return of their American revenues
insuperably obstructed, and knowing that the emperour of Germany, that
emperour who was to invade Britain, had not any power even to assist
them, were obliged to have recourse to the nation which they then hated,
and to forgive the past affront, that they might obtain their good
offices in this exigence.

But, my lords, it was not sufficient for the designs of the French, that
they had recovered their ancient allies the Spaniards, unless they could
disunite them from the emperour of Germany: this it was, likewise, our
interest to prevent, and yet this, likewise, we enabled them to effect;
for they prevailed upon us to promise, in our stipulations with the
Spaniards, what they had not the least claim to demand, that Spain,
instead of neutral troops, should be introduced into Italy, to secure
certain successions there to a son of the queen of Spain.

With what reluctance the emperour of Germany would consent to see troops
placed in the provinces bordering upon his dominions, which would
certainly, on the first occasion, be employed to invade them, it was
easy to foresee, and with what degree of good-will he would regard those
by whom they were introduced; yet, my lords, such was the influence of
France, and so ardent our desire of diverting Spain from setting the
pretender upon the throne of Britain, that we complied at all events,
without any prospect or promise of advantage.

Thus were the Spaniards, by being persuaded to make this demand, and we,
by granting it, brought equally to ill terms with the emperour of
Germany; and France was, by procuring such agreeable conditions to the
Spaniards, again considered as their most useful ally.

That nation, my lords, is in a very unhappy state, which is reduced to
admit such terms as mediators are pleased to prescribe. We durst not
refuse the introduction of Spanish troops, nor durst we introduce them
without the emperour of Germany's consent, which, however, he granted at
an easy rate, for he demanded only that we should become guarantees of
the Pragmatick sanction. This we gladly agreed to, and thought ourselves
so happy in purchasing, so cheaply, an opportunity of ingratiating
ourselves with Spain, that we desired no other recompense.

This treaty with the emperour of Germany, was, however, by no means
improper, nor could we, after the errours which had been committed, do
any thing more effectual to preserve the balance of Europe, and