at of
his patrons? Whence comes it, my lords, that falsehood is more
successful than truth, and that the nation is inclined to complain
rather than to triumph? It is well known that the people have been
charged in all former ages, with being too much dazzled by the glitter
of fortune, and the splendour of success, and bestowing their applauses
not according to the degrees of merit, but prosperity. The minister, my
lords, has defeated his opponents in almost all their attempts; his
friends have sounded victory every session, and yet the people declare
against him; his adversaries have retired into the country with all the
vexation of disappointment, and have been rewarded for their
unsuccessful efforts with general acclamations. What is it, my lords,
but the power of truth, that can preserve the vanquished from ridicule,
and influence the nation to believe them the only patrons of their
commerce and liberty, in opposition to all the writers and voters for
the ministry?

If we consult history, my lords, how seldom do we find an innocent
minister overwhelmed with infamy? Innocent men have sometimes been
destroyed by the hasty fury, but scarcely ever by the settled hatred of
the populace. Even that fury has generally been kindled by real
grievances, though imputed to those who had no share in producing them;
but when the tempest of their first rage has subsided, they have seldom
refused to hear truth, and to distinguish the patriot from the
oppressor.

But though it should be acknowledged, my lords, that the people have
been blinded by false representations, and that some causes yet
undiscovered, some influence which never has been known to operate in
any state before, hinder them from beholding their own felicity; yet, as
publick happiness is the end of government, and no man can be happy that
thinks himself miserable, it is, in my opinion, necessary to the honour
of his majesty, and to the tranquillity of the nation, that your
lordships should agree to the present motion.

The duke of NEWCASTLE answered to this effect:--My lords, it is not
without wonder that I hear a motion so uncommon and important, a motion
which may be reasonably supposed to have been long premeditated, and of
which such affecting expectations have been raised, so weakly supported
by evidence. I cannot think that any other attestation is needful for
the vindication of the right honourable gentleman, whose conduct is this
day to be examined, than t