in numerous armies at a very small expense. It is,
therefore, no subject of wonder, that a nation much less subtile than
the Dutch should find out how much it was their interest, that we
should be confined within the limits of our own island; and that we
should not have it in our power to attack them with armies as well as
fleets, and at once to obstruct their commerce and invade their
country.

There remained, therefore, my lords, no power but the emperour to whom
these provinces could be consigned; and to him, therefore, they were
given, but given only in trust for the joint advantage of the whole
confederacy; he, indeed, enjoys their revenues on condition that he
shall support the garrisons necessary to their defence; but he cannot
transfer them to any other power, or alienate them to the detriment of
those nations who concurred in acquiring them.

It may not be improper, my lords, to observe, that on this contract
depends the justice of our conduct with regard to the company
established at Ostend for carrying on a trade to the East Indies.
These provinces were granted to the confederate powers, and consigned
to the emperour to be enjoyed by him for the common benefit: it was,
therefore, plainly intended by this contract, that he should use none
of the advantages which these new dominions afforded him, to the
detriment of those powers by whose gift he enjoyed them; nor could it
be supposed that the Dutch and Britons debarred each other from those
opportunities of trade only to enable the emperour to rival them both.

The towns, therefore, my lords, were at this time determined by the
senate to be the general property of all the confederate powers,
acquired by their united arms, and to be preserved for their common
advantage, as the pledge of peace, and the palladium of Europe. If,
therefore, it should at any time happen, that they should be
endangered either by the weakness or neglect of any one of those
powers, the rest are to exert their right, and endeavour their
preservation and security; nor is there any new stipulation or law
necessary for this; since, with respect to the confederates, it is
implied in the original stipulation, and with regard to the senate of
Britain, in the approbation which was bestowed upon that contract,
when it was made.

The time, my lords, in which this common right is to be exerted, is
now arrived; the queen of Hungary, invaded in her hereditary
dominions, and pressed on every sid