ied on, to the dishonour of his crown,
and to the ruin of his trading subjects; and assuring him, that in case
his royal and friendly instances with the catholic king should miscarry,
the house would effectually support his majesty in taking such measures
as honour and justice should make it necessary for him to pursue. To
this address the king made a favourable answer.

{1738}

BILL FOR SECURING THE TRADE IN AMERICA.

The next important subject on which both sides exercised their talents,
was a bill prepared and brought in by Mr. Pulteney, for the more
effectual securing the trade of his majesty's subjects in America. This
was no other than the revival of part of two acts passed in the reign of
queen Anne, by which the property of all prizes taken from the enemy
was vested in the captors; while the sovereign was empowered to grant
commissions or charters to any persons or societies, for taking any
ships, goods, harbours, lands, or fortifications of the nation's enemies
in America, and for holding and enjoying the same as their own property
and estate for ever. The ministry endeavoured to evade the discussion of
this bill, by amusing the house with other business, until an end should
be put to the session. A mean artifice was practised with this view;
and some severe altercation passed between sir Robert Walpole and Mr.
Pulteney. At length the bill was read, and gave rise to a very long
and warm contest, in which the greatest orators of both sides found
opportunities to display their eloquence and satire. Mr. Pulteney
defended the bill with all the ardour of paternal affection; but,
notwithstanding his warmest endeavours, it was rejected upon a division.

When the mutiny bill was sent up to the house of lords, a long debate
arose upon the number of troops voted for the ensuing year. Lord
Carteret explained the situation of affairs, in almost every nation
of Europe, with great conciseness and precision. He demonstrated the
improbability of a rupture between Great Britain and any power against
which a land army could be of any service. He examined the domestic
circumstances of the nation; and proved that whatever discontents there
might be in the kingdom, there was little or no disaffection, and no
seeming design to overturn or disturb the government. In answer to
an argument, that such a number of regular forces were necessary for
preventing or quelling tumults, and for enabling the civil magistrate
to execute