that both friends and enemies might be convinced of the
firmness and vigour of their proceedings. The parliament was perfectly
well disposed, to comply with all her majesty's requests. Warm debates
were presented by both houses. Then they proceeded to the consideration
of the supply, and having examined the estimates in less than a
week, voted near six millions for the service of the ensuing year.
Nevertheless, in examining the accounts some objections arose. They
found that the extraordinary supplies for the support of king Charles
of Spain, amounted to eight hundred thousand pounds more than the sums
provided by parliament. Some members argued that very ill consequences
might ensue, if a ministry could thus run the nation in debt, and expect
the parliament should pay the money. The courtiers answered, that if
anything had been raised without necessity, or ill applied, it was
reasonable that those who were in fault should be punished; but as this
expense was incurred to improve advantages, at a time when the occasion
could not be communicated to parliament, the ministry was rather to
be applauded for their zeal, than condemned for their liberality. The
question being put, the majority voted that those sums had been expended
for the preservation of the duke of Savoy, for the interest of king
Charles against the common enemy, and for the safety and honour of the
nation. When the speaker presented the money-bills, he told her, that as
the glorious victory obtained by the duke of Marlborough at Ramillies,
was fought before it could be supposed the armies were in the field, so
it was no less surprising that the commons had granted supplies to
her majesty, before the enemy could well know that the parliament was
sitting. The general was again honoured with the thanks of both houses.
The lords in an address besought the queen to settle his honours on
his posterity. An act was passed for this purpose; and, in pursuance of
another address from the commons, a pension of five thousand pounds out
of the post-office was settled upon him and his descendants. The lords
and commons having adjourned themselves to the last day of December, the
queen closed the year with triumphal processions. As the standards and
colours taken at Blenheim had been placed in Westminster-hall, so now
those that had been brought from the field of Ramillies were put up in
Guildhall, as trophies of that victory. About this time the earls of
Kent, Lindsey, and