[210] The prodigality of William in grants to his favourites was an undeniable reproach to his reign. Charles II. had, however, with much greater profuseness, though much less blamed for it, given away almost all the Crown lands in a few years after the restoration; and the Commons could not now be prevailed upon to shake those grants, which was urged by the court, in order to defeat the resumption of those in the present reign. The length of time undoubtedly made a considerable difference. An enormous grant of the Crown's domanial rights in North Wales to the Earl of Portland excited much clamour in 1697, and produced a speech from Mr. Price, afterwards a baron of the exchequer, which was much extolled for its boldness, not rather to say, virulence and disaffection. This is printed in _Parl. Hist._ 978, and many other books. The king, on an address from the House of Commons, revoked the grant, which indeed was not justifiable. His answer on this occasion, it may here be remarked, was by its mildness and courtesy a striking contrast to the insolent rudeness with which the Stuarts, one and all, had invariably treated the house. Yet to this vomit were many wretches eager to return. [211] _Parl. Hist._ 1171, 1202, etc.; Ralph; Burnet; _Shrewsbury Correspondence_. See also Davenant's "Essay on Grants and Resumptions," and sundry pamphlets in _Somers Tracts_, vol. ii., and _State Tracts_, temp. W. 3, vol. ii. [212] In Feb. 1692. [213] See the same authorities, especially the _Shrewsbury Letters_, p. 602. [214] Commons' Journals, June 1, Aug. 12. [215] _Id._ Nov. 1. [216] _Parl. Hist._ 657; Dalrymple; Commons' and Lords' Journals. [217] _Parl. Hist._ 793. Delaval and Killigrew were Jacobites, whom William generously but imprudently put into the command of the fleet. [218] Commons' Journals, Feb. 27, 1694-5. [219] _Parl. Hist._ 941; Burnet, 105. [220] Burnet, 163; Commons' Journals, Jan. 31, 1695-6. An abjuration of King James's title in very strong terms was proposed as a qualification for members of this council; but this was lost by 195 to 188. [221] See Speaker Onslow's Note on Burnet (Oxf. edit. iv. 468), and Lord Hardwicke's hint of his father's opinion. _Id._ 475. But see also Lord Somers's plea as to this. _State Trials_, xiii. 267.