ing connected with the general,
or in some shape employed in the management of the finances. The tories
were likewise instigated by a party spirit against Marlborough, who, by
means of his wife, was in full possession of the queen's confidence,
and openly patronized the whig faction. But the attention of people in
general was now turned upon the Scottish parliament, which took
into consideration the treaty of union lately concluded between the
commissioners of both kingdoms. On the third day of October the duke of
Queensberry, as high commissioner, produced the queen's letter, in which
she expressed her hope that the terms of the treaty would be acceptable
to her parliament of Scotland. She said, an entire and perfect union
would be the solid foundation of a lasting peace: it would secure their
religion, liberty, and property; remove the animosities that prevailed
among themselves, and the jealousies that subsisted between the two
nations: it would increase their strength, riches, and commerce:
the whole island would be joined in affection, and free from all
apprehensions of different interests: it would be enabled to resist all
its enemies, support the protestant interest everywhere, and maintain
the liberties of Europe. She renewed her assurance of maintaining
the government of their church; and told them, that now they had an
opportunity of taking such steps as might be necessary for its security
after the union. She demanded the necessary supplies. She observed, that
the great success with which Almighty God had blessed her arms, afforded
the nearer prospect of a happy peace, with which they would enjoy the
full advantages of this union: that they had no reason to doubt but the
parliament of England would do all that should be necessary on their
part to confirm the union: finally, she recommended calmness and
unanimity in deliberating on this great and weighty affair, of such
consequence to the whole island of Great Britain.

VIOLENT OPPOSITION TO THE UNION.

Hitherto the articles of the union had been industriously concealed from
the knowledge of the people: but the treaty being recited in parliament,
and the particulars divulged, such a flame was kindled through the
whole nation as had not appeared since the restoration. The cavaliers or
Jacobites had always foreseen that this union would extinguish all their
hopes of a revolution in favour of the pretender. The nobility found
themselves degraded in point o