Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/283

 last Lechmore, with a good deal of Wit and impudence mixt with some caution, run over the talk of the Whigs in town as if those that were the Queen's advisers were frenchefie, and that this inglorious and ignominous Peace we were going to make, if any credit cou'd be given to the proposals that were publisht, cou'd not be made whilst this Barrier Treaty stood in their way, and therefore 'twas to be damn'd by the house. Mr. St. John told him those that had the honour to be ad- visers to the Queen abhorr'd the french and french Interest as much as any body cou'd ; but 'twas not this treaty that stood in the way of a good Peace, but from her Majesty's factious subjects at home, who writ letters abroad and bid the Dutch stand out, they wou'd find enough wou'd stand by

\piece worn off]. In short the house came to this

resolution that this treaty under Colour of a garranty of the Protestant Succession, was dishonourable to the Queen and Nation ; they carried this question by 162, and then they made another question wch they carried, that those that signed and had advised the Queen to ratifie this treaty were Enemies to the Queen and Country.

There's a mail come in to day with the Death of the Dauphin and we hope here this may facilitate the hope we have of a good Peace.

London, February 19, 171 2. Dear Brother,

The Court did not oppose the Address of the Lords as to matter but only as to form, that in a Parliamentary way they cou'd not take notice of any such things till they had some publick authority for't. My Lord Wharton said he had publick authority and puH'd out the Amsterdam Gazcet. My Lord Treasurer told them he had seen it under the French King's own hand, where he had owned the title of the Queen. Lord Hallifax moved for this address first, 'twas a surprise upon the Tories, for there was several of them absent, the Whigs were there to a man, so 'twas to no purpose to devide the house if it had been of greater con- sequence.

�� �