heir own country. The
letters being read in parliament, both houses presented addresses, in
which they extolled the king's prudence in establishing such conventions
with foreign potentates as might repair the gross defects, and prevent
the pernicious consequences, of the treaty of Utrecht, which they termed
a treacherous and dishonourable peace; and they expressed their
horror and indignation at the malice and ingratitude of those who had
encouraged an invasion of their country. He likewise received an address
of the same kind from the convention; another from the dissenting
ministers; a third from the university of Cambridge; but Oxford was not
so lavish of her compliments. At a meeting of the vice-chancellor and
heads of that university, a motion was made for an address to the king,
on the suppression of the late unnatural rebellion, his majesty's safe
return, and the favour lately shown to the university, in omitting, at
their request, the ceremony of burning in effigy the devil, the
pope, the pretender, the duke of Ormond, and the earl of Mar, on the
anniversary of his majesty's accession. Dr. Smallridge, bishop of
Bristol, observed, that the rebellion had been long suppressed; that
there would be no end of addresses should one be presented every time
that his majesty returned from his German dominions; that the late
favour they had received was overbalanced by a whole regiment now
quartered upon them; and that there was no precedent for addressing a
king upon his return from his German dominions. The university
thought they had reason to complain of the little regard paid to their
remonstrances, touching a riot raised in that city by the soldiers there
quartered, on pretence that the anniversary of the prince's birthday had
not been celebrated with the usual rejoicings. Affidavits had been sent
up to the council, which seemed to favour the officers of the regiment.
When the house of lords deliberated upon the mutiny-bill, by which the
soldiers were exempted from arrests for debts, complaint was made of
their licentious behaviour at Oxford; and a motion was made that they
should inquire into the riot. The lords presented an address to the
king, desiring that the papers relating to that affair might be laid
before the house. These being perused, were found to be recriminations
between the Oxonians and the officers of the regiment. A warm debate
ensued, during which the earl of Abingdon offered a petition from the
vice