ormer part of it was drawn from the speech of the duke of
ARGYLE, and the latter part of it from that of lord CARTERET.]

HOUSE OF LORDS, MAY 20, 1742.

ON THE SECURITY AND PROTECTION OF TRADE AND NAVIGATION.

The same day that the lords read a first time the indemnification bill,
they read also, for the first time, a bill sent from the commons,
entitled, _An Act for the better protecting and securing the trade and
navigation of this kingdom in time of war_. As this bill had a
remarkable rise, passed the commons without a division, and the end
proposed by it was so commendable, it may be proper to give some account
of it before we proceed to the debate thereon in the house of lords.

It may be remembered, that we have mentioned great cause of complaint on
account of the losses sustained by the British merchants from the
enemy's privateers, who were not sufficiently checked. The merchants and
traders of London, Bristol, and other cities, having applied to the
administration in vain, presented petitions to both houses, setting
forth, among other things, "that notwithstanding the growing insolence
of the Spanish privateers, the applications of the suffering merchants
for protection and redress, had been neglected; that numbers of his
majesty's most useful subjects have been reduced to want and
imprisonment, or, compelled by inhuman treatment, and despairing of a
cartel for the exchange of prisoners, had enlisted in the service of
Spain; that there had been various neglects and delays in the
appointment of convoys, and some of the commanders of the few that had
been granted, deserted the ships under their care at sea, and left them
as a prey to the enemy," etc.

One petition farther says, "That the want of ships of force properly
stationed, encouraged the enemy to increase the number of their
privateers."

Another, "That most of the captures were almost on our coast, in the
Channel and soundings, at a time when the naval force of Britain was
greater than ever was known, a few ships of which might have ruined the
enemy's privateers."

One set of the petitioners apprehend, "that most of the captures might
have been prevented, had a few ships been properly stationed on this
side cape Finisterre, and the commanders kept to the strictest duty."

Other petitioners "are not a little alarmed, not only at the increase
and number of the Spanish privateers lately equipped, but at the
unexpected great strength the enem