een so strongly urged, and so fully explained, that no
reply has been attempted by those who have hitherto opposed the
motion; having rather endeavoured to divert our attention to foreign
considerations, than to vindicate this part of the contract, which is,
indeed, too shameful to be palliated, and too gross to be overlooked.

It is, however, proper to repeat, my lords, that though it cannot be
confuted, it may be forgotten in the multitude of other objects, that
this nation, after having exalted the elector of Hanover from a state
of obscurity to the crown, is condemned to hire the troops of Hanover
to fight their own cause, to hire them at a rate which was never
demanded for them before, and to pay levy-money for them, though it is
known to all Europe, that they were not raised on this occasion.

Nor is this the only hardship or folly of this contract; for we are to
pay them a month before they march into our service; we are to pay
those for doing nothing, of whom it might have been, without any
unreasonable expectations, hoped, that they would have exerted their
utmost force without pay.

For it is apparent, my lords, that if the designs of France be such as
the noble lords who oppose the motion represent them, Hanover is much
nearer to danger than Britain; and, therefore, they only fight for
their own preservation; since, though they have for a single year been
blessed with a neutrality, it cannot be imagined, that the same favour
will be always granted them, or that the French, when they have
overrun all the rest of Germany, will not annex Hanover to their other
dominions.

Besides, my lords, it is well known, that Hanover is equally engaged
by treaty with Britain to maintain the Pragmatick sanction, and that a
certain proportion of troops are to be furnished. But, my lords, as to
the march of that body of forces, I have yet heard no account. Will
any lord say that they have marched? I, therefore, suppose, that the
wisdom and justice of our ministers has comprehended them in the
sixteen thousand who are to fatten upon British pay, and that Hanover
will support the Pragmatick sanction at the cost of this inexhaustible
nation.

The service which those troops have already done to the common cause,
has been urged with great pomp of exaggeration, of which what effect
it may have had upon others, I am not able to say; for my part, I am
convinced, that the great happiness of this kingdom is the security of
the esta