Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/245

 LETTERS OF PETER WENTWORTII. 22g

judges. Lord Godolphin that had not spoke all the day said he wou'd propose to shorten their time that a previous question shou'd be put, whether that question be ask't, wch was put ; the house devided 6^ against, and 49 for't. By the lords that were for it and against, there did not seem to be much party in't ; Only all the court was for't, but they did seem to labour it very hard. Then the next question that was put was to this effect, whether the Queen cou'd grant her letters patent to any peer of Scotland that was a peer before the Union, to be Peer of Great Britain. My Lord Isle* made a very moving speech and said he trembled to think of the consequence, that the Queen had not a power, for he was sure 'twould be deem'd a breach of the Union. He was answered by my Lord Halifax, who said if we were to considere of consequences we of south Britain had some consequence to considere as well as they, but he was sure it was no breach of the Union, but pursuant to the real intent and meaning of the article ; and he appeal to my Lord Notingham that he had made some objection to that article, as if there was a latitude left to the Crown to bring into the house what num- ber it please of Scotch peers, if he did not then answere 'twas plain there was to be no more then sixteen to sett and vote in that house, the rest of the Peers were to enjoy all priveledge of Peer but that. The manner of choosing was left to them whether they wou'd have it by rotation or some of their most antient Nobility, or to be new elected as they have determin'd ; therefore nothing cou'd be more their act and deed and he shou'd vote for the question, and think he shou'd do her Majesty good service to prevent a great deal of troublesome solicitation. Lord Pembrock proposed a question to moderate this matter, wch was that Duke Hambleton's Patent shou'd be admitted for his life only and instant a case like that, I think 'twas that of a Lord Banbury, but that wou'd not do. So the house divided, against the Patent they were 57, and 52 for't. Lord Marlborough and Lord Godolphine,

in 1743-
 * Hay, brother of the Duke of Arg> le, and his successor in the title

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