efore we can, therefore, hope for the concurrence of the princes of
the empire, we must inform them of our design, if any design has been
yet laid out. Is it your intention to restore the house of Austria to
the full enjoyment of its former greatness? This will certainly be
openly opposed by all those powers who are strong enough to make head
against it, and secretly obstructed by those, whose weakness makes
them afraid of publick declarations. Do you intend to support the
Pragmatick sanction? This can only be done by defeating the whole
power of France; and for this you must necessarily provide troops who
shall dare to act against the present king. So that it appears, my
lords, that we are attempting nothing, or attempting impossibilities;
that either we have no end in view, or that we have made use of an
absurd choice of means by which it cannot be attained.

Whatever be our design with regard to Germany, the war against Spain
is evidently neglected; and, indeed, one part of our conduct proves at
once, that we intend neither to assist the Austrians, nor to punish
the Spaniards; since we have in a great measure disabled ourselves
from either by the neutrality which captain Martin is said to have
granted, and by which we have allowed an asylum both to the troops of
Spain, which shall fly before the Austrians, and the privateers which
shall be chased by our ships in the Mediterranean.

I am, therefore, convinced, my lords, that our designs are not such as
they are represented, or that they will not be accomplished by the
measures taken. I am convinced in a particular manner, that the troops
of Hanover can be of no use, and that they will raise the resentment
of the nation, already overwhelmed with unnecessary burdens. I know,
likewise, that they have been taken into pay without the consent of
the senate, and am convinced, that if no other objection could be
raised, we ought not to ratify a treaty which the crown has made,
without laying it before us in the usual manner. I need not,
therefore, inform your lordships, that I think the motion now under
your consideration necessary and just; and that I hope, upon an
attentive examination of the reasons which have been offered, your
lordships will concur in it with that unanimity which evidence ought
to enforce, and that zeal which ought to be excited by publick danger.

To which the duke of NEWCASTLE made answer to the following
purport:--My lords, I know not by what imagin