was the more unfortunate as it happened at such a critical
conjuncture; and he appointed lord Town-shend to fill his place of
secretary. Earl Stanhope was survived but a few days by the other
secretary Mr. Craggs, who died of the small-pox on the sixteenth day of
February. Knight, the cashier of the South-Sea company, being seized at
Tirlemont by the vigilance of Mr. Gandot, secretary to Mr. Loathes the
British resident at Brussels, was confined in the citadel of Antwerp.
Application was made to the court of Vienna, that he should be delivered
to such persons as might be appointed to receive him; but he had found
means to interest the states of Brabant in his behalf. They insisted
upon their privilege granted by charter, that no person apprehended for
any crime in Brabant should be tried in any other country. The house
of commons expressed their indignation at this frivolous pretence;
instances were renewed to the emperor; and in the meantime Knight
escaped from the citadel of Antwerp.

SEVERE RESOLUTIONS AGAINST THE SOUTH-SEA COMPANY.

The committee of secrecy found, that, before any subscription could
be made, a fictitious stock of five hundred and seventy-four thousand
pounds had been disposed of by the directors, to facilitate the
passing the bill. Great part of this was distributed among the earl of
Sunderland, Mr. Craggs, senior, the duchess of Kendal, the countess
of Platen and her two nieces, Mr. Secretary Craggs, and Mr. Aislaby
chancellor of the exchequer. In consequence of the committee's report,
the house came to several severe, though just, resolutions against the
directors and officers of the South-Sea company; and a bill was prepared
for the relief of the unhappy sufferers. Mr. Stanhope, one of the
secretaries of the treasury, charged in the report with having large
quantities of stock and subscriptions, desired that he might have an
opportunity to clear himself. His request was granted; and the affair
being discussed, he was cleared by a majority of three voices. Fifty
thousand pounds in stock had been taken by Knight for the use of the
earl of Sunderland. Great part of the house entered eagerly into
this inquiry; and a violent dispute ensued. The whole strength of
the ministry was mustered in his defence. The majority declared him
innocent: the nation in general was of another opinion. He resigned his
place of first commissioner in the treasury, which was bestowed upon Mr.
Robert Walpole; but he