The position of the mercantile interests on occasions of political or dynastic complications is made quite clear by the following letter. The merchants of London were in no way influenced by the sentimental or other considerations which induced a number of Englishmen to support a Stuart Pretender at a time when the country had experienced half a century of steady and prosperous government, free from the difficulties which had always been associated with the Stuart monarchs; and the protestations of personal loyalty to George II. may be understood to signify a determination to adhere to the established system of aristocratic government, and to run no risk of a return to the disturbances and distractions which marked the seventeenth century.

Source.—Document quoted by Maitland, vol. i., p. 634.

We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the merchants of your City of London, having observed, by your Majesty's most gracious message to your parliament, that designs are carrying on by your Majesty's enemies, in favour of a popish pretender, to disturb the peace and quiet of these your Majesty's kingdoms, think it our indispensable duty, not to omit this opportunity of expressing our just resentment and indignation at so rash an attempt.

We have too lively a sense of the happiness we enjoy in our religion and liberties under your Majesty's mild and auspicious reign, and of the flourishing condition of our trade and commerce, even in the midst of war, under your paternal care and vigilance, not to give your Majesty the strongest assurance of our highest gratitude for such invaluable blessings; nor can we doubt, but by the blessing of God upon your Majesty's arms, and the unanimous support of your faithful subjects, the attempts of your enemies will recoil upon themselves, and end in their own confusion.

We therefore humbly beg leave to declare to your Majesty our unshaken resolution, that we will, on this critical conjuncture, exert our utmost endeavours for the support of public credit, and at all times hazard our lives and fortunes, in defence of your Majesty's sacred person and government, and for the security of the protestant succession in your Royal Family.