in both houses concerning the late
intended invasion in Scotland, lord Haversham and the other tory members
endeavoured to demonstrate, that proper precautions had not been taken
for the security of that kingdom, even after the ministry had received
undoubted intelligence of the pretender's design; that since the
attempt had miscarried, many persons of quality had been apprehended and
severely used by the government, on pretended suspicion of high treason;
though in all probability the aim of the ministry, in confining those
persons, was to remove all possibility of their opposing the court at
the ensuing elections for members of parliament. These assertions
were supported by many incontested facts and shrewd arguments,
notwithstanding which, the majority were so little disposed to find
fault, that the inquiry issued in a joint address to the queen,
containing resolutions, that timely and effectual care had been taken
to disappoint the designs of her majesty's enemies, both at home and
abroad. A bill, however, was brought into the house of lords, under
the title of "An act for improving the union of the two kingdoms."
It related to trials for treason in Scotland, which by this law were
regulated according to the manner of proceeding in England, with some
small variation. The Scottish members opposed it as an encroachment upon
the form of their laws; and they were joined by those who had laid it
down as a maxim to oppose all the court measures; nevertheless, the bill
passed through both houses, and received the royal assent. Yet, in order
to sweeten this unpalatable medicine, the queen consented to an act of
grace, by which all treasons were pardoned, except those committed on
the high seas; an exception levelled at those who had embarked with the
pretender. Major-general Webb, who had been defrauded of his due honour,
in a partial representation of the battle of Wynendale, transmitted by
Cardonnel, secretary to the duke of Marlborough, was now thanked by
the house of commons for the great and eminent services which he had
performed in that engagement. This motion was made by the tories; and
the whigs did not fail to procure a compliment of the same nature to the
duke of Marlborough, even before he returned to England. When the news
of Ghent's being taken arrived, the lords and commons congratulated the
queen on this last effort of a glorious campaign; and the duke at his
arrival was thanked, in the name of the peers, by