f dignity and influence, by being excluded
from their seats in parliament. The trading part of the nation
beheld their commerce saddled with heavy duties and restrictions, and
considered the privilege of trading to the English plantations as
a precarious and uncertain prospect of advantage. The barons, or
gentlemen, were exasperated at a coalition by which their parliament
was annihilated, and their credit destroyed. The people in general
exclaimed, that the dignity of their crown was betrayed; that the
independency of their nation had fallen a sacrifice to treachery and
corruption; that whatever conditions might be speciously offered, they
could not expect they would be observed by a parliament in which the
English had such a majority. They exaggerated the dangers to which the
constitution of their church would be exposed from a bench of bishops,
and a parliament of episcopalians. This consideration alarmed the
presbyterian ministers to such a degree, that they employed all their
power and credit in waking the resentment of their hearers against the
treaty, which produced an universal ferment among all ranks of people.
Even the most rigid puritans joined the cavaliers in expressing their
detestation of the union; and laying aside their mutual animosities,
promised to co-operate in opposing a measure so ignominous and
prejudicial to their country. In parliament, the opposition was headed
by the dukes of Hamilton and Athol, and the marquis of Annandale. The
first of these noblemen had wwered so much in his conduct, that it is
difficult to ascertain his real political principles. He was generally
supposed to favour the claim of the pretender; but he was afraid of
embarking too far in his cause, and avoided violent measures in the
discussion of the treaty, lest he should incur the resentment of the
English parliament, and forfeit the estate he possessed in that kingdom.
Athol was more forward in his professions of attachment to the court of
St. Germain's; but he had less ability, and his zeal was supposed to
be inflamed by resentment against the ministry. The debates upon the
different articles of the treaty were carried on with great heat and
vivacity, and many shrewd arguments were used against this scheme of
incorporating the union. One member affirmed, that it would furnish a
handle to any aspiring prince to overthrow the liberties of all Britain;
for if the parliament of Scotland could alter, or rather subvert its
cons