ABSTRACT
Those who are truly concerned about a genuine union of the English and Scottish people will certainly agree that in such a union it cannot be done otherwise [than by the ratification of these proposals], and that if it is done otherwise that will be a sign not of union but of disaffection. It will be both a reminder and a source of lingering division looming about us wherever we look. I freely acknowledge my zeal for avoiding anything that serves to remind us of the old batties or serves as a foretaste of separation. Careful as I am of even the least likely difficulties, I would want the people to take no heed of anything else except unity, not even to dream of anything else. In fact, arrangements ofthis kind are sometimes made even between count ries which have never considered union. Let us at least refrain from laying the groundwork for hostilities. But the matter seems so obvious that there's no need to discuss it at greater length.
