r declarations of peace and moderation, were still employed
in fortifying their settlements on the neutral islands, as well as in
harassing and encroaching upon our plantations in North America. They
exclaimed against the treaty of subsidy with the elector of Bavaria, or
any other prince in time of peace; observing, that for some years the
nation had paid such pensions to the Danes and the Hessians; but, in
the course of the late war, the former abandoned our interests, and the
latter actually took arms against Great Britain. They affirmed that
the subsidy was greater than the nation could spare; for, unless the
land-tax should be continued at four shillings in the pound, they could
not afford a shilling to any prince in Germany, without encroaching upon
the sinking fund. "At such a juncture," said a certain member, "will
any gentleman presume to propose the continuation of such an imposition
on the land-holder, for the sake of bribing the princes of Germany to do
what?--to preserve the freedom and independency of their native country.
I say, princes of Germany, because this subsidy to Bavaria will signify
nothing unless we take half a score more of them into our pay; and when
we have thus indulged them for seven years of peace, they may give us
the slip, as others have done, whenever another war should be declared."
Against these objections the motion was supported by Mr. William Pitt,
at this time an advocate for the ministry. He observed, that the address
was no more than the usual compliment to the throne, which did not imply
an obligation on the parliament to approve of measures which they
might find cause to censure upon further inquiry. He said, the trivial
disputes still subsisting between this nation and the Spaniards, or
French, would soon be terminated amicably, and could never affect the
general tranquillity of Europe, which was to be established upon a firm
alliance between his majesty and such a confederacy upon the continent,
as would be an over-match for the house of Bourbon. He expatiated upon
his majesty's wisdom in taking off from the French interest such a
powerful prince as the elector of Bavaria, and concerting other salutary
measures for preserving the balance of power on the continent. He
defended the articles of the late treaty with Spain; observing, that
what remained of the assiento contract was a matter of very little
consequence to the South-Sea company; that the demands of this company,
and o