The pretended discoveries were looked upon as fictions of the ministry, and the king on this occasion suffered greatly in the opinion of his subjects.
{WILLIAM AND MARY, 1688--1701.} DEBATES ABOUT THE CORPORATION BILLS.
The tories still continued to carry on a secret negotiation with the court.

They took advantage of the ill-humour subsisting between the king and the whigs; and promised large supplies of money provided this parliament should be dissolved and another immediately convoked.

The opposite party, being apprized of their intention, brought a bill into the house of commons for restoring corporations to their ancient rights and privileges.

They knew their own strength at elections consisted in these corporations; and they inserted two additional severe clauses against those who were in any shape concerned in surrendering charters.
The whole power of the tories was exerted against this clause; and now the whigs vied with them in making court to his majesty, promising to manifest the most submissive obedience should this bill be enacted into a law.

The strength of the tories was now become so formidable to the house, that they out-voted the other party, and the clauses were rejected; but the bill passed in its original form.