It was scarce a month after, when war was proclaimed in England against France, which had been proclaimed in Holland also against that crown some days before. Not long after followed the general yearly meeting of those called Quakers, held at London, in which it was thought fit to thank the queen for her declaration, that she would maintain the act of toleration in favour of the dissenters; and therefore an address was drawn up by the said assembly, which was as followeth:
To Queen ANNE, over England, &c.
The humble and thankful acknowledgment of the people commonly called Quakers, from their yearly meeting in London, the 30th day of the 3d month, called May, 1702.
‘May it please the Queen,
‘We, thy peaceable and dutiful subjects, met from most parts of thy dominions at our usual yearly meeting, (for the promotion of piety and charity,) being deeply affected with thy free and noble resolution in thy late speech at the prorogation of the parliament, to preserve and maintain the act of toleration for the ease and quiet of all thy people, could not but in gratitude esteem ourselves engaged both to thank Almighty God for that favourable influence, and to renew and render our humble and hearty acknowledgments to the queen for the same, assuring her, on behalf of all our friends, of our sincere affection and Christian obedience.
‘And we beseech God, the fountain of wisdom and goodness, so to direct all thy counsels and undertakings, that righteousness, which exalts a nation, and mercy and justice, that establish a throne, may be the character of thy reign, and the blessings of these kingdoms under it.
‘Signed by the appointment and on the behalf of the said meeting.’
Of those who presented this address, William Penn was the deliverer, and the queen was pleased to speak to him in a very kind manner, and not only received the said address favourably, but after it was read to her, she made the following most gracious answer:
‘Mr. Penn, I am so well pleased that what I have said is to your satisfaction, that you and your friends may be assured of my protection.’[106]