Ward Robe, upon wch I hear some ladies will go that had excused themselves before.
London, August 20, 1714. Dear Brother,
I can't say I am sorry I have little news to writ to you because that happens from having every thing going on so peaceably and quietly. At present the striff is who shall show themselves the most Zealous for the Present King George, wch is some disappointment to the leading Whigs, for they did expect some opposition in the manner of grant- ing the Civil List, wch the less experienced Tories were ready to give, but they were better advised by the wiser, who are for proposing every thing that's for the honour and dignity of the Crown, so much that some people out of doors of both Partys begin to fear that we shall have the rights and Libertys of Englishmen complymented away, but those reflections are made by people that are of opinion that we have a Prince that's ready to catch at them. I must do this French news writer justice that he has never mist you a post, for they come every post to my house and if I am not at home Mr. Somners carries them to the office or sends them, but of late they have been very neglegent there. Boyer gives you a true recital of the words of the Act of Parliament, and the judges and lawyers are devided in their opinion concerning the said Clause, the Major part are of opinion that the enacting words imply no retrospection, I hear My Lord Chancelor is of that opinion, but what reasons they suppose it with I know not, unless it be from the meaning and inten- tion of the Law wch is to prevent any encroachment of foreigner upon us. But th' others that argue for the letter of the Law say the Parliament have sufficiently declar'd there meaning to be, that none after the Demise of Queen Ann, that are not born of English Parents notwithstanding natu- ralisation, shall be incapable of any employment Militairy or Civil, for by a subsequent act wherein they empower'd the Queen to leave Kingscnton house to Prince George, they say that notwithstanding any thing contain'd in the former Act
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