they might stipulate the necessary conditions
for securing the peace of Europe; and that they were firmly resolved
to do nothing without the concurrence of his majesty and their other
allies. They therefore begged he would send a minister to the Hague,
with necessary powers and instructions to co-operate with them in this
negotiation; they told him that in case it should prove ineffectual,
or Holland bo suddenly invaded by the troops which Louis had ordered
to advance towards their frontiers, they relied on the assistance of
England, and hoped his majesty would prepare the succours stipulated by
treaty, to be used should occasion require. The memorial was like-wise
communicated to the house of lords. Meanwhile the commons desired that
the treaties between England and the states-general should be laid
before the house. These being perused, they resolved upon an address,
to desire his majesty would enter into such negotiations with the
states-general, and other potentates, as might most effectually conduce
to the mutual safety of Great Britain and the united provinces, as well
as to the preservation of the peace of Europe, and to assure him of
their support and assistance in performance of the treaty subsisting
between England and the states-general. This resolution however was
not carried without great opposition from those who were averse to the
nation involving itself in another war upon the continent. The king
professed himself extremely well pleased with this address, and told
them he would immediately order his ministers abroad to act in concert
with the states-general and other powers, for the attainment of those
ends they proposed.

AN INTERCEPTED LETTER.

He communicated to the commons a letter, written by the earl of Melfort
to his brother the earl of Perth, governor to the pretended prince
of Wales. It had been mislaid by, accident, and came to London in the
French mail. It contained a scheme for another invasion of England,
together with some reflections on the character of the earl of
Middleton, who had supplanted him at the court of St. Germain's. Melfort
was a mere projector, and seems to have had no other view than that
of recommending himself to king James, and bringing his rival into
disgrace. The house of lords, to whom the' letter was also imparted,
ordered it to be printed. Next day they presented an address, thanking
his majesty for his care of the protestant religion; desiring all the
treat