Voli IX order'd, That it be referr'd to the Committee of Secrecy to draw up Articles of Impeachment, and prepare Evidence against James Duke of Ormond, and that the further Confideration of the faid Report be adjourn'd to the next Morning. It was obferv'd that fcarce any Debate was managed in that Houfe with more Calmnefs and Decency than this about the Duke of Ormond; not an Angry or Paffionate Word having dropt from any that fpoke for or against His Grace. It was likewife obferv'd, that many Whigs and Courtiers went out of the Houfe, to avoid giving their Votes which they could not do without either wronging their Confciences, or doing Violence to the Tenderness and Affection they bore to that unfor tunate Nobleman.

The next + Day, the Commons refumed the 4 June 22. Confideration of the Report from the Commit tee of Secrecy, and Mr. Aiflaby, Treasurer of the Navy, who poke firft, took notice of the general Concern that had appeared the Day before in the Houfe, for the noble Perfon that was impeach'd, because they were perfuaded 'twas rather through Weakness than Malice that he had follow'd Pernicious Counfels: But that in his Opinion, few, if any, would speak in Favour of another Lord, whom he was to

Thomas, at the Perfon he meant was

Earl of Strafford, one of the Plenipotentiaries of Great Britain, at the Congrefs at Utrecht; whole Conduct had been vaftly different from that of his Colleague, the prefent Bishop of London. That this good and pious Prelate feem'd to have been put at the Head of that Negotiation, only to palliate the Iniquity of it, under the Sacredness of his Character: But was little more than a Cypher in the Abfence of the Earl of Strafford. That the Bishop not being in the Secret, had beracted with Referve and Caution, and would

da

* do nothing without the Queen's Special Com- Vol. IX. mands: Whereas the Earl of Strafford not only was forward to venture and undertake any thing (as he expreffes himself in one of his Letters) to be the Tool of a Frenchify'd Mi niftry, but in many Inftances bad gone beyond hisInftructions,and ad vifed the most pernicious$ Meafures. That having impartially weigh'd the different Conduct of thefe Two Minifters, he was glad that nothing could be charg❜d upon the Bishop, which gave them an Opportu nity to convince the World, that the Church is not in Danger! But moved that Thomas, Earl of Strafford be impeach'd of High Chimes and Misdemeanors. Mr. Ailaby aftewards erilarg'd upon this Charge, which he reduc'd to three principal Heads, viz., The Earl of Strafford's advifing the fat Sufpenfion of "Arms: which was foon after attended with fe veral Misfortunes that befel the Allies and at laft reduced them to the Neceffity of fub! mitting to the Terms of an unfafe, dishonou rable Peace. zdly, Advifing the Seizing of Ghent and Bruges, in order to diftrefs the Allies, and favour the Enemy. And 3dly, The Infolence and Contempt with which he had treated the Moft Serene Houfe of Hanover, and their Generals and Minifters. Mr. Bailie a Scorch Member, having seconded Mr. Aislaby, Sir William Wyndham endeavour'd to justify the Earl of Strafford, as to the Firft Head, by faying, That the Peace, which was but the Sequel and neceffary Confequence of the Sufpenfion of Arms, had been approved as fuch by 'Two fucceffive Parliaments, and declared advantageous, fafe, and honourable.' Mr. Shippen, Mr. Ward (the Lawyer) and Mr. Snell, spoke alfo in Favour of the E. of Strafford; as did alfo Mr. Hungerford, who, among other things, faid, That tho the Bishop of London had an equal Share with the Earl of Strafford in the NegoR 2

⚫tiation

Vol IX. tiation of Peace, he was, it feems, to have & the Benefit of his Clergy General Rofs having dikewife faid fomething to excufe the Sufpenfion of Arms, General Cadogan anfwer'd him briskly, and thew'd, That confidering the Situa tion of both Armies, the Confederates loft the fairest Opportunity they ever had in Flanders to deftroy the Enemy's Army, and to penetrate into the very Heart of France: But added, "That nothing lefs could be expected from a Princess, and a Miniftry, who had entirely deliver'd themselves into the Hands of f France. Sir James Campbel spoke alfo against the Earl of Strafford: But the Member who diftinguifh'd himself moft in this Debate was Sir James Dalrymple, another Scotch Member, who, with great Clearnefs and Solidity, fumm' up what had been faid on both Sides; and having illuftrated the prefent Cafe by parallel Inftances and proper Obfervations, Thew'd that, both by the Civil and Statute Laws, the Carl of Strafford was, at least, guilty of High Crimes and Mifdemeanors. Hereupon, about Seven a clock in the Evening, the Question was put, and The Earl of (by a Majority of 268 Voices against 100) refolStrafford im ved, That this House will impeach Thomas, Earl peach'd of of Strafford of High Crimes and Misdemeanors; High Crimes and order'd, 1st, That it be referr'd to the Committee of Secrecy to draw up Articles of Impeachment, and prepare Evidence against

and Mifde.

meanors.

f the faid Earl. And zdly, That the further Confideration of the faid Report be adjourn'd to that Day Sevenight: When it was further adjourn'd for a Week longer.

The

CONTENTS

OF:

The Ninth Volume &

OF THE

POLITICAL STATE

OF

GREAT BRITAIN.

For the Months of January, February, March, April, May, and June, MDCCXV.