ese promotions of the whig
noblemen, the duke of Marlborough declined apace in his credit with the
queen, who privately consulted and reposed her chief confidence in Mr.
Harley, though he had no visible concern in the administration.

THE NEW PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED.

The new parliament, in which the whig interest still preponderated,
was assembled on the sixteenth day of November, when they were given to
understand by a commission under the great seal, that the archbishop of
Canterbury, the chancellor, the lord-treasurer, the lord steward, and
the master of the horse, were appointed to represent the person of her
majesty, whom decency would not permit to appear in the house so soon
after the death of her consort. Sir Richard Onslow being chosen speaker
of the lower house with the queen's approbation, the chancellor, in a
speech to both houses, recommended the vigorous prosecution of the
war, telling them her majesty hoped they would enable her to make a
considerable augmentation for preserving and improving the advantages
which the allies had gained in the Netherlands; that she desired
they would prepare such bills as might confirm and render the union
effectual; and that if they would propose means for the advancement
of trade and manufacture, she would take pleasure in enacting such
provisions. Both houses having presented addresses of condolence and
congratulation, on the death of prince George, and the success of her
majesty's arms during the last campaign, the commons took cognizance of
controverted elections, which were decided with shameful partiality for
the whig faction. Then they proceeded to consider the different branches
of the supply; they approved of an augmentation of ten thousand men,
which was judged necessary for the more vigorous prosecution of the war;
and they voted above seven millions for the service of the ensuing year.
The bank agreed to circulate two millions five hundred thousand pounds
in exchequer bills for the government, on condition that the term of
their continuance should be prolonged for one-and-twenty years; and that
their stock of two millions, two hundred and one thousand, one hundred
and seventy-one pounds, should be doubled by a new subscription. The
two-thirds subsidy was appropriated for the interest of the money raised
by this expedient.

{ANNE, 1701--1714}

NATURALIZATION BILL.

Great debates having arisen about Scottish elections, the house
considered the pet