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to unite cordially and heartily together in our present circumstances, when our all is at stake. Hannibal, my lord, is at our gates-Hannibal is come within our gates-Hannibal is come the length of this table-He is at the foot of the throne. He will demolish the throne, if we take not notice. He will seize upon these regalia. He will take them as our spolia opima, and whip us out of this house, never to return again.

For the love of God, then, my Lord, for the safety and welfare of our ancient kingdom, whose sad circumstances I hope we shall yet convert into prosperity and happiness! we want no means if we unite. God blessed the peace makers. We want neither men, nor sufficiency of all manner of things necessary to make a nation happy. All depends upon management; concordia res parvæ crescunt. I fear not these articles, though they were ten times worse than they are, if we once cordially forgive one another, and that according to our proverb, Bygones be Bygones, and fair play for time to come. For my part, in the sight of God, and in the presence of this honourable house, I heartily forgive every man, and beg that they may do the same to me; and I do most humbly propose, that his grace, my lord commissioner, may appoint an agape, may order a love feast for this honourable house, that we may lay aside all self-designs, and after our fasts and humiliations, may have a day of rejoicing and thankfulness; may eat our meat with gladness, and our bread with a merry heart: then shall we sit each man under his own fig-tree, and the voice of the turtle shall be heard in our land, a bird famous for constancy and fidelity.

GEORGE I.

Was the son of the Elector of Hanover, by Sophia, grand-daughter of James I. He was born in 1660, and succeeded queen Anne, in 1714. He died suddenly, abroad, in 1727. He talks of the throne of his ancestors with a pious simplicity.

The King's Speech on his Accession.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

THIS being the first opportunity that I have had of meeting my people in parliament, since it pleased Almighty God, of his good providence, to call me to the throne of my ancestors; I most gladly make use of it to thank my faithful and loving subjects, for the zeal and firmness that hath been shewn in defence of the protestant succession, against all the open and secret practices that have been used to defeat it; and I shall never forget the obligations I have to those who have distinguished themselves upon this occasion.

It were to be wished that the unparalleled successes of a war, which was so wisely and chearfully supported by this nation, in order to procure a good peace, had been attended with a suitable conclusion. But it is with concern I must tell you, that some conditions, even of this peace, essential to the security and trade of Great Britain, are not yet duly executed, and the performance of the whole may be looked upon as precarious, until we shall have formed defensive alliances to guarantee the present treaties.

The pretender, who still resides in Lorrain, threatens to disturb us, and boasts of the assistance which he still ́expects here, to repair his former disappointments.

A great part of our trade is rendered impracticable; this, if not retrieved, must destroy our manufactories, and run our navigation.

The public debts are very great, and surprisingly in creased ever since the fatal cessation of arms. My first care was to prevent a farther increase of these debts, by paying off forthwith a great number of ships, which had been kept in pay, when there was no occasion for continuing such an expence.

Gentlemen of the house of commons, I rely upon you for such supplies as the present circumstances of our affairs require for this year's service, and for the support of the public faith. The estimates shall be laid before you, that you may consider of them; and what you shall judge necessary for your safety, I shall think sufficient for mine..!

4 doubt not but you will concur. with me in opinion, that nothing can contribute more to the support of the credit of the nation, then a strict observance of all par liamentary engagements.

B

The branches of the revenue formerly granted for the support of the civil government, are so far incumbered and alienated, that the produce of the funds which remain, and have been granted to me, will fall much short of what was at first designed for maintaining the honour and dignity of the crown; and since it is my happiness (as I am confident you think it yours) to see a prince of Wales, who may in due time succeed me on the throne, and to see him blessed with many children, the best and most valuable pledges of our care and concern for your prosperity, this must occasion an expence to which the nation has not of many years been accustomed, but such as surely no man will grudge; and therefore: I do not doubt but you will think of it with that affection which I have reason to hope from you.

My lords and gentlemen, The eyes of all Europe are upon you waiting the issue of this first session. Let

no unhappy divisions of parties here at home, divert you from pursuing the common interest of your country. Let no wicked insinuations disquiet the minds of my subjects. The established constitution in church and state shall be the rule of my government. The happiness, ease, and prosperity of my people, shall be the chief care of my life. Those who assist me in carrying on these measures, I shall always esteem my best friends: and I doubt not but that I shall be able, with your assistance, to disappoint the designs of those who yould deprive me of that blessing which I most value, the affections of my people.

ROBERT HARLEY,

Eldest Son of Sir Edward Harley, and afterwards Earl of Oxford,)

Was born 1661, and died 1724. His politics in the latter part of the reign of qeen Anne, rendered him obnoxious in the succeeding reign; and in 1715, he was accused of high-treason, but was at length acquitted. He was the friend of Swift,

The Earl of Oxford's Defence before the House
of Lords.

My Lords,

It is a very great misfortune for any man to fall under the displeasure of so great and powerful a body as the commons of Great Britain: and this misfortune is the heavier upon me, because I had the honour to be placed at the head of the late ministry, and must now, it seems, be made accountable for all the measures that were then pursued; but, on the other hand, 'tis a very great comfort to me under this misfortune, that I have the honour to be a member of this august assembly, an

assembly which always squares their proceedings and judgments by the rules of honour, justice, and equity; and is not to be biassed by a spirit of party.

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My lords, I could say a great deal to clear myself of the charge which is brought against me: but as I now labour under an indisposition of body, besides the fatigue of this long sitting, I shall contract what I have to say in a narrow compass. This whole accusation may it seems, be reduced to the negotiation and con. clusion of the peace. That the nation wanted a peace no body will deny; and I hope it will be easily made out that the conditions of this peace are as good as could be expected, considering the circumstances wherein it was made, and the backwardness and reluctancy which some of the allies shewed to come into the queen's measures. This is certain, that this peace, bad as it is now represented, was approved by two successive parliaments: it is, indeed, suggested against this peace, that it was a separate one; but I hope, my lords, it will be made appear that it was general, and that it was France, and not Great Britain, that made the first steps towards a negotiation and, my lords, this I will be bold to say, that during my whole administration, the sovereign upon the throne was loved at home, and feared abroad.

As to the business of Tourney, which is made a ca pital charge, I can safely aver, that I had no manner of share in it, and that the same was wholly transacted by that unfortunate nobleman, who thought fit to step aside; but I dare say in his behalf, that if this charge could be proved, it would not amount to treason. For my own part, as I always acted by the immediate directions and commands of the late queen, and never of fended against any known law, I am justified in my own conscience, and unconcerned for the life of an insignifi cant old man; but I cannot, without the highest ingra titude, be unconcerned for the best of queens; a queen who heaped upon me honours and preferments, though I never asked for them: and therefore I think myself un

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