CHAPTER II.

Accession of James II.—­His declaration in council; acceptable to the nation—­Arbitrary designs of his reign—­Former ministers continued—­Money transactions with France—­Revenue levied without authority of Parliament—­Persecution of Dissenters—­Character of Jeffreys—­The King’s affectation of independence—­Advances to the Prince of Orange—­The primary object of this reign—­Transactions in Scotland—­Severe persecutions there—­Scottish Parliament—­Cruelties of government—­English Parliament; its proceedings—­Revenue—­Votes concerning religion—­Bill for preservation of the King’s person—­ Solicitude for the Church of England—­Reversal of Stafford’s attainder rejected—­Parliament adjourned—­Character of the Tories—­ Situation of the Whigs.

Charles II. expired on the 6th of February, 1684-85, and on the same day his successor was proclaimed king in London, with the usual formalities, by the title of James the Second.  The great influence which this prince was supposed to have possessed in the government during the latter years of his brother’s reign, and the expectation which was entertained in consequence, that his measures, when monarch, would be of the same character and complexion with those which he was known to have highly approved, and of which he was thought by many to have been the principal author, when a subject left little room for that spirit of speculation which generally attends a demise of the crown.  And thus an event, which when apprehended a few years before had, according to a strong expression of Sir William Temple, been looked upon as the end of the world, was now deemed to be of small comparative importance.

Its tendency, indeed, was rather to ensure perseverance than to effect any change in the system which had been of late years pursued.  As there are, however, some steps indispensably necessary on the accession of a new prince to the throne, to these the public attention was directed, and though the character of James had been long so generally understood as to leave little doubt respecting the political maxims and principles by which his reign would be governed, there was probably much curiosity, as upon such occasions there always is, with regard to the conduct he would pursue in matters of less importance, and to the general language and behaviour which he would adopt in his new situation.  His first step was, of course, to assemble the privy council, to whom he spoke as follows:-

“Before I enter upon any other business, I think fit to say something to you.  Since it hath pleated Almighty God to place me in this station, and I am now to succeed so good and gracious a king, as well as so very kind a brother, I think it fit to declare to you that I will endeavour to follow his example, and most especially in that of his great clemency and tenderness to his people.  I have been reported to be a man for arbitrary power; but that is not the