themselves growing more feeble, and gaining no folid advantage.

The Dutch had for fome time endeavoured to ftop the progrefs of a war, in which they had all to lofe, and nothing to gain. The king of France was fenfible that after a victory was the most advantageous time to offer terms of peace. He even expreffed his defire of general tranquillity to Sir John Ligonier, who had been taken prifoner at the battle of La Feldt. But now the bad success of his admirals at fea, his armies in Italy, the frequent bankruptcies of his merchants at home, and the election of a ftadtholder in Holland, who gave spirit to the oppofition, all these contributed to make him weary of the war, and to propofe an accommodation. This was what the allies had long wished for; and which, notwithstanding, they were ashamed to demand. The English ministry in particular finding themselves unable to manage a parliament foured by frequent defeats, and now beginning to be difgufted with continental connexions, were very ready to accede. A negociation was therefore refolved upon; and the contending powers agreed to come to a congrefs at Aix-laChapelle, where the earl of Sandwich and Sir Thomas Robinfon affifted as plenipotentiaries from the King of Great Britain.

This treaty, which takes its name from the city at which it was made, was begun upon the preliminary conditions of restoring all conquests made during the war. From thence great hopes were expected of conditions both favourable and honourable to the English; but the treaty ftill remains a lafting mark of precipitate councils, and English difgrace. By this it was agreed, that all prifoners on each fide fhould be mutually reftored, and all conquefts given up. That the dutchies of Parma, Placentia, and Guaftalla, fhould be ceded to Don

Philip,

Philip, heir apparent to the Spanish throne, and to his heirs; but in cafe of his fucceeding to the crown of Spain, that then these dominions fhould revert to the house of Auftria. It was confirined that the fortifications of Dunkirk to the sea should be demolished; that the English fhip annually fent with flaves to the coaft of New Spain fhould have this privilege continued for four years. That the king of Pruffia fhould be confirmed in the poffeffion of Silefia, which he had lately conquered; and that the queen of Hungary fhould be fecured in her patrimonial dominions. But one article of the peace was more difpleafing and afflictive to the English than all the reft. It was ftipulated that the king of Great Britain should immediately, after the ratification of this treaty, fend two perfons of rank and diftinction to France as hoftages, until reftitution should be made of Cape Breton, and all other conquefts which England had made during the war. This was a mortifying claufe; but to add to the general error of the negociation, no mention was made of the fearching the veffels of England in the American feas, upon which the war was origi nally begun. The limits of their refpective pofleffions in North America were not ascertained did they receive any equivalent for thofe forts which they restored to the enemy. The treaty of Utrecht had long been the object of reproach to those by whom it was made; but, with all its faults, the treaty now concluded was by far more defpicable and erroneous. Yet fuch was the fpirit of the times, that the treaty of Utrecht was branded with univerfal contempt, and the treaty of Aixla-Chapelle was extolled with the highest ftrains of praise. But the people were wearied with repeated difgrace, and only expecting an accumulation of misfortunes by continuing the war, they

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; nor

were

were glad of any peace that promised a pause to their difappointments.

CHA P. XLVIII.

GEORGE II. (Continued.)

THIS which foanent amity, was, proHIS treaty, which fome afferted would ferve perly fpeaking, but a temporary truce; a ceffation from hoftilities, which both fides were unable to continue. Though the war between England and France was actually hufhed up in Europe, yet in the East and West Indies it ftill went forward with undiminished vehemence. Both fides ftill willing to offend, ftill offending, and yet both complaining of the infraction;

In the mean time, as Europe enjoyed a temporary tranquillity, the people of England expected, and the miniftry was liberal in promising them a return of all the advantages of peace. In order to please the populace, for this miniftry had the art always to keep the people in good humour, a magnificent fire-work was played off; and the fpectators could never be brought to think that a bad treaty which was celebrated with such magnificent profufion.

It must be confeffed also there was fome desire fhewn in the miniftry to promote the commerce of the kingdom; and for this purpose a bill was paffed for encouraging a British herring fishery, in the manner of that carried on by the Dutch, under proper regulations. From the carrying fuch a fcheme vigorously into execution, great advantages were expected. The Dutch, who had long enjoyed the fole profits arifing from this article, confidered the fea as a mine of inexhaustible

wealth.

wealth. But the patience and frugality of that nation feem to fit them more properly for the life of fishermen than the English. Certain it is that experience has fhewn this attempt to rival the Dutch to have been ineffectual. Perhaps the company was not established upon the ftrictest principles of ceconomy; perhaps the Dutch art of curing their fifh was not practifed or understood perfectly.

In the mean time Mr. Pelham, who now conducted the business of the state, and was esteemed a man of candour and capacity, laid a fcheme for lightening the immenfe load of debt which the nation fuftained in confequence of the late war. His plan was to leffen the debt, by lowering the interefts which had been promifed on granting the fupplies, or else obliging the lenders to receive the fums originally granted. Thofe, for instance, who were proprietors of ftock, and received for the ufe of their money four per cent. were, by an act paffed for that purpofe, compelled to fubfcribe their names, fignifying their confent to accept of three pounds ten hillings per cent. the following year, and three per cent. every year enfuing; and in cafe of a refufal, affurances were given that government would pay off the principal. This fcheme was attended with the defired effect, though it, in fome measure, was a force upon the lender, who had originally granted his money upon different terms, and under a promife of continuing the fame intereft. However the measure was evidently beneficial to the nation; and experienee has fhewn that it no way affected the public credit. Befide this falutary measure others were purfued for the intereft of the nation with equal fuccefs. The importation of iron from America was allowed, the trade to Africa was laid open to the nation, but under the fuperintendence of the board of trade.

K 5

But

But all the advantages the nation reaped from thefe falutary measures were not fufficient to counterbalance the ftroke which liberty received, as fome are of an opinion, by an unusual stretch of the privileges of the house of commons. The city of Westminster had long been represented by members who were, in fome meafure, appointed by the miniftry. Lord Trentham, member for Weftminster, having vacated his feat in the house of commons, by accepting a place under the crown, again refolved to ftand candidate, and met with a violent oppofition. It was objected by fome that he had been uncommonly active in introducing fome French ftrollers, who had come over by the invitation of the nobility to open a theatre when our own were fhut up. This accufation against him excited a violent combination, who ftyled themselves the Independent Electors of Westminster, and who named Sir George Vandeput, a private gentleman, as his competitor. These refolved to fupport their own nomination at their own expence, and accordingly opened houies of entertainment for the inferior voters, and propa gated abufe as ufual. At length the poll being clofed, the majority appeared to be in favour of lord Trentham; but a fcrutiny being demanded by the other party, it was protracted by management on the one fide, and tumult on the other. After fome time the fcrutiny alfo appeared in favour of lord Trentham, the independent electors complained of partiality and injuftice in the highbailiff of Weftminster, who took the poll, and carried their petition to the house.

To this petition the house paid little attention; but proceeded to examine the high-bailiff as to the caufes that had fo long protracted the election. This officer laid the blame upon Mr. Crowle, who had acted as counfel for the petitioners, and alfo

upon