[1702/6/17]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The queen's most gracious letter to the parliament, presented by her majesty's high commissioner, was read, whereof the tenor follows:
Signed above thus: Anne Regina,
My lords and gentlemen,
After the great loss these nations and all Europe have sustained by the death of the late king, our royal and most dearly beloved brother of ever blessed memory, we were much encouraged upon our entering into the administration of the government of that our ancient kingdom by the hope of finding in you the continuance of that fidelity and zeal of which you gave so signal proofs in the reign of our glorious predecessor.
It should have been our great satisfaction at this our first accession to the crown to have met with you in person, that from our own mouth we might have given our people full assurance of our sincere intentions towards their true welfare and happiness. But the multiplicity of weighty and important affairs in which we are engaged at present depriving us of that opportunity, we would not on that account delay your meeting any longer.
And that nothing may be wanting on our part for the satisfaction of our subjects, whose affection we shall always look upon as our greatest security and value above all other advantages, we give you full assurance that we are firmly resolved to maintain and protect them in the full possession of their religion, laws and liberties, and of the presbyterian government of the church as at present established.
It pleased God to make the late king the great instrument of delivering our people from popery and arbitrary power, and of restoring to them their ancient rights and privileges; and through the same divine grace we shall, in the whole course of our reign, aim at nothing more than the preserving to them these advantages and contribute as much as in us lies for their further security in the enjoyment of them.
The exorbitant power of the French king threatening the liberties of all Europe, and his owning the pretended prince of Wales as king of these our dominions, influencing also Spain to concur with him in that indignity, tending visibly to the subversion of the Protestant religion and the ruin of our subjects in all that is dear to them, have obliged us in pursuance of an express article of the treaty entered into by the late king and our allies to declare war in this as well as our other dominions against France and Spain, wherein we confidently expect your hearty concurrence and assistance both for the honour and safety of the kingdom, not doubting but you are affected with the same sense of these wrongs and indignities and the other just causes of war as did appear in the many loyal addresses presented by our subjects upon that occasion.
Wherefore, being most assured of your care and concern in this matter, we earnestly recommend to you the providing competent supplies for maintaining such a number of forces as may be necessary for preventing and disappointing the designs of our enemies and preserving the happy settlement you now enjoy.
The late king our glorious† brother did before his death very earnestly recommend to his parliament of England the consideration of the union of the two kingdoms of Scotland and England, which, being so necessary for the security and happiness of both, we did at our accession to the crown again seriously recommend the same to them. And they having proceeded to empower us by an act of parliament to name commissioners to negotiate a union, we doubt not but you will do what is necessary on your part. And we shall contribute our utmost endeavours towards the accomplishment thereof and shall esteem it our happiness to establish the nations on so sure a foundation.
We have appointed our right trusty and right entirely beloved cousin and councillor James [Douglas], duke of Queensberry to be our commissioner to represent our royal person in this session of our parliament, being fully satisfied of his great abilities and fidelity for discharging that trust, and no less persuaded that the proofs he has given thereof upon such occasions will render him to you acceptable. We have fully instructed him with our mind and have empowered him to give our assent to such laws as shall be proposed for the security of our subjects in all their concerns, civil and religious, and therefore we desire you may give him entire trust and credit. It will be very satisfying to us that effectual methods be taken for promoting of religion, virtue and true piety and suppressing vice and immorality, for advancing and encouraging trade, and for employing and providing for the poor. And seeing now in the beginning of our reign we have recommended nothing but what is for the security and happiness of that our ancient kingdom, we hope that you will with unanimity dispatch what comes before you. And we expect, by your prudence and conduct, this session of parliament shall be brought to such a happy conclusion as shall lay the foundation of that firm union and true understanding between us and our people as is necessary for the happiness of both. And so we bid you heartily farewell. Given at our court at St James's, 15 May 1702, and of our reign the first year.
By her majesty's command, signed thus: [James Ogilvy, earl of] Seafield.
Directed thus: to the noblemen, the barons commissioners for shires and the commissioners for burghs assembled in parliament in our ancient kingdom of Scotland.