The trial of Sacheverel had excited a popular spirit of aversion to those who favoured the dissenters.
From all parts of the kingdom addresses were presented to the queen, censuring all resistance as a rebellious doctrine, founded upon anti-monarchial and republican principles.

At the same time counter-addresses were procured by the whigs, extolling the revolution and magnifying the conduct of the present parliament.

The queen began to express her attachment to the tories, by mortifying the duke of Marlborough.

Upon the death of the earl of Essex, she wrote to the general desiring that the regiment which had been commanded by that nobleman should be given to Mr.Hill, brother to Mrs.Masham, who had supplanted the duchess of Marlborough in the queen's friendship, and was, in effect, the source of this political revolution.

The duke represented to her majesty in person, the prejudice that would redound to the service from the promotion of such a young officer over the heads of a great many brave men, who had exhibited repeated proofs of valour and capacity.