e thought himself bound to put the great seal to the
treaty when it was concluded; that, as a privy counsellor, he had
offered his best advice, and as chancellor, executed his office
according to his duty. After he had withdrawn, his justification gave
rise to a long debate which ended in a resolution, carried by a majority
of seven voices, That John lord Somers, by advising his majesty to
conclude the treaty of partition, whereby large territories of the
Spanish monarchy were to be delivered up to France, was guilty of a
high crime and misdemeanor. Votes to the same effect were passed against
Edward carl of Orford, and Charles lord Halifax; and all three were
impeached at the bar of the upper house. But the commons knowing that
those impeachments would produce nothing in the house of lords, where
the opposite interest predominated, they resolved to proceed against
the accused noblemen in a more expeditious and effectual way of branding
their reputation. They voted and presented an address, to the king,
desiring he would remove them from his councils and presence for
ever, as advisers of a treaty so pernicious to the trade and welfare
of England. They concluded by repeating their assurance that they would
always stand by and support his majesty to the utmost of their power,
against all his enemies both at home and abroad. The king, in his
answer, artfully overlooked the first part of the remonstrance. He
thanked them for their repeated assurances; and told them he would
employ none in his service but such as should be thought most likely
to improve that mutual trust and confidence between him and his people,
which was so necessary at that conjuncture, both for their own security
and the preservation of their allies.

DISPUTES BETWEEN THE TWO HOUSES.

The lords, incensed at this step of the commons, which they considered
as an insult upon their tribunal, and a violation of common justice,
drew up and delivered a counter-address, humbly beseeching his majesty
that he would not pass any censure upon the accused lords until they
should be tried on the impeachments, and judgments be given according
to the usage of parliament. The king was so perplexed by these opposite
representations, that he knew not well what course to follow. He made
no reply to the counter-address; but allowed the names of the impeached
lords to remain in the council-books. The commons having carried their
point, which was to stigmatize those nob