Queen Anne having now ascended the throne, and taken in hand the reins of government, was congratulated from all quarters; and the people called Quakers thought themselves no less obliged than others to condole the king’s death, and testify their affection and fidelity to the Queen; and therefore they drew up an address; and when some of them, of whom G. Whitehead was one, went to present it, (which was on the 11th of the 2d month, April,) they were introduced by the then earl, but now duke, of Marlborough, and the duke of Ormond. The address was as followeth.
To Queen ANNE, over England, &c.
‘May it please the Queen,
‘We, thy peaceable subjects, cannot but be sorrowfully affected with a deep sense of the loss sustained by the death of our late king William the Third, whom God made the instrument of much good to these nations; a prince who indeed desired to be the common father of his people, and as such did by his great example, as well as precept, endeavour to unite them in interest and affection, and promoted and confirmed a legal liberty to tender consciences, by all which his reign was adorned, to the renown of his memory.
‘And it having pleased the all-wise God, the disposer of kingdoms, to preserve thee to succeed to the government of these nations; and thereby to the maintaining and consummating those great works so happily begun; we humbly beg leave to congratulate thy free and peaceable accession to the throne, from whence we observe the queen’s excellent declaration, manifesting her care for the good of all her people, and therefore doubt not but we, her Protestant dissenting subjects, shall partake of her royal favour and protection.
‘We sincerely declare, that with the assistance of the grace of God, we will always, according to our Christian duty, demonstrate our good affection, truth, and fidelity to the queen and her government; and heartily pray that his wisdom may direct, and his blessing be upon the queen and her great council, to the suppressing of vice and immorality, and the promoting of piety, peace, and charity, to the glory of God, and the benefit of these nations.
‘May the King of kings make thy reign long and glorious, to which temporal blessing we shall pray for thy eternal happiness.
‘Signed on behalf and by appointment of the aforesaid people, at a meeting in London, the 10th of the second month, 1702.’
This address was very favourably received by the queen, and after it was read to her, she answered,
‘I thank you for your address, and I assure you of my protection.’