404 THE WENTWORTH PAPERS.
down observations upon everything that was read. It being now about 4 a clock Lord Chamberlain proposed, that since it was impossible for them to goe over the papers then, they would adjourn, and appoint Friday wholly for the business. Lord Townsend then said that it was not his intention to oppose what that noble Lord had moved ; but that he could not but observe, that though in the Articles at Utrecht several disadvantageous concessions were made, yet these things remained upon the same footing as they did in K. Charles the 2d's time, but that in the three explanatory Articles even all those advantages were given up. It was then ordered that several Merchants should attend the House on Friday to give them an account of our trading in Spain. On Friday, my Lord, we endeavoured to get into the House but could not ; however we heard as much as we could at the Door. After the reading of the papers was over, the Merchants were called in to the bar. They all unanimously gave their opinion, which they backt with several reasons, that our trade with Spain was wholly impracticable ; all that was said to the contrary was by Lord Bolingbroke who said, that by making a peace with Spain, we had made it either with a weak or strong government, if with a weak one, then the Merchants by underdealing might bring down the tax below what was settled ; if with a strong one, then the peace must be good because, the tax being settled, they could not be imposed upon. It was observable that there was not a word said either by Lord Treasurer or any of his Friends in defence of the Peace, soe that all readily conclude, that Lord Treasurer endeavours to sacrifice Lord Bolingbroke. It is likewise remark- able that there was not one merchant to speak in defence of our trade with Spain. It was this day again repeated that the Treaty at Utrecht was well enough managed ; and that all inconveniences were owing to three explanatory Articles. It was at last agreed, nevihie contradicente, that an order should
be past to address her M that she would be pleased, to
let the House know who was the person that advised her Majesty to make this Peace ; all that they disagreed upon was whether it should be done on Saturday or Monday. Lord
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