pronounced him guilty of a breach of duty. William's answer was
that he had thought himself bound to reward out of the forfeited
property those who had served him well, and especially those who
had borne a principal part in the reduction of Ireland. The war,
he said, had undoubtedly left behind it a heavy debt; and he
should be glad to see that debt reduced by just and effectual
means. This answer was but a bad one; and, in truth, it was
hardly possible for him to return a good one. He had done what
was indefensible; and, by attempting to defend himself, he made
his case worse. It was not true that the Irish forfeitures, or
one fifth part of them, had been granted to men who had
distinguished themselves in the Irish war; and it was not
judicious to hint that those forfeitures could not justly be
applied to the discharge of the public debts. The Commons
murmured, and not altogether without reason. "His Majesty tells
us," they said, "that the debts fall to us and the forfeitures to
him. We are to make good out of the purses of Englishmen what was
spent upon the war; and he is to put into the purses of Dutchmen
what was got by the war." When the House met again, Howe moved
that whoever had advised the King to return such an answer was an
enemy to His Majesty and the kingdom; and this resolution was
carried with some slight modification.

To whatever criticism William's answer might be open, he had said
one thing which well deserved the attention of the House. A small
part of the forfeited property had been bestowed on men whose
services to the state well deserved a much larger recompense; and
that part could not be resumed without gross injustice and
ingratitude. An estate of very moderate value had been given,
with the title of Earl of Athlone, to Ginkell, whose skill and