in which we are now engaged, has been carried on by the
administration with the utmost diligence and vigour; nor have any
measures been omitted that could probably produce success, and the
success of the wisest measures is only probable.

Should the great admiral, who is now present in the house, have met the
French and Spaniards in the open seas, by what art could he arrive at a
certain knowledge of their designs? He might by his acquaintance with
the situation and state of neighbouring countries, the observation of
their course, the periods of particular winds, and other hints of
observation, form probable conjectures, but could never reach to
certainty or confidence.

It seems to me, therefore, highly improper, to petition his majesty for
intelligence which he cannot be imagined to have received, and I cannot
agree to any motion for that purpose.

Mr. SANDYS then made another motion, to address his majesty, that there
may be laid before the house copies of all letters received from, or
written to, admiral Vernon since his going to the West Indies. Which
being seconded,

Mr. PELHAM spoke to this effect:--Sir, this motion, if the intention of
it be limited by proper restrictions, is doubtless reasonable and just;
for the right of this house to examine into the conduct of publick
affairs, and, consequently, for calling for the papers necessary to
enlighten their inquiries, is not to be disputed.

But, as the end of all such inquiries is the promotion of the publick
welfare, so they are not to be made in a manner by which that end may be
defeated. Papers are not to be demanded, which cannot be produced
without discovering our own secrets, and acquainting our enemies either
with that weakness which we ought carefully to conceal, or that force
which will be most effectually employed if it is not known, and,
therefore, no preparations are made to oppose it.

It cannot be imagined, but that many of the papers which have passed
between the admiralty and the commander in America, contain plans for
the prosecution of the war, observations on the conditions of our own
colonies, and, perhaps, intelligence of the estate of the Spanish
fortresses and towns. Many informations of the utmost consequence to our
enemies may be collected from those papers, but nothing can be expected
from them, that will enable us to prosecute a senatorial inquiry with
more success, that will put it in our power to discover frauds,
negligence, or