That the patronage of the Crown was employed on an extensive scale for the purpose of influencing votes was matter of notoriety.

A large proportion of those who gave away the public money in supplies received part of that money back in salaries; and thus was formed a mercenary band on which the Court might, in almost any extremity, confidently rely.
The servility of this Parliament had left a deep impression on the public mind.

It was the general opinion that England ought to be protected against all risk of being ever again represented, during a long course of years, by men who had forfeited her confidence, and who were retained by a fee to vote against her wishes and interests.

The subject was mentioned in the Convention; and some members wished to deal with it while the throne was still vacant.

The cry for reform had ever since been becoming more and more importunate.