Recent events had proved that, without doubt, the two kingdoms could not possibly continue for another year to be on the terms on which they had been during the preceding century, and that there must be between them either absolute union or deadly enmity.

Their enmity would bring frightful calamities, not on themselves alone, but on all the civilised world.

Their union would be the best security for the prosperity of both, for the internal tranquillity of the island, for the just balance of power among European states, and for the immunities of all Protestant countries.

On the twenty-eighth of February the Commons listened with uncovered heads to the last message that bore William's sign manual.

An unhappy accident, he told them, had forced him to make to them in writing a communication which he would gladly have made from the throne.