66 peared a measure far too English, and the defection of Prussia made them tremble lest the Electorate should be overrun with Imperial troops. The King himself had a strong leaning to the same views; Hanover was always his paramount object; and it is probable that another ambassador was not far mistaken in saying that "His Majesty rather considers England as a temporary pos"session to be made the most of while it lasts, than as a "perpetual inheritance." But, besides his countrymen, Palm also paid court to the English statesmen in opposition, especially to Pulteney and Bolingbroke, and expected by this joint cabal to effect a change of Ministry, and a consequent change of measures. 66 In this state of things, Parliament meeting in January, the King's Speech contained this remarkable passage: "I have received information on which I can entirely "depend, that the placing the Pretender upon the throne "of this kingdom is one of the articles of the secret engagements at Vienna; and if time shall evince that the "giving up the trade of this nation to one power, and "Gibraltar and Port Mahon to another, is made the "price and reward of imposing upon this kingdom a Popish Pretender, what an indignation must this raise "in the breast of every Protestant Briton!" Such an indignation was, in fact, raised in the Commons; an Address of thanks was voted by an immense majority (251 against 81): it was unanimously resolved to raise the army to 26,000 men, being an increase of 8000, and to vote 20,000 seamen; and the supplies granted for such objects fell little short of 3,000,000%. Seeing this general ferment, Palm wrote to the Emperor advising him to disavow any such secret agreement at Vienna, and to declare publicly that the assertions in the Speech were false. Accordingly, Charles, quite ignorant of the workings of the English Constitution, sent over a most indiscreet memorial, which, by his order, Palm presented to the King and published to the country. It denied the secret articles; it used very intemperate language; and, above all, it proceeded to appeal from the throne to the people. Such an insult to the Royal authority and national honour, could not be defended *Count de Broglie to the King of France, July 20. 1724. 66 by any party or any person in Parliament; even Shippen, Wyndham, and Pulteney, were loud against it; and readily supported an Address, moved by Walpole, " to express the highest resentment at the affront and in"dignity offered to His Most Sacred Majesty by the "Memorial delivered by M. de Palm, the Emperor's Resi"dent, and at his insolence in printing and dispersing "the same throughout the kingdom." Nay, more, Palm was commanded immediately to depart from England. With Spain also the breach had been widening. William Stanhope had left Madrid, and orders had been sent from thence to seize the "Prince Frederick," a ship belonging to the South Sea Company at Vera Cruz, while in Europe an army of 20,000 men was assembling for the siege of Gibraltar. The command was offered by Philip to the best and bravest of his generals, the Marquis de Villadarias. That veteran had headed the first attempt to recover Gibraltar in 1704; and though not successful, he had there displayed the same spirit and capacity, which had formerly saved Ceuta from the Moors, and Cadiz from the English.* His failure had Villa convinced him of what farther trials have since made clear to the world, that, difficult as the siege of Gibraltar must be under any circumstances, it is absolutely hopeless when the besiegers are not masters of the sea. darias, therefore, positively refused the command, unless his master would provide a fleet as well as army; he was ready to resist attacks upon his country under any disadvantages, but would not flatter his sovereign, or hold out expectations which he was unable to fulfil; still less would he consent to sacrifice brave men for an impracticable object. Philip still persisting in his offer, Villadarias rather chose to resign all his employments, and to retire from the army.† He withdrew accordingly from his long services, with a glorious poverty and an unblemished reputation; and his memory deserves to be ever revered by Spain, as one of the noblest of her sons; by England, as one of her most chivalrous opponents. *He defended Ceuta in 1698, and Cadiz in 1702, and attacked Gibraltar with Marshal Tessé in 1704. (Mém. de Noailles, vol. iii. p. 275.) † Ortiz, Compendio, vol. vii. p. 404. Philip found, however, a less scrupulous, or more sanguine general, in the Conde de Las Torres, who had formerly run before Lord Peterborough in Valencia, and who now bragged (but this was only till he saw the enemy) that in six weeks he would plant his standards on the rock of Gibraltar, and drive the heretics into the sea! His boast was, no doubt, highly admired by the Spanish Court, but was not altogether confirmed by the event. Trenches were opened before the place on the 11th of February, and all communication with it by sea or land was prohibited upon pain of death.* Gibraltar was already well provided for defence: a squadron of six men of war rode in its harbour, and protected constant supplies of fresh provisions from Tangier and Tetuan. By various reinforcements, the garrison was raised to six thousand men; and the Earl of Portmore, the Governor, though nearly fourscore years of age, resolved to conduct the defence in person, and hastened from England to his post. The besiegers threw a great quantity of bombs into the place, but with little damage, and no result. A mine, on which they had formed high hopes, served only, says their own historian, to remind them of the cave of Montesinos, in Don Quixote!† Their proceedings gave scarcely any concern or uneasiness to the garrison, while the Spanish army soon melted to half its numbers from slaughter, sickness, or desertion, and in four months was glad of the slightest pretext to raise the siege. A general war seemed now inevitable. But the Emperor perceived that he was overmatched, and when he felt weakness, as is usual, he professed moderation. Russia had fallen away from him, and Prussia was again wavering; the Dutch and Swedes had openly joined the Hanover allies; and the Spaniards it appeared could not even conquer a fortress upon their own shores. In England, the cabals against the Ministry, though still proceeding, had not yet been attended with effect, and could not any longer be safely awaited. Under these circumstances, Charles resolved to sacrifice Spain to his own * Mr. W. Stanhope to the Duke of Newcastle, February 10. 1727. Appendix. Campo Raso Coment. vol. i. p. 108. security; and his new-born moderation was well seconded by the pacific temper of Walpole and of Fleury. After a short negotiation, through the mediation of France, the Austrian ambassador signed at Paris on the 31st of May the preliminaries of peace with England, France, and Holland. The Emperor consented to suspend for seven years the charter of the Ostend Company; to confirm all the treaties previous to 1725, and to refer any other discussions to a General Congress. Spain also was treated of, though not treated with, at Paris. The fifth article provided that Admiral Hosier should raise the blockade of Porto Bello, and the galleons be permitted to return to Spain. On the other hand, it was expected that the siege of Gibraltar should be discontinued, and the "Prince Frederick" restored. But though these preliminaries were signed by the Spanish ambassador at Vienna, they were not ratified by Philip; and though he raised the siege of Gibraltar, he did not relinquish his pretensions, and the two nations still continued in a state between peace and war. The satisfaction of Walpole at seeing hostilities averted was not unmixed, for, in proportion as the foreign tempest cleared, another seemed gathering at home. By large payments, and larger promises, Bolingbroke had wholly gained over the Duchess of Kendal. She did not, indeed, openly declare against the Ministers, from whom she received a yearly pension of 7500l., besides sundry gratifications and presents; but she endeavoured to sink them in the King's opinion, and to obtain not only the complete restoration of Bolingbroke, but his accession to power. On one occasion she gave the King a memorial from her friend, drawn up, no doubt, with his usual skill, declaring that the kingdom must be inevitably ruined should Walpole continue Minister; and, in conclusion, entreating an audience, that Bolingbroke might make good his assertions. This memorial, however, the King quietly put into the hands of Walpole himself. Sir Robert, whose sagacity never forsook him, observed that the cover was not sealed, and that therefore the deliverer of it must certainly have known and sanctioned its contents. On the two Turks, the King's attendants, disclaiming all knowledge of it, he went to the Duchess of Kendal, who owned the part she had acted, adding, however, some false and frivolous excuses. "I then," says Walpole, "earnestly "desired the King to admit Bolingbroke to the audience "he solicited, and said, that if this was not done the "clamour would be, that I kept His Majesty to myself, "and would allow none to come near him to tell the "truth."* Through these means was Bolingbroke admitted, but his representations produced no effect; and the King afterwards mentioned them slightingly to his Minister, and called them BAGATELLES! But Sir Robert was not ignorant that this attack, though now warded off, would be constantly pointed anew, and that a genius so transcendent as Bolingbroke is formidable even in its wildest schemes. The influence of the Duchess of Kendal might be once repulsed, but not very long resisted; for it is almost incredible how much even the weakest mind can control and sway even the strongest by habits of access at all hours. In Walpole's own words, as St. "John had the Duchess entirely on his side, I need not "add what must, or might in time, have been the conse"quence." Speaker Onslow was even assured by Mr. Pelham that Walpole was so convinced of his approaching downfal, that he had determined to retire with a peerage; and was withheld by the remonstrances of the Duke of Devonshire and of the Princess of Wales.† It is probable that this might be a sudden sally, but never a fixed resolution; and Walpole had the less reason to be very solicitous about a peerage since that honour had recently been conferred upon his son. Certain it is that Bolingbroke fully expected that, in the next Session, his restoration would be completed-perhaps his administration renewed. 66 All these projects and hopes, however, were postponed till the King's expected return from Hanover. He had set out for that place on the 3d of June, Old Style, with the Duchess of Kendal and Lord Townshend in his train. Late on the 9th he arrived at Delden, apparently in perfect health, and again resumed his journey at four o'clock * Mr. Etough's Minutes of a Conversation with Walpole, September 13. 1737. + Speaker Onslow's Remarks, Coxe's Walpole, vol. ii. p. 571. See also Swift's Letter to Sheridan, May 13. 1727. |