“The frequent use of this observation, Fog says, is enough to shew its good sense. ’Twas first started by the Rev. Author of the Enquiry, all the anniversary pamphlets have had it since, and it has been repeated by Mr. Osborne 75 times; by Mr. Walsingham twice as many; nor is there any thing in this pamphlet but what has the authority of, at least, 50 repetitions”: yet he cannot subscribe to his opinion; for supposing it true, it is a sure sign that affairs are well conducted; but if the contempt of all men of sense be added to this clamour, oh! then we pronounce him an angel.
He goes on to quote another passage; “That the Peace of Utrecht left us on good terms with Spain, which might have turn’d to our advantage, had our affairs been wisely manag’d in the late reign; but as they were not, it laid the foundation of the several perplexities that have since attended us.”
This conduct of the last reign, Fog says, ought to be apply’d to a person or two since dead, and not to the present ministers. Adds, that he might have spar’d his encomium of the Utrecht treaty, or shewn us the folly of cultivating a good understanding with the Emperor and Spain at the same time, by which our affairs, every where were left in a stupid calm; for had they contriv’d to make either of ’em our enemy, we should always have had a quarrel and a treaty depending, and so have given vent to our humours and money too.
The author having said, that when the present ministry came into power, they observ’d from the complexion of things mischief must be gath’ring some where, which prov’d to be an alliance betwixt Spain and the Emperor. This, Fog affirms, was very sagacious; but that the treaty he speaks of was, and still is deny’d by both the parties.
He then criticises on several other parts of the discourse, especially on those which extol the conduct of our ministry and their management of our affairs, relating to the inaction of the squadron sent to the West Indies, and keeping back the Spanish Treasure, thereby rendring it useless, as to any dangerous purposes.
The wisdom of this conduct, Fog takes notice, proved itself in the Event; The Spaniards were provoked; sent out their privateers, and pillag’d our merchants!
As to humouring the Q. of Spain in settling the Italian dukedoms on Don Carlos, says, sneeringly, besides obliging a fair Lady, Great Britain has gain’d the treaty of Seville!
Fog’s Journal, Jan. 30. No. 124.
The Press, says he, has lately swarm’d with writing pro and con, upon the present posture of affairs, by which we find that one party is of opinion, that ministers of state are no more than men; t’other will have ’em to be angels (that is while they continue in power.)——Here you read, that Affairs are in no better situation than they should be——there, that we have neither past miscarriages, or present grievances to complain of, and that the nation never was in so flourishing a condition. One D’Anvers, and, if I mistake not, one Fog, are accused of seditiously asserting that a Crow is black, but the writers on the other side, have with infinite Wit, proved a black Crow to be the whitest bird of all the feather’d kind.
He proceeds thus merrily to remark on a pamphlet intitled, Considerations on the present state of affairs, with regard to the Number of Forces in the Pay of Great Britain; and endeavours, in his ironical way, to overthrow the several arguments advanced by the author for maintaining the Hessian troops, and concludes with giving his opinion that they will be very far from convincing the disaffected.