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The speech of James [Ogilvy], earl of Seafield, lord high chancellor to the parliament of Scotland, on Tuesday 11 July 1704.
My lords and gentlemen,
You have heard her majesty's most gracious letter, and what his grace my lord commissioner has been pleased to add, which do fully lay before you the weighty and great reasons for which her majesty has called you together at this time. And you must all be convinced that the chief design of her majesty's government is to advance the happiness and welfare of her people and to protect them in the full possession and enjoyment of their religious and civil concerns.
Her majesty does with a very tender and affectionate concern lay before you the danger of divisions and animosities, and recommends to you to employ your thoughts for promoting what is for the security and advantage of the kingdom. And you cannot but be aware that our divisions must encourage our enemies abroad to form designs to disturb the peace and tranquillity we now enjoy, and therefore you will no doubt make use of this opportunity to convince all that this nation is fixed and firm in their loyalty to her majesty, and that all her good subjects will constantly support her government.
Her majesty does with great earnestness recommend the settling of the succession to the crown in the Protestant line as what would be the surest foundation for the security of your religion and liberties, and will contribute greatly to the advancement of the Protestant interest everywhere. And this being of so great consequence, it is not to be doubted but that you will think this the fit opportunity for taking it under your consideration, while we have the advantage of being convened in peace under her majesty's protection and can deliberately consider what is the most probable means for the future to secure and preserve all that is valuable to us. And for your further encouragement, you have heard how her majesty has given full instructions to her commissioner to grant such conditions of government with regard to the successor as can reasonably be demanded for securing of the sovereignty and liberties of this kingdom, so that nothing is wanting on her majesty's part that is necessary for the establishment and security of this nation.
You know that her majesty is engaged in a most just and necessary war for the defence of the liberties of Europe, which makes it necessary that supplies be given for maintaining the forces, for repairing the forts and garrisons, for providing the magazines with arms and ammunition and for maintaining the frigates which have proven so useful for the guarding of your trade. All these being so plainly needful, it is not to be doubted but that you will readily comply therewith. It is to be regretted that the nation is in so low a condition, but what we give is necessary for our own defence and will circulate within the kingdom. And her majesty does freely allow of taking inspection of the funds that have been given by parliament and appropriated for the public use, and will take care that what shall be now given shall be duly applied.
Her majesty has given frequent assurances of her resolution to maintain the established government of the church, and has recommended to you to fall upon effectual means for discouraging vice and immorality and for encouraging true piety and religion and providing for and employing the poor.
The trade of the kingdom does also deserve your serious consideration, for the advancement of which and the improvement of the product and manufactories of the kingdom her majesty gives you assurance of her ready concurrence.
My lord commissioner has acquainted you that the plot which has made so great a noise here and in our neighbouring nation shall be laid before you with all its evidences, and it is not to be doubted but that you will take care to do therein what is necessary for the discouraging of bad practices which may tend to disturb the peace and quiet of this kingdom, and in all your proceedings in this matter that you will avoid animosities and make it your principal care to provide for the public security and peace.
My lords and gentlemen,
I shall conclude with recommending to you again the serious consideration of what her majesty has so earnestly recommend, and that you will improve this opportunity which God has given you for securing to yourselves and transmitting to your posterity your religion and liberties, which will certainly be for your honour and happiness and will render you equally acceptable to her majesty and to all her subjects.