their
minister had done, and in their turn ordered Mr. Stanhope to leave their
dominions. Don Bernardo de Quiros, the Spanish ambassador in Holland,
prepared a memorial on the same subject to the states-general; which
however they refused to accept. These remonstrances did not interrupt
the negotiation, in which Louis was so eager that he complained of
William as if he had not employed his whole influence in prevailing
upon the Dutch to signify their accession to the articles agreed upon by
France and England; but his Britannic majesty found means to remove this
jealousy.

THE COMMONS PERSIST IN THEIR RESOLUTIONS.

About the middle of October, William returned to England, and conferred
upon the duke of Shrewsbury the office of chamberlain, vacant since the
resignation of Sunderland. * Mr. Montague at the same period resigned
his seat at the treasury-board, together with the chancellorship of the
exchequer; either foreseeing uncommon difficulty in managing a house
of commons after they had been dismissed in ill humour, or dreading the
interest of his enemies, who might procure a vote that his two places
were inconsistent. The king opened the session of parliament on the
sixteenth day of November, with a long speech, advising a further
provision for the safety of the kingdom by sea and land, as well as the
repairs of ships and fortifications; exhorting the commons to make good
the deficiencies of the funds, discharge the debts of the nation, and
provide the necessary supplies. He recommended some good bill for
the more effectual preventing and punishing unlawful and clandestine
trading; and expressed a desire that some method should be taken for
employing the poor, which were become a burden to the kingdom. He
assured them his resolutions were to countenance virtue and discourage
vice; and that he would decline no difficulties and dangers where the
welfare and prosperity of the nation was concerned. He concluded with
these words: "Since then our aims are only for the general good, let
us act with confidence in one another; which will not fail, with God's
blessing, to make me a happy king, and you a great and flourishing
people." The commons were now become wanton in their disgust. Though
they had received no real provocation, they resolved to mortify him with
their proceedings. They affected to put odious interpretations on
the very harmless expression of "Let us act with confidence in one
another." Instead of an