On the contrary, he avowed his adherence to it against those of his contemporaries who were inclined to call it in question.

How Defoe came to support the new commercial treaty with France, and the grounds on which he supported it, can only be understood by looking at his relations with the Government.
While Defoe was living in Scotland in 1707, and filling the _Review_ so exclusively with Scotch affairs that his readers, according to his own account, began to say that the fellow could talk of nothing but the Union, and had grown mighty dull of late, Harley's position in the Ministry was gradually becoming very insecure.

He was suspected of cooling in his zeal for the war, and of keeping up clandestine relations with the Tories; and when Marlborough returned from his campaign at the close of the year he insisted upon the Secretary's dismissal.

The Queen, who secretly resented the Marlborough yoke, at first refused her consent.

Presently an incident occurred which gave them an excuse for more urgent pressure.