LETTERS OF LORD BERKELEY OF STRATTON. 33/
found there was no way of geting themselves [off] they join'd with the Whigs now to throw out the bill, but they cou'd not succeed in that, so last night all the members of both houses had a meeting and agreed upon an address to the Queen, full of respect to her, but in short 'tis to desire that leave may be given to bring in a bill to dissolve the Union. There was not one man either lords or commons dissented from it ; the Duke of Argile and Lord Mar, Mr. Lockard and Mr. Cobern presented it to the Queen to day. I am told their Answere was that she was surprised that in a matter of so great a consequence that they shou'd take so hasty and rash a resolve ; by next post I shall be able to tell you more of this matter.
[Lord Berkeley of Stratton.]
June 19, 1 7 13.
I cannot forbear writing some times to put you in mind of your humble servant and old acquaintance, tho' my head is so full of the business of trade, with hearing of nothing else, within and without the house of Lords, that it puts out all other thoughts, and yet I know so little of it that I should get noe credit with speaking of it. There hath been high feuds in the house of commons, for after all the time spent, and debates past, it hath been the opinion of many, that it was best to let it drop. None were soe warm for this opinion as My Lord Anglesey, and Sir Thomas Hanmer. The Whigs are apparently elevated at this division, who must have this justice done them that they observe better discipline, but the others all think themselves fit to govern. There hath been a quarrel between the D. of Bucks and Lord Conway about a law suit in which his Grace was cast, who said that he declar'd before God that notwithstanding he lost it, he had done nothing but what was justifiable, and if My Lord Conway had been his son he could not have done more. This one would think carried noe provocation in it, but My Lord Con- way answer'd that he would rather be any man's son in
England then his, and the D. of B reply'd that he would
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