Mr.Fletcher expatiated upon the good consequences that would arise from the act which he had proposed.

The chancellor answered, that such an act was laying a scheme for a commonwealth, and tending to innovate the constitution of a monarchy.

The ministry proposed a state of a vote, whether they should first give a reading to Fletcher's act or to the act of subsidy.

The country party moved that the question might be, "Overtures for subsidies, or overtures for liberty." Fletcher withdrew his act, rather than people should pervert the meaning of laudable designs.

The house resounded with the cry of "Liberty or Subsidy." Bitter invectives were uttered against the ministry.