t of men who renounce the divine
institutions of Christ; particularly that by which the faithful are
initiated into his religion, and denominated christians. The petition,
though presented by the archbishop of York, was branded by the ministry
as a seditious libel, and rejected by the majority. Then, upon a motion
by the earl of Sunderland, the house resolved that such lords as might
enter protestations with reasons, should do it before two o'clock on
the next sitting day, and sign them before the house rises. The supplies
being granted, and the business of the session despatched as the court
was pleased to dictate, on the seventh day of March the parliament
was prorogued. In a few days it was dissolved, and another convoked by
proclamation. In the election of members for the new parliament, the
ministry exerted itself with such success as returned a great majority
in the house of commons, extremely well adapted for all the purposes of
an administration. *

* The earl of Sunderland died in April, after having
incurred a great load of popular odium, from his supposed
connexions with the directors of the South-Sea company. He
was a minister of abilities, but violent, impetuous, and
headstrong. His death was soon followed by that of his
father-in-law, the great duke of Marlborough, whose
faculties had been for some time greatly impaired. He was
interred in Westminster-abbey, with such profusion of
funeral pomp, as evinced the pride and ostentation, much
more than the taste and concern, of those who directed his
obsequies. He was succeeded as master of the ordnance, and
colonel of the first regiment of foot guards, by earl
Cadogan.

{1722}

In the beginning of May, the king is said to have received from the duke
of Orleans full and certain information of a fresh conspiracy formed
against his person and government. A camp was immediately formed
in Hyde-Park. All military officers were ordered to repair to their
respective commands. Lieutenant-general Macartney was despatched to
Ireland, to bring over some troops from that kingdom. Some suspected
persons were apprehended in Scotland: the states of Holland were desired
to have their auxiliary or guarantee troops in readiness to be embarked;
and colonel Churchill was sent to the court of France with a private
commission. The apprehension raised by this supposed plot affected
the public credit. South-Sea stock