ossession, and claim to Gibraltar and Minorca,
were not ascertained by the treaty of Seville: and that the stipulations
in that treaty for repairing the losses of the British merchants were
insufficient and precarious. The majority, far from stigmatizing
this transaction, resolved, that the treaty did contain all necessary
stipulations for maintaining and securing the honour, dignity, rights,
and possessions of the crown: that all due care was taken therein for
the support of the trade of the king dom, and for repairing the losses
sustained by the British merchants. On these resolutions an address of
approbation was founded: but when a motion was made for an address to
his majesty, that he would order to be laid before the house a list of
all pensions payable to the crown, it was immediately resolved in the
negative. Divers contests of the same kind arose upon the mutiny-bill,
the pension-bill, and the maintenance of twelve thousand Hessians;
but the ministry bore down all opposition, though their triumphs were
clogged with vigorous protests, which did not fail to make impression
upon the body of the people.

OPPOSITION TO A STANDING ARMY.

Nor was the success of the court interest in the house of commons
altogether pure, and free from exception and dispute. When the charge
of the land forces fell under the consideration of the commons, and Mr.
Henry Pelham, secretary at war, moved that the number of effective men
for the land service of the ensuing year should be fixed at seventeen
thousand seven hundred and nine, Mr. Pulteney insisted upon its being
reduced to twelve thousand. Mr. Shippen affirmed that Mr. Pelham's
motion was a flat negative to the address for which he voted on the
first day of the session, as it plainly implied a distrust of the
validity of the late treaty, which he then assured the house would
immediately produce all the blessings of an absolute peace, and deliver
the kingdom from the apprehensions and inconveniences of a war. He said
the motion tended directly towards the establishment of an army in Great
Britain, which he hoped would never be so far germanized as tamely to
submit to a military government. He observed, that the nation could
have no occasion for all the troops that were demanded, considering the
glorious scene of affairs which was now opened to all Europe. "They are
not necessary," said he, "to awe Spain into a firm adherence to its own
treaty; they are not necessary to force