d would
keep measures with him no longer, but denounced war against him on
the twenty-third day of October. Many English merchants began to equip
privateers, and arm their trading vessels to protect their own commerce,
as well as to distress that of the enemy. The session of parliament
was opened in November, when the king, in his speech to both houses,
declared, that he had augmented his forces by sea and land, pursuant to
the power vested in him by parliament for the security of his dominions,
the protection of trade, and the annoyance of the enemy; and he
expressed his apprehension, that the heats and animosities which had
been industriously fomented throughout the kingdom, encouraged Spain to
act in such a manner as rendered it necessary for him to have recourse
to arms. In answer to this speech, affectionate addresses were presented
by both houses, without any considerable opposition.

The seceding members had again resumed their seats in the house of
commons; and Mr. Pulteney thought proper to vindicate the extraordinary
step which they had taken. He said, they thought that step was
necessary, as affairs then stood, for clearing their characters to
posterity from the imputation of sitting in an assembly, where a
determined majority gave a sanction to measures evidently to the
disgrace of his majesty and the nation. He observed, that their conduct
was so fully justified by the declaration of war against Spain, that any
further vindication would be superfluous; for every assertion contained
in it had been almost in the same words insisted upon by those who
opposed the convention: "every sentence in it," added he, "is an echo
of what was said in our reasonings against that treaty; every positive
truth which the declaration lays down, was denied with the utmost
confidence by those who spoke for the convention; and, since that
time, there has not one event happened which was not then foreseen
and foretold." He proposed, that in maintaining the war, the Spanish
settlements in the West Indies should be attacked; and that the ministry
should not have the power to give up the conquests that might be made.
He said he heartily wished, for his majesty's honour and service, that
no mention had been made of heats and animosities, in the king's speech;
and gave it as his opinion, that they should take no notice of that
clause in their address. He was answered by sir Robert Walpole, who
took occasion to say, he was in no great co