and maintain a proper respect
in discoursing of so great a character; but I must say thus much, that
the ministry would act with great imprudence, to put the safety of the
British troops, and to risk the fate of this army, upon the event of
such a measure. I need not say more; for it is not ye