such a height, as
to encourage the enemies of the nation to employ their emissaries for
debauching her good subjects from their allegiance. She declared her
resolution to grant whatever could in reason be demanded for quieting
the minds of the people. She told them she had empowered the marquis of
Tweedale to give unquestionable proofs of her determination to maintain
the government in church and state, as by law established in that
kingdom; to consent to such laws as should be found wanting for the
further security of both, and for preventing all encroachments for the
future. She earnestly exhorted them to settle the succession in the
protestant line, as a step absolutely necessary for their own peace and
happiness, the quiet and security of all her dominions, the reputation
of her affairs abroad, and the improvement of the protestant
interest through all Europe. She declared that she had authorized the
commissioners to give the royal assent to whatever could be reasonably
demanded, and was in her power to grant, for securing the sovereignty
and liberties of that her ancient kingdom. The remaining part of
the letter turned upon the necessity of their granting a supply, the
discouragement of vice, the encouragement of commerce, and the usual
recommendation of moderation and unanimity.

VIOLENT OPPOSITION TO THE MINISTRY.

The duke of Hamilton presented a resolve, that the parliament would not
name a successor to the crown, until the Scots should have concluded a
previous treaty with England in relation to commerce and other concerns.
This motion produced a warm debate, in the course of which Fletcher of
Saltoun expatiated upon the hardships and miseries which the Scots had
sustained since the union of the two crowns under one sovereign, and the
impossibility of bettering their condition, unless they should take
care to anticipate any design that tended to a continuation of the
same calamities. Another resolve was produced by the earl of Rothes,
importing, that the parliament should proceed to make such limitations
and conditions of the government as might be judged proper for
rectifying the constitution--for vindicating and securing the
sovereignty and independency of the nation; and that then parliament
would take into consideration the other resolve offered by the duke of
Hamilton, for a treaty previous to the nomination of a successor. This
proposal was seconded by the court party, and violent heats ensued. A