The queen promised to comply with their request.

But she was not a little surprised at the next address they presented, humbly entreating, that she would have such indulgence to the hearty desires of her subjects, as to entertain thoughts of a second marriage.

She told them, that the provision she had made for the protestant succession would always be a proof how much she had at heart the future happiness of the kingdom; but the subject of this address was of such a nature, that she was persuaded they did not expect a particular answer.
{1709} DISPUTES ABOUT THE MUSCOVITE AMBASSADOR COMPROMISED.
The laws having been found insufficient to punish capitally the authors of the insult offered to the Muscovite ambassador, a bill was brought into the house of commons for preserving the privileges of ambassadors and other foreign ministers; and passed through both houses, as did another, to prevent the laying of wagers relating to the public, a practice which had been carried to a degree of infatuation; and by which many unwary persons fell a sacrifice to crafty adventurers.

On the fourteenth day of March, the commons voted the sum of one hundred and three thousand, two hundred and three pounds, for the relief of the inhabitants of Nevis and St.Christopher's, who had suffered by the late invasion; and on the twenty-first day of April, the parliament was prorogued.

The Muscovite ambassador continued to write expostulatory letters to Mr.Secretary Boyle, who at last owned that the laws of the kingdom did not admit of such punishment as he demanded.