himself. "The Prince had declared that he had no design upon the crown, and now sought it all he could: he came to settle the Protestant religion, and yet brought over with him four thousand Papists in his army: a number not far short of what the King had in his."[1]
It was generally known, during the debates in the Convention, that William would be content with nothing less than the crown, for, at this period, he saw that the prize might be secured. For a time, however, the advocates of a Regency proceeded as though they knew nothing of the Prince's wishes.[2] In a conversation with Lord Hallifax, Burnet "with great violence argued, that the Prince was to be crowned: and urged that England could never be happily settled till his Highness was at the helm, and this kingdom in strict conjunction with Holland."[3] Even before the Convention met, William's claims were publicly advocated. Thus a writer says: "That which remains then to be done, is to declare the Prince of Orange King, and to settle upon him the Sovereignty and regal power: allowing in the mean time unto the Princess the privilege of being named with him in all leases, patents, and grants."[4] It has been stated, and I must confess that there is in my opinion some foundation for the statement, that King James apprehended personal danger by remaining in the kingdom, and that William wished to produce
- ↑ Reresby, 387.
- ↑ Macpherson, i. 500.
- ↑ Reresby, 380.
- ↑ A Brief Justification of the Prince of Orange's Descent into England, and of the Kingdom's late Recourse to Arms. With a modest disquisition of what may become the wisdom and justice of the ensuing Convention in their disposal of the crown. 4to. London, 1689. p. 36.
