Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 3.djvu/363

Rh is the least prospect of doing good to our own country, for fear of giving umbrage and offence to our allies, while we are ruining ourselves to conquer provinces and kingdoms for them. I therefore confess with shame, that this objection is true: for it is very well known, that while the design of Mr. Hill's expedition remained a secret, it was suspected in Holland and Germany to be intended against Peru; whereupon the Dutch made every where their publick complaints; and the ministers at Vienna talked of it as an insolence in the queen to attempt such an undertaking; the failure of which (partly by the accidents of a storm, and partly by the stubbornness or treachery of some in that colony, for whose relief and at whose entreaty it was in some measure designed) is no objection at all to an enterprise so well concerted, and with such fair probability of success.

It was something singular, that the States should express their uneasiness, when they thought we intended to make some attempt in the Spanish West-Indies; because it is agreed between us, whatever is conquered there, by us, or them, shall belong to the conqueror; which is the only article that I can call to mind in all our treaties or stipulations, with any view of interest to this kingdom; and for that very reason I suppose, among others, has been altogether neglected. Let those who think this a severe reflection, examine the whole management of the present war by sea and land, with all our alliances, treaties, stipulations, and conventions, and consider whether the whole does not look as if some particular care and industry had been used, to prevent any Rh