s made only a few days before the senate rose, it was
natural to consider, whether the consent of the senate should not be
demanded; but when it appeared upon reflection, that to bring an
affair of so great importance before the last remnant of a house of
commons, after far the greater part had retired to the care of their
own affairs, would be suspected as fraudulent, and might give the
nation reason to fear, that such measures were intended as the
ministers were afraid of laying before a full senate. It was thought
more proper to defer the application to the next session, and to
venture upon the measures that were formed, upon a full conviction of
their necessity.

This conduct, my lords, was exactly conformable to the demands of
those by whom the court has hitherto been opposed, and who have
signalized themselves as the most watchful guardians of liberty. Among
these men, votes of credit have never been mentioned but with
detestation, as acts of implicit confidence, by which the riches of
the nation are thrown down at the feet of the ministry to be
squandered at pleasure. When it has been urged, that emergencies may
arise, during the recess of the senate, which may produce a necessity
of expenses, and that, therefore, some credit ought to be given which
may enable the crown to provide against accidents, it has been
answered, that the expenses which are incurred during the recess of
the senate, will be either necessary or not; that if they are
necessary, the ministry have no reason to distrust the approbation of
the senate, but if they are useless, they ought not to expect it. And
that, instead of desiring to be exempted from any subsequent censures,
and to be secured in exactions or prodigality by a previous vote, they
ought willingly to administer the publick affairs at their own hazard,
and await the judgment of the senate, when the time shall come, in
which their proceedings are laid before it.

Such have hitherto been the sentiments of the most zealous advocates
for the rights of the people; nor did I expect from any man who
desired to appear under that character, that he would censure the
ministry for having thrown themselves upon the judgment of the senate,
and neglected to secure themselves by any previous applications, for
having trusted in their own integrity, and exposed their conduct to an
open examination without subterfuges and without precautions. I did
not imagine, my lords, that a senate, upon whose