been so ill managed for many years, that
the expenses of peace have been almost equal to those of a most vigorous
and extensive war.

Nothing is more probable, than that most of the foreign negotiations are
conducted by his direction, nor more certain, than that they have
generally tended only to make us contemptible.

That the excise was projected in his own head, that it was recommended
by him upon his own conviction, and pressed upon the legislature by his
influence, cannot be questioned; and if this were his only crime, if
this were the only scheme of oppression that ever he planned out, it is
such a declaration of war upon the publick liberty, such an attack of
our natural and constitutional rights, as was never, perhaps, pardoned
by any nation.

Nor is it less notorious, that the late infamous convention was
transacted by one of his own dependents, that he palliated or concealed
the losses of our merchants, that he opposed the declaration of war, and
has since obstructed its operations.

On this occasion, my lords, it may be useful to remark the apparent
partiality of this gentleman's vindicators, who declare, that measures
are not to be censured as imprudent, only because they are unsuccessful,
and yet when other instances of his conduct fall under our examination,
think it a sufficient defence to exclaim against the unreasonableness of
judging before the event.

To deny that, in the conduct both of civil and military affairs, he has
obtained, I know not by what means, an authority superiour to that of
any other man, an authority irresistible, uncontroulable, and regal, is
to oppose not only common fame, but daily experience. If as commissioner
of the treasury he has no more power than any of his associates, whence
is it, that to oppose or censure him, to doubt of his infallibility, to
suspect his integrity, or to obstruct his influence, is a crime punished
with no lighter penalty than forfeiture of employment, as appears, my
lords, from the late dismission of a gentleman, against whom nothing can
be alleged but an obstinate independence and open disregard of this
arbitrary minister.

But happy would it be, my lords, for this nation, if he endeavoured not
to extend his authority beyond the treasury or the court; if he would
content himself with tyrannising over those whose acceptance of salaries
and preferments has already subjected them to his command, without
attempting to influence elections, or to dire