20 u political progrefs of Britain. » May 9c: 
band. Her death in 1737, preserved the kingdom 
from such a stupenduous burden. ‘ 
In January 1728, ‘the House of Commons granted 
two hundred and thirty thousand, nine hundred and 
“* twenty-three pounds for the maintenance of twelve 
thousand Hefsian troops; a subsidy of fifty thousand 
** pounds to the king of Sweden; and twenty-five 
** thousand pounds to the duke ef Wolfenbuttle *.” 
Two hundred and fifty thousand pounds had been 
charged for securing the trade of England, and re- 
‘storing the peace of Europe, which by the way was 
not restored; conform to the vote of credit in the 
the preceding sefsion. The house were honest enough 
to solicit the king for a particular and distinct ac= 
eount of the distribution of this sum, which his ma- 
jesty refused, as it had been employed, he affirmed, by 
his father and himself in services which required the 
greaie: st secresy t. A fhort time after, in examining 
the public accounts laid before the house, it was dis- 
covered, ‘* that an article of three hundred thousand 
‘* pounds, relating to the duty upon wronght plate, 
‘* was totally omitted.” As usual, a violent debate 
ensvied, andthe fraud was rectified. Another unli- 
mited vote of credit was pafsed ; five hundred thousand. 
pounds were granted for the payment of seamen’s 
wages ; and the sefsion difsolved on 28th May 1728. 
~The house’ again met in January following, and az 
hundred and fifteen thousand pounds were voted) to 
make up a freth deficiency in the civil list. Every 
transaction of this kind:cest an obstinate battle. ,Our 
* Sixollet’s history. + hid, yt lbid. 
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