The commons rejected this amendment; and a free conference ensued.

The point was argued with great vivacity on both sides, which served only to inflame the dispute, and render each party the more tenacious of their own opinion.

After three conferences that produced nothing but animosity, the bill was dropped; for the commons resolved to bear the hardships of which they complained, rather than be relieved at the expense of purchasing a new privilege to the lords; and without this advantage, the peers would not contribute to their relief.
{WILLIAM AND MARY, 1688--1701.} THE ENGLISH AND DUTCH FLEETS BAFFLED BY THE FRENCH.
The next object that engrossed the attention of the lower house, was the miscarriage of the fleet during the summer's expedition.

Admiral Russel, who commanded at sea, having been joined by a Dutch squadron, sailed in quest of the enemy; but as the French king had received undoubted intelligence that the combined squadrons were superior to his navy in number of ships and weight of metal, he ordered Tourville to avoid an engagement.

This officer acted with such vigilance, caution, and dexterity, as baffled all the endeavours of Russel, who was moreover perplexed with obscure and contradictory orders.