Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/284

 268 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.

I did hear a certain person say the house of Commons wou'd be brought to address almost in the same manner, which wou'd be a mighty baulk to the lords that stickled and valued themselves so much upon this address. 'Twas one I thought in the secret, but I find he's not, or that the ministry have changed their thoughts, or that they cou'd not bring the house exactly into what they wou'd, for they have only ordered a representation to be presented her Majesty, show- ing where the allies have failed of their Quota, desiring her endeavours to prevent the like for the future and promise that they will supply her with her Quotas to carry on the war, till a good and lasting peace shall be obtain'd.

The day I was in the house of commons to hear the debate about the Barrier Treaty, I did not set myself to remember so much as I might, because I was promised by a member that he wou'd give me the notes he had taken, from whence I thought I shou'd have been able to have write you the whole debate from the beginning to ending ; but the gentleman has not keep his word with me, so I shall entertain you with a little more of it, tho' it won't be so methodical. Mr. St. Johns had show'd 'twas our business to provide a Barrier for the Dutch against France only, and that 'twas amasing that any Englishman shou'd think of giving them one against England. King William, who was born in Holland, if he had inclined to have favour'd the Dutch in a point prejudicial to England, the wonder had not been so great, but he was so just that at a Treaty where the Dutch had projected to have Newport, Ostend, and some other towns, the King rejected it as prejudicial to England. There was a Scotch Member that speak very well, a Doctor of the civil Law, show'd them that all Treaties were founded upon the Civil Law, and there 'twas a maxime that no bargain cou'd be valide that had not re- ciprocal advantages to the parties treating ; in this Treaty there was nothing stipulated for the advantage of England, therefore 'twas void and of no effect. Upon which Letchmore and Sir Joseph Jekel said they were sorry to see we were so "Frenchyfie," and to fall to their method of distinguishing away the faith of all Treaties ; we reckon it our glory being

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