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805] PARL. HIST. 5 WILLIAM & MARY, 1693.-Account of the Confederate Forces. [306

Mr. Bromley. You have, in some measure, owned you have Pensioners. If you admit this for a defence, you must never expect discoveries. You are moved, to send this lord to the Tower. I am far from a harsh motion, but if it had been to expell him the house, I should have joined.

Sir Herbert Crofts. I am sorry to find endeavours to lessen the crime of this lord: I am sorry to find it in an English parliament. Nothing will more corrupt and destroy us, than this of Pensions. It is sufficiently made out, that this money was paid as a pension or gratuity. But I insist upon that offence, that, when you had a man before you, after that to withdraw the letter, or stifle your proceeding. you cannot be too severe upon him; and I join in the motion for committing him to the

Tower.'

Mr. Hungerford. I am as forward as any to punish, when corruption is digging the grave of our English liberties. But this lord is not so culpable as represented. He is in the commission of the Admiralty, and the money is properly payable to that office. We are in the dark, and I would have sent for, but not commit this lord to the Tower.

Mr. Palmer. I do not rise for the question of sending this lord to the Tower; that is too hasty. It was a great crime, the withdrawing the letter, &c. I think the Commissioners of Accounts deserve the thanks of the house. They have told you that other persons names were used. I move, that you would adjourn the debate, that those other persons, whose names were used, may be sent for, that were concerned.

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Sir Christ. Musgrave. I should not trouble you again, but for what fell from Boscawen, who asks, For what crime you will send this lord to the Tower?' It is stifling the Evidence, that the commissioners take to be the crime. Remember your order yesterday, That no member should speak with the Admirals ;'t but when you are taking the Examination of this money, your member to stifle the evidence! What would have been the judgment of the house, in that case, yesterday? I would fain 'must says, know that. Nobody,' Falkland know of it.' He deserves to be sent to the Tower for stifling the evidence.

Sir Tho. Littleton. I only observe, that the evidence was not stifled.

Sir Christ. Musgrave. If a copy had not

4

A man of a grave deportment and good morals, but looked on as a violent Tory, and as a great favourer of Jacobites; which appeared evidently in a relation he printed of his Travels. In the parliament of 1705, he was a candidate for the Chair, in opposition to Mr. Smith, but lost it by a majority of 44. He was afterwards chosen Špeaker in 1710. He died in 1718. + Sic Orig.

nal.

This order is not mentioned in the Jour

In his letter to Rainsford.

been taken, I appeal to you if the Evidence
had not been stifled?

Mr. Foley. You have had a report from the
Commissioners of Accounts, and now it is
moved, to have it at the bar, by persons to be
summoned. Put your question right, viz, That
Rainsford being sent for, lord Falkland with-
I can find no manner
drew his Evidence.'

Sir Henry Goodrick.

of excuse, if any thing had been done indus-
triously that this lord is accused of. I desire
he may be heard in his place.

Sir Christ. Musgrave. The usual custom is,
that the person accused may, if he desires it,
be heard in his place; and I move it.

The question being put, "That lord Falkland, for withdrawing a Letter, writ by his lordship to Mr. Rainsford (who was to be examined by the Commissioners for taking the public Accounts) be committed to the Tower;" it passed in the negative, 175 to 137.-Resolved, "That lord Falkland be called in, and reprimanded in his place." He was called in accordingly, and reprimanded by the Speaker, to this effect: that his withdrawing the Letter from Mr. Rainsford, &c. was a great offence against the house, &c.

Lord Falkland. I am sorry I should be the occasion of giving the house this trouble. I protest I did not withdraw the letter with any design of withdrawing evidence. I am sorry for it. And, upon my word, if it was an error, it was in my judgment, but with no design of I hope the house will stifling the Evidence. I make a favourable construction of it. Mr. Smith. It is clear to you, that part of the money, the 20007. was not given to members; but the other 20007. is not clear.

The Speaker. The house has considered your withdrawing the letter, and have been merciful to your lordship. You have said,

You did it not wilfully; it was an error of your judgment.' I have done the part that belongs to me, and I hope you will do your part, in giving the house satisfaction.

Lord Falkland. I am extremely, obliged to the house, that they have been so merciful to me; and I give my humble thanks to the house for their mercy.

An Account of the Confederate Forces] Dec. 8. The commons having addressed his majesty for the Treaties and Alliances between him and the Confederates, and an Account of the Proportion of Forces they are to furnish; Mr. Secretary Trenchard acquainted the house, by his majesty's command, That as to the Treaties, they were the same with those formerly laid before the house, except one new Treaty with the elector of Hanover, which lay on the table: and that the Proportions of Forces were as follow, viz.

States General

Torale.

Forces now on foot. Raising.
92,540 15,000 107,540

Spanish Troops in the Low
Countries, including 1500
Bavarian Cuirassiers

7,000

Spanish in Spain

18,000

7,000 18,000

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Elector Palatine
Elector of Triers
Elector of Cologne

Elector of Mentz

Elector of Saxony

Electer of Bavaria

House of Lunenburg

6,000

- 15,000

6,000

2,000

12,000

2,000

8,000

23,000

Under the duke of Savoy in Piedmont

Germans, 15,000

Spaniards, 12,000,

41,000 4,000

His own, 14,000

Circles of Suabia, Franconia 24,000

4,000

Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel 6,000

2,000

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6,000 15,000 6,000 2,000 14,000 8,000 23,000

45,000

28,000
8,000

6,000
2,000

292,540 30,000 322,540

Report of Sums, issued for Secret Service, and paid to Members of Parliament.*] Dec. 9. Mr.

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"That the said Commissioners have, in every year's general Account, delivered to this house the Sums issued for Secret Sérvice from the exchequer, or elsewhere; and that they did formerly return an Account of Moneys to Members of Parliament by William Jephson, esq. deceased, as far as your commissioners could have it discovered to them: They also desire leave to put this house in mind, that they did in their preceding Accounts represent the great endeavours they had used to obtain a full Account of those other payments made by him to members of parliament; and did return in writing the final Answer, which Mr. Robert Squib (who hath Mr. Jephson's Accounts) was ordered, as he said, to deliver to your commissioners. Upon examining several persons to "About this same time, and in order to blast whom Money has been issued for his majesty's the Whigs and their leaders, who were now the privy purse, or for Secret Service, the commons reigning party at court, those active members, find divers sums of money paid to the members Harley, Foley, and Harcourt, presented, from the of this house, in re-payment of principal, inCommissioners of Accounts, a State of the Re-terest-money, freight of transport ships, and ceipts and Issues of the Revenue; as also, two several Reports concerning Moneys issued for Secret Services, and to Members of Parliament; by which it appeared, that a Court-Influence was as prevalent in the reign of king William, as it had been in that of king Charles, when it was so much decryed; and that many of the most determined Whigs were become as obnoxious to it, as the most pliant Tories; for, not to insist on occasional Bounties, free Gifts, &c. it appeared, that many of the persons, deprived of places, to make room for others, were quieted with Pensions, equal in value to their former salaries; and even, that many who were taken into employment, not being satisfied with their salaries, were in a manner bribed with additional stipends to accept them.-But what seemed to be the principal motive of making these Reports at this crisis, was the mention that was made in them, of admiral Russel. Sir John Guise, who was one of the first of the English gentry that had joined the prince of Orange, had, as a consideration, begged of his highness, the Weeding of the Forest of Dean, or, in other words, the fall of all the Hasel, and other trees, not coming under the denomination of timber: but his majesty being afterwards informed, that what he had given for 70001. was worth upwards of 20,000l. reduced his grant to his intention, and reserved the residue to be disposed of as he should find occasion. Of this, 500, had been given to one Mr. Osborne, to be laid out on the borough of Heydon, in Yorkshire, 2500l. had been issued for Secret Services to Mr. Guy, (Secretary to the Treasury, and representative of that borough) and the remaining 10,000l. was bestowed on Mr. Russel, in consideration of his many faithful services, especially destroying a considerable part of the French fleet." Ralph.

To sir John Trevor for Equipage and
Allowance as Speaker
To sir Scroop How, a free gift, out of
arrears of Hearth-money
To sir Henry Fane, a free gift, at
twice, on being removed from being
a Commissioner of Excise -

To Thomas Frankland, esq. on the

like account

To sir Robert Howard, by verbal di-
rection of the king to lord Rane-
lagh, per ann.

To Baptist May, esq. at nine several
payments expressed to be for pur-
chasing Hay, free Gifts, Bounties
in discharge of Taxes, on Windsor-
Park, &c.

To Tho. Papillon, esq. a free gift in
recompence of his quitting trade
to execute the office of one of the
Victuallers of the Navy, over and
above his yearly salary of 4001. at
the rate of 6001. per Ann.
To sir Sam. Barnardiston, part of his
Fine remaining in the exchequer,
November 5, 1688

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2,405 O

- 2,000 0

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- 3,512 18 94

To col. Charles Godfrey, in part of

the Arrears of a Rent-Charge,
granted by the late duke of York,
to Arabella Churchill, now wife to
the said Colonel

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More, on his Pension of 8001. per

ann.

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More, as his majesty's grace and
bounty

750 0 0

500 0 0

1,500 0 0

800 0 0

400 0 0

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To sir John Guise as his majesty's
bounty in part of 7,0001. he is to
receive by Wood-falls out of the
Forest of Deane
1000 0 0
To Shadrac Vincent, esq. a free gift 1000 00
Debate thereon.] Sir Robert Howard. I
had 15007. from lord Ranelagh. I was not so
saucy as to refuse the king's favour. But I
surrendered the grant.

The Speaker. I had 57. a day salary, and 2000 l. for my equipage, when Speaker, upon

*

testate. (Given in upon oath.)

Earl of Ranelagh. I had verbal directions from the king, to pay 15007. per annum, to sir Robert Howard, and it was paid till Dec. 1691; and then Howard delivered it up, and no more notice was taken of it.

Mr. Papillon. I did petition the king to be excused from taking upon me the victualler's place. I was in business, and had trade to follow, and must neglect all till ten o'clock at night. I have received a year and a half, at 500l. per annum.

Mr. Harley. There was 500l. to sir S. Barnardiston. His fine was brought into the exchequer. He brought a writ of error, and he, in the lords house, reversed the judgment, &c. The interest of his fine came to more than 5001. and he ought to have all.

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Sir John Guise. I am charged with 400l. for secret service, [he reads his privy seal] in consideration of my service beyond sea, and the charge of our expedition, to the hazard of his person, &c.' I thank the gentlemen for putting me down. This is not very much for the service I have done. As for the forest of Deane,' &c. it is but part of what the king promised me.

+ Sic Orig.

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Dec. 11. A complaint being made to the house, of a blasphemous printed Pamphet, entitled, "A Dialogue, by way of Question and Answer, concerning the Deity; and a brief, but clear confutation of the doctrine of the Trinity;" that hath been dispersed, and

stipends out of the Treasury hath discovered several of them, 20,000 guineas at a time, out of the privy purse, is intrusted with Bentinck, the Dutch Almoner, to be distributed according to order. So much are these stipendaries preferred before soldiers, who adventure their lives for the government, and yet are some months in arrears for subsistance; none being carressed but such as study and labour to augment the exchequer.-It is remarkable, that such as have been hitherto detected, have had no other plea, besides their merits in promoting the Abdication. One of which, rather than he would quit that topic, cast a very undecent reflection upon the P. of O, his first Declaration, wherein his highness was careful to avoid all expressions, as if he had the least design upon the crown and yet this doughty knight (sir J. Guise) affirmed, that at Exeter, in recompence of his service, in going to fetch, and accompany the prince hither, to the hazard of his life and fortune, he had promised him the Weeding, that is, the Underwood of the forest of Dean. This sort of claim of merit, not only opens a wide gap to let in swarms of other pretenders, but manifestly shews that the price of the Abdication is never to be discharged, while such jackalls are able to find prey for the Belgick hon, or till the people (when they are made sensible of such combination) shall take some effectual course to secure their purses, which they ought more to endeavour than against highwaymen, and their underhand setters, who fleece not whole countries and kingdoms, as these Pensioners do. Surely we ought to learn something from camels and dromedaries, beasts of burden, who crouch down to take up their load; but when they find it more than they are able to bear, either refuse to rise, or else cast their load. I leave the application; though I know it will not be made by such as design to load us till our backs are broke; and that, by a seeming contradiction, of laying the heaviest burden upon us, by taking all we have from us."

It was about this time also that the famous "HUSH-MONEY PAPER," as it was called, was set forth; wherein it is said, "That the house of commons is so officered, that by those that have Places and Pensions, together with their sons, brothers and kinsmen, and those who are fed with the hopes of prefer

In a Tract, published about this time, entitled, " Price of the Abdication," is the following remarkable passage: Posterity will be as much astonished how the subjects were able to pay such infinite sums, as that ever an house of commons should be so extravagantly prodigal in granting them, and will set an eternal brand of infamy upon those members (already in good measure discovered) who to. obtain offices, profitable places, or quarterly stipends, have combined, not only to vote whatever hath been demanded, but, that they may be thought worthy of their wages, in some things exceeded the expectation of the government, and the too great influence these have ment. I will not presume to calculate what hath been distributed to these Pensioners since the Revolution, though some reckon it at a million. And there are who can tell that Mynheer Bentinck, and Guy of Heydon, are captains of the band, and when 150,000 7. was lodged for such Secret Service: and since their

upon some honest, mistaken, country gentlemen, (who are possibly over-frighted with the French) that the king can baffle any Bill, quash all Grievances, stifle Accounts, and rectify the Articles of Limerick." And, again, "I could name a certain gentleman, who exactly resembles Harry Guy, that the last sessions, when

Colonel Cornwall. When the king went first into Flanders, he had not above 8000 English, and was very powerful then. Since that time, 27 or 28,000 men have been sent over. I should be glad to know, what is become of those men? We have not want of

sent inclosed under covers, directed to several members of this house; one of which was produced, and delivered in at the table; the titles whereof were read; Resolved, "1. That the said blasphemous printed Pamphlet be burnt by the hands of the common hangman, upon Wednesday next, in the Palace-Yard, West-numbers of men, nor officers, but general-offiminster and that the serjeant at arms attending this house du see the same performed. 2. That a committee be appointed to enquire into the author, printer, and publisher, of the said blasphemous printed Pamphlet; and to make their report thereof to the house."

Debate on the Supply.] The house went into a grand committee, on the Supplyt. Several Treaties were read.

the house was a little out of humour, disposed of no less than 10,000l. in three days time, for Secret Services. Who are in Places we may find out, but God knows who have Pensions; yet every man that made the least observation can remember, that some who opened loudly at the beginning of the last sessions, who came up as eager as possible for Reformation, had their mouths soon stopped with HushMoney, &c." For a copy of this very curious Pamphlet, see Appendix, No. IX.

"Burnet is very positive, that from the time the lord Halifax was driven out of the cabinet by the Whigs, he uniformly studied to give the ministers all the trouble he could: and when he comes to speak of that nobleman's death, he repeats it, That he had gone into all the measures of the Tories; that he studied to oppose every thing, &c. But, unluckily, there is a Tract of the marquis's still extant, called, An Essay upon T. xes, calculated for the present Juncture of Affairs, 1693,' which he introduces as follows: Since it is of the last consequence to every true Englishman, that the present War should be carried on, for the preservation of our liberties and religion, against the common enemy of both; and notwithstanding the false and foolish insinuation of some discontented Jacobites, that a peace with France is more necessary than a war, and that it is more carried on for the sake of others than ourselves; and that, if it were necessary, it might be better carried on by ourselves alone, than in conjunction with the confederates: and that the only way to secure our liberty and religion, to obtain a safe and speedy peace, and avoid the great burdens we are subject to, for the carrying on the war, were to cast off the present government, and take measures with king James and the king of France: yet there is nothing more clear than that these notions are altogether absurd and impracticable; and that the true meaning of them is only to give up all that is dear to us, into the hands of two princes, who have always preferred the design of subverting our religion, to all other considerations whatsoever: and that it is much better to fight for Flanders than for England, and in conjunction with confederates than alone, is what will bear no

cers. The French took Huy, and then attacked the camp. If the French had carried the camp, they had taken all Flanders; at the first charge, they had cut the army in pieces. Now we are at the charge of a million-We are at the charge of the whole War, and they (the Allies) go away, with the money.

Sir John Lowther. Read the Papers, the first thing you do, of the Alliances before you; and then it will be proper for your judgment.

Sir Tho. Clarges. I observe, Holland raises the Forces, and they are maintained by the commons of England. I observe that, formerly, when a treaty was made, the commons were acquainted with it. Now you have much greater numbers than formerly. 1672, the Treaties were brought to the commons. This is a great undertaking-Now you have a much greater number sent over than formerly.

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Earl of Ranelagh. There were two treaties with Hanover; in 1692, and Dec. following; they both name the same number of men. Towards the payment of the men, the king of England, and the States of Holland, were to give 30,000 dollars a month; which they thought were enough for 7000 men. The king and the States were to furnish two-thirds of the rations of bread and forage-the king 20,000, and the States 10,000 in a year, 58,000 men, and the Dutch the rest. This was the substance of the Treaty in 1692. Hanover was in danger of Denmark, and to keep his forces together, there was an augmentation of the king and the States, and, upon this augmentation, they are continued.

Sir Tho. Clarges. It is not easy, for such a memory as mine, to recollect things upon once reading. I observe, the Dutch pay but one third; we 50 ships and they but 30. I know not the reason for that. I have heard, that their ambassadors should say, 'That England dispute.' Now Burnet himself, as we have seen, allows, that the Tories split on this very measure of carrying on the war: and it is scarce to be conceived that the marquis would have composed a Tract expressly in favour of it, together with a Project for supporting the extraordinary Expence of it; or would have suffered it to be made public at a time, when the strivings of the two factions turned chiefly if not wholly on that point, if he had not been some way or other, comprised in the coalition of this year, and found his account in adopting that point which the lords Nottingham, Rochester, and the other chiefs of that party had rejected." Ralph.

A copy of this excellent performance will be found in the Appendix, No. XII.

was an inexhaustible treasure,' and, at that rate, our meadows must be mowed. I have heard, that the current cash of Holland is 12 millions, and ours but 8 millions-The continent of the land of Holland is not bigger than Yorkshire. The East India produce there this year, has been 3 or 4 millions. If they outreason or out-wit us, we are a little unfortunate. They to furnish Hanover with 10,000 crowns, and we 20,000 crowns-And all this while, we are An inexhaustible treasure,' and they may say so-This sum is small, but the consequence is great.

Sir Christ. Musgrave. I would not be confined barely to paper. If this be settled, it must be by some instrument. I hope we are at liberty to speak to the Papers, because they are referred to the committee by the house, and are part of the business of the day.

Sir Tho. Clarges. The additional forces of the States are 15,000, and those of England between 30 and 40,000, and this because England is inexhaustible in treasure.' • If this Estimate be admitted, England will maintain 115,100 men there, in Scotland and Ireland; and I take not in the Indies: But, by the way, those in Spain and Catalonia are comprised in the number of their forces. Those German forces are in their own country, and for their country, but what does the emperor contribute to our Fleet? France maintains 100,000 men cheaper than we 40,000 men-All their General-Officers are paid but half the year, and their other officers are reduced. His fleet's expence is equal to ours. Sicily revolted to France, but it was so great an expence they were forced to give it up, though they won a battle at sea, when De Ruyter was killed.

:

Mr. Harley. The total of the List of our men is 93,000. I doubt not but every gentleman will come up to what is necessary, and the nation able to bear. I am sorry that Hanover Treaty is brought before you being once laid before the house of commons, I fear it will be drawn in consequence upon us. I hope you will make some Resolution, that this is a greater proportion than you can bear, and that it be not authenticated by parliament-You are not told of any Treaty-But I see not yet that those forces are raised-They have so large a barrier to maintain by land, and you by sea. I hope you will see some more reason for the raising these men, than from the Ga

zette.

Sir John Lowther. I hope that at this time of day you will not discourage the Confederates, by discontinuing what you have allowed formerly. You have that before you, in my poor opinion, that concerns the honour of the nation. You have a powerful enemy, that carries all before him; and his government is absolutely opposite to yours, and the Protestant religion. All his successes have not discouraged the confederates by discontinuing what they have allowed formerly, either at sea or land. No successes of the enemy have made the duke of Hanover hearken to propositions of

peace: nor in Germany, not the barbarity of destroying one of their greatest cities, as he would do this city, He must over-run that country, or bring them to a peace. Why should they have consideration for us, if we have none for them? No doubt, he would be glad if such a part of the world were subjected to him, either by conquest, or peace, out of which we shall certainly be excluded, and then we are a most miserable people. It is said, We can defend ourselves, if all the world were against us.' But it is plain, this concerns England; for the king of France has England in his eye, no other way but to be great at sea; not Holland, nor Germany, but England is in his eye. If the Dutch be for him, and against us, we cannot cope with him. If he be but one day before you, yon cannot get out: If an hour later, and the wind easterly, you are lost. If he make a descent upon you, and come fresh out of his harbours, he may land where he pleases. No naval force can defend you, as an alteration of wind may defend you. When the alliance of all the forces is with us, we may be secure. We have to do with a neighbour that builds upon the ruins of other countries. He is now upon his wreck, and all the strait he can be. It is known, he did not pay his men the last year, as formerly. Shall we draw back, when at the last push? Let us consider this as Protestants, and I move this short question, “That the Land-Forces may be increased to the number of 94,000."

Sir Christ. Musgrave. I will speak only to that part of Hanover Treaty, which, Lowther says, was formerly before you, and what a great discouragement it would be to the Confederacy, &c. But admit this number now, and you can never get it off. It is a strange argument for us to bear two-thirds, and the Dutch but one. I know not how the king, or his ministers, will be able to stem it, without the assistance of this house. They are a continent, and we are an island; and, if that be the reason, we are to blame to admit that reason. At this rate, your proportion of twothirds will be multiplied infinitely upon you; and you ought to address the king, that our proportions may be more reasonably treated. You are told, by Ranelagh, That 30,000 dollars are to pay that army;' but when you pay for forage and bread too, in part, I think that the duke of Hanover's part might be more, now be is a ninth elector.

Mr. Foley. The order to the committee is, To consider of the 94,000 men given in, &c.' Is England to carry on the war with an unusual proportion, and other allies come not up to it? We ought to have a fair bargain. There are no proposals of a Treaty already made, but what is good for England. Therefore, I move, That an Address be made to the king, &c.'

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Mr. Hungerford. The Treaty of Hanover, in reading the Paper, has let you into the whole.

Mr. Smith. Can gentlemen tell you, if you come up to this proportion, that Flanders is

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