tion in David*, they desire no longer to be his subjects." He insists, that her majesty has exactly followed monsieur Tugghe's memorial against the demolishing of Dunkirk. He reflects with great satisfaction on the good already done to his country by the Crisis. Non nobis, domine, non nobis, &c.— He gives us hopes that he will leave off writing, and consult his own quiet and happiness; and concludes with a letter to a friend at court. I suppose, by the style of "old friend," and the like, it must be some body there of his own level; among whom his party have indeed more friends than I could wish. In this letter he asserts, that the present ministers were not educated in the church of England, but are new converts from presbytery. Upon which I can only reflect, how blind the malice of that man must be, who invents a groundless lie in order to defame his superiours, which would be no disgrace if it had been a truth. And he concludes with making three demands, for the satisfaction of himself, and other malecontents. First, the demolition of the harbour of Dunkirk. Secondly, that Great Britain and France would heartily join against the exorbitant power of the duke of Lorrain, and force the pretender from his asylum at Bar le Duc. Lastly, "that his electoral highness of Hanover, would be so grateful to signify to all the world the perfect good understanding he has with the court of England, * What portion have we in David? "Tugghe was deputed by the magistrates of Dunkirk to in"tercede with the queen, that she would recall part of her sen"tence concerning Dunkirk, by causing her thunderbolts to fall only on the martial works, and to spare the moles and dykes, "which in their naked condition could be no more than objects "of pity." 66 in in as plain terms, as her majesty was pleased to declare she had with that house, on her part.' As to the first of these demands, I will venture to undertake it shall be granted; but then Mr. Steele, and his brother malecontents, must promise to believe the thing is done, after those employed have made their report; or else bring vouchers to disprove it. Upon the second; I cannot tell whether her majesty will engage in a war against the duke of Lorrain, to force him to remove the pretender; but I believe, if the parliament should think it necessary to address upon such an occasion, the queen would move that prince to send him away. His last demand, offered under the title of a wish, is of so insolent and seditious a strain, that I care not to touch it. Here he directly charges her majesty with delivering a falsehood to her parliament from the throne; and declares he will not believe her, until the elector of Hanover himself shall vouch for the truth of what she has so solemnly affirmed. I agree with this writer, that it is an idle thing in his antagonists to trouble themselves upon the articles of his birth, education, or fortune; for whoever writes at this rate of his sovereign, to whom he owes so many personal obligations, I should never inquire whether he be a gentleman born, but whether he be a human creature. THE CONDUCT OF THE ALLIES, AND OF THE LATE MINISTRY, IN BEGINNING AND CARRYING ON THE PRESENT WAR. Written in the Year 1712. Partem tibi Gallia nostri Eripuit: Partem duris Hispania bellis : Odimus accipitrem quia semper vivit in armis. |