of a more private nature. The earl of Portland, who enjoyed the greatest
share of the king's favour, had obtained a grant of some lordships
in Derbyshire. While the warrant was depending, the gentlemen of that
county resolved to oppose it with all their power. In consequence of
a petition, they were indulged with a hearing by the lords of the
treasury. Sir William Williams, in the name of the rest, alleged that
the lordships in question were the ancient demesnes of the prince of
Wales, absolutely unalienable; that the revenues of those lordships
supported the government of Wales in paying the judges and other
salaries; that the grant was of too large an extent for any foreign
subject; and that the people of the county were too great to be subject
to any foreigner. Sundry other substantial reasons were used against the
grant, which, notwithstanding all their remonstrances, would have passed
through the offices, had not the Welsh gentlemen addressed themselves
by petition to the house of commons. Upon this occasion, Mr. Price, a
member of the house, harangued with great severity against the Dutch in
general, and did not even abstain from sarcasms upon the king's person,
title, and government. The objections started by the petitioners being
duly considered, were found so reasonable that the commons presented
an address to the king, representing that those manors had been usually
annexed to the principality of Wales, and settled on the princes of
Wales for their support; that many persons in those parts held their
estates by royal tenure under great and valuable compositions, rents,
royal payments, and services to the crown and princes of Wales;
and enjoyed great privileges and advantages under such tenure. They
therefore besought his majesty to recall the grant which was in
diminution of the honour and interest of the crown; and prayed that
the said manors and lands might not be alienated without the consent of
parliament. This address met with a cold reception from the king,
who promised to recall the grant which had given such offence to the
commons, and said he would find some other way of showing his favour to
the earl of Portland.

The people in general entertained a national aversion to this nobleman:
the malcontents inculcated a notion that he had made use of his interest
and intelligence to injure the trade of England, that the commerce of
his own country might flourish without competition. To his suggestions
they