at this period with the French coins called louis d'ors
and pistoles; but whether this redundancy was owing to a balance of
trade in favour of England, or to the largesses of Louis, we shall
not pretend to determine. We may likewise observe, that the infamous
practice of bribing electors had never been so flagrant as in the choice
of representatives for this parliament. This scandalous traffic had been
chiefly carried on by the whig party, and therefore their antagonists
resolved to spare no pains in detecting their corruption. Sir Edward
Seymour distinguished himself by his zeal and activity; he brought some
of these practices to light, and, in particular, stigmatized the new
East-India company for having been deeply concerned in this species of
venality. An inquiry being set on foot in the house of commons, several
elections were declared void; and divers persons who had been illegally
returned, were first expelled the house, and afterwards detained in
prison. Yet these prosecutions were carried on with such partiality,
as plainly indicated that they flowed rather from party zeal than from
patriotism.

A great body of the commons had resolved to present an address to his
majesty, desiring he would acknowledge the king of Spain; and the motion
in all probability would have been carried by a considerable majority,
had not one bold and lucky expression given such a turn to the debate,
as induced the anti-courtiers to desist. One Mr. Monckton, in the heat
of his declamation against this measure, said he expected the next vote
would be for owning the pretended prince of Wales. Though there was
little or no connexion between these two subjects, a great many members
were startled at the information, and deserted the measure, which was
dropped accordingly. The king's speech being taken into consideration,
the house resolved to support his majesty and his government; to take
such effectual measures as might best conduce to the interest and
safety of England, and the preservation of the protestant religion.
This resolution was presented in an address to the king, who received
it favourably. At the same time, he laid before them a memorial he
had received from the states-general, and desired their advice
and assistance in the points that constituted the substance of
the remonstrance. The states gave him to understand, that they had
acknowledged the duke of Anjou as king of Spain; that France had agreed
to a negotiation, in which