s
majesty, or his secretary of state, relating to depredations, should
be submitted to the peru sal of the house; but some members in the
opposition were not contented with this resolution. Then Mr. Sandys, who
may be termed the "motion-maker," moved for an address, desiring that
the house might inspect all letters written, and instructions given by
the secretaries of state, or commissioners of the admiralty, to any of
the British governors in America, or any commander-in-chief, or captains
of his majesty's ships of war, or his majesty's minister at the court
of Spain, or any of his majesty's consuls in Europe, since the treaty of
Seville, relating to losses which the British subjects had sustained by
means of depredations committed by the subjects of Spain in Europe and
America. This was an unreasonable proposal, suggested by the spirit of
animosity and faction. Mr. H. Walpole justly observed, that a compliance
with such an address might lay open the most private transactions of the
cabinet, and discover secrets that ought, for the good of the kingdom,
to be concealed. It would discover to the court of Spain the _ultimatum_
of the king's demands and concessions, and the nation would thereby be
deprived of many advantages which it might reap, were no such discovery
made. He said, that as soon as the differences betwixt the two courts
should arrive at such a crisis, and not before, the consuls were
instructed to give notice to the merchants that they might retire
in time with their effects; but should such instruction come to the
knowledge of the Spaniards, it would be a kind of watch-word to put them
on their guard, and unavoidably occasion the ruin of many thousands
of British subjects. Certain it is, no government could act either
in external or domestic affairs with proper influence, dignity, and
despatch, if every letter and instruction relating to an unfinished
negotiation should be exposed to the view of such a numerous assembly,
composed of individuals actuated by motives in themselves diametrically
opposite. The motion being rejected by the majority, the same gentleman
moved again for an address, that his majesty would give directions for
laying before the house copies of such memorials or representations as
had been made, either to the king of Spain or to his ministers, since
the treaty of Seville, relating to the depredations committed in Europe
or America. A debate ensued; and, upon a division, the question pas