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Un dee symbolee sulvanta apparaltra sur la damMra Imege do cheque microfiche, selon le cae: le symbole — » signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbole V signifie "FIN". Mapa. platee. charts, etc., mey be filmed at different reduction ratloa. Thoee too lerge to be entirely included In one enpoeure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand comer, left to right and top to bottom, aa many framee aa required. The following diagrama iiluatrata the method: planchae. tableeux, etc.. pauvent itre filmte i dee taux do riduction diffirents. Loraque le document «st trop grand pour itra reproduit en un soul cliche, 11 est film* i partir da Tangle supArieur gauche, da gauche k droite. et do haut en baa. mn prenant la nombre d'Imegee nAceeaaira. Laa diagrammea suivants llluatrent la mithode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 REASONS W H y T H E V Approaching Treaty of Peace S HO U L D BE Debated in PAR LI AMENT: As a Method moft Expedient and Conftitutional. In a Letter addrcfled to a GREAT MAN. AND Occafioned by the Perufal of a Letter addrefled to TWO GREAT MEN. Lex jufliffima, promida c rcum/peiiione Jiabilita, ut quod omfies tangit, ab omnibus approbetur. CJ aufe of a Writ of Ed w. I . * LONDON: Printed for R. Gr i f f iths, oppofite Somerfet- houfe, in the Strand. MDCCLX. i> ' (3) > . . . - . . t;- ., -■ ' ' > ■ ' ,- t ;.' \.i • T R E A S O N S, ^c. S I R, t: TH E truly patriot Spirit which you have (hewn during the Continuance of your (hort but glorious Admini- {Iration, the Attention you have paid to every Hint for the public Good, without regarding from what Quarter it proceeded, naturally encourages every Well-wi{her to to his Country to offer his Sentiments on the Profpedl of an approaching Peace. Pardon me. Sir, the Prefumption of add- ing one to the numerous AddrefTes which have been made to you on this Occaiion. As I am perfuaded that they are mod pa- tient of Remonftrance who are beft able to give Advice, I flatter mylelf that the Liber- ty will not offend you. -,.'.. I do not pretend, Sir, to admlnifter Coun- cil, but only to ftate Matter for your, and the public, Confideration. If what I pro- B pofe ( 4 ) pofe is worthy of Attention, it will reach your Notice ; if not, it will defervedly peri(h with thofe many fugitive Produdlions, which breathe their laft before they are well de- livered from the Prefs. My Propofal, fuch as it is, was faggeftcd by the Perufal of a Pamphlet, entitled, A Letter addrejfed to Two Great Men, wherein a Paflage occurred, which induced me to deliver my Thoughts on the Subject of that Treatife. . ,. „• • ' — r^ - Perhaps it would not be difficult for me to point out the Letter-writer by Name y but as his Sentiments only are the proper Objedts of public Confideration, an Attempt to difcover his Perfon, might be juftly deem- ed idle and impertinent, ii. !i . I Whoever he is, he appears to be well ex- perienced in national Affairs, and not unac- cuftomed to handle his Pen. We may, iq many Parts, perceive Flafhes of that Spirit, which fo greatly contributed to drive a late powerful Minifter from the Helm of State, which he had fo long directed againft all the Torrent of Oppofition : And from fome dif- tant Allufions to the turbulent Tranfadions of thofe Times, we may difcover the Letter- writer to be a Veteran in Politicks. ' With I each >erifli rhich Idc- ^eftcd d, A lerein me to f that or me Fame j proper ttempt deem- * f % f- - r * elj ex- t unac* nay, iq Spirit, a late f State, all the me dlf- fadtioRS Letter- With (5) With regard to the Terms which he thinks necjflary to be iniided upon at the Conclufion of a Peace, he may, in fome In- ftances, perhaps be deemed too fanguine. But if, on particular Points, he difcovers an Exuberance of Zeal, yet, upon the Whole, in my humble Apprehenfion, he appears to be intelligent and difcreet. . ^ But I do not mean to enter into any Dif- quifition relating to the Particulars of his Propofals. None are better capable of judg- ing what are the proper Terms of Peace, than they who have conduced the War to fuch a happy and glorious Iflue. Therefore leaving the Terms of the ex- pedted Treaty to wifer Confideration, I beg Leave to offer fome few Obfervations with Ttfyt&. to t\\G Method of negotiating. The Terms to be obtained by the enfuing Negotiation will, I apprehend, in a great Meafure depend on the Method of treating. This is the primary Objedt of Attention, and cannot be too minutely confidered. Whatever is conducive to a profitable and glorious Accommodation, is of the utmoft Importance to this Kingdom. A good and ftable Peace alone can enfure the Profperity, nay, the very Being of this Nation. B 2 How- ill ( 6 ) However we may flatter ourfelves, in the fmiling Hours of Triumph, that we arc found and vigoroa^, yet it will require many Years of uninterrupted Peace, to recover from the Diforders and Calamities of War. It will be our own Faults, if we do not fecure a full Opportunity of flrengthening and fecuring ourConftitution. Though our Strength is debilitated, that of the Enemy is utterly exhaufted. We may prefcribe our own Terms, and compell them to accept of our Propofals. s v.' Mi To give away with the Pen, as we have done formerly, the Advantages gained by the Sword, would be an Jnftance of moft unpardonable Inattention. The Enemy has no Rcfource but in Perfidy and Chicane : We know their Difpofition, and ought not to leave thenian Opportunity of fruftrating their Engagements by the Arts of Quibblq and Intrigue. ' - " It may be imprudent, therefore, to ha- zard a diilant Negociation. The Letter- writer propofes to fix the Scene at home, and to name no other Plenipotentiaries to con- dud the Peace, but thofe Miniflers who di- redled the War. ' This Propofal is wife and jufl. To fee the Dirediion of the Treaty in fuch Hands, 5 would cc (7) would give univerfal Satisfadlion, and afford the ftrongeft AfTurance of its being conclud- ed with Skill and Integrity. But I beg Leave to extend the Propolition. The Letter- writer, Sir, premifes, that by the Extini^lion of fadious Oppofition, the Channel of parliamentary Tnftrudlion is flopped, fo that no other but that of the Prefs is left open, for thofe Heads of Advice to which it may be worth a Miniftcr's while to attend/* This is the FafTage, Sir, which ftruck me with Concern, and opened a Train of Thought, which gave Birth to the Propolition which I (hall recommend in the Sequel. Surely it muft furprize, and grieve every Lover of the Britijh Conftitution to hear, from fuch good Authority, that the Extinc- tion of fad:ious Oppofition by the happy Unanimity of every Party, fhould have clofed the Channel of parliamentary Inflrudion. Can Inftrudtion then never reach the Ears of a Minifter in Parliament, but from the Mouth of Oppofition ? I ufe the Word Oppofition here, in theSenfe in which the Letter-writer employs it ; not as denoting a Difference of Opinion, but a Variance of Party, and Difagreement of Fadion, Inflrudion (8) Inflrudlion conveyed through fuch a Chan- nel, can ferve only to gratify Malignity on one Hand, and mortify Pride on the other. It is like the Application of a Cauflick, which muft torture the Patient, before it can operate to his Benefit. No one. Sir, can entertain a higher Notion of the Dignity of Parliaments than myfelf, or bear greater Refpedl to their Authority. For the Honour, therefore, of thofe auguft Af* femblies, nay, for the Credit of human Na- ture, I am unwilling to believe, that nothing but Enmity to a Miniftcr can open the Mouths of our Reprefentatives, and that fe- natorial Eloquence has its Root in Fadion. Such a Suppofition, Sir, would be, in the higheft degree, injurious to the Reputation of Parliament. Every one is prefumed to come there with a Difpofition and an Abi- lity to ferve his Country. Confequently they will be earneft in communicating what- ever they deem elTential to that Purpofe, and refolute in oppofing whatever they appre- hend to have a contrary Tendency. The Difcharge of thefe Duties, fuppofes them neither bialTed by their Connexions with one Party*, or prejudiced by their En- mity * I ufe Party here in pejorem Senfum. An Affocia- tion for the Purpofe of rcfifting Oppreffion or redref- fing ti Chan- ity on other, uflick, it can Motion felf, or . For ift Ar- an Na- lothing en the hat re- gion. in the mutation med to an Abi- quently g what- :fe, and appre- uppofes nedions leir En- mity Affocia- lor redref- fing (9) mity to another. A real Concern for the common Welfare, will diredt every Speech, and determine every Vote. They will re- member that they are fummoned together * to council,, pot to wrangle s to debate, not to didate. If the worft of Avarice is that of Senfe, the Parcimony is doubly criminal in a Senator. To advife, is the Privilege, nay, the Duty, of every one in Parliament j to diredl, can be the Lot but of a few. Men may be unani- mous about the End, yet differ with refpcdt to the Means. .- j- • . . .- ^ ^ But fuch is the Pride of human Nature, that they who have a Capacity for advifing, afpire to govern. Not content to draw in friendly Concert with others of equal Abi- lities, they are eager to take the Lead, and fcorn to aflift thofe whom they cannot rule. It is difficult to conceive any thing more mortifying and deplorable, than to fee Fac- tion, difappointed in its towering Views of Ambition, fit down in fallen Silence, and acquiefce with affedted Unanimity. Unanimity I cannot call it, fince the Mind has no fhare in the Acquicfcence. It is at fing Grievances, is not a Party in the appropriated Senfe of tiie Word. As Salluji obferves, Hac inter Bonoi Amicitiaf inter Maloi FaSiio eji, beft ( 10 ) beftbut a negative Union. Ncceffity com- pells an outward Conformity, but the Will yet continues in Oppofition. , ;. • l An Union of this Kind, is like a broken Glafs decorated with curious Painting. Thq Colours hide the Flaw, but do not repair the Fra ' r1 ( i6 ) with French Agents and French Spies. Nor would you fubmit to fuch bafe Modes of Negociation, . , It is not necefTary for you, to expedite a Peace on any Conditions, in Order to fecure yourfelf ^d Friends in Power, and defeat the Intereft of an oppolite Party, whofe In- fluence depends on the Continuance of the War. Thefe, among others, were the Caufes which produced that difadvantageous and inglorious Treaty. The French knew the Perplexity in which the felfifli Views of the Minifters involved the Adminiftration, and they prudently took Advantage of this Em- barraflment. The Cafe now is widely different. The Unanimity which fubfifls among all Orders of Men : The Wifdom, Integrity, and Spi- rit of the Adminiftration, deprive the Enemy of all Hopes of impoiing upon us by diftio- iiourable and deiullve Terms. They know that it is not fo much our In- tereft, as theirs, to accelerate a Peace. It is our Bufinefs, they are fenfible, to deliberate maturely on every Article, that the Expofi- tron of the Treaty may not hereafter be left to the Interpretation of CommifTaries. For once toi qui It Dc R( Nor es of lite a fecure defeat fe In- Df the oaufes s and w the of the 1, and IS Em- The Orders nd Spi- Enemy diftio- our In- It is liberate Expofi- : be left s. For once '( 17 ) once we may make the imperious Enemy wait our Leifure. If the Treaty is debated in Parliament, fuch folemn Deliberation will not only give it additional Weight with our Enemies, but with all 9' her interefted Powers. Such a confpicuous Proof of firm Confi- dence between a triumphant King and his victorious People, will caufc all Europe to admire, dread, and refpefl the Britijh Crowo and Nation. . - It may be objeded, perhaps, that in a De- bate of this Kind there will be a great Differ- ence of Opinions, and Diverfity of Propofi- tions, which may tend to perplex theNegocia- tion. But probably fuch Contrariety will ra- ther tend to remove Difficulty, than introdthce Perplexity. u • Many, no Doubt, of fanguine Expecta- tions, will be eager in infifting upon Terms of Parade and Vain Glory. But cooler Judg- ments will corred: their Impetuofity. The moft rational Triumph after a Vic- tory, is Moderation. The Infolence of Con- queft debafes the Merit of the Conqueror. It mortifies the Enemy's Pride more than a Defeat, and whets his Appetite for future Revenge. It !^ ( 18 ) It tends likewife to inflame the Jealoufy and provoke the Animofity of other Powers. Among States, as among Individuals, the Arrogance of Superiority never fails to give Offence and create Enmity. But a moderate Ufe of fuperior Power, on the other Hand, alleviates the Enemy's Suf- ferings, foftens his Difgrace, and perhaps may reconcile him to his Fate : While, at the fame time, it removes the envious and jealous Apprehenfions of other States, who may become Friends to the Vidor, when they fee him ufe the Prerogatives of Con- queft with fo much Lenity and Juflice. Our Sovereign has afforded the World a fignal Proof, that he not only knows how to conquer, but how to employ Vidory to the noble Purpofes of Juflice and Humanity. Even in the giddy Hour of Triumph, his royal Breaft fwells with CompafTion, and mourns the Effufion of Chriflian Blood. Forced into a War in his own Defence, vidorious in all Parts of the Globe, he for- gives his Wrongs, forgets his Conquefts, and gracioufly offers that Peace, which his Ene- mies dared not aik. Something however is due to the Honour of the Nation. Reputation, in one Senfe, is Power : And it becomes us at leafl to ef- face ( '9 ) face thofe Stains, \^hich remain as Co many Reproaches on our Charader. As the Enemy therefore at theConclufion of the laft Peace, compeiied us to the de- grading Neceffity of pledging 11 oflages of our Faith, it may be advifeable to oblige them to make us Reparation in this RefpeS, by fending two Noblemen of equal or fupe- rior Rank, as Pledges of their faithful Per- formance of thofe Conditions which may not admit of immediate Execution. But obftinately to infift on Terms purely of Vain Glory, where the Vindication of our Honour, formerly injured in the fame In- ftancc, does not juftify our Pertinacity, is highly impolitick and unjuft. Yet many, as I have obferved, of warm Temperature, will be eai neft in recommending fuch violent Ex- tremities. ' Others, it may ealily be forefeen, fwayed by private Interefts and Attachments, will make their own partial Views the Foundation of their feveral Propofitions and Objcdions. Some probably will argue with the Letter- Writer, that the PolTeSion of Guadaktipe need not be made a necelTary Condition of the Peace, as we have fo many Sugar- Illands of our own : And that Senegal and Goree arc not of Confequence enough to make U8 D Amends ( 20 ) Amends for the annual Mortality of our brave Countrymen to guard our African Coafts. Others, on the contrary, biafled by oppo- fitc Interefts, or prejudiced by different Pro- penfities, will confider the Retention of thofe Places as the fine qidbus non of Accommoda- tion. They may think, with Refped to Guadaloupe in particular, that our Sugar Plan- tations being in too Xtvf Hands, the Extenfion of the Trade by the Poffeflion of Guadaloupe would be of general Benefit. But from this clalhing of various particu- lar Interefls, and from this Oppofition of Sentiment, your Difcernment will better enable you to difcover the general Intereft, and to form your Conclufions accordingly. You, Sir, will probably have no Objec- tion to the Method which I have the Honour to propofe of negociating a Peace in Parlia- ment. You will there have a public Op- portunity of difplaying your Abilities in Ne- gociation, and of convincing the World that your Skill in managing a Treaty of Pc 5ce, is equal to your Spirit in conducing the War. By the Power of your Eloquence and the Solidity of your Arguments, you will be able to filence inexpedient Propclitions, and to re- move grouudicfs Objedions. You will gain more * our rican oppo- t Pro-. thofe noda- id: to Plan- enfion ialoupe articu- ion of better itereft, ngly. Objec- lonour Parlia- lic Op- in Ne- World :aty of iuding ind the be able d to rc- ill gain more ( 21 ) more Honour by fuch public Deliberation, than you can hope to acquire by a Treaty managed in the Cabinet ; where your Coun- try will only fee the Refult of your Judg- ment, without hearing the Reafons of your Refolutions. • . ^ _ . Such a public Mode of Negociation, Sir, will moreover be the Means of preventing all future Murmurings and Difcontent. It will fruftrate the Deligns of fadtious Enemies at Home, if there are any fuch whom your Virtues have not reconciled, and utterly de- feat their Hopes of pretending Imperfedions in the Treaty, as the Means to discredit your Negociation, and to remove you from a Poft where you are fo obnoxious to the Sons of Mammon and Corruption. ,.v^ ^^ ^,. Though by Extindion of Oppofition there- fore, or through Tendernefs for the Prero- gative, the Channel of parliamentary In- ilrudion be clofed on the Subjed of the approaching Negociation, yet, when the Par- liament is required by his Majefty to confult on that Head, it will be opened for the mod noble and liberal Purpofes. Every one then may freely declare his Opinion, though, till then, it might not be decent in any one to anticipate what is the proper Objed of royal Conficieration only. m It may be thought however by fome, that the Method propofed is not ftridly conflitu- D 2 tioiial. ( « ) tional. To thofe who are but little verfcd iQ Antiquity, the Revival of antientCuftom may bear the Appearance of modern ^Innovation. I therefore beg Leave to enumerate fome Inftances where the Kings of England have condefcended to confult with their Parlia- ments * on the Subjects of Peace and War. Inftances, Sir, which, though familiar to your Recolledtion, will, 1 am perfuaded, be new to many of my Readers. It v^ould be eafy for rtie to trace this Prac- tice beyond the Norman Period, or even be- yond the Time of the Anglo Saxons : But as fuch an Inveftigation might feem rather cal- culated for vain Parade than fubftantial Proof, I (hall confine myfelf to fuch Examples as occur fmce the Conqueft. The firft which I fhall produce for this Purpofe is in the Time of King yolm. There is the firfl Summons on Record to the Peers or Barons, Trafhin de Magnis & ardiiis Ncgo- fits. The Particular Bufinefs was about a War of Defence againft the French : And that the Commons were admitted at this Time may be concluded from the following * T ufc tlic word ParUnnicnt here to fignify the great Aflembly of the N.ition ; as it was formerly called Crnnnune CjHftlium or Manmtn Concilium. At what Time Parliaments took 'the prefent Model is ftill u J'exata ^• Prac- en be- But as er cal- Proof, pies as For this There le Peers 5 NC'JO- o bout a ': And at this [lowing the great ly called kt what is ftill a n. Ordi. ( 23 ) Ordinance : Provifum eft ajfenfu Archiefifco^ forum^ Comitunty Baromm, et Omnium fi- DELIUM NOSTRORUM ANGLI-ffi, qUod TlOVem miiites par jingliam inveniend, aecimarum^ The next is in the 49th of Henry the 3d, when a Parhament was called to advife with the King fro Pace affecuranda & firmanda, Thefe are the Words of the Writ 5 and, where Advice is required, Confultation muft neceflarily be admitted. . ^ His Son, Edward the ift, who for his Wifdom v/as ftiled the Englifto Juftinian^ up- on hearing that the French King intended to invade Part of his Inheritance, fummoned a Parliament, and in the Writ for that Pur- pofe inferted thofe admirable Words which I have chofen for my Motto *. , . His Son, Edward the 2d, afTembled a Par- liament to zdvikfoper diverfts fiegotiis ftatum regni & expediiionem Gnerrce Scoticejpecialiter tangentibus. In the 13th Year of his Reign a Parliament was called to advife, Juper ar- duis negotiisftatiimGaJ colli ce tangentibus .-And in the 1 6th, to confult adrefrcenandum ^coto^ rum objlinentiam & militiam, * It is obfervable that the Words of the Motto fpeak of this Practice as a Law. But perhaps this is not a pro- per Time for infiftii)gon the Revival of fuch a Practice as a Right, , Edward 1^ ' ( H ) Ed'ward the 3d, in the firil Year of his Reign, fummoned a Parliament fupcr prce- mjjis traBarc & conftlhan impcnderc, before he \vou\di. rtilohe upon Fcacc cr War with the Scotch Kine. "In the 'iiih Year cf his Reign, the Chan- cellor declared to the Parliament the Caufe of tlieir being alUmbled, which was to con- falt and refolve, whether the King fhould proceed with France for Recovery of his SeignorieSj by Ailiance of Marriage, or by VVar ? And whether he lliould go over in Peribn or not, to fuppreib the Dilobedicnce CI the L Ilh'^ . . , In the 1 3 til Year, the Parliament is rcaf- fembled to advifc dc cxpcdiiione Cucrra in pdrtihus trarjmarinis ; and Ordinances were made for Provilion of Ships, for arraying of M:n for the Marches, and for Defence of the Ifle of ycrjly, appDiviing fiich in the Record, as they comrivcd trujil proper for the nient to whic^ ipioy :hey In the 17th, it war declared to the Peers ,Tnd Commons, that, by their Afient^^ the King had undertaken the War i.i France, and that a I'ruce Vv'as offered by Mediation of tljc I'ope, xvbic/j the Sovcrei-^Ji forbore to accept icithoiit their good /lllo'Lvance. The Lords therefore confuUcd apart, and the Com- % /J J f his prcc- )efore th the Ilhan- Caufe con- fhould of his or by :)ver in ;dicnce is real- Tree t?i -:% were Lrrayiiig Deknce in the for the lined. ic Peers nts the FraiiCCy [ediation )rbore to e. The and the Com- ( 25 ) Commons returned an Anfwcr by Sir William Trujfeli that they approved of the Truce and of the Pope's Mediation ; and farther, that it was their Ahice and Defire that the Quar- rel might be compofed. The Pope's Undertaking proving^ fruitlefs, and Delays being of Advantage to the French^ the King afTembled the Parliament the Year following, at which Time the Peers and Commons, after many Days Confultation, refohe to end the Contejl^ either by offering Battle or propofing Peace, and no more to rely on the Mediation of his Holiiiefs. In the ?. I ft Year, Chief J uftice 7>6or/^ de- clared to the Parliament that the French War firft began by their Advice, that the Truce was afterwards accepted by their AiTent, and that being now expired, it was the King's Pleafure to have their CounciJ in the farther Profecution of the Vv^ar, The Commons being commanded, ^ic ils fs dcveroycnt trait enjcmble & fe qtiih enfenteroimi ?no?iftrer an roy & au graintnr dejon Conjilto, In the 25th, a Parliament /as fummoned to adviie tiie King with Relation to the French Concerns : And for more quick DilpaUh^ his MajeRy ordered the Commons 10 d^B "Tiven- ty-jour or Thirty of their Houfc to confult with the Lords. In ■• p ( !S6 ) in the 27th, a Parliament was affenibled to confult concerning the Profecution of the French War, when honourable Peace could not be obtained 5 but the Year following a Truce being offered, the King refufed to aC" cept the Propofal, until he had the Confent of the Peers and Commons-, which they granted to him hy public Injlrument in Parliament before the Pope's Notary, In the 36th Year, he called a Parliament to confult whether he fhould declare War againft the King of Scots^ or conclude Peace with him. In the 7th Year of Richard the 2d, the Commons were commanded to confult upon View of Articles of Peace with the French, whether War or fuch an Accommodation Ihould be accepted. They modeftly excufe themfclves as too weak to advife in fuch weighty Affairs. But being charged again as they tendered the Honour and Right of the King, they made this Anfwer j ^ils in- tendent que aucunes fennes & terres que mefme leur Liege auroit oil pur cefi accord in Guien, fi ferront tenu doht Roy Francois par homage &Jervicei mais neper font uny que leur dit Liege voiroit ajfenter trope legierement de temer dicens Francois per tielfervice la Ville de Callis & aultres terres conquifes des Francoije per les* preiieve ijcrroit la comen enfefaeflfait^ fiau^ trement ad hif ibled )f the I could ring a to aC" (ent of \nted to before lament e War e Peace 2(3, the [bit upon RENCH, kodatioa y excufe in fuch ed again Right of ^ih in- lie me/me 'n Guien, r homage dit Liege ner dicens Callis & per les* 71 ty Ji au- trement ■( 27 ) trement lour perroit bkn faire^ giving their Opinions rather for Peace than War. . In the 13th oi Richard the 2d, the Truce with France being expired, the Parliamcnl was fummoned to advife upon what Conditions itjhould be renewed. In the Year following a Parliament was called, and the King afked Advice of the Lords and Commons concerning the War with Scotland^ and ijoould not^ without their Counfehy conclude a final 'Peace with France. In the 17th Year, the King called a Par- liament to confult about the Treaty of Peace with France^ and the Commons, being charged upon their Faith and Allegiance, ad- vifed that Homage might be made for Guien^ an Appendage of the French Crown, fo as not to include other Parts of the Englijh Conqueft. -^ * v .i^, ^r ^ ' Henry the 4th confulted with his Parlia- ment on the fame Subjedts : Particularly in the tenth Year of his Reign, when the Par- liament was commanded to give their Advice about the Truce with Scotland, and the Pre- parations againft the Malice of the French, His Son, in the firfl Year of his Reign, advifed with his Parliament how to fuccour his Allies and reftrain his Enemies -, and for E tills -iy ( 28 ) this Purpofe there was a fecret Committee of the Commons appointed to confer with the Lords. ■ "" Two Years afterwards Peace being ofFered by the French King, and the King of the Romans beino- arrived to conclude the Bufi- ncfs, the Khig refufed to come to any Deter- mination^ before he bad the Advice and Ajfent of the Lords and Commons^ which the Chan- cellor declared to be the End of the Meeting. - In the fourth and fifth Years, no Peace being concluded with France^ he fummoned the Parliament to confult about a War ; and concluded a Treaty of Amity with Sigif- mund King of the Romans^ by Allowance of the three EJiates \ and the Articles were en- tered upon the Journal Rolls. In the eleventh Year, the Treaty with France was pcriifed and ratified by the Pre^ lates^ Ncbles, and Commons of the Kingdom* Ills Son, in the fecond Year of his Reign, advifed with the Lords and Commons about prefer ving the Peace with France : And in the third Year, they were called together to ad'vife upon^ and coiijcnt to^ a new Article in the League with Scotland, The like Inftances may be found in the Reign of Edward IV. and others. Even that defj-^otic Monarch, He?iry VIIL conde- fcended ilttee of ^ith the offered of the [he Bufi- \y Deter^ \id Ajfent le Chan- jMeeting, lo Peace mmoned ^ar J and ith Sigif- owance of were en- r mty with the Pre^ 'ngdom. lis Reign, ons about : And in jether to Article in nd in the s. Even '. conde- fcended fcended to advifc with his Parliament on fuch and other weighty Matters*. - ^ -- It mud be confefTed, however, that in his Time, but more efpecially in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth^ the Pradlice of advifing with Parliament on thefe important Points began to decline, and the Cuilom of refer- ring fuch Confiderations to a minifterial Junto, gradually took place. .. .,. ..» We all know in what a lofty Tone her Majefty ufed fometimes to addrefs her Par- liament, forbidding them to meddle with high Concerns of State, But though, in Words, fhe prohibited them from fuch Confultation, yet, in fadl, fhe now and then permitted them to give, nay, folicited, their Advice. Her SuccefTor, fames I. obftinately tena- cious of Prerogative, and more jealous of his own Parliament than of foreign Powers, took all Opportunities of reftraining the Free- dom of Debate by his proverb^al Check, Nefutor ultra crepidam. Parliaments now began to lofe their Dig- nity. They were no longer confulercd as Channels for Inftrudion, but as Mines for * For Inflances where our Kings confultcci M^itii Parliaments on other weighty Matters belides War and FeacC) fee the great Antiquary Sir Robert Cotton. E 2 Wealth i ■ ', * (30) Wealth : Minifters did not dive there for Advice, but dig for Ore. His unhappy Son and SuccefTor, Charles I. was tempted topurfue the fame unconftitution- al Syftem of Policy, and attempted to govern wholly by minifterial Influence. But the Parliament, weary and afhamed of their own Infignificance, refolved to aflert their Importance, and, without being con- fulted, took the Liberty of remonftrating. The calamitous Effeds which thefe Remon- ftrances produced, are fo well known, that I may fpare myfelf the Trouble and Mortifi- cation of repeating the melancholy Detail. Some time before, and after, the cruel and unparalleled Execution of that unfortunate Prince, Parliaments, if they may be fo called, were one Hour every thing, and the next nothing, A deplorable Succeflion of Anar- chy, Oligarchy, Stratocracy, and Tyranny alternately tore the Conftitution and diftra(^- cd the Kingdom. At the Rejloration, Parliaments once more recovered their antient Form, but did not regain their wonted Influence. An in- dolent and voluptuous Monarch, bound by Obligations on one Hand, and diverted by Pursuits of Pieafure on the other, refigned all his Concerns to the Direftion of a chofea ftw, ere for harks I. itution- govern ifliamed to aflert ng con- ftrating. Remon- [1, that I Mortifi- )etail. :ruel and fortunate fo called, the next f Anar- Tyranny diftraa- ts once but did An in- lound by crted by refigned a chofea ftw, (31) few. In what Manner the Bulinefs of State was conducted during this Reign by a pri- vate Junto, we need only confult Clarendon and other Writers. ^\^•)' His bigotted Brother and SuccefTor, "James II. juftly provoked the I'arliament once again to afiert their Authority. To their memorable and glorious Struggle in the Caufe of Freedom, we owe the happy Re- volution, which may be confiuered as the iEra of Britip Liberty, though, alas ! at the fame time the Epoch of Corruption. At that Time our valuable Rights were confirmed, and the Subject's Paflhge to the Throne declared legal. But they were no fooner granted, than fome were fecrctly pur- chafed, and others artfully eluded. A Fund of Venality was eftabliilied, which made it unnecefTary for Minillers to advife with Parliaments, to whom they had the Means of didating. Our Liberties were mouldering in Fad, while they were Hill frefli upon Record. You, Sir, have been witnefs to the Arts of Corruption. It is many Years lince your vouthful Ardour firfl contributed to check its x'rogrefs and defeat its Dcligns. You have happily furvived to fill a Pod in the Adminiftration^ where you have an Oppor- ( 32 ) Opportunity of enforcing by your Pradice, thofe Principles which you then (0 nobly urged and fupported. You have made fuch fpeedy Advances to this great End, as will do lafting Honour to your Adminiflration. You have baniftied Corruption infufed Vigour into our Coun- cils, eftablilhed Unanimity in Parliament, and retrieved the Honour of the Kingdom. Yet all is not done. It remains for you to reftore that entire Confidence between the King and his Parliament, which antiently fubfifted when that auguft Aflembly was in reality the Grand Council of the Nation, I have been the more particular in pro- ducing Inftances, where our Kings ufed for- merly, among other Subjeds, to confult with their Parliaments with refped: to War and Peace, and in fhewing how fuch an amiable Confidence was at length interrupted, left the Method of Negociation which I propofe, lliould be thought innovating and uncon- Ititutional. It is obfervable from the Examples I have above cited, that our wiftft and greateft Princes have been moft forward in advifing with their Parliament; and we find that they abfolutely rcfufed to conclude treaties of Peace i till the Parliament, upon a View of th ice, )bly :s to ir to ihed ouu- nent, am. you ;n the iently Aras in n pro- dfor- k with ar and miable ed, left ropofe, uncon- s I have greateft advifing ind that treaties View of ( 33 ) the ArtideSt had given their Advice and Conjent, It appears, indeed, from the Records, that the Commons, when called upon to advife concerning the Profecution of a War, or to confult whether War or Peace was mod eligible, frequently declined intermedling with fuch weighty Concerns, and witheld their Deliberations, tillpreifled by their King's Command. The Reafon of this Modefty and Re- fer ve on thefe Occafions, is obvious to every one of common Sagacity. We do not find however, that when called upon merely to deliberate upon the fole Subjed: of Peace, that they ever made any fuch modeft Heli- tations. The Reafon no longer fubfifled. , No Objeftion feems now to offer againft reviving this antient and conftitutional Cuftom of advifing with Parliament. Why fhould lefs DiHindlion and Confidence be paid to that augufl AfTembly now than formerly ? Rather why fhould they not be honoured with higher Marks of Favour and Trufl ? Since the Revolution, the Column of pub- lic Freedom flands on a broader Bafis : And confequently inftead of requiring Diminu- tion, the Superftrudure will admit of En- largement. Par- (34) Parliaments, ncverthelefs, have too long ceafed to be what they were at their origi* nal Inftitution, and what they always ought to be, the Grand Cowtcil of the Nation, The Members of which it is compofed, have been too long confidercd rather as the Bankers, than the Counfellors of the Kingdom : And Minifters have drawn upon them for Money^ while they have taken Counfel of their own Pride and Interefl. •.■.;■,. ..,. :r K We can now, indeed, happily boaft of aMi- nifter, who adls upon morejuft and enlarged Principles. A fair Opportunity now prefents itfelf of reftoring Parliaments to their antient, true, and refpedtable Condition. i r , Shall the People who have fo chearfully and v'goroufly exerted themfelves in the Pro- fecution of the War, be deemed not wor- thy of being confulted at the Conclulion of a Peace? •■; ' '■ '"" ''I Shall they who have purchafed fo many glorious Acquilitions by their Blood and Treafure, have the Mortification to find them difpoied of by a Treaty concluded in private ? Shall the Articles be kept from their Infpedion, till the Ratification of them has made it too late for them to offer Ob- jedtions and propofe Amendments? Shall they who are chief Parties to the Negocia- tion, not be Privies to it ? Such \ \ c a ( 35) Such a Proceeding might, at any time, be confidered as unjull, unnatural, and reputr- nant to the Idea of that Confidence, which ought ever to fubfifl between a Hing and a free People. But at fuch a Crifis as this, it would ap- pear uncommonly hard and unkind. The prefent Parliament have fliewn a moft lau- dable Zeal and Attachment to his Majefly's Perfon and Government ; they have pre- ferved an Unanimity which has done them- felves no lefs Honour than their Country Ser- vice, and they have readily granted Supplies which even exceed Credibility. For thefe diflinguifhed Proofs of Loyalty, Wifdom, and Generofity, they undoubtedly merit a more than common Degree of Confidence. His Majefty, who has been gracioufly pleafed, in his Speech from the Throne, to exprefs his Satisfadlion in the happy Union which has fubfifled among them, has now an Opportunity of rewarding their Merit, by caUing Them to fhare in thofe councils to which their Forefathers were admitted : A Confidence to which they have the flrongert: conftitutional Claim, fince, without their Advice, his Royal Predeceflbrs refufed to conclude Treaties of Peace, or any other im- portant Negociations. F No { 36 ) No Time can be more opportune for rc- edablifhing this delireable Intercourfe and Confidence between the King and his Par- liament. They are in the moft proper Dif- pofition to confult. No Party Animofitics will thwart their Debates, no difafFedled Op- pofition will perplex their Confultations. The Matter of Debate likewife favours their Interpofition. The approaching Treaty requires more Deliberation than Difpatch. But (liould Expedition be requifite, we might purfue the Exampu of our Anceftors in fuch Cafes, and depute a feledt Number of the Commons, Forty, for Inftance, (the Num- ber which conftitutes a Houfe) to confult with the Lords on the important Negociation which lies in Profped. But happily we can treat our Enemies as the Whig Miniftry treated the Negotiators of the Peace of Utrecht *. We can make them fland at the Out-fide of the Clofet, while we at ourLeifure determine their Fate within t And our Deliberations need not be fecret. As no Obflacle, therefore, in my humble Apprehenfion, oppofes this Mode of Nego- * Had that Treaty, which, in fomc meafure, laid the Foundation of the prefent War, been debated ia Parliament, the Terms, in all probability, would not have been fo equivocal, inglorious, and unprofitable. elation. th rc- and Par- Dif- fitics Op- ^ours 'reaty )atch. night ifuch )f the Mum- ;onfult ciation nies as itors of c them while within t cret. humble ■ Nego- fure, laid ebated 'm vould not fitable. ciation. ( 37 ) . elation, why (hould not the approaching Treaty be conducted agreeably to the old and conditutional Method ? The Glory, Sir, of reviving this Pra Our gracious Sovereign's Inclinations to contribute every thing in his Power to pro- mote the Happinefs, and fecure the Fre©- ^ dom of his People, are well known. It de- pends upon you, Sir, if you approve of the Propofal, to point out the projeded Means» ' which, among others, lead to this defirable End. > '\:- ■ . . ^ . . ,;r- \i mv -ihi « :4'' By your Endeavours, we hope to fee the Work of Reformation compleated. The re- ftoring the Dignity of Parliament, the Inde- pendance of the Conftitution, the Eftablifli- ment of Oeconomy, and the Revival of Mo- ral Virtue, are Bleflings expedled at your'- Hands. ' r> ( 41 ) Hands. The Public Hopes reft upon you. St Tu deferis, aSium ejl ! W---' r; Before I conclude, permit me to take No- tice of the Letter- writer's judicious and fpi- rited Reprefentation, of the Dangers to which our Conftitution is expofed at Home. — Dan- gers which he defcribes with fuch real Con- cern, and paints in fuch ftrong Colours, as at once do Honour to the Author's Zeal and Abilities, i> ; r-i\i'