In that high station, his frugality of public money was remarkable, his industry exemplary, his application to naval affairs successful, his encouragement of trade judicious, his jealousy of national honor laudable: what then was wanting to make him an excellent sovereign?
A due regard and affection to the religion and constitution of his country.

Had he been possessed of this essential quality, even his middling talents, aided by so many virtues, would have rendered his reign honorable and happy.

When it was wanting, every excellency which he possessed became dangerous and pernicious to his kingdoms.
The sincerity of this prince (a virtue on which he highly valued himself) has been much questioned in those reiterated promises which he had made of preserving the liberties and religion of the nation.

It must be confessed, that his reign was almost one continued invasion of both; yet it is known, that, to his last breath, he persisted in asserting, that he never meant to subvert the laws, or procure more than a toleration and an equality of privileges to his Catholic subjects.

This question can only affect the personal character of the king, not our judgment of his public conduct.