WILLIAM AND MAK1.

233

been convoyed safe into the Thames.* The Lords and Com- chap.mons listened with signs of satisfaction to a speech in which the — i6!)1King congratulated them on the event of the war in Ireland,and expressed his confidence that they would continue to sup-port him in the war with France. He told them, that a greatnaval armament would be necessary, and that, in his opinion,the conflict by land could not be effectually maintained with lessthan sixty five thousand men.**

He was thanked in affectionate terms: the force which he Debates

on the

asked was voted; and large supplies were granted with little salaries^difficulty. But when the Ways and Means were taken into of otiiciaiconsideration, symptoms of discontent began to appear. Eigh-teen months before, when the Commons had been employed insettling the Civil List, many members had shown a very naturaldisposition to complain of the amount of the salaries and feesreceived by official men. Keen speeches had been made, and,what was much less usual, had been printed: there had beenmuch excitement out of doors: but nothing had been done.

The subject was now revived. A report made by the Commis-sioners who had been appointed in the preceding year toexamine the public accounts disclosed some facts which excitedindignation, and others which raised grave suspicion. TheHouse seemed fully determined to make an extensive reform;and, in truth, nothing could have averted such a reform exceptthe folly and violence of the reformers. That they should havebeen angry is indeed not strange. The enormous gains, directand indirect, of the servants of the public went on increasing,while the gains of every body else were diminishing. Bents

* Burnet, ii. 78, 70.; Burchett’s Memoirs of Transactions at Sea;

Journal of the English and Dutch fleet, in a Letter from an Officer onboard the Lennox, at Torbay, licensed August 21. 1G91. The writer says:

“We attribute our health, under God, to the extraordinary care taken inthe well ordering of our provisions, both meat and drink.”

** Lords’ and Commons’ Journals, Oct. 22. 1G91.