sides, the nobility were degraded in their own opinion and in that of the public, by the dissolution of the Scottish parliament, and their partial exclusion from the British House of Lords. It was impossible, therefore, to satisfy all the great families; and while the dukes of Queensbury and Argyle, the earls of Seaford and Stair, and other nobles, supported the connexion with England, the disaffected found active and zealous chiefs in the dukes of Hamilton and Athol, and the lords Buchan, Errol, and Marischal. In consequence of these elements of disaffection, the opposition to the Union rose almost into open rebellion, and the articles were publicly burnt in several towns.

Calculating, therefore, on the timidity of the queen, and her known dislike of the Hanoverian line, on the former correspondence of Marlborough and Godolphin with the exiled family, on the promises held forth by many among the Tories, and on the zealous support of the English Jacobites, as well as the recent schism of the Whigs, the disaffected hoped to produce a new revolution, and to secure at least the reversion of the crown to the lineal descendant of their former sovereigns. Hence they importuned the court of St. Germains for a military force to call this latent spirit into action; and their applications were earnestly submitted to the French cabinet. Accordingly, agents were despatched into Scotland, and transmitted the most gratifying intelligence of the general spirit manifested by the bulk of the nation. They dwelt on the scanty force, which was employed to maintain the public tranquillity, both in Scotland and in the north of England, and described the facility of seizing the principal fortresses, and the public treasure. They represented the delay which must ensue before assistance could be obtained from abroad, without the previous consent of parliament; and argued that a prompt and decisive effort would be attended with certain success.

These representations, produced the desired effect. The expedition was fitted out at Dunkirk, and consisted of 8 sail of the line, 24 frigates, and 66 long boats, with numerous transports, conveying 12 battalions, 13,000 stand of arms, and a store of military accoutrements. The command was intrusted to the Chevalier de Forbin, a distinguished naval officer; and the young Pretender, who had just at

tained his twentieth year, accompanied the expedition, under the name of the Chevalier de St. George. He was furnished with services of gold plate, liveries, and uniforms, and with every requisite for a splendid court. Anticipating the functions of sovereignty, he created a master of the Scottish mint, and even issued orders for the regulation of a new coinage.* He was loaded with the presents and contributions of the Roman court, and obtained the blessing of the Pope on his colours and standards, which were decorated with the royal motto, "Dieu et mon droit," and other appropriate inscriptions.

These preparations, however, did not escape the vigilance of the English government. Marlborough received early intelligence of the design, from his friends in Holland, as well as from his spies in France; and the active zeal which he evinced as commander-in-chief is proved by a confidential letter to General Cadogan, whom he had left as temporary agent with the Dutch government, and in whose diligence and fidelity he reposed implicit confidence.

"St. James's, Feb. 17. Upon what you writ the last post to M. Cardonel, and the advice come from other parts, of the preparations making at Dunkirk, her majesty has thought fit, that upon receipt of this you forthwith repair to Flanders, and by all possible means inform yourself of the enemy's designs, giving notice of what you can learn, by every opportunity, and if you find it requisite, by frequent expresses, both by Ostend and the Brill. Her majesty does likewise think fit, in case there be any good grounds to believe the enemy have formed a design of landing in these parts, or in North Britain, that there be a proportionable number of her majesty's foot forces, not only kept in readiness to embark immediately, but does farther recommend it to your care, if the enemy should embark with an intention of landing in Great Britain, before you have any other orders from hence, that then you put her majesty's troops on ship-board with all possible speed, either at Ostend or in Zealand, and come yourself with them, to the first convenient port you can make. And you are, in what relates to the particular troops to be made choice of on this occasion, to concert with, and observe the directions of Lieutenant-general Lumley, to whom I likewise write on this subject, as I do to M. de Overkirk, desiring them withal, as I do to you, that it may be kept as secret as the service will allow. And if the States have any men of war in Zealand, or ready in their ports, you are to apply to them for their assistance herein."

In conformity with these instructions, Cadogan obtained

*Lockhart's Memoirs.

from the Dutch government a promise of immediate assistance in troops and ships; and repairing to Brussels, concerted with Overkirk the mode and means of transport, as well as of supplying the void left in the garrisons by the intended drafts. At Ghent he consulted the commander-in-chief, General Lumley, and obtained orders for the immediate march of ten battalions. Proceeding next to Ostend, he made every preparation for the transport of the troops to England, on the first notice that the French were actually embarked, on board the fleet prepared at Dunkirk, for the expedition.

In England the war department displayed the vigorous impulse of Marlborough. Drafts were made from the horse and foot guards, and several regiments of infantry were ordered to join the earl of Leven, commander-in-chief in Scotland, who had taken possession of the castle of Edinburgh. Others were collected on the north-east coast of Ireland, to be ready for immediate embarkation.

The Admiralty also exonerated themselves from the stigma under which they had recently laboured, by their vigour and promptitude. Without diminishing the convoy for the Lisbon fleet, which consisted of no less than twelve English and five Dutch men of war, they fitted out two squadrons of twentythree British and three Dutch men of war, which sailed from Deal, under the command of Sir George Byng and Lord Darnley, and appeared off the coast in the vicinity of Dunkirk.

In the midst of these preparations the customary notice was submitted to parliament. On the 4th of March, Mr. Boyle, secretary of state, imparted to the House of Commons, by order of the queen, the intelligence received from General Cadogan, relative to the French preparations at Dunkirk. He stated that the pretended prince of Wales was arrived with 15 battalions, ready to embark, that the duke of Berwick was expected, and that the object of the expedition was Scotland, where they had many friends, and hoped to surprise the castle of Edinburgh. He at the same time announced the preparations at Ostend, and gave notice that the States-general were anxious and willing to assist the queen, with their whole disposable force, by land and sea.* * Mr. Vernon to the duke of Shrewsbury, March 4.

These reports of a projected invasion, which had been hitherto slightly treated by the Tories, and represented as a mere political trick to excite alarm, were received with the deepest sensation by the Commons. All party distinctions seemed to be forgotten, in the general anxiety to rally round the throne. An address of thanks was instantly drawn up, and being approved, was conveyed to the Upper House by Lord Hertford, who returned with the unanimous sanction of the Peers.

After thanking the queen for her communications, and gratefully acknowledging the zeal of the Dutch, the two houses expressed their resolution to assist her majesty with their lives and fortunes, in the maintenance of her undoubted right to the crown, against the pretended prince of Wales, and all her enemies, both at home and abroad. They praised the zeal and activity which had been manifested, both in the naval and military departments, and requested her majesty, not only to execute the laws against papists and non-jurors, but to secure the arms and persons of those who were.suspected. At the close of their address, they expressed sentiments worthy of the British nation:

"As we doubt not, but by the blessing of God upon the continuance of your majesty's care, your enemies will be put to confusion, so we readily embrace this opportunity to show to your majesty and the whole world that no attempts of this kind shall deter us from supporting your majesty in the vigorous prosecution of the present war against France, until the monarchy of Spain be restored to the house of Austria, and your majesty have the glory to complete the recovery of the liberties of Europe."

The two houses proved that these loyal declarations were not empty professions. They passed a bill, requiring all persons to take the oath of abjuration, under pain of being treated as convicted recusants, suspended the Habeas Corpus Act, and proclaimed the pretender and his adherents, traitors, and rebels. They consented that the 5000 men, who were ready for embarkation at Ostend, should be immediately brought from the coast of Flanders, and voted supplies commensurate with the exigency of the moment.

The activity of government corresponded with the zeal of the legislature. Many avowed or suspected Jacobites were arrested, and after a short confinement in different places, conveyed to London. Among the most distinguished was

the duke of Hamilton*, who had repaired to England, under the plea of domestic business, and was taken into custody by a state messenger, in his passage through Lancashire. He was permitted to remain some days at a seat in Staffordshire, and finally transferred to the Tower.

In the midst of the general suspense and anxiety, the troops from abroad landed at Tynemouth, and with the forces collected in the country, prepared to advance, by rapid marches, to the scene of danger. But long before they could reach their destination, the storm, which had menaced the British shores, was dissipated, by the vigilance and enterprise of the navy.

The unexpected apparition of a powerful squadron before Dunkirk confounded the French court, who had fondly imagined that the departure of the Lisbon fleet had left the coasts defenceless. Fear and indecision succeeded to hope and confidence, and after a considerable delay, occupied by orders and counter-orders, advantage was taken of a gale, which drove the English fleet off its station, to give the signal for sailing. Their destination was, however, suspected, and when they reached the Frith of Forth, they were astonished to find Sir George Byng, with his squadron, waiting their arrival. Discouraged by the appearance of this superior force, and disappointed of the expected co-operation from the rebels, they changed their plan, and beat round the north of Scotland, to land at Inverness, where they expected an insurrection in their favour among the Highland clans. But they were driven out to sea by tempestuous winds, and after becoming the sport of the elements for the space of a month, deemed themselves fortunate in effecting their return to Dunkirk, though with the loss of 4000 men, from hardship and sickness. One of the ships, the Salisbury, was captured, having on board Lord Griffin, the two sons of the earl of Midleton, and Colonel Warcope, who were committed to the Tower. The vigilance of government prevented the adherents of the pretender from exciting disturbances; and the only effect produced by the attempt was, a temporary run on the Bank of England, which was obviated by the prudence of the lord treasurer, and the liberal assistance of the nobility * The best account of this proceeding is found in Lockhart's State Papers, vol. i. p. 217.