CHAPTER IV. CHAP. NEVER, perhaps, were the most reasonable calIV. culations of judicious and reflecting men more tho1714. roughly or more happily falsified than at the death of Queen Anne. Looking to the distracted state of parties in England-to the storm of disaffection ready to burst forth in Ireland and Scotland remembering that the Hanover succession would be discountenanced by all the Catholic powers from religion, and by many of the Protestant from policy that France, and Spain, and Italy, were as favourable to the Pretender as they dared— that the Emperor, from German jealousies of the Elector, was by no means desirous to see him on the British throne that his claims would be promoted only by the exhausted republic of Holland, or the infant monarchy of Prussia — viewing, also, the genius of Bolingbroke and his ascendancy over the Queen, the demise of the latter could only be anticipated as a period of violent struggles and a doubtful victory. Yet the skilful interposition of Shrewsbury, and the prudent measures of the Council, 'completely warded off the expected conflict; and no son, with the most undisputed title, and in the most loyal times, ever succeeded his father with IV. more apparent unanimity and quiet, than now a CHAP. foreign and unknown prince was hailed as King of England. We are, indeed, assured that Atterbury, immediately on the Queen's demise, proposed to Bolingbroke to attempt proclaiming James at Charing Cross; and offered himself to head the procession in his lawn sleeves. But Bolingbroke, shrinking from an enterprise so desperate, with the majority of the Council and the Executive Government against them, the Bishop is said to have exclaimed, with an oath, "There is the best cause in Europe "lost for want of spirit!" With this exception, the Jacobites appear to have been utterly helpless and surprised; their real inferiority of numbers being now most strikingly displayed. George the First was proclaimed in London, in York *, and the other principal cities of England, amidst the loudest acclamations. Previous to the proclamation, however, and immediately after her Majesty's demise, the Council * An account of this ceremony is given by Lady Mary W. Montagu, in a letter to her husband from York (vol. ii. p. 137. ed. 1820): "I went to-day to see the King proclaimed, which "was done, the Archbishop walking next the Lord Mayor, and "all the country gentry following, with greater crowds of people "than I believed to be in York; vast acclamations and the "appearance of a general satisfaction; the Pretender afterwards dragged about the streets and burned; ringing of bells, bon"fires and illuminations; the mob crying 'Liberty and Property,' "and Long live King George !'.... All the Protestants "here seem unanimous for the Hanover succession." 1714. IV. CHAP. had met; and the Hanoverian resident, M. Kreyenberg, produced an instrument in the Elector's own 1714. writing*, nominating the persons who, as provided by the Regency Act, and in conjunction with the seven great officers of state, were to act as Lords Justices until the King's arrival. The list was found to contain the names of eighteen of the principal Peers, nearly all belonging to the Whig party; such as the Dukes of Shrewsbury, Somerset, and Argyle; Lords Cowper, Halifax, and Townshend. Two omissions, however, excited great surprise and displeasure: the most patriotic statesman and the most illustrious warrior of the age being passed over in Somers and Marlborough. The increasing infirmities of the former might, indeed, supply a pretext for his being omitted; yet, had they even made the nomination an empty compliment, it was one due and required by his character. The exclusion of Marlborough, and of his son-in-law Lord Sunderland, was commonly ascribed to a personal pique of the Elector against the former, who, during the campaign of 1708, had, in pursuance of his duty and of the public service, forborne to communicate any part of the plan of operations. But it is probable that the real motive for the slight put upon these illustrious men * There were two duplicates of this instrument; the one deposited with the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other with the Lord Chancellor. See the Lords Justices' speech to Parliament, Aug. 5. 1714. IV. was a jealousy of great party leaders, an impression CHAP. derived from Tory insinuations that they had attempted to dictate to Queen Anne, and a resolution to avoid a second "Junta." - It may easily be supposed what just resentment swelled in the bosom of Marlborough at the news of his unexpected exclusion. He had landed at Dover on the very day of the Queen's death. Proceeding to London, his public entry drew forth so warm a welcome from the people as more than atoned for the insult of his sovereign. It might truly be called a triumph, whether we consider the hero thus restored to his country, or the joyful festivities which greeted his return. Two hundred gentlemen on horseback, headed by Sir Charles Cox, member for Southwark, met him on the road; the procession was joined by a long train of carriages; and, though his own broke down at Temple Bar, and he was obliged to enter another, the accident only gave fresh delight to the spectators, as serving to display his person to their view. He appeared in the House of Lords on their meeting, and took the oaths; but then, deeply chagrined at his exclusion, retired into the country until the arrival of the King. The Lords Justices having met, chose Addison their secretary, and ordered all despatches addressed to the Secretary of State to be brought to him. Thus Lord Bolingbroke, so lately supreme, found himself obliged to wait like some humble suitor at the door of the Council Chamber with his 1714. IV. 1714. CHAP. bag and papers, and to receive commands instead of giving them. One principal object of anxiety was Ireland, where it was feared that the Catholics might attempt a rising; and the Lords Justices at first had it in contemplation to send thither immediately, and without waiting for the King's sanction, Sunderland as Lord Lieutenant, and Stanhope as Commander-in-Chief.* But the unanimity and quiet which they saw around them allayed their apprehensions; and, in fact, the Lords Justices of Ireland (the Archbishop of Armagh, and Sir Constantine Phipps) peaceably proclaimed the King on the 6th of August; nay, more, in vindication of their suspected zeal, issued a proclamation for disarming Papists and seizing their horses. At Edinburgh, also, the same ceremony took place without opposition. According to the provisions of the Act of Regency, Parliament met on Sunday, the day of the Queen's demise. Secretary Bromley moved, That the Commons should adjourn to the Wednesday following, the Speaker being in Wales; but Sir Richard Onslow replied that the occasion was too critical, and time too precious for any to be wasted; and it was carried that the House should adjourn only to the next day. The three following days were occupied in taking the oaths. On the 5th the Lords Justices came down to the House of * Despatch from Bothmar to Robethon, Aug. 3. 1714. Macpherson's State Papers. |