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1710-11.

As for the War in Spain, it was the general Opinion Anno 9 Anna,] of England, that it fhould be Offenfive: And as to my Lord Peterborough's Projects, I can affure your Lordships, that one of the greatest Inftances that Holland and Savoy made, was, that the Emperor, and we, fhould not infift upon an Expedition to Naples; which might hinder the other Defign.

'My Lords, my Intentions were always honeft and fincere, to contribute all that lay in my Power, to bring this heavy and expenfive War to an end. God Almighty has bleffed my Endeavours with Succefs: But if Men are to be cenfured when they give their Opinions to the best of their Understandings, I muft expect to be found Fault with as well as the reft.

My Lord Galway, and every body in Spain, have done their Duty: And though I must own, that Lord has been unhappy, and that he had no pofitive Orders for a Battle; yet I must do him the Juftice to fay, that the whole Council of War were of his Opinion, to fight the Enemy before the coming up of the Duke of Orleans, with a Reinforcement of 9 or 10,000 Men.

On the other hand, I must confefs, I do not understand, how the feparating of the Army would have favoured the Siege of Thoulon.'

The Earl of Peterborough faying thereupon, That there Earl of Peterbo was a Neceffity of dividing it to go to Madrid.' The Duke of rough. Marlborough refuming his Speech faid, I will not contra- Duke of Marldict that Lord as to the Situation of the Country; but this Se- borough. paration of the Army could not be in order to a Defenfive but to an Offenfive War; which, in my Opinion, was the best Way to make a Diverfion, and thereby hinder the French from relieving Thoulon.

But after all, that unhappy Battle had no other Effect, than to put us upon the Defenfive; For the French Troops that were detached from Spain, never came before Thoulon.

The Duke of Argyle having answered this laft Part of the Duke of Argyle, Duke of Marlborough's Speech, viz. That the Battle of Almanza did but put us upon a Defenfive in Spain: Added, That as for what related to the Earl Rivers, it was certainly a Fault to prefer an unfortunate Foreigner before a Peer of Great Britain. To which the Lord Cowper replied, That Lord Cowper. the answering Mr. Starbope's Letter, by approving his Advice, was certainly the wifer, the honefter, and the more popular Opinion; every body in England being then for an Offenfive War. That he wished every Member in that auguft Affembly would lay his Hand upon his Heart, and fay, n Confcience, whether he would not have been of the fame Opinion? That to have advised a lingering, expenfive, De

fenfive

Anno 9 Annæ, fenfive War, would, no doubt, have now been made more̟cri1710-11. minal than this Charge, which was heavy enough.

Earl of Paulett.

hire.

Duke of Shrewfbury.

That the raifing the Siege of Thoulon, could not, in Reason, be imputed to the Offensive War in Spain, and to the Lofs of the Battle of Almanza; but rather, to the Expedition to Naples; the flow March of the German Recruits, through the Country of Grifons, and other unforeseen Accidents, which attend all human Affairs: But, (added his Lordship,) if this Question fhould pass into a Refolution, it will be the Comfort of those on whom the Cenfure will fall, that the World will judge, that it is founded on ftrained Deductions, and forced Confequences, foreign from the Premifes. My Lords, all Englishmen love Action, it is their Temper and Inclination. clude, I repeat it again, it will be a Confolation, that the Conclufion is not warranted by the Premifes.

To con

The Earl of Paulett answering, That the Battle of Almanza was a neceffary Confequence of the Opinion and DiDuke of Devon-rections of the Ministry.' The Duke of Devonshire replied, 'He remembered that the Lords themselves, that now spoke against an Offenfive War in Spain, were for it fome Years before; that, among the reft, the Earl of Nottingham moved for twenty Batallions to be fent from Flanders to Spain, which could not be for a Defenfive War; that, after the Battle of Almanza, no French Troops were fent from Spain to relieve Thoulon; and, in short, that an Offenfive War is always the most effectual Means to procure a Peace,' To this the Duke of Shrewsbury answered, That in all Things the Circumftances ought to be confidered; that an Offenfive War may be proper at one Time, and improper at another. That it having been urged, that no French Troops were sent from Spain to relieve Thoulon, it was certain, fome Troops were ordered, and upon their March, whofe Approach might have the fame Effect, as if they had actually arrived in Provence. That it is true, this Nation is for fighting, and for an Offenfive War; but not for going to Madrid right or wrong, as was General Stanhope's Opinion, approved by the Miniftry. That the Lord Galway had a good Reafon to fight, because he could not help it. But that there was no Reason for the Minifters here, to give that Opinion, because nothing forced Duke of Devon- them to it.' The Duke of Devonshire taking Advantage of this Occafion, faid, That fince the Allies could not fubfift without fighting, it was unreafonable to cenfure the Generals who gave their Opinions for a Battle.'

hire

Earl of Nottingham,

The Earl of Nottingham owned, on the other fide, That he made the Propofal for fending 10000 Men from Flanders to Spain; but that was after the Battle of Almanza; and that only 7000 were fent. That, as to the Bufirefs of

Thoulon,

1710-11.

Thoulon, it was certain, that, immediately after the News of Anno 9 Anna the Battle of Almanza, the Court of France ordered Detachments to be made from Spain, as appeared by the Paris Gazette of the 4th of May, 1707. That he would not affirm thofe Troops did actually march into Provence ; but that, as had been obferved, their Approach was fufficient to contribute to the raifing of the Siege of Thoulon. After this, the Earl Rivers faid, That it had been alledged, that the Bat- Earl Rivers tle of Almanza was fought because the Allies wanted Provifions; but he could affure their Lordships, that there was a Gentleman here in Town, who brought them Provisions for eight Days. That, in truth, they did not defign to fight, but rather to retire towards Valencia, having, for that Purpose, fent General Carpenter before, with Part of his Dragoons: But, upon the Receipt of Orders from England, they fuddenly refolved upon a Battle, before they were joined by General Carpenter, and without communicating to the Council of War the Strength of the Enemy, of which they had Intelligence by two Deferters the Night before the Action.' Hereupon the Earl of Ferrers faid on the fame Earl of Ferrers. Side, That it was plain, the Council of Valencia was the Caufe of all our Misfortunes in Spain. That the Refolutions taken in it, were carried against the Opinion of King Charles, and his Minifters. That it was certainly a Fault in the Miniftry here to approve that Council; for a Secretary of State gives no Direction but from the Cabinet Council. That it feemed as if the Blame of the raising the Siege of Thoulon, was intended to be laid on the Emperor's Forces ; but this Enquiry would be more proper at another time: And that another thing was to be enquired into, viz. What Number of Forces in her Majefty's Pay were, at that time, in Spain? And fo concluded for the Queftion.' The Lord Mohun, on the other Side, faid, He was against it, for feve. Lord Mohun. ral Reafons; 1ft, Because he knew not who was meant by the Miniftry; and he would not have a Cenfure pass upon Ferfons, who neither deserved, nor were intended to be tenfured. 2dly, Because the Advice of an Offenfive War was, at that time, no ill Advice. 3dly, Because he would be juft to all Mankind, and not cenfure any body that gives his Opinion to the beft of his Understanding, and with an honeft Intention.' The Lord Somers owned freely to their Lord Somers. Lordships, That, had he been in the Place of those that gave the Council for an Offensive War, he would have been of that Opinion, because he should have thought himself an Councillor to advise any thing againft the general Opinion: adding, "That the ill Success of the Battle of Almanza was no good Argument against the Council for an Offenfive

War;

Earl Rivers.

ter.

Anno Anna, War; for, if they judged of Opinions by Events, no Man 1710-11. could be fafe.' The Earl Rivers having owned there might be other good Reasons why the Thoulon Business did not fucceed, the Earl of Rochefter faid, "That, for his own Part, Earl of Rochef- he muft confefs, that, had he, at that time, been of the Cabinet Council, he could not have been for an Offensive War; nor would popular Arguments have swayed his Opinion; for he could not fee the Reason, that, because the People love Action, we fhould be perpetually fighting. Concluding, upon the whole Matter, that he was for the Question.

Several Lords calling for the Question, and the Chairman Bishop of Ely, rifing in order to read it, the Bishop of Ely faid, He had only one Word to offer, which was, that it not appearing to him that there was any premeditated ill Design in the Ministry, when they gave their Opinion for an Offenfive War, he could not be for the Queftion.' The Duke of Duke of Argyle. Argyle having defired, that when the Queftion was over, he might offer another; the fame was readily agreed to: And then the Earl of Abingdon put the following Question:

The Question.

Divifion thereод.

Duke of Argyle.

That it appears by the Earl of Sunderland's Letter, that the carrying on the War offenfively in Spain, was approved and directed by the Minifters, notwithstanding the Design of attempting Thoulon, which the Minifters knew at that time was concerted with the Duke of Savoy, and therefore are justly to be blamed for contributing to all our Misfortunes in Spain, and to the Disappointment of the Expedition against Thoulon.

There happening a Divifion, the Earl of Portland and Ila were appointd Tellers, and, it appeared, that there were 68 Lords content, and 48 not content.

After this, the Duke of Argyle made a Speech, importing, in Subftance, That he was informed, that the Earl of Peterborough had the Queen's Commands to negotiate Matters of great Importance, and was to fet out the next Day. That he hoped every Member of that Houfe was convinced, that he had performed great and eminent Services to his Country, notwithstanding the Difficulties and Difcouragements he laboured under; and how, with a Handful of Men, his Grace thought he might call them a Handful, fince they never amounted to ten thousand Men, he took the important City of Barcelona, and reduced fo many Provinces of Spain. That he needed not tell their Lordfhips how he had been rewarded for those great Services: But that it was his Opinion, they ought to pafs a Compliment upon him, which was all the Reward they could, at that time, bestow :

And

J

And therefore it was his Grace's Motion, that this Question Anno 9 Annæ, be put."

1710-11..

That the Earl of Peterborough, during the Time he had Motives that the Honour of commanding the Army in Spain, did perform L. Peterborough many great and eminent Services; and, if the Opinion he may have the gave in the Council of War at Valencia had been followed, House. it might, very probably, have prevented the Misfortunes that have happened fince in Spain.

Thanks of this

Which is

agreed to.

This Question being carried, without dividing, the Houfe was refumed; and the Earl of Abingdon having reported the two Refolutions taken in the Committee, the Lord-Keeper put the fame Questions, feverally, to the Houfe, which were again agreed to. But before the fecond Queftion was put, the Earl of Wharton defired,That the Lords, who were for E. of Wharton. the first Question, might fay, Agreed, and that fuch Lords. as were against it might enter their Proteflations.' Which hey did accordingly.

A Motion for adjourning to the Monday following being

nade, the Earl of Rochester made another Motion, that fuch E. of Rochester. Lords as pleased, might make Animadverfions on the Pro

eftations of fuch Lords as fhould proteft; which was agreed

. Then the Duke of Buckingham faid, one thing more Duke of Buckas to be done before they adjourned, and that he would ingham. ropofe a Question, which he was fure would be readily agreed , viz. That the Earl of Peterborough have the Thanks of e Houfe for his eminent and remarkable Services; and Fat the Lord Keeper return him the Thanks of the House, imediately.' This Question being unanimously agreed to, e Lord Keeper addressed himself to the Earl of Peterborough, the following Speech.

My Lord Peterborough,

'I am commanded by my Lords to return their Thanks to Lord Keeper's ur Lordship, for your many eminent and faithful Services Speech in giv your Queen and Country, during your Command in ing the Thanks

ain.'

My Lord,

The Thanks of this illuftrious Affembly is an Honour ich has been rarely paid to any Subject; but never after tricter Enquiry into the Nature of any Service; upon a re mature Deliberation; or with greater Juftice, than at time to your Lordship.

Such is your Lordship's known Generofity and truly le Temper, that I affure myself, the Prefent I am now ring to your Lord fhip, is the more acceptable, as it comes e and unmixed, and is unattended with any other Re1710-11. ward,

U u

of the Houfe to Lord Peterbo

rough.