cause a great
number of officers to be knocked on the head, that he might fill his
pockets by disposing of their commissions. The duke of Marlborough was
so deeply affected by this reflection, that though he suppressed his
resentment in the house, he took the first opportunity to send lord
Mohun to the earl with a message, importing, that he should be glad to
come to an explanation with his lordship about some expressions he had
used in that clay's debate; and desiring his company to take the air in
the country. The earl understood his meaning; but could not conceal his
emotion from the observation of his lady, by whose means the affair was
communicated to the earl of Dartmouth, secretary of state. Two sentinels
were immediately placed at his lordship's gate: the queen, by the canal
of lord Dartmouth, desired the duke of Marlborough would proceed no
farther in the quarrel; and he assured her he would punctually obey
her majesty's commands. The earl of Oxford assured the house, that a
separate peace was never intended; that such a peace would be so base,
so knavish, and so villanous, that every one who served the queen knew
they must answer it with their heads to the nation; but that it would
appear to be a safe and glorious peace, much more to the honour and
interest of the nation, than the first preliminaries insisted upon by
the allies. The question being put for adjourning, was, after a long
debate, carried in the affirmative; but twenty lords entered a protest.
The earl of Strafford, who had returned from Holland, proposed that
they should examine the negotiations of the Hague and Gertruyden-burgh,
before they considered that of Utrecht. He observed, that in the
former negotiations the French ministers had conferred only with the
pensionary, who communicated no more of it to the ministers of the
allies than what was judged proper to let them know; so that the Dutch
were absolute masters of the secret. He asserted that the states-general
had consented to give Naples and Sicily to king Philip; a circumstance
which proved that the recovery of the whole Spanish monarchy was looked
upon as impracticable. He concluded with a motion for an address to her
majesty, desiring that the papers relating to the negotiations of the
Hague and Gertruydenburgh should be laid before the house. This was
carried without a division.

In the house of commons Mr. Pulteney moved for an address, acquainting
her majesty that her faithful commo