This petition was presented by Dr.Skeen and Dr.Scot, who were introduced by the duke of Queensberry to her majesty.

She assured them of her protection and endeavours to supply their necessities; and exhorted them to live in peace and christian love with the clergy, who were by law invested with the church-government in her ancient kingdom of Scotland.

A proclamation of indemnity having been published in March, a great number of Jacobites returned from France and other countries, pretended to have changed their sentiments, and took the oaths, that they might be qualified to sit in parliament.

They formed an accession to the strength of the anti-revolutioners and episcopalians, who now hoped to out-number the presbyterians, and outweigh their interest.

But this confederacy was composed of dissonant parts, from which no harmony could be expected.
The presbyterians and revolutioners were headed by the duke of Argyle.