Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/276

 26o THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

��[Peter Wentworth.]

London, January 29, 171 2.

��Dear Brother,

��Since the lords won't admit any body to hear their debates 'tis a difficult matter to know what to writ ; one tells it one way, another another way, as the debate last Friday was related to me, which made me not writ to you last post. But upon farther inquirery I know the matter right now, which was that after a long debate they only came to a declarative sentance, that the manner of sending Scotch peers might be altered, without any breach of the Union, at the request of the whole body of Scotch peers. 'Twas put at first by the consent, but that word was cryed out against by several, as leaving them still a legislative power. There was a division whether the house shou'd be resum'd and the reso- lution reported to the house then, or adjourn ; 'twas carried by 8 to resume the house, which was proposed by my Lord Treasurer, and before the house rise this day was appointed for the committee to sit again to take this matter into farther consideration. What they do more in't I shan't be able to tell you till next post.

In the house of Commons they are to read the Bill for the Toleration of Episcopacy the third time to-day, the Scotch to a man is against it, and have converted some people who were for the first and second reading. Sir Harry Johnson told me this morning he had been sent to, to attend, for both sides were mustering up all their forces.

Prince Eugene has been every day entertain'd at some great man's. Lord Portland has given him in one day a dinner, musick, and a dancing ; everything was mighty fine there. The Duke of Buckingham treated him a Saturday, and if he did not outdo Lord Portland within doors he did without, for he had a whole regiment of the militia all in buff, to stand to their armes for the Prince's coming, and going

from his house.



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