For it is not our province to judge of the laws
of other nations, to examine when they are violated, or to enforce the
observation of them; nor is it necessary, since the interests of
Britain and Hanover are irreconcilably opposite, to endeavour the
preservation of dominions which their own sovereign is inclined to
hazard.
Thus, my lords, I hope it appears, that the common interest of Britain
and Europe is steadily pursued; that the Spaniards feel the effects of
a war with Britain by their distress and embarrassment; that the queen
of Hungary discovers, that the ancient allies of her family have not
deserted her; and that France, amidst her boasts and her projects,
perceives the determined opposers of her grandeur again setting her at
defiance.
The duke of BEDFORD spoke to the following effect:--My lords, the
assurance which the noble lord who spoke last declares himself to have
conceived of being able to demonstrate the propriety of the present
measures, must surely arise from some intelligence which has been
hitherto suppressed, or some knowledge of future events peculiar to
himself; for I cannot discover any force in the arguments which he has
been pleased to use, that could produce in him such confidence of
success, nor any circumstances in the present appearance of Europe,
that do not seem to demand a different conduct.
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