refore unable to pay the malt-tax. The earl of
Hay, among other pertinent remarks upon the union, observed, that when
the treaty was made, the Scots took it for granted that the parliament
of Great Britain would never load them with any imposition that they had
reason to believe grievous. The earl of Peterborough compared the union
to a marriage. He said that though England, who must be supposed the
husband, might in some instances prove unkind to the lady, she ought not
immediately to sue for a divorce, the rather because she had very much
mended her fortune by the match. Hay replied, that marriage was an
ordinance of God, and the union no more than a political expedient.
The other affirmed, that the contract could not have been more solemn,
unless, like the ten commandments, it had come from heaven: he inveighed
against the Scots, as a people that would never be satisfied; that would
have all the advantages resulting from the union, but would pay nothing
by their good will, although they had received more money from England
than the amount of all their estates. To these animadversions the duke
of Argyle made a very warm reply. "I have been reflected on by some
people," said he, "as if I was disgusted, and had changed sides; but
I despise their persons, as much as I undervalue their judgment." He
urged, that the malt-tax in Scotland was like taxing land by the acre
throughout England, because land was worth five pounds an acre in the
neighbourhood of London, and would not fetch so many shillings in the
remote countries. In like manner, the English malt was valued at four
times the price of that which was made in Scotland; therefore, the tax
in this country must be levied by a regiment of dragoons. He owned
he had a great share in making the union, with a view to secure the
protestant succession; but he was now satisfied this end might be
answered as effectually if the union was dissolved; and, if this step
should not be taken, he did not expect long to have either property left
in Scotland, or liberty in England. All the whig members voted for the
dissolution of that treaty which they had so eagerly promoted; while
the tories strenuously supported the measure against which they had
once argued with such vehemence. In the course of the debate, the
lord-treasurer observed, that although the malt-tax were imposed,
it might be afterwards remitted by the crown. The earl of Sunderland
expressed surprise at hearing that noble l