were against the Act soon perceived that they could have no strength if they should set themselves directly to oppose it; so they studied to limit strangers in the receiving the sacrament to the way of the Church of England. This probably would not have hindered many who were otherwise disposed to come among us; for the much greater part of the French came into the way of our church. But it was thought best to cast the door as wide open as possible for encouraging of strangers. And therefore since, upon their first coming over, some might choose the way to which they had been accustomed beyond sea, it seemed the more inviting method to admit of all who were in any Protestant communion. This was carried in the House of Commons with a great majority but all those who appeared for this large and comprehensive way were reproached for their coldness anil indifference in the concerns of the Church. And in that I had a large share, as I spoke copiously for it when it was brought up to the Lords. The Bishop of Chester, (Sir William Dawes), spoke as zealously against it, for he seemed resolved to distinguish himself as a zealot for that which was called High Church. The Bill passed with very little opposition.”
To leaven the British population with Protestantism of Huguenot intensity was always the policy of the Williamite or true English party. But the aim of the opposition was to drive this influence out of the kingdom. So that when the Opposition became the Queen’s ministry under the leadership of Harley and Bolingbroke, they assailed the authors and supporters of the Naturalization Act, proclaimed them to be “the Queen’s and the kingdom’s enemies,” on account of it, and lost no time in introducing a Bill to repeal it. This was in 1711.
Great numbers of the French refugees had been content with simple toleration, because they did not wish to cast off their French citizenship. They had lived in hope that a good time was coming when their native country would receive them, — a time when the victories of Britain and of the Anti-Bourbon Alliance would, by a satisfactory treaty of peace, purchase their restoration to their homes and estates. But the tone of the debates of 1711 alarmed them, and drove above two thousand to take advantage of the Act, and to enrol themselves as British subjects. [It should therefore be observed that the date of the naturalization of a Huguenot refugee is not necessarily the same, or even almost the same, as the date of his arrival on British soil.] Although the first attempt to repeal the Act failed; yet the second assault, renewed with the utmost possible haste, put an end to its existence. And on the 9th February 1712 the royal assent was given to “An Act to repeal the Act of the seventh year of Her Majesty’s reign, entitled an Act for Naturalizing Foreign Protestants except what relates to the children of Her Majesty’s natural born subjects, born out of Her Majesty’s allegiance.”
With regard to attestations of naturalisation, the denizen, whose name had been duly recorded on the patent roll, received a printed certificate, of which the following is a specimen:— it is endorsed, “certificate of denization for James Barbot and Mary his wife, 16th July 1696,” and is stamped with a “vi pence” impressed stamp. The names and the day of the month are inserted in writing; also the plural verb “are.”
“I, Nicholas Hayward, Notary and Tabellion Publick, dwelling in London, Admitted and Sworn, Do hereby Certifie and Attest unto all whom it may concern. That I have Seen and Perused certain Letters Patent of Denization granted by our Sovereign Lord King William the Third under the Broad Seal of England, Dated the tenth of July in the Eighth year of His Majesties Reign, wherein among others is inserted the name of James Barbot and Mary his wife, who, though Born beyond seas are made His Majesties Leige Subject[s?] and to be Held, Reputed, and Taken as Subject[s?] Born in this Kingdom of England, and may, as Such, Purchase, Buy, Sell, and Dispose of Lands, Tenements and Hereditaments in this Kingdom or any other of His Majesties Dominions as freely, peaceably and entirely, as any Subject Born in this Kingdom, and that the said James Barbot and Mary his wife, by Virtue of the said Letters Patent, are to enjoy all Liberties, Priviledges and Franchises of Subject Born in this Kingdom, without any Disturbance, Impediment or Molestation as by the said Patent, relation being thereunto had, may more at large appear. Of all which act being Required of me the said
