have brought a new army together. But it is
certain, that her new troops must have been without arms and without
discipline. It might have been found, perhaps, in this general
disturbance of the world, not easy to have supplied them with weapons;
and it is well known how long time is required to teach raw forces the
art of war, and enable them to stand before a veteran enemy.

It was, therefore, necessary to assist her rather with troops than
money; and since troops were necessarily to be hired, why should we
employ the forces of Hanover less willingly than those of any other
nation? To assert that they have more or less courage than others is
chimerical, nor can any man suppose them either more brave or timorous
than those of the neighbouring countries, without discovering the
meanest prejudices, and the narrowest conceptions; without showing
that he is wholly unacquainted with human nature, and that he is
influenced by the tales of nurses, and the boasts of children.

There was, therefore, no objection against the troops of Hanover, that
was not of equal strength against all foreign troops; and there was at
least one argument in their favour, that they were subjects of the
same prince; and that, therefore, we could have no reason to fear
their defection, or to suspect their fidelity.

The electorate of Hanover, with whatever contempt or indignation some
persons may affect to mention it, is to be considered, at least, as a
state in alliance with Britain, and to receive from us that support
which the terms of that alliance may demand.

Any other regard, my lords, indeed, it is not necessary to contend
for; since it cannot be proved, that in this transaction we have acted
otherwise than as with allies, or hired the troops on conditions which
those of any other nation would not have obtained, or on any which
they will not deserve; since your lordships have received assurances,
that they are ready to enter the field, and to march into Germany
against the common enemy. That we might have raised new troops in our
own nation, and have augmented our army with an equal number of men,
cannot be denied; nor do I doubt, my lords, but our countrymen would
be equally formidable with any other forces; but it must be
remembered, that an army is not to be levied in an instant, and that
our natives, however warlike, are not born with the knowledge of the
use of arms; and who knows, whether Europe might not have been
enslaved before