On a division the motion for committing the bill was carried by a hundred and sixty-three votes to a hundred and twenty-eight.504 But the minority was zealous and pertinacious; and the majority speedily began to waver.  Knight’s speech, retouched and made more offensive, soon appeared in print without a license.  Tens of thousands of copies were circulated by the post, or dropped in the streets; and such was the strength of national prejudice that too many persons read this ribaldry with assent and admiration.  But, when a copy was produced in the House, there was such an outbreak of indignation and disgust, as cowed even the impudent and savage nature of the orator.  Finding himself in imminent danger of being expelled and sent to prison, he apologized, and disclaimed all knowledge of the paper which purported to be a report of what he had said.  He escaped with impunity; but his speech was voted false, scandalous and seditious, and was burned by the hangman in Palace Yard.  The bill which had caused all this ferment was prudently suffered to drop.505

Meanwhile the Commons were busied with financial questions of grave importance.  The estimates for the year 1694 were enormous.  The King proposed to add to the regular army, already the greatest regular army that England had ever supported, four regiments of dragoons, eight of horse, and twenty-five of infantry.  The whole number of men, officers included, would thus be increased to about ninety-four thousand.506 Cromwell, while holding down three reluctant kingdoms, and making vigorous war on Spain in Europe and America, had never had two thirds of the military force which William now thought necessary.  The great body of the Tories, headed by three Whig chiefs, Harley, Foley and Howe, opposed any augmentation.  The great body of the Whigs, headed by Montague and Wharton, would have granted all that was asked.  After many long discussions, and probably many close divisions, in the Committee of Supply, the King obtained the greater part of what he demanded.  The House allowed him four new regiments of dragoons, six of horse, and fifteen of infantry.  The whole number of troops voted for the year amounted to eighty-three thousand, the charge to more than two millions and a half, including about two hundred thousand pounds for the ordnance.507

The naval estimates passed much more rapidly; for Whigs and Tories agreed in thinking that the maritime ascendency of England ought to be maintained at any cost.  Five hundred thousand pounds were voted for paying the arrears due to seamen, and two millions for the expenses of the year 1694.508