He told them that a great naval armament would be necessary, and that, in his opinion, the conflict by land could not be effectually maintained with less than sixty-five thousand men.

[146] He was thanked in affectionate terms; the force which he asked was voted; and large supplies were granted with little difficulty.

But when the Ways and Means were taken into consideration, symptoms of discontent began to appear.

Eighteen months before, when the Commons had been employed in settling the Civil List, many members had shown a very natural disposition to complain of the amount of the salaries and fees received by official men.

Keen speeches had been made, and, what was much less usual, had been printed; there had been much excitement out of doors; but nothing had been done.