message that bore William's sign manual. An unhappy accident, he
told them, had forced him to make to them in writing a
communication which he would gladly have made from the throne. He
had, in the first year of his reign, expressed his desire to see
an union accomplished between England and Scotland. He was
convinced that nothing could more conduce to the safety and
happiness of both. He should think it his peculiar felicity if,
before the close of his reign, some happy expedient could be
devised for making the two kingdoms one; and he, in the most
earnest manner, recommended the question to the consideration of
the Houses. It was resolved that the message should betaken into
consideration on Saturday, the seventh of March.

But on the first of March humours of menacing appearance showed
themselves in the King's knee. On the fourth of March he was
attacked by fever; on the fifth his strength failed greatly; and
on the sixth he was scarcely kept alive by cordials. The
Abjuration Bill and a money bill were awaiting his assent. That
assent he felt that he should not be able to give in person. He
therefore ordered a commission to be prepared for his signature.
His hand was now too weak to form the letters of his name, and it
was suggested that a stamp should be prepared. On the seventh of
March the stamp was ready. The Lord Keeper and the clerks of the
parliament came, according to usage, to witness the signing of
the commission. But they were detained some hours in the
antechamber while he was in one of the paroxysms of his malady.
Meanwhile the Houses were sitting. It was Saturday, the seventh,
the day on which the Commons had resolved to take into
consideration the question of the union with Scotland. But that
subject was not mentioned. It was known that the King had but a