and sixteen; and the treaty of
alliance for restoring and settling the public peace, signed at London
on the twenty-second day of July. He affirmed that the court of Spain
had violated the treaty of Utrecht, and acted against the public faith
in attacking the emperor's dominions, while he was engaged in a war
against the enemies of Christendom; that they had rejected his majesty's
friendly offices and offers for mediating an accommodation. He explained
the cause of his own journey to Spain, and his negotiations at Madrid.
He added, it was high time to check the growth of the naval power of
Spain, in order to protect and secure the trade of the British subjects
which had been violently oppressed by the Spaniards. After a long
debate, the motion was carried by a considerable majority. The same
subject excited disputes of the same nature in the house of commons,
where lord Hinchinbroke moved that, in their address of thanks, they
should declare their entire satisfaction in those measures which the
king had already taken for strengthening the protestant succession,
and establishing a lasting tranquillity in Europe. The members in the
opposition urged that it was unparliamentary and unprecedented, on the
first day of the session, to enter upon particulars; that the business
in question was of the highest importance, and deserved the most mature
deliberation; that, before they approved the measures which had been
taken, they ought to examine the reasons on which those measures were
founded. Mr. Robert Walpole affirmed that the giving sanction, in the
manner proposed, to the late measures, could have no other view than
that of screening ministers, who were conscious of having begun a
war against Spain, and now wanted to make it the parliament's war. He
observed, that instead of an entire satisfaction, they ought to express
their entire dissatisfaction with such conduct as was contrary to the
law of nations, and a breach of the most solemn treaties. Mr. secretary
Craggs, in a long speech, explained the nature of the quadruple
alliance, and justified all the measures which had been taken. The
address, as moved by lord Hinchinbroke, was at length carried, and
presented to his majesty. Then the commons proceeded to consider the
supply. They voted thirteen thousand five hundred sailors; and twelve
thousand four hundred and thirty-five men for the land service. The
whole estimate amounted to two millions two hundred and fifty-seven