Chapter 148: Walpole’s Rise
October, 1711
It was a warm day for an October. Parliament was in session, and Robert got the feeling that today was going to be an interesting day. The issue today was a motion that his good friend Henry Pelham had tabled, about the trade agreements with France and Spain. Pelham had been due to speak on the motion, but the Prince of Wales had met with the both of them before the start of the session today and asked that Robert be the one to speak. Robert had found that slightly odd, given the Prince’s dislike of Whigs, and Robert’s obvious inclinations toward said party. However, one did not counter the Prince, and therefore Robert found himself about to stand up and speak.
William Bromley, a Tory and the Speaker of the House spoke first. “Gentlemen, we are here today to discuss a motion filed by the Right Honourable Henry Pelham. Mr Pelham, are you to speak on this motion?”
Henry stood up and said. “My lord speaker, I have given the right to first speech to my honourable friend, Robert Walpole.”
Bromley nodded, though there was some muttering from the Tory side. “Very well.” Bromley looked at him then and said. “Mr Walpole you may begin.”
Robert stood up. “Thank you, Mr Speaker.” He took a breath and then continued. “My honourable friends, we are here today to discuss a matter of the utmost urgency. That matter being the trade agreements that we have with both France and Spain.” He paused, turned to the right and saw the Prince of Wales stood in the doorway, by tradition he could not enter the Commons but he could listen to the debates. Robert looked back to the opposition bench, and swallowed then continued. “Our alliance with Spain is not such a new thing that it can be easily discarded. We have stood together for almost one hundred years against the growth of French power. The French remain our traditional enemy, and this trade agreement with them is bound to make them think that they are to gain something from us.”
He heard some murmurs of agreement from behind him, and encouraged continued. “Louis XIV is someone who has tried to take beyond his means. He continued to demand the Spanish Low Countries long after it became apparent that he could not take them. The recently concluded war was fought because he thought he could take them once more. He might be ailing and dying, but his son and grandson remain, and they share the same vision as him. Furthermore, the Duke of Burgundy has gotten an alliance with the Grand Duke of Tuscany to get exclusivity to trade rights with the Duchy of Tuscany in return for French recognition of the man’s grandson as his heir. In clear violation of the terms of the treaty.” He took a breath and then finished with. “Is there a way in which the honourable gentleman on the government bench can perhaps convince this house, that we have not been played for fools by Versailles?” That got a lot of applause.
Robert Harley, the government leader in the House of Commons stood up then. He had risen high and fast in the past few years, using his ties to the Queen’s chief lady in waiting, Abigail Masham to ascend the lofty heights of government. “The Honourable Gentleman, has some valid concerns. I shall grant him that. However, Mr Speaker, what he fails to mention is that, this trade agreement we have with France, has ensured that we are gaining access to new markets, within the new world. Our trade with French colonies has seen income into the treasury treble in the past year and a half alone. Our trade with France and her allies, itself has seen income into the treasury double in the past year. There is no reason to think that such a thing cannot continue, with good management and agreement between Whitehall and Versailles.”
That won him applause from the Tory benches, including from Robert’s friend William Wyndham, who he knew hoped to be seated in government in the times to come. Robert rose to give a response. “I fear that the honourable gentleman has gotten his thoughts mixed up. Yes, trade has increased and the nation is benefitting, but trade had increased before. During the reign of King Charles, we traded with France, and still we went to war with them before that King’s reign was over. And before that during the reign of King Charles I, we traded with France, and we went to war. There is a pattern that emerges with France. We might be trading with them, but they shall not stop their ambitions. And this agreement between Versailles and the Grand Duke shows that the Duke of Burgundy is no different to his grandsire.”
Harley rose. “My honourable friend has quite forgotten himself there. Italy is of no concern to us. Tuscany is of no major concern to us. We have seen no sign that the French mean to take the Low Countries from Archduke Charles and his lady wife. Indeed, they are continuing to trade with them as per the terms of the treaty signed at the end of the war. I fear that the honourable gentleman has given himself over to useless worrying, for nothing more to do.” That got guffaws from the Tory benches, and even some Whigs.
Robert thought for a moment and then rose. “So, then, the Honourable Minister is likely to say nothing when the French continue their armament process, and when they try once more to take land which does not belong to them? Sooner or later the Duke of Burgundy will need to prove himself, and when that arises, we shall be at war. Our trade with France is little compared to what we have with Spain.” He paused, looked at the Prince of Wales, saw the man nod almost without moving his head, and continued. “With Spain we have a chance to access the gold markets of the Southern New World Peninsula, the rush of silver and gems, we have a chance to establish a foothold in Florida. We would even have a chance to venture toward their lands in the far east, and access spice and another such things far easier than we do now. Our combined fleets would be more than enough to secure the waves for Britannia for generations. Something the French could not hope to match.”
A hush descended over the House then, as they awaited Harley’s response. Robert could tell the man was caught off guard by what he’d said, his face was flushed and he looked tired. The man rose then and replied. “Mr Walpole forgets something here. Spain is in debt, grievous debt. They cannot pay their loans off without help from France and from the Empire. Their colonies spend every other year in open revolt, being crushed in slow moving fashion. We would be better served by allying with Portugal than with Spain.” Harley sat down, that was a weak defence, Robert thought.
“If Spain is weak, then it is our duty, nay, our Christian right to ensure that France cannot grow any further. We must in the name of God, Queen and Country, ensure that we have the means and resources to defeat the French advances. France is the greatest danger to the security not only of Europe but of the world, that this world has ever seen since the Muslims first stepped out of Arabia. The time has come for us to put aside false pretences and acknowledge the French for what they are. Ambitious snakes, who shall not hesitate to betray us.” Robert thundered.
Almost the entire hall stood up to applaud him then, and he knew Harley knew he had been beaten, for the man sat with his shoulders slumped. Robert glanced briefly to the doors, and saw the Prince of Wales smiling. He felt his heart uplift then. The Speaker banged his gavel thrice, and only then managed to silence the applause. “Thank you, both, gentlemen. Now that the motion has been discussed, let us see where the house sits. Those in favour of the motion, that this House is concerned with trade with France, please say aye.”
Three quarters of the House said. “Aye.” Robert amongst them.
“Those against, say nay.”
One quarter led by Harley replied with. “Nay.”
“The Motion passes.” Bromley said banging his gavel, to the cheers of the Whigs and some Tories.