Bill.  Of those opportunities nobody had thought fit to avail himself; and it was now too late to reopen the question.  Most of the other members who spoke against taking the message into consideration took the same line, declined discussing points which might have been discussed when the Disbanding Bill was before the House, and declared merely that they could not consent to any thing so unparliamentary as the repealing of an Act which had just been passed.  But this way of dealing with the message was far too mild and moderate to satisfy the implacable malice of Howe.  In his courtly days he had vehemently called on the King to use the Dutch for the purpose of quelling the insubordination of the English regiments.  “None but the Dutch troops,” he said, “are to be trusted.”  He was now not ashamed to draw a parallel between those very Dutch troops and the Popish Kernes whom James had brought over from Munster and Connaught to enslave our island.  The general feeling was such that the previous question was carried without a division.  A Committee was immediately appointed to draw up an address explaining the reasons which made it impossible for the House to comply with His Majesty’s wish.  At the next sitting the Committee reported; and on the report there was an animated debate.  The friends of the government thought the proposed address offensive.  The most respectable members of the majority felt that it would be ungraceful to aggravate by harsh language the pain which must be caused by their conscientious opposition to the King’s wishes.  Some strong expressions were therefore softened down; some courtly phrases were inserted; but the House refused to omit one sentence which almost reproachfully reminded the King that in his memorable Declaration of 1688 he had promised to send back all the foreign forces as soon as he had effected the deliverance of this country.  The division was, however, very close.  There were one hundred and fifty-seven votes for omitting this passage, and one hundred and sixty-three for retaining it.18

The address was presented by the whole House.  William’s answer was as good as it was possible for him, in the unfortunate position in which he had placed himself, to return.  It showed that he was deeply hurt; but it was temperate and dignified.  Those who saw him in private knew that his feelings had been cruelly lacerated.  His body sympathised with his mind.  His sleep was broken.  His headaches tormented him more than ever.  From those whom he had been in the habit of considering as his friends, and who had failed him in the recent struggle, he did not attempt to conceal his displeasure.  The lucrative see of Worcester was vacant; and some powerful Whigs of the cider country wished to obtain it for John Hall, Bishop of Bristol.  One of the Foleys, a family zealous for the Revolution, but hostile to standing armies, spoke to the King on the subject.  “I will pay as much respect to your wishes,” said William, “as you and yours have paid to mine.”  Lloyd of St. Asaph was translated to Worcester.