llegally subjected to the promotion
of the petty interest of the province of Hanover.

Lord CARTERET then rose, and made answer to the following effect:--My
lords, as I doubt not but I shall be able to justify the measures
which are now pursued, in such a manner as may entitle them to the
approbation of your lordships, I proposed to hear all the objections
that should be made, before I attempted a vindication, that the debate
might be shortened, and that the arguments on both sides might be
considered as placed in the full strength of opposition; and that it
might be discerned how objections, however specious in themselves,
would vanish before the light of reason and truth.

But the noble lord has made it necessary for me to alter my design, by
a speech which I will not applaud, because it has, in my opinion, an
ill tendency; nor censure, because it wanted neither the splendour of
eloquence, nor the arts of reasoning; and had no other defect than
that which must always be produced by a bad cause, fallacy in the
arguments, and errours in the assertions.

This speech I am obliged to answer, because his lordship has been
pleased to call out for any lord who will assert, that the Dutch have
agreed to concur with us in assisting the queen of Hungary. That all
the provinces of that republick have agreed to assist us, is indeed
not true; nor do I know, my lords, by whom or upon what authority it
was asserted; but the concurrence of the province of Holland, the most
important of all, and whose example the rest seldom delay to follow,
has been obtained, which is sufficient to encourage us to vigorous
resolutions, by which the rest may be animated to a speedy compliance.

The concurrence of this province has been already the consequence of
the measures which have been lately pursued; measures from which,
though just and successful, the ministry cannot claim much applause;
because all choice was denied, and they were obliged either to remain
passive spectators of the ruin of Europe, and, by consequence, of
Britain, or to do what they have done. And surely, my lords, that
necessity which deprives them of all claim to panegyrick, will be,
likewise, a sufficient security from censure. There is, indeed, no
reason to fear censure from judges so candid and experienced as your
lordships, to whom it may without difficulty be proved, that the
balance of Europe has already changed its position, and the house of
Bourbon is now not able t