LETTERS.

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Let. 7 .

secret communicated to them , besides a MonsieurBoufleurs or IV1 dor Portland 7 8 : so great a changehas happened since that last peace , both in thegovernment of England, as well as Holland ! anda chancellor here apprehends another fort of duty ,as well as a pensioner there, thanks to the Torygentlemen for this their notable furtherance of theprerogative. For 1 was one of those sorrowfulWhigs who bemoaned the fad cafe of our constitu-tion , according to which the power of peace andwar was wholly in the prince ; whilst the Toriessaw plainly that it was otherwise , and could impeacha Lord Chancellor * for placing the seal, where Isincerely thought he could not refuse to do it athis prince’s command. But let lord chancellors,and other ministers , look to themselves. If ourconstitution was not so then, it is become so now:for not the absolute command, the obstinacy, therashness , or ill judgment of the prince himself,(though ever so much a principal in the case, orthough single, or by himself) , can justify orexcuse the least flaw in a treaty ; for which theministers are with their heads to be answerable tothe people, as by late precedents it has been

7 These made the famous partition - treaty , which was so illrelished in England, and rejected by the parliament. For a whileit was kept very secret; which circumstance alone is a justpresumption, that a treaty is not for the advantage or honorof the nation.

8 Lord Sowers. Lord Portland was also impeached; as wefOat the same time the Lords Orford and Halifax.