PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE. * X vii 



dually difappeared, and hath been happily fuo 

 ceeded by that liberal fpirit which is the characteriftic 

 of genuine Chriftianity. The fruits of thefe difpo- 

 fitions are vifible in the harmony, the epiftolary 

 correfpondence, and the mutual good offices be- 

 tween the clergy of both countries. 



Thus far the good effects of the union have dif- 

 appointed the enemies to that meaiure, and exceeded 

 the moft fanguine expeditions of its friends. But 

 to give permanency to treaties, it is neceffary that 

 they fhould be conftru&ed on the folid bafis of reci- 

 procal benefit, in all pofiible cafes. It cannot, how- 

 ever, be imagined, that a compact, which was to 

 consolidate two independent nations in one common 

 intereft, could at once be adjufted with fuch admir- 

 able fitnefs, as to preclude the expediency, or even 

 the necefiity of amendment, in fome of its confti- 

 tuent parts. 



That period of time which hath fo happily efta- 

 blifhed the many benefits flowing to both nations 

 fmce the ratification of the treaty, ierves alfo to point 

 out the defective parts, the caufes, and the remedy. 



The project of an union had been a capital object 

 in the politics of queen Anne's miniftry, which was 

 compofecl of the ableft ftatefmen, without exception, 

 that ever managed the affairs of England. Thefe 

 minifters, therefore, as an introductory ftep to this 

 important work, procured, after fome opposition, an 

 act of the Scottifh parliament, authorifmg the queen 

 to nominate (inftead of the parliament) the commif- 

 fioners for Scotland, who were to fettle the terms of 

 the union with thofe for England, confifting of the 

 miniftry and their friends, named alfo by the queen. 



This point gained, the Englifh commifiioners 

 found lefs difficulty in bringing the treaty to a final 

 conclufion, in the moft effential parts, upon their 

 their own terms. 



They were not only able ftatefmen, but, for the 

 moft part, well (killed in the fcience of trade, which 



gave 



