arena, and to support publicly the claims of King James. This he did in a small tract under the title of "The Desertion Discussed:" the first direct attack upon the principles of the Revolution.[1] It appears to have been written just after the Commons had declared the throne vacant: and doubtless was intended to influence the decision of the Upper House. In addressing his correspondent he asks, a how (say you) can the seat of the government be empty, while the King, whom all grant an unquestionable title, is still living, and his absence forced and involuntary." Collier assumes, that the flight of James was forced, though it is clear that he might have remained; and had he remained, he would have preserved his crown. In alluding to the plea of necessity, he says, "This pretended necessity is either of their own making, or of their own submitting to, which is the same thing." He labours to show that the King was in danger before he quitted the country, and that consequently his removal was not an abdication: and that the throne could not be considered vacant. The author was afterwards imprisoned on account of this publication, but he was discharged without being brought to trial. Collier arraigns the legality of the convention from its not having been summoned by the King's writ, in the usual and constitutional manner. He contended, that as they had neither the authority of law, nor the plea of necessity to urge, they must expect that their proceedings would be subjected to examination. Alluding to Burnet's pamphlet, he remarks, that the Commons appear to have a great
- ↑ The Desertion Discussed, in a Letter to a Country Gentleman. In State Tracts, vol. i. It was a reply to a pamphlet of Burnet's, entitled "An Inquiry into the Present State of Affairs," in which King James is considered as a deserter of the crown.
