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THE
u HISTORY and PROCEEDINGS
^^ O F T H E
Houfe of Commons^
F R O M TH E
RESTORATION
PRESENTTIME.
CONTAINING
Themoft remarkable Mo tions. Speeches, Re-
SOLVES, REPORts and Conferences ta
be met with in that Interval :
^S ALSO
Themofte3cad Estimates of the Charge of Government;
State of the I^ubliq Revenue j the Rife and Growth
of the National Debt, Expencc of the War, Pro-
ceedings on Ways and Means, Speeches and Mes-
sages from the Throne, Addresses, and Remonstran-
ces, alfo the Numbers Pr^ and Con upon every Divifion, kgc.
Many of which Curious Particulars were never before printed.
Collected from the tieft Authorities,
Compared with the Journals of the House ;
And illuftratcd with agrcat Variety of Historical and
Explanatory Notes.
Together with a large APPENDIX,
CONTAINING
Exaft Lists of every Parliament, the Names of the
Speakers, their feveral Posts under the Govern-
ment; and ot^jer valuable, Siigplemental Pieces.
V O L. VI. ^6> o
^LO N DO N:
Printed for Richard Chandler, and fold at the Shi^
without T$wpk^Bar^ and at Tork and Scarborough, ^742,
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T O
His Royal Highness^
FRED ERIC t^,
Prince of JfA L E S,
|HE following Work,
confifting o£ Speeches
and Delates in the Houfi
of Commons, from theTime
* of
y Google
of the ha^ppy AccefEon of
his Illuftrious Grandfather
to the Throne of Great
Britain, is moft humbly
dedicated,
By,
His Royal Highnefs's
Aloft oledient
HumMe &rvanif
The Compiler,
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T H B
PREFACE.
HE UTcfolncfsof aWork of
this Naeure in gpneial ib too
obvioiis to need any Apolo-
§1 gy ; but Ibmc Account of
this in particular may be expected : It con-
fifls not only of all iiich Speeches in the
tiot^e of Commons y as have already ap-
peared in Print in fcatter'd Volumes ; but
^0 of a great Number of Others, now
firft communicated to the Publicfc by
fcycral
y Google
The T R E b A C E.
feveral curious Gentlemen,' to whon^ til
.Editor takes this Opportunity of teturi
jng his Acknowledgments. \
Thofe ^viib know the Orders of tl^
Houfe, and the Nature and Manner <^
their Proceedings, know likewifc that i
is impoffible for a Work of this Natujij
to be abfolutely Complcai : This therefbn
will be a fufficient Apology for the Short-
nefi^pf the Accounts herein, given of feme
Seffidns. '^AU the Compiler had td do, was
to range his Materials in a proper and regu-
lar Method, without adding or fuppreffing
one' Particular in Favgur of any Party :
This, he hopes, he has done in fuch a Man-
ner as at leaft to efinpe the Cenfure of the
Publick; nay, he even flatters himfelf^
that he .has fome Title- to their Thanks.
Lon<hn, Dec, 31,
1740.
y Google
Advertifement
THE Deaths of the Earls of QaxVS\fi
^ and Scarborough, of the Lords Wil-
kughby de Broke and Onflow, Jince this
Work was ^t to the ^refsy has otcdjiorid
an Alteration in the Notes at the Bottom'
<f the following TageSy viz. 4, 5, 32a.
thefe the judicious Reader will e^ly cor-^
re(f,
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onupt Brodcnck.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
THE
CONTENTS.
The Acceffion of King GEORGE L
THE Parliament meet^ Jugujt i, 1714, i
The Lords Jujiices Speech to the Parbament^ 2
The Commons Addrefs to the Kngy 3
The King*s Anjwer thereto^ - 8
Motion for a Supply to be granted to his Majefly^ 4
Mr Horatio Wd^le^s Motion for paying the Hanoverian
Troops^ and offering a Reward to apprehend the Pre-
tender^ ib.
The Speaker* s Speech to Ibe Lords Jujlicesy on prefenting
the Subftdy Billy &c. 6
fbe Lord Chancellor's Speech to both Houfes of Parlia-
ment on concluding^the SeJJton^ 8
The Firft Seflion of the Firft Parliament of
King George I.
THE Parliament meet March 17, 17 14-15,
and Mr Spencer Compton chojen Speaker y 9
The King's Speech to both Houfes ofParSa-
ment at opening the Sejfton^ lO
Mr Robert TValpole's Motion for an Addrefs of Thanks
totheKingy . ii
Debate thereony 13
Tfe Addrefs refoh\d ony and prefented j with the
King*s Anfwer thereto. 15
Exceptions made to fome Paffages in his Majejifs Pro-
clamation for calli*ig this Parliamenty by Sir JViU
Mam Whitlockey and by SirffilHam Wyndhamy 15, 16
Vol. L a Motion
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ii The CONTENTS. ,
Motim for committing Sir William Wyndham to the
Tower ^ which is opposed by Mr R* Wa^le^ 1 6
Sir William Wyndham ordered to be only reprimanded
by the Speaker:, - 17
General Stanhope's Motion for appointing a Committee
to inquire into the tate Peace^ and the Management .
of the late ^eerCs Mmiftry^ 1 8
A Secret Committee of Twenty One Members appointed^
and their Namef^ 19
M^iott relating to the Civil Li/i^ and Debate thereon^ 20
Motion for an Addrefs to the King^ to retrench Pen-
fions^ &c. 23
Seven Hundred Ihoufand Pounds per Annum granted
to the SJngfor his Hovjhold^ Sec. ib..
Motion on the, Bill for regulating the .Forces, &c. with
the Debate thereon^ . ib.
Mr R^WalpoWs Motion for receiving the Secret Com-
mittee's Report^ and for apprehending fitch Perfons
as Jhould be nanCd by the Chairman of the faid
Committee, 24
Riport from the Secret Committee prefented and read,
with the Debate thereon, 25
Mr R. Walpole impeaches Lord Bolingbroie of High
Treafon^ &c. which after fome Debate is agreed to
by the Houfe, 26
Lord Coningsby impeaches Robert Earl of Oxford of
High Treafon, &c. which after fome Debate is
Uhwife agreed to by the Hsufe, 26, 27
Articles againfi Lord Bolingbroke and the Earl of Ox- .
ford ordered to be drawn np, ib.
The. Report from' the Committte of Secrecy ordered to be
"• Printed^ and fent to the Sheriffs, &c. ib.
Mr Prior ordered into clofi Cuftody, 28
General Stanhope impeaches james Duie ofOrmond
of Ugh Treafon, he. with the Debate thereon. ib.
The Impeachment of the Duke ofOrmond agreed to by
the Houfe, and Articles againfi him ordered to be
' drawn up, 3©
Mr Aijlabie impeaches Thomas Earl of Strafford of
High Crimes and Mifiemeanors, 30
The hnpeachment againji the Earl of Strafford, after
fame Debate^ agreed to by the Houfe, and Articles
ordered to be drawn up againfi him^ 31
Debatt
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The CONTENTS. iii
Debate on the Bill for explaining the ASf of King
ff^lUam III. for the Limitation of the Crown^ ice. ' 3a
Mr R. TValpole from the Committee of Secrecy report^'
the firfl ten Articles againjl the Earl of Oxferd^with
the Debate thereon j am alfo on the Ekventh Ar-
ticUy 32, 33
T^he fend Articles agreed to^ and ordered to he carried
to the Lords by Lord Coningihy^ 34
The King^s Speech relating to an Jnvafjbn by the Pre-
tender^ 35
The Commons Addrefs^ with the King's Anfwer thereto^ ib.
Mr R. Walpole^s Motion for an Addrefs to the Kingy
to allow Full-Fay to the Officers on Half Fay ^ which
is agreed to^ 36
The King's Anfwer thereto^ ' 37
Mr Walpole from jhe Committee of Secrecy reports
farther Articles again/i the Earl of Oxford 5 which
being agreed to^ Lord Coningsby is ordered to carry
to the Lords^ ib.
Mr R. Walpole reports the Jrticles rf Impeachment
againji Lord Bolingbroke^ which are agreed to^ ib.
Mr R. Walpole reports the Articles of Impeachment
againfl the Duie ofOrmond^ with the Debate thereon^ 38
Mr R. Walpole ordered to carry up to the Lords the
Articles againjl Lord BolingbrokCy who being fled ^
is attainted of High Treafin^ 38, 39
General Stanhope ordered to carry to the Lords the Ar- .
tides againfl the Duie ofOrmond j who being gone
off is alfo attainted^ ib.
Mr R, Walpole reports the Articles againfl the Earl of
Strafford^ which being agreed to^ Mr Aiflabie
carries up to the Lordly 39, 40
Earl of Oxford's Anfwer to the Articles of Impeachment
read^ with the Debate thereon^ 4^
Mr R. Walpole reports the Commons Replication to the
Earl of Oxford^ s Anfjoer \ vjhich being agreed^ to^
Lord Coningsby is ordered to carry to the Lords^ ^ 42
*The Committee of Secrecy impcwered to fit notwith-
ftanding the Adjournment of the Houfe^ ib.
Sir W. Wyndhdfn^ Sir J. Packington^ Mr Edward
Harvey^ Mr Fcrjfief^ Mr Arjiis^ and Mr Corbet
Kynaflon order* dy at the King's Requefl^ to he appre-
hendedy ib*
a 2 ^
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iV The CONTENTS.
Fagc
A Staffola ordered to be ere^edfor the Earl of OxforcPs
Trial, 43
fhe Speaker's Speech to thf King, on prefenting the
Money-Bilbj , ih.
The ISng's Speech at adjourning the Parliament, 45
Sir Edward Northsy added to the Committee of Secrecy, 47
Circular Letters ordered to be wrote to all the Sheriffs,
requiring the Attendance of the Members on the gth
of January, t^o which Time the Houfe adjourns, ib-
^he IGng^s Speech at the Meeting of the Parliament,
January c), 17 15-16. 48
An Addrefs of Thanks to the King for the abtrue Speech
unanimouffy refoh/d on, 50
The Houfe refohe to impeach the Lords Derwentwater,
^ ffiddrington, Nithifdale, tVintmn, Carnwathy
' Kmmure, and Nairn, of High Treafon, 59
Articles drawn up accordingly, and carried to the Lords
by Mr Lechmere, ib.
^ Mr Forfler expeWd the Houfe for being taken in Re-
belSon, 60
The Commons Addrefs to the Kng relating to the Re-
bellion, ib.
The Kings Anfuoer thereto, 62
Debaie concerning the continuing the Bill for fiifpending
the Habeas Corpus Ail, ib.
The King's Speech relating to the Pretender^ s heading
the Rebellion in Scotland, ^ ib.
* The Commons Addrefs thereon, ^ 63
Ihe King's Anfvuer thereto, 65
The King's Speech relating to the Pretender's Flight out
of Scotland, ib.
The Commons Addrefs thereon, 66
The King's Anfwer thereto, 67
The Commons adjourn, to prevent any Application to
them in Favour of the impeached Lords, 67
Mr Lechmere' s Motion for a Bill to Jlrengthen the
Proteflant Inter efl, 68
The Lords having pafs'd a Bill for repealing the Tri-
ennial A51, fend it to the Commons for their Con-
currence. ', and the Debate thereon, ib.
Petitions prefented againfl repealing the Triennial A^, 100
Debate concerning a Claufe for preventing Penfjoners
from fitting in Parliament, ib.
Men
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The CONTENTS.
More Petitions prejented againft refHlng thi Trien-
nial ASi. 101
Debate on the third Reading of the Septennial Bill. ib.
ne Bill for repealing tie Triennial J^ pqffes the
Ho^e^ lOS
The Bill fent from the Lords relating to High Treafon,
thrown out by the CommmSy . ib.
The A£l for reftraining the King from going out of
the Kingdom repealed, , ib.
The King* 5 Speech at concluding the firft Sejfton^ ib.
The Parliament prorogued. • 107
The Second SefEon of the Firft Parliament
of King G£ORG£ I.
"^ p^
THE King's Speech at opening the Second SeJJion,
February 20j 1716-17. 107
General Stanhope, ty bis Majejly*5 Command, lays
before the Houfe fever al Letters relating to an In-
vafum from Siveden, 109
Mr Onflow's Motion for an Addrejs oflhanis to the
ISngy , ib.
J Bill ordered to be brought in, to prohibit Commerce
with Sweden, ib.
The Commons Addrefs, * ib.
The King's Anjwer thereto. '^^' .
Motion relating to the Land-Forces, with the Debate
thereon, ib.
Mr R. Walpole moves for borrowing 600,000 I for
the publick Service at 4 /. per Cent.w/V* the Debate
thereon. m^ "^
Mr Lechmere takes Notice, that only 45,000 I had
been fubfcribed towards the Loan at 4/. per Cent. 113
The Commons refolve to aUcnv 5 /. per Cent, on the
Loan of 6oo,oo© /. upon which the whole Sum is
immediately Jubfcribed. "S
I/hiion relating to the Bi/hop of Munftet^s and the
Duke of Saxe-Gotha's Troops, ib.
A Meffage from the King relating to the Swedifh
Invafion, ^ ib.
General Stanhope's Motion for a Supply on thdt Account,
with the Debate thereon^ iiS> ^^^
Th^
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vi V The CONTENTS.
TT)e Motim for a Supply againff Sweden agreed tOy
Mr R, Widpole prefenU a Bill for Redeeming the
Duties on tbufesy &c. And acquaints the Houfe
with his htmng rejigrid his Places j ibs
Qeneral Stanhope moves for 2< 0,000 L to be granted
to the King againjl Sweden ; with the Debate
thereon. i%t
Mr TV. PuUeney acquaints the Houfe with his having
refigrCd his Place. * i!f.
The Houfe vote 250,000 /. to the King againfl Swe-
den. 125
^he }Gng*s Speech on the Arrival of the Fleet in the
Babickj ib.
Mr Lechmere moves for an Addrefsy and reflects on
Mr R. Walpole and others for reftgning their
Places. 126
Mr R. Walpole vindicates himfelf ther£on. ib.
^he Commons Addrefs to the King on the Fleefs Arri-
* val in the Sounds 127
Mr Shippen moves for recommitting that Addrefs y
with the Debate thereon, 128
Mr W. PuUeney complains of the Imbezlement of the
Publick Money in relation to the 6000 Dutch
Troops, &c. 129
The King's Anjwer to the Addrefs of Thanks, ib.
, Sir W. Wyndham fnoves for Dr Snape to preach be-
fore the Houfe on the igth of May, with the De-
bate thereon, ib.
An Addrefs refohfd on relating to the Tranjportation
of the 6000 Dutch Troops, 130
Mr Hungerforts Motion for a Bill for ftating the
PubUck Accounts, ib.
General Stanhope lays before the Houfe the Propofals of
the South Sea Company and the Bant, with the
Debate thereon, ' 13P, 131
Mr PuUeney moves for Jeveral Papers to be laid before
the Houfe relating to the 6000 Dutch Troops, which
is agreed to, 135
The Conftderation of the Propofals from the Bank and
SouthrSea Company put tff, ib.
Ihe Hou[e refolve upon another Addrefs relating to the
6000 Dutch Troops. ■ 136
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The CONTENTS. vu
Pace
fir Lords acquaint the Hmji that they had fix^d the
lyh of June for the EartofOxforffs Trials where-
upon the Commons add fix new Members to the
Sfcret Committee^ 136
Dr Snape has the Thanks of the Houfefor his Serynon
on the 7.gth of May ^ with the Uebate thereon^ ib# .
^eral Papers relating to the Dutch Troops laid he-
fore the Houfe^ and feveral Perfons ordered to
attend relating to that Affair. ib.
Tmr new Members added to the Committee of Se-
crecyj ib.
Debate on the Affair of the 6000 Dutch Troops ^ 137
A Motion for aefiring the Lords to del(^ the Earl of
Oxfords Trials the Commons not being pr^ared to
proceed againfl him^ with the Debate thereon^ 139
Mr H. Wa^U mvuesfor a Bill to difable any Mem-
ber^ who takes a PlacOy from being re-ele^ed^ ^ I42
The Commons refohe to beprefentj as a Committee^
at the Earl of Oxford's Trialy 143
5Jf Lords refohe to proceed frft with the Articles for
fEgh Trealon \ upon which a free Conference is
dejiredy which the Lords refufe \ with the Debate
thereoHj 143, 144
MrLecbmere moves to agree with the Method proposed
by the Lords ^ 145
AMeffage from the Lords^ that th^ intend to proceed
imme£atefy on the Earl ^ Oxford's Trial j of
which the Commons take no Notice^ lb.
^ir TV, Strickland moves for a Bill of Attainder againft
him J 146
fbe Lords proceed to the Trial of the Earl of Oxford^
but the Commons not appearing ^ his Lord/hip is
acquitted^ ib*
fir W. Strickland renews his Motion for a Bill of
Attainder againji the Earl of Oxford ; with the
Debate thereon, ib.
Lord Caftlecomer nwoesfor an Addrefs to the ISng to
except the Earl of Oxford out oj the ASt of Grace j
which a Committee is appointed to draw up, 147
The Addrefs thereon, ib.
The Kinfs Anfwer thereto, 149
The IGn^s Speech at concluding the Second Sejfion^ . ib.
The Parliament prorogued^ 150
Tho .
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Tiii The C O N T E N T S.
Page
The Third Seffion of the Firft Parliament
of King George I.
PSige
J HE King*s Speech at opening the Third Seffion,
November 21 y 17 iji 150
Commons Adirefs of Thanks, 152
The King* 5 Jnfwer thereto, - 153
Motion for a Supply for maintaining the Land Forces
for the Year 17 18, mth the Debate thereon, 154
Mr Lechmere moves for committing Mr Shippen to
the Tower\, on Account offome Exprejfions reflecting
on the King's Speech -, with the Debate on that Ac-
count, 160
Mr Shippen committed Prijoner to the Tower, 161
J Second Debate concerning the Land Forces, ib.
The CAnmittee on the Supply come to fever al Refolu-
tions, 171
Motion for recommitting three of them ; with the De-
bate thereon, ^7^
Debate concerning the Charge of the Land-Forces, ib.
Debate concerning the Land-Tax for the Tear 1718, 173
Debate concerning the Half Pay Officers, 174
Debate concerning the Scarcity of Silver, and lowering
the Gold Species, ' ib.
' Farther Debates on the Half-Pay Officers,^ 175, 176
Kmety Four Thoufand Pounds granted for the
Half-Pay Lift, ib.
An Addrefsfor fupplying all Vacancies in the Troop f,
(the Horfe and Foot Guards, and Horfe- Grenadiers
excepted) with Half Pay Officers, ib.
The King's Anjwer thereto, 177
. Debate concerning the Mutiny-Bill, ib.
The Mutiny-Bill pqffis the Houfe, 178
Debate on the Merchants Petition relating to the
Trade to Sweden, ib.
. The Eng's Meffage for an additional Number of
Seamen, 180
Jn Addrefs thereon, ib.
The King's Anjwer to the above Addrefs, ib.
The King's Speech at putting an Etid to the 7hird
Seffion, k>.
The Parliament prorogued^ - - 181
The
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I
The CONTENTS. ix
The Fourth Seffion of the Firft Parliament
of King George I.
Psigie
rE ISng's Speech at opening the Emrth Sef-
ftony November ii, 1718, . ' 182
iUrd Hnchingbroke's Motion for an Addrefi of
Thanis^ with the Debate thereon ^ 184
The Jddn/s agreed to and prefented^ 188
The King's Anjwer thereto^ 189
Mr Bofcawen acquaints the Boufe with the King's
having declared War againjf Spain^ ib.
Mr Treby's Motion for an Jddrefs of Thanks on that
Occafjony with the Deba:e thereon^ 190
The Addrefs agreed to^ with the Kng's Anjwer , 191
Debate on the fecond Reading of a Bill from the
Lordsy for firengthening the Prote(lant intereji^ ib*
The faid Bill pajfes the Houfe^ 193
An Addrefs prefented to the King^ for an Account of
Penfions granted to Members ^fince May i o, 1 7 1 5 , ib*
The King's Speech relating to an Invafmifrom Spain ^ ib*
Motion for an Addrefs of Thanks^ with the Debate
thereon^ 194
The Addrefs refohfd on and prefented to the King^
with his Mdjeflfs Anfuoer thereto j 195
Mr Freeman* s motion for adjourning the Call of the
Houfe^ which had been ordered upon an Expe^a-
tion of a Bill being brought in for fettling the
Peerage y 196
The King's Speech at putting an End to the Mrth
Seffion^ ib.
The Parliament prorogued j 198
The Fifth Seffion of the Firft Parliament
of King George I.
Page
XHE King's Speech at opening the Fifth Seffion^
tfovember 2'i<, 1719^ 198
Jarl of Hertford's Motion for an Addrefs of
Thanks^ with the Debate thereon^ 200
The Addrefs 20 1
The King's Anfiver thereto^ 202
Debate on the fecond Reading of the Peerage-Bill^ ib.
The faid Bill reje^edy 213
Vol. I. b The
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The CONTENTS.
The Commons take into Conltderation the Hang's Speech
relating to the Publick DebtSy and the Propojab of
the South-Sea Company and the Banty 213
Jfter a Debate concerning the Propofals of tho/e two
Compartiesy the Houfe^ refohe to accept thofe of the
South -Sea Company y ib*
A Bill from the Lords for fecuring the Dependency of
Ireland y after a Debate j pafjes the Houjiy ib.
A Bill paji'd for enabling the Souih-Sea Company to
increaje their Capital Stocky 214
The King^s Meffage relating to ereSiing Corporations
for infuring Ships and Merchandizey ib*
A Bill ordered to be brought /«, in Purhance thereof y 215
Mr Pelham's Motion for an Addrefs of Thanks to the
King for the above Meffage y which is agreed tOy ib.
Sir William WyndhanCs Motion for an Account of
Debts owing for the Civil Liky ib.
An Addrefs for an Account of 250,000 1. granted
againjt Swedcny in the Tear 17 17 5 and for an
Account of the Penfeons given to Members of the
Houfe ftnce the loth of Mayy 17 19, ib.
57;^ Commons Addrefs in Purjuance of the ISng*s
MeJfagCy relating to the Infurances of Ships y isfc.
with the King's Anfwer thereto y 216
Ihe King's Speech at putting an End to the Efth
Sejfmy ^ ib.
The Parliament prorogued y 218
The Sixth SefTion of the Firft Parliament
of King George I.
Page
rr\HE King's Speech at opening the Sixth Seffiony
X December 8, 1720, 218
Mr Puhenefs Motion for an Addrefs of Thantsy
with the Debate thereon y 219
Ihe Commons Addrefs of Thanks for the King's Speechy 222
His Majefiy's Anfwer theretOy 223
Mr IS'eville moves for the Dire^ors of the South-Sea
Company to lay before the Houfe an Account of
their ProceedingSy with the Debate thereony ib.
Mr Pitt complains of the Dilatorinefs of the South-
Sea Dirc^orSj i^c. in producing their Accounts^
K'kich the next Day are prefented to the Houfe^ 224
Mr
Digitized by VjOOQIC
The CONTENTS. xi
Pafc
Mr Shippen moves for recommitting a Rifohition of
th Committee of Supply^ relating to the Number
of Land Forces^ with the Rebate thereon, 225
Tfe Commons^ in a grand Committee , conftder of the
State of the public k Credit ^with the Debate trereon, ib,
&> Jojepi Jeiyffs Motion for appointing afeUsi Com-
mittee to inquire into all the Proceedings relating to
the South-Sea A^^ ib*
Mr Rjibert JVjtlpole acquaints the Hmfe of his having
aSchem^for refloring ofpubUck Credit ; with the
Debat/ thereoHy ib»
A Bin ordered to prevent Stoci^Jobbing^ 226
Afr R, Wa^ole prefents his Scheme to the Hmfe for
rejioring publick Credit, viz. by ingrafting Nine
MBons of South-Sea Stock into the Bank, and
Nine AtilHons into the Eaft-India Company, ib.
Mr Ireby's Motion for a Bill to prevent Mutiny and
.Defertion, with the Debate thereon^ ib.
Sir J. Jekyll moves for a Bill for retraining the
Sub-Governor, Deputy-Govermnr, Dire^ors, ^c.
of the South' Sea Company from going out of the
JSngdom, &V, which is ordered to be brought in, 227
/ Committee of thirteen Members appointed to inquire
into all the Proteedings of the South- Sea Dire^ors,
^c. 228
Lord Hinchingbroke's Motion for taking the Sub-Go-
vernor, DireSfors, (^c. of the South-Sea Compa-
ny into Cit/lody, ib.
The Commons take into Coajideration the Propofah
from the South-Sea Company^ for ingrafting nine
Millions (f their Stock into the Eajl- India Compa-
ny, and nine more into the Bankj with the Debate
thereon, ib.
A Bill ordered in Purfuance thereof, 229
The Names of the Committee appointed to inquire into
the Affair' of the South- Sea Company, who are or-
dered to be a Committee of Secrecy y 23a
The Bill againU the South-Sea Directors pafs'd, ib.
Sir Tho, Pengelly acquaints the Houfe, that Mr
Knight, Cqftner of the South Sea Company, was
gone off', wheret4>on the Commons prefent two Ad-
^rejfes to the King relating to that Efcape, ib,
b 2 Sir
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xu The Contents.
I'agA
Sir Robert Chaplin, Sir Theodore Janfjin^ Mr Fran^
(is Eyles^ and Mr Sawbridge^ Dire^ors of the
Souih-^Sea Company^ ordered to attend in their
Places, 230
General Rofs's Motion for fecuring the Perfons of the
DireSfors^^c. of the South- Sea Company^ 231
Sir Theodore Janjfen and Mr Sawbridge expeltd the
Houfe^ ib.
Jn Addrefi to \he King to get Mr Knight apprehended
in Foreign Parts \ and his Majejiy gives Direct*
ons accordingly, ib.
The Royal AJfent given to two Bilk again ft the Sotttb-
Sea Dire^orsy ^c. ib.
Sir Robert Chaplin and Mr Francis EyleSy Dire^ors
of the South-Sea Company, expend the Houfe^ ib.
Mr R, TValpole prefents a Bill^ for ingrafting Part '
of the Capital Stock of the South-Sea Company in-
to the Banky and another Part thereof into the
Eaft-India Company ; which is read the prfi Time. ib.
Debate on the fecond Reading thereof 2^z
A Bill to prevent Stock-Jobbing read the fir ft Time, ib.
An Addrefi to the Kingy upon Advice that Mr Knight
was in Cujlody in the Caftle of Antwerp, ib.
A Petition from the South-Sea Company, for allowing
them farther Time for Payment of the Money due
from them to the Publici, with the Debate thereon, 233
A Motion for ^fabUng the Directors of the South'-
Sea Company, Eafl-India Company, and the
Bank, from being chofen Members of Parliament, ib.
The King's Mefjage relating to the abwe Petition (f
the South-Sea Company ; which is referred to a
Committee of the whole Houfe, ib.
The Bill to prevent Stock- Jobbing read a Second
Time, and committed, ^ 234
The Commons conftder of the Eng*s MefPige, relat-
ing to the South- Sea Company's Petition, and re-
folve to alloiv farther Time to the faid Company
for Payment, ib.
The Houfe take into Conftderation the Report from the
Jecret Committee on the South-Sea Affair 5 and or-
der a Bill to be brought in for the Relief qf the
Sufferers^. jb.
The
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The CONTENTS. xiii
h Report from thefecret CommiUee relating to Mr
Ajlabie^ and Mr Charles ^tanlnpey prefenled and
taken into Confideratioriy 234
(r Aijlabie and Sir George CaJwaU expelPd the
Hfuje^ and committed Prijoners to the Tower ^ on
Account of their being concerned in the South-Sea
\ Scheme J 236
mhe Commons conftder that Part of the Report of the
F Jecret Committee which related to the Earl of Sun-
I derland^ with the Debate thereon^ 237
r Kr Hutchefin moves for an Addrejs to the King, to
know what Information his Mcqefty had received
relating to Mr Knight y Cajhier of the South- Sea
Conipaf^y \h.
Mr Methueny by the King's Command^ lays before the
Houfe feveral Letters^ ^c. relating to that Affair ^ 238
The Royal AJfent given to the Ingrafting Billy ^c. 239
The Stock' Jobbing Bill engrojs'dy \b.
Farther Debate on Mr Knight's not being delivered up, ib«
A4r Lecbmere moves for afecond Addrefs relating to
the delivering up Mr Knight y which is agreed to
and prefentedy 24 1
The J3n^s Anfiver to that Addrefsy ib.
The South-Sea Sufferer^ Bill read a fecond TmCy
and cmmittedy ib.
JM>- Sbippen moves for inquiring what Publick Money
had been employ' dy by any Receiver ofpubHck Mo-
neyy in buying Stock in the FkndSy ib*
Sir W. Wyndham moves for an Account of the War-
rants^ on which the Commiffioners for ftating the
Debts due to the Army ana the Demands of Fo-
reign Princes for SubfedieSy during the late Wary
have iffued Certificatesy 242
Debate on the above Motions^ ib.
The Commons confider the Jecret Committers Report
relating to Mr CraggSy Jeniory with the Debate
thereony 243
The Commons refohe^ that the Eft ate of Mr CraggSy
femoTy be applied to the Relief of 'the Sufferers by
the South-Sea SchemCy 244
Mr Meihuen lays before the Houfe feveral LetterSy
i^c. relating to Mr Knighty wtth the Debate
thereon^ ^+5
A
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xi7 The C O N T E N T S.
Pa^
A Motion in Favour of Mr Aiflabie rejeSiedy 24.
Mr *Thomas Vernon expeWd the Houfe for a corrupt
Application to General Rojsy in Favour of Mr
Atjlabie^ and the Thanks of the Houji returned ta
General Rofs for the Difcoveryj xh
Motion for an Addrefs to the Kingy to remove Mr
Elliot from being one of the Commifftoners of Ex-
cife^ on Account of his interfering in an EleSiion of
Members of Parliament J 24<
A Claufe ordered to difable the late Sub-Governor y Di-
refers y ^c. of the South- Sea Company ; as alfo^
Mr Aiflabie^ to enjoy any Place^ or fit in Parlia^
tnenty ib;
Debate concerning the Allowances to be given to the
' South-Sea DireSiors^ ^c. out of their EftateSy 247
Debate concerning the Allowance to Air Aijkbiey 25 1
The Kings's Mejfagefora Suhfidy to Sweden y and for
fatisfying the Owners of two Ships burnt on Ac^ •
count of the Plague y with the Debate thereony 252
Seventy two thoufand Pounds granted for a Subfidy to
Sweden^ and ^^yg^S^' f^ the two Ships burnt
on Account of the Plague y 255
The York-Buildings Company impowered to dijpofe of
Part of the Forfeited Eliatesy (which they had
purchased) by felling Annuities by way of Lottery y ^$6
A Claufe in Favour of Mr Aijlabiey ib.
Farther Debate concerning Mr Craggs's EJiatey \h.
Debate on the Propofal for laying a Mul^ on the
South-Sea Dire^orSy ib.
The Bill for Relief of the South-Sea Sufferers read
the third TimOy and pafs'dy 257
The King's Meffage relating to the Civil Lift DebtSy
which the Houfey in a grand Committeey take
into Conftderationy andy after a Debatey refihe
^ that a 'tax of One Shilling in the Pound be laid on
all Payments out of the Civil Lift FundSy ib.
Mr LowndeSy upon the Report of the faid Refolution
to the Houfey moves for difagreeing with the Com-
mitteey with the Debate thereony 259
The Houfe refolvey that only Sixpence in the Pound be
laid on the Payments out of the Civil Lifiy ih.
the
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The CONTENTS* xr
The Hbufe prejents to the King an Addrefs reprefent^
tag the State of the pubUck Credit^ 26«
'"[hi Speaker's Speech to the IGng on prefenting the
Civil UftBill^ ib.
fbe Eng's Speech in Anfuoer to the Addrefs of the
Haufe^ relating to the State of the publick Credit J 261
ibe Enfs Speech at putting an End to the Sixth
SeJ/Sony ib.
The Parliament prorogued, 262
The Seventh Seffion of the Firft Parliament
of King George I.
r!E King's Speech at opening the Seventh Sef
fum, O&oher 19, 1721, 263
Sir George OxenderCs Motion for an Addrefs of
Thanh, 265
The Commons Addrefs, ib.
The Kin^s Anjwer thereto, 267
Debate in the Committee of Supply concerning tie
DOts of the Navy, ib.
One Mmn granted towards paying the Debts of the
Navy : And an Addrefs on thatVccafton, 268
Debate concerning the Nurnber of Land-Forces, ib.
^ir Gilbert Heathcote's Motion for a Bill for en-
couraging the Importation of Naval Stores, 269
Debate on a Bill to forbid Commerce with any Coun-
try infected with the Plague, ib-
The faid Bill read the third Time, and pafs'd, 270
J Bill ordered io be brought in, for the better fecur-
ing the Freedom of Flexions, ib.
ABiU ordered to be brought in, in Favour of the fa-
kers, with Regard to the Form of their Affirma^
tion^ which pajfes the Houje, ib.
iir John Cope charges Mr Baron Page with endea-
vouring to corrupt the Borough of Banbury, with
the Debate thereon^ ^75
The Houfe order Sir John Cope and Mr Baron Page
to he heard by their Counfel, 276
Debate on the Bill for fecuring the Freedom ofEle£li-
ons^ which pajfes the Houje, and is rgeded by the
Uris^ ib.
FeiVther
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xvi The C O N T E N T S.
Farther Proceedings on the Complaint of Sir John
Cope againji Mr Baron Page, nyi
7he Hmfe rejohe^ that Sir John Cope had not made
good Hi Charge again/1 Mr Baron Page^ 27!
Debate comer ning a Bill^ to impower the South- Sea
Company to di/pofe of Part of their Capital Fund
to pay their Debts ; which pa£es the Houfe. ifa
The Speaker's Speech to the King on prefenting the
Money BilU 7,ji
The King's Speech at putting an End to his firft
Parliamenty ^&
Ihe Parliament MJfoWd^ a8j
N. I ■ I I II IN- J
The Firft Seffion of the Second Parliameni
of King George I.
^^
THE Parliament meet^ %%%
Mr Spencer Compton re-ele^ed Speaker j ib-
The King's Speech at opening the Fir II Seffion of his
, Second Parliament^ October w^ 1722, aSj
Mr Hutchefon moves ^ that the Committee of Privi-
leges ana Ele^ions be a fele^ Committee of jjb^ 285
Mr W. PuUeney moves for an Addrefi of Thanks to
the King for his Speech^ with the Debate thereon^ e86
Debate on a Bill from the Lords for fufpending the
Habeas Corpus ASf for one Tear^ ib.
The faid Bill paffes the Houfe^ and has the Royal
Affent^ a88
The Commons Addrefs of Thanh to the IGng for his
Speech^ 289
Ms Majejiy's Anfwer thereto^ ago
Mr Ttreby moves for an Augmentation ^4000 Men
for the Army^ with the Debate thereon^ 2gl
The Lords defire a Conference with the Commons^ and
communicate to them the King's Meffage relating
to the Pretender's Declaration j and their Refoluti-
ons thereupon^ atgi
7o which the Commons ogree^ with an Amendment^ ib^
An Addrefs voted on this Occafton^ 2^3
The joint Addrefs of both Houfes to the iSng^ relat-
ing to the Pretender's Declarationy ib.
The King's Anjwer thereto^ 294
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Itttc CONT^^TS.
Debate on a Motion for raifihg joo,oo5 1*. on thi
^dfijis totbafds the Sufpfy 'df'thi current Tear^ 295
I Bill ordered in Purkance of tbejaii Mftion^ 296
Dtbde m a Petition from the Souto-Sea Company re-
lating to the cbWerting one Motety of their Capital
into JftmdtiiSy ib.
fbe Names of the Cotnfnittee apptnniei to examine
(MItepher Layer ^ relating to a Conjpiracy again/I
the Bifg I an Addrefs refohfd on fir Jeveral Pa-
pers relating tbireto ; which\ after Deiatfy are
referred to tbefaid Committee^ , 297
Debate on a Wl fdr preventing Fraiicts and Abujes in
the Tohauo-lradej • 298
i)6at^ onjo^e Amendments made fy the Lords to the
JkOtiny-BiH,^ lb".
*lni Commons -eonftder the Report from the Commit feo '
on tayer's Pbi: Jdr W. Pultenefs Motion relat-
ing theretOy with the Debate thereon J 299
Sir Riiert Raymond moves the Houfe againfl John
^liinh'tj as an AccompUce in Layer* s Plot^ 30a
iw Philip torke moves the Houfe againji George Kelly^
as an AuohipUce in the faia Ptotj ' ib.
Mr Yonge morues the Houfe againji Dr Atterhuryy \
Bijbop of Roche fler^ as being concerted in the faid
Phty .. , Z^t
Bills qf Pains and Penalties^ after fome Debate^ or- ,
dereito be brought in againji the faid John Plun-
ietj George Kelfyj and the Bilhop ' of Kochejler^ ibw
DaateonMrR, JVdlpole's Motion for an Addtefs ,
to the IGngy to order Dr Friend to be committed
for High Treafonj 302
The Bills ^Snft JohriPbirdlit and George Kelly read
the fir/i Time^ 303
Am Addrefs of Cmgratulation to the King for the Dif •
covery tf the Ploty , 30+
S^Jr Kng's Anjiver thereto^ 305
The Bill againji the Bijbop of RoAefier read tbefiift^
' Aimoj ib.
J Petition ^ George Kelty, to be beard by Counfel
againji tbe BiU for infixing Pains and Penalties
on him J which is granted^ ib.
4 Petition ftbe BJbop tfRocbeJier to thefitiAe Puf^
pojiy whith is alfo granted^ . 306
Vot.I. . C J>ebate
xvn
yL^oogle
xviu The CONTEKT&
Dihati onj Petition ofG^rge Kelly fpr delapng the
f^
Jecond Reading of the Bill again/t him^ which is
rejf^ed^ ^66
The Bill againjfl John Phinket re^d the fecond Ttme^
and committed^ vAih the Debase concerning his
Puni/hmenty ib*
Debate concerning George KfUfs Pw^/hmenty 307
7 he Biflxp ofRocheJier declines making his Defence at
the Bar if the Houfe of Commons^ ib.
Debate on the third Keading of the Bills agatn/l Plan-
iet and Kelfy^ 308
Debate concerning the Pttni/hment of the B\/hop of
Rochejier^ ^ ib.
The Billagqinjl his Lord/Kp pajfes the Houfe^ ^ 309
Debate on the fecond Reading of the Bill for raijing
loo^ooo 1. on the Papiflsy ' ib. .
Mr Trenchard*s Motion for including the Nonjurors
i/i the faid Tax^ which is agreed tOj 315
The Commons^ in a Grand Committee^ add a Claufe
, for ittchiMng the Scots Papijls and Nonjurors in the
faid Bilk ^ ib.
The above Claufe being reported to theHoufe^ is^ af-
ter fome Debate^ rejeSied^ and a Bill ordered tor
regijlering the Eftates of the Scots Papijls and Non--
, juror Sy which paffes into a Law ; as does alfi the
Bill for raijing 100,000 1. on the Papijls j and
Mewife the Bills againjl Pluntety Kelffy and the
Bi/hop opRochefUr^ 316
The King's Speech at putting an End to the Firjl
SeJUon^ 317
The Parliament prorogued^ 318
The Second Seffion of the Second Parliament
of King George L
rr\HE King's speech at opening the Sttond S^gioni
: I January 9, 1723-24, 3^9
The Commons Addrejs of ^hanks^ ^ 320
The King's AnfiVer thereto^ ,321
Debkiconcerran^theTshimbtr of Land'PorctSy . ib.
Debate on a Petition from the Sufferers by the Baha-
>mdPr<je£l^ r 32a
^he Kng'-s Speech at comluding the Second Sefftm^ 323
7*C Parliament prorogued^ . •..:;. 324
The
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T
The CON TENTS-
The Third Scflion of the Second Parliament
of King George L
rr^HE King's Speed/ at opiniag the Third Seffmy '"^^
■ Nevember 12, 1724, ^24,
Edward ThompfitCs Mtm for an Addrefi of
TbaniSj -j2c
TheAddrefs, ^^^
The Eng's Anfiuer theritOj 326
Delate concermng the Number rf Land-ForceSj ib.
Debate on a Petition from the Earl of Oxford and
Lord Morpeth^ complaining of the Deficiencies of
the Accounts (f the Mailers in Chancery j and on
a Motion thereupon relating to the faid MafterSy 333
The King's MeJJage relating to the Suitors in Chan-
cery^ and the Accounts rf the Af afters^ 334
fhe Houfe having taken the fame into Confederation^ Sir
George Oxenden moves for impeaching Thomas Earl
of Macclesfield^ lard High Chancellory of Ugh
Crimes and Mifdemednors j with the Debate
thereon^ * 305
SfT Gesrge Oxendetfs Motion agreed to, and a Com^
nnttee appointed to draw up Articles accordingly , 336
A Bill ordered to indemnify the Maflers in Chancery^
on Difcovery of what Sums they paid for their Ph-
cesy which paffes the Hmfe, fl)-
4 Bill relating to the building tifiy New Churches
being read a fecond Time, Mr Onflow moves for
a Claufe to difable any -Body Politick or Corporate,
from buying Advowfons of Livings j with the />/-
bate thereon, 337
Sir George Oxenden reports from the Committee the
Articles of Impeachment againjl 7homas Earl of
Macclesfield^ with the Rebate thereon, ib.
the faid Articles ordered to be etigrojfid, and car*
riedto the I^ords, 335, ^
The Eng's Mejage relating to the Debts of the Ci-
vil iJ/l, which is referred to a Committee (f the
whoU Hmje, 339^
Mr Pultenefs Motion for an Addrefsfor an Account
' ef Penfions, paid from Lady-Day 17 ^i, to tdidy^
Day 1725, which is agreed to, ib.
c % The
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XIX
XX The CONTENTS.
The Earl of Macclesfield's AnRver to the ArtUUi ef
Jnipeqchnifn$ rtferted tQ a Chmmittet^ ^^-
Debate on the tOfig's Mejage relating to the Debts of
the Civil Lijiy ib.
Motion for raifwff x^poo^ooo J. for redi$mng the
. Annuities ^25,060 1. per Ai^num, charged on .
the Civil uft by an JfSi 7 Gio. L and for paying '
, the An'g's Debts s whichy after Debc^te^ is agreed
Jfr^ 4ddreJsfor an Accmnt rf the. Produce of the Civil
Lift from jj6^9 /<? J7J5, lb.
Lord Finfh Mrs tp the t^mfi a Petition f flenry late
Vifimnt fiolingiroie, prayittg l^ve to etyof a eer^
tainjettkd E/latey (sfe, nomjitMaading 'bis Attain*
dery and moves for a BiB in Purjiiat^e ofthefM
Petition* ib*
A Bjlly after D^bate^ trdere4 to h krtfugl^ ii$ ac^
' cordingfyy ■ ' / 343
Sir George Qxenden rMrts the CommUeeU tUpHca-
fion to the iqri cf M^cc^^fi^pff 4^fi^^, to thf
Articles of Impeachment^ which is erdetedio pe en- •
grofs'dy andfent to the tordsy 34.4
^ , f he Bill in Favot^r ^ L^d So£ffgkreie twice rfody
aud commitfedy > .. . . .^^
Lord'WiHiam Paulet hereupon nmies.for a Claufe to
di fable him from fitting in Parliament y or holding
any Placey with the Debate tbereony ' jb.
The [aid BiH^paffdandfnit to the LordSy : 345
Names of the Managers at the Bqrl ofMaccf^^^s
Trialy " ; ib.
The Lords fend a Meffage to acquaint the Comt^oHSy
that their LoriJIxps tvere re my to give Judgmfpt
againjl Thomas Ecfrl ^ ]\/lqce^fi$U 5 viith the
Debate thereo^y ' p>.
^he Thinks of the Houfe ordered to be given to fhe^
Managers by the Speaker y t^th his Speech on tbqt
Occafiony which is ordered to be prinudy 346
The Cmmms demand Judgment againfl Thomas
Earl of Macclesfieldy who is fitfd 3P,ooo 1. Airul
lilewije addrefs the ISngy that th^faid Fine be ap^
pfy*d towards making- gml the- Deficiencies of the
Majors in Cbanferyy which hU Maj^y cmptis
^^> ^ 347
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TU CONTENTS. td
^ Jhe ISfijg^s ^ecb at cpnchifyg th JUrd S0^p 34g
7bi Parliament frorogufd^ o^
The Fourth Seflion of the Second ParUamcnt
of King GfiollG£ L
TIfE JSng's Speech at opemng tbi Burth Sif-
ficn^ January ao, 1725-2*. 349
ffr Etifert Sutton'i Mofrnfir an Addrtfi o/TbanJts. ^c 1
Ibe Addrefs^ \ . ' ' ' ' ""l^
The Bng^s Anfmer iherHOy 35 j
'DAate concermng the Number rf tand^RrceSf h*
An Mdrtfi for Ccpies ff the Treaties between the
Emperor and the Eng of Spain^ to be laid before
ebeUmfe, . 357
M- If^lHam Pifben/y^s Motion fir 4^pwiting a Ccm^
mittee to ftate the pubUck Debti^ from December
25, 1714, to December 25, 1725 \ with the
Debate thereon^ ^%
Copies of the Hanover Treaty^ and of the treaty be^
iween the Emperor and the Eng ^Spain^ Jaid be-
fore' the Hmfe^ Tb%
Debate ^thereon^ 359
Mr Henry Pelbam^s Motion for an Mdrefs of
Thanh to the Kng^ for communicating' the above
Treaties to the Houfe^ with the Debate thereon^ 36 j
Jh Addrefs voted and prefentei to the JSng^ 364
His Mof^fiys Afifwer thereto^ 3^
A Petition of Richard Hampden^ Efq\ for a BiU to
impower the Lords ff the Treafury to confound
with him for the Debt due from him to the Crown^ .
whici? is referred to a Committee qf the wbok
Houfe, h.
A Petition of Sir Ihomas Lnvthery and Sir Orlando
Bridgman^ for a Bill to enable them to ptfrcbaje ,
the hverfm in Fee of their EJates held by Grant '
from the Crown^ ' %•
mo Bills bei^g ordered in Purfu^nce <f the ^tbove
Petitions J Mr ffyngerford moves for a Bejobaion
agaittft receiving any more Petitions for purcbafwg
tie Reverfton of Crown Lands 'p which is agreed tOt 366*
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xxii The CONTENTsr
7$i CMffmsi * in a Grand Committee j confider the
Petitions of Sicbard Hampden j E/q-, Tfabella bis
Wife^ .ana John Hampden^ Efjy his Brother^ and
e Bill orderd in their Favour^ • 366
^be King*s Miffagefor an additional Number tf
Seamen^ with the Debate theretmy 369
Mr Shippen*s Motion for an Account of 250,000 1.
granted agait^ Sweden in the tear in ij^ 37 <^
Sir ff^lliam Tonge^s Motion for an Aadrefs to the
Xing on his MeJ/agOj and for a Ute of Creditj
which, after Debate^ is agreed to, ib.
Mis Majenfs Anfvjer thereto, , ib.
A Bi^. ordered toprepent Bribery at EkHions, which
paffes the Commons, and is thrown out by the
Lords, * i 371
The Rng^s ^eech at conckding the fourth Seffion, ib.
The Parliament prorogued, 372
Hie Fifth Seffion of the Second Parliament
of King George I.
THE ISng's Speech at opening the Fifth Sef
fwn, January ly, 1726-27. 372
M" Onflow* s Motion for an Addrefs of Thanh, with
the Debate thereon, 376
The Addrefs, 380
His Majejifs Anfber thereto, 382
An Jddr^fs to the King for the AcceJIion of the States
General to the Treaty of Hanover, and for Copies
of Letters, &fr. between the Briti/b Miniflers, and
weCoufUofFienna.andSpdin^ 383
. Sir Tf^Hiam Wyndham^s, and Mr TVilUam Pulte- •
r^hefs Motions for feveral other Papers relating
thereto, ib.
Debate concerning the Number of Land-Rrces, ih.
Sir Robert Walpok's Motion for a Land-Tax 0/45.
un the Pound, which, after Debate, is agreed tQ, 384
Mr Sandys^' Motion for a Copy of the Letter, on
which the ISng of Spain founded his Demand of
. the Rf/fitution ^ Gibraltar 5 with the Debate
thereon, lb.
An Addrefs for Papers relating to the Imperial
' Qjlend Comp(iny, ib.
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The CONTENTS. xxiU
\ Lsrd MorpitVi Mtoim rtkting U the FUetfini intp
I tb$ Baltick M Tear^ with the DebiUe ther$on^ 384
\ DAate on a Motion relating to the Sum of 125,000 1.
ibarg'd for ExtraorMnaries in the Jkeount of the
■ Deficiencies ofM rear's Grants J 385
^ An Addrefs to the King for an Account rf the faid
Sum^ 386
flif Majeftfs Anjwer thereto^ ib.
l>A€iie on a Motion^ made by Mr William PuUeneyy
for aficond Addrefs upon that Uead^ 387
Ddfote on a Petition from the Commiffioners cf
Hdwiers and Pedlars^ for a Bill to enable them to
confound for a Debt due to the Crown^ 389
The find Petition rgeSfed^ 390
Lord FttzwilHams tales Notice of an abupve Memo*
rial being prejented to the JGng by the Emperof's
' Mmfler^ arid moves for the fame to be laid be*
fore the Hnife ; which is prefented accordingly y * ihi
Debate tbereony 39I
JnAddreJs voted on' that Occajson, to which the Com*
I mons ieftre the Concurrence of the Lords ; winch
' being agreed tOy the faid Addrefs is prefented to
the Engy 392
^ Ks Majefifs Anfuoer iheretOy 393
r DAute on Mr Scrope*s Motion for a Vote of Cre£ty ib.
fir WWam Tongas Motion for 370,000 1. to be
granted out of the Coal-Duty towards the Supply ;
, with the Debate thereouy 396
A Bill ordered in Purfiiance of Sir WiHam Tonge's
Motiony iMch paffes the Houfcy ib*
The Bng's Speech ae conckding the Fifth Sejfmy 397
The P/trEament proroguedy 398
The Death of Kifig George L ^.
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SPEECHES
AND
DEBATES
I N T H E
Houfe of Commons^
DURING
The Laft Seffion of the Fourth Parliament
of Great Britain.
ER Majefty Queen ANNE dying on ^e^^P"lumcnt
Sunday the firft oi Auguft 1714, and the bilng ihf XcceirK
Crown of thefe Realms immediately de- ^l jt^
theAcceflion
George I.
volving to his royal highnefs the Eledlor
of Hanover, purfuant to the adl of Settle-
ment pafs'd in 1701, the Parliament, ac-
cording to a refolution taken in Council,
met that very day ; but Sir Thomas Hanmer, bart. Speaker /
of the Houfe of Commons, knight of the fhire for Suffolk, be-
ing in the country, Mr William Bromley, member for the uni- Mr w. Bronjicy's
verfity of Oxford, and Secretary of State, mov'd to adjourn ^^ ^'^'^ *" ^'y**"*'
Ihe Wednefday following ; which being feconded. Sir Richard ^^ «• ^^^^*
Vol. I. A . Onflow^ '
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Anno^. Geo. I. Qnflow, bart. memberof parliament for the county of Surry,
^ opposed the fame, as being too long an adjousnment at fo
critical a jundure, and therefore mov'd for adjourning to the
next Day only ; which laft motion was agreed to. This and
the three following Days being {pent in taking) the oaths, &c.
On the 5 th the * lord Harcourt, lord high Chancellor, and
the reft of the Lords Juftices, came to the Houfe of Lords,
and the Houfe of Commons being fent for, and attending, the
lord Chancellor made the following fpeech to both Houfes of
Parliament.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
i^^juftice$ <c 1 J* having pleas'd almighty God to take to himfelf our
" 1 late mott gracious Queen, of bleffed memory, we hope
" that nothing has been omitted, which might contribute to
*' the fafety of thefe realms, and the prefervation of our rcli-
** gion, laws, and liberties, in this great conjunfture. As
** thefe invaluable bleflings have been fecured to us by thofe
** afts of Parliament, which have fettled the fuccefiion of thefe
" kingdoms in the moft illuftrious houfe of Hanover, we have
** regulated our proceedings by thofe rules which are therein
** prefcrib'd.
" The Privy Council foon after the demife of the late
" Queen, aflembled at St. James's, whpre, according to the
** faid ads, the three inftruments were produced and open'd,
" which had been depofited in the hands of the Archbiftiop
" of Canterbury, the lord Chancellor, and the Reiident of
" Brunfwick. Thofe, who either by their offices, or by vir-
** tue of thefe inftruments, had the honour of being appoint-
" ed Lords Juftices, did, in conjundlion with the Council, im-
" mediately proceed to the proclaiming of our lawful and
" rightful fovereign King GEORGE, taking, at the fame
^* time, the neceflary care to maintain the publick peace.
" In purfuance of the ads before-mention'd, this Parlia-
" ment is now aflembled ; and we are perfuaded, you all
** bring with you fo hearty a difpofition for his Majefty's fer-
** vice, and the publick good, that we cannot doubt of your
" affiftance in every thing which may promote thofe great
** ends.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
*' We fiiid it neceflary to put you in mind, that feveral
" branches of the publick revenue are expir'd by the demife
*' of her late Majefty 5 and to recommend to you, the mak-
** ing fuch provilions, in that refped, as may be requifite to
** fupport the honour and dignity of the Crown : And we af-
" fure
•
• Tfe was rerwfoed^ and fucceeded hy Zofd Cowper', ^^th September,
fji^t hut created a Vifamtf snda Trhy CotttifsOory t^b Aug. 1721.
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" fare ourfelves, you will not be wanting in any thing that
" may conduce to the eilablifhing and advancing of the
" poWick credit.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" We forbear laying before you any thing that does not
" require your immediate confideration, not having received
"" his Majefty's pleafure ; we fhall only exhort you, with the
" greateft eameftnefs, to a perfedt unanimity, and a firm Ad-
" herence to our Sovereign's intereil, as being the only
'* means to continue among us our prefent happy tranqui-
" lity.
Hereupon it was reiblv'd, nem, con. that an humble Ad- ^^*^,J° *^
drcis be prefented to his Majefty, which a Committee was ap- ^ " '^ *****
pointed to draw up ; and it was unanimoufly refolved alfo to
take into coniideration the next day, the Lords Juftices ipecch
to both Houfes.
On the 6th, Mr. William Broniley accordingly reported
the iaid addrefs ; which being read, was unanimoufly agreed
to, and was as follows :
Moft gracious Sovereign,
' \X 7T£ yonr Majefty's moft dutiful and loyal fubje6b, the The CommoM
* VV Commons of Great Britain in Parliament affembled, ^^^'*'
* having a juft fenfc of the great lofs the Nation has fuftain'd
* by the death of our late Sovereign lady Queen Anne, 6f
' Uefted memory, humbly crave leave to condole with your
* Majefty on this fad occafion.
* It would but aggravate our forrow, particularly to enu-
* merate the virtues of that pious and moft excellent Princefs :
' The duty we owe to your Majefty, and to our Country,
' oblige us to moderate our grief, and heartily to congratu-
* late your Majefty's acceftion to the throne, whofe princely
' virtues give us a certain profpeft of future happinefs, in the
* fecurity of our religion, laws, and liberties, and engage
* us to afture your Majefty, that we will, to our utmoft,
* Tupport your undoubted right to the imperial Crown of
* this realm, againft the Pretender, and all other perfons
* whatfoever.
* Your faithful Commons cannot but exprefs their impati-
* cnt deiire for your Majefty's fafe arrival and prefence in
* Great Britain.
* In the mean time, we humbly lay before your Majefty
* the unanimous refolution of this Houfe, to maintain the
* pablick credit of the nation, and efFedually to make good
* all Funds which have been granted by Parliament, for the
* fecurity of any money which has been, or (hall be advan-
* ccd for the publick fervice, and to endeavour, by every
A 2 ^ thing
Digitized by ^OOQIC
Afinoc. Geo. I.
1714.
Mr W. Bromley.
Motion ftr a
Supply.
Mr Wykes.
{ 4 )
^ thing in our power, to mlakc your Majefty's reign happj
* and glorious.
Mr Bromley, in his motion for the foregoing addrefs
dwelt* much on the great lofs the nation had fuftain'd by th<
MrR.waipoic. Queen's death ; and was back'd by * Mr Robert Walpole
member for Lynn, who mov'd, that they fhould giv(
the King affurances of their making good all Parliamentarj
i4rT. Onflow. Funds. f Mr Thomas Onflow, member for Guilford, faic
thereupon, * that the principal ftrefs of the Addrefs oughi
* not to lie upon condoling, but upon congratulating, an^
* giving the King affurances of their readinefs to maintair
^ both his Majefty's undoubted title to the Crown, and pub
' lick Credit.'
The fame day a motion being made, that a Supply be
granted to the King, for the better fupport of his Majefty's
houfhold, ^c. the conflderation thereof was referred to the
Committee of the whole Houfe the next day, when the fame
was agreed to nem. con, and fram'd into a refolution. And
on the 7th a Bill being ordered to be brought in accordingly,
Mr. Wykes, member for Northampton, propofed tacking
to it a Bill for limiting the number of Officers in the Houfe of
Commons, but nobody feconding that motion, it drppp'd.
Some members having mov'd for Sir William Wyndham,
bart. member for Somer^tfliire,and Chancellor of the Exche-
quer,to be Chairman of the grand Committee ofSubfidy,Mr
Mr R. Walpole. Robert Walpole reply 'd, that Mr. Conyers, member for
Eaft Grinflead, had for fo many years fo well difcharg'd that
office, that it would be ungrateful, unmannerly and impru-
dent to chufe another ; on which Mr Conyers carried it.
Then it waspropos'd to give the King one million fterling;
but this motion, tho' not djreftly opposed, afterwards dropt.
Mr Conyers. jiug, 1 2. Mr. Conyers prefcnted to the houfe a Bill for the
better fupport of his Majefty's houftiold, £5* c. and on the fe-
MrH.waipoie's ^ond reading thereof die next day, ** Mr Horatio Wal-
wotjonfor^^^L-igpoIe, member for Caftle-Rifmg, mov'd, that the Com-
Troops, and offer- mittee of the whoIc Houfe, to whom the faid Bill was
aplrchendTthc ^^ Committed, might have power to receive one claufe, to
pretender. enable the Lord Treafurer, or Commiffioners of the Trea-
fury for the time being, to iffue the fam of 65022 1. 8 s. 8 d.
being the arrear due to the troops of Hanover, for their fer-
vice in the Low Countries in *the year 171 2, out of the
300,000 1.
♦ Since ereatei a Knkht of the Bath, afierrvanb (ftbe Garter, maje
Chancellory and Under-TreafrnTr (f the Kxcheqitefy &C.
t New Lord Onflow.
♦* Since made Auditar rf the Plantatim A:crtHntiy fmtit Secretary tn
the Treafnry, &c. iww Ctgerer to the Hmjhoid. mid Axtbajjador to tbt Sttt.'J
General, &^,
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;oo,ooo ]. granted in the laft feffion of Parliament to her late Anno i. gm. l
^Nbjefty, towards fatisfying the debt due on account to the sJJ^^v^*^^^
^ kjii- Forces. And another claufe to enable and require the
' lord high Treafurer, i^c. to iffue out of any money granted
tr parliament 1 00,000 1. for apprehending the Pretender, if.
atr he ihould land, or attempt to land in any of his Maje-
sty's dominions.
Sir William Wyndham feconded Mr Walpole in the firftsirW.wyndJuuiu
claufe ; and Mr Shippen, member for Saltafh, very ingenu- Mr shippen.
ojfly own'd he had opposed that payment in the late reign,
f bat that he was for it now. Mr Aldworth, member for MrAidwoijh.
Windfor, back'd likewife the motion ; but as if he defign'd
to expofe the member, who, at this junfture, appeared fo
forward to pay thofe very troops, which, a few months be-
fore, he had treated as Runaways, he faid, " That for his
part, he had formerly been againft that payment, becaufe he
had been given to underlland, in that very hoiife, that thofe
troops were Deferters ; but that he had (Ince been in-
' formed, that they were hir'd to fight, and had ferv'd well as
long as there was fighting ; and if when they came in fight
of the enemy, they who had hir'd them, would not fufer
them to fight, he did not fee the reafon why they fhould be
called Deferters." As to the claufe, for a reward of 1 00,000 1.
for apprehending the Pretender, Mr Campion, knight of the Mr Campin.
Siire for SuiTex, faid, " That he was not in the Houfe
) when that claufe was mov'^d ; but if he had been prefent, he
would have opposed it, becaufe, in his opinion, the Prote-
ftant Succeffion was no longer in danger, fince his Majelly's
peaceable acceffion to the throne ; and he defy 'd' all the houfe
■ to prove the contrary." He was feconded by Mr Ship- MrShippwu
) pen : but Mr * W. Pulteney, member for Heydon, and, after Mr w.PoUeney.
him the + lord Lumley, member for Arundel, argu'd, LordLqniey*
" That the Proteftant Succeflion was in danger, as long
as there was a Popifh Pretender, who had many friends
I both at home and abroad : That the late Queen was
fenfible of that danger, when fhe iffu'd out her proclama-
tion againA him ; and that the cafe was not altered by her
MajeHy's demife : That the nation would be at no charge,
if the Pretender did not attempt to land ; and if he did,
100,000 1. would be well beftow'd to apprehend him." To
which no reply was made.
The Commons having pafs'd the Subfidy Bill, and two
others, and the fame being alfo returned to them pafs'd by
;he Lords ^ on the 2ifl o{ Auguft the Lords Juftices went to
the
• MdS? Vrivy CoHiifelhr and Secretury at Wary Sept, 17, 1714. t$ii4
Ogp'or ^ the Houfhaidy May 23, 1713,
f #5a7 Earl ft/ Scarbro42^»
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1714.
( 6 )
Anno 1. Geo. I. the Houfc of Lords, and the Commons attending, the Spt
ker, cm prefenting the Bill, For the Better Support of his M
jefiy's Houjholdy &c. together with another Money-bill, ma
the following Speech.
My Lords,
The speakerVi * T^ ^ ^ Knights, Citizens, and Bargefles of Great Bi
iSdsVftic^on * X tain, in Parliament aflembled, under the prefei
subSy-Blij'^&c. * ^ppinefs they enjoy, by his Majefty's peaceable and qui
' acceffion to the throne, could not enter upon any Wor
* more fatisfadory and pleafing to themfelves, than the pre
* viding a fufficient revenue for the occafions of his Majefiy
* civil government, in order to make his reign as eafy an
* profperous, as the beginning of it hath been fecure and un
* difturb'd.
* They are fenfible, that the peace of the Kingdom is no
* to be preferv'd, nor the rights and liberties of the Subjedl
* to be proteded, without fupporting the juft authority an<
* dignity of the Crown ; and therefore they have thought i
* their intereft, as well as duty, to make fuch a provifion, ai
* may not barely fuffice to the neceflity of the Governmentj
* but may be fuitable to the ftate, the honour, the luftre^
* which the Crown of Great Britain ought to be attended
* with.
' Whatfoever is fuperfluous in that provilion, and more
* than the ordinary fervices of his Majeify fhall require, will
* but enable him to exert his higheft and moft valuable pre-
* rogative of doing good : And we can give no greater proof
* ofthetruft we repofe in his Majefty's gracious difpofition,
* than putting the fame entire revenue into his hands, wluch
* her late Majefty died poffefs'd of 5 whofe virtues we all ad-
* mir'd, and of whofe afFeftions and concern for the religion,
* laws, and liberties of this kingdom, we had had fo long
* experience.
* As the Crown itfelf defcends immediately, and knows no
* vacancy, the Commons have taken care that the revenue
* Ihould follow it as clofe as poffible ; for they havfe given all
* the difpatch to this grant, which the forms of their pro-
* ceedings would allow 5 fo that when his Majefty Ihall pleafe
* to anfwer the impatient defires of his people, by coming to
* take poffeffion of his kingdoms, he will find himfelf equally
* eftablifh'd in thefe revenues, as if he had fucceeded to all
' by an uninterrupted right of inheritance ; the only difFe-
* rence is this, that if he had inherited them, he would have
* wanted one fmgle proof of the duty, and affedlion, and
* unanimity of his fubjedb.
' Our defire is, that this may be look'd upon as an earncft
* and a pledge of that zeal and fidelity which we fhall always
ntain.
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' retain, and which, upon every occafion, we fhall be ready Anno i. Ceo. l
' to demonfbate to his Majefty's perfon and government : As vJ?^v/-n^
y fach, we hope, his Majefty will gracioufly accept it at this ^"^^^^"^^
time ; and hereafter, when he fhall have had experience •
>'of this firft voluntary offering of his loyal Commons, we
nope he will find it to his fatisfadion, as large and as ample
^ as he could wifli ; might but the term of the grant be as
y long as we could wilh, fmce it is to have equal continuance
* with his Majefty's life.
My Lords,
* The Bill which the Commons have pafs'd for the pur-
' pofes I have mentioned, is entitled, Jn AS for the better
' ^wfpori 9/ his Majtflfs Hou/boU, bfc,
* They have alfo prepared another Bill, entitled, Aft A3
' for re Biffing Miftakes in the Names of the CommiJ/ioners for
' the Land-Tax, and for raifing fo much as is nuanting, to make
* uf the Sum of Fourteen Hundred Ihoufand Pounds, intended
' tQ hi raised by a Lottery for the Puhlick Ser*uice in the Year
* 1 71 4. This having been recommended to their care, and
' appearing to them to be neceflkry for his Majefty's and the
' ptft>lick iervice, they have reafon to think, they have abun-
' dandy fupply'd the defeds in the former provifion ; and in
' this afTurance, they humbly prefent this bill alfo for the
* royal aflent.
Then the Lords Juftices gave the royal aflent to the two ^. ^ , ,^ .
Ill' . y ' \ r ' r.1 1 .... The Royal Aflent
^buls mentioned m the foregomg Speech ; and to An AS to givea thereto.
nahle Perjbns rejiding in Great Britain, to take the Oaths^
mddo ail other ABs in Great Britain, requifite to qualify them^
lelvts to continue their refpeSinfe Places, Offices, and Empky^
nents in Ireland.
After which the Lord Chancellor made the following
Speech to both Houfes.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" IX 7" E cannot but exprefs our greateft fatisfadion, and, LordChan^ort
" VV ^ ^s Majefty's name, return you thanks, for the- iSes.
" convincing proofs which you have given, in this feffion, of
" your duty and affedlion to his Majefty, and of your zeal
" for his government.
" We muft particularly thank you, Gentlemen of theHoufe
" of Commons, for the aids which you have granted to his
** Majefty, for the better fupport of the honour of the Crown,
" and for preventing any difappointment in the Supplies given
" in the laft feflion for the fervice of this year. You may be
" affar'd, that the unanimity, the chearfulnefs, and the dif-
^" patch, with which you have proceeded in granting thefe
«* aids.
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Awio I. Geo. I. « aids, will render them yet more acceptable to his Majefly ;
ty^\/^\^ " ^^^ you may depend upon our making a faithful reprefon-
^ ** tation thereof to him.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" All neceflary bufinefs being now happily concluded, ii
** will be proper for us to put a fpeedy end to thisSeffion,
*S We think fit, at prefent, in his Majefly 's name, to defirf
** you forthwith refpedlively to adjourn your felves unti]
" Wednefday next. •
After which adjournment, viz. 25th of ^ugufi^ the Com-
mons being met again, Mr Bromley acquainted the Houicj
that the Lords Juflices had received his Majefly's anfwer tc
the Addrefs of this Houfe at the beginning of this Seflion i
which he prefented to the Houfe, and is as follows :
GEORGE R.
il^rJ^'ifcc^m- " \7'OUR dutiful and loyal Addrefs is very acceptable to
inonsAddrcfc. ** \ me. The unanimity and aifedlion my Commons
*' have fhewn upon my acceffion to the Crown, are mofl agree-
** able inflances and pledges of their fidelity to me. I have
** a juft fenfe of your inexpreffible lofs, by the death of your
" late Sovereign. You may be affur'd of my conflant endea-
** vours to fecure to you the full enjoyment of your religion,
** laws, and liberties ; and that it will always be my aim, to
' *' make you an happy and flouriftiing people ; to which your
*« refolution to maintain the publick credit of the Nation,
" will greatly contribute. 1 am haflening to you according
*' to your eamefl defire, and the jufl expefiations of xny
** people.
After this, the Lords Juflices went to the Houfe of Peers,
and the Commons attending, the Lord Chancellor, made the
following fpeech :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
LordChanccUor's « T TAvJng, fincc your late adjournment, received hia
ISiS^hcjKSk^ " X X Majefty's moft gracious anfwer, under his figj^
jncnt. « manual, to your feveral addreffes ; and by his Majefly*s
*' command, order'd them to be delivered to you refpedUve-
" ly i we do now in his Majefly's name, prorogue this pre-
*' fent Parliament 'till Thurfday the 23d day of September
" next ; and this prefent Parliament is accordingly prorogu'd
** to Thurfday the 23d day of September next.
^he End of the loft Seffion of the fourth Parliament of
Great Britain.
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S P E E C H E S
AND
DEBATES
1 N T H £
F7rjt Sepon of the First PAumMENi;^
O F
King George L
Being the FifthParliament of Great Brttdin^
ON tiie 17th of March, 1714-15, the Parliament Anno t.cJed.L
met at Wefbninfter according to the writs of fum- sT^^^^^^m^^
mons. And the King being come to the Houfe of Ar^*^
Lords, and feated on the throne with the ufual
foleninity, the gentleman Ufher of the black rod was fent ^^ Parijamcni
with a meifegc to the Houfe of Commons, commanding their meet.
attendance in the Houfe of Peers 5 the Commons being come
thither, hia Majc^'s pleafure was fignify'd to them by the
Loid Chancellor, that they Ihould return to their Houfe
ind chufe their Speaker^ and prefent him to his Majefty on
die 2ift.
The Commons being rctum'd to their Houfe, the Earl ^
of Hertford, fon to the Duke of Somerfet, propps'd th6
honourable * Mr Spencer Compton, knight of the (hira forNirCartptditjflk'i
Soflex, for Speaker^ aiid being feconded by f Lord Finch,*"^ ^^^"'
he was eled^ tietn. Con. '
On the 2ift the King came to the Houfe of Lords with
die uftial fol«nnity 5 and the Houfe of Commons attending}
prcfented the hon. Spencer Compton, Efq; for their Speaker;
whom his Majefty approv'd ; after which the Lord Chan-
Vox. I. B celloif
• AfM^ pMmafie^ Ginerat of the Forces in March I7ii-1, Jwi? cfedtii
tjtrl tf Wilmington, mw Lvrd Trefiknt 0/ the Conml ^ ^ . , _
t MaJe C^u^Mlef of tbt SmJbfUU^Y'i'J'^h snijtnct ^V^'^W i if^
lM^WiDck;l(ct)<&fi
Digitized by VjOOQIC
cellor read the following Speech, deliverM into his hands by
the King. .
f Lords and Gentlemen, .
HIS being the firft opportunity that I have had of
meeting my People in Parliament, fmce it plcas'd
" Almighty God, of his good providence, to call me to the
** Throne o/ my anceftors, I moft gladly make ufe of it to
" thank my faithful and loving SuQefts, for that zeal and
*' firmnefs that hath been fhewn-in defence of- the Proteftant
** Succeflion, againft all the open and fecret practices that
** have been ufed to defeat it : ' And I fhall never forget the
• «• obligatioi^ have to thofe who have diftinguifli'd them-
" ftlves upSfthis occafipn. ♦
" It were to be wifh'd,' that the unparalleled fucceffes of
** a war, which was fo wifely and chearfuUy fupported by
" this Nation, in order to procure a good Peace, had been
** attended with a fuitable conclufion : But it is with concern
** I muft te^ you, that fome conditions even of this Peace,
** eflential tb the fecurity and trade of Great Britain, are not
** vet duly executed ; and the performance of the whole may
V be look'd upon as precarious, until we (hall have form'd
*' defenfive alliances to guaranty the prefent treaties.
" The Pretender, who ftill refides in Lorrain^ threatens to
*' difturb us, and boafls of the afliftance which he flill expeds
** here to repair his former diiappointments.
'* A great part of our trade is rendered impra£licable ; this,
** if not retrieved, muift deiiroy our manufaftures, and ruin
" our navigation.
** The publick debts are very great, and furprizingly in-
** creas'd, even fmce the fatal ceilation of arms. My firft
, ** care was to prevent a farther increafe of thefe debts, by
" paying off forthwith a great number of (hips which had
** been kept in pay, when there was no occafion for continu-
** ing fuch an cxpence. . .
Geptlemen of the Houfe of Conmions, .
" I rely upon you for fuch fupplies a Jthe prefent circum-
** ftances of our affairs require for this year's (ervice, and for
* * the fupport of the publick faith. . The eftimates (hall be
** laid before you, that yon may cor fid ir of them ; and
** what you (hall judge neceiTary for your iafcty, I Ihall think
** fufficient for mine. ,
'* I doubt not but you will concur with me in opinion, that
** nothing can contribute more to the fupport of the credit of
** the nation, than a fiti&. obfervance of all Parliamentary
•** Engagements. ... .
** The branches of the revenue, formerly granted for the
^ fupport of tite civil Government^ are fo far incumber'd and
" alic-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( l» )
" alienated, tliat the produce of the Funds which remain,
" and have been granted to me, will fall much fliort of what
" was at ftrft delign'd, for maintaining the honour and dig-
" mty of the Crown : And fince it is my happinefs (as I am-
" confident yoa think it yours) to fee a Prince of Wales^
" who may, in due time, fuccced me on the Throne, and to
" fee him bleffed wth many children, the befl and mofl va-
" luable pledges of our care and concern for your profperity i
'* this muft occafion an expence to which the nation has not
" of many years been accuftom'd ; but fuch as furely no.
" man will grudge ; and therefore I do not doubt but you
** will think of it with that affeftion which I have reafon to
« hope from you.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" The eyes of all Europe arc upon you, waiting the iflue
" of this firft Seffion. Let no unhappy divifions of Parties-
" here at home, divert you from purfuing the common in-
" tereft of your Country : Let no wicked infinuations dif-
** quiet the minds of my Subjedb. The eftablifti'd conttitution
** in Church and State Ihall be the rule of my Government 9
** the happineis, eafe, and profperity of my people, ihall b^
** the chief care of my life. Thofe who afiift me in carrying
** on thefc meafures, J fhall always efleem my beft Friends >
" and I doubt not but that I (hall be able, with your aflifl-
** ance, to difappoint the defigns of thofe who would deprive
" me of that ble&ig, which 1 moft value, the affe^Uons of
** my People,
On the 23d, Mr Speaker having reported to the Houfe the
King^s Speech, Mr Robert Walpole made afpeech, in which
he fct forth the great happinefs of thefe Nations by his Maje-
fty's (eafonaUe acceffion to the Crown ; ran through the Mif-
managemcints of the four laft preceding years ; and concluded
with a motion for an Addrefs of Thanks to the King,conform-
able to the feveral heads of his Majefty's Speech. He was
feconded by the lord Hinchinbroke, * member for Huntings
don ; and none but Sir William Whitlocke, member for the
Univerfity of Oxford, having rais'd any Objedlion againfb
Mr Walpole's motion, it wiUJ-efolv'd,
That an Addrefs he prefented to his Majefty ; and a Com^
mittee was appointed to draw it .up» of which Mr Walpolo
was ele^ed Chairman ; which was as follows ;
Mod gracious Sovereign,
' 1^0 UR Majefty's moft ^dutiful and loyal Subjefts, the
1 X Commons of Great Britain in Parliament affembled,
B z retura
Aonoi. Geo.I«
1714.15.
Mr WdlpdcM
Motion for litk
Addrefs of
Thanks,
The Aidxcis,
• Smin tl:e E rrl rf Sandwich, api a CMel »f Fn*.? »
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return your Majcfty their unfeigned thanks fbr your moft.
gracious Speech from the Throne.
* 'Tis with inexpreflible joy that we approaclf your Maje^
* fty, peaceably feated upon the Throne of your royal an-
* ceftors ; and being throughly fenfible of the many open and
* fecret pradlices that have of late years been ufed to defeat
^ the Proteftant SucceflJon, we cannot fufficiently adore the
* Divine Providence, that fo feafonably interpofed, and faved
* this Nation by your Majefly's happy acceflion to the
/ Crown.
* Your faithful Commons receive with the higheft grati-
^ tude, your moft gracious affurances, that the eftablifhed
* Conftitution in Church and State, fhall be the rule of your
* Government ; and the fafety, eafe, and profperity of your
* People, the chief care of your life. We are fenfible of your
* goodnefs expreffed to thofe who have diftinguifti'd them-
* felvcs by their zeal and firmnefs fbr the Proteftant Succefli-
* on : And as we doubt not, but the wifdom and fteadinefs of
* your Government will unite the hearts of all your feithful
^ fubjeffe in duty and aiFedion to your (acred perfon, fo we
* moft humbly beg leave to aflure your Majefty, that we
* not only highly relent the wicked infinuations ufed to dif-
^ quiet the minds of your fubjeds, but are rcfolved, to the
* utmoft of our power, to fupprefs and extinguilh that
* evil difpofition that is ftill at work to deprive your Majefty
* of the afFeftions of your people.
' We are fenfibly touch'd, not only with the difappoint-
* ment, but with the reproach brought on the Nation by
* the unfuitable conclufion of a war, which was carryM on
* at fo vaft an expence, and was attended with fuch unparal-
* leird fucceiTes : But as that diftionour cannot in juftice be
* imputed to the whole Nation, fo we firmly hope and be-
* lieve, that thro' your Majefty's great wifdom, and the
* faithful endeavours of your Commons, the reputation of
' thefe your Kingdoms will in due time be vindicated and
* reftored.
* We are under aftonifhment to find, that any conditions of
* the late peace, effential to the fccurity and trade of Great
* Britain, fhould not be duly ^jiecuted ; and that care wi«
* not taken to form fuch alliances, as might have rendered
* that peace not precarious. And as no care ihall be want^
* ing in your loya? Commons to enquire into thefe fatal Mi€*
* carriages, fo we entirely rely on your Majefty's wifdom^
' to enter into fuch allianc^ as you mall judge neceflary to
« preferve the peace of Europe ; and we faithfully promife to
* enable your Majefty to make good all fuch engagements.
< It is with juft refentmentwe obferve, that the Pretender
< ftill rcfidcs in JLprraii,.and that he has ^e prefomption, by
^^ deda-s
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17X4-1 $•
i «3 )
* dedaradons from thence, to ftlr up your Majefty's Subjeds ai»o x. gm.l
* to rebellion : Bat that which raifcs the utmoft indignation
* of your Commons is, that it appears therein, that his hopes
* were built upon the meafures that had beea taken fof fomc
* time pali in Great Britain. It fhail be our bulinefs to trace
* out thofe meafures whereon he placed his hopes, and to
* bring the authors of them to condign punifhment.
* Your Commons are under tlie oeepell concern, that a
' great part of our trade is rcndcr'd impradlieable, which, if
* not rctricv'd, muft dcftroy our manufadures, and ruin our
* navigation : But tho' we are too feniible of thofe fatal
* confequences, we are not yet without hopes, that your
* Majeily's great wifdom, by the affiftance of your Commons,
* may find means to extricate your People from their prefent
* difficulties.
* The Ueffings derived to thefe Nations from your Maje-
* fty's aufpicioas reign, are not confined to the ppcfent times ;
' we have a profpeft of future and lailing happinefs entail'd
* upon your People by a long fucceflion of your royal pro-
* geny. AncMis this is a bleiling which thefe Kit^dums have
* a long time wanted, fo they could never hope to have feen
* it fo well fupply'd, as in the perfon of his Royal Highnefs
* the Prince of Wales, and his ifiue. Your fkidiful Com-
* moos fhall therefore think it their duty to enable your Ma-
* jefty to fupport the dignity of the CroWn, and to make aa
* honourable provifion for the Royal Family.
* The furprizing increafe of the publick debts, even fince
* all thoughts of carrying on the war were laid afide, (hall not
* difcourage us from granting fuch fupplies as ihall be necef.
* fary for the fervice of this year, and the fupport of pub-
* lick faith ; And we do entirely concur with your Majefty
* in opinion, that nothing can contribute more towards pre-
* ferving the credit of the Nation, than a ftrift obfervance of
* aU Parliamentary Engagements, which we are firmly refol-
^ ved upon all ocotfioss inviolably to maintain.
Upon the reading of this Addrefs, there arofe a warm De- Debate *»«».
bate in the Houfe : Mr Shippen, Mr Bromley, Sir William
Wyndham, Lieutenant General Rois member for the (hire
of Rofs, Mr C3e(ar member for Hertford, Mr Ward mem^
bcr for Thctford, Sir * Robert Raymond member for Lud-
low, Sir William Whitlocke, Mr Hungerford member for
Scarbrough, and fome others, raifed objedions againft divers
expreffions in the Addrefs ; but were anfwer'd by Mr Robert
Wal-
• 14a^. Attomffy-Gmeral^ 5e&May, 1710,' LvriCmef fiiflice of tU
J&^jB«?db, Feb,a8, 171^ W afttnostrds crumdMliam ^ Great
BriCftiru
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Mr Robert Wal-
pole and Gen.
Stanhope.
Sir 'William
VVyudhani*
Sir Gilbert Hcath-
cetc.
( H r
Walpole, General + Stanhope member for Cockermouth,
Sir Gilbert Heathcote member for Hellion, and Mr Willi-
am Pulteney. General Rofs, among the relt, iniifted much,
* That the condemning the Peace^ and cenfuring the late
Miniftry, was a refledion on the late Queen, whofe aft and
deed tlie Peace was ; and that he was lure the rcflefting on
the late Queen, could not be agreeable to his prefentMajelly.*
He was anfwer'd by Mr Robert Walpole, and General Stan-
hope, * That nothing was farther from their intentions, than
to afperfe the late Q^een ; that they rather defigned to vin-
dicate her memory, by expofing and punilhing thofe evil
Counfellors, who deluded her into pernicious meafures j
whereas the oppofite Party endeavoured to fcreen and juftify
thofe Counfellors, by throwing oa that good, pious, and
well-meaning Princefs, all the blame and odium of their evil
counfels.' As to cenfuring the late Minifters, without hear-
ing them, and condemning the Peace, without examining in-
to particulars, as unjull and unprecedented, it was anfwer'd,
* That they mufl diftinguifh between cenfuring Minifters, and
condemning the Peace in general, and condei^ing particular
perfons. That they might, in equity and juftice, do the
firft, becaufe the whole Nation is already fenfible, that their
honour and true intereft were given up by the late Peace 5
that in due time they would call them to an account, who
made and advifed fuch a Peace ; but God forbid they fhould
ever condemn any perfon unheard.' On this occaflon Gene-
ral Stanhope took notice of a report induftrioufly fpread
abroad, * That the prefent Minifters never defigned to call
the late Managers t6 an account, but only to cenmre them in
general terms : But he aflur'd the Houfc, that notwithftand-
ing all the endeavours that had been ufed to prevent a difco-
very of the late mifmanagements, by conveying away feveral
papers from the Secretaries Offices, yet the Government had
fufficient evidence left, to prove the late Miniftry the moft
corrupt that ever fate at the Helm : That thofe matters
would foon be laid before the Houfe ; and that it would ap-
pear, that a certain Englifti General had afted in concert
with, if not received orders from, Marftial ViUars.'
Sir William Wyndham endeavoured to prove, that the
Peace had been very beneficial to this Kingdom ; and oiFered
to produce a lift of goods, by which it appeared, that the Cu-
ftoms had increafed near 1 00,000 1. per annum. B^t he was
immediately taken up by Sir Gilbert Heathcote, who readi-
ly own'd. Sir William might, indeed, produce a lift of vaft
imports from France, but defy'd him to ihew that our exports
thither^
f Made Smi^my of StattCy 7^^ Janugry, i7i<^. Ch^cslkr of tht £»•
ekcoHcr^ 13?^ April, I'jj'j^ avd of tet-war£ created an Eavh
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( 15 )
thither, particularly of our woollen inaiiu&£lures, had en- Aimo i. oeo.L
creas'd fince the Peace. He added, that imports being only v^^^^i^lJ^^^^
oar confomption, rather prove our lois than our gain ; and
diat the Nation gets only by exports, which keep up our
manufafkares, emj^oy our poor, and bring in returns in mo-
ney; to which Sir William Wyndham made no reply. Sir
William Whitlocke having fuggefted, that the new Miniftry ^^. y^'"^°»
defign'd to involve the Nation in a new war, and lay (ix (hil-
lings in the pound, was affurM by Mr Robert Walpole, that ^r '^*^'' ^^***
none in the prefent Miniftry were for a war, if the fame ^***
could any ways be avoided , and that he doubted not, but
Two Shillings in the Pound would be fufHcient towards this
year's fervice.
After this Debate, a motion being made, and the queftion
pat, that the Addrefs of Thanks be recommitted, itpafs'd in
the negative, by ^44 voices againft 138; and then it was rc-
folv'd. That the Houfe do agree with the Committee in the The Addnh re-
laid Addrefs ; and order'd, that fuch Members as are of the **•'"'** *"*•
Privy Council, fhould know his Majefty's pleafure, when he
would be attended by the Houfe. The King having ap-
pointed the next day,- the Commons, with their Speaker, at-
tended his Majefty accordingly at St James's, with their
Addrefs, to which his Majelty returned the following An-
fwer :
Gentlemen,
" T Thank you for the many kind aflurances you have gi- J^^^ S^tof ***
" £ ven me in your dutiful and loyal Addrefs.
" No endeavours fliall be wanting on my part, to promote
" your true intereft, and endear myfelf to all my People :
" And I will depend on your zeal and afFeftion, to defeat
" all evil defigns, that may tend to difquiet the minds of
" my People, and difturb the tranquility 'of my Government.
April 5th, the Houfe being mov'd to appoint a day for
taking into confideration the King's Proclamation of the 1 5 th
of January laft for calling a new Parliament, and the fame
being read accordingly. Sir William Whitlocke made fome
exceptions to the faid Proclamation, as unprecedented and un- ExcepUon5 made
warrantable, for which he was call'd upon by fome members in hi^li /. a K'
to explain himfelf ; upoQ which he made a kind of excufe for S>iuJ'^g"aiis"*pl?-
what he had faid. - wfwhitiiS'
The paflkges here fuppos'd to be alluded to are as follows,
viz. ife cannot omity on this occafion of firft fummoning our
ParUament of Great Britain^ injuftke to ourfel'ves, and that
ibt mi/carriages of others mwf not he imputed to us, at a time
wbenfalfe imprejjions may do the greatefi and irreco^erahle hurt
before they can be clear d up, to fignify to our nvhoie Kingdom ^
that we ivere very much concent d^ on our accejjson to the Cro^n^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( «6 )
Awio I. Geo. i. /tf find the puhlich apairs of our Kingdoms under thegrtaUfi M/^
t/'^ifS^ Jicubiesy ns tjcell in rejfeQ of our trade ^ and the interruption of
our nwuigation^ as of the great debts of the Nation^ njohieh njci
twere furpri^ d to ohfer've^ had been 'very much increasd fince the
€onclujion of the laft kvar : U^e do not therejbre doubt, thai if the
enfuing Elections Jhall he made by our lowing Subje^s nvitb that
fafety and freedom ivhich by /a^w they are entitled to, and nve are
firmly rejol'u'd to maintain to them^ they ixiillfend up to Pariia-'
ment the fitteft perfins to redrefs theprefent dijorders^ and to pro-
«vide for the peace and happinefs of our Kingdoms y and the eafe
of our people for the future y and therein nvill ha'ue a particuMr
regard to fuch as Jheiv* d a firmnejs to the Protejiant Succeffion^
R^hen it <was moft in danger, is^c.
And bv Sir wii- This Difputc would have been drop'd, had not Sir William
iba Wyndham. Wyndham took up the cudgels, and even carry'd the matter
ferther, by advancing, that the {aid Proclamation was not
only unprecedented and unwarrantable, but even of danger-
ous confequence to the very being of Parliaments. The
Courtiers could not but take notice of fo home a refle6Uon,
and thereupon callM upon Sir William Wyndham to juAify
his charge ; but Sir William, who judg'd he could notdeiccnd
to particulars,without giving farther ofFence^ declin'd explain-
ing himfelf J tho* at the fame time, he refolutely maintained
his firft aflertion, faying, * That as he thought fome expref-
iions in the faid Proclamation of dangerous confequence, fo
he believed every Member was free to fpeak his tlioiights.'* He
was anfwer'd, * No doubt but every Member has that liberty,
freedom offpeech being one of the eflential privileges of that
Houfe; but that the Houfe has, at the fame time, both the
liberty and power to cenfure and punifh fuch Members as
tranfgrefs the rules of decency, trefpafs upon the relpeft due
to the Crown, and fo abufe the privilege of the Houfe within
doors, as to render it contemptible without.' Sir William be-
ing again call'd upon to explain himfelf, andftill periifting in
JStin" hSn^uT ^^^ refufal, fome Members cry'd the To^er, the To^wer ; but
the Tower, Mr Robert WaJpole warded off the blow by words to the fbl-
itisopFos'd by lowing purpofe. Mr. Speaker, * I am not for gratifyir.g the
Wr R. Vaipoie defire which the Member, who occafions this great debate^
fhews of being fent to the Tower ; 'twould make him too con*
fiderable : But as he is a young Man of good parts, who fets
up for a warm Champion of the late MiniHry, and one who
was in all their fecrets, I would have him be in the Houfe
when we come to enquire into the condud of his friends, both
that he may have an opportunity to defend them, and be a
witnefs of the fairnefs with which we fhall proceed againft
thofe Gentlemen ; and that it may Hot be feid, that we take
any advantage againft them.' After feveral other fpeeches^
which prolong'd this debate from one till half an hour pall
five
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fare in die a^tehipon, a motion was made, M die; ^o^joa Aflao t 6e6. t*
put, that the Houfe do now adjourn, which being canyM in * "if^' \
the negative by a majority of 2 1 a voices againft 1 34, a moj» W^j •|^«np
tion was mad^^ and the queftion ptopo^M, that Sir William
Wyndham having reflected upon his Majdty's Prochmatioii
of the 1 5 th of January laft for calling a new Parlianient, and
havingr refiisM to jaftify his cham, although often callM upon
fo to do, is guilty of a gr^t indignity to his Majefty, and olT
a breach of the privilege of the Houfe.* This motion occafi-
onM a fre(h Debate^ that laded till feven of the dodc; this
Courtiers dill infilling^ that Sir William Wyndham ihoulil
juftify his charge, and Sir William as refolutely declining to
do it, faying, he was ready 10 undergo whatever a majority
might think fit to inflid upon him. At laft the queftion being
put that Sir William Wyiidham fhould withdraw, thq £mif
was carryM in the afiirmativc by 208 Voiiies aeainil 1 29,
whereupon Sir William withdrew accordingly; and with him^
to a man, all the izg Members who had b^n for the nega*
tive. Their antag<milts being thus entire mailers of the fidd^
the queftion was piit, and unanimouily f efolv*d| that Sir Wil*
liam Wyndham, having refie^d upon his Majefty*s Procla-
mation of the I gth of January laft for calling a new Parlia-
ment, and having tefusM to jultify his charge, althoueh ofteti
caird uponfo to do^ is guilty of a great indignity to his Ma-
4efty, and of a breach of the privilege of the Houfe: after
which, it was order*d, that Sir William Wyndham, be, for
the faid o^ence, reprimanded in his place by Mr. Speakcf : Air W.Wyni*
and that he ihould attend the Houfe in his place the next lamordctM t#
mornbg. be reprhntndei
Sir William Wyndham attending the next day in his place, l>y<h«Spetkeif.
Mr. Speaker addrefsM himfelf to him in this kaiiner.
SIR,
THE arraigning A Proclam^iott ijfked by his Majefty
for calling this trefent Parliament, and refufing to ajr *
Jign any Cauffwhy fuc% Proclamation is blanehhie^ the Houfi
thought an Indignity to his Majefty^ mnd fo unwarrantable an
uje of that Freedom of Speech (ivhich is the undoubted Pri-i
vilege of Parliament) that the Houfe thought they could not
let it pafs <wiihout Animad'verjion, But being ivillinfr their
Moderations Jhvuld appsair^ nol with/landing thiir Leti^ has
been too much def^ifd and contemned^ they have inJlUtei the
mildeft Cenfure your Offence nvas capable of and have com^
manded me to reprimand you in you f Place i and in Obi^
dience to thei-' Command ^ £ do reprimand you act rdlngly^
Whereupon Sir William Wyndham laid :
Mr. Speaker,
* T Very truly reium my thanks to you for perfornv*
* X ing that duty which is incumbent upon you fro.n yon>
* oifice^ in fo candid and gentleman-like a manner^
V€ii..J. Q ' Ai
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fAaaai Qfio^h f As I am a Member, I know I muft ac^uiefce in the
* '7?5» ' * determination of the Houfe. But as I am not confcibu3
^V'^^y^'S*?? . f to ^y felf of having offered any indignity to his Ma-
..^ lefty, tor of having been guilty of any breach of the privi-
f lege of this Houle ; I have no thanks to return to thoiSs
^ pentlemeQ, who, under a pretence of lenity, have brought
f me under this c^nfure.'
Jprilg. General Stanhope prefented to the Houfe, pur-
.fuant tco their Addrefs to his Majefly for that purpofe on the
31ft of March, all the po^crs^ inftru6Upns, meiporials, pa-
^£jers, ^c- relating to thel^te negotiation of peace and com-:
^erce^ and to the ceffation of .arms, which he delivered in
at the table, and told the Houfe, * That nothing had been
omitted, that might either anfwcr the de^re they had ex-
prefs'd of being throughly infbrm'd of what had pafs'd ih
'^hofe important negotiations, pr to fatisfy the\yhole World,
that the prefent Nfiniftry afted with the utpiofi fajmcfs an4
candour, and defign'd to take no manner of advantage oveif
the late Managers in the intended inquiries : That, indeed,
• ,the papers now laid before the Houfe were only copies, but
. that the originstis would be produc'd if occafion required :
^fft. Stanhope** .to"^^"^i"g» ^^^^ ?^°^"^ P^P5^s being too many, and too vo-
Motiofi forap- 'luminous to be periis'd and examin'd by all the Members of
pointingaCom'. the Houie, he thought it more convenient, and therefore
xnittce, to in- niov'd, that ^he faid books and papers b^ reftrhd to a fele^^
kte FteS» and Committee of twenty perfons, who fhould digeft the fub^
the Manage- flancc of them mider proper heais, and report the fame,'
meat of th^ late with their obfervations thereupon to the Houfe.' Mr. Ward
Qgeen'a Mi- Member for Thetford, faid, * Nothing could be fairer. That
jiiftry. for his o>yn part, the' his principle was that Kings can do no
Jjf ""J^^kMl^y norong^ yet he was oi^ opinion, thatMinifters >yere account-
Mr.Ward. able for their male-ad|niniftration,'
Mr. Edward Harley, ♦ Member for Leominfter, on this
Mr.E.HarIey> jftood up, and faid, * That it Was eafy to fee that oneof hii^
E^fTo**fr^i nearcft Relations was principally aun'd at, in the intended
jfXi 0 ux or^. jnqujjjg^ . ^^ hemight aflure the Houfe, that the faid perfon,
notwithftanding the various Vcports which had been fprcad
concerning him, would neither fly his Country^ nor conceal
i^imielf, but be forthrcoming whenever' he (hould be calPd
upon to juilify his cpndufl. That jie hoped he wotdd be able,
. Bpon the feyereft trial, to make his innocence appear to all
|he World ; but if he fhould be fo unhappy as to have been
guilty of the crimes that were laid to his charge, he would
think all his blood too fmall a facrifice to atone for them.*
J>Iobody opposed General Stanhop€^s motion : Mr. Hunger-
lord only excepted againft the number of twenty, and moved
that one more might be added ; which was agreed to, and' it
was refolved. That the papers befpre-mentiOned be r^fcrrM
* to
t Om 9ftbi Auditors •ftht Imprcftt Mnd hrothgr H tht EathfOxhtd •
Digitized by VjOOQIC.
( 19 )
to a Committee of twenty one. That the fiud Committee
be a Committee of Secrecy i that they be chofen by way of bol- _ ^ _
Joting : And, That the Members of the Houfe fhoold on the a fecret commjt-
monday following prepare lifts for that purpofe, &c. i«>SiJJdI*^'*^
April 1 3, Colonel Bladen f , member for Stockbridge,
reported from the Committee, that the Majority had /klkn
upon the one and twenty Perfons following, viz. Sir Richard
Onflow, Bart, [a) member for Surry ; Mr R..Walpok»(3) ;
Mr Cowper (f), member for Truro 5 General Stanhope (d) ;
Mr Bofcawen (f), member for Penryn ; MrW.Pulteney (f)^
member for Heydon ; Mr Lechmere (g)^ member for Cock-
crmouth ; Daniel lord Finch (A), member for Rutlandihire ;
Mr John Aiflabie (/), member for Ripon ; Mr Vernon, Their Namei.
member for Worcefterfhire 5 the Earl of Hertford (1^)^ mem-
ber for Northumberland ; Mr Edward Wortley Montague,
member forWeftminftcr; Sir David Dalrymple, Bart.(y) mem-
ber for Haddington, &c. Mr George Bailie («), member for
Berwicldhire ; Sir Jofeph Jekyll («), member for Lyming-
ton ; Lieutenant General Erie (»), member for Wareham ;
Mr Richard Hampden (f)^ member for the County of Bucks;
Sir Robert Mariham (f), member for Maidflon ; Mr Den*
ton (r), member for Buckingham : Mr Thomas Pitt (i), fen.
member for Old Sarum ; Lord Coningsby (/}, member for
Leominfter.
An objedtion being made by fome members to Sir Jofeph
Jckyll's being one of the faid Committee, he having not ta-
ken the oaths at the table ; it was readily anfwered, that the
iame was not owing to any voluntary negled. Sir Jofeph Je-
kyll being employed in the circuits, as Judge of the County
Palatine of Chefter. Whereupon it was ref<Jv'd, That Sir
Jofeph Jekyll being a Member of this Houfe» was capable of
being chofen of the Committee of Secrecy, altho' he had not
C z been
t ComptrtHsr of the Minty fince made Ommjjmntr if TraJe, , \
(z) Appoinied Chancellor of the ExcheqieTy 0£t. 5. 1714, irt the room cf
&r William Wyndham, Hart, anJJifKe created a Baron, (b) Vide P. 4.
(c) Chief Jifiice of Chefter, made a fudge ofCmmon Phas^ 06t. 14, 1 717. ^
fd) Vid. F. 14. (e) One if the Vice-Treafttrers and Faym^lers-General of
Ireland, P. C created Lord VifcomtFzXvaoMXh^ June 8. 1720. (f) Vid.
!*• $• is) ^^^* Solicitor General^ Oit. 9. 1714. Atton^ey General March
14, 1717-18. Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaft.r, Jans iz. 1717. and
cmrttfi ^J5tfro», Aug. i^, 172.1, W P. C (h) -Vid. P. 9. (i) Made
Ireafurer of the Navy in the roam of Mr, Ca^r, rf»«» a Lord of the Treafwry^
Chancellor and Under-Treafitrer of the Exchequer j and P. C. (k) Captain qf
the ftcond Troop of GuM^ds^ Governor of ^'mmoMth Fort^ Sec, (f) Lord
Advocate for Scotland, (m) A Lord (f the Treafury, (n) Chief Ju^ice of
Chefter, afterwards Maimer of the BjoUs^ and P.C, (o) Lieutenant of the
Ordnance. Goroernor of Portfmouth, and P, C, (p) TcUer of the Exchequer^
ifterwM'ds Ireafurer of the J\L»w, and P. C, (q) Created Lord Komneyy
Jone 25, 1716. (r) Attorney-General of the Duchy 0/ Lancafter, made a
" '^« nf Common PleaSy June 14. 1722. (s) Afterwards msdi Giwrmr ef
lea, (t} Created aa EngUih Earlf April ^o. 1716.
, Digitized by VjOOQIC
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^M I. Gep.!. b^en fwom'at the table ; And it was alfo order'd, I. That the
^^I^Ky^.M books and papers ordered to remain in the cuftody of the
^^^^ Clerk, 'till this Committee was chofen, be delivered to. the
faid Committee ; and that they do examine the fame, and
report to the Houfe what they find material in them ; and
that tl^ey, or any five of them, do meet this afternoon, and
fit iie die in diem ; II.That the faid Committee have power to
fend fbr perfons, papers, and records.
The Committee of Secrecy met that evening, and chofe
2!2a"c^^.Mr Robert Walpole their Chairman ; but that Gentleman
being the next day taken ill, the Committee chofe Mr Se-
cretary Stanhope to fupply his place of Chairman, and for
dHpatch fake, fubdivided themfelves into three Committees,
to each vof which a certain number of books and papers were
allotted.
May 13, The Committee of the whole Houfe having ex^
amin'd the accounts laid before them, relating to the Civil Lift
in the Reigns of K. Charles II. K. James II. K. William III.
and Queen Anne, and other papers on that head, the Cour-
Motion reiatine ^^^^^ ofTcrM the following queftion, viz. That it appears to
t» the Civil Lift, this Committee, * that the fum of 700,000 1. per annum
* was fettled upon King William, during his life, for the
* fupport of his Houihold, and other neceflary occafions ; and
' at the time of his demife, after the dedudtion of 3700 1. a
* week which was apply'd to publick ufes, was the produce of
* the Civil Lift revenues that were continued and fettled upon
* Queen Anne, during her life.' Which queftion occafion'd
Hebate ther^n. ^ warm and long Debate. They who proposed it had two
things principally in their view ; I. To vindicate the prefent
Miniftry from the afperfions caft upon them, and induftrioufly
fpread about, by the emif&ries of the late Managers, that
the Courtiers delign'd to give the Kingj a larger revenue than
his Predeceflbrs had enjoy'd ; and, II. To make good the
branches of the revenue afligned for the fupport of the Civil
Lift, which had been alienated, or abridg'd, fo that the
whole neat produce might amount to the fum of 700,000 1.
per annum.
The leading Men among the oppofite Party, being fenfible
©f the firft, and pretending, at leaft, to be ignorant of the
confequences of this preliminary queftion, inllfted a long
while, * That it was enfnaring : That what had been done
by former Parliaments ought not to be a ilanding rule for
the fubfequent : That fuppcling the Parliament had given
King William a revenue of 700,000 1. per annum for the
Civil Lift, they ought to conifider, that he was to pay out of
it 50,060 1. per annum to the late Queen, then Princefs of
Denmark ; 1 5 or 20000 1. per annum to the late Duke of
Glpuctftcx; ittid40,©©ol. ftr the dowry ©f the late King
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James's Qu^^^ • That after the late Quewi's acccffion to the Atno i. Ceo.L
Throne, the Parliament taking notice that the produce of the i/'*^'VJ
Civil lift revenues exceeded what they had been given for j
diefum of 3700 1. per Week, (that is 192,400 1. per annum)
was taken out of them, and apply 'd to other ufes ; notwith-
ftanding which dedu6Uon, the late Queen had honourably
maintained her Family, and fupported the dignity of the
Crown : However, if the prefent revenues of the Civil Lift
were not fulHcient, they were ready to confent to an additi-
on.' The Courtiers anfwer'd, * That the queftion before
them was founded upon fadls, which, if deny'd, they were
ready to prove by the records of the Houfe.' But Sir Willi- sir w.wyndJunu
am Wyndham ftill urging that the queftion was enfnaring,
General Stanhope anfwcr'd, * That he would be very plain GenenasunhoiHi/
with thein, and own, that as 'twas- notorious, that great en-
deavours had been ufed to alienate the afFedion of the People
from the King and his Government by falfe fuggeftions, that
they deiign'd to plunge the Nation into extraordinary expen-
ces, they thought it highly neceiTary to clear his Majefty and
his Miniflers from that malicious afperfion.' To this the lord
* Guemfey, member for Surry, reply M, * That the diiTaifec- ^ri GaenOey.
don of the People, if any, did not proceed from his Majefty,
but from the hardfhips his Minifters put on the Frieiuis of
the late Miniftry.' To which it was return 'd, * That as foon
as it was made known to the world, how the late Miniftry
had ufed the whole Nation, nothing that could be done
againft them, would then be thought a hardftiip ; but, how-
ever, that neither that noble member, nor any of his fami-
ly, had reafon to complain of hard(hips.' After fome other
Speeches, which prolonged the Debate from two 'till about
five in the afternoon, the Country Party endeavoured to drop
the queftion, by moving that the Speaker refume the Chair ;
bat the queftion being put upon this queftion, the fame was
carried in the negative by 244 Voices againft 1 48 : After
which, the firft queftion was put, and carry 'd in the affir-
mative by about the fame majority. Then the viflorious
Party mov'd. That to enable his Majefty to fupport the
dignity of the Crown, and to make an honourable provifion
for the Royal. Family, there be granted to his Majefty, dur-
ing his life, an additional revenue, which, together with the
neat produce of the Civil Lift branches, may make up the
clear yearly fum of 700,000 1. for thefervice of his Majefty's
HouChold and Family, and for his other neceffary expences
and occafions.' The queftion being put upon this motion,
the fame occaflon'd another great Debate. Sir Thomas Han- JJ, J-^,^"*'-
incr, Mr Bromley, "Sir William Wyndham, MrCaefar, Mr sirw?w7wBuu«
Hunger- ^',^*^"-
♦ JVwi Jlir/i^AyliJfwd.
y Google
( 2^ )
Anno I. Ceo. I, Hongcrford, and fome other leading Members of the late
»7i5- Miniltry, who, on this occafion, were llrengthen'd and backed
J^^^^^^{^^^^ by fome eminent Members of the Court Party, did not at
firft diredly oppofe the quefti9n, but infmuated, * That be-
fore they came to that refolution, it fliould be proper that
a particular of the King's expences fhould be laid before the
MrWaJpofe. Houfe.' Mr Walpole, General Stanhope, Mr Lcchmcre, and
MrM^^mcn^' ^ome othcp Courtiers, who, on this occafion, were joined by
fome of the oppofite Party, having exploded that propofai as
altogether inconfiftent wiUi the King's honour, to have all the
private expences of his Family and Houfhold look'd into, as
if he had need of a Guardian, the Country Party then
mov'd, that the fum of 600,000 1. per annum be given to
his Majefty, and 100,000 1. per annum fettled on the Prince
of Wales. The Courtiers perceiving that the propofai of
giving the Prince of Wales a feparate revenue, was only a.
defign to divide the Royal Family, by leffening the next
Heir Apparent's dependence on the King, oppos'd it ivith
great warmth ; and the qucllion being put upon that mo-
tion, the fame was carry 'd in the, negative by a great
majority. The Country Party having loft thefe two points^
fome of that Party more openly oppos'd the main quefHon,
Krw.wyndham. among the reft. Sir William Wyndham iaid, * He had the
honour to ferve Queen Anne, and had the opportunity to
look both into her' revenue and expence? ; and he could ai^
fure the Houfe, that about 500,000!. per annum, ^vere
fuiEcient for the fupport of her Family and Civil Lift s tho*
fhe referv'd about 50,000 1. a year for the late King James's
Confort. * The Courtiers were glad of this laft confeffion 5
ccn s:ar.ho ^^^ General Stanhope defir'd the Committee to take Notice
of what that Gentleman had advanc'd,^ becaufe it would
ferve to confirm fome matters, which the Committee of Se*
crecy had found in the papers that were laid before them.
A Courtier, who, at that time, fpoke on the oppofite fide,
made fome reflexions on the preient unthrifty adminiftration
of his Majefty's revenue ; and, in particular, took notice of
the falaries of the Judges being advanced ; not, faid he, for
fervices done, but expefted. Upon the whole matter, the-
queftion being put upon the motion before mention^, about
' feven o'clock in the evening, the fame was carry 'd in the
affirmative without dividing.
May ,1 8. The Commons refolved themfelves into a Com-
mittee of the whole Houfe, to confider of the feveral lijfta
and accounts of annuities, penfions, and bounties granted by
the late Queen, or his prefent Majefty ; upon which there
arofe a warm Debate. The leading Men cmong the Frienda
of the late Miniftry, fupported again by a great many Cour^
ticrs^ exclaim^ agaijaft tht penftons given . by the Crown ta
feveral
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{ 2J >
fefwal pcHbns of quality, fomc of whom *thcy nam*d who Anno t . oeo. i.
I hid no occaiion for them ; and a motion was made, that an *w'l^^"><N^
' Addrefs be prefented to his Majcfty, that he would be pleased MoUon for an Ad-
to retrench all unncceflary pcnfions, and grant no more any fJ'Sir^.lhV'^i?'
foch for the future. Hereupon Mr R. Walpole (hew'd, ^oa^ &c.
* That they ought not to ftint the King's beneficence, nor Mr Robert wj-
t debar his Majelly from the exercife of the moft glorious p*^'*^***^
! branch of his royal prerogative, which is to beftow his fa-
vours on fuch as diftinguifh themfelves in his fervice. ' He ^
was feconded by Mr Hampden, who, on the other hand, MrHampdctu
ebfervM, that all the penfions d>out which (b much noife
was made, did not amount to above 25000 1. a year; and
to wave the motion made by the Country Party, he mov'd,
that the Chairman ihould leave the Chair; which, being put
to the vote, pafs'd in the affirmative, by 191 votes againft
188 ; fo that the Court Party carry *d it by three voices only.
May 23. The Conmions, in a grand Committee on the
Supply, came to this refolution, viz. That to enable his Ma- ^^^^^^ p^^n-
iefty to fupport the dignity of the Crown, and to make an numprantcdto ue
honourable provifion for the Royal Family, there be granted houf.&c!'""'^^
to his Majefty, during his life, an additional revenue of
120000 1. per annum; which, together with the neat pro-
duce of the Civil Lift branches, may make up the clear yearly
fam of 700000 1. for the fervice of his Majefty's Houfhoi'd
and Family, and other his neceflary expenccs and occafions.
This refolution was May 24 reported, and agreed to by the
Houfe.
June I - The Lords having fent to the Commons, the /?///
fir the better regulating the Forces^ &c. and the amendments
to the Bill by the I^rds being read, a motion was made, Mnionon th-nn
that the farther confideration of thofe amendments be ad- Fora^"&;c"^*
i joara'd, which was carry'd in the negative ; and then thofe ,
amendments being read a fecond time, were agreed to by the
Houfe. * Mr Shippen, member for Newton in Lancaihire, Mr shippen's
having, on this occafion, refle£ie4^on the^adminiftration, as ^^""^^
if they defign'd to fet up a {landing army, and infmuated,
as if, after all the great clamour that had been rais'd, their
fecret Committee would end in fmoke ; he was taken up by
' Mr Bofcawen, who faid, * He could not forbear taking ^^- Boftawc*.
Botice of the infolence of a certain fet of men, who having
committed the blackeft crimes, had yet the affurance to dare
the jufBcc of the Nation ; but he hoped thofe crimes would
not long remain unpunifh'd : That the Committee of Secre-
cy were ready lo make their Report ; and had directed their
Chairman to move the Houfe the very next day, that a day
might be appointed for receiving the faid Report ; and that,.
' in '
• Qn€ qf ^s C$mmJJt9tt:rs offubUck Jfiouvts iu the Ujl r^ign.
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( 24 )
Anno I. Geo.! fn thc mean time, he might venture to aflure the Houfe
^^JJii^-s<^ that they had found fufiicient matter to impeach of Hig]
Treafon feveral Lords and fome Commoners. ' Mr R. Wal
MrWaipoie. pQJg faj^, < That he wanted words to exprefs the villanjr o
Ccn. stanhope, the laft Frenchify 'd Miniftry ; * and General Stanhope added
* he wonder 'd, that men who were guilty of fuch enormoui
crimes, had {bill the audacioufnefs to appear in the publicl<
ftreets. '
yufte 2, Mr Robert Walpole acquainted the Houfe fron
the Committee of Secrecy, * That they had examined ihi
Mr waipoie'i Books, &c. referred to them, and had matters of the greatef
Motion forrcceiv- importance to lay before the Houfe ; and that the Committee
comnuitec" Re- had dircded him to move the Houfe, that a day might be ap-
^"- pointed for receiving their Report.* Upon which, after a
fmall Debate, it was order 'd, that the faid Report be received
upon that day (ev'nnight ; and that all the Members do attend
at that Time, upon pain of incurring the higheft difpleafurc
of the Houfe.
yune 3. The King came to the Houfe of Peers, and gave
the royal alTent to the Malt-Bill and the Mutiny-Bill, and
his Majefiy being gone, the Commons returned to their
Houfe, and order'd, that the Committee of Secrecy fhould
have leave to fit during the adjournment of the Houfe, who
Tfc^ouft ad- then adjourn'd 'till the 8th of June, by reafon of the Whit-
funtide Holidays.
y^une 9, Mr Robert Walpole, from the Committee of
Secrecy, acquainted the Houfe, ' That he had a Re-
port to prefent ; (according to their order) but that he had
the commands of the Committee to make a motion to the
Houfe before he read the Report 5 that there are in the Re-
port matters of the higheft importance : That although thc
Committee had power to fend for perfons, papers, and re-
cords, they did not think fit to make ufe thereof, believing
it to be neceflary, in order to bring offenders to juftice, that
Mr waipoie's fome perfons fliould be fecur'd, before 'tis poflible they fhould
•rchcndingfuch know what thcy are to be examined to ; and left they fhould
bic^'l!^''rb?'tTi*^ liave notice from what fhould be read in the Report, to make
Chairman of the their cfcape, he was commanded by the Committee, ac-
Sccret CoBunitvce. 1.*^ t 1
cording to former precedents, to move, that a warrant may
be ifTucd by Mr Speaker, to apprehend certain perfons who
fhall be nam'd to him by the Chairman of the faid Com-
mittee 5 and that no Members may be permitted to go out
of the Houfe.
Hereupon it was order'd, I. That the Lobby be clear'd
of all ftrangers, and the back-doors of the Speaker's cham-
ber be lock'd up, and the key brought and laid upon the
table ; and that the Serjeant do ftand at the door of the
Honfe, and fiiffcr no Member to go forth. IL That Mr
Speak^jr
Digitized by VjOOQIC
•( 25 )
Speaker do iffuc his Wanant to die Serjeant at Anns at- Aonei.Ceai.
touiiog the Houfe, to take into his Coflody fuch Perfons as O^^V*^^
ihali be nain*d to Mr Speaker by the Chairman of the Com-
mittee of Secrecy, in order to their being examined before
the faid Committee.
- Hereupon Mr Speaker iflued oat his Warrant to the Ser-
jeant at Arms, to take into his Cuftody feveral Perfons that
were nam'd to him by Mr Walpole, particularly Mr Mat-
thew Prior, and Mr Thomas Harley, the firft of whom was
immediately apprehended, and the other fome Hours after.
This done, Mr Walpole acquainted the Houfe, * That sS?Sc5SiSj»
the Committee of Secrecy had perus'd the Books and Papers prdeated.
referred to them, and had agreed upon a Report, which they
had commanded him to make : That it was contained in two
Books, one of which was the Report, and the other an Ap-
pendix to it, containing at large thofe Letters and Papers
which were referred to in the Report.' And he read the
Report in his Place, and afterwards delivered the fame in at
the Table, together with the Appendix and the Books which
were referred to the (aid Committee. The Reading of the faid
Report having lafted from one till about Six in the Evening,
a Motion vfzs made by the Friends of the late Miniftry,
and the Queftion put. That the farther Confideration thereof
be adjoumM 'till next Morning, but it was carry'd in the
Negative, by 282 againft 171, and order'd, that the Report
be now read : And the Clerk of the Houfe having read Part And read*
of it, 'till half an Hour pall Eight, the farther Confideration
of it was adjouni'd.
Jwke 10. The Commons refum'd the adjoum'd Confidera-
tion of the Report from the Committee of Secrecy, and the
reft of the Report being read, which lafted 'till about four
in the Afternoon, Sir* Thomas Hanmer, Bart. Member
for Suffolk, mov'd. That the Confideration of the faid Re- Debate thtrcoti
port be adjoum'd till the 2ifi of the fame Month, and was
Kconded by the leading Men among the Friends of the late
Miniftry, who mov'd alfo, that the faid Report be printed,
to be perus'd by all the Members of the Houfe. Hereupon
Mr Robert Walpole faid, * He could not but wonder, that MrR.waipoie.
dwfe Gentlemen who had (hew'd fo great Impatience to have
die Report laid before the Houfe, mould now prefs for ad-
jsuming the Confideration of it. That as for the Committee
•f Secrecy, as they had not yet gone through all the Bran-
Aes of their Inquiry, they could have wilh'd fome longer
Time had been allow'd them to perufe and digeft feveral im-
portant Papers. That in order to that, they would have de-
. Vol. I. D ferr'd
• ^akct 4 ibe hfli TarHament,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 26 )•
fcrr'd three Weeks of a Month, the laying their Report be-
fore the Houfe ; but that fome Gentlemen having reflefted
on the pretended Slownefs of the Committee ; fmce the faid
Report was now before them, they mull e'en go through
Ccnmisunhopc. ^ith it.' General Stanhope added, ' That for his own P^rt,
he would readily agree to give thofe Gentlemen all the Time
they could delire to conlider of the Report ; but that fince
they themfelves had precipitated this Affkir, he was of Opi-
nion, they ought to profecute it with Vigour, left, by ftop-
ping on a fudden, they fhould fortify the Notion, which the
Friends of the late Miniftry had, with great Induftry, pro-
pagated among the People, That the Report of the Com-
mittee of Secrecy would vanifh into Smoke ; the rather, be-
Caufe thefe malicious Infinuations had rais'd the Spirits and
Infolence of the Difaffeded, and were the principal Caufe of
the prefent Ferment among the giddy Multitude. That he
agreed with the Member who had mov'd for the printing
of the Report ; that not only the Houfe, but the whole
World, might be convinc'd of the Faimefs and Impartiality
of their Proceedings ; but that the Crimes of fome Perfbns
nam'd in the Report were fo obvious to every Body, that
they ought, in his Opinion, immediately proceed to the im-
peaching of them.' Some propos'd the adjourning the De-
bate 'till one Time, fome 'till another ; but the Court Party
were refolv'd againft any Delays ; and the Queftion being
put about feven in the Evening, on the Motion made by Sir
Thomas Hanmer, it was carry 'd in the Negative by 280
againft 160. This Point gained, Mr Robert Walpolc faid,
im^peSS^i^rd * ^^ "^^dc no Qucftion, that, after the Report had been
joiinebroke^of twice read, the whole Houfe was fully convinc'd, that Henry
^ ^ ° * Lord Vifcount Bolingbroke was guilty of High Treafon, and
other High Crimes and Mifdemeanours : That therefore he
impeach'd him of thofe Crimes ; but if any Member had any
Thing to fay in his Behalf, he doubted not but the Houfe
Bcbat* thereon, was ready to hear him.' After a deep Silence in the Houle
Mr Hungcrford. for fome Minutcs, Mr Hungerford roie up and faid, * That,
in his Opinion, nothing was mention'd in the Report, in Re-
lation to the Lord Bolingbroke, that amounted to High
general Rofi. Treafon.' And General Rofs faid, * He wonder'd no Body
fpoke in Favour of the Lord Bolingbroke : That, for hi»
own Part, he had nothing to fay at prefent ; but refervM to
The Impeach- himfelf to fpeak in a properer Time.' The Refolution for
Smbroke^agrecd impcacliing the Lord Bolingbroke of High Treafon and
to by the Houfe. other High Crimes and Mifdemeanours, being pafs'd, the
Lord coninssby Lord Coninj^sbv ftood up, and faid, * The worthy Chairman.
iinpcarhe? Robert ^ ,, ^ " / , ■*. i»i , tt y i r t -
Ea-iuf Oxford of of the Committee has imoeach d the Hand, but I do ina-
iii&kfi«uio«.&c.p^^^l^ the Head; he has 'impeach'd the Clerk, and I the
Juflice j he has impeach'd the Scholar, and I the Mafter : *
fm
Digitized by VjOOQIC
{ 27 )*
foimpeacli'd Robert Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, of Anao^'-^Oeo- «•
High Treafon, and other High Crimes and Mifdemeanours. (./\/"\J
Hereupon Mr + Harlcy made a long piithetick Speech; Debate tfcereo*
wherein he endeavoured to julHfy his Brother, the ^arl of WrHarky.
Oxford, * as having done nothing but by the immediate
Commands of the late Queen ; urging, * that the Peace was
a good one, and approved as fuch by two Parliaments : Con-
cluding, that the Fafts mentioned in the Report, and which
were charg'd on the Earl, could not be conftrued to amount .
to High Treafon, but only, in ftridl Rigour, to Mifdemea-
nours.' He was backM by Mr f Thomas Foley, Member utthomuTokfi
for Hereford, the Earl's Brother-in-Law, who complained of
the Hardfhip put upon that Nobleman, in charging him
with High Treafon, before they had examined the Report :
But what was yet more favourable for the Earl, was fpoke .
by Sir Jofeph Jekyll, one of the Committee of Secrecy, sirjofcpiijcicyil,
who faid, * That as to the Lord Bolingbroke, ^hey had more
than fufiicient Evidence to convid him of High Treafon, up-
on the Statute 25 Edward III. but that as to the Earl of
' Oxford, he doubted whether they had either fufficient Mat-
ter, or Evidence to impeach him of Treafon.' But anothe?
Member of the Committee of Secrecy having affur'd the
Houfe, That befides what had appear'd before them, and
was mentioned in the Report, they had other Evidence, wva
Foce ; It was rdblv'd, without a Divifion, That this Houfe
will impeach Robert Earl of Oxford, and Earl Mortimer, of IJnt o?63^
High Treafon, and other High Crimes and Mifdemeanours : ^^^ of Ox^or**
And order'd, that it be referred to the Committee of Secre- Houw. '° ^
cy, to draw up Articles of Impeachment, and prepare Evi^ Aniciw apdnft
dence againft Henry Vifcount Bolingbroke, and Robert Earl J;^i'*t;f ""p"^? ''r*
of Oxford and Earl Mortimer. After this, it was order'd OxWd order'd t»
likewifc, that the farther Confideration of the faid Report '^'*"^" "p* *
be adjoum'd ; and that the faid Report, with the Appendix, t>^ Report from
be printed. secrecy order'd t*
June II. The Commons order'd the Speaker to fend a i«P"'»icd,
printed Copy of the Report from the Committee of Secrecy And fcnt to the
to the SheriflF of every County, and to the returning Officer siiwiifi, &c^
of every City and Borough tending Members to Parliament.
yufte 15. Mr Walpole, from the Committee of Secrecy,
acquainted the Houfe, That he was dire<^ed by the Com-
mittee to move the Houfe, That the Perfons taken into Cu-
ftody, purfuant to the Order of the Houfe of the 9th Inft.
might be cxamin'd in the moll folemn Manner, according to
former Precedents. Upon which it was orderM, That
fuch Members of the Committee of Secrecy, who arei
Jafticc* of the Peace for the County of Middlefex, fliould
D 2 ^ cicamiao
tt Both «f thorn JjtHtvs of tbi Imfrr^Ji for Ljfa,
y Google
f 28 )
examine Mr Matthew Prior, and Mr Thomas Harley, at
I the faid Committee. ■
June 17. Mr Walpole acquainted the Houfe, That pur-
fuant to th^ir Order, Matthew Prior, Efqj had been, the
Day before, examined before the Committee of Secrecy, and
dming a long Examination, there appeared Matters of fuch
Importance, that the Committee had direded him to move
the Houfe, that he might be confin'd in dofe Cuftody, and
no Perfon permitted to come to him : Upon which it was
Mr ^^^^ order'd. That Mr Matthew Prior, now in Cuftody of the
aiuociofcCuftody.g^j^^^ at Arms, be confin'd inclofe Cuftody, and no Per-
fon permitted to come to him without Leave from Mr
Speaker.
The Account of what pafs'd at Mr Prior's Examination,
as drawn up by his own Hand, may be feen in the APPEN^
J>1X to this Work.
June 21. The Houfe having, according to Order, c<m-
fider'd fiirther of the Report from the Committee of Secrecy,
sttnhooe ^^^* Stanhope ftood up and faid, * He wifh'd he were not
impeachMja^es obligM to break Silence on that Occafion ; but that as a
Jf'Highf'^foSj Member of the Secret Committee, and of that great Af-
^*^- fembly, which ought to do the Nation Juftice, he thought
it his Duty to impeach James Duke of Ormond of High
Debate th Treafou, and other High Crimes and Mildemeanours ; ' and
Mr Bofca^"* was fecouded by Mr Bofcawen. Hereupon Mr Archibaki Hut
lnrHutcbefon. ^hefon, * Member for Haftings, made a long Speech in be-
half of the Duke of Ormond, wherein he fet forth, * his
noble 6irth and Qualifications ; and the great Services which
both he and his illuftrious Anceftors had performed to the
Crown and Nation ; urg'd. That in the whole Courfe of his
late Condu6l, he had but obey 'd the late Queen's Commands ;
and concluded. That if all that was diedg'd againft his
Grace in the Report could be made out, it wouM, in the
Rigour of the Law, amount to no more than High Mifdc-
meanours. ' This Speech made a great Impreffion on the
Aflembly 5 and Mr Hutchefon was feconded by General
ocmnu^itj. Luniiey, Member for Arundel, who faid, among other
Things, * That the Duke of Ormond had, on all Occafions,
given fignal Proofs both of his AfFedion and Love for his
Country, and of his perfonal Bravery and Courage, particu-
larly at the Battle of Landen, where he was wounded and
taken Prifoner 5 and that the late King William was ex-
tremely fatisfy'd with his Grace's gallant Behaviour. That
his Grace had generoufly expended the beft Part of his Eftatc
in the Wars, living in a n\oft noble and fplcndid Manner,
Sox
• Omifitc Commiffiiiitrs .«f 2r44 and fl^ufMhtff,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
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for the Honour of h;s Country : That therefore, in Confi-
teition both of his great Services, and his illu&^ous Re-
lations, if he had of late been fo unfortunate as to hU. in
any Part of his Condud, they ought not to proceed ^;ainft
hm with the atmoii Rigour of the Law ; the rather, be-
cao^ he ever meant well, and was drawn into ill Meafures
bjr crafty Minijfters. ' Sir Jofeph Jekyll fpoke likewife in air jofcph jckyU.
Favour of the Duke of Ormond : He (aid, * That if there
was Room for Mercy, he hoped it would be fhewn to that
noble, generous, and courageous Peer, who, for many Years,
iad exerted thofe great Accomplilhments for the Good and
Honour of his Country. That if of late he had the Mis-
I fortune to deviate from his former Condud, the Blame ought
Bot, in Juftice and Equity, be laid to him, but to them
principally, who abufing his AfFedion, Loyalty, and Zeal
for the Service of his Royal Miftrefs, had drawn him into
pernicious Counfels: That therefore^ as the Statute of the
25[th Edward III. on which the Charge of High Treafon
agaiofl his Grace was to be grounded, had been mitigated
vy fubfequent Laws, the Houie ought not, in his Opinion,
to take Advantage of that Aft againft the Duke, but only
impeach him of High Crimes and Mifdemeanours. ' He
added, * That fome Perfons endeavoured to aggravate the
Duke of Ormond's Faults, l^ charging upon him the Riots
and Tumults which the Populace committed daily in many
Places ; but that he durft averr, that his Grace did no Ways
countenance thofe difo^ders ; and if the difafFeded made ufc
of his Name, unknown to him, his Grace ought not to fuffer
for it. ' General Rofs laid great Strefs upon Sir Jofeph oen. sofl.
Jekyll's Opinion, and (aid all he could in his Commenda-
tion, and the Duke's Defence. Sir William Wyndham, sir w. wyndham.
Member for Somerfetlhire, Mr Thomas Onflow, Member Mr t. onflow,
for Surrey, Mr Ward, Mr Hungerford, and fome other Mr ward.
Members of both Parties, fpoke alfo on the fame Side : But ^ ^^^^^^'<^^
Mr Lyddal, Member for Lefhvithiel, Mr Hartpden, and JJj{;j;^;„
Mr Thompfon, * Member for Ipfwich, did (Irongly fuj^rt MrThompfoii.
General Stanhope's Motion ; anf\ver'd all that had been al-
ledg'd in the Duke's Favour ; and among o Aer Things re •
prefented, * That he ever afFefted Popularity ; that he could
not be ignorant of the Tumults and Riots of which his
Name was the Signal ; and that fince he did not publickly
difown them who made Ufe of his Name, his Silence was
a tacit Approbation of their Proceedings, and feem'd to
fanunon the People to a general Infurredtion.
Sii;
♦ Recoi'Jereftbi Gty ofLoftdon, aft^vi^ds knighted emd madt s Baron
y Google
( 30 )
Amo^x. Gco.1. Sir Edward Northey, f Member for Tiverton, faid tha
\y^^^\/'-'^s^ he did not difown, but that in the Report of the Commicte<
air Ed. Northey. of Secxecy, therc were fome Matters, on which an Impeach
ment of High Treafon might be grounded againll the Duk<
of Ormond ; but he did not think it proper to explain him
^^ fclf farther on that Occafion. Mr Lechmere, fpoke plaioer
*"* and mentioned a Cafe parallel to the Duke's^ which had
been adjudg'd Treafon. This Debate lafted from One til
about half an Hour paft Ten, when the QueiHon was put
and refolv'd by a Majority of 234 Voices againA 187, tc
impeach James Duke of Ormond of High Treafon, anc
yhe Impeachment ^^^^'^ ^^Z^ Crimes and Mifdemeanours. After which it was
^i^nd a ued*^ otder'd. That it be referr'd to the Committee bf Secrecy tc
to by the Ho.ife, draw up Articles of Impeachment, and prepare Evidence
^Ji^himordtrMagainfl James Duke of Ormond ; and that the ferther Con
■•^ drawn up. fideration of the faid Report be adjoum'd to the nexi
Morning.
yune 22. The Commons refumM the Confideration of the
Report from the Committee of Secrecy, and Mr Aiflaby,
who fpoke firft, * Took Notice of the general Concern that
had appcar'd the Day before in the Houfe, for the noble
Perfon that was impeached ; becaufe they were perfuaded,
'twas rather through Weaknefs than Malice that he had
foUow'd pernicious Cpunfels ; but that, in his Opinion, few,
if any, would fpeak in Favour of another Lord, whom he
ift- Aiflaby im- ^^^ ^^ impeach. That the Perfon he meant, was Thomas
j^i^of^'-ffo^d ^^^^ of Strafford, one of the Plenipotentiaries of Great Bri-
ef Hkh *^cTime8 tain at the Congrefs of Utrecht ; wfiofe Condudl had been
^iifd,me*. vaftly different from that of his Colleague, the Lord Biihop
of London. * That this good and pious Prelate feem'd to
have been put at the Head of that Negociation, only to
palliate the Iniquity of it, under the Sacrednefs of his Cha^
.radler ; but was little more than a Cypher in the Abfence of
the Earl of Strafford. That the Bifliop not being in the
Secret, had adled with Referve and Caution, and would do
nothing without the Queen^s fpecial Commands; whereas
the Earl of Strafford not only was forward to venture and
undertake any Thing, as he expreffes himfelf in one of his
Letters, to ^e the Tool of a Frenchify*d Miniftiy ; but in
many Inflances had gone beyond his Inflruftions, and ad-
vis'd the moil pernicious Meafures. That having impart
tially weigh'd the difTerent Conduft of thefe two Minifters,
h£ was glad that nothing could be chargM upon the Bifhop»
fince it gave ' them an Opportunity to^ convince the Worlds
that the Church is not in Danger j but mov'd that Thomat
t Am-fnj^ ^tjerMy hut rmn%
♦ />r John RtbinfQn.
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( 3« )
tarl of Strafford be impeached of Higji Crimes aod Miide- admi. Cm. l
leanours. ' Mr Aiflaby afterwards cnlarg'd upon this . ^mJ,^
Charge, which he reduced to thefc three principal Heads,
TO. I. * The Earl of Strafford's adviiing the fatal Sufpenfion
of Arms, which was foon after attended with feveral Mif-
Ibrtones that befel the Allies ; and at laft reduced them to
die Neceffity of fubmitting to the Terms of an uniafe, dif-
koaourable Peace. II. Adviiing the feizing of Ghent and
Bruges, in order to diftrefs the Allies, and favour the Ene-
my. TIL The Infolence and Contempt with which he had
treated the moft ferene Houfe of Hanover, and their Ge-
nerals and Miniflers. '
Mr Bailie, having feconded Mr Aiflaby, Sir William Dei»tetheieofc
Wyndkm endeavoured to julUfy the Earl of Strafford, as to Mr Bailie.
the firll Head, by faying, * That the Peace, which was s^^-^y*"*"-
bat the Sequel and neceflary Confequence of the Sufpenflon
of Arms, had been approv'd as fuch by two fucccffive Par-
liaments, and declared advantageous, fafe, and honourable. *
Mr Shippen, Mr Ward, and Mr Snell, Member for Glou- MrShippcn.
ceiler, fpoke alfo in Favour of the Earl of Strafford ; as did ^' ^*'*'-
alfo Mr Hungerfori who, among other Things, faid, ^^J;^^.^^
iiiat tho the Bilhop of London had an equal Share
with the Earl of Strafford in the Negociation of Peace, he
was, it feems, to have the Benefit of his Clergy. ' General
Ms having likewife faid fomething to excufe the Sufpenfion c=n. kok
of Arms, General Cadogan + Member for Woodllock an- ^cn. Cid.g*»v
fwer'd, * That confidering the Situation of both Armies,
the Confederates loft the faireft Opportunity they ever had
in Flanders, to deilroy the Enemy's Army, and to penetrate
into the very Heart of France ; ' but added, ' That nothing
leis could be expedled from a Princefs and a Minillry, who
U entirely delivered themfelves into the Hands of France.'
Sir James Campbel, Member for the Shire of A rgyle fpoke sifjamrsCamrb^t.
alfo againfl the Earl of Strafford: Sir David Dairy raple, sirmvidDairym-
fumm'd up what had been laid on both Sides ; and having ^^*^*
illaftrated the prefent Cafe by parallel Inftances and proper
Observations, urg'd, that both by the Civil and Statute
Laws, the Earl of Strafford was, at leaft, guilty of High
Crimes and Mifdemeanours. Hereupon, about feven in the
Evening, the Queftion was put, and by 268 Voices againft
100, it was refolvM, That the Houfe will impeach Thomas '^^,}^^t^i^
^l of Strafford of High Crimes and Mifdemeanours ^ and fj,'^°^j^; ^^'^
order'd, That it be referred to the Committee of Secrecy, andArticieioriioc*4
to draw up Articles of Impeachment, and prepare Evidence ^a^hllSSII ^
againft the faid Earl.
Aj^^eiteiaBaroH (f En^Uni xfthjnns lil6* Mfterwards memos' i i»
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' ( 3^ y
^715?^*^* 7«/^ 4. The Houfc refoIvM itfelf into a grand Commit-
{^^^^^^'*>^ tec, upon an ingrofTed Bill from the Lords, intitled, j^fz
AB to explain the AB maSe in the iztb Tear of King
William the Thirdy intitled. An AB for the farther Limi-
tation of the Croqvn, and better fecuring the Rights and Li-
herties of the' SuhjeS. A Claufc having been inferted in
the faid Bill, whereby a Door feem'd to be left open for
the Admiflion of Foreigners into Places, many of the Court
Party, headed by Mr Hampden, look'd upoti that Bill as
dangerous to our Conftitution ; and the Friends of the late
Miniftry, who refolv'd to oppofe it, thinking this a proper
Opportunity to make it drop, mov-d that the Confideration
S5*?:Kni5gSe ^^^^ be put ofF to another Day : But the Queftion being put
Aftoffc^vv. III. thereupon was carried in the Negative by 141 againft 139.
•/<** Cr^r &c. Then the Committee went thro' the Bill, and made an
Amendment to the C)aufe before-mention'd, the Report of
which was put off 'till the 6th of July. On that Bay Mr
Lowther, Member for Cumberland, reported from the
Committee of the whole Houfe, to whom the engroffed Bill
from the Lords, intitled. An A£l to explain the AB made in
the I zth Year of the Reign of King William III. intitled. An
AB for the farther Limitation of the Cro^n^ &c. was com-
mitted, the Amendment they had directed him to report to
the Houfe 5 which he read in his Place, and afterwards de-
livered in at the Table, where the fame was twice read :
And a Motion being made, that the Bill be recommitted,
Mr shippcn. there arofe a Debate that lafted near three Hours : Mr Ship-
pen, with fome others raifed feveral Objeftions againft the
MrR.waipok. Bill, but wcrc anfwcrcd by Mr Robert Walpole, Mr Bof-
MrB6fcawcn. cawcn, and fome others of the Court Party, and the Quefti-
on being put upon the faid Motion, it was carried in the Ne-
gative by 190 againft 140. And then the Amendment,
with an Amendment thereto, was agreed to by the Houfe.
yufy 7. Mr Robert Walpole, from the Committee of Se-
Mr Walpole from crccy, acquainted the Houfe, * That the Committee having
^fswre " K*^ prepared Articles of Impeachment of High Treafon and other
' »!>« ^ft ^^iJ/'r High Crimes and Mifdemeanours, againft Robert Earl of
]^*oFoxfoxd? Oxford and Earl Mortimer, had commanded him to acquaint
the Houfe, that they ihould, in a (hort Time, have farther
Articles againft the laid Earl ; and that the Committee had
diredled him to report the Articles, already prepared, to the
Houiir : ' And he read them in his Place, and afterwards de-
livered them in at the Table, where they were once read.
After this it was moved that the farther Confideration of
the faid Articles be adjoum'd to that Day fe'nnight ; but it
was carry'd, without dividing. That the feid Report be read
a fecond Time the next Day. At which Time the firft Ten
Articles of Impeachment againft Robert Earl of Oxford
ami
Digitized by VjOOQIC
a&d Earl Mortimer, were read a fecond Time ; and a^n Aimot. oco.l
the Queftion feverally put thcreapon, with Amendments to \^J^iii^m^,^j
iome of them, there was a long Debate from Two 'till D^a^a^rMaT
Eight in the Evening, when they were agreed to, by iSo
againft 125. Then a Motion being made and the Queflioa
put. That the farther Confideration of the faid Report be
adjourned 'till the next Morning, the fame was carry 'd in
the Negative, by 247 againft 1 39. Hereupon the Eleventh
Article was read a fecond Time, and amended by the Houfe ;
and then there arofe a great Debate, upon the Queftion, i>ei»te on tb*
Whether the faid Article was High Treafon ? Sir Robert. ^;;^;J;;J^
Raymond, Mr William Bromley, * Member for the Uni- MrBcoIniey.
vcrfity of Oxfbid, Sir William Wyndham, Mr Edward Harley, m^ Hhrl?'."^"*
Mr Thomas Foley, Mr Ward, and Mr Hungerford, main- mIwS^^"^'
tain'd the Negative ; and were ftrongly fupported by Sir Jo- ^J^fS'S'iT'u
feph Jekyll, one of the Committee of Secrecy, who iaid, ^ «i« « y •
* That it was ever his Principle to do Jaftice to every Body,
from the higheft to the lowett ; being perfuaded, that It was
the Duty of an honeft Man never to aft by a Spirit of Paity.
That he hoped he might pretend to have fome Knowledge
of the Laws of the K^gdom ; and as, in the Committee of
Secrecy, he had taken the Liberty to differ from his Col-
leagues, he would not icruple to declare now to the whole
Houfe, that, in his Judgment, the Charge in Queftion did
. not amount to High Treafon.' Moft of the other Members
'/of the Committee of Secrecy were offended at this Speech :
And thereupon Mr Robert Walpole anfwer'd, • That there MriLWaipok.
were both in and out of the Committee of Secrecy, feveral
Perfons, who did not, in the leaft, yield to the Member that
feoke laft, in Point of Honelty ; and who, without derogat-
ing from his Merit, were fuperior to him in the Knowledge ^
of^the Laws j but who, at the fame Time, were fatisfied
that the Charge fpecified in the Eleventh Article amounted
to Treafon.' Mr Walpole was back'd by General Stanhope, Geoendsunhopt,
the Lord Coningsby, General Cadogan, Mr Bofcawen, and ;Lord coninjrsbj.
Mr Aiflaby ; and the Eleventh Article being amended, the .^Tb^SSu
^me was agreed to by the Houfe, by 247 Votes againil 1 27. Mr Aiiuby.
Mr Harley endeavoured to juili fy the Earl of Oxford, Mr Ha»i«r.
I. By urging that he ever a6led by the late Queen's pofitive
Conmiands ; to prove which, he offered to produce two Let- ,
tcrs fron) her Majeffy ; and 11. The Neceflity of making a
Peace ; He hdving upon this Occaiion, advanc'd, that the
f^otch prolonged the War, and that their Deputies in the
Anny had often prevented the giving the Enemy a dccifivc
Blow. General Cadogan anfwef'd, that th« Dutch were Gta.Cxi^n,
»ore conccm'd than any Prince or State in the Grand Alli-
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Anno I. Qeo.I.
I715.
Tbe &id Articles
agreed to.
And ordered to
be carried to the
Lords by Lord
Coning^.
( 34 )
ance to pat aH End to the War ; and undertook to prove,
that , there had not been anv Campaign in Flanders, except
that in which the Duke of Ormond commanded, that was
not marfc'd and famous tp all Pofterity, for fonie fignal and
^orious EVent, to the Advantage of the common Cauie f
Then, the reft of the Sixteen Articles were feyendly read a
fecond Time, and with Amendments to fome of them, agreed
unto by the Houfe, who ordered. That the faid Articles
be engroffed 5 and, that a Claufe be prepared faving Liberty
J to the Commons to exhibit any farther Articles againft the
faid Robert Earl of Oxford and Eart Mortimer ; and that he
may be fequefter'd from Parliament, and committed to fafe
Cuftody: . • . . ■
y^^ 9. The above Claufe was offered to the Houfe ; and
being twice read, and agreed to, was ordered to be engrofled
with the Articles of Impeachment. The fame Day the In-
gi-offed Articles of Impeachment againft Robert Earl of Ox-
ford and Earl Mortimer, were read 1 after which it was or*
der'd, I. That the Lord Coningfby do carry the faid Articles
tp the Lords : II. That his Lordfhip be direfted, before he
exhibit the Taid Articles to the Lords, to impeach Robert
Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, to the EfFeft fbUowing, viz.
My Lords,
* np^ HE Commons aflembled in Parliament having recei-
* X ved Information of divers traiterous 'Practices and
* Defigns of a great Peer of this Houfe, Robert Earl of
* Oxford and Earl Mortimer ; have commanded me to im-
* peach the faid Earl pf Oxford and Earl Mortimer, of High
* Treafon, and other High Crimes and Mifdemeanours :
* And I do here in their Names, and in the Names of all the
* Commons of Great Britain, impeach Robert Earl of Ox-
* ford and Earl Mortimer, of Hjgh Treafon, and other High
* Crimes and Mifdemeanours. I am farther commanded by,
* the Houfe of Commons to pray and demand of your Lord-
* fhips. That the EarJ of Oxford and Earl Mortimer may be
* fequefter'd from Parliament^ and forthwith committed to
* fafcCuftody. .
' After this, the Lord Coningfby, attended by moft of thofe
Members who voted for the Impeachment, went up to the
Houfe of Peers, and at their Bar impeached Robert Earl of
Oxford and Earl Mortimer, 'in the Form abovc-menti6acd #
apd then left with their Lordftiips the Articles of Impeach-*
ment againft the faid Earl, which the Reader may find at
large in the STJTE TRULS, Vol. 6. p. 103.
Jufy 20, The King came to the Houfe of Lords, and the
Commons being fent for^ his Majefty gave the Royal Aflent
to
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( 35 )
to (iich Bilb as were ready ; after which the Lord Chancel- Amwi. Caci.
lor read a Speech delivered into his Hands by hia Mayfly ^^^^^-n^
from the Throne, as follows : ' / ,
•
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" 'T'^HE Zeal you tave fhewn for preferving the Peace King^ speech ».
" X of my Kingdoms, and your Wifdom in providing fo laiinjioanimrm.
" good a Law to prevent all riotous and tumultuous Proceed- der.
** ings, give me great Satisfadion i but I am forry to fii\d
** that fuch a Spirit of Rebellion has difcover'd itfelf, as leaves
'* no Room to doubt, but thefe Diforders are fet on Fopt
" and encourag'd by Perfons difafFeifted to xay Government,
** in Expedlation of being fupported from Abroad.
•* The Prefervation of our excellent Conftitution, and the
" Security of our holy Religion, has been, and always Ihall
** be, my chief Care ; and I cannot queflion hut your Coi-
" cern for thefe invaluable Blelfings is (q great, as not to let
" them be expos'd to fuch Attempts as I have certain Ad-
** vices are preparing by the Pretender from Abroad, and
" cariying on at Home by a refUefs Party in his Favour.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
** In thefe Circumftances, I think it proper to ask your
** Aififbince, and make no iloubt buH .you will fo far coafulc
*' your own Security, as not to l^ve the Nation, uncfcr , a
** Rebellion actually begun at Home, and threatened with
** an Invaiion from Abroad, in a defencelefs Conditio^ :
" And I ihall look upon the Provifibn you fliall make fqr
** the Safety of my People^ as the bdl Mark of ypur AffeC'
" tion to me.
The Commons being retum'd to their Houfe, it was- re- commonj ^idrcft
Iblv'd, Nemint Coniradicente, That «R humble Addreft be "''r*""^-
prefented to his Majefty, to return the mod humble and du-
tiful Thanks of this Houfe to. his Majefty, for communicat-
ing to his Parliament, the Advices he has received of an At-
tempt preparing to be made upon the Nation from Abroad,
abetted and encouraged by treaforiabl^ Pradices at Home, in
Favour of a Popifti Pretender i and to afTure his Majefly,
that this Houfe will, with their Lives and Fortunes, fland by
and fupport his Majeliy againft all his open arid fecret Ei^-
mies ; and to defire his Majefty, that he will immediately •
give Dire6fions for fitting out fuch a Number of Ships as may .
cffe^ually guard the Coafts, and to iffue^out Commiffions for
augmenting his Forces by Land i aiTuring his Majelly, this
Houfe will, without Lofs of Time^ eiFe^Sually enable him to
laife and maintain fuch a Number of Forces, both by Sea
and Land, as (hall be neceffary for the Defence of his lacred
Perfon , and for the Seciirity of his Kingdoms. After this,
E. 2 Mr
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Mr Freeman^
Motion thereon.
( 36 )
Mr Fryman, Member for Hertfordlhirc^ ftood up, and re—
prefented, ' That in fb important a Junfture, they ought to .
lofe no Time in drawinjg up an Addrefs 5 and therefore
mov*d. That the faid Refolution be forthwith laid before Jiis
Majelfy by the whole Houfe.' He was feconded by the Lor<i
Lord ouemrer. Gucmfby, Member for Surry, who faid, * It was well knowr^
he had, on many Occafions, differ'd from jbme Members ir^
' that Houfe ; but being now convinced that our Liberty, Re-
ligion, and all that is dear to Engliflimen, were aim'd at, Ke
wjoiild, lading his Hand on bis Sword, rather die with hf»
Sword* ifa his Hand, than fun-^ive the Pretender's coming in,
tho' he were to enjoy the greateft Honours and Preferments
' under him.' Mr Hampden having likewife back'd Mr Free-
man's Motion, it pafs d into a Refolution, Nem. Con, and.
Mr Bofcawen, who was order'd to wait on the King to knowr
his Majefty's Pleafure, when he would be attended bjr
the Houfe, having, about fix in the Evening, reportca,
that his Majefty had been pleafed to appoint immediately at
his Palace at St James's, the Houfe went thither, with their
'Speaker, and laid before his Majefty the faid Refolution, to
which the King was pleas'd to return the following Ahfwer.
Mf Hampden.
Mr Bofcawen.
King's Anfwcr
tkereto.
Gentlemen,
« T Thaiik you heartily for this Addrefs. The Zeal and
*f X Vigour which you fhew upon this Occafion, will, t
** truft in God, enable me to defeat the evil Deiigns' of* our
** Enemies. I will immediately give Diredions for fuch an
" Increafe of our Forces, by Sea and Land, as I ihall judge
** neceflkry for your Security; and will order Eftimatcs q£
** the Charge thereof to be laid before you. *
MrR.Waipoic'B July 26. Mr RobcTt Walpole took Notice, ^OftheMea*
Jfet to fhc Ki4f fores the King had t^lftn, Diirfuant to the Defire and Advice
few o^alxw?" ^^ ^^*' Houfe, to fecure his Dominions ; but reprefented,
FiSpiy. ^^ that in Cafe of an Invafion, the Standing Troops and new
Levies would hardly be fufficient ; and as he thought it ne-
ceflkry, fo he mov'd, that the Officers in Half-Pay fiiould
be put in a Capacity to ferve the Nation, by allowing them
General stanhope: Full Pay.' General Stanhope feconded Mr Walpole's Mo-
tion i and General Rofs only having made a flight Objedtion
tp it, fuggefting, that, to uve Expences, the Standing Re-
cimcnts might be augmented, it was refolvcd. That an
humble Adi-efs be prefented to his Majefty, that he would
be gracioufly pleafed to allow Full Pay to luch Half-Pay Of-
ficers as were not otherwife provided for ; and that his Ma*
jefty would give Orders to the. faid Officers to hold thcm-
felve^ in Readinefs, to be employed in fuch Manner as hit
Majefty fliouM* tbiak fit ; aHd to aflure his Majefty, that
this
Ceh. Rofc.
Yhf!A«Mrcfst-
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this Hoafe will fupply fuch extraordinary Expence . as . his
Majcfty fhould be at on this Account, out of the next Aids
to be aitcrwards granted by Parliament. This Addrefs being
the lame Day prefented to the King, his Majefty was pleasM
to fay, ** That he look'd upon it as a frefti Inllance of the xheXinf lAihrer.
" Duty and AfFeftion of this Houfe, and of their Zeal for
" tbe Security and Prefervation of his People and Govern--
" ment. /
Juhf Jo. Mr R. Walpolc reported from the Committee of Mr wtipoie, from
Secrecy, that they had direaed him to exhibit farther Ar- ^c^X^,^
tides of Impeachment of High Crimes and Mifdemeanours SjSStJ^glri of
againft Robert Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, which he oSbrd^
read in his Place, and afterwards delivered them in at the
Table, where they were read ; and a Motion being made,
and the Queftion put, that the farther Confideration of the
faid Articles be adjbumM 'till the Tuefday following, itpafs'd
in the Negative. After this it was order'd, that the faid Ar-
ticles be read one by one f which was done accordingly, and,
with Amendments to one of them, upon the Queftion feve-
rally put' thereupon, they were agreed to by the Houfe ;
who ordered, TJiat the faid Articles be engrofied ; and, that
a Claufe be prepared for faving Liberty to the Commons to
exhibit any farther Articles againft the faid Robert Earl of
Oxford and Earl Mortimer.
Auguft 2.. The engroflcd farther Articles of Impeachment
againft Robert Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer were read ;
after which it was ordered, that the Lord Conmgsby do carry ^ifS c^
thofc Articles dfo to the Lords 5 which his Lor<Uhip did im- '^^^"^
incdiately. The faid farther Articles the Reader may fee in i*®"***
the STATE TRIJ LS, Vol6,f, 116. The fame Day the
King went to the Houfe of Peers, and the Commons be-
ing lent for and attending, his Majefty gave the Royal Aflent
to fttch Bills as were ready.
Auguft 4. Mr R. Walpole from the Committee of Secrecy'
acquainted the Houfe, that the. Committee had prepared Ar-
ticles of Impeachment of High Treafon, and other High
Crimes and Mifdemeanors againft Henry Vifcount Boling- MrWaipoicrewtiB
broke ; and that the Committee had commanded him, at the ^^liS^.'lf'^'^jjj
fame Time, to acquaint the Houfe, that they ihall, in a Wd Sriing^kc
Ihort Time, have farther Articles to • lay before the Houfe
2gainft him ; and that the Committee had direded him to
report the Articles already prepared, to the Houfe. Then
Mr Walpole read the Articles in his Place, and afterwards
delivered them in at the Table, where they were once read,
and then a fecond Time, Article by Article, and upon the
Queftion feverally put thereupon, agreed niito by the Houfe ; v^m-Ji areamoi
-who orderM, That the faid Articles be engroifed ; and that a (••
Claufe be prepared, for £iving Liberty to the Commons to
exhibit *
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^7%?"*'* exhibit any fiuthcr Articles againft the faid Hemy Vifcou^
^^^>'V>»w^ Bolingbrokc, and that he may be fequeftred from Parliaxnejf
and committed to fafc Cullody.
Mr^pde^ jjtgujl c. Mr R.Walpole, from the Committee of^Sccrecgj
of iSipeachincnt acquainted the Houfe, that the Committee had prepa.rq
^oti^^d^ Articles of Impeachment of High Treafon, and other I2i^
Crimes, and Mifdemeanours, againft James Duke of C3h
mond, which they had diredled him to report to the Houf^
Then Mr Walpofe read the feid Articles m his Place, 'a.t^
afterwards delivered them in at tlfte Table, where they ^ve^
once read J and afterwards a fecon4 Time, Article by A^
Betatc theieon. ^^^\q^ A' Motion being made, .and the QuelUon put, thg
the Houfe, agree to the Firft Article, .there arofc a wars
' Debate, in which a Member faid, that the Report of th,
. Committee of Secrecy had begun to open his Eyes ; aq
that the Duke of Ormond's Flight had fully convinced hiim
that the Heads of the Tory Party were a Set of Knaves an*
Villain?, w^o delign'd to have, ruin *d their Country, an<
tord staabope. made it a Frovincc of France. The Lord * Stanhope, IVXein
bcr for St^Germans, (aid, he never wifli'd to fpill the Bloo
of any of his Countrymen, much lefs the filood of an^
NobUman ; but that he was perfuaded, that the Safety o
his Country required that Examples (hould be made of tliot
who had betray'd it in fo infamous a Manner. The Hon
imi Findk. -(• Finch, Member for Rutlandfhire, fpoke alfo on the ianu
Side ; ancf after fome pther Speeches, the Firft Article -wa
agreed to by a Majority of 177 Voices againft 78 j aiM
then the other Articles, upon the Queilion feverally .,pu
thereupon, were alfp agreed unto by the Houle : Afte
which it was order 'd. That the faid Articles be engroiJe<l
and that a Claufe be prepared for faving Liberty to the Com
mons to exhibit any farther Articles againft the (aid Tame
Duke of Ormond ; and that he may be fequefter'd^^ fron
Parliament, and committed to fafe^uftody.
Mr waipofc or- Juffufl 6. The engroffed Artides, againft Hennr Vifcoun
<ler*d to carry up -» ,. «^,-' , ** , r i • i • *^ j Tl -r f-»^,
to the Lords the Bolingbroke, were read, after which it was order d, I, Xha
*tJ^'iteiJ?b!3tc. Mr R.Walpole do carry the faid Articles to the. Lords
ir. That he be direfted, before he exhibits the faid Articles u
the Lords, to impeach. Henry Vifcount Bolingbroke to xhx
JEffed following, vis^. . ' •
My Lords,
« 'Tr^HE Commons aflepibl ed in Parliament having rece£v\
* X Information of divers traiterous Pradices andDefign'
* of a great Pe^r of this Houfe^I^enry Vifcount Bolicgbroke
•• ,]^av)
• A'ffa; Earl of ChefterfieW, . -
f ^'sv J^tI of Wincbclfca W Nottingham*
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' have commanded me to iinp^i|2h the faid Henrjr Vifcount Aim© t. om. t.
* Bolingbroke of High Treawh, and other High Crimes '^^'
* and Mif3emeanours : And 1 do here in their Names, and
* in the Names of all the Commons of Great Britain, im-
* peach the faid He^ry Vifcpunt Bolingbroke of High Trea-
* fon, and other High Crimes and Mifdemeanours. I am
' ferther commanded bjr the Houfe of Commons to pray
' and demand of your Lordfliips, that the faid Hen?y Vii-
' count Bolingbroke may be fequeftred from Parliament,
' and forthwim committed to fafe Cnftody. '
Accordingfy, the feme Day, Mr Walpole accompanied
bj a great many Members of the Commons, at the Bar of
the Houfe of Lords, impcadi'd Henry Lord Vifcount Bo*
tisgbroke as above ; and the fame Day the Lords fent a
WSage to acquaint the Commons, that their Lordihips Kad
arderM Henry Vifcount Bolingbroke to be forthwith at-
tached, by the Gentleman Ufher of the Black-Rod attending
ht Hbale of Lords, and brought to their Lordfhips Bar, to*
mfwcr the Articles exhibited againft him by the Houfe of
Commons : But the Lord Bplingbroke had long before re- who bcW fled, it
tir^d into France. Hereupon the Commons order'd a Bill rT^t ^^
to be brought in to fummon Henry Vifcount Bolingbroke
to render himfelf to Juflice by a Day therein to be limited,
or, in Default thereof, to attaint him of High Treafon.
Jugtifi 8. Theengroflcd Articles agjslinft the Duke ofOr-
mond were rea^upon \^ich it was ordered L That General
Stanhope do carry the faid Articles to the Lords ; II. That osncraisunhttpe
he be direaed to impeach James Duke -of Ormond, in the S^eL^dj^hfXi-**
(ame Form as Henry Vifcount Bolingbroke ; which he did ^i'^l^*^*!"'* ^.
the fame Day. The Articles of both which Impeachments
maybe feen in the POLITICJL S TATE for Auguft 1 7 1 5.
But the Duke of Ormond on the 21ft of July before, em-
barking privately on board a VelTel on the Kentifli Coaft,
landed in three Days in France: Upon which the Commons
A^ufi the loth, order'd a Bill to be brought in to fummon
and attaint him in like Manner as the Lord Vifcount Boling- S^'SaublSU
broke. Thofe two Bills having pafs'd both Houfes» re-
ceived the Royal Affent. .
Angnfi 51. Mr. Walpole, from the Committee of* Secrecy,
acQuainted the Houfe th^t the Committee had prepared Ar-
ticles of Impeachment oi^ High Crimes and Mifdemeanours
minft Thomas Earl of Strafford ; which he read in his Mr waipoie re-
Wace, and afterwards deliverM in at the Table, where they J^nft'S.^Ewrif
were read. Then it was ordered, that the faid Articles be scrafford.
read a fecotkj Time,, Artfck by Article ; which being done
accordingly, the feid Articles were feverally agreed unto by
Ifae H011&, wliQ order'd, tlmt the faid Articles be engroffed ;
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|Uno 1. Geo. I.
■ Whfch beinc
ajirocd tO| \lr
Aiikby carriet up
lothcLonU.
Earl of Oxford's
Anlwer to the
Articles of Im-
peachment read.
Debate tbcrtos.
Mr liobcrt Wal-
pok'a Speech.
U4O )
and that a Claufc be prcpardl, faving Liberty to the Com
mons, to exhibit any farther Articles againfl the (aid Xhoma
Earl of Straffbrdy ^nd that he may jbe put to anfwer the fai<
Crimes and Mifdemeanours.
September i . The faid Claufe was ofFer'd to the HTouie
xead, agreed to, and ordered to be engroffed with the Article
of Imp^chroent ; which being done accordingly, the faid en
groiTed ArtTcles of Impeachment of High Crimes and Nlif
demeanours againft Thomas Earl of Strafford, were read^ aji<i
it was ordered, I. That Mr. Aiflaby docarry the faid Articles
to the Lords ^ II. That, before he exhibit t$e faid Articles, he
do, at the Bar of the Houfe of Lords, impeach the faid Tho-
mas Earl of StraiFord of High Crimes and Mifdemeanours :
which Mr. Aiflaby, accompanied by many Members, did
immediately ; The Articles at large the Reader will find in
the POLITICAL S TA TE for September 171^. ,
September 7. The Lords fent aMeilage to acquamt the Oom-
{npns, that the Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer had put in
his Anfwer to the (aid Artides of Impeachment ; and alfb
to, deliver to the Houfe of Commons a true Copy thereof,
for which we refer to thcSI'JTE TRIALS^ Vol. 6. p. 123.
Hereupon . the Commons orderM that the faid Anfwer be
read on the Monday following, and the (aid Anfwer being
then read accordingly, there arofe a final! Debate. Mr Rob-
ert Walpole, among other Things, faid, ' He had not yet
had Time to perufe and examine thi|t Anfwer, but that he
now heard it read with a great deal of Attention, and, in his
Opinion, it contain*d little more than what had been rug:gefl-
ed in Vindication of the late Meafures, in a Pamphlet inti-
tuled, ^r ConduSi of the Jlliei^ zxA repeated over and over
in the Papers call*d, 7ke Examiner. That the main DriFt of
this Anfwer feem*d to prove thefe two Aflertions, I. That
the Earl of Oxford had no Share in the adviidng and manag-
ing the Matters mentioned in^ the Artides againft him, but
that the late Queen did every Thing ; and II. That the
late Queen was a wife, good, and pious Princefs. That if
the fecond Proposition were not better grounded than the fir^
the Reputation of that excellent Princefs would be very pre-
carious : But as every-body mufl own her to have been at
good and pious Queen, fo it was notorious that the Ea^l of Ox-
ford, as prime Minifter, was the chief Advifer, Promoter,, and
Manager, of the Matters charged upon hinii in the Articles :
And therefore his Anfwer was a ^Ife and malicioua Libel^
laying upon his Royal Miflrefs the Blame of all the pernici-
ous Mealares he had led her into, ag^jft her own Honour -
and the Good of his Country : Tluit he hoped the EarPs en-
deavouring to fcreen himfelf behind the Queen's* N^n^e^
lRr»yld avail him nothing*; That 'tis/ indeed, a Futoclaincntal
Maxiot
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Maxim of our Cbnftitutioii, that Kings can do no Wrong ; 4na*|i Q^ ^
fmt that, at the fame^ime, 'tis no lefs certain, that Mini- '7'5'
fters of State are ac^untaUe for their Adions ; otherwise a V^V"^^
Parliament would be but an empty Name ; the Commons
ynmld have no Bufine& in that Place ; and ^e GovernmenC
would be abfoluW and arbitrary. That though t}ie£arl had
the Aflurance to aver, that he had no Share in thtS Managie-
ment of AfBiirs that were tranfaded while he wais at thip Hemiy
yet he pretended to juftify the late Meafnres : And therefore,
in that Refped, his Anfwer ought to be look*d upon as a Jibel
on the Proceedings of the Commons, iince he endeavoiirM to .
dear thofe PerfoAs, who had already confofs'd their Guilt by
their Flight. Mr. Shippen could not be altogether iilent on
this Occailon : He faid, < That it would not become him to ^g^ Shipper
ddend the Ezrlh Anfwer, fince, as a Member of that honoura- ^^
ble Afieoibly, he was become one of his Aqpufers : fiut that
he could hot forbear wifhing, that this Profecution might ^
dropt,and that theHpuie would be fatis^^d with th^ two ]aic
A^ of Attainder. That this Wiih of nis was the ftronger,
becaufe one of the principal Reafons that induced the Com-
kons to impeach the Earlof Obcford, fubfifted no longer, the
Afi^rs of Europe having receiv'd a fudden Turn from the
Death of the French King ; whereby the Renunciation of
King Philip began to take place, in the Advancement of the
Duke of Orleans to the abfolute Regency of France.' Mr.
Aiflaby anfwer^d, ^ That he hoped 'twas to little Purpofe MnAUIalnr
the Gentleman who fpoke laft, endeavour -d to move the rity
and Compaffion of the Houfe, and perfuade them to drop '
this Profecution. That this was not a proper Time to ex*
amine and reply to the Earl of Qxford^s Aniwer ; and there-
fore he wmdd'content himfelf with faying, in general, that it
was a Comexture of the Shifts, Evafions, and ralfe Reprefen-
tationsy contain'd in the three Pkrts of The Hiftory of the
Wbite-Siaff, That as to what had been fuggefted concern-
ing the Event which feem'd to have fbengthen'd the Renund- .
ation, he did not deny, there might be fomething in iti which
was manifeft from the great Joy the well-afie6ted to the Go*
vemment had fhewn, on this Occafion, and from the Mortifi-
cation and Defpair that appear -d in the Faces of a certain
Party : But that,*after all, it could not yet be afcertain'd, that
the Renunciation was in Force ; that there was a vaft Diffe-
rence between the Regency and the Crown j that Time only
would decide that Matter ; but that even fuppofing that, by*
the Concurrence of unforefeen Events, King Philip's Renun-
ciation fhould, at laft, take place, yet the fame would not
juftify the Minifters who propofed and laid it as th^ Founda«
cion of the late Peace, fince they with whom they treated^ were '' -
fo frank and fd fincere ^ to tell them^ that it could never be
'' Vol,. I. F . valid>
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^ *J^t t ft>«edni,'itiw8 oisderU That the Afifwer of Robert Earl ol
T_ i\^-muj Ogf^f^ jQid Bgfl Moitimo', be cyfer/d to the Committee ap^
pOTRlcd to dnnv u^ Articles of Impeachment and prepare Bvi-:
deuce ayaisft&eimfieachM Lord$l and that the faid Com-
iMttet m pif^vue a Replication to the iaid Anfwer 2 Accor<{-
if « f 1 ^''^ ^ ^^' ^ ^' '^' Robert Walnole, irpm the Committee ^
^ aI R^ wjpwtid the laid Replicationi which he read in his Place, and
SSJntothSul •fenmrdi ddhicrM in at the Tables where the fame was
eroxibfd> An- ^^ agreed imto» and ordered to be engrofs'd^ The Monday
fmar, wlucii be- after the engroftd Replication was read, and it was ordered,
ht% tffted to, that Lord Comngiliy do carry the (ame to the Lords ; which
r^^A^^ his Lofdfldp didaccordingly. The Reader will find the laid
SiSy Vtte R^icatiooatlaiieinthe^r-^r^-r^ UlSiVol6.p.i^f.
lorii. Seftmhir 26. Mr. Wal^ok reported ftoih the Commiu^
an)ointed to draw np Articles or Impeachment, and to pre-
pare Evi^noe againft the impeach'd Lords, that th^ havine^
pmrfuant to the Order of Rderence from the Hoiiie, conU-
derM of the State and CircnmftajiCjSs of the Commitment of
Mr. iSrior, thoi^ht pooper to make a Report thereupon fo
^he CemtnMt the Hoofe. After Reading the faid Rep(»rt the Commons
of Secrecy im- orderM, that the Committee appointed to draw up Articles
KlS^kiu-S of Impeachment, and to prepare Evidenpe againii the im^
^J^^StV^!^^'^^'^^' beimpowtrM to fit, wtwithftandingany
of the Il0iif«* Adiourmnent of the Hoaica
4 Sipimtsrzt. General Staabape, Sec^^taty ofState* ac-
qnainted the Commons, That be was conmumded by the
Kine to communicate to the Houft, thai his Majefty having
6lr W WT^a- J^^^*^ <o fofpeA, that Sir William Wypdham^ Member
Inm, 'sk^hn ^ Sonerfetfiiire $ Sir John Packingt<M), Member f6r Worce^.
FscldoetoB, terlhire ; Mr. £dw&<d Harvey, lifember for CUthero ; Mr.
Mr.Ed.Harvey, FoAer« Member &>r NorthnmherJiandi Mr. Anftis, Member
*f "[^f ®*«Jj5J^« for Lannceftoa j and Mr. Corbet Kynafton, Member f^r
C^MflonT* SJ^'«^»ft«'7» W« eag^MinaDefign tofMpPort the intended
erdcrM, at & In^afion of thisKingdom,hathgivcD Oidertor apjprebendiag
ICing*tReaoeft, them ; and his Ma|efty dfifires the Confeat of this Houfe to
to bca^rtlieai- his canfing them to be oommitted and dieuin'd^ if he (hall
^^ judge it nece^ry (b to do, in Pttdfaance of the late A6t of
Fanhunent for impowcnig his Majefiy to commit and detain
fech Ferfims ashisM^ie&y ihall fuipe^ar^COBifpiring againfl
hisPtrfonandOoEvemment. Hereupon it was reiblvM, i^^nw.
Cm. That an humble Addre^ be prefented to his Majefty^
returning theThas>ks of this Hpufe for his^^ious Meflagcf
this Day, and lor his lender Re^urd to the frivi^gesof this
iiottfe ; and to deiire, that he wiU be^f^eas^d to give Ord^s
for the committing and detaining^ the filvtral Members |
aam'd in the faid Me^Qigf, putiv^nt to the Ad ^f t;l>is
SeConi of FarUameiit for that Pvymft.
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The kme Day, the Lords fent a Meilage to acquaint the Aimo t. Gm. i.
Commons, That their Lordfhips having adckefsM his Majefty; O^^N/"^^
kambly to defire, that he would be pleas'd to caufe Direftions
to be given to the proper Officers for preparing a Scaffold in sca£R>ki oider'd to
Wcftminfter-Hall, fiv the Trial of Robert Earl of Oxford and LY^o,StorJf
Earl Mortimer, who now ftands impeach'd by this Hoafe of '^'^*
High Treafon, and other High Crimes and Mifdemeanors,
liis Majcfty had been gracioafly pleas'd to fay, ^* He would
" give Diredions to the proper Officers purfuant to the faid
" Addrcib "
The fame Day likewife the King went to the Hottfe of
Peers, and the Commons attending, the Speaker, upon pre-
iendng the Money-Bills, made the following Speech to his
Majei^:
Mofl Gracious Sovereign,
' "YTOar Majefty*s molt dutiful and loyal Subjeds, the The Speaker^
* I Knights, Citizens, and Burgeffes in Parliament affem-' kSS^ oiJV^ntj»g
* bled, have now finifh'd the Supplies granted to your Ma- ^ M»ney-Ki»»'
* jcfty for the Service of this prefent Year. Your Com-
* mons had roach fooner offer'd thefe Supplies to your Ma-
* jcfty, had not their Zeal for your Majefly's Service, and ,
* the Dtoty they owe to their Country, led them into Inqui-
' nes which have drawn this SeiHon to an unufual Length. *
' But your Commons could not fee, without the utmofl;
* Indignation, the Glories of her late Majefly's Reign tar-
* nifliM by a treacherous Ceflation of Arms ; the Faith of
^ Treaties violated ; that ancient Probity, for which the
* Eogliih Nation had been juftly renawn'd throughout all
* Ages, exposed to -Scorn and Conteinpt ; and the Trade of
' the Kingdom given up by infidious arid precarious Treaties
* of Commerce, whilft the People, amufed with new
* Worlds explored, were contented to fee the mofl advanta-
* geous Blraiiche^ of th«ir Commerce in Europe loft, or bc-
' tniy'd.
* Such was th« Condition of this Kmgdom, when it
' plcas'd the Divine Providence to call your Majefty to the ^
* Throne of your Anceftors, under whofe aufpicious Reign'
* your Commons with Pleafure behold the Glories of the •
* Plantagcnets (your Majefty's royal Anceftors), revive ; and
' have an unbounded Profped of the Continuance of thif
* Haj^inefs, even to the lateft Pbfterity„ in a Race of
* Princes lineally defcended from your Majefty.
' And that nothing might be wanting on the Part of your
* Commons,, to eftablifh your Majefty's Throne on folid and
* lafting Foundations, they have apply'd themfelves, withr
! uawc^'d Diligicnce, tp vindicate the HoilQur of ^ the
F i ! BritiiU
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Aniio^. eeo. I. < Britiih Nation, and to rcftore a mutual Confidence between
X^^^^^^^^s^ * this Kingdom and its ancient and ^thful Allies, by de-
* teding the Authors of thefe pernicious Counfeb, and the
* Adors in thefe treacherous Defigns, in order to bring them
* to Juftice, by the Judgment of theit Peers, acccording to
^ the Law of the Land, and the Ufage of Parliament.
* It was not to be expected, but tluit the Enemies to the
* Nation's Peace, would ufc their utmoft Endeavours to ob-
* ikruGt your Commons in thefe Inquiries ; but dcfpairing
* of any Succefs in the Reprefentative Body of the Elingdopi,
* they fomented Tumults among the Dregs of the Pec^Ie
^ atHoine, and fpirited up the Pretender to an Invafion
< from Abroad, This gave your faithful Commons frefh
* Opportunities of rfiewing their Affection to your Majefty^s
' Perfon, and their Fidelity to your Government, by their
* unanimous Concurrence in granting fuch Supplies as were
* fufiicient to difappoint the pne, and by their paffing fuch
* Laws as were neceflary to fupprefs the other ; and, in
* every Refpcdt, to exprefs their Abhorrence of a Popifli
< Pretender, concerning whom, nothing remams nnfufpedled,
4 * but his Bigotry to Superftidon, and his Hatred to our
* holy Relig^n ; for the Advancement of which your Ma-
* jefty has exprefs*d your pious Care, by recomme]\ding to
^ your Commons the providing Mamtenance for the Mini-
* &ers who are to officiate in the new Churches. This your
* Commons readily comply'd with, trailing, that the Prayers
* there ofFer'd to the Almighty, will bring down a Bleffing
* on all your Majefty's Undertakings ; and not doubting,
* but that the Dodlrines there taught, will be a Means to
* fecure the Quiet of your Kingdoms, and the Obedience
^ of your People.
* The Revenue fet apart for the Ufes of the CiWl Go-.
' vemment, your Commons found fb much intangled with
* Mortgages and Anticipations, that what remained, was far
* from being fufficient to fupport the Honour and Dignity
* of the Crown : This your Commons took into ferioos
' Coniideration, and being truly fenfible, that on your Ma-
^ * jelly's Greatnefs the Happinefs of your Subje^ entirely
** ^ depends, they have put the Civil Revenues into the fame
: ' ^- State, in which they were granted to your Majefty's glo-
' rious Predeceflbr, King WilHam, of immortal Memory j
^ and thereby enabled your Majefly to make an ample Pro-
* vifion for the Prince of Wales, whofe heroick Virtues are
< the beft Security of your Majefty*sThrone, as his other per^
* fonal Endowments are the Joy of all your faithful Subje^s,
* I fhould but ill difcharge the Truft repofed in me by
^ the Commons, did I not lay before your M^jefty, with
< y/\^^ Ch^crf\iKfs thejr r^eiv'4 your Majefty's gracious
< Int^ntiwa
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* loteBtioiis for her Royal Highnefs the Princefs ; and with
' km ffluch Readinefs and Unanimity they enabled your
' Vkjt&y to fettle a Revenue fuitable to the Dignity of a
' Priocefs, whofe Piety, and fteady Adherence to the Pro-
* teftant Religion, is the Glory of the prefisnt Age, and
' will be the Admiration of all future Generations.
* May it pleafe your Majefty,
' The Bills which the Commons have prepared to com-
' pleat the Supplks for this Year's Service, and for the
' othar Porpofes I have mentioned, are fevcrally intitled,
I. Jh A^ to enable bis Majefty to fettle a Revenue fir /up*
ftrting the Dignity of her Rvfal Highnefs y &c.
II. An Aa for enlarging the Capital Stock and yearly Fund
i the South-Sea Company, &C.
III. An A3 for making Provijtonfor the Minifters oftheffiy
new Cburehes, Sec,
* Which they: with all Humility now prefent to your
' Majefty for your Royal Aflent.'
After this, his Majefty gave the Royal AiTent to the three
BQk before mentioned, as alfo to fix more pttblick, and
to nine private Bilk.
Theft his Majefty was pleas'd to declare from the Throne,
tliat he had ordered the Lord Chancellor to deliver his Ma-
jefty's Speech to both Houfes of Parliament, in hisMajefty's
Name and Words, whkh he did accordingly, as follows :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" T Am perfwaded you are all by this Tiipe very defirous Theicijjrtsp^
" JL of fome Recefs, and that it cannot be defefr'd longer, IwiaScnu*
** without great Inconvenience to your private Affairs.
" Bttt before I part with you, I muft return you my moft
** finccre Thanks for ypur having fmifh'd, with fo much
" Wifibm and Unanimity, what I recommended to your
" Care ; and particularly I muft thank you. Gentlemen of
" the Houfe of Commons, for the Provifion you h#e made,
" w well for the Support of the Honour and Digni^r of
*' the Crown, as for the other neceflary Occafions of the
" Publick ; efpedally for your having done it by Means fo
" little burthcnfome to my People ; which, I affure you,
" fccommends the Supi^ies to me above any other Circum-
" fcffice whatfoever.
My Lords and Gendemen,
** The open and dedar'd Rebellion, which is now a^bually
** kegun in Scotland, muft convince all, who do not wifti to
** fee OS given up into the Hands of a Popifli Pretender, of
I^ *t Dangers ^ which we have been^, and ^re ftill expos'd.
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** I thought it incambent upon ine> to give you the car-
lied Notice of the Defigns of our Enemies^ and I cannot
fufficiently commend the Zeal and Difpatch with which
•' you impower'd me, at a Time when the Nation was in
** fo naked and defencelefs a Condition, to make fuch Pre-
** parations as I Ihould think neceflary for our Security.
** You fhall have no Reafon to repent of the Truft and Con-
** fidence you repofe in me, which 1 fhall never ufc to any
** other End than for the Protedion and Welfare of my
" People.
" It was fcarce to be imagined, that any of my Proteftant
" Subjedts, who have known and enjoy'd the Benefits of
** our excellent Coiiftitution, and have heard of the great
".Dangers they were wonderfully delivered from by the
** happy Revolution, fhould, by any Arts and Manage-
*' ment, be drawn into Meafures that muft at once deftpoy
•*• their Religion and Liberties, and fubjedl them to Popery
•* and arbitrary Power, but fuch has been our Misfortune,
** that too many of my People have been deluded, and
** made inftrumental to the Pretender's Deiigns, who had
*^ never dar'd to think of invading us, or raifing a Rebellion,
** had he not been cncourag'd by the Succefs his Emiflaries
•* and Adherents have already had in ftirring up Riots and
** Tumults, and by the farther Hopes they entertain of
** raifing Infurre£Uons in many Parts of my Kingdoms.
" The endeavouring to perfuade my People, that the
,** Church of England is in Danger nnder my Government,
** has been the main Artifice employed in carrying on this
" wicked and traitcrous Defign. . This Infinuation, after
•* the fblemn AfTurances I have given, and by having laid
•** hold on all Opportunities, to do every Thing that may
" tend to the Advantage of the Church of England, is both
** unjuft and ung^-atefd : Nor can I believe fo groundlefs
^ and malicious a Calumny can make any Impreflion upon
" the Minds of my faithful Subjects, or that they c^ be
" fo far mifled, as to think the Church of England is to be
*< fecur'dft>y fetting a Popilh Pretender on the Throne^
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" The Proofs this Parliament has given of their unfhaken
** Duty and AfFeAion to me, and of their Love and Zeal
*' for the Intereft of their Country, will recommend you to
** the good Opinion and Efieem of all who have their Reli-
" gion and Liberty truly at Heart, and has laid a lailing
** Obligation upon me ; and I queftion not, but by your
" farther Afliflance in tlie feveral Countries to which you
" are going, with the Bleffing of Almighty God, who ha»
^ fo frequently interpoi*d in Favour of this Nj^tion, I fhall
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*• be able to difappoifit and defeat the Dcfigns of our Enc- ^~*; ««•«•
" mics. \^ ^V"^^
" Our Meeting again to do Bufinefs early in the next
" Winter, will be ufeful on many Accounts ; particuUrly,
^ that the fitting of Parliaments may be again brought into
" that Seafon of the Year which is moil convenient ; and
" that as little Delay may be given as is poflible to your
" judicial Proceedings; and I fhall at prefent give fuch
" Orders to my Lord Chancellor, as may not' put it long
" out of my Power to meet you on any fudden Occafion."
And then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majefty*s.Com-
mand, faid.
My Lords and Gentlemen*
' TT is his Majefty's Royal Will and Plcafure, that both The Koofe u-
• 1 Houfcs Ihould forthwith feverally adjourn themfelves to i«*™* «> o*. 6ifc,
* Thuriliay the fixth Day of Odober next.'
Oaiinr 6. The Parliament being met at Weftminfter,
purfuant to their laft Adjournment, Gen. Stanhope acquaiur ,
ted the Houfe, That it wf s the King's Pleafure, that the
Parliament fhould be adjoum'd for a Fortnight ; and there-
fort deiir*d that the Houfe would adjourn itfelf until the
20th of 06lober : Which the Houfe did accordir^y ,• AttJi aftenrai* »
Oader 20. G^n. Stanhope acquainted the lioufe with Kfc5^ty'»a«iH
his Majefty's Pleafure, that the Parliament be adjourn'd uur "*"**'
|il the 5th of November. Upon which the Commons ad-
joum'd themfelves to that Day, and afterwards to November
2ift. and then to December 14. at his Majefty's Defire.
Dtctmber 14. The Commons order'd, That Sir Edward sir Edw. Northey
Nordicy be added to the Conmiittee of Secrecy, in the Room ^«4 oflfcSS^
of Sir Richard Onflow, Bart, who had accepted the Place of °" **^
<acof the Tellers of his Majefty's Exchequer, and was not
rechofc. It was order'd like wife, that Mr Speaker do write
circular Letters to all the Sheriffs of the Kingdom, to fum- circular -Ltxten
mon the Members in their refpedive Counties to attend the ^heM^lnS;!? mI*
Service of the Houfe upon the 9th of January : After which ^nda iceonthe
General Stanhope acquainted the Houfe, that he had a Mef- whi?h^rhS^th^
% from his Majefty to this Houfe, fign'd by his Maje% ; ^'"^ *^^*"^-
which he delivered to Mr Speaker, as follows, viz.
GEORGE R.
HIS Majefty underftanding, that many, both of the
Houfe of Lords and Commons are detained in the
** Country, as well by their private as the publick Bufinefs ;
" and the Holidays being now fo near, during which there is
'* ufually a Reccfs, it is lis Majefty's Pleafure, that the Par-
!! liament adjounn to Monday the ninth J):xy of January
*' next
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*^ next, at which Time his Majeily intends the Parliament
" fhall fit to do Bufmefs.
Then the Houfe accordingly adjourn'd 'till Monday the
9th of January.
TU Parliament January 9. The Parliament being met at Wcftminfter, the
meet.
King went to the Hodc of Peers, and the Commons being
fent for up, and attending, the Lord Chancellor read his Ma-
jefty's Speech to both Houfes, as follows :
f Lords and Gentlemen,
HE Zeal and AfFedlicn to my Government, and the
vigilant Care for the Safety of the Nation, which
** you have ihewn in your refpe6Uve Counties, have not
•* only fully anfwer'd my Expe^tions, but give me Affui'-
•* ances that you are met together refdlv'd to aft widi a Spi-
" rit becoming a Time of common Danger, and with ftich
*• a Vigour, as will end in the Confdion of all thofe who
** have openly engagM in this Rebellion, and in the Shame
*^ and Reproach of fuch as by fecret and malicious Infinuad-
** ons, have fomented, or by an avow'd Indifl^erence, en-
** courag'd this traiterous Enterprize.
** It is, I doubt not, a great Satisfaction to you to have
*' obferv'd, that the Powers you entrufted me with for Ac
** Prefervatibn of the publick Safety, have beeii employed in
** the moft proper and efFeftual Manner, and made ftridly
** fubiervient to thofe Purpofes only for which you intended
.** them ; and you muft have had the Pleafure to refle£i with
** me, that as the Meafures taken for our Defence, have
** been juft and neceflary, fo it has pleafed the Divine Pro-
** vidence to blefs them with lories of fuitable Succefs: And
** I cannot but take this Opportunity of doing Juftice to the
** Officers and Soldiers of the Army, whofe brave and^
^* faithful Difcharge of their Duty, has difaj^inted our
** Enemies, and contributed fo much to the Safety of the
" Nation.
*^ I did hope, that the detefting and preventing the dc-
** fign'd InfurreCtions in fome Parts of the Kingdom, and the
«* defeating in others, thofe who had taken up Arms againft
" me, would have' put an'End to this Rebellion; but it is
** plain that our Enemies, animated by fome fecret Hopes
'* of Affillance, are flill endeavouring to fupport this d^)e-
** rate Undertaking ; and the Pretender, as I have Rea£)n
** to believe, is now landed in Scotland.
** It is however with Pleafure I can acquaixjt yoH, that
*' notwithftanding thefe inteftine Commotions, Great Britain
•* has, in fome Meafure, recbver'd its Influence and Repu-
^ tation Abroad* The Treaty for fettling the Barrier for
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^* the Netherlands^ is now fully concluded between the Em: ^1"^f:i6^' *•
" perorand the States General, undermy Guaranty. The L-/'^V*S^
** King of Spain has agreed to a Treaty, by which that V4-
" luable Branch of our Commerce will be dcliver'd from the
" new Impofitions and Hardfhips to which it was fubjeiSl^ .
" by the late Treaties,-^ and will Ibnd fettled for the future
'* on a Foot more advantageous and certain, than it ever did
*' in the moSt flourifhing Time of any of my Predeceflbrs ;
" and the Treaty for renewing all former Alliances between
•' the Crown of Great Britain, and the States General, 'i$
" brought very near to its Concluiion.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
" I muft rely on your AfFedion to me, and your Care and *
" Concern for the Safety of the Nation^ to grant me fuch
" Supplies, as may enable me to rellore and fecure the Peace
" of the Kingdom ; and I will order Eftimates of the necef-
" fary Expences to be laid before you.
" Among the many unavoidable ill Confequences of this
'* %bellion> none affedts me more feniibly, than that extra-
" ordinary Burthen which it has and muft create to my faith-
" ful Subjeds. Tb eafe them as far as lies in my Power, I
" take this firft Opportunity of declaring, that I will freely
« give up all the Eftates that (hall become forfeited to the
" Crown by this Rebellion^ to be apply'd towards defraying
** the extraordinary Expencc incurr'd on this Occafion.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** It is Matter of the greateft Uneafinefs to me, that the
" firft Years of my Reign^ the whole Courfe of which I
" Wiih'd to have tranfmitted to Pofterity, dillinguilh'd by
" the fair and endearing Marks of Peace and Clemency^
" Oiould be clouded and overcaft with fo unnatural a Rebel-
" lion ; whiphi however impotent and unfuccefsful a due
" Care may render it in all other Refpeds, does moft fenfibly,
" affiid me, by the Calamities it has brought on piany of
" my faithful Sabjeds, and by thofe indifpenfible Returna
" of Severity which their Sufferings and the publick Safety
*' do moft juftly call for. Under this, Concern, nly grcatell
*' Comfort is, that I cannot reproach myfelf with having
*' given the leaft Provocation to that Spirit of Bifcontent and
" Calumny tllat has been let loofe againft me, or the lealt
*' Pretence for kindling the Flame of this Rebellion.
" Let thofe whofc fatal Counfels kid the Foundation of
" all thefe Mifchiefs, and thofe whofe private Difcoiltftits
" and Di (appointments, difguis'd under falfe Pretences, have
** betray'd great Numbers of deluded People into their owni
** Deftrudion, anfwer for the Miferies in which they hav^
" involv'd their Fellow-Subjeds. I queftlon not, but that
" with the Continuance of God*s B-cffin^^, who alone '\$
' Yoi:. I. ^ G 1' ab}#'
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*' able to form Good but of Evil, and with the cheerful At
^ ** fiftance of iliy Parliament, we (hall, in a Ihort Time, fed
** this Rebellion end, not only in reftoring the Tranquility
** of rfiy Government, but in procuring a firm and lading
** Eftabli/hment of that excellent Conftifution in Church and
** State, which it was manifeftly defign'd to Tubvert : And
** that this open and flagrant Attempt in Favour of Popery,
" will abolim all other Diflinftions among us, but of fuch as
** are zealous Aflfertors of the Liberties of their Country, the
"** prefent Eftablilhment, and the Protellant ReKgibUj and of
*' fuch as are endeavouring to fubjeft the Nation to the Re-
.*• venge and Tyranny of a Popilh Pretender.
rhmif^^^th^K\ '^^^ Commons being returned to their Houfe, and having
forthcai^vcspeccfunanimoufly refolv'd on an Addrefs of Thanks to his Maje- •
St"d"o^^ "' %» fent to the Lords to defire them to contimrc fitting* for
fome Time. This Meflage was carry 'd by Mr Lechmere, who
having reported to the Houfe, that the Lords confented |o do
fo, made a Speech to the following EfFe£l,viz. * That after the
spc^^ihSron. general AfTurances ihe Houfe had given to his Majefty, one
Moment ought not to be loft, without taking fome effedual
Step cowards making them good : That the firft and great
Concern was, to put an End to this Rebellion ; not only to
quiet the prefent Commotions, but to extinguifh - the very
PolTibility of their being renewed : That for thefe Ends, eve-
ty Gentleman would agree to ftrengthen the Hands of the
Jting in fuch a Manner, as would enable him fpeedily and
eiFeSually to compleat this Work : That the Houfe would
do this with abfolute Cheerfulnefs, from the certain Know-
ledge and Fxperience they had of the Wifdom and Juftice of
his Majefty, who would make no other Ufe of any Confi-
dence his Parliament fhould repofe in him, than to promote
the common Welfare of his People ; and that Whatever ex-
traordinary Affillance the prefent Jundlure of Affairs fhould
require, would be continued no longer than the publick Ne-
ceflity caird for : That the next ufeful and necelTary Step,
was the National Juftice, which was incumbent on this
Houfe, in Duty to the King, as well as in Judice to the Peo-
ple : And as* ungrateful and difagreeable a Part as this mull
be, yet, when the Defign of the Enemy wa^ become fo def-
perate, and fo avow'd, as to Urike at the Crown upon the
ling's, Head, and to involve the Nation in the Calamities of
a Civil War, the Houfe could not exert themfelves too early,
nor with too much Vigour ; and that as the Houfe acquitted
itfelf on this Occnfion, ha promis'd himfelf the EiFed would
be anfwerable : That the Spirit which fhould be ihewn in
this Inftance, would animate the Friends of the Govemmertt,
both at Home and Abroad ,- and the Terror it i^uft ftrike
oa
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{ 5' .)
on our Enemies, would be equal at leaft, and contribute as ^"JJ, J*^* ^
much to the common Safety, as any other Preparation that
had or could be made. He wifh'd he could fay or think,
that this Rebellion was the Projed of thofe only, who ap*
pcar'd to head it ; or that it was the Refult of the weak or
rafh Counfels of thofe who publickly avow'd it : He wifh'd
he could fay, that it was the Work of Papifts only, or of
thofe few Protcftants who were wicked or weak enough
openly to join in it. He wifh'd he could fay, that it was a •
Plot but of Yefcerday, and that it had taken no deeper Root
than ordinary Appearances would lead to fufped ; but he
thought it plain, that it was the EiFed of many Years La-
bour, of the joint and united Labour of great Numbers, both
Protellants and Papitts, the plain and ^eceflary Confequencc
of the Meafures which had been carrying on for fome Yeart
laft : That to frame a right Judgment of the Nature of thi>
Rebellion, he thought it neceflkry fqr the Houfe to look
back^ and conftder the natural Tendency of the publick Pro-
ceedings of late Years, and the Connexion they bore with
the prefent unfortunate State of Things : When Men in
facred Funflions fufFer'd themfelves to become St^te-Inflrur
ments, and the great Merit of fuch Men was, under the
Pretence of afferting the Dodrines of the Church of Eng-
land, to Qondenm the Revolutiop, he gpuld never un4eriland
any other Defign or Tendency from thofe. Pra6iices, than to
undermine the Foundatiori of the Proteflaitt Succeffion. He
remembered it was faid upon a very folemn Occafion,. hjy a
very honourable Gentleman, * That the condemning the hlte
** happy Revolution, could have no other Meaning, than tor
"make Way for another :'' That however wicked and dan-
gerous thefe Pradices were,they made too great an Impreffion^
and contributed a great deal to the prefent Calamity : That af
the Dellgns of the Enemy grew'more avowM, State-Prmciplet
of another Kind were advanced, which flill coaduc'd to the
fame End : That 'twas well known what Induftry was us'd
to inculcate- the Notions of Hereditary Rig^t to the
Crown, in Oppofitipn to the Settlement which had been
made of it in the Houfe of Hanover, by the Authority of
Parliament, and with no other View, than to weaken that
Settlement : That every one remfeniber'd what ^traordinary
pains were taken to poyfon the People with this dangerous
Notion i and that thofe who made the bell Couct to MeA in
Power, were fuch who efpous'd this Opinion in the moft
notorious Manner : That he could not forget with what
Tcndemefs a certain Divine of the Church of England was
treated below Stairs, whilft under Profeqution for the moft
impudent Libel [7i&# Hereditary Right 0£erted^ &c.] that
ncf ira» pubSih'd tgjugft any Gorerament, that had cither
'** G 2 ' Will
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{ 52 )
^]"/^,^°-'' Will or Power to maintain it felf. He thoaghtthe Punifli-
\y^^Y*S^ ment that was inflifted on that Gentleman light enough,
but he could not avoid taking Notice of a remarkable Paf-^
fage, which then alarm'd every thinking Man, and will,
pne Time or other, deferve the Confideration of this Houfe,
yiz. The Order from the Government, counteriign'd by a
Secretary of State, to the Judges of the QueeiTs Bench,
after the Judgment {xifs'd, to fuperfcde th^ ignominious
Part of the Poniihment, by Reafon of the {acr«d Function
of the Criminal ; by which the moft unexampled and dan-
gerous Diltinftion was introduc'd ; and which Proceeding
coUld bear no other Conllrudtion, than as a Licenfe and
Prote6Uon, even from the Government, to Men in holy
Orders, to propagate that deftruftive Pofition with Impunity j
and the Charafter of the Perfon, which ought in Juftice to
have aggravated his Guilt, and heighten'd the Punifhment,
• became his Indemnity againft the Reproach of it, ev^n by
the Authority of the Government it felf He remember'd
in what Manner every Thing of that Nature was treated in
Weftminfler-Hall ; what Severities were exercis'd againft
thofe Perfons who had Courage enough to affert the Intcreft
V ipf their Country, and of the Protelhnt Succeffion, at the
fame Time that the Patrons of hereditary Right enjoy'd all
Indulgences : That he mentioned thefe Things on no Un*
^ frertainties, having been an Eye-Witnefs of them himfelf^
and.it having fallen to his Share to bear ibme Part in them :
\ *rhat this was one of the moft fuccefsfol Parts of the
IScheme of thofe who had fix'd their Eyes on the Pretender :
That the Houfe need not be told how far it had operated
to the Prejudice of the Proteftant Succeflion. That he could
give many other Inftances of this Kind ; all which promoted
the fame End. The grofs piftinftions that were coin*d to
elude the Oaths that had been made for the Security of the
povernment ; the Endeavours that were us'd to poffefs the
People with falfe Fears of the Danger of the Church ; and
the little Care that was taken, to fay no worfe of it, to
• inftil into the Youth of the Kingdom, fuch Principles as
were coniiftent with the true Intereft either of Church or
State. That he look'd upon thefe Things which he had
m^ntion'd, to be the Foundation of the Scheme that was
now, by » this Rebellion, carrying on into Execution ; and
' he own'd, that in this Refpeft, the Authors of it were wife
in their Generation ; for by thefe Arts, the very Principle
on which the Proteftant Succeflion is founded, was fhaken j
^md tho' the Methods of doing it, were bafe and vile, yet
the DiflbtisfaiSlion and Uneafmefs that was created by thenn
ill the Minds of the People, made Way for the Change that
)*as defirM. That he craved Leave of the Houfe, to put
them ,
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( 53 )
tiiem in Mind of other Parts of this Scheme, that was car»
rying on at the fame Time. The Enemies to the prefent
Governmient judging aright for their own Purpofe, by all
Methods to attack the Confciehces of the People, as to the
Legality and JuHice of the Settlement of the Crown in the
Houfe of Hanover, they thought it neceflary, at the fame
Time, to difable, as far as they could, thofe Perfons who
had been moft remarkable for their Services in the Support
of it. That the great Effort was made at that Great Man,
[il}€ Duke of Marihorougb"] who is not only the Honour and
Ornament of his Country, but the Glory lof the Age he
lives in. He added, he thought he fhould not be fufpedcd
of Flattery at this Time, nor, as he belicv'd, at any Time,
with Refpefi to that Great Man. That many who then
heard him-, remembered the Part he took in Vindication of
that Great Man, whilft his Charafter was under Debate in
this Houfe. That he could not forget the Rage and Inve-
teracy with which he was purfu'd ; nor how much Strefs
was laid upon obtaining the Cenfures of Parliament upon
him : That the Afperfions then thrown upon him, did not
hurt that Great Man ; and whatever Endeavours may at any
Time beus'd to leffen him, will hurt none but tliofe that
ihall pronK>te them ; but yet thofe vain Endeavours werf a
very ufeful Part of the Scheme then carrying on. 'Twas a
neceflary Step for thofe Men to put him out of the Way,
whofe very Name and Aj^arance, at that Time, 'would
have been fufiicient to /aife Armies in Favour of the Pro-
teftant Succeffion, and the Liberties of his Country : But he
could not but obferve, that as ferviceable as it was for the
Meafures of thofe Men to wound his Charafter, 'twas now a
ReproJcL to the Kingdom, that thofe groundlefs Afperfions,
which had been caft upon him, should remain upon the
Journals of Parjiament. That another Great Lord, [the
Lord Vifcount To'wnjShenJ'i fell under the Violence of thofe
Times, whofe Profecution was attended with uncommon
Fury. That himfclf had fome Share in juftifying that
Great Man in this Houfe, when he was voted an Enemy
to his Countr)5* That he cWerv'd at that Time, and the
Event has made it evident, that the Barrier was but the
Pretence, and- the great Services he had done to the Protc-
ftant ^ucceflion, was the true Provocation which drew that
Rage upon him. That two other honourable Gentlemen,
[Gen. ^tanhofeand Mr R. Walpole then fitting near him,] had
felt the Severity of thofe Times ; they had difting\jifli*d
themielves by their Zeal and Firmnefs to the true Intereft
of their Country, and were too confiderable to efcape the
Malice of thofe who had other Views. That thofe Pro-
ffcdmgs, how uncertain foev^r the Dcfign of ^hem might
appear.
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f 54 )
Anno a. ceo.i. appear while they .were tranfa^ting, hare been fufficientl^r
v^JiL^.*^^ explained by what has followed. That the Name of that
General, for whofe immediate Service the Great Man firit
mention'd, was blemilh'd, and for whom there* was Vanity-
enough to make him his Rival, is now become the Re-
proach of his Family and Country : He avows the Service
of the Pretender, and e*€r long we may hear of him at the
He^d of an Expedition for ellablifhing Popery and arbitrary-
Power. ' That the Secretary of State, who diftinguifhM
himfelf in the Purfuit of the other Great Lord, fias fuffi-
ciently explain'd his Defigns to the whole World ; and the
next Tidings that we may expeft from abroad, is, that he
has taken upon him the Character of a Minifter to the Pre-
tender. Thit he look'd upon the difabMng the great AC-
ferters of the Proteftant Intereft, to be a fe^ond, and no
fmall Part of the Scheme j and while thefe Things were
carrying on, their little Engines and Tools were carrying on
their Work in Weilminfter-Hall. That every Man who
favoured the Hanover Succeffion, was to be worry *d, and
all open and fcandalous Afferters of contrary Principles,
were treated with all the Care and Tendernefs of Friends.
Charters of Corporations were attacked in a more unpre-
cedented and dangerous Manner, than in former Times,
when Praftices of that Kind were moll jullly complained of,
and no Stone was left untum'd to ftrengchen themfelves in
that Refpedl. That he would not then trouble the Honie
any more upon that Head, having fome Thoughts, e'er
long, to prefent them with a fmall Collelftion of Things of
that Kind, for their ferions Confideration. That the Maf-
ter-Strokes of this grand Scheme, were yet behind : That
the fureft Way to deftroy the Government, has beetf always
thought to be by its own Hands, that is, by the Authority
and power of Parliament. For this Purpofc, a Confederacy,
by which the Liberties of Europe had been fo long fuftain^d
againft the Power of • France, was broke to Pieces by Votes
that were obtained in this Houfe in the moll extraordinary
Manner. That the Honour of the Nation, the Balance of
Power, and the Protellant Intereft in Europe, were effec^
tually given up in the Negociations and Conclufion of the
Peace, by which France was rellor'd to its ancient and for-
midable State ; and every Body rcmember'd how near they
were, by the fame Influences, to have given lip the whole
Trade of the Nation, to the Intefell of the French King^
who, after that, had no fuitable Return left for him to make
for fqch Services, but to bellow upon them a Pretender,
bred up in his own Faith, and in his own Politicks. That
nothmg could have obftrufted this, but the many miraculous
Pro?id«ncc$ that immpdialoly f«dlow*d, when his Powqr
tkroughoat
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throaghout Europe was uncontellable ; and, by theMeafurcs Aanot.oct.i.
that had been taken, the Proteftant Succeflion had fcarce a '^'^ ' *
Friend left in the World. That the King's Acceffion to the
Tkone, accompany 'd by fo many providential Circumllan-
ces, as it difappointed the immediate Execution of the
Scheme^ ib it quieted the Spirit of thofe Men for fome
Time. That if the Houfe would make a right Judgment
of the prefent Rebellion, they miiH compare the Steps that
immediately preceded it, with. thofe that were taken in the
laft Reign, when the Hope was to have brought about the
fame End without a Stroke ; That the fame Endeavours
icon appeared ft propagate the fame Principles, both in
Church and State ; and thofe Endeavours, tho' at firll not
fo open, were yet as reftlefs to create DiflatisfaAion againfl
his N^jefty's Government, as they had been before to pre-
vent its taking Place. As the Encouragement grew ftronger.
Tumults and Riots were univerfally fomented ; and 'twas
well known from what Quarter they rofe, and againft whom
they were levelFd ; but yet no one Inflance has been aflign'd,
throaghout his Adminiftration, that could offend or provolce
any but a Jacobite Spirit. That his Majefly has done
more for the Honour of the Church, and the true Interefl
of his Kingdom, than any of his Predeceflbrs, in three
Times the Number of Years : That his Perfonal Virtues,
and the Wifdom and Steadinefs of his Government, have
retrieved the Honour and Reputation of his Kingdoms,
which had been fo fhamefully loll : That his Weight and
Influence Abroad, and the Credit he has obtained in all the
known Parts of the World, have already procured the Set-
tlement of the Matters in Difference between the two
chief Powers of Europe, from whom elbne we can expeA
Aflillance in Times of Danger. That no fmgle Inflance
can be affign'd of Hardfhip or Opprefllon to any one of his.
Sobje^, or that can give a jull Reafon ofDiHatisfadion ; but
on the contrary, thofe who have ihewn the greateft Averlion
to his Government, have received the kindcil Invitations,
and enjoyed the highell Indulgences from him. That if any
Errors may have been committed in any Parts of the Admi*-
niibation, during the prefent Diforders, every honell Man
ought to judge of them by this one Rule, that is, the plain
Ddign for which all Meafures are calculated, which every
Body muft admit to be the Prefervation of the Proteftant
Succeflion: That all Incidents of fuch an Adminiftration^
ought to be covered or juftify'd by the Intereil that (hall ap-
pear to be carry 'd on throughout the whole : That by the
feme Rule of Juftice, when the Deilru£lion of the Common
Interefl was the plain Intention t)f the late Adminiftration,
the greateft Weight ought to be laid on. every little Circum-
ftauee
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llance that attended, in order to obtain a publickSatisfadUon.
That by taking in all thefe Gonfidei-ations^ he thdught the
Houfe would make a full and right Judgment of the Nature
of this Rebellion ; from whence if took its Rife, how deep
it had taken Root, to what Influences it was owing, and h<n¥
far it extended ; That the Part the Lord Derwentwater and
others, had taken in it; were to be confider'd as the firit
Symptoms of that general Diforder, for which fo much Foun-
dation was laid ; for which Reafon, he thought that the
Houfe could not coniider this othcrwife, than as the Caufe of
the Nation, in the ftrongeft Manner. That in Juftice to the
King,^as well as to the People, they ought to take this into
their own Hands, and not to entruit the Profecution of it
with any Body but themfdves. That every Body knew to
what Hazards Profecutions in the ordinary Courfe of Juftice^
Were liable, tho' they were never fo well concerted by thoie
whofe Bufmefs it was to carry them on : But how fure foever
this Succefs might be, in a Cafe fo notorious as this, yet it
was obvious to every Body, of what different Weight and
Influence the Profecutions of Parliament were, from thoie in
the ordinary Forms. That he own'd he was furpriz'd that
any Meafures had been taken of that Kind, againft the Peers
who hnd been taken in open Rebellion, a Parliament fit-
ting, which had fliew'd fo much Zealj and had contributed
fo tnuch to the Prefervation of the Government, efpecially at
a Time when the Crown on the Kmg's Head was fighting
for. That he very well knew, that tho' the Houfe of
Commons Right of Impeaching Criminals was unlimited,
yet they would exercife that Power by the Rules of Wifiiom
and Difcretion, and not engage in trivial Matters, but in
fuch only, where thft Offenders were not within the Reach of
the ordinary Juftice, or the Nature of their Crimes fuch as
were not fit to be meddled with by the ordinary JurifdidUons.
That the Cafe of the Lords taken in Rebellion, was indeed
notorious^ and of which the Proof would be eafy ; but tho*
not from the Difficulty of the Profecution, yet from the
Weight and Confequence of it, he thought he need fay little
more to convince the Houfe,to make it their own Profecution,
by which they engaged every Commoner in Great Britain, as
an immediate party againft thofe who had carry'd a War
into the Bowels of the Kingdom. That no Inftance ever
had rifen in the Englifh Hiftory, where their Anceftors had
permitted a Profecution of this Kind, againft the chief Ac-
tors, to be carry 'd any where but in full Parliameitt. That
the five Popifh Lords were purfu'd by the loud Voice and
Weight of the Commons of England ; and tho' at that Time
the Nation was in Peace, Ihey would not permit the Fate of
thofe Profecutions to depend on the Care or Skill of thofe'
rfha
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who are versed in th^ ordinary Forms pf jaftice ; and theif A11102, jdeo. t
Sacteis was anfwerable. That he own'd his Defire, apon all ^J?^\Sn^
Occafionsy to raife the Honour and Authority of Parliaments, - V\><
which he thought the greateil Support of the Honour and
the Prerogatives of the Crown ; for which Reafon, he took
this Occafion to ipeak more fully to the Nature of Impeach-
ments, and the rather, becaufe he apprehended fome Gende-^
men had miflaken Notions concerning them : That the Power
of Impeachments was the moil valuable and ufeful Privilege *
that belong^ to the Body of the Commons, at leaH equal to
thftt of giving Money, which belongs folely to thenu
That Gentlemen need not be apprehenfive of any Intricacies
in thofe Proceedings, efpecially at a Time, and upon an
Occafion, when there was no Doubt of the Concurrence of
both Houfes. That the Impeachments were in themfelves
more plain, regular, and difentangled^ than any other Forms
of Jullice. That they were particularly excepted out of the
late Statute of Treafons, which had very much fetter'd the
ordinary Courfe of Proceedings. That Impeachments were
never made difficult, but when they were carried on againft
the Inclination of the Crown, or at a Time when there was
no good Underftanding between the two Houfes ; when litde
Occafions might be fought to raife Difputes, and interrupt
them ; or elfe when they are undertaken, before they are
well confider'd ; which could not be the prefent Cafe. That
there was another Reafon, which upon this Occafion fhould
determine Gentlemen into this Method ; which was the
Confequence of the Judgment that fhould be obtained againil
thofe l40rds ; He afTerted it as his clear Opinion, and which
he thoi^ht he could maintain, 'That no Pardon under the
Great Seal could difcharge a Judgment obtained upon the
Impeachment of the Commons : ' That this Opinion had been
ftrenuoufly afferted in this Houfe in former Reigns ; and he
thought it not weakened by the Declaration in the Ad of
Settleibent of the Crown upon the Houfe of Hanover. That
he had heard of a very new DiflindUon that had been coin'd
without Doors, to avoid this Opinion, viz. * That the Par-'
* don was not pleadable in Bar of the Impeachment, and to
* prevent the Commons from examining into the Offence %
* bat that it was pleadable after Judgment, and in Bar of
* Execution.' That whenever that Queftion fhould come
properly before them, he undertook to uiew the Idlenefs and
Abfuidity of that Diftinftion ; That if that Diflinftion was
fi:am'd to make Court to the Prerogative, he thought it
die moft falfe and deftruftive Piece of Flattery of the Kind,
that ever had been rais'd. That it was the greatefl Eafe, Se^
curity,, and Support of the Crowil, in his Opinion^ inftead
ff any Diminvitipn of it> that np fuch Poww fhould be
^ yot.L ^ Ji lodg^d
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^ ( 58 ) .
^•f;^!- lodg'd there, to be excrdsM on any Occafion, to prevent the
Pombility of the Crown's being wrought upon by any Influ-
ences to defeat the Judgment given in full Parliament, with
the Concurrence of boUi Houfes, againft the higheft Offen-
ders ; which muft inevitably create the greateft Jealoufy, and
caufe the higheft DifIatisfa£Uons between the Crown and the
People : For this Reafon, he took it to be the greateft Ad-
vantage to the Crown, that the Conilitution of thje Kingdom
had not, as he thought, invefted it with any fuch Power ;
and on the other Side it would clearly appear, that fuch a
Power was utterly inconfiftent with the Fundaijiental Rights
of Parliament. That he own'd he was furpris'd to hear, that
any fuch DiflindUon Ihould be ftarted at this Time : But if
the Law was as he apprehended it to be, it was the ftrongeft
Reafon for the Commons to interpofe in this Profecution, to
defend the Crown from the many Importunities to which it
would be fubjedt in the ordinary Courfe of Juftice ; and that
the Weight of the Profecution, and the Confequences of it,
ihould be bom by the Commons, as it ought to be in a Cafe
fo National as this. That if Gentlemen wanted any other
Motives to induce them to make this Profecution their own,
he had a Paper in his Hand, which would fire the Thoughts
of every Gentleman there, \^meanit}g the Pretender's Deciara-
tion : ] That no Body could read, without the utmoft Indig-
nation, the Perfonal Indignities that were therein caft upon
ihe beft of Princes, whole Title to the Crown, they were
bound by all the Ties of Duty, AiFedlion, and Intereft, to
maintain. That the Hoiife could do no lefs than to refent
this fo far, as to make themfelves the Profecutors of thofe who
avow'd this Caufe of the Pretender, and fet themfelves at the
Head of Armies, in the Heart of the King's Dominions.
That in this Paper, the Houfe would fee how they were
treated themfelves : That they were reprefented as the moft
illegal and infamous AfTcmbly of Men that ever met together.
That thefe Confiderations ought in Juftice to animate and
invigorate their Proceedings in every Refpe^t, 'till the Inve-
teracy and Infolence of die Enemy were entirely fubdued :
That he did not think that the Proceedings of this Houfe
ought, in any Cafe, to be governed by vindictive Coniidera*
tions, but by fuch Circumftances only, as from their realj
Weight and Confequence call'd for the Interpofition of th«
Commons : That he was fenfible that the Commons had t^
great Work upon their Hands, upon other Impeachments^
which they had thought fit to enter upon, and which were!
ftill depending : That he knew alfo what Situation thefe Im*
peachments were in ; and hop'd they would be rcfum'd and
carry'd on in due Seafon, with the fame Vigour with whicfc
they were undertaken : That he Ukewife believed, that th^
t ' ' Natiof
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Natbn ezpeded that their Inquiries npon that Head fhoald Aonoi. oeo.ii
be extended, and appear to be impartial, it hot being poffible ^2^^V*>i^
that a greater DiilK>nour could be brought, or an heavier
Imputation caft upon, the Proceedings of that Houfe, than that
of Partiality, which could not fail to fink their Credit, and to
prevent all the good EffeAs that were hop'd and expeded
from them ; However he concluded, that «very Gendeman
would agree with him, that the prefent Situation and Con-
junfture of Affairs made it necefi^ry to give the Preference
to tbofe Lords who had been taken in open Rebellion : And
thereupon he impeached James Earl of Derwentwater of
High Treaibn ; which Impeachment he undertook to make
good.'
Upon this, the Houfe refolv'd to impeach the faid Earl of
High Treafon ; as they did likewife, upon the Motions fe-
verally made by MrW.Pulteney, MrBofcawen, Mr Hamp-
den, Lord Finch, the Earl of Hertford, and Mr Wortley, The Houfe i«oire
to impeach of the fame Crime William Lord Widdringtoj?, ZJS^^c^^
William Earl of Nithifdale, George Earl pf Wintoim, Ro- E-t'hjia"***^^^*
bert Earl of Carnwath, ^ William Vifcount Kenmure, and toun' cariwa^
William Lord Nairn. Then Mr Lechmere, and the other nLTShSi
fix Members, in Pupfuance of the Commands of the Houfe, Treafon.
carry'd up an Impeachment to the Bar of the Houfe, of '
I^rds, in the Words following, viz.
My Lords, *
* ' I ^HE Conunons of Great Britain in Parliament afTem-
* X bled, having received Information of divers Treafons
* committed by a Great Peer of this Houfe, James Earl of
' Derwentwater, have commanded me to impeach the faid
* James Earl df Derwentwater of High Treafon : And I do
* here, in their Names, and in the Names of all the Commons
* of Great Britain, impeach the faid James Earl of Derwent-
* water of High Treafon. And I am farther commanded by
* the Houfe of Commons, to acquaint your Lordfhips, that
* they will, with all convenient Speed, exhibit Articles to
* make good the Charge againft him.
The other fix Impeachments were all in the fame Form,
The faid feven Members being returned to the Houfe,and ha-
ving reported what they had done, a Committee was appoint-
ed, of which Mr Lechmere was Chair-Man, and ordered to
draw up Articles of Impeachment againll the feven impeach'd Articiw dravn up
Lords, which being drawn up accordingly, and agreed to by SSS'tf^rhc Ws
the Houfe, were carry'd to the Lords by Mr Lechmere. by Mr Lechmere
The Articles at large the Reader may fee in the STATE
IRJAtS, Vgl. 6*
H ;? THe^
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Afl6of.Oeo.L
J71S-16.
- ( 60 )
The fame fiay the Commons refolvM that *? honias For-
ftcr, Efqj Member for Northumberland, having been taken in
open Rebellion, bearing Arms againft his Majefty, be ex-
!fcK"^>ll^dtheHoufc.
January^ I f . The Commons preftnted the f<^owing Ad-
drefs to the King.
The Commons Ad-
4reii to (})e King.
Moft gracious Sovereign,
WE your Majefty's moft dutiful and loyal Subje£b, the
Commons of Great Britain in Parliament affembled,
return your Majefty our unfeigned Thanks for your moft
gracious Speech from the Throne.
* We beg Leave moft heartily to congratulate your Maje-
fty upon the Succefs that has attended your Arms ; and it
is with the greateft Satisfaction we obferve, that the Offi-
cers and Soldiers of the Army have, by a brave and faith-
ful Difcharge of their Duty, deferv'd your Majefty^s Ap-
probation ; and that the juft and neceflary Meafures • taken
for ftrengthening your Majefty's Hands, have had fo good
an EfFddl, in preventing Infurre6lions in feveral Parts of the
Kingdom.
* The wife and feafonable Provision which your Majefty
has made, both at Home and from Abroad, for the Safety
of the Nation 5 your Goodnefs in giving all fuch Eftates as
ftiall be forfeited by this Rebellion, in Eafe of your People ;
and the tender Regard and Concern which you have been
pleas'd to express for their Sufferings, call for all the Re-
turns of Duty, Zeal, and AfFedUbn, which &ithful and
loyal Subjeds can owe of pay to the beft of fcings.
* This Rebellion, (for which not theleaft Colour of Pro-
vocation has been given) as it ought very juftly to be the
Objeft of your Majefty's Contempt, fo it raiies in your
truly loyal Commons the higheft Refentment and Indigna-
tion againft thofe ungrateful defperate Rebels, whofe per-
nicious Principles, private Difcontents and Difappoint-
ments, have engag'd th^m to involve their Country in
Blood and Confufion.
* We look with Pity upon thofe unhappy deluded People,
who by falfe Pretences, and malicious Infinuations, have
been betray'd into their own Deftruftion ; but we deteft,
and will do our utmoft to confound the Devices of thofe,
who, profefling an unlimited Obedience, have ftirr'd up a Re-
bellion againft your Majefty, and, under the Difguife of the
Danger of the Church, are endeavouring to introduce Po-
pery : And when we refieft, that nothing lefs than our
holy Religion, your Majefty's Crown, and the Liberties of
pur Country, are CQncei-n'd ifi tte Event of this wicked
' ' < Under*
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(61)
^fUndertakingyWe iisaai6t but with Aftonilhinest oUerve the adao s. oe«. ju
* lodifl^rence of feme in this great and important Jondure. .122^;^^
< But your faithful Commons^ with Hearts full of a due ~
^ Senfe of the invaluable Bleffings which they eijoy under
' your Majefty's moft aufpicious Government, offer their
* Lives and Fortunes in Defence pf your undoubted Tide to
* die Crown, in Support of the Proteftant Religion, and in
* Maintenance of the Liberty and Property of the Subje£l ;
* which, as they were wonderfully preferv'd to us by your
* Majefty's happy Acceflion to the Throne, can only be fe-
* cur'd to Pofterity by the Eye of Heaven watching over and
* guarding your facred Perfon and your Royal Family.
* And that this Nation may long continue to be a Protc-
' ftant and a Free People, your moic dutiful and Icyal Com-
* mons do moft readily promife to grant fuch early and ef-
* fcfhial Supplies, as may enable your Majefty to put an End
* to this unnatural Rebellion, to confound and extinguifh for
* ever all Hopes of the Pretender, his open and fecret Abet-
* tors, and fecure the future Peace and Tranquility of your
' Kingdoms ; being well affur'd, that your good People will
* think no Burthen grievous, that is neceffjiry for the Prefer-
^ vation of all that is dear and valuable to them.
* But your Majefty's Care and Concern for the publick
* Welfare has not^ been eonfin'd to your own ELingdoms ;
* and however jrour Enemies might flatter themfelves, that
* diefc inteftine Commotions would IfefTen the Influence of
* Great Britain in foreign Parts, your Commons with Ad-
* miration fee, and with Gratitude acknowledge, the EfFed
* of your Wifdom, which has been able to furmount thefe
* Difficulties, in fettling the Barrier-Treaty for the Nether-
* lands, between the Emperor and the States-General, under
* your Majefly's Guaranty ; in having made fo great a Pro-
* grefs towards renewing all former Alliances between Great- ,
* Britain and the States-General ; and particularly in deliver-
' * bg that valuable Branch of our Commerce ^ with Spain,
* from thofe grievous Impofitions and Hardfliips to which it
* was fubjed^ by the Treachery of the late Male- Admini-
* ftration, *
* And as the fame fatal and pernicious Counfels have
* been the Gaufe and Source of all the Mifchiefs and Cala- .
* mities that muft attend this unnatural Rebellion ; and as
* your ^hful Commons, defirous to teftify their Zeal and
* Duty to your Majefty, and their Abhorrence of this trea-
* fonable Enterprize, have already exerted themfelves in en-
* deavouring to bring to fpeedy and exemplary Juftice, the
* open and declared Inftruments of this Rebellion, they think
* themfelves obligM, in Juftice to their injur'd Country, to
! contiAv^ in the moft vigorous and impartial manner, to
< pro
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Afuiot.GM.1.
1715-16.
r 6z )
* profecutc the Authors of thofc evil and deftra^^e CounfHs,
I * which have drawn down thefe Miferies upon the Nation.
To which his Majefty was plea^'d to make this Anfwer.
Gentlemen,
The Kinr* Anfwer. " TRctum you my hearty Thanks for the kind and warm
** X Aflurances of Loyalty contained in this Addrefs ; from
** which I promife my fefr the moll haj^y Confequences,
** fmce nothing can fo effedlually reftore the Peace and Tran-
** quility of the Kingdom, as the commendable 2^al you
** have exprefs'd upon this Occafion.
January 21. The King went to the Houfe of Peers, and
gave the Royal Affent to a Bill intitled, Jn AH for continu-
ing an AH to imfoyjer hts Majefty to fecure and detain fuch
Perfons as his Majefty Jball fufpeH are conjpiring againft bis
' Perfon and Government^ fcf f .
Debate cimcerning ^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ ftrenuoufly oppos'd : Mr Shippcn made
jhc^~j^j»*»«^ a Speech againft it, in which he infilled, 'That it invaded the
the E^^!^ moft valuable Right of Englifh Subje^, encouraged malici-
^^* ous Informations, and gave a Handle to thofe in Power to
Mr shJi>pea. opprefs innocent Perfons ; he therefore mov'd to have a
Claufe inferted in it, to prevent illegal Imprifonments, and
for the better fecuring the Dberty of the Subjeft, in Cafes
not within the Purport of the iaid Aft.' He was. anfwer'd
ccncrai stanhope. ^Y ^®^' Stanhope, who endeavoured to fhew the Neceffity of
fuch an Aft, at a Time of open Rebellion ; and appeaPd to
the whole Houfe, whether the King or his Minifters had
made an ill or a wanton Ufe of the Power with Which the
Parliament had thought fit to intruft his Majefty.' And the
Queftion being put upon Mr Shippen's Motion, it pafs'd in
the Negative,
The King having given the Royal Affent to the faid Bill,
the Lord Chancellor, by his Majefty's Command, read the
following Speech to both Houfes^
KJng^tSpeech re-
lating to the Pre-
tcfider*t beading
tiie Rebellion in
My Lords and Gentlemen, .
" T Had Reafon tobebcve, when I fpoke laft to you, that
** X the Pret^cnder was landed in Scotland ; the Accounts I
** have receiv'd fince do put it beyond all Doubt, that he
** is heading the Rebellion there, and does affume the Stile
*' and Title of King of thefe Realms ; his Adherents do like-
'^ wife confidently afiirm, that Affurances are given them
" of Support from Abroad. This Parliament hath, on all
** Occafions, cxprefs'd fo much Duty to me, and fo true a
^* RjCgard for the religious and civil Rights of my People,
^' Aat I am perfwaded this daring^Prcfumption of our Ene-
«* mics
y Google
( 63 )
*' mies will heighten your juft Indignation againft them^ and Annoi. ceo. l
" beget fuch farther Refolutions as, with theBlefling of God, w!Jii^5i>,-
" will enable me to defeat their Attempts. >^^r>^
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Conmions,
" The moft effeftual Way to put a foeedy End to thefe
" Troubles, will be to make fuch a Provifion as may dif-
" courage any Foreign Power from affiiUng the Rebels ; I
" do therefore hope^ that every fmcere Proteflant-and true
" Briton will look upon the extraordinary Expence which a
** timely Preparation may require, to ,be the beft Husbandry,
** fince it will, in all human Probability, prevent that Defo-
*' lation and thofe Calamities, which would unavoidably
" enfue, if the Rebellion fhould be fufier'd to fpread, and
" be fupported by Popifti Forces from Abroad
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** The World muft be convinc'd, by all you have already
*' done, that you have nothing but the Honour and Intereft
** of your Couritry at Heart ; and for my own Part, I rely
*^ entirely upon you, and doubt not but you will takfe fuch
" Refolutions, at this Junfture, as will be moft for the prc-
" fent Safety, and future Eafe of my People.
January 24. The Commons prcfented an Addrefs to the
King, as follows:
Moft Gracious Sovereign,
* \X7E your Majefty's moft dutiful and loyal Subjeds, ^^J^J^^f^'
* VV the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament af- *" **
* fembled, do, , with all Humility, return our unfeigned
* Thanks for your Majefty's raoft gracious Speech from the
* Throne, and for your great Goodnefs in communicating to
* us thofe important Advices which fo highly concern the
* immediate Safety oi your Kingdoms.
* We can never fufficiently exprefs our grateful Senfe of
* your Majefty's conftant Care and Tendernefs for your Peo-
* pie, on every Occafion, fince your Acceflion to the Throne
* of your Anceftors ; but 'tis with the utmoft Satisfadion of * •
* Heart, that we now experience the happy Eftedls of that
* juft Confidence which your loyal and affeftionate Commons
' liave already repos'd in your great Wifdom, for making
* fach Augmentation of Troops as your Majefty ftiould find
* neceilary for our common Safety : And tho' the Growth
* of the Rebellion has already neceflitated an Increafe of For-
' ces, yet we muft ever acknowledge yoUr wife and tender
* Concern for your People, in having made Provifion for our
* Defence in fuch a Manner, at this Time of common Dan-
* ger, as muft convince the World, that it is with the utmoft
\ Kclu^^cy to your ftfejefty, U^atcny farther Burthens are
*' "^ — ^ - . brought
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broi^ht on yotur Subje^ ; and that your Majefty has
nothing at Hearty but the Security and Welf^e of your
People.
* Your dutiful Commons do Jikewife acknowledge, with
* the higbeft Gratitude to your Majeily, that by the prudent
* DifpoStion of your Forces, not only ,the D^gns of our
* Enemies to have rais'd Infurredions in many Parts of the
* Kix^om have been entirely fruilrated, and the, Peace and
* Tranquility of thefe Nations thereby, in a gre^t McaQire,
f preferv'd ; but to. that, we owe, under God, thqfe fignal Sue-
* ccfles which have check'd the Progrefs of tKe Rebellion,
* and which have given us, your faithful Commons, fo ear-
* ly and juft an Occafion to exert our felves in the mpft vig<»-
* ous and eiFedlual Manner, for bringing fome of the chief
* Adors -to condign Punifhment. We are aftoniih'd at the
* daring Prefumption of the Pretender and his Adh^r^ts s
* and do moil flncerely and heartily aflure yourMajefity^ that
* our Indignation is hereby heightenM^gainft them ; and that
* we cannot fo far forget our Duty and Affe^on to your
* Majeily, and our Concern for our Religion and Liberties,
* as not to take, at this critial Jundure, fii<;h farther Reifbla*
* tions, as will enable your Majefty, with the Bleffing of God,
* to defeat their Defigns. Your faithful Commons being
* therefore firmly and unalterably refolv!d to fpare.i\o Ext
* pence, and to decline no Hazard for the Support of your
* Majefty 's Title and Government, whereon all that is dear
'* and valuable to us and our Pollerities, under God, entirely
* depends ; and being moft earneftly defirous to give ftll ima-
* ginable Proofs of our conftant and unfhakenZeal and Ajfec«
* tion for your facred Perfon, and being throughly convincM
* that we cannot more effledually confult our own Security,
* than by teftifying our entire Confidence in your Majefly^s
* known Juftice, Wifdom, and Goodnefs, do mofl humbly
' befeech your Majefty, tliat you will be gracioufly pleaied
* to give Direftions, from Time to Time, for fuch farther
* Augmentation of Troops as the Exigency of Affairs fball
* render 15/Bceflary.
* And we farther affiire your Majefty, that we will grant
* fuch Supplies as ihall be fufticient, not only to main^un
* fuch additional Forces, and to defeat all Attempts of your
' Enemies.^ both at Home and Abroad, and to prerent
* thofe Calamities which muft enfue, if this unnatural ^e-
* bcllion be fuffer'd to fpread ; but ajfo to enable your
* Majefty, with the Blefling of God, effeaually to iheir
* your Refentment againft any foreign Power, that (hall prc-
* fume, direaiy or indireflly, to al^t or fupport d^ie Pretcn*
* dcr or his Adherenjs. -^ - - .
' Ta
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To this Addrefi, the King anfwer'd^ Aandft. oee. t-
Gentlemen, . !2Cn^ I
'' T Thank you heartily for this Addrefi. If any Thing rh!i^Ls^
" JL could add to the good Opinion this Houfe of Com- *
** mons defervcs from me, it would be the Zeal and Unani^
'' mity you have fiiewn upon this Occaiion. You may de^
'' pend upon my continuing always^ as I have hitherto donev
** to make Ufe of the Confidence and Powers you put in me»
" only for reftoring and fecuring the Peace and Quiet of
" my People.
The Particulars of the Trials, Cbndemnation, 8x. of the
impeached Lords before the Houfe of Peers, being related at
large in the iixth Volume of STJTE TRIALS i and th«
iniisrting of them here being alfo foreign to our Defign^
which is cfhly to mention fuch Proceedings as were the Sub-
j«a of fome SPEECHES or DEBATES in the Houfe of
CommMt, We think it proper to omit the fame.
Fihruary 17. The King went to the Houfe of Peers^ and
gave the Royal Aflent to fuch Bills as were ready.
After which, the Lord Chancellor, by his Majefly's Com*
man(t read the following Speech to both Houfes,
My Lords and 6entlenien>
" T Take this Opportunity of acquainting you, that ray ixt^ spe^ t^
« X Forces have oblig'd the Pretender to fly out of Scot- SiSffVp^^t
" land ; and he is fince, as I am informed, landed near Gra- «f Scotland
** velines, but I don't yet know, whether any Country in
** Amity with us, will give him Protedion, after having
** fo publickly invaded our Kingdom.
" The Dangers to which the Nation was exposed, made
" me determine, that neither the extraordinary Rigour of
" the Seafon, nor any fallacious Propofal of the Rebels^
" ihould divert me from ufing all poffible Endeavours to-
« wards putting a fpeedy and efiedual End to this unnatural
•* Rebellion.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
" I muft return you my Thanks for the great Progrefi
*^ you have made in the Supplies. The neceflary Difpofitions
'* are made for raifing additional Forces : JSut as t fhall al*
" ways confult the Eafc of my People, as far as it is con-^ H
•* Ment with their own Security, & I fhall not make ufe of
*' the Confidence you have plac'd in me, unlefs the reftlefs
^ Malice of our Enemies ihould make it neceftary to go on
^ with thofe Levies.
; My Lords and Gentlemen,
** I promife my felf, from the Zeal and Wifdom of this
»* Parliament, that the future Happinefs and Tranquility of
Vol. I. I 1! ^y
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J^*vGeo.i. u my guycftj, wiB J)C cftablifli'd 6n a'folid Fouiiclatioh 5
'^— - ** and fuch Meafures taken, as may deprive our Enemies at
•* Homcof the Power, fince that alone can deprive them of
^* the Inclination, again to attempt the Diftorbance of my
** Government. This, therefore, is what I think my felf
** obliged to recommend to you, as a Deliberation of the
5* utmoft Importance to the future Safety, Eafc, and Prolpe-
?' rity of my People.
February 20. The Houfe prefented the following Addreis
to the King.
Moft gracious Sovereign,
* TT/E your Majefiy's moft dutiful and loyal Subje^,
^ VV the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament af-
* fejnbled, do, with Hearts full of Gratitude, return; your
* Majefty our unfeigned Tha^iks for your nioft gracious
* Speech from the Throne ; and do beg Leave moft hear*
* tily to congratulate with your Majefty, upon the Succefs
«■ with which it has pleafed Almighty God^ fo fer to blefs
* your Arms, as to force the Preterfder out of your Ma-
* jefty's Dominions.
^ We are willing to hope, that, no Prince or State in
« Amity with your Majefty, will give Refuge, Countenance,
* or Prote£lion to a Perfon, who in fo notorious a StSnner,
* has difturb'd the Peace of your Kingdoms 5 but the Sail-
* gers to which your Majefty's facred* Perfon and Govcrh-
« ment, the Religion, Laws, and Liberties of our Counby,
* have been once expos'd by this vile Attempt, w6uld leave
< your Commons without Excufe to thofe they reprefcnt, if
* they fliould fee, with Patience, the Nation expos'd to thfe
* like Hazard for the future, by the Pretender to your
* Majefty's Crown being ftielter'd in your Neighbourhood :
* We do therefore make it our humble Requeft to yoiir
* Majefty, that you will ufe the moft eameft and preffing
< Inlfances with all Princes and States in Amity with your
* Majefty, that he may not be harbour'd in their Territo-
* ries ; and we beg Leave to give your Majefty the ftrpng-
< eft Affiirances that we will, to the utmoft of our Powier,
* contribute whatever ftiall, by your Majefty, be jtidg'd nc-
^ ceflary to render tHofe Inftances effedual.
* The tender Regard which your Majefty cxprdBfes for 1
* the Eafe of your People, in declining to cut the Nation
* to any farther Expencc at prefent for a^itional iForces,
* does, if poflible, heighten that Confidence which we fo
* juftly had reposed in you: But we befeech yoi^r Majefty,
* that in fettling the Proportion of Forces to be maintained
* this Year by Sea and Land, your Majefty will have fuch
; 9 Regard to ^% Difpofitioaand Preparations of our Neigh-
i bourji
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' boars, from Time to Time, as to provide effedoally for ^*:5^**
* the Security of your Kingdoms againll any Power that v,i^"*w*^^
* ihall prefume to countenance or abet the Pretender. Your
' CommcHis cannot fuificiently exprefs the jufl Senfe thejr
* have of your Majeily's confummate Wifdom and firm
' Refoluticm not to be diverted or amus'd by any Difficult
* ties of the Seaibn, or any fpecious ^Artifices, from pur-
* fuing the Rebels in Scotland to their feveral Retreats,
' fince that Method alone could reflore and fecure, with
* Honour, Peace and Tranquility to that Part of year
' Dominions.
* 'Tis with the utmoft Concern we obferve, that the
* Malice and Inveteracy of our Enemies at Home, is fo
* great, that they want not the Inclination to difturb yovr
' Majeify^'s Government ; but your faithful Conmions, in
* Duty to your Majefly, and Love for their Country, will
* endeavour to de]»ive them of the Power, by taking fuch
' prudent and necefiary Meafures, as may moil effeSnally
* iecure the future Safety, Eafe, and Profpcrity of your
* people.'
To which his Majefty was pleas'd to return the following
" Anfwer.
Gentlemen,
* T Thank you for this dutiful and afFe(5Uonate Addrefs. Kfag»,AnW;
** 1 I will endeavour, by all proper Means, to prevent the
" Pretender's being fuiFer'd to give perpetual Jedoufies, by
** continuing in our Neighbourhood ; and wiU, if the Ad*
** vices I Ihall receive from Abroad do render it necefiary,
" not lofe any Time ,in making fuch ah Augmentation of
'* F<Mxes ^ Sea and Land, as may, with the Blefling of
" God, effedually anfwer your Wifties to fee the Nation
** fecurM from any foreign or inteftine Attempt whatfoever,'*
February 21. Several Petitions were delivered to the Houfe The CommtnU*
^Commons in Behalf of the Earl of Derwentwater, Lord ISS^p^uSS^fn'm
Widdrington, Earl of Nithifdale, Earl of Carnwath, Lord S^^^p^^'^^
Vifcount Kenmure, and Lord Nairn, after Sentence of ^-m**
Death had been paft oh them ; neverthelefs, though many
^embers were inclined to Mercy, yet, upon a Motion made
hy thofc of the contrary Opinion, who were for having the
£aw executed in its full Rigour, and therefore were deiiroua
to be rid of any £uther Importunities on this Account, tho
Queftion was put, that the Houfe fhould adjourn tp the firil
of March, which was carry 'd in the Afiirmative, by a Ma-
|ority of fcVen Voices only.
March I. The Parliament met, according to their Ad*
•onunpnt : The n^xt Day Mr Lechmexe waA% a Speech oa
I a. Ao
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^^ fc Ceo.L ilie Male-adminiftratiom of the Miniftry during the laft Y<
^^Ji^^^ of the late Queen, particularly with Relation to the Hard-
ships then put on the DiiTenters, who, he added, were finn
Friends to the Proteftant Succeflion ; and the viAble Coanil
vance and Favour ihewn to the Roman Catholicks, the opei
and declared Enemies of it and of the Ilhifhious Houfe o
' Hanover ; and concluded with a Motion for bringing in j.
M^JSte^BiU BiU to ftrengthen-ibe FroteRant htereft in Great Britain^ h
^rotSi'tot«r&. ^^fi^^^^S *^^ La<fU5 votv in being n^ainft Papifts. He was fej
conded by the Lord Coningsby ; and no Member oppofin^
the Motion, the Bill Was ordered to be brought in accord-
' ingly.
Nothing farther occur'd in the Houfe of Commons, whkh'
gave Ocomon to any Speeches or Debates *till the 19th of!l
April, except their Proceedings at the Bar of the Houfe o!'^
Lords againft the Earl of Wintoun,one of thefeven impeach^
Lords, the Particulars of which are to be found at large "
the STJTE TRIALS, Yol 6.
'Pie Lord* bavin? April i<). The Lords having fent Mr Jufticfe Tracy and
^une ^cTrier Mr Juftice Dormcr to acquaint the Commons, that they had
luai A fend it to pafs^l a Bill intituled. An Aafir enlarging the Time ofConti^
theCommon»for ^ ^ n f •»# /^ » • r ^ r
their Concurrence, nuance of Parliaments, appointed by an Aa made m the otb
Debate hereon. 3^^^* rf^^^ William and ^ueen Mary, to which they defir'd
|/or4CSuemiex, their Concurrence : The Lord Gucmfey immediately mov^d^
to rejed the Bill, without reading it : But becaufe.that would
have been an unprecedented Method of Proceeding, the Houfe
; t would hot agree to it, but read the Bill the firft Time, and
the Queftion being put, that it be read a fecond Time, there
arofe a Debate that lafted about two Hours. The moft re-
markable Objeftion that was then urg'd againft the Bill, was,
* That it was an Impofition of the Lords, to take upon them
to dired the Commons in a Matter which concerned them
only, as Guardians of the Rights and Liberties of the Peo-
ple.' But to this it was anfwer'd, ' That even the Triennial
Ad itfelf was begun in the Houfe of Lords, who, as Part of
the Lcgiflature, are no lefs Guardians of the Liberties of the
Subje6l than the Commons themfelves. At length it was
carry'd by a Majority of 276 againft 1 5 6, that the Bill ihonld
be read a fecond Time on the Tuefday following.
April z^. Six Petitions, viz. Of the Boroughs and Towns
of Marlborough, Midhurft, Haftings, Cambridge, Abingdon,
and Nevvcaftle under Line, againft the Bill, being pretented
to the Houfe and read, they were federally ordered to li«
upon the Table. Then the Bill was read the fecond Time ;
and a Motion being made, and the Queftion put. That it be
^mmitted, there arofe a warm Debate, that lafted from
»- t jii ^^^^ ^ ^^ Afternoon *till near Eleven at Night. Th«
^' ^^^ Speaker for the Bill ww, Mr I^yddal, Mexpbcr for Left.
wijj^icla
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vBiAid; MrTrevanian, Knight of tlie Shire &r Cornwall ; Aiiaoi.OM.i.
Mr MolineoXy {a) Member for Boffiney ; Sir John Brown- vJ^Nz-'s^
low, Bart, (h) Knight of the Shire for Lincoln ; Mr Hamp- i^x«?Mk«.
^itM, (t) Member for Bucking hamftiire ; Mr Molefworth, {ij V'J^^SLi •
: Member for St Michael ; Mr John Smith, {e) Memb^ for w Hampden. ^*
bSdow ; Lord Stanhope, f/J Member for St Germains ; JJJjS^'SS!:
Mr Young, fg) Membir for Honiton ; Mr Craiggs, (if) Jjfy^?^'
Member ror Tregony ; Lord Coningsby, (i) Member for '^'^'*^«gv.
Leominfter ; Mr Giles Erie, (/f) Member for Chippenham ; iScS'Sfc/ '
i Sir Ridiard Steele, (/) Member for Borongh-Bridge ; Mr sir Richard Steele
Ncvile, Member for Berwick ; Sir Charles Turner, («r) sf^iS xiimcr.
Member for LyUn ; Sir William Thompfon, (n) Member sirwa.Thompfi«.
for Ipfwich ; Sir Jofeph Jekyll, (o) Member for Lymington ; sirjofisph jekyii.
Gen. Stanhope, (p) Member for Cockcrmouth ; Mr Aiflabie, ^^^J^^"^
(^ Member for Ripon. The Speakers againft the Bill were,
Mr Robert Heyfliam, (r) Member for London; Mr Snell, ^g^L^"**^
Member for Gloucefter ; Mr Shippen, Member for Newton ; Mr suppen.
Lord Paget, (/) Member for Stafford(hii« ; Mr Wykes, Jjr^vyS:
Member for Northampton ; Mr Hutchinfon, (/) Member MrHatchioibo.
for Haftings ; Mr Jefferies, («) Member for Droitwich ; Mr jeficnes.
Sir Thomas Crofs, Bart. Member for Weftminfter t Sir sir xbo. croft.
William Whitlock and Mr William Bromley, Members for ^^^^^^^
the Univerfity of Oxford ; Mr Archer, Member for War- Mr Ard»er.
wickfliire ; Lord Guemfey, Member'for Surrey ; Sir Thomas Jj^^j^^^.
Hanmer, Member for Suffolk ; General Rofs, Member for c*. mois.
the Shire of Rofs ; Sir Robert Raymond, (iv) Member 'for sir Rob. Raymond.
Ludlow ; Mr Htmgerford, {x) Member for Scarborough ; Mr Hungcrfeid.
Mr Ward, (y) Member for Thetford; Mr Walter Chet- M^wi^o^twy.!.
wynd, (sj) Member for Stafford ; Mr Lechmerc^ {aa) Mem- Mr Lechmere.
berfor Cockermouth. Mr
(a> Secretary to the Prince f»f Wale*, (b) Created Lord Vifoeimt Tyr*
connel »f Ireland, May 14, 1718. (c) Vide P. 19. (d) Gviwwfli»-
ner rf Trade^ and iMutenant General of the OrdMnce^ created Lord Vif-
Mtnt Mole(wort!i of Ireland, June lU 1716. (e) One if the Tellers tf
tbeExd^qiier, He was Speaker of the FarUament chqfe in 1 707. (f ) Gen-
tiemam of the Bed^amber to the Fri/tcey ma Earl of Cheflerfield.
(g) Coanmjponer for fiatinz the Debts due to the Army^ afterwaard Secretary
fir Scotland, made Kniffit rf the Bath, and Comnnjfoner of the Admt-
r^, tfcw a ConnmJJmer of the Treafury, mew Secretarv at XVar, (h) Oj/-
ferer to Ae Frince^ afterwards Secretary at War^ and then Frincipal Secre-
tary if StaU. (i) Vide P. I9. Ck; Grom of the Bed-chamber to tha
Frmcoy made one of the Clerks Comptrollers of bis Maj^'s HotfehoU fincn
M CommflioHer of the Rtvemte in Ireland, and now Comndjjmer of the
Tfe^Mry. (I) Si/^ffler of the Flayhoufe. and one of the CommiJJioners cf fyr^
fated filiates, (m) Comn^poner of the Treafiiryy afieraarde created 0
Baronet^ and made a T^ler of the Exd^efter. (n) Recorder of London,
^ieraards Ciafitar Baron^ and then a Baron tf the Exchequer, (o) Vide
P. 10. '(p) Vide P. 14. (q; Vide P. 19. (r) JUerman of London.
(8) Made Gentleman of ihe Bedchamber to the Frince. (t) Vide P. 48.
(uM WeUh JaJke in the late Keign. (w) Vide P. 13. (x) Ot^fitor.
f Vorkniire aid We(tm»elan^. (y) A Welfh Ju^ in the late Re^.
\z) Created Lord n/cmit Qh^tv^pfi tf Ireland, June i, 17x7- (•^J
1
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Mr Lydila^, who opeii'4 the Debate, iboke as foDows :
MrSpfB^k^r, . ■
* You Jiave now under your Coniideration a Matter of as
^Stl^^^** great Weight and Imj)ortancc, as, I believe, ever came be-
Yore any Parliament ; for where the Rights and Liberties of
t^ Subjeft appear to be concerned, then certainly it is fit to
proceed Wi^ the utpioft Caution and Regard. The Trien-
nial A£t was, no doubt, originally intended as a Carrier and
Defence of thpfe JRights and Liberties, againft any oj3)reffive
ox aijbitrary Invai^ons of the Crown; And tho' we are lb
happy as to have a good Prince now upon the Throne, who is
likely to be fucceeded by one equally fo, yet fuch great Blef-
§ngs were ^ever entail'd m)on a People. No Body can -be
^ore fqt Supporting the juit Prerogative, than I am, beauiie
I always takp it to be a Power of doing Goodi : And therefofe,
if upon the ftridleft ^Examination I (^ould find, that what is at
prefent propos'd, would throw the jBallance of Power too
much on the S^d^ of the Crown, I fhould then think it not
only hurtful apd dangerous to ti^ Publick, but hXsX and de-
ftruftivc to the Con^itution. In order to enter farther into
this S)ibj^, it is prop^sr to look back from whence a Bill of
thisfciBd^^.took its Rife: In the Year 1640 a Bill for Tii-
. ennial Parlia^i^nts, or that which was xtry like it, was pafs^d 5
but wi)th a Claufe in it, of a hard and compulfory Naturey
,4crogajto;y to the Crown, and, indeed, unreaiqnable in itfelf^
with many other difagreeable Circumfknces." It is well
known what was the Cpnfequence of thofe unluippy Differ-
ences, between the King and his People. After the Refto-
ration, in the 16th of King Charles II. this Aft, which im-
mediately preceded a long and bloody Civil War, vjas re-
peal'd by another Aft, the Preamble of which is very reniark*
able : And thus Things remain'd 'till fome Time after the
Revolution,' when King William was prevail'd upon. to pafs
this nojv, I hope, dying Law. I am fure nothing could pre-
vail with me either to enlarge or alter this Aft, were I not
, convincM by comparing the Arguments on both Sides, that
the not doing of it is liable to more Inconvenience and Dan-*
ger. 15^ you do it, you eiFeftually ftrehgthen the Hands of
the King ; fettle and maintain the Proteflant Suapefiib^, by
defiroying the vain Hopes of all its Enemies, both at Home
and Abroad. You encourage your Allies to join \dth you,
nay, and to depend that what fhall hereafter be ftipulated and
agreed upon, will be punftually perform'd* . This E;xpen-
ment may, perhaps, at firft^ifquiet tlie Minds of the People ;
cfpecially when they are exafperated by all tl^ Endeavours of
Men averfe ^d difafiefted to the Government. However, a
little Time will fhew, that it will entirely break our Parties
^ StM PivifioAS> ^i by (hat Me^ns lay a firm and folid Foun-
dation
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dadaafi^rthefntareTnmqailityatflHapi&iefiofdiu '^t^^^^
dam. Befits, if this Ppportmiity bt loft, you may pbffibqr
never have another, at le^ fo good a on^ not only to con-
qoer, but even to eradicate that Spirit of Jacobitifm, ii(rhich
has long dwdt among us, and hs^s more than once broi^t this
Nati<m to ^e very Brink of Ruin and Deflroaion. Since
therefore, with much jbanger and Difficulty, ive have at laft
fecbr^d our Religion, Laws, and liberties, when ail was at
Siaike^ ftarxx the Treachery c^the late Miniftry, die unsccotti^i-
able Proceedings of the laft Triennial Parliament, why ihould
yo^ run ^e Riflt of having k h^one fo iboil, firft chofeii by
Fr^ic& lif dney, and then voting by Froxch Dirtdibn» f Since
tife King axid his Parliani^nt exert their united Polwer for the
Godd of the Pubiick, and to retrieve the Honour of theNad-
on, #by ^ould they not continue longer together, that the^
may finifli what th^ hive fo unammouily and {o hi^ily
Up6A the whole. Sir, the Eledors and Peo^e of ^ the;.
B(m>ughs in England having been, fot feveral Years paft, both
lH%'d ahd pre^'d into the Pretender's Intereft^ ai^ a Dif-
^ of the Proteftant Succeffion, it becomes rather Neceffity
l&an ChOfee to ^pply an extraordinary Remedy to an extra*
oidiiiary Difeafe : Therefore I fhall give you no farther
Tr6^6, but make you a very ihort Motion, which is, ^hat
this BW U cmm^tid.
Mr. Shippen ^ke againft the Bill as follows :
Mh Speaker,
* 1 know my Duty to this Houfe, and die Confequence of m- swppeii'*
ai^ itejguarded Esqpreffions better than to fay^thatby any s^<^»» ««»«* *•
Bilb we have already pafs'd, we have made fo wide a ^sqp in
the Cbnllitudoii, ^at the Force of the Law is in a Manner de-
Iboy'd ; dr that, by any Thing we have done, we have pav'd
dife Witf ta a defpotick and military Government, the greatelt
CSd^iAify that can be^ a freebom People. Such Refieaions
mayc6ine from Pcrfoijs without Doors, wh<j, tho' they tnay
iHth Jufticc CK^plaift when their Liberties are invaded, yet
tannot always enter into the Depth and Wifdom of bur Coun*
feb,. and are itoo apt to ccnfurfe what they do not underftand.
No li^itiber can regularly atraign ahy Bills the fan;^ Seffion
Aey have obltain'd the Force and Sandion of Laws. But tlis
ffin, ^* it hath already got through the moft difficult Part
'ent8Pkiteie,and thb'itwill in all Probability be the next Law
ASat (iiidl fe made, is yet unpafs'd, is yet before tis for our
Omfideiiltion, and We have a Right to treat it with Freedom :
Freedom 6f ^ech, Iprefeme, will not'Otily be alldw'd, but
M €fx]^cdcd on tkis Occafhrti. I hope therefore, as the Bufmeft
of diis D^y fiadi i^s'd an univerfal Expeftarion throughout
tSt Sji^l^i t^ (i^tmt^Cn wh6 are more abki (none is more
~ willing
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1716.
( l^ )
wiBing dian my fidif) ivill appear with Re(alutk>n and Spirit
in this important Debate ; in this, perhaps, our lail Struggle
Ibrthe Liberties of thofe we reprefent. ^
* I think, then, all the Arguments which have been U3'<
forthjis Billi arc grounded on mere Surmife? ?and Imagina-
tions only, I are cithcf" triijing in themfelves, or d^gerous in
their Confequcnce. , r ,
* One main Reafon urg'd, both in the Preamble of the
Bill, and in the Debates of the Gentlemen who arc for it,
is this:
* That the DifafFcAions of the People are fo great, and
the Enemies of the Government both at Home and Abroad
fo watchful, that new Elcftions will occafion new Riots, re-
Jdndkthe Rebellion, and be deftrudive to the Peace, and
Security of the Government, which will all be prevented
by continuing this good ParlWicnt, an4 making the Time
of its DiiTolutidn uncertain.
' * If this Argument be apply'd to the Miniftry> I can only
anfwer, ^at it is no Concern of ours, whether they have
rendered themfelves odious to the People, or not. They
are more properly the Objed of our Jealoufy, than of our
Care. They may be deftroy'd, and the Government fub-
fift. But if it be apply'd to his Majefly, as it muft be to
inake it any Inducement to pais this Bill» I will venture to
fay, that none of thofe, who are call'd Enemies to thc*Go-
vemment, and Abettors of the Rebellion, could have ofFer'd
an Argument fo injurious to his Majc%'s Honour. For
with what Face can any good Subjed infinuate, that in the
Infancy of l^is Reign he hath deprived himfelf of the Love
and A^edion of a People, who fo lately received him with
the utmoft Expreffions of Joy ? What an unjuft Idea muft
this give of his moft mild and gracious Government ? But
the Aflfertion is the more injurious, becaufe it is entirely
groundlefs. For when thefe pretended DifafFeffions were.
at the higheft, it appeared how impotent they were, how
£ur from being univerfal, by the eafy and fudden Sup^
preffion of the Rebellion ; and by Confequence how abk>«
lutely his Majefty reign'd in the Hearts of his Subje&.
Now the Rebellion is fupprefs'd, if there fliould be any
Remains of thofe who are ill difpos'd, the Fate of their
Friends, whilft the Terror of it is freih in their Minds^
will reftrain them from any future Attempt. Befides, the
Hands of the Government are ftrengthen'd. The Habeas-
Corpus ABi is not only now, but may be again fuipended :
You have a numerous ftanding Army difbibuted thro' the
Kingdom^ to controul and awe unruly Spirits. But fup-
«>& the DifafFcdions of the People to be as great, fuppofe
e Fd^(^> fpokc pf in the P£f^t>l^^ V> be §1 |:«i^efs and
'^ T^ " ^ ' defigning
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^^jMhgi ift 15 aftrA'd I h Mb At "Wzy to tX^ApUh Ata^
ma/^es, to keal Dii^osB, and to reeoneie Pamei? No,
Sir, it will ratlier create Dife<Hiteiits^ where dieie «r6 itoM
Aeadf : It wSU father give Ocdfion to thofe that ai^ dtf-
afeOed, to rail at tout Proceedings i to fay, that your ^aioM
arr Ibek that yoo isae not venture on new Eledions ; and
n^ knows what foch Suggeftkms may produce ? 'Tis poT-
Ale whm ^ three Yeats, fot Whkh you are now chofenj
kdt e^ipire, they may kABt^ that they are unreprefented in
FsrMaAiefiC > and diis mH be a better Handle, a more plau^
Me Foundation, for the Faftion to work upon, than the^
e6iiid have at die Time of a regular Ekaion. Now, if the
Continuance of this Parliament be intended only to calm
lien's Afinds^ and duit it is hop*d this Storm may by Degrees^
febfide,Gendanen will he pleas'd to confider, that we are but
a littie above a Year old, though we have done fo many'
great Ad glorious Things, and that there wiU be no NeceA ,
Ity, as die Law ftattds, of aDi^ludon this Year and half i
add tluit no Body c^ imagine Difcontents will laft fo long
imdef fo wife, fo unerring, fo padfick an Adminlftration, a^
we now enjoy.
' Another Reafoii infifted on, is. That as the Cdntinuaned
of diis Parliament may prevent Commotions at Home, fb it
may hinder any Invafion from Abrbad^ by encoura^ng our
aiident Allies to enter into new Treaties with us^ n^ich they*
Wffl not otherwife do.
* This is a Secret which. In niy humble Dpinioni ovtpd
faot to hstve been revealed ; thi^ is an Argument highly im-
pfopcr to be urg'd in a Britirii Parliament : For it fiippofes,'
^at our Allies prefcribe to our Counfds, and tMbt they ex^
ped we fiibuld alter the prefent Frame of our Conftitution^
Ofcfere Aey will favour us with their Friendfliips ; Which is a
Thought not to be endured- in this Place, v^re fo many
Millioas halte been raifed lor their Service, and muft move
the Indignation of every Engliflknan, efpecially if it comes
fiom any State that firft receiv'd its Being, and afterward*
its Protcftionj from England. I hope never to Ike this Na-
tten brought fo* low, that the Crown (hall be diredcd, as
Wis once attempted, when to remove or keep its M!tiifh?rd,
when to diffolve of continue its Parlianients. Sir, his Mnje*
% as King of Great Britain, is the Arbiter of Europte, sM
iffiiy diAate to odiar Nations. They will, for their o\vn
Sakes, court his Friendlhip i they have always fonitd their
Account in being Allies to the Grown he Wears. The Fri-
tifli TreafurCj and the Britifh Antfies, have made them tri-
Qfiiph over their Eneihies, and eftabliih the Balance they*
Wanteds *Ti8 farther faid, fhat by this Bill you will reflord
^ Prerogative to part of its- Power, which is cnimp'd by
y «ki I. ifc • m
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die Triennial Aft. Now, if this ^ill is to be undcrftood to
I relate to Alliances, it weakens and not flrengthens the Pre-
rogative. For it is an Infmuation, that the People have
fomething to do in making Treaties, which muii ever be
deny'd by the Friends of the Crown, where the fole undif-
puted Right is lodged by the Conftitution of this Kingdom.
Befides, if that was any Confideration here, this Argument
is alfo a Reflexion on the prefent Miniftry, who are to have
the Honour to advife his Majefty in any Alliances he (hail
think fit to make : For it hath an Appearance, as if they
durft not look a new Parliament in the Face ; or, as if -by
fome Demerit or other, they fhould not continue in their
Pofts, without the Help of this Bill, long enough to aflifl
in fupporting thofe Alliances when made. *Tis true, we
have had of late a Sort of Triennial Minifters, as well as
Parliaments. ^ But we are to hope, that the prefent Set of
Minifters, who fo far furpafs all their Predeceffors in Wif-
• dom and Virtue, will behave fo well, as to deferve the Con-
tinuance of his Majefty's Favour, and the Kingdom's Appro-
bation. Their Friends ought therefore rather to rejeft, than
to inforce this Argument, as refledling on them, and ground-
Ic^ in it felf.
* There is another Reafon, drawn from the great and con-
tinued Expences occafipn'd by frequent Eledions, which is
fo weak, that it fcarce deferves to be taken Notice of. For
every Gentleman is a Judge of his own Circumftances, whe-
ther he wjll or can be at the necefiary Expences pf an Elec-
tion : Corrupt ones are not to be fuppos'd, efpecially in this
Houfe, which, all the World knows, was cHofen without
the l?aft Corruption, without the leaft Violence, without the
leaft improper Influence whatfoever.
* As to what is faid. That frequent Parliaments are the
Caufe of obftrudling Juftice, and hinder Candidates from be-
ing impartial in the Diftribution of it ; 'tis equally trifling
with the Reafon laft mentioned ; and, if any, is an Argu-
ment only for making Parliaments perpetual. For he who
will be a great deal byafs'd by his Hopes of fecuring his Seat
in a Triennial Parliament, will, by the fame Principle, be
a little i^rp'd by his Expe&ation of fitting in a Septennial
one ; and he ought in neither Cafe to be a Member of this
Houfe ; For nothing can efFedually cure fuch a Difpofltion ;
it will never be able t6 refift greater Temptations, and Court-
Preferments.
* Thefe are the chief Arguments for paffing this Bill ; and
I humbly conceive they now appear to be of no great Weight :
But the Reafons for letting the Law ftand as it does, are fuch
as, in xny Opinion, cannot receive an Anfwcr.
. 'Eir%
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* Firft, It there were not abundance of other Argaments
againft this Bill, the Manner of its coming hither, is a fuffi-
cicnt Objcftion to it. 'Tis fent from the Lords, and as it
chiefly relates to our felves, I fhall apprehend it inconfiflent
with our Honour to receive it. We ought to imitate the
Spirit which our Predeceflbrs ever ihew'd in refilling -nil At-
tempts of this Kind, ^11 Appearances of Innovation by the
I^rds. Our Predeceflbrs were fo very jealous of their Privi-
leges, that they never faiPd to exert themfelves, even on the
(mhtA, and moft minute Occafions. Shall we then ! (ball
this glorious Houfe of Cotnmons be fo far from doing that,
as humbly to take a new Model of our ConHitution from
them ? Surely we ihall not fit tame, and acquiefce meanly,
when they think fit to ilrike at the Foundations of this
Houfe.
* But if any here could be inclinable to receive the Dic-
tates of the Lords, or, to fpeak out, the Didate? of the Mi-
ni&y, I humbly apprehend it is not in our Power to confent
to this Bill. • For I Cannot conceive, by any Rule of Reaibn
or Law, ' that we, who are only Representatives, can enlarge
to cor own Advantage the Authority delegated to us ; or
that, by Virtue of that Authority, we can deftroy the Fun-
damental Rights of our Conftituents. I know indeed, that
thiif Notion of the radical Power of the People hath been ex-
tended to a Degree of Extravagance and Abfurdity, which
I would never be fupposM to contend for. But it is felf-
evident, that this Power with Relation to the Part we bear
in the Legiflature, is abfolutely, is folely in the Eleftors.
Yoa have no Legiflative Capacity, but what you derive from
them. You were chofen under the Triennial A61, and could
Qnl)c be chofen for three Years, unlefs they could convey
njore to others, than they had In . themfelves ; unlefs they
codd give us a longer Term to reprefent them, than they^
could claiok at the Time of their Choice to be reprefented.
Oar Truft therefore is a Triennial Truft ; and if we endea-
^OQi to continue it beyond its legal Duration, from that In^
ftant we ceafe to be the Truftees of the People, and are our
ownEleftors ; from that Inftant we ad by anaflTum'd Power,
^ ered a new Conflitution. If we could diflblve or alter
the Form of any one Part of the Legiflature, why not of the
whole ? And that is aDodtrinelprefume will not be advanced
^ere 5 I am fure it will never be allow'd in any other Place.
Bat I know it is a ^very unacceptable Way of Speaking, to
^fpute the Power of thofe to whom one fpeaks ; and it may
be thought a Prefumption if I (hould affirm in this prefent
Parliament, which hath given fo many Proofs of its Omni-
potence, that even the whole Legiflature cannot do every
^Wng. I mull however always be of Opinion, that tha^
Kz it
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im^f-^h je u n KficiyM M^nflA "^ <^vil Science, thit tiiie fapceam lie^
^^il^jt^^giflata];^ caiuiot be bpand ; yet an impIvM Esoception muft
^ 5c nn^erftood, viz. that it is reftrain'd from fabverting tlui
^oundadoos on which it |Umds ; and that it ought not, on
tmy Pre^nce whatfoever^ to touch or alter tho£e Laws, Which
are fe far fl^y^fW into the Conftitution, as to l^pcome eSk&^
|ial Parts of it. I am alfo of Opinion, that we cannot pafs
els Bill, beoLufe it would be an Infradion of the Ad of
oion, whirfi I hear almoft every Day in this Place call'd a^
iri^pealableand Fundamental Law. But iince the R^refen-r
Etives of North Britain are iatisfy'd in that Point, it woiil4
^ hi^y impertinent in me to infill upon it.
* Sit if nothing ftood in your Way, if it was never' fb
much in your Power, I think you ought not to repeal die
^ t. _ Triennial Aft, except in the laft Extremity, and in the moft
imminent Danger of the State. This Law was one of the
Fruits of the Revolution : This Law relbr'd the Freedom
fmd Frequency of Parliaments, fo far as was confiftent witl|
the Circumftanccs of that Reign, which was involvM in a
War, and had pccaiion for coftibnt and heavy Taxes ;
This Law was a Conce$on made to the People by King
William, in the midfl of his Difficulties ; and I own the
Policy of thofe Miniilers, who ihall advife his Majefty to
five his Royal Aflent to the repealing of it, is of too re-
a'd and delicate a Nature for my Underftandin^. For
. fnce his Majelby has been pleased to propofe that Prince as
9- Pattern to himfelf, and is purfuing his Steps with fo much
Glory, it will be a Matter of Aftonifhment to thofe who
are not in the Secret of Affairs, to fee, that in the Reign of
^he one King pery Thing fhould be done to enlarge the
Liberties of the People, and to refb^in his Succefibrs from
^ing capable of relap^g into the Errors and Abufesof
former Princes ; and that in the Reign of the other, there
(hould be the lead Appearance of doing any Thing which
might but feem to ftretch th'e Prerogative, to invade, and
Ihock the Rights and Privileges of the Subjed, when both
ihall be found to rule by th^ fame Principles of Liberty,
and by the fame Maxims of Government.
\* The Triennial Ad is grounded on the ancient V&ge
and Conflitutipn of Pariiaments ; as it is intended to ob-
lige the Crown to call them frequently. For, that Par-
liaments were held frequently, half yearly, or annually at
leaft, appears not only from the beil Accounts we have
of the £rft Inflitution of them, and by the two Ada of £4^
^rdlll, but by the Writs of Summons ftill extant^ «id
.by feveral apthentick Inftruin^ts ^d Records. However
^tisfa^lory it might be on any other Occafion, I am ienfible
^t a p^d^fiio^ of the ^ifiory tff anient ^arliai^ctents, as^
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timf w&^fmec€&vtty call'd, would be wtry tedious and
BBeBteTtainuig in this Debate ; and I will therefore onlr
mention tavo Records. One is that £unoiis laftniment of £d-
wazd I, conoer/iing the Jmnuus Cenftu^ tlien daim'd by die
Pqpea^oan the Crown of England ; wherein he takes No-
tice, that £bme Arrears^ incurr'd on that Head, had not
beca xais'd, as (bejr ought to have been i> FurUamenU^ fni
circa OSamas RifumBimii Domimic^ itkbr^ri in Attglim
eaafiu^it : But he promifes that he would recommend die
Fa/ment of the Money due, in ali§ P4triiam€nt§ mtfir^^ qn$d
ad Jmem SanSi MicbaeUs proximi fiuuri tntendimus, iantt
DMtinn^ ctkbrau. The other ReQord is a Rqurefaitadon
frosi the Parliament to Richard II, fome Pftflages of whidi
aze the{e-«-^^ ix mntifw Ztaimt9 biAeni, Uf Cmtjketudint
lamdatili & ^ipfrcimta^ eujui tonirarietati dici nw vMnt.
That the King is to call £kmin$t ^ Pr^eens Re^ atqm
Cotmmumej femfl in Anm ad ParUmmtntum fuum, tanpiam ad
/i^mmam Cttriam totius Rigni. That if the King««-Ni Farlia-»
imemt9 fuo fe aJitnmverit fua fi^nU^ nan aiiqua infirmitati aui
aU^ta alia di caufa nectffltatiSf fid fer immodiratam <oohmia*
Um fr9ttrv€jt fiJbtraxirii fir ^fcntiam timporii ^uadraginta
DieroM, tanqumm di vixatione PifuU Jut (2f gravthns ixpinfii
§§rmm nrnt cnrans^ tx tunc licitum •mmbns i:f fitguRs iomm
tdijqmi D^migini^ Rfgis ridin adfnprim^ ^ mnicuiqui lontm in
Pairiam from nmtari,
♦ Frcun the fcNrmer of thcfc Records, *tt5 obvious to ob-
serve, that pdward the I, who was (me of our beft Princes^
^iA io great a Preferver of the Laws of his Kingdom, that
he is juftly call'd by the Hiitorian^ the £ngli£ Jaftinian^
diofe, rather dian to prolong the Sitting of his Parliament
beyond tHeir ufual Time, to diflblve one, tho* it had not
finifli'd its necei&ry Bufmefs, and to fummon another with*
in the Space of a few Monlhs. .
* From the other ''Vi% very remarkable, that Ridiard IT,
who is iaid to be <me of the worft Kings that ever fat on the
Throne of England, by abiendng himfelf from the Bufineft
of Parliaments, and by that Means continuing their Seffiona
beyond their proper and accuftom^d Time, drew upon him-?
iM a fharp Remonflrance from both Houfes, and was at laft,
for fuch Pradices, among(L other Things, deposed.
' Many Reigns after this, Henry VIII. aca>mpli(h^d what
Richard II. only attempted, and he ccmtinu'd his laft Parlia- ,
fuent ad libitum without Reproof. But 'ds well known what
ciDorbitantpcMvers they vefted him with ; and God forbid we
ihpuld have anv RefemUance of thofe Times ; for that Par-^
}iament aded like Slaves, and that King afted like a Tyrant.
' But if the Triennial Law had not been grounded on the
1^^995 ^f d^tiouitvi vk} (^ ori^M Uia^e qf Parliiuiients^
Digitized by
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it was more than a reafonablc Indulgence from tjie Throl
to the People, who had ilruggled for a Revolution, on Ai
count of the Abufes of Parliaments, and the «Endeavoars
render them infignificant. 'Tis true, that Prince once di
ny*d his Royal Affent to it : But afterwards he confider'i
that it could be no Diminution of hi? Prerogative, no Blc
mifh to his Regal Power, to retrieve the Honour and Dij
nity of Parliaments, as they were his Support, as they wen
the efiential Part of that Conilitution he came to fave ; an^
this he found he could only do by the frequent Calling ol
them.
* Befides, this Law was net only a reafonable Indulgence
to the People, as hath been faid, in that it gave them fre«
quent Opportunities of changing their Members, when they
did not approve their Behaviour, and was of Advantage to
the Publick, in making them ad with more than ordinary
Caution and Circumfpedion ; but it prov'd of great Service to
the Crown : For by frequent Parliaments the Crown could
only know the immediate Senfe of the Nation, which is ab-
folutely necelTary for a Prince to know on ill Emergencies.
However inconvenient this Law may now be thought to the
Crown, and however oppoilte to fome Projeds and Schemes
an adive Miniftry may have in View, I appeal to experienced
Members whether they think, or can imagine, that the
Crown could have got half the Money it hath been fupply'd
with iince the Revolution, but by new and frefh Eledions.
Such grievous and perpetual Taxes would never have been
endur*d from a Hale and continued Parliament. There is no
Injury or Diihonour therefore to the Crown, to be pblig'd,
by a Law, to do what, in Juflice to. the Subjed, and Con-
venience to itfelf, it ought to do without a law.
* But if you had a Power to repeal this Law, and exercife
that Power, the People would be in a much Worfe Condition^
than if it had never been granted to them. They would be
be bound up for ever in a Legiflative Way, the only Way
^fFedually and irrecoverably to lofe their Liberties. They
would by us, their Reprefentatives, condemn fhort and fre-
quent Parliaments, and cftabliih long and penfion'd ones,
which is a new Dodrine, and fuch as was nev6r before ad-,
varjc'd by the Commons of Great Britain.
* Surely there muft be fome fecret Caufe, fome latent Rea-
fon for hurryii^g on this Bill in fo precipiute a Manner. The
.true Reafon, I believe, is not declared ; and for my Part, I
cannoL but fufped, that the Miniilry have fomethin^ to do
which they apprehend will not be acceptable to a new Parlia-
ment, and which will not ftand the Teft of the Nation. I
iay, it mult be fomething they have to do ; for I am confi-
dent they do not fclf condemn tlierafclves, for what they,
JUYC
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have alrca^ done.' They have no Remorfe of G)n(cience
for apprehending fo many hundred Gentlemen, and confining
them in Prifon \o miany Months without Examination. For ,
fuch Confinements were not only neceflary to iupprefs the Re-
bellion, but we have been told were intended as a Favour and
Kiudncis to the Perfons who were fo confined. It mufl there-
fore be fome new Work they have upon their Hands ; wh^t
that Work is, I will not prefume to guefs. But I will pre-
fnme to fay, what it cannot be. It cannot be a Defign to'
abolifhdie Limitations of the Ad of Settlement, with Rela-
tion to Foreigners ; becaufe that is no lefs than an open Vi-
olation of our new Magna Charta, and an entire Infradion
of our original Con trad, as the Government now ftands.
* I fear I have quite wearied your Patience, but the Im-
portance of the Subjed will in fome JWfeafureexcufe me, and
I have but a very few Words now to add. I hope you will
rejed and not commit this Bill. For there is nothing more
certain, than that it will be to your Difhonour and Differ-
vice ;tQ pafs it, if we may reaibn of what will be, by what
W been. Long Parliaments then will nat)irally grow either
formidable or contemptible.
* We have an Inflance of the one, in the long Parlia-
ment of King Charles Firft, which to its eternal Infamy
wertnraM the bed Conftitution in tlie World, the Church
Md Monarchy of this Nation.
* We have a Proof of the other in the long Parliament of
King Charles the Second. I aflc Pardon if I am heard by
^y that were Members of it, but I only repeat what others
iave laid. There was a famous Simile apply'd by (yulian)
Johnfon to that Parliament, which I the rather mention, be- '
caoieit was much applauded by the Patrons of Liberty, and
^'Ows of Parliaments; and becaufe I know the Author ig
tftcemM above his Deferts by fome Gentlemen, who are now
debating for long Parliaments ; 'tis this, ' That a (landing.
' Parliament will always ftagnate, and be like a Country-^
* Pond, which is over-grown with Ducks-Meat, •
' I make no Application ; no Man will, or can, with any
Colour of Truth or Reafon, apply it to this Parliament.
/^« Parliament is fo fer from being a ftagnating Pool, that
tt might rather be compared to a rapid Stream, or an irrefifli-
^ Tontnt, which, if continued, will bear down all before it.
To diif Speech of Mr. Shippcn's, Mr, Hampden replied
«$ follows.
^ Mr. Speaker,
* The Houfe is now cnter'd on the Exercife of a Power, Mf ^}^^^^>vl
*wch, of Right, and agreeable to the Conftitution, belongs 'p^^*^*« "^
^Acpi : I jn«ft^ that Branch of Power which they, as a Part
■''''•"' . ^
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^^i^ie!**'*' «f die LegHIatiiw, fcKfCr of rqpcaliiig Laws, or extfending W
^timkiQg £em, in fuch Manner as i&H af^)e^ to them moft
condudng to tlie Service of their Coiraay. As this Right of
altering the Laws does undoubtedly bdong to the Legifk-
ture, it ought to be us'd with the ocmoft Regard : fince 'tis
equally a Crime to enervate Laws that are foufid to be aSup
port to our Governnnmt^ as to omit the aboHihingor fuQ>eiid«
ing fuch as have not anAver'd their End when made, ott
which is worfe, as have prov'd detrimental.
' It is a commendable Zeal^ when Gentlemen in: tJlear De^
bates ^xprefs a Toidemefs for the odlBng Conftitution of
their Country, and their Apprehenfions of the leaft Innovati-
on in the Frame of the Government ; and I am not furpiz*d
that it is ofajededy in fo popular a Manner, that the Faffing
of ^8 Bill for fufpending the Law for the Ele&ion of Trien-
nial Parliament, is to Tap the Fo^dation of oinr En^iih
Liberties.
* But if, upon an impartial Enquiry/ it fhatt appear, that
Ak Bill, which was made for the Bendit of the Nation, has^
in no ReQ)e6l, anfwer'd the Purpofes for which it was caku*
lated when made into a Law, I prefume it may be allow'd,
that the Danger in fiifjpending it is more imaginary dian real.
' And iince it is as unjuflifiable to be tenacious of a Mzt-
ter that has no Argument to fupport it, as nor to give Way to
what Experience 1ms demonib-ated, if this Bill flioukl, in its
Coniequences, be void of Proof of its anfweriiig the Ends for
which it was made, I hope it will iiot be {a great a Crime to
fuipend it, as it has, with InduHry, been re{^efented withoat
Doors.
* A principal Argument for continuing the Triennial BiU
is, that it is agreeable to the ancient I^ws of this Nati(m#
that there fhould be frequent Parliaments. I find by die
Laws I have look'd over that Parliaments ought to to fre-
quently held ; but ; find it no whene laid down as a Funda-
mental Pofitionof theNatttreofthisConflitution, tha^ there
ihould be frequent Eleftions. If Gendemen will look to the
Beginning of Parliaments, th^ will tnd, in the 4th^ 5 th, and
36th of Edward III, that, * For Redrefsof divert Mifdiiefs
* and Grievances which daily haj^n, a Parliament (hall be
* holden every Year or oftener^ if need be.' Let it then be
coniider'd in what Manner thoie Parliaments were hdd : \
When a King met his Parliament, they us'd to fit ten or
twenty Days, and then were proroguVi or diffohrM ; and
there were frequent Intermifiions of Parliaments, none being
call'd for feveral Year^. By looking over the Journals, we
find the Prorogations and Di^olutions of Parliaments.
* To come down to the Time of Henry VIIL few of
Us Psrliamenti fill more than tw^ntv Days, ^«^ liie^
was
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was not A Parliament met twtxy Year; and fioni tlie ytH inaoft. 0^0.1.
to tlic a5th of Henry VIU, there are no Joumab, and. »^^X^
coaUcquently, we cannot tell in what Manner Parliaments ^"^^
were held. Afterwards there were feveral Parliaments, but
not every Year, to the End of his Reign.
* A Parliament w^ calPd the irft Year of Edward VI^
fad in £ve Years fat but four Months. In Piiilip and M^
there were £>ur Parliaments, but the Seflions extremely ihort.
From the 2d to the 5th^ ai^ from the 7th to the 13th of
Queen Elizabeth, no Parliament met, and from the 14th
to the 25th of Queen Elizabeth, the Parliament fat only
fixua the 8th of May to the 30th of June ; and four Years
after, from the 8th of February to the 8th of March fo^
lowing ; and in eight Years after, never fat to do Buiinefs
bat were then dii&lv'd. There were fix other Parliaments
called in Queen Elizabeth's Time ; but never fat long, un«
hd that in the 39th of her Reign, which fat four Months.
' The Parliament in thefirllof JamesI, fat about fouf
Months, and in three Years after, fat about eight Days. That
Parliament was not diffolv^d ^tUl the 9th of James,, but fat
twice or tbtkc onlv. There were three other Parliaments
in his Reign, but they met very feldom.
' The Seffions in K. Charles I, were much fhbrter than of
late Bays, with very frequent Prorogations ; and in the i6th
ef his Reign an A&, wfts pafs'd> F^ preventing tncouveniencit
h lf»g IntermiffiM ofFarUamenU ; by which it was provided^
mat a Parliamoit fhould meet every three Years ; which
Law we £nd repealed in the i6th of Charles II, by reafon
that the Provi£ons in the former Law were look'd upon as
a Derogation to his M^eify*s juft and undoubted Preroga-^ <
tive for calling and af&mbling Parliaments^ and might be
an Occafion of manifold Mifchiefs, and might endanger the
Pea^ of his People. The faid Ad is repealed, and a Pro*
vifioD made therein, that ^ Becaufc, by the ancient Laws of
' this Realm, in the Reign of Edward III, Parliaments are to
* be held very often ; the Sitting and Holding of Parliaments
* ihall not be intermitted above three Years.* In this King's
Reign the long Parliament was held ; and whatever Cor*
ruptioas they were tainted with, they could never be ac^
cosM. of fevouring the Caufe of France, or attempting to
enilave their own Country.
* In the Reign ofK. James II, that unfortunate Prince, a
Piarliament was held in May 168$, and fat above two Months,
apdwas, at fewwal Times> prorogued to November 1687.
Then the hapmr Revolution took Place ; and in the Bill of
Rights, 1. QulieL IS Mari<t^ it is dectar'd and enabled, That
**S\ the Rights and liberties afTerted and claimed in the
* £ud Declaration, are the true, ancient, and undubitable
^ VoJm L h^ ! Rights
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AMtiu Cm. t ' Riglits and Liberties of die People of this l^ngdom, and
^^yS!^'^^ • onght to be firmly and ftriaiv holdcn and obferv'd/ And
^^ ^^^^^ in the feme Bill, among that lon^ Catalogue of Grievances
which precedes the faid Declaration^ there is not the leaft
Mention made of Want of frequent Ejedions, but only .that
Parliaments ought to be free. In the iixth of Eling William^
this now favoured Bill for Triennial Parliaments was pafe^d s
and upon this Occafion I cannot help obferving, that it is
fome SatisfafUon, that the People abroad, who look npos
the Reign of that Prince as a Ufurpation, fhould be fona of
any one A€t that pafs'd in that Time ; and I hope from
hence, they may in Time be more recondl'd to the Protc-
fiant Sttcceflion, which is in Confequence of that Revolution.
' If Gentlemen will look over the Writs of Summons^
and the Returns of thoie Writs, they will find no Mention
how long any Parliament is to lail ; but the Return makesT
Mention of the Perfons who are to ferve in the Parliament
that is to meet, and be held at fuch a Time at Weftminfter.
It muft be allowed, that the Parliament is fubjed to the
Triennial A£t while it fubfifb ; and therefore the Advan-
tages or Inconveniences of that Law ought chiefly to be
confider'd in the Matter now before us : And in Cafe an
Ad be found prejudicial, if fuch a Veneration is to be
paid to a Law, as not to ^ter it, from any Convidion of
Its being infufHdent, or attended with ill Confequences, I
think the Legiflature will become, in a Manner, uielefe.
I take the principal Matter to be, to examine what Benefit
has accrued to the Nation by virtue of this Bill, and if the
Inconveniences do not outweigh all the Advantages ?
' It is pretended, that by the Triennial Eledions, the
« People have an Opportunity of layin|^ afide thofe Perfons
with whofe Behaviour in Parliament they arc diflatisfyM»
or fuch whom they apprehend to be under Court-Influences :
I defire it may be confider*d, how very few Examples therer.
are, of Perfons, who having accepted Places, have not been
xe-eleded. The Reafon is very obvious : Becaufe the
People, who love Expences, judge that a Man who has a
Place of Profit, is much more capable of making an Ex-
pence, than he that has none. But fuppofing any Gentle-
man fo wickedly difpos*d, as to iacrifice his Opinion to the
Lucre of a Place, does not fuch a Perfon, who has fpent
live or ^ hundred Pounds at his EledUon, and his Cir*
cumilances not very able to bear it, come more prepared
for Court-Temptation, than if he had enjoy*d his Seat in
Parliament, and been free from the Trouble and Expence
of fi^quent Eledions ? I appeal to Gentlemen, if Expenceir
are not increasM ? And .if any Infiance can be produced
yhere they are abated, many more may be where they are
sncrcas\L»
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iocfcas'd ; fo th^ the End of the Bill, in this Refped, it ^^^^^
jio ways anfwer'i^.
' It is ikid, that Expences being voluntary, it is the Fault
only of thofe who make them ; but when we obferve the
Contagion of Expences to be univerfally fpread in the King«
dom at the Time of Eledlions, and a Diflblution of Man-
nen occafion'd by fuch Expences, it is Time for the Lie-
g^ture to interpofe, and prevent the dangerous Confequen-
CCS of fuch an Evil, Do Gentlemen confider the Dif-
tradions occafion*d by Eledion, and the Impoifibility; con-
fiderii^ the iinall Interval of Ele^ons, t6 heal up thofe
Wounds which the Animoiities of Parties have occafion'd ;
lb that 'tis little better than living in « continual State of
Warfare. This is a no lejTs fam than undeniable Confe*
qnence of this Bill, which was calculated for the Eafe of
die Siubjea.
* Its faid, the Reafon of this Expedient, as it is call*d^
is becanfe the Majority of this Parliament are Whigs :
And tho' 'ti^ allowed that this Parliament has aded for the
Service of his Majefty and the Nation, the Proceedings of
the laft Parliament are faid to be as meritorious of the
Eing^s good Opinion, and the Nation's as what this Parlia,-*
ment has done.
* It is much infilled on, that the Tories gave the Civil
lift : That is true ; But had tUey not given it, I believe
the King would not long have been deprived of it. *Tis
iaid the King was received here with the univerfal Joy of
his People : Why did that Satisfaction ceafe fo foon i Has
the King done any Thing to lofe the AfFe£Uon of fo many
of his People ? or have his Minifters ? If his MiniHerSn
why has the Spirit of Patriotifm been fo much wanting ia
G€3itlen»en, as not to reprefent Co the King, or in this
Houfe, the Crimes of thofe he employs in hb Service ? BuC*
if no real Handle for thefe Difcontents has been given by
King or Minifters, then thofe who pretended fuch a 2^eat
for the Kine and his Service, at his Arrival here, zQjed
a hypocritical Part, and meant nothing lefs than what they
now make Profeflions of. Let us con^der the prefent Situa^
turn of the Minds of the People, how exafperated one Set
of them are at the neqefi^ Profecutions of thofe, who fo'
fatally concerted the Ruin of their Country ; and to what
Degree that rf fllefs Spirit influenced the Peo|^e in the late
Rebellion ; and how induflrioufly a falfe and miilaken Caufe
of the Church has been of late propagated in this Nation.
* FromthefeandmanyotherCircumibncesof Affairs, and
other Symptoms of the ill Temper of the Nation, I think the ,
Difpofition of the Peoples Minds far from being fuitable to
the 6afine6 of aa Eledion, but rather for a. Reiloration o^
" ' l^Z tK*t
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diat Pecfon, who the deluded People have been taught lias
alone a Right to the Crown, and is to come to free you from
die Oppremons you now lie under.
< So much has been {aid concerning the Preparadoils
which the Regent is making, by extorting ,vaft Sums from
^ the Subjects of France ; and fo much has been {poken con*
cernmg our Alliances, and the Neceffity of applying bur
felves to find out effcftual Methods for difcharging the pub^
lick Debts, that after fo long a Debate, I (haanot trouble
you with my Thoughts upon^thofe Subjedb.
< it muft be allowed, that the Nation has Obligadon ta
thofe Patriots who fram'd this Law, with a View and Ex*
peftation it would pAve a fecure Provifion for the Liberty
and Eafe of the Subje^ : But could thofe great and honeft
M&n have forefeen into what a degenerate State this Nation
Avould fall, they would have been convincM how infuffident
$Ad Cobweb a Remedy fuch a Bill muft prove ; and they
would fcarce have been content with leaving to Poftferity a
JLegacy, which "Experience has (hewn to be deflru£Uve, in-
ilead of any real Advantage to them.
* I humbly apprehend, that when Laws do not anfWer
their End,* or prove prejudicial in their Confequen^s, 'tis
the Duty of the Legillature to interpofe ; and that the SnC-
peniion of this Bill is fo fa^ from being a Viblation of our
Conflitution, that it is the healing a Breach made iii the
Conflitution by thofe who obtained this Law.
« The Reaions why I am now for the Bill are,
* To difjpofe the People to follow their Callings and to
be induftrious, by taking from them, for a Time, the Op-
portunity of diftradling one another by Eledions : To pre-
vent fuch who have the Will, from the Power of giving
any.new Difturbance to the Government : To prevent ano*
dier Rebellion, riiere being juft as much Realon to expeft
one this Year, as there was the laft : To check that evil
Spirit in thofe who have fwom to the King, and rofe in
Arras againft him, or abetted fuch who have : To difcoon-
tenance that Spirit which lately did fo far prevail in this
Nation, as to approve of a moft ignominious Conclufion of
a fuccefsful War, by a ruinous Peace : To render fruidefs
any concerted Projeft of the Regent, or atiy other foreign
Princes, to difturb this Nation at a Time when EledUons^
or the Approach of them, have rais'd a Ferment in the
Minds of the People ; and to procure to the Clergy ah
Interval from being Politicians, that they may be the bet-
ter able to take .Care of their Flocks, in the Manner the
Scripture has' prefcrib'd.
* For thefc and many other Reafons, too long to ertume-
Mtp at this Time^ I am for the Cpnunitm^nvof this Bill.
' *^
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Sir Richard Steele feoke next for the Bill as foOowi, ^^JtJ?^^
' Mr Speaker, ' V^^-^C^
* It is evident that new chofen annual Parliaments were sJrRichASrteic'*
acfer the Cuftom or Right of this Kingdom : It renwins *iwJ»«« «»*•■«
dterefore only to confider, now that there is a Law, which
makes Parliaments meet, as of Courfe, at (uch a ftated
Time, whether the Period of three Years anfwer'd the Pur-
pofes intended by it ? The Preamble to the Triennial A6t
txpteBcs, that it was introduced into the CbnfUtution for the
better * Union and Agreement of the King and his People ;•
bat it bas had a quite contrary E^ed ; and Experience hU
?erify*d what a great Man \maning the late Earl of Sunder-
laad\ ikid of it, wheti it was en^ed, ' That it nad made
• a Triemiial King, a Triennial Minihry, a Triennial Al-
* llance/ Wc feel this ia all Occurrences of State ; and
they who look upon us from abroad, behold the Struggle in
which we are neceffarily engaged from Time to Time under
this Law. Ever fincc it has been enaded the Nation has
been in a Series of Contention : The firft Year of a Trien-
nial Parliament has been fpent in vindidUre Deciiions and
Animofities about the late Eledions ; the iecond Seffioahas
entered into Bufinefs, but rather with a Spirit^ of Contra-
didion to what the prevailing Set of Men in former Par-
liamehts had brought to pafs, than of a diflnterefled Zeal
for the common Good : The third Sefllon langui(h*d in the
Purfuit of what little was intended to be done in the fe-
cond ; and the Approach of an enfuing Eledion terrify*d
the Members into a fervile Management, according as their
refpeftive Principals were difpos'd towards the Queilion be-
fore them in tha Houfe. Thus the State of England hat
been like that of a Vellel in Didrefs at Sea : The Pilot and
Mariners have been wholly employed in keeping the Ship *
from finking ; the Art of Navigation was ufelefs, and they
never pretended to make Sail. It is objed^ed, * That the
Altttation proposed is a Breach of Truft :' The Truft,
Sir, repos'd in us, is that of the publick Good ; the King,
Lrads, and Commons, are the Parties who cxercife this
Tmft ; and when the King, Lords, and Commons exercife this
Truft by the Meafure of the common Good, they difchatte
tfiemJeives, as well in ^<t altering and repealing as in the
making or confirming Laws. The Period of Time, \A this
Cafe, IS a fubordinate Confideration ; and thofe Gentlemen .
who are againft the Alteration, "fpeak in too pompous a
Style, when they tell us, * We are breaking into the Con-
< ftittttion.* It has been farther objeded, ' that all this
' is only pving" great Power to the Minifters, who may
* make an arbitrary Ufe of it :' The Minillers are indeed
W^e Other Mcn» from the lofinni^r of human Nature
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iUMos. GecNi* liable to be xaade worfe by Power and Autbonty ; but tluB\
^^^I?^,^,. A61 gives no Addition to that Authority it felf ; though it:
may poffibly prolong the Exercife of it in them. Tl^ey
are neverthelels refponfible for their Aftions to a Parliament j I
and the Mode of enjoying their Offices is exaftly the fame.
Now, when the Thing is thus, and that the Period of
three Years is found> from infallible Experience it felf^ a
Period that can afford us no Good, where fhall wc reft ?
The Ills that are to l)e done againft iingle Perfons or Com*
munities are done by Surprize, and on a fudden ; but good
Things are flow in their Progrefs, and mull wait Occafion.
Deftruftion is done with a Blow; but Reformation is
brought about by leifurely Advances. All the Mifchiefs
which can be wrought under the Septennial A£t, can be
|)erpetrated under the Triennial ; but all the Good which
may be compafs'd under the Septential, cannot be l\pp'd for
under the Triennial. We may fear that the Minifters may-
do us Harm, but that is no Reafon why we, ihould cpn-
tinue them under a Difability of doing us Good. For
thefe Confiderations, I am unrefervedly for the Bill/ '
Then Mr Snell fpoke againfl the ?ill,
Mr Speaker,
itoShfTs sgfdi * Wc are told ther^ is an abfolutfe Neceffity for tKe BiU-
Hamft U» ^liich is nqw before you, and that thofe who oppofe it, are
no better than Friends to a Popifli Pretender. But as I wifti
us w^ll to his prefent Ma^efty's Perfon and Government, as
the moil zealous for his Service, I fhall never refign my
Opinion to Words only, and betray my Truft to (ervc the
purpofes of a Miniftry,
* I canpot but think this Bill, if it pafs into a Law, will
highly infringe the Liberties of the People ; and as I can by
no means affent to the Reafons that are offer'd to prove it
neceflary, fo I fhall heartily give my Negative to it.
• I don't wonder to hear a Neceffity urg'd for altering the
' Conftitution of our Parliaments, by thofe who have given up
their own.
This lad Expreffion, which was fupposM to be owing to
l^r Haldane's, a Scots Member, having declar'd for the Bill,
' was refented by Mr * Thomas Smith, Member for Glaf^
gow, &c. who faid, * That Mr Snell would not be fo bold
as to fjpeak thofe Words any where elfe.' He was ieconded
by Lord Coningfby } and the EJifpute being like to grow
Varm, Mr Speaker interpofed, and faid, * That all th<?
Members having the Privilege of explaining themfelves, Mr
8nell ought to have the Liberty of fodoiqg.' Hereupon Mi?
SnelJ
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$iaU (aid* * fhat he meant no perfonal ftefleAion on that Amot. e».h
worthyvMcmber, for that he fpokc only of the Scots Nation v-^^42r^
in general.* To which Sir David Dalrymple replied, * That
Mr Snell*'s Explanation increafed the Offence, inftead of hC-
fening it, and that he demanded Satisfaction.* — Some other
Members alfo calling out, * To the Bar, To the Bar,* Mr
SneU excnied himfel^ by begging Pardon for any unguarded
Expreffions that might have efcap*d him : Upon which the
A£ur drop*d, and he went on as follows :
Sif)
* The chief Arguments rtiadeUfe of for theBill,as it repeall
the Triennial AS, and continues the prefent Parliament, are»
* To zppcsik the groundlefs Annimoiities of the People i
* To avoid Expences, which frequent EledUons occafiott^
to the impoverifiiing of many Gentlemen*s F^unilies : '
* To obviate tumultuous Riots and Aflemblie^i which might
^e a Handle to a fecond Rebellion : And, laftly,
* To furtJier our Alliances abroad.
* How we can poffibly expeft to quiet the groundlefi Ani-
OK^ties of the People by this Bill, I muft own, I am at a Lois '
to imagine, unlefs ftnpping them of their moft valuable Pri*
vilcgcs, which they and their Anceftors have for many Aget
paftexertis*d and enjoyVl, may be thought a proper Expedient
to reconcile their Affedions, and en<kar the prefent Admi-^
niftration to them.
* The Expences at Eleftions are merely voluntary, and
if any one fuffers by them he has none to blame but himfelf ;
and I icarce believe Gendemen to be ferioui in this Particu-
lar ; for let us look but a little backward, and trace this miA
duevous Evil, this growing Corruption, that needs fuch an
exdaordinary Remedy, to its Original, and we iliall find it
has its Rife from the fame Place whence the Remedy pro^
pos*d had its Beginning } and that former ill Miniilries, the
better to forward their finifter Views, have, by fending their
Agents through the Kingdom at an approaching Election, di^-
baach*d the People with the publick Money ; to that Pitch
of Corruption we are now arriv'd. *Ti8 otherwife impoffible
to ^ve an Account how fo many Gentlemen are chofen to
ierve in Parliament, in Counties and Places where they have
no vifible Eilates or Intereft ; nay, fome perhaps whofe
Names were never heard of in the County a Month before
tlie Eleaion.
' The Rebellion is happily now at an End, and the Go- -
vemment fo much better lecur*d againft Riots and tumultu-
ous Aflemblies, by the wholfome Laws provided by the
Wifdom of this Parbament, that little or no Danger can be
Raibnably apprehended from thence ; efpedally, if we con-
fiiier the Number of Forces prudently quartered throughout
the
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the Kixigicm, fufipeat to fun^fi the moft daring CoiHino*
tions that fhall be attempted.
< The laftRcafon made Ufe of to prove t}ie Neceffity of
this Billy is, that it will enable the GovenuneBt the better
to treat and negotiate Foreign Alliances.
.« But furely thofe who make Ufe of this as 911 Aigumcnt,
are Strangers to the Confutation of England | for by the
known and (tanding Law of the Land, the Right of making
Peace and War, Treaties and Alliances, are undeniably the
King's Prerogative ; and the King may exercife that Righ^
as to him (eems beft, and moft for the Good ^xA benefit of
his People, without Application to Parliament, either to ap-
prove or c^firm. But admitting that of late Years Parlia'*
ments have thought themfelves inti^ed to interpofe th^r Ad-
vice in Treaties and Alliances, though I deny it to be their
Righ^ this is an Argument £ngly fufficient with me to fop-
port the TrienniM Bill. For fuppoiing a Minifby fhall at
any Time negotiate an Alliance ^rejud^nal to the Inteieft of
England, ana )}y their Artifice impofe upon a Parliament
to approve and confirm it ; is it not a peculiar Haf^inefs,
that fuch a Parliament will quickly have 9x1 End ; and th^
the People have it in their own Power, by another, whidi
moft foon be call'd, to correct the Mifdeeds of fuch a Mini*
ftry, anid prevent the farther ill Confequences of fuch a Trea-
ty to the Nation.
* But allowing the Arguments that are made Ufe of fufii-
' cient to pove the Neceffity of repealing the Triennial Bill at
prefent, I would beg Leave to confider, whether it be ip our
Power or no, to continue the prefent Parliament beyond the
Time for which the People chofe us i
* And as for my own Part, I freely declare it as my Opi-
nion, though I fhall always acquiefce in the Judgment of the
Majority, that the Purport of this Bill, fo far as it relates to
the Continuance of this prefent Parliament, is not within the
Compafs of the Truft repofed in us by the People. And to
fatisfy Gentlemen that I am not fingular in this Opinion, I
would beg their Patience to read to them a Paflage" or two
from Mr LockV Treatife of Go'vernmeut,
* The Power of the Legiflative, fays he^ being deriv'd from
' the People by a pofitive voluntary Grant and Inftitution,
' can be no other than what that pofitive Grant conveyed ;
* u^ich being only to make Laws, and not Legiflators, the
* Legiflative can have no Power of transftrriag their Autho-
^ rity of making Laws, and placing it in other Hand^.
Again, he lays it down as a Rule, * That when the So*
* cicty has jJac'd the Legiflative in any Affembly of Mfen,
*■ to continue in them ,.aiKl their Succenbrs, the Iiegiflativa
' can never revert to thi^ People whilft diat Government Ms I
; becaufe^
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' becaufe, having provided a Legiflature with Power to CoA- Aim t. Om« v
* tinuc for ever, theyhave given up their Political Power ta ^^^^^^
* the Legiflative and cannot refiune it : But if they have fet ^
* Limits to the Duration of their Legiflative, and make this
* Supreme Power in any Perfon or Aifembly only temporary I
•at the Determination of the Time ftt, it reverts to theSod**
' ety, and the People have a Right to place it in new Hands*
* I beg Pardon for the Length of the Quotation \ but as
the Author, in his Life-time> was always ^eem*d a Man of
great Learning and Candour, and no ways fufpeded as dif-
affeded to the Succeffion in the Houfe of Hanover, I could
not omit taking Notice of the Sentiments of fo great a Man»
fo conducive to a right Underftanding of the Point now in
Queftion.
* And if thefe Pofitions are true, the Inferences arc very
obvious : The People of England have a Fundamental indif«
pntable Right to appoint their Reprefentatives in Parlia-*
roent ; and by a Law Hill in Being, for three Years and no
longer, fubj^ to the King's Power of Diffolution, have
chofen us their Reprefentatives, in Purfuasce of that Law i
and therefore, whenever that Triennial Term ihall expire^
have a Right to chufe new ones.
* It may be objeded. That when the People have once
conftituted the Lceiflative, that the Legiflature is thereby "
vefted with the whole Power of their Eleftors : And it can*
not be deny'd, but, generally fpeaking, it will hold true. And
the People of England, having 'chofen us to reprefent them,
we are thereby impower'd, not only to make Laws, but to
alter or repeal any Law in Being, as we ihall think fit, for
their Benefit and Security ; and they will undoubtedly b«
bound thereby. But then this is to be underftood, where th«
Subjea-Matter of the Laws we make is within Compafs of
the Truft which the People have or may at leaft be fuppos'd
to delegate to us ; and it is an ill Way of Rf»f({ning to aP^
fert, that we have a Power to do what we cannot do without
Prejudice to thofe we reprefent.
* The Right of elefting Reprefentatives in Parliament, is
infeparably inherent in the People of Great Britain, and can
never be thought to be delegated to the Reprefentatives, un*
Icfe yoti'll make the Elefted to be the Ele6lor ; and, at the
feme Time, fuppofe it the Will of the People, that their Re-
prefentatives mould have it in their Power to deftroy thofe
that made them, whenever a Miniftry (hall think it neceflary
to fcreen themfelves from their juft Refentmcnts : This would
be to deflroy the Fence to all their Freedom ; for if we have
a Right to continue our felves one Year, one Month, or Day,
beyond our Triennial Term, 'twill unavoidably follow, we
have it in our Power to make our felves perpetual ; and what-
Vol. L M ever
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ever Neccffity we may be i^educ'd to hereafter. Matters arc
not yet in that apparent bad Condition, to convince the People
that there is a prefent Occafion for this dangerous Innova-
tion in their Conftitution.
* To fay that the paffing this Bill is not to graffp to our
felves the Right of Eledion, but only to enlarge thp Time for
calling new Parliaments, is a manifeft Fallacy ; for whenever
our three Years are expired, we can no longer be faid to fub-
lift by the ClToice of the People, but by our own Appoint-
ment 5 and 'tis a Jeft to tell me, I have a Right to that which
another has a Right to take from me. ♦
* Whoever will confider well the Frame and Nature of our
Conftitution, will find it^ calculated for every Circumftance
needful for the Security of a free People. W_e are guarded^
by our Reprefentatives in Parliainent, againft any arbitrary-
Encroachments of the fupreme executive Power ; and by-
frequent and new Parliaments, againft the Weaknefs, Folly,
and Corruption of our Reprefentatives : And tho' many In-
ftances may be given of long Intermiffions of Parliaments,
yet that does by no means prove frequent and new Parliaments
not to be Part of our Conftitution ; and *tis obvious to every
impartial Perfon, that without them our Conftitution is de-
fedive. For thefe Reafons I cannot approve of this Bill : I
think it an open Violation of the People's Liberties, or, to
ijpeak moft mildly of it, a Breach of our Truft in th^t Part
which will moft fenfibly afFeft them ; and of that ill Tenden-
cy in its Confequence, that as nothing but the Security of the
Miniftry can make it at this Time needful, fo nothing but a
ftanding Force can make it lafting.
Mr Bromley fpoke next againft the Bill-
Mr Speaker,
nr Bfomiey'5 * I may venture to affirm, that the Bill now before you h
tjwjchagjunft the ^^ j^^gj^^^ Concern to the Commons of Great Britain, than
♦ any that evdr yet was before you : It takes away the People's
Right of appointing their Reprefentatives ; it deprives them
of their Share in the Legiflature, and, in my Opinion, wounds
the Conftitution of Parliaments very deep.
* No Gentleman is ignorant, that the Frame of otir Go-
vernment is made up of the King, the Lords, and the Com-
Tnons. Thefe, with Refpeft to each other, have ever been
icfteem'd feparate, altho', when put together, they make but
cne entire Government. The Duration of this Form of
jGovernment in England, longer than in our neighbouring
Countries, is manifeftly owing to the Care taken by tliofe
that went before lis, in keeping thefe three Conftituent Parts
of the Political Body up to the Rules of their firft Inftitution, |
by leftnuning Eacl^ t9 its proper Bounds, an4 ifl not fuffering
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One to be over-bom or fwallow'd ap hj tke other two :
However thefe Three great Parts may in other Refpeds be
confider'd, yet with Regard to the Legiflative they muft ad
in Conjundion. The AiTentof Each to the Making of Laws
ia eilentially neceflary ; but the Manner of giving this A/Fent
is different in the People^ from what it is in the King, and in
the Lords. The People, by Reafpn of their Number, can-
not be peHbnally prefent at thepafiing of Laws ; their Ailent
can no otherwife be iignifyM, than by their Reprefentatives*
The Disadvantage the Commons are, in this Refped, under»
is in fome fort made up to them by the Care taken in the
Framing of our Government, That they fhould be truly and
fairly reprefented.
' That Eledions fhall be free, is often declared in our
written Laws. 'Tis in Effed faying. That neither the Power
of the Crown, nor the Power of the Lords, fhould interpofoi
in them^
* The Refolution of this Houfe, renew'd every Seffion,
viz. * That fpr a Lord to concern himfelf in the Eledion of
* Members to ferve for the Commons in Parliament, is a
* high Lifringement of the Liberties and Privileges, of di^
^ Commons of Great Britain,' fufficiently ihews the Jealoufy
the Commons ever had of the Lords intermeddling in tho
ElcdUons of their Reprefentatives.
* The Attempts made on the King's Part, towards influen^
cing Eledions, have been principally by Officers under tho
Nomination of the Cfown. As this Mifchief from Time to
Time appear'd. Laws were introduced providing againfl it.
The Statute 7 Hen. IV. c. 15, recites that Law to bo-
made ' At the grievous Complaint of the Commons of the
* midue £Ije£tions for Parliament," and direds, among other
Things, * That Sheriffs Ihould proceed to Eledions freely antf
' indifferratlyy notwithflanding any Command to the con-
* trary.' Msoiy fubfequent Laws were made for preferving
to the People this Privilege, on which all other depend, of
being ^thfiilly reprefented in Parliament. No lefs than
fcven A€ts were made in King William's Time for that Pur-
pofe : So greatly did the Endeavours of Officers to influence
Ekdions at that Time abound, The Statute of 3. Will, and
Mar. c. I, takes Notice, * That the Officers of the Excife»
* by Reafon of the Greatnefs of the Duty, and the extraor-
< dinary Powers given to them, had frequendy, by ThreaUi
< orPromifes, fo farpr^vail'd on Electors, that they had«
1 been abfblutely debarr'd of the ^Freedom of giving their
' Votes I which, according to the known. ConfUtution of this
« Kingdom, every Pcrfon ought to have and enjoy.' It thorn
enads, * That any fu^ Officer who perfwadcs or diflwade*
1 any file^ from giving his Vote, fhall forfeit one hundred
M z ! Pounds,
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Afliwf. <^.i. ' Pooncb^ and be incapable of executing any OHice relating
J\j0%^^ * to the Excife.' Another Law of the like Nature was lately
made in Relation to the Officers concerned in colle^ng
ehe Pod-Office Duty. Thefe Laws are now all to be laid
alleep. Provifions made for proteding the People's Ri^t
of Eledion muft become infignifiqant, if Ele^cHis them*
iclves are no longer to be allowed.
' The Care taken by the Founders of our Government to
preferve this Right, did not flop here ; it was not fufficient
to that Purpofe, that £le6Uons fhould be free ; it was like-
w(e neceflary that they ihould be frequent.
* The People's Right to frequent Eleftions was founded
on fubilantial Reafons ; for fince they, who could a6t no o-
eherwife than by Reprefentativ^s, were capable of beiqg mi-
fiaken in their Choice, and the Perfon chofen liable to be
tempted over to a Dependence on the Crown, or on the Lords,
Itnd thereby receive an undue Influence, it became neceflary
diat frequent Opportunities fhould be given to the Conunons
to corred their Choice, and thereby prevent the Danger
which the Unfaithfubiefs of their Reprefentatives might
otherwife bring upon them.
' That the People had a Right to frequent Elections, is
made unquoitionable by the beft of Evidence, Perpetual
Ufage,
< From the firfl Footfteps of Parliaments, down to the Time
of K.Henry VIII, not only from Records, but from the print-
ed Statutes, the Frequency of EledUons does appear. The mofl
repeated Inflances, within that Period of Time, are of Par-
liaments determining within the Compafs of a Year ; no In-
ftance where they continued longer than three.
* King Charles I, that unfortunate Prince, was put upon
governing without Parliaments ; but the Neceffity of Affairs
forcing him to change his Purpofe, a Parliament was calPd
an the i6th Year of his Reign, in which a Law of an extra-
ordinary Nature was pafs'd, viz. * That in cafe the King did
* not call a Parliament within three Years after the Deter-
* mination of the preceding Parliament, then the Lord
* Chancellor, &c. fhould ifTue Writs for that Purpofe ; ' with
many other extraordinary Provifions. That Parliament (bon
after perpetuated themfelves, fo far as it was capable oF be*
ing done ; and by an Aft made the fame Year, * they were
< not to be difTolv'd but by Aft of Parliament.' To the kn^
Continuance of which Parliament were all the Calamities of
the Civil War to be imputed.
* This Statute of the i6th of Charles I was repeal'd by the
Statute of the i6ch of Charles II. c. i. But notwithfianding
the fond Humour the Nation was then in, even by the lame
Aft it was d^dar'd, * That by the Laws of this Realm, Fkr-
• Hg^iffffntf
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• liaments arc to be held very often, and to the find there Annoi. Gm. l
vaif^t be a frequent Calling, Affemblingy and Holding i^i[^
Finianients once in three Years at leaft, it was declared
mA enabled, * That Parliaments (hould not be intermit-
* iDd above three Years at the moll.
* In King Charles II. Time another Turn of PoUqr waa
taken, which was to bring the Houfe of Commons to thefient
of the Minifby, by the fecret Application of Penfions to
the Members. Such was the Modeity even of that Age,
as not openly and avowedly to byafs with OfHces, thofe
who ought at kail to be the faithful Reprefentatives of the
People.
* For the effeding of this pemidons Purpofe of corrupt-
ing the Commpns, it was neceflary that the Parliament
(honld be prolonged ; which it was for eighteen Years : Af-
facance of which being privately given to many of the
Members, and there being Time fufficient to gain upon
others, not fo ^ intruded with the Secret, the Deiign was
effeded. And fuch was the Behaviour of that Parliament,
that it acquir*d the infamous Name of the Penfioner-Par-
liament.
* The Attack thus made on the Confutation of Parliar
ments, by depriving the People of their Right of frequent
Eledions, gave Bir^ to the Jealoufy the Nation entertained,
of the Intention that Prince had of alTuming to himfelf a
de^tick Power. How uneafy the later Part of his keign
becune on that Account, is well known ; and this Nation
has felt the £ffe£b of the Ferment and Divifions which then
arofe ; and by the Artifice of iU-deiigning Minims, have
been ever fince continued.
* The People being warn'd by the narrow Efcape their
Liberties met with from that Parliament, did, after much
Struggle,, obtain this Law of Triennial Parliaments, the onljr
Remedy left for preferving their ancient Conftitution.
* And now, after above an hundred Millions given by
the Pojpfe, in order to preferve their oW Form of Govern-
ment, here is a Bill fent us by the Lords, which, if it
pafles, muft exjpofe us again to the greateft of Dangers,
which b that of a long Parliament.
^ In the Time of tlmt Penfioner-Parliament, which began
in 1662, the Means of Temptation in the Minifters Hands,
were not (o great as they now are : The Civil Lift is well
nigh double to what it then was : The Dependence on the
Crown is greatly enlarged, by Reafon of the Increafe of
Officers for managing the publick Revenue and Funds.
What Influence thde may have upon an exhaufted Nation,
onder the Terror which forty thouiand rc^ar Troops carry
wi^ thcmi is eaiUy forefeen.
* N«
y Google
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* No Wonder the Lords, who arc ever fond of PoiverJ
have fent us a Bill which admits of their having a Share ii^
the Nomination of the Moufe of Commons : But I can't
guefs what fhould induce them to exped our Concurrence.|
Surety they cannot think fo meanly of us, that for the
Sake of continuing our Seats here, we (hould give into v(^hat
fo greatly affedb the Rights of thofe that fent us. Can
we be thought fo ungrateful, as to join in the Deflru6Uon
of the Power that raisM us ? Can they think us fo un^th-
ful, as to betray our Truft in this grofs Manner, by re -
nouncing our Relation to the People, and accepting from
the Crown, and from themfelves, a Renewal of our Rig^ht
to fit here ? Should they imagine us no longer to be influ-
ehcM by the Rules of Juftice and Morality ; yet methinks
they fhould allow as to have fome Senfe of Shame remain-
ing, which inufl give us Pain when we return into our
Countries, and look thofe in the Face whom we have fb
greatly injur'd.
* I would take Notice of a Matter that was mention^ in
the Debate, viz. * That fuppoiing this Bill Ihould undergo
the Forms us*d in the paflingof Bills, whether it would <^rry
with it the (^ligation of a Law ? Of this I own my felf
much in Doubt.
* The Powers we are intruded with, as Reprefentatives
of the People, appear in the Form of the Writ for fum*
moning the Parliament. And in the Indentures annexed to
the Return, the Writ recites, • Whereas we have thought
* £t to call a Parliament, touching divers urgent Afiairs,
* concerning Us, the State, and Defence of our Kingdom
* of Great Britain,' It then requires, * That the Sheriff do
* caufe two to be eleded Knights, &c. to ad in, and con-
* fent to what fhall be ordain'd by the Common Council* of
* Great Britain, fuper negotiis antediQu^ *
* The Indenture annex'dto the Return, anfwers the Writ,
viz. * That they have elected fuch and fuch to attend ac-
* cording to the Tenor of the Writ, and given *them full
* Power to ad in, and tonfent to^ all Things in the faid Par-
* liament, which fhall be by pommon Council and Confenc
* ordain'd, touching the State and Defence of his Majefty's
' Kingdom of Great Britain.' The Qh^^^ ^^ ^'» Whe«
ther the Authority thus given us to ad, touching the Defence
of theGovemment, does enable us to lay afide one of the three
great Eftates, the People, by denying ~them their Right of
ading by their Reprefentatives in Parliament, and confe-
quently their Share m the Legiilature ? Does the Power pot
into our Hands bv the People, juftify our turning the Dag-
ger into the Bowekof the Conftitution ? This Doubt is io-
creas'4»
y Google
( 95 )
creas'd by the Notion Aat prcvaird touching the InvaMty ^™*S,2**''
of the Statute of the i6th Car, I. c, 7. whereby that Parlia- V^^-^i^
ment was not to be diflblv'd but by an Aft of Parliament.
No A&. of Parliament was ever made for that Purpofe ;
which would certainly have been done, had the fubfequent
Parliament thought that a Law made in Diminution of the
People's Intereft in th^ Legiflature had been valid, [It is to hi
ehfir<u'dy that by an AS of the Coti<uention that met in April
1660, the Long parliament that met in 164O ixjas declared to he
iijfohv^d: But that AS nvas not confirmed hy Parliament^ as
moft of the other A3s of that Convention nuere hy the Statute of
the 1 '^th Car. II. f. 7.]
* I fliould be Very willing to hear anfwer'd what a worthy
Member who juft now (poke for committing the Bill, and
own'd his Sentiments alter'd touching the Triennial Aft, has
told the World in an excellent Treatife of his, [Meaning Mr
Molefworthf in his Preface to his Account of Denmark] * That
* no People can give away the Freedom of themfelves and
* their Pofterity : That fuch a Donation ought to be efteem'd
' of no greater Validity than the Gift of a Child, or of a
* Mad-man : That People can no more part yith their legal
* Liberties, than Kings can alienate their Crowns. ^
* Every Body is fenfible that thepublick Occaiions will rc-
qoire large Supplies ; and fhould fo much as a Doubt arife
in Men's Minds touching the Legality of the Taxes, it will
tend toincreafe the general Diflatisfadion, fo often menti-
oned in this Debate, and fubjed us to Hazard there is no Oc-
ca&m to run, did we content our felves with proceeding in
the common Methods, which the Ufage of many Ages does
jufUfy. For thefe Reafons I am againll committing the
Bin.
After Mr Bromley, Sir Robert Raymond fpokc likewife
againft the Bill as follows. ^
Mr. Speaker,
* I am very fenfible under what Difadvantage I muft JJ;^S*^J'
fpeak after fo long a Debate : I will therefore endeavour to «*««»« ^ »^
tontraft what occurs to me on this Subjedt, ^nd to avoid re-
peating what has been faid before by other Gentlemen, And
in what I have to offer, I (hall obferve this Method ; I will
firft confider the Arguments that have been us'd for this Bill,
#nd then give my Reafons why I am againft it.
* The Aiguments for the Bill are, I thmk, chiefly thefe:
* The Expences in Eleftions.
* The Animofitics and Divifions made and continued by
Triennial Eledions.
* The Advantages our Encfljiw paj^ tajce ofthcfe Animo-
(oei and Djrifions : And
' ^ Tk^
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' The Encouragement, I think no Gentleman has fpokc
f plainer, that this Bill will give to our Allies to treat with us,
and to enter into properi Alliances, for our mutual Bene£t
and Advantage. '
' As to the Expencesin Elections, it muft be acknowledge
that they are grown very fcandalous, as well as grievous and
burthenfome to the Gentlemen of England. They have in-
creased upon them, not from the Conteib of neighbouring
Gentlemen with one another, but from Strangers, by what
Influence or Diredlion I cannot tell, coming to their Boroughs,
who have no natural Intereft to recommend them, nothing
but Bribery and Corruption, which has put Gentlemen under
the Neceflity of great Expences to preferve their Intereils,
and ferve their Country. And you maft give me leave to
add, that another Caufe has been, the Impunity that Bribery
and Corruption have met with in this Hou(e, ^hen they
have been very notorious, and very fully deteded. But, I
fear, this Bill can be no Cure to that Evil, it will rat}ier in*
creafe it ; for as the Term of the Continuance of a Parlia-
ment is prolongM, fo the Expences will increafe with it. An
Annuity for feven Years deferves a better Coiifideration, than
for three; and thofe that will give Money to get into
Parliament, will give more for feven than for three Years.
Nothing will fo effedually prevent Expences, as Annual Par-
liaments : That was our ancient Conftitution, and ^very De-
parting from it, is ufually attended with great Inconveni-
ences.
• As for our Animofities and Divifions, I ain forry there
are any, but cannot believe this Bill will be a. Remedy for
thein. The Animoiitfes and Diviftons rais^ by Elections
are of a private Nature, and little aiFcd the Publick ; thofe
that do, are otherwife to be accounted for, which might have
been extinguifh'd ; but the Opportunities have been negled-
ed, and I wiih fome Perfons have not ftudyM rather to con-
tinue and increafe them, than to extinguilh them. I will
fpeak plainly on this Occaiion. I think the greateft Ani-
jmofities and Divifions, the greateft Difcontents and Uneafi-
xie/Tes now among us, have been owing to the unreaibnable
Refentments, Avarice, and Ambition of fome, and to the un-
accoimtable Folly and Madnefs of others.
^ 'i'^hat our Enemies will take Advantage of our Divifions,
IS not to be doubted, if it is in their Power ; but I muft ob-
ferve, I'Jhat fmce the Triennial A€t pafs'd, there have been
ten few^^ral Parliaments call*d, moft of them when you were
^ adually in War, your Animofities and Divifions great, and
ypur En emies vigilant ; yet no Inconveniences follow*d, nor
^vcre an^'y, as I have henni df« fo much as attempted at the
Times g'l f thofe EIeai(*n5.
iThc
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« The laft of the Argamentt I hive recited, is the tin- AnMf.eee;t
couragement this will give to your Allies to enter iato Trea- ^x^^ji%^
ties vnth you. No one fays they want this Encouragement i ^^^^7^
no one fays they ask it ; fo that I may condnde this is only
a Pretence. I ihould be ibrry we had fach Allies as would
not treat with his Majefty without our giving up oar Coofli*
totion. Should the like be ask'd of them, they would cer*
tainly entertain fuch a Propofition with the Contempt and In*
dignation it deferv'd. But what you are now going to do»
inlead of ftren^thening the King's Hands, will, I am per-
fwaded, leflen him in the Opinion of his Allies ; for this is '
DTOclaiming to the World, that he dares not call a new P^*
ham^t ; that he dares not truftthe People in a new Choice*
Befides, not daring to caH a new Parliament, carries along
with it a Suppofition to the Diihononr of this Houie ; for it
foppofes that another Houfe of Commons would ad difie*
rently from the prefent ; which is to confefs that this Houfe
does not truly repreient the People ; that they and their
Reprefentatives are of different Minds ; and that if they
were to chufe again, they would chufe Men of other Princi-
{4es, of other Sentiments.
• I will not trouble you farther with Anfwers to the Ar-*
guments for this Bill i thofe againft it, that weigh moft with
me, are thefe : That frequent new Parliaments are our Con-
ftitution ; that a long Parliament is plainly deftrudive of the
Sal]jed*s juft Right, and many Ways inconfiftent with the
Goodof the Nation. Is it reafonable any particular Men
ihould for a long Time cngrofs fo great a Trull, cxclufivc of
others ; Can it be of Advantage to the Publick, that the
Counties, Cities, and Boroughs, ffaould be long confined to
diofe they have once choien, their Intei:elb admitting of
great Varisuion in Length of Time ?
* Frequent new Parliaments are ourConfHtution, and the
OJling and Holding of them was for many Ages the Prac-
tice. Before die Conqueft, Parliaments were held three
Times every Year, at Chriftmas, Eafter, and Whitfuntide.
In Edwanl the III, Time it was enaded, * That Parlia-
• ments (hould be holden every Year once, or oftnerif need
be.' This muft be underftood of new Parliaments, for Pro-
rog^ons and long Adjournments were not then known ; they
were never heard of *till later Years. They began in Henry
the VIII, Time, that Prince and his Minifters knowing long
Pkrlkments were bcft fitted to make great Changes. They
were therefore Inventions when extraordinary Things were
to be done; when what was then the Church was to be alter'd^
and the Church-Lands to be taken away. There is nothing
•f this Sort now, I hope, intended. From that Timeoirf^
Hiftories tell us, that wbtn ever the feme Parliament were
Vol.* I* N long
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mmt, Geo. L long continued, or the Meetings of Parliaments long difcomi'
^^iSJJjiiwy nucd, they gave great Uneafincfs. In the unfortunate Reign
- V^^^ ^f IQng Charles I, there had been an Intermiffion of Par-
liaments twelve Years, which produc'i an A6t in the iix-
teenth Year of that King) For the presenting the Incontfeniences
happening by long Inter mifjhn of Parliaments. That A^, in
the Preamble, recites the Law made in the Reign of Edward
the III, * That Parliaments ought to be held every Year once ;
* but that the Appointment of Time and Place belonged to his
* Majefty and his Royal Progenitors : And that it had been
* found by Experience, great Inconveniences and Mifchiefs had
* happened to the King, and to the Commonwealth, by not
* holding Parliaments accordingly.' And for the Prevention of
the like for the future, it enads, * That the faid Laws fhall
^ be ftridly obfervM ; and that in cafe there be an Intemiif*
* iion of the fitting of Parliament for three Years together,
* if there is a Parliament in being, that Parliament fhall be
* diflblv'd,' and very e3rtravaganc Powers were given for the
Calling and Affembling of another ; * And every fuch Parlia-
* ment was not to be diflblv'd of fiity Days, without their
* own Confent.' This extraordinary Step was foonfollow'd,
by an Aft intituled 'Hfat the Parliament Jhould not be diJol<u^d,
frorogiidj or adjourn' d^ but by A3 of Parliament ; nor the Houfes
of Parliament adjourned but by them/elves refpiBively, I need
not be particular in recounting the Confequences of this A£l of
Parliament ; for every one knows, that Set of Men, when they
had thus continued themfelves, never ilopp'd 'till they had
murder 'd the beft of Princes, and entirely fubverted our Con-
^tution both in Church and State.
* Soon after the Reftoration of King Charles II, the Aft
for the preventing the Inconveniences happening by the long
IntermiiTion of Parliaments was repealed, becaufe derogatory
to the Prerogative, and becaufe it might be an Occaiion of
anany Mifchiefs and Inconveniences, and endanger the pub-
lick Peace and JSafety ; but at the fame Time it is dedar'd
and enadled, * That becaufe, by the ancient Laws and
* Statutes, Parliaments are to be held very often, the fitting
* and holding of Parliaments fhall not be mtermitted above
* three Years at the moft.' This Law not having been io
well obferv'd, as it ought to have been at the Revolution in
the Convention-Parliament, when it, was thought neceflary to
declare the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, after many
Breaches' had been made upon them, it was, among other
Thills, declared, * That Parliaments ought to be held fre-
quently.' And what follows in that A61 is very firong^
for it declares and enadls, * That all and fmgular the Rights
< and Liberties afTerted and claim'd in the faid Declaration^
* "" ties of the ~
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* are the indubitable Rights and Liberties of the People of
« thif
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* this Kingdom, and (b ihall be efteem'd, Moiw'd, adjudg'd, Ataat. Oto.a
' and taken to be ; and all the Particulars thereof ihall be . JT^;.
' firmly and fbidly holden and obferv'd, as they are ex-
' preis*d in the faid Declaration/ The Right daim'd and
aflerted, is, * That Parliaments ought to be held frequently i
And ioon after a new Parliament was callM, which fate
annually : Bat this was not look'd upon < to be a comply-
ii^ with the Right claimM, and therefore, after that Par-
li;mient had fat three Times, in the fourth SeiEon it was
tliought neceilary to come to a farther Explication, and a
Bill pafs'd both ^oufes, but was reje^ed by the Throne,
F$r the frequint Meeting and Calling of Parliaments, Others-
were attempted in the next Seifion, and it is well known how
diey came to mifcarry in this Houfe s but in the fucceedins;
Seiiion, a Bill pafs'd both Houfes, and had the Royal Ai-
ient. That is the A6t this Bill is to alter : But before it is
altered, I hope it will be (hewn, that what is aflerted in the
Preamble, is miftaken, and has prov'd otherwife. In the
Preamble two Things are aflerted, * That by the ancient Laws
* and Statutesof the Kingdom, frequent Parliaments ought to
' be held ; and that frequent new Parliaments tend very much
* to the happy Union and good Agreement of the King and
* his People. The firft Propofition is inconteflable ; and the
latter, I think, will not be deny'd ; for frequent and new
Parli^ents create a Confidence between the King and his
People, a yery neceflary Step towards an Union and good A-
greement. li the King would be acquainted with his Peo^ .
pie, and have more the Hearts of them, thi& is the furefl:
Way ; and I am perfwaded this Houfe will never confent to
any Thing that may prevent the one, and intercept the other,
* I cannot entertain fo unworthy a Thought of this
lioufe, that any Gentleman in it would at tins Time, in-
direct Terms, be for perpetuating tbemfelves ; yet if diey
confimt to this Bill, I fliall reckon they are doing it ; for
tho' it only prolongs this Parliament for feven Years, I can-^
not doubt but her^ter there will be another for continuing
it longer ; becaufe, before the End of this Term, the Rea*
fons wiU probably be ftronger for it, than they are now 9
Neither can I imagine that Gentlemen are afraid to truib
the Peoples Choice again : Do they think that the great aiidf
memorable Things this Parliament has done for the Service-
and Benefit of their Country, will make them lefs accep-
table to the People ? No one will (ay fo ; and then 1 fee no
Reafon why they fliould be for making this Alteration im>
our Laws and Conflitution, which will certainly have a very
illEffea upon the Minds of the People : For they will.be
rpady to fay, and with Reafon, that after the Expiration of
cbs ^^e Yearsi you are no longer their Reprcfentativcs,
N z beca^l^
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4in»i.0ce.L btcaafe they clioic yoa to (erve them no longer. With
^^^^^^Ly great Sabmiffion I ipeak it, in my poor Opinion, King,
irds, and Commons, can no more continue a Parliament
beyond its natural Duration, than they can make a Parlia-
ment. I know at extraordinary Jundlures, Conventions
have been tum*d into Parliaments ; but it has been thought
lidvifeable foon to determine them, and to pafs A^ in the
JTubfequent legd Parliaments, to confirm what they have
dxme. And I make no doubt, but if this Bill pailes into a
Law, and this Parliament is continued more than three
Years, there will be an A£t in the fuccceding Parliament to
confirm whatever fhall be done after the three Years. There
|8 an Inflance in your Statute-Book, where all the Ads of
9 Parliament were declared void, and repeaPd, becaufe the
Padiament was unlawfully fummon*d^ and the Members
liotduly chofen.
* I need not urge ferther, that the wifeft Governments
^t have preferved a Face of Liberty, have never continued
thofe long, with whom they have intruded the fupreme
Power.
* That by this Bill, you have all the Mifchief of a loi^
Paiiiament, without any of the Good of a (hort one.
* That a (binding Parliament and a (landing Army are
convertible, and only neceflary to fupport one another.
* And that there can be no Occafion for this Bill at this
Time, becaufe this Parliament may have two more Seffions,
if the King pleafes.
« But as I have already taken up fo much of your Time,
I ihall only add, that for the Reafons I have given, I am a-
gainft committing this Bill.
Thefe were the chief Arguments that were urg'd on
either Side, for and againft the Bill i and upon the whole
Matter it was refolv'd, by a Majority of 284 againft 162,
that the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole
Houfe.
Petitioiwpwfenied * Jfril ^5. Two Petltipns againft the (aid fiill, one of
^T^iSSA the Borough of Hor(ham, the other of We(tbury, were prc-
fented to the Houfe and read : The laft of them was oi^
der'd to lie on the Table ; but the Houfe taking Oficncc
at an Expreffion in that from Horiham, vi?. * That they
• look'd upon it as an Overturning of the ConfBtution, and
. * as an Infringement of their Liberties, * rejedcd their Pe-
TcSStTS^ "tion. After this Mr Lechmere moved, and the Quefboa
S"4^"1j"-" ^^5 propofed. That it be an InftrudUon to the Committee
?iiiauneai. of the wholc Houfe, to whom the (aid Bill was committed,
that they have Leave to receive a Claufe, to di(able Pcr-
fons from being choic Mccibej^s pf ^ither |Ioufe? pf Parlia-
" ' " in^i?f>
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ment, who have Peiifions during neafbre, or any Number Aanot. go«.i.
of Years : But General Stanhope having reprefented, that v^^^V>^
foch a Claufe would but dog the Bill, and endanger its Mif-
carriage^ Part of it being derogatory to the Privileges of
the Hode of Lords ; and that if any Jealoufy were enter-
tained of the Members of the Houfe of Commons having
Penfions from the Crown, a Bill might be brought in to ex-
chde them; the previous Queftion being put, that the
Queftion be now put, it paffed in the Negative. Then the
Houfe, in a Grand Committee, of which Mr Hampden was
Cliairman, went thro' the Bill, and direded it to be reported
without any Amendment; which being done, the Houfe
ordered it to be read the third Time the next Day. Afbr
this General Stanhope moved, and it was ordered accord-
li^y^ That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to di&ble
any Perfon from being chofe a Member of, or fitting and
voting in, the Houfe of Commons who has any Penfion '
daring Pleafure, or for any Number of Years, from the
Crown ; and tl^t General Stanhope, Mr Craggs, and Mr
Bofcawen, do prepare and bring in the fa^ne.
April 26. Two P^itions againft the faid Bill, one of "**^^'^^?
die Borough of Caerdiffe, the odier qf Petersfield, being pre- ^TtJ^^!3L
fented to the Houfe, and read, were ordered to lie upon the
Table. After which, the Bill was read a third Time, and
upon Mr Hampden's Motion, the Queftion was put. That
the Bill do pafe, which occafion'd a Debate that Med J^dSg^^f^f^?*^
about two Hours. Thofe who fpoke againft the Bill, were scptcnma^Biiu
Mr Freeman, Mr Hungerford, Mr Wykes, and Lord Finch, mJISS?*
who were feveraUy anfwer'd by Sir Richard Steele, Mr JJj ^^""^
Brfcawen, Sir William Xhompfon, Mr Erie, Mr Tufiiell, }^'iy'^^^, .
in- ¥«.««* Sir Richard Steele
and Sir John Brownlow. Mr Bofcawen.
Mr Freeman and Mr Hungerford having, among other MrE^riLJ^°"^"'
Things, infifted. That no fatisfaftory Anfwer had yet been sir John Brownlow.
made, either as to the Truft repos'd in the Commons by
their Principals, or as to the repealing the Triennial Aft
Now, Mr Tufoell, Member for Maiden, made thereupon
the following Speech.
Mr Speaker,
• I think the only Queftion before us is. Whether the Mr Tufndi**
Triennial Ad, as it now ftands, or as it is proposed to be Speech for the Biu
alter'd by this Bill, is likely to conduce moft to the Benefit
of the Publick ? However, fmce in this Debate there has
been a good deal faid of the Conftitution of Parliaments, I
muft beg Leave to mention a Word or two on that Subjeft.
*- That Parliaments were anciently to be held annually,
appears by two Afts made, the one in the 4th, the other
^ ^ 56th Qf E4ward IIL But th,Q' they were tovbe held
' ' ■ ' " ginnuall^;^
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to a. Geo. I. ammally, or oftncr if Occaiion ihoald be, in order to rcmc-
*'* dy the Grievances of the People, yet I can't find that there
ever was any Time limited for Eledlions : But as the
Crown had always the Power of diflblving, fo likewife of
calling a Parliament whenever they thought fit. There was
indeed a Triennial A61 made in the i6th of Charles I, Ta
frevent the Inconveniences njubich mcvf arift hy the long Inter-
miffiott of Parliaments j and* therefore it provided, * That
* there fhould be a Seffion once in three Years j ' but by no
Means limited any Time for the Duration of Parliaments.
Thisv Ad was repealed in the i6th of Charles II, becaufe
there were fome Provifions made in it, which were look*d
upon as a Derogation to the Rights of the Crown. I be-
lieve I may venture to fay, the firft Reflridtion which ever
the Crown lay under, as to the Continuance of Parliaments,
was in the 6th of William and Mary. Then fprang up the
Triennial Law, which is the Subjedl of our prefent Debate ;
and which, however well defign'd, was certainly an Inno-
vation, 'till then unheard of. So that what is now offered in
this Bill, is only, in fome Meafure^ t6 reinilate the Crown
in that Power which it had always enjoy'd. And I can't
but be furpriz'd, that thofe Gentlemen who have hitherto
boailed themfelves to be the zealous Aflertors of the Preror
gative of the Crown, fhould of a fudden be fo fond of a
Law which undoubtedly is a very great Diminution of it,
I hope I fhall not be mifunderftood, as if this were the only
Reafon which induces me to approve of the prefent Bill :
No, though I fhall always have a due Regard to the Pre-
rogative, yet if I could imagine that this Bill would prove
the lead Detriment to the Publick, the leafl Infringement
of the Liberties of my Fellow-Subjedls, my Vote fhould
never flatter any Crown, fo far, as to revive fuch a Pre-
rogative,
* The Defign of this Bill is only to enlarge the Time for
the Continuance of Parliaments, by making them Septennial
inflead of Triennial. Of the Law, as it now flands, we have
already had the Experience about two and twenty Years ; and
what Advantage have we gain'd ? Has it ever anfwer'd one
fingle End for which it was intended ? On the contrary, has
it not produced the mofl mifchievous Effedls ? What endlcf*
Divifions has it created among Neighbours, Friends, nay,
the oeareft Relations ? How has it ruin'd Gentlemen's Eftates,
Made them not only Beggars, but Slaves to the very mean-
^fl of the People ? What a Scene of Corruption has it every
where introduced ? How has it debauch'd the Morals of the
Ration ? Even the Adminiftration of Provincial Juftice,
which has always been efteem'd the Glory of our Conftitution,
has been infeftcd: And J wiih the Infedtion n^y have .^-each'd
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no farther. Thcfe arc fome of the fiital Confeqaencet we ^^^-^^
have alrea4y experienced by this Triennial Law ; and thofe '^
alone, in my humble Opinion, would be fuffident Reafons
for the Alteration of it. However, let us confider the pre-
fent Circumftances of our Affairs. In order to it, let us a
little look back to the Original of our Misfortunes : And are
they not owing to that unreafonable Cry of the Danger of
the Church, under the fpecioos Pretence of fuf^rting the
Church of England, though manifelUy in Favour of that of
Rome ? That unhappy Delufion, which has been fo induftri*
ouily, fo malicioufly fpread, and fo fatally indulged ! Let us
confider that unnatural, unprovoked Rebellion, which has
fo lately rag*d among us i and that fuUen groundlefs Spirit
of Diicontent which ilill lies murmuring in fo many traiter*
ous BreafiSk And notwithflanding that Indifference, nay Con-
tempt, with which I hear, the Argument of oar Alliances treat-
ed by^ome Gentlemen, I muff own I cannot but think there
ought to be a gbod deal of Strefs laid upon it : For how can
we imagine, that any Foreign Powers will readily enter into
any Treaties with us, for our Advantage, without fome Secu*
ri^ that they (hall be made effe£bial, as long as our Govern-
ment is fubjed to fuch a Fluftuation, an^ as it were Trien-
nial ? Elpecially if it be con£derM in how (hameful and how
ii^amous a Manner the Grand Alliance was broken ; the Faith
of Treaties violated ; the Credit of this Nation funk ; its la-
tere^ betray'd ; our ancient and bed Allies abandoned, and
ill treated ; new ones fought for, and carefs'd, with no other
Defign, but to make us a more eafy Prey to the Pretender ?
Nay, have we not too juft Ground to fufped that this Caufe
has aJl along been underhand fupported by thefe very Allies,
the old inveterate Enemiesof our ConiHtution, who are al-
ways envious of our Profperity, and only wait a fair Oppor-
tunity to give us frefli Diilurbances ? And could their Vigi-
lance^ their artful Management, and their Treafure, join'd
with the unwearied Endeavours of a refUeis Fadion at Home»
procure an Eledion in their Favour, what would be the Con-
fequence, but to unloofe the Doors of your Prifons, to fee
Traitors once more at the Head of your A^irs, to give them
an Opportunity of re-a£ting their former unfinifh'd Scenes of
Treachery, to make you a tributarv Province to France, aiad
for ever compleat the Ruin of the4 Kingdoms ? To fee the
Britiih Honour thus profUtated, the once Arbitreis of Eu-
rope thus infultcd ; thefe Things, I iay, ought to raife in
every Britiih Breaft a juft Refentment of the Injuries of his
Country, After all, I am fenfible there have been feveral
Ofajeftions made againft this fiill, which carry an Air of Po-
poliuity with them ; yet which, upon Examination, miift i^
peir to be of no re^l Weightr I iball take Notice of bat
one
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Anno£^Geo.L 006 or tMO of die moft confideiable» left I ihould ereQ>a(s too
pS^^m,,,. for on yowr Indulgoice. It is* faid, oor Eledors cnofe us
their lUprefentadves but for three Years, and that we can^t
prolong the Term without betraying that Truft which they
have rqpos'd in us. In Anfwer to which I muft defire Gen-
demen to coaMer the Nature of the Writs of Summons, and^
the Returns to them : Is it not to coniiilt de Rebus arduis
Regni ? and that they ihould have plenam & fufficiiiUm F«*
iefiatem pro Je et Communitate Comttatus fnadiSi^ ^ pnedic^
torum Civium & Burgorum, dinjifim ab ipfis^ ad faciendum,
fuod de communi Confilio ordinari eontigerit in Ft^tmiffit : I/m
fuod pro diJeQu b^ufmodi Potiftath Negoiia pradi3a infiSn
9on remaneant ? Nay, may not th^ lame Objedlion be made
^ainft the repealing or altering ijxy Law in Force at the
"nme of an Ele^on, and confequently defeat the very End
for which a Parliament is chofen ? And I ihould be glad to
know what particular Authority they were invefted witS, who
made the Triennial Law, which was certainly a great Alte-
zadon of the Conftitution ? There is another Thing which I
find is very much initfted on, and that is, Suppofing this Bill
were reafonable, yet why now, ? Becaufe 'tis now there'^s the
moft Occafion for ij. Are we not every Day threatened with
new Infurrediions, new Invafions ? And is it not the Profped
of Succefs at the next Eledion, however ill-grounded, which
ftiU keeps alive the Spirit of Jacobitifm ?
* No Wonder then there are fuch Clamours raised without
Doors againft this Bill, by the Enemies to our Government^
as well knowing that this muft prove its beft Security ; that
it muft effedually defeat their Meafures ; that it muft ftrike
^ the very Foundation of all their traiterous Deiigns ; and
for ever blaft the Pretender's Hopes of rekindling the Flames
of Rebellion. In ihort, I am fo entirely convinced, not only
of the Reafonableneif, but of the abfolute Nece^ty of this
SiU, in order to put an End to our unbaj^y Diviftons, to ftop
that raging Deluge of Corruption which is fb univeHally
fpread throughout the whole Nation, to make the Crown ^
<sUy <m his Majefty's Head, and perpetuate the Proteftant
Succeffion in his Royal Family i and at the fame Time, that
it is no ways prejudicial to thb Rights and Liberties of the
&il;je£b of Great Britain ; diat how ill foever a Reommien-
^tion it may be to any future ElefUon, if I can have but
the Pleaiure to fee my Country fecur'd, to fee thefe Ble&gs
fix'd upon a folid and lafting Foundation, and if i can have
but the Honour to contribute the leaft Share towards fb glo*
nous a Work, my Ambition will be Efficiently rewarded, tho*
I ihould, by this Day's Vote, for ever after be excluded a
Place in this Hoofe.'
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The Lord Guernfey having, in the Cotufe o^ this Debate, Anno t,cie<kL
aflfertcd, • That if a Man did not fall into aH the Mcafurcs J^^^^;^.^
of the Minifhy, and lap with them like the Men of Gideon, Lor^ ouctI^]^
he was inamediately Brow-beaten.' Mr Bofcawen anfwcr'd, MrBjfcawcn,
' That that honourable Member was of another Opinion not
many Weeks before ; fo that what he now faid muft proceed
dther from Refentment or Difappointment.' Sir John
Brownlow (aid, ' That for his own Fart, he neither expefted ^'"^' »n»''a^'
nor looked for a Place : That he would not have been for
tins Bill during the lall Miniftry, becaufe he was fure they
would have made an ill Ufe of it, but that he was for it
Now, becaufe he was fatisfied the prefent Minifters would not
abafe it/
Upon the whole Matter the Queftion being put, That the ThcBuifor rmai*
ffill do pafs, it was carry'd in the Affirmative by 264 Votes *^ i^"^'^
againft 121 ; and Mr Hampden was ordered to carry the H;»«iwr^
Ml back to the Lords.
May 2. The Lords having fent down tq the Commons a
Bill, intitled, j^n A& for allowing (f Counfel to all Perfons
twbo Jhall be proceeded againft in parliament for any Crimes b!1i fent from the
ifTreafiUf or Miffrifion of7reafon ; to which they delir*d the J^fJ^'«^*^fc ^
Concurrence of the Commons, the faid Bill ^ras read the ^tOt th^own'^t^ tbt
Time ; and after fome Debate, the Queftion being put. That ^®°»°**«*-
it be read a fccond Time, it pafs'd in the Negative.
By this Bill Counfel for Prifoners, in Cafes of High Trea-
foa, were to be permitted to fpeak to Matters of Fad as well
as Points of Law.
Nothing ' farther material happened in the Houfe^ during
this Seffion ; but perhaps it may not be improper to take No-
tice, that the King having refolv*d to vifit his German Do*
minions ; and by the Adl of Setdetoient his Majefty being re-
fbain^d from going out of the Kingdom, without Confent of J^? ^^ f^rtt
Parliament, a Motion was made by Sir John Cope, and fe^ frompngout of
tended by Mr Hamp<kn, for bringing in' a Bill to repeal ^^'«^*»"' '•*
that Claufe of the faid Ad ; which Bill was accordingly
brought in Nem, Con, and paft into a Law.
June 7.6* The King went to the Houfe of Peers, and
the Commons attending, his Majefty gave the Royal Aflent
to fcveral publick and private Bilh ; after wMch the Lord
Chancellor read the following Speech delivered into his Hands
by his Majefty from the Throne.
• My Lords and Gentlemen,
" T Cannot put an End to this Seffion, without exprcfliftg King^s Speech at.
" Itayoumy Sadsfadion in the Proceedings of this Par- J^^*""*^*^
•* liament. The wholefome and neceflary Laws which have
" been pafe'd with fo much Steadinef^, Refolution, and Una-
•• nimity, will, I truft in God, anfww thofc good Endi
Vol. I O ' whi«h;r
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" whichj it is evident, you have had in View, by defeating
" the Dcfigns and reducing the Spirit of our Enemies, by
** encouraging our Friends, and raifing the Credit and Re-
" putation of the Nation Abroad to fuch a Degree, as that I
" may reafonably expeft the Fruits of a fettled Government ;
** cfpecially being fupported by a Parliament *zealous for the
" Frofperity of their Country, and the Proteftant IntereH
" of Europe.
** I am confident my Condud hitherto, in fuppreffing the
** Rebellion, and puniftiing thofe concerned in it, has been
** fuch, as demonftrates that I defire rather to le£en tl^eir
*' Numbers by reclaiming them, than by making Examples ;
** but I am forry to find that the numerous Inftances of Mercy
** which I have fhewn, have had no other Effed, than to en-
** courage the Fadion of the Pretender, to renew their In-
«* fults upon my Authority, and the Laws of the Kingdom^
" and even to afFedl, with the greateft Infolence, to diftin-
** guifh themfelves from my good and faithful Subje£is, ading
** with fuch Folly and Madnefs, as if they intended to con-
** vince the World, that they are not to be reduced to Quiet
*' and Submiffion to my Government, by fuch gentle Methods
** as are moft agreeable to my own Inclinations.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
** I return you, in particular, my Thanks for the Supplies
*• you have given-; which, although they fall fhort of the
«* Sums you found neceiTary, and have voted, for the Ser -
<« vice of the whole Year'; yet, by the Encouragement yea
" have given to make them efFe£lual, may, I hope, be fb
** manag'd as to carry on the current Service 'till another
*.* Sefiion of Parliament.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** I am very fenfible there are Matters of great Confe-
** quence ftill depending before you ; but as they have hither-
** to been poftpon'd, out of abfolute Neceffity, by interve-
" ning Affairs of a more prefilng Nature and of the moft
•' immediate Concern to the Peace and Safety of the Nation,
«< I thought the Seafon of. the Year rcquir'd I fhould defer
•* your farther Proceedings 'till the next Sefiion, rather
•* than you Ihould be detained out of your refpedive Coun-
** tries longer than could be confillent with your private
<« Concerns.
** I cannot doubt but that, during this Recefs, you will
** all ufe your beft Endeavours to preferve the Peace of the
" Kingdom, and to difcourage and fupprefs all Manner of
*< Diforders, fince, as the firft Scene of the late Reoellion
" was open'd and ufher'd in by Tumults and Riots, fo you
" may be afTur'd, upon what Pretence foever they are rais'd,
<« they can have no other Tendency, bm \q fupport the Spi-.
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« rit of a Fa£lion, rcftlefi and unwcary'd in their Endca- Aniio».ceo.i.
" votirs to renew the Rebellion, and tofubvert the Religion, s^y^^>^r\M
•* Laws, and Liberties of tiieir Country. ArN^
" r^elign to make Ufe of the approaching Recefs, to viiit
" my Dominions in Germany^ and to provide for the Peace
" and Security of the Kingdom, during my Abfence, by
*' coilllituting my beloved Son, the Prince of Wales, Guar-
" diaJi of the Realm, and my Lieutenant within the fame.
Then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majelly's Command,
prorogued the Parliament to the 7th Day of Augull j after The PauUtmci^
which they were farther prorogued to the ?oth of Fcbru- ^'*'**'^*
ary, 1716-17.
SPEECHES and DEBATES
In the Second Session of the
Ftrfl Parliament of Ktng G'e o r o e L
THE King came to theHoufe of Peers, on the 20th Annoj.ce»,L
of February, and the Commons being fent for and *^* '^*
attending, the Lord Chancellor read his Majeily>
Speech, as follows :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" T Was in Hopes that the Succefs which it pleas'd God to ^J^ ^^cSii
" jL give us, in defeating the late Rebellion, might have scSoiu ^
" fecur'd to the Nation, Peace, Plenty, and Tranquility.
" My Endeavours have not been wanting, during your
** Recefs, to improve the happy Profped whiqh was in View,
" by entering into'fuch Negotiations as I judg'd moft condu-
" cive to thofe good Ends ; ' and 'tis with Pleafure lean ac-
" quaint you, that many Defefts in the Treaty of Utrecht^
" which \^ty nearly affeded the Trade, and even the Secu-
" rity of thefe Kingdoms, have been remedied by fubfequenc
** Conventions ; the happy Confequences of which have aI-»
" ready very fenfibly appeared by the flourifhing Conditioai
^' of our Trad# and Credit.
" By the Affiance lately concluded with France and the.
*^ States-General, we are foon to be eas'4 of all future Ap-
** prehenfions from Dunkirk and Mardyke \ the Pretender-
** is adually m oved beyond the Alps j his Adherents are
Ji deprived of ;dl Hopes of Support and Countenance from
O z. ^ " Fran<» i
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Aww l^^^*^' " France ; and even the Affiftan^e of that Crown is ftipm
'7« '7. . „ 1^^^^ ^^ ^g jj^ ^^^ ^^ Exigency.
" It icem'd reafonable to expe^, that fuch a Situation of
** Affairs at Home and Abroad ihould have recovered, from
" their Delufion, all fuch of our Subjedls as had unhappily
** been feduced by the Craft and Wickednefs of defperate
" and ill-defigning Men, and thereby have afforded me the
** Opportunity which I defir*d, of following the natural Bent
♦* of my own Inclinations to Lenity, by opening this Seffion
" with an Aft of Grace ; but fuch is the obftinateand invc-
" terate Rancour of a FadUon amongft us, that it hatA again
** prompted them to animate and ftir up foreign Powers, to
" diflurb the Peace of their native Country : They will
^* choofe rather to make Britain a Scene of Blood and Con-
^* f ufion, and to venture even the putting this Kingdon^ un-
♦* der a foreign Yoke, than give over their darling Defign of
** impofing a Popifh Pretender.
" I have order'd to be laid before you Copies of Liters
*' which have pafs'd between the Swedifh Minifters on this
♦* Occafion, which contain a certain Account of a projeAcd
" Invafion 5 and I promife my felf, from your expericnc'd
♦' Zeal and AfFeftion to myPerfon and, Government, that
** you will come to fuch Refolutions as will enaUe me, by
f' the Blefling of God, to defeat all the Defigns of our
*^ Enemies againft us,
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
*' I did hope the putting an End to the late Rebellion
^* would have fo far fecur'd the, Peace and Tranquility of
<* the Nation, that I might, confiftently with the Safety of
** my People, have made a confiderable Redudion of the
** Forces ; but the Preparations which are making from A-
^' broad to invade us oblige me to ask fuch Supplies, as you
" fhall find abfolutely neceflary for the Defence of the
^* Kingdom.
* " You are all fenfible of the infupportable Weight of the
** National Debts, which the PubUck became engag'd for
♦' from the Neceffity of the Times, the PrefTures of a long
** and expenfiVe War, and the languifhing State of Publick
" Credit ; but the Scene being now fo happily chang'd, if
<* no new Difturbances (hall plunge us again into Streights
^* and Difficulties, the general Expe£lation feems to require
^* of you, that you fhould turn your Thoughts towards fome
^ Method of extricating your felves, by kducing, by Dct
^* grees, the Debts of the Nation. ' ,
My Lords and Gentlemen,
^* I have an entire Confidence in you, and have therefore
^ nothing to ask, but that you would take fuch Meafures as
i^ will bejk fecure your Rdigign and Jiberties : While you
y prefeiTvc
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^ prefenre thofe ineftimable B]ding$« I (hall fit eafy and (afe ahm 3. Geo. u
* on my Throne, having no oAer View but the Happineis Vi^^Sfli^^
** and Profpcrity of my People.
The Commons being returned to their Houfe, General Cen. sbahope layt
Stanhope^ by his Majefty's Command, laid before them Co- o^ i^tJ?"!S
pies of Letters which pafs*d between Count Gyllenborg, the ^^«S swcSS**
Barcms Gortz and Sparre, and others, relating to the Defign
of raifing a Rebellion in his Majefly^s Domimons, to be fup-
ported by a Force from Sweden ; and the laid Copies were
read in the Houfe : After which, Mr. Thomas Onflow moF*d JtP***^'*
for an Addrefs of Thanks to his Majefty. He was Seconded ^xtiM^rr£^
by Sir John Brownlow, who faid, *That we had no need of sirjoimBnnr«io«.
the King of Sweden to maintain the Engliih Liberties and
fi^pport the Church of England.* This in Count Gyllen-
borg^s and Baron Gortz's Letters, was hinted to be the Pre-
tence of the intended Invafion. Mr. Huneerford took this y, HanaifiirtL
Occafion to fay, * That he was forry to find that a Member
he had in his Eye \meanii^ Mr, Robert fFalpoU,'\ was men*
tion^d in thofe Letters ; but that he had the Honour to de-
fend him formerly, and would be ready to do the like for
the future.'
FebruMj 21. The Commons made their Orders, and came
to the Refolutions ufual at the opening of a new Seflion ;
Then Mr. Tho. Onflow reported the Addrefs to his Majefty,
which was read and agreed to by the Houfe; after which,
they order'a, Nem, Con. that a Bill fliould be brought in to
au^orize his Majefty to prohibit Commerce with Sweden, ABiUordefdtobe
daring (uch Time as his Majefty fliould think it necefl!ary KSi?^^;;!^ ''"*"
for the Safety and Peace of his Kingdom. A Member having ^i^ swedeiu
mov'd foT declaring War againft Sweden, Gen. Stanhope
faki ; * That it was Time enough to do that, if the King of
Sweden refused to difown the Practices of hisMinifters.'
February, 22. The Houfe prefented the following Ad-
drefs to the King.
Mod gracious Sovereign,
* ^trOUR Majefty's dutiful and loyal Subjeas, the Com- ^^ comww
* JL mons of Great Britain in Parliament aifembled, re- Addrci«.
' turn your Majefty their humbleft Thanks for your moft
* gracious Speech from the Throne.
* Your Majefty 's fafe and happy Return into your King-
* doms gave an univerfal Joy to all your People j and as the
* prudent Adminiftration of the Government by his Royal
* Highnefs jhe Prince of Wales, under your Majefty, did
* in fome Degree make the Want of your Royal Prefence
* more eafy to us, we beg Leave to congratulate your Ma-
« Jeftjr u|)on th? Pcac^? 9^ Security that, during your Maje-
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.Ged.L « fty's Abfence, was, by the great Care of his Royal
Highnefs, preferv'd in the Kingdom, to the general Satis-
* fadion of all your Subjedls.
* We can never fufficiently acknowledge the repeated In-
* fiances of your Majefty's Goodnefs, and unweary'd Con-
* cern for the Welfare of your Kingdoms j we fee with Ad-
* miration many of the fatal Dcfeds of the Treaty of
* Utrecht, and the great Difadvantages that were imposed
* upon this Nation, at the Head of a vidorious Army and
* powerful Confederacy, happily remedied by your Majeily,
* even in the Midft of intefUne Dangers and Troubles. Your
* confummate Wifdom has renew'd thofe Alliances that were
* bafely betrayed and diflblv'd, and concluded fuch new
* Treaties as may render the Peace fafe and lafting ; and we
* are at a Lofs to determine, . whether in future Ages the
* fuffcringthe Demolition of the Port of Dunkirk to be ican-
* daloufly evaded, will be a greater Reproach, or the pro-
* curing the Dellrudlion of the Sluices of Mardyke a greater
* Honour, to the Britifh Nation.
* We cannot at the famfe Time, but with the higheft Kh-
* fentment and Indignation, look upon the obftinate and
* inveterate Rancour of thofe who are again endeavouring
* to embroil their native Country in Blood and Confufion.
* It is aftoniihing to finjl, that any, who call themfelves
* Proteftarits, can be fo inflexible and reftlefs in their En-
* deavours, to impofe upon us a Popifh Pretender; and
* rather venture to fubjed the Kingdom to a foreign Yoke,
* than depart from their darling and avow'd Deiign of alter-
* ing and fubverting the prefent happy Eftablilhment in the
* Proteftknt Succeflion.
* W.e adore the* watchful Eye of Heaven, that has fo
* wonderfully guarded and protected your facred Perfon, and
* cannot too much extol the Wifdom and Vigilance that have
* been us'd in fo early and feafonably difcovering this de-
' fperate Attempt. And in order moft eiFeftually to defeat
* if, your faithful Commons, with Hearts fincerely zealous
* in the Caufe of their King and Country, affure your M;^
* jelly, that they will to the utmoft ftand by and fupport
* your Majeily againft all your Enemies at Home and
* Abroad, that Ihall in any Manner prefume to aid or abet
* the Pretender to your Crown, and will moil chearfully
' grant to your Majefty fuch Supplies as {hall be found ne-
* cefTary for the Safety of your Royal Perfon, and the De-
' fence of the Kingdom,
* We are all but too fenfible of the unfupportable Weight
* of the National Debts, and therefore will not negled to
* apply our felves with all poffible Diligence and Attention,
* to the great and necelTary Work of reducing and Icffen-
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* ing, by Degrees, this heavy Burthen, which may prove Anno j. Geo. l'
* the moft effedtual Means of preferving to the publick ^Jr^/^-^i^
* Funds a real and certain Security.' ^-^^^V^^»^
To this Addrefs, his Majefty gave the following Anfwer.
Gentlemen, ,
" np^ H E Duty and Zeal which you exprefs, in this King's AnrwA-
** X loyal Addrefs, to my Perfon and Government,
" your affedionate Concern for the Welfare of y^ jr Coun-
" try, your Promifes of an efFeftual Support againft all our
" Enemies at Home and Abroad, and your Refolution of
" applying your felves to eafe my People, by reducing gra-
** dually the heavy Load of the publick Debts, deferve my
** hearty Thanks. You fhall never have Caufc to repent of
" the Confidence you repofe in me ; the Honour, Welfare,
" and Profperity of the Nation being what I have chiefly *
** at Heart."
March 4. The Houfe met according to their Adjourn- Motion rdating to
ment, when, in a Grand Committee on the Supply, it was ^^ L»nd-P«««*-
mov'd to take into Confideration the Eftimates relating to Debate thereon,
the Land- Forces 5 upon which. Sir Robert Davers, Mem- Jj^^'^'^^"-
her for Suffolk, Mr Freeman, and Mr Hungerford endea- Mr u^^fyid.
vour'd to get that Af^r put off to another Day, by moving
that Mr Farrer, the Chair-man, Ihould leave the Chair.
They alledg'd, * That the late Rebellion being happily fup-
prefs'd, and the Swediih Confpiracy feafonablydifcover'd,
there was Reafon to hope, that the Counties of England
would foon be eas'd of the grievous Burthen of quartering ^
Soldiers ; but if it appeared, that the King of SwedeA per-
fifted in his Defign to invade Great Britain, they would all
readily give their Votes for keeping the prefent Forces oa
Foot.' (a) Mr R. Walpole, (h) General Stanhope, Mr John ^u r. wa!por«i.
Smidi, (f) Mr W. Pulteney, General Lumley, and feveral Mr^j.Slh'"'
other Courtiers, on the contrary, urg'd the Neceffity of JJ^^;^^^^
taking fjpeedy and vigorous Refolutions in Relation to the
Anny; and after a Debate that lafted i^ear two Hours,
the Queftion being put. That the Chair-man leave the
Chair, it was carry'd in the Negative, by a Majority of
222 Voices againft 57.
March 5. NJr Farrer, Member for Bedford, reported the
Rcfolution^taken the Day before, in the grand Committee on
the Supply ; which being agreed to, Mr R. Walpole mov'd, Mr R. WaipoJt
and it was refolv'd, Nem, Con. That whofoever fhall ad- S^^eaxaxj"?^'
?ance or lend any Sum, not exceeding 600,000 1. for the '^^if^^^
* Service
(a; T\r^ J ml Cornnrffwer of the Treji''Hryy anS ChoiKtlUr of tbt Exchr'
fwr. (b) Searetan f( 4^«« (c) Setrttary at Wat.
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Debift thereon.
Mr
Mr Walpolc.
M<<i4i^
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Service of the Publick by Sea or Land, fhall be repaid the
fame with Intereft, at 4 1. fer Cent, out of the firft Aid to
be granted this Seffion of Parliament. The putting the In-
tereli of this intended Loan fo low as 4 1. ^r Cent, gave
Reafon to furmize, that thofe, who had the Management
of his Majefty's Treafury, defign^d to put on the fame Foot
the Interefb of all pubUck Funds : Whereupon Mr Lech-
mere took Notice, ' That feveral Schemes and Propoials for
reducing the National Debts had been printed and di^rs^d^
which gave the Perfons concerned in the publick Securities
the greater Uneaiinefs, in that there was Reafon to appre'^
hend» that thofe Schemes came abroad with the Privity
and Countenance of Men in great Places : That the general
Alarm which this had occafion*d among the moneyed Men,
might very fenfibly affect publick Credit, and be, at this
Jundure, of. very dangerous Confequence : To prevent
which, he thought it neceflary, to move. That the Houfe
would come to a Refolution, elFedually to make good all
Parliamentary Engagements.* To this Mr Robert Walpole,
immediately anfwer'd, * That his Majefty having, with
great Tendemefs, recommended to them from the Throne,
tiie reducing, by Degrees, the Debts of the Nation ; and the
Commons having afterwuds in their Addrefs to his Ma-
jefty, promised to apply themfelves, with all poflible Dili-
gence and Attention, to that great and neceflary Work,
they ought to exert themfelves to make good that Promife,
and appoint a Day to take that important Matter into C<m-
{[deration : And he did not doubt but the Commons would
then fhew all poflible Regard to Juftice and publick Faith.
He own'd, there had been, indeed, feveral Schemes pub-
li(h*d, relating to the Redudion of the national Debts, but
that they were made by private Perfons, and, he did alTure
the Houfe, without the Participation of any of his Maje-
fty's Minifters, and therefore they were not to be regarded ;
but that in a (hort Time, fuch Propofals would be laid be^
ibre the Houfe, as, he hop'd, would give them Satisfa£Uon,
and meet with dieir Approbation ; therefore he mov'd. That
Mr. Lechmere*s Motion might be thus alter'd, viz. That
this Houfe will effcftually make good the Deficiencies of all
Parliamentary Engagements.* This after a fliort Debate^
was carry'd in the Affirmative, Nem, Con. But^Wention being
made of the great Services done by the Bank of England,
and thofe, who by their Money had fupported the Court In-
tereft and the prefent Eftabliftmxent, Mr. Aiflabie, * took
Notice ofthe Management of fome Direftorsof the Bank,*
who, upon the alluring Profpedof Gain, were as ready to fnp-
port
• '^eafurtr tf tie ^Cwy.
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•port the late Mhiiftry. On the other Hahd, a Courtier Anno ,. gw. k
having dcRr'd any Body to charge any Breach of publick %^^^^\l!^s,^
Faith, or of the Laws, on the Adminiftmion, iince his Maje- ^^^^
fty's hap^ Acceffion to the Throne, Mr. Hungerford faid, ^ HangBrfofd.
« That thisput him in Mind of a Coronation, when^thc King's
Champion, coming into Weftminfter-Hal], thrown down one
of his Glovts to make the Challenge, bat that he never few
any Body^ fo bold as to take it up.
Mm^cb 8. While the Houfe was in a Committee on the ^ j- , ^^
Soj^y, Mr. Lechmere, told them, * That he was forry he NotkeiSfSiy
fbtad himfelf obli^d to take Notice, that their late Vote for fSSSbM*^^
aLoan, at 4 /. /jrr Cent. Intcrcft, was like to prove ineiFcdu- ^cS?"***
al, diere not being in three Days Time above 45,000 1. fub-
iarib'd to the Loan of 600,000 1. on the Land-Tax. And
therefore fincc thepreient Exigency required a fpeedy Supply^
l« thought it fieceflkry, and therefore mov'd. That a Day
beappoiitted to confider ferther of that Matter. * Mr. Robert ^ j^ waipoie.
Wa^lc feconded this Motion, and faid, That there was the
greater Neceffity for it, becaufe he was informM, that fome
Stock-jobbers, in order to deter the Parliament from pnrfu*
ia% the Defign of reducing the publick Debts, had fonta'd a
Combination to diftreft the Government, and ruin publick
Credit which was the Occafion that the late Vote for bor-i
iDwii^ 600,000 1. at 4 /. per Ctni. had not had the deiired
EflSea.' To this Mr. Lechmere aniwer'd, * That as none but Mr techmeie.
the moft wicked of Men couM ehter into fuch a Combination
i^;ainft the Good of their Country, fothe honourable Mem^
ber, who (poke laft, would do well to name them, that the
Houfe might fhew the utmoft Refentment and Indignation
againft them. Bat that, in his Opinion, the ill Succefs of
& Loan was rather mainly occafionM by fome Refiediions
on the money'd Men and Stock-jobbers, and by certain Max«
iffls lately advanced, viz. That the Parliament may exert
their Authority to extricate themfelves, by reducing the Na-
tional Debts ; that fuch Maxims could not but alarm the
Pcrfon^ concerned in the puWick Securitiesj and the more,
when they fawthat a Slur had been putupon 'the Motionmade
three Days before, * That all Parliamentary £ng^ement»
fhoold efl^sdoaUy be made good. That he ftiU thought fuch
a Vote abfolutely neceflary, both to remove Peoples Fears
and ][ealoafies, and to vindicate the Honour and Juftice of
the Nation ; that the fame was entirely agreeable to his Ma^
je^*s Sentiments, who, in his firft Speech to this Parliament^
had been pleased to recommend to the Commons, in a par-
ticular Mumer, the ftrid Obfervance of all Parlianientary
Engagements, than which nothing could more contribute to
the Support of the Credit of the Nation ; with which Opini-
on of his Majefty the Commons did entirely concurs and -
Vol. h P
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> *
Aaoo sIGeo. L
1716-17.
Mr R. Walpole.
MrAUkbk.
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thathecoald notbdieve^ that any of his Migefty^s Mini-
fters could be fo regardlefs of his Honour smd. known £-
quity, or put fo hard a Thing upon him, as to make him,
in the leaft, contradidt what he had in fo iolernn a Manner
declared from the Throne. He added^ That the Commons
having already appointed a Day, to confider of the Stale of
the Nation, with delation to the publick Debts, he wouH
not anticipate that important AfBiir : But he could not for>
bear declaring on this Occaiion his private Opinion, That
itvi'ould be the greateft Ingratitude, as well as Injuftice, in tH^
leaft to wroiig thofe who had fupported the Government in
the moft preffing Exigencies and perilous Juq^ures,- and, on
all Occafions, fhewn their Zeal and AfFeaion for the Pro-
teftant Succeffion. That he had nothing to fay, as to inch
publick Securities as were redeemable by Parliament s but,as
to Annuities granted for Terms of Years, he would be po-
fitive, that they could not be meddled with, Mathout break-
ing in upon Parliamentary Engagements, and violating the
piS)lick Faith ; fmce thofe Annuities were not to be l<x>k'd
upon as Debts, but as a Sale of Annual Rents for a valuable
Confideration, of which Contrad the Parliament had pro-
posed and made the Terms and Conditions, and the Rentees
became Purchafers upon the Parliamentary Faith and Secu-
rity. And that, befides the InjufUce of breaking throi^ha j
National Contra6l, thofe Annuities could not be tondi'd,
without occaiioning great Q)nfufion and Difputes in private
Families, by Reafon that moft of the faid Annuities had been
fettled for Portions, Joyntures, and the like.' Then Mr Wal-
pole, in Ahfwer to this, declared, .^ That there never had been
a Defign to ufe any Compulfion with Relation to Annuities ;
that, indeed, an Alternative might be offered to the Proprie?
tors of them, but that it fhould be in their Choice either to
accept or refufe it : And ais for fuch Funds as were redeema-
ble, that nothing (hould be proposed that did not entirely
confift with Juftice and publick Faith.* Mr. Aiflabie tooK
alfo that Occafion to explain fooie Expreffions he usM, in the
Debate of the 5th Inftant, in relation to the Bank of England,
which had been conftru'd amifs ; owning, that they had fup-
ported the Government in the moft difficult Exigencies ;
and that, in his Opinion, if any Thing ought to remain un*>
touched, it ihould be the Bank.' After a Debate of about
two Hours, it was refolv^d to confider farther of the Suf^y,
in a grand Committee, on the 1 3 th of March. .
March 9. The Houfe agreed to the Reiblutions of the
X)ommittee on the Supply, fo that the Money already votC<L
amounted to above two Millions.
Marth 23. It was ordered, That the Committee of the
whole Houfe, to whom the LandrTax Bill is conmiitted,,
' •. have.
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have Power to receive a Claufc to transfer to the Regifter -^Ij^f*-^
appointed to be kept by the faid Aft, all the Loans which ^^/i^-v*"*^
have been made upon the Refolution of the Houfeon the cth The Commom
T/i I (I'lv <■ •• f reioiTe to allow < !•
Inftant, to be repaid with Intereft not exceeding 5 Lper ^Cnt. on the
dnt, per Annum. On which laft Refolution, the whole Loai^ uJSi^^wXmi*
of 600,000 1. was immediately filFd up. \ Jjj^^(jj.*°*"
March 26. It was refolv'd to addrefs his Majefty, That fcrib»d. ^
the Treaties made with the Bifhop of Monfter and the Duke .
of Saxc-Gotha, for putting fix Battalions of their Troops in- to^thTBiflio^
to his Majefty's Service, might be laid before the Houfe : ^^^^Si?**
According to Which Addreis General Stanhope, two Days Troop*. .
after, prefented to the Houfe the faid Treaties, with Tranfla-
tions of the fame. It was generally fuppos*d, that thefe
Treaties were caird Tor with a Deiign to find Fault with
them, and to bring a Cenfure upon fome Geraian Miniilers^
who had been employed in thofe Tranfadions : But a Motion
being made the next Day, and the Queftion put. That an
Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, TKat he will be pleas'd
to give Diredtions, that the Inftrudions given to his Majefty'$
Minifters, who tranfaded the Treaties for taking four Batta*
lions of the Biftiop Of Munfter's Troops, and two Battalions
of the Duke of Saxe-Gotha's Troops into his Majefty 's Pay,
to fupply /the Place of fuch as, during the late Rebellion,
(hould be drawn from the Garrifons or the States General of
the United Provinces to affift his Majefty, may be laid be^
fore this Houfe, it pafs'd in the Negative by 165 Votes *
againft 38.
April 3 . Gen. Stanhope delivered to the Houfe the follow*
ing Meifage from the King.
G E O R G E R.
" LI IS Majefty being defirous, above all Things, not JgSfSSiS^
•« XT only to fecure his Kingdoms againft the prefent ^wedUh Liy*.
" Danger, with which they are thrcatcnM from Sweden,
" bat likewife to prevent, as far as is poflible, the like Ap-
•* preheniions for the future, thinks it neceflary that fuch
" Meafurcs ftiould be early concerted with other Princes
*' and States, as may conduce moft effedually to this End.
«* And as this may require fome Expence, his Majefty
** hopes that his Commons will, by their Afliftance at this
** Jundlure, enable him to make good fuch Engagements as
** may eafe his People of all future Charge and Apprehen-
'' fions upon this Account.
The Confidcration of this Mcflage was put off to the
next Day.
April ^. General Stanhope mov'd. That a Supply be cen. sianho^^
panted to enable his Majefty to concert fuch Meafures with ^y^^i^Jit^^
Foreign Princes and States, as may prevent any Charge or count.
P 2 Apprc*
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Debate thereon.
Ut Shippen.
Mr Hun^etford.
Oen. Sumhope.
( 11$ >
Apprehcnfions from the Defigns of Sweden for the future.
* He urg'd the Advantage andSecurity th^t would redound to
the Nation, by enabling his Majefty to reduce the King of
Sweden ; and what Confidence they ought to repofe in the
King's Honour, Wifdom, and Oeconomy in the Manage-
ment of what Money fhould be thought neceflary for that
Service.* Hereupon Mr Shippen faid, * That it was a great
Misfortune, that fo wife and fo excellent a Prince as his Ma-
jefty, was as little acquainted with the Ufagfc and Forms of
Farliamei^tary Proceedii^s, as with the jGingu^ of our
Country ; That if he had known either, he would not have
fent fuch a Meffage, which, he was fure, w»s unparliamen-
tary and unprecedented ; and therefore 'twas his Opinion,
That it was penn'd by fome Foreign Miftifter, and then tran-
flated into Englifh ; That fmce the King's Acceffion to the
Throne, there had been many Reflections caft,in that Houfe^
' upon the late Miniftry, as if they had betray'd the Intereft
of/ their Country : That, on the qontrary, they had often
b^en tol(f, that his A^jefty had retrieved the Honour and Re-
putation of the Nation j the EfFeds of which had sdready
appeared in the flouriftung Condition of our Trade : That
after all this, he could not but be very much furpriz'd to find
a Motion made for a Supply of Money, to enable his Majefty.
to enter into new Meafures, to fecure his Kingdom againft
any future Apprehenfions from the Swedes : That the Ne-
ce0ity that was urg'd Tor this, fe^ro'd to be incpnfiftent with
the Accounts of thofe glorious Advantages his Majefty had
obtained for. us : And he could not help being of Opinion,
That if the new Alliances and Meafures to be concerted,
vi^ere fuch as were to be obtain'd purely by the Force of our
Money, tjiat ever the flappinefs or the Security of the Na^
tion could be the Confequehce of fuch Counfels; for, when-
ever Foreigners come to tafte the Sweetnefs of Englifh Mo-
ney, we might depend upon it, that their Adherence to our
Jntereft would laft no longer than we continu'd to fii^Jj^y their
Neceflities.' Mr Hungerford, who feconded Mr Shippen,
faid,. * That for his Part, he could not underftand what Oc-
cafion there was for new Alliances, much jefs that they
fliould be purchas'd with Money : That it muft needs be
very furprizing to the whole World, that a Nation, not long
- ago the Terror of France and Spain, fhould now feem to fear
fo inconfiderable an Enemy as the King of Sweden ; efpcd-
ally when we had fo good a Fleet jat Sea, and fo great an Ar-
my on Lapd.' Some other Speeches were made on the fame
Side, which gave Gen. Stanhope Occafion tp fay, * That he
was forry to find Gentlemen grow fo wai^ ihx)|i a Subjed
of this Nature : That the King was a Prince of that Integrity
tod Honoui*, and h^d already given fu^h conYiac^ig; Proo^
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of hb tender Care for the true Intercft of the Nation, th&t amo |. dee^ l
they might entirely depend upon his Wiftiom in this Matter; c^iTJl^^
and therefore he was of Opinion, that none would refofe ^■'^^V^^^
Compliance with this Mei&ge, but fuch as either were not
die King^s Friends, or who diibnifted the Honefty of his
Miniilers.^ This gave Offence to feverai^ Members ; and Mr
Law^n, Knight of the Shire for Cumberland, reply'd there- Mr Uwfbn.
upon, * That he was very much furpriz'd to find fuch un-
guarded Expreffions fall from that v^rthy and honourable
Gentleman, for whom, he was fure, the whole Houfe had
a very^ great Regard ; but fince he had thought fit to fpeak
fp openly, he hop'd he might be welljuftify'd in faying.
That if every Member of this Houfe, that us'd Freedom of
Speech on any Subjed of Debate, mufi be accounted an £ne^
my to the King, whan he happens not to £dl in with his Mi-
nifters, he knew no Service they were capable of doing for
their Country in that Houfe ; and tl^erefore it was his Opi-
nion, That they had nothing elfe to do, but to retire to their
Coantry-Seats, and leave the King and his Minillers to take
what they pleas'd.' Mr Bofcawen, Sir Gilbert Hcathcote, SJfoSiljSSMte.
Mr * Horatio Walpole, and fome other Gentlemen, back*d MrRWajpoic
Gen. Stanhope's Motion; but Mr Grimftone, and iomt Mr Gamitwu
other Courtiers, fpoke on this Occafion on the contrary Side,
However, it was mov'd, and refolv'd. That the Houfe
wpuld, npon the Monday Morning next, refolve it felf into
a Committee of the whole Houfe, to confider of Gen. Stan-
hope's Motion for a Supply. Af^er this it was aifo refolv'd.
To addreis his Majcffy, that the Treaty made between the
late King William and the prefent King of Sweden, be laid ^
b^ore the Houfe. '
jfyrii€. Purfuant to the above Addrefs, Gen. Stanhope
laid before the Houfe a Copy of the iaid Treaty.
Jfrii ^. The Commons went into a Committee of the
whole Houfe, to confider of the Motion of the 4th Inflant,
for a Supply to be granted to his Majefty, againft the De-
%ns of Sweden for the future ; for the Neceffity of which.
General Stanhope alledg'd feveral Reafons, and was fecond- S^cra^T*
edby Mr Craggs, Jun, Mr Bofcawen, Mr Aiflabie, and JJfJj^^'**
feveral others. On the other Side, Mr Shijppen, Mr Hun- ^^^
gerford, Mr Hutchefon, the Lord Guernfey, Mr Heme, mJ Hu^Jforrf::
Member for Dartmouth, Mr Ward, and fome others, uig'd, |!!?r?SS^.
* That it was unparliamentary to grant a Supply before the Jjj ^"«;
Qccafion was known, and an Eftimate of the Expence was
kid before the Houfe : 7*hat the King's Meflage about this
; ^fatter, was fo unprecedented, that his Majefty^s Miniflert
fe^'d to be divided about it; a%d that '(was a great Mif-
Jortunc
' f Sfcr^ary to ikt Iff 4"^*
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Ibrtone fnch Divifions ihould happen among the MinUhy,
for then a Parliament cannot have a true Information of
Things : That they could not eafily apprehend what Occa*
fion diere was to nmke new Alliances/ iince we had a
itanding Army in Great Britain, and a confiderable Fleet at
Sea, which fufficiently fecur'd hisMajefty's Kingdoms againft
any Danger from Sweden : That if we defign'd to make
an ofieniive War againft that Crown, why did we not (end
Part of our Forces on BoaM our Fleet ? Efpecially, fince we
were now fecure at Home, both by the Suppreflion of the
late Rebellion, and by the Conclufion of the Triple Alli-
ance, which the R^nt of France had begun' feithfully to
perform, by caufing the Pretendei* to pafs the Alps. How-
ever, if the Court infixed on the Neceffity of ientering into
new Engagements againft Sweden, th«y thought it proper
to addrefs his Majefty, to acquaint the Houfe with the Na-
ture of thofe Engagements, and the Sum that was requifite
Ceo. stanhope, to make them goal.' To this. General Stanhope anfver'd,
* That the Difcovery of the late Con^iracy, carry'd on by
the Swedifli Minifters, in Conjunftion with the difcontented
Party at Home, fufficiently evinc'd the Neceffity of a {land-
ing Army in Great Britain: That the Treaty of Triple
Alliance feem'd, indeed, to fecure us ag^nft any Danger
on the Part of France ; but that it was to be obferv'd, t£at
the faid Treaty had met with fo great Ch>pofition at the
French Court, that had not the Regent ftickled flrenuoudy
for it, it would have infallibly mifcarry'd ; and tho^ hitherto
we had all the Reafon imaginable to commend the Honefly
and Candour of that Prince ; yet, in good Policy, we ought
not to depend on that Treaty any longer than it iball be
the Intereft of France to obferve it. And as to the Motion
for the Addrefs, He added. That it would be injurious
to the King's Prerogative of entering into fuch Alliances as
his Majefty thinks neceilkry for thp Good and Security of
his Dominions, without communicating the f^ne to his
Parliament : Which Prerogative was grounded on very good
Reafons ; for if the Crown was oblig'd to impart the Se-
cret of Affairs to fo great a Number of Perfons, the moft
sirGiib.Hcathcote. ^"^P^^^t^t Negotiations muft thereby mifcarry.' Sir Gilbert
' Heathcote, an Alderman ,of London, mention'd the great
LoiTes and Damages which the Britifh Subjefts had fuftain'd
by their Ships being madePrizes, andconfifcated in Sweden ;
and obferv'd. That the King of Sweden having feveral
Times refufed to make Satisf^lion ; and, on the Contrary,
his Minifters having endeavourM to raife a new Rebellion
in his Majefty's Dominions, there was Ground to declare
Mr Gould. War againft him.' To this, Mr Gould, Member for Shore-
ham, reply'd, * Tha,t the P^tich having fuft^in'd as great
Juoffei
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Lofies by the Swedes, thev had an equal Cdncem with Anno 3^. Geo. i.
Great Britain to declare War againU them ; and therefore ^>-yrx»^
it would be proper, before the Houfe proceoled Hirther, to
o^age Holland, in the firit Place, to prohibit all Commerce
with Sweden, as we had done.' Hereupon General Stanhope ^^ stanfcopc.
&id, * That he made no doubt, but the StatesrGeoeral would
readily C(»ne into any Meafures that fhould appear neceflary
for the Good and Intereft of both Nations in general, and
to obtain Satisfiidion for the late Depredations of the Swedes
in particular: That their High-Miehtinei&s had lately
^ren ^nal Inftances of their iinn Adherence to the Crown
of Great Britain, in caufing the Swedish Minivers to be
feiz^d in their Dominions, upon his Majefty's Defire ; but
that the Form and Conflitution of their Government, an4
^e Good of their Subjeds, who moftly fubfiil by Trade,
did not permit them to take fuch vigorous and fpeedy Refo-
lutions as could be wifh'd; and therefore it w6uld not
be &ir to cxad the iame from them, ' Mr ^ggs, ^ ^^"'^
preis'd the Neceffity of making new Alliances againfPSwe*
den, from the late doubtful Condud of a Northern Poten-
tate, [meaning the Czar if Mu/covji] who, hy his Inadivity
ngjahA Sweden, and the Poft fome of his Troops had taken,
gave great Umbrage to the Empire. Mr R. Walpdc, Sk Jf^ J^^;}?^
Edward Northey (tf), and Lord Molefworth, fpoke alfo on i^rdMdiefwonh.*
the fame Sidej Sir William Thompfon(^) in particular, sir w. xhompfoa.
mg'd, * What would the World think of this Parliament, if
they fhould refufe to fupply the King at this Exigency ? On
die other Hand, MrCompton (the Speaker) and Mr Smith (r ), •^^EKT^''**
iaid, ' That they were not againft the Supply, but againft the Mi j. smi'uu
demandii^ and granting of it in fuch an unparliamentary
Manner ; and Mr Speaker prc^pos'd. That P^ of the Army
fhould be difbapded, and the Money, .thereby fav'd, a|^y*d
towards the making good fuch new Engagements as were
thot^ht neceflary to be entered into ; but Laeiltenant Gene-
ral Mordaunt, and fome others, urg'd how unfafe and im- ^^ Mordauou
pditick it would be at this Jundure to difband any of the
Troops. Mr George Cafwall faid, * That for his own Part; Mr Caiwau.
he h^ rather pay others for fighting than fight himfelf:
That he thought it more advantageous for Great Britain to
cairy the War abroad, and enjoy Peace at Home, in order
to improve our Trade, and reduce our publick Debts ; and
that, as the employing Foreigners againft Sweden, would
be a -fiir le6 Expence than national Troops, he therefore
was for complying with his Majefty's Mei&ge. At lafl,
about five in the Afternoon, the Queftion being put, upon
the
(aj Attorney Gtneral (b) SoUicitor Gentrah (c) Ofie of the TeUirrs tf
th txchequer* . ^
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Avac 3. Geo. L
1717-
Mr Shippen.
Mr Huoeerfbrd.
Mr Hutchelbn.
Mr J. Smith.
Mrkeroc.
Cen. Stanhope.
MrR Walpole.
MrH.Walpole.
Mr Bailie. .
MrBampden. ^
Ifr CtHsptoiu
Mr Hampikn.
The Motko for a
Supply afiainft
Sweden, agreed to.
MrlLWalpole,
mefenM a Bill
Fbr mUtmr^ At
Dtttits m Hmtfet^
&c. And acquaints
the Honfe with hla
haringrefis'^M hit
( lio )
tJie Modmi for a ^tq^ly, the fame was carry'd in the
Affirmative, by 164 againft 149.
Jpri/ 9. Mr Farrer reported the faid Refolution to the
Hoafe, upon which there arofe a freih, but ihort Debate :
Mr Shippen^ Mr Hungerford, Mr Hatchefon, Mr Smith,
Mr Heme/ and others, infifted again on the Unparliamen-
tarinefs of a(king and granting Supplies without an Eftimate
of the Expence ; and proposed, either to prefent aii AddreTs
to the King, to affiire him, That the Houfe would efFedlually
make good all the Engagements his Majeily fhould think pro-
per-to enter into ; or that his Majefly be deftr'd to difband
Part of the Army, and apply the Savings towards the new
Alliances. Both thefe E?q)edients were oppos'd by General
Stanhope, Mr R. Walpole, Mr Hor. Walpole, Mr * Bailie,
and Mr Hampden ; the laft of whom in particular, in
Anfwer to what was fuggefled. That this Manner of asking
and granting Supplies, was unparliamentary and unprece^
dented, faid, * That he remembei'd about ten or eleven Years
before, a Great Man in that Houfe Imeaniiig Mr. Compton
the Speaier] made a Motion for allowing and «• providing for
about 900,000 L which the Government had expended, with*
but laying any Eftimate before the Commons. To this,
Mr. Speaker faid, * He wondered that Gendeman would bring
in as a Precedent, a Bufinefs that was tranfaded fo many
Years ago, and which was not parallel to the prefent Cafe.'
Whereupon Mr. Hampden reply 'd, * That Jie did not there-
by intend to refledl upon Mr. Speaker, fmce he had the Hon-
our to vote with hihi upon that Occadon.'* After this the
Refolution for granting a Supply to his Majeily, to concert
fuch Meafures with Foreign Princes and States, as may pre-
vent any Charge or Appreheniions from the Defigns of Swe-
den for the future^ was agreed to, though by a Majority only
of i53againfl 149.
This Point being fo hard run, was 'generally fuppos'd to
be owing to a Party in the Houfe, which were (aid to "be
nnder the Influence of the Lord Townfhend ; Hereupon that
very Evening his Majefly order'd his Lordfhip to be remov'd
from the Poft of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ; and the next
Morning Mr. Robert Walpole, Mr. Methuen and Mr. Will.
Pulteney refign'd their Places.
^ JpH/ 10. Mr. Robert ^Valpole prefented to the Houfe,
according to Order, J Bill fir rtdtemng the Duties on Hoi^/ei^
l^e, .Upon the bringing in of this BiS, Mr. Walpole gave
the Houfe a Hint of his having refign'd his Places, by fay-
ing,, That he now prefented that Bill as a Country Gentle-
man ; but he hop'd it would not fare the worfe for having
two
* MMit One tf the dmrniStopers if iJjeljreapiry w ibis Sejfm
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f X2I )
two Fathers ) and that his SqcceiTor would take care to bring Aantf i. 6eo. t
it to Perfeaion.' cv^^^irs^
J^iJ 1 2, The Commons went into a Conunittee of thc^^ v^Ni<
whole Hoiifej to confider of the Supply granted to his Maje-
lly ; and Gen. Stanhope f having- made a Motion for ^"'A^**** ».
granting to his Majefty the Sum of 250,000 1. to enable him S te"r2ifcS*Su»<i
to concert Meafures againll Sweden ; there was for a Minute ^nf *^*^ ^"^
or two a great Silence in the Houfe. Mr Pulteney, who jy^^^^ thereon,
broke it firll, exprefs*d his Surprize at it j and added, * That j^ ^ p^
as for his Part, he had- not yet faid any Thing to this Matter, wLacquaSS^e
becaufe he thought it incojififtent with Decency to oppofea "^^^^-IfiS'
Motion that came from the Court, while he had the Honour ^^**
to be his Majelly's immediatcf Servant ; but that having re-
fign'd his Place, that he might aft with the Freedom becom-
ing an Englifhman, he could not forbear declaring againfl
the granting, a Supply, in a Manner altogether unparliamen-
tary and unprecedented : That he could not perfuade him-
fc^, that any Engliihman advis'd his MajeHy to fend fucK
a^Meflaee ; but he doubted not, but the Refolutions of a
Britilh Parliament would make a German Miniftry tremble.*
He was fecon4ed by the Lord Finch, who even found Fault ^^-^ ^^^"^
\^ fom^ Steps that had been taken in Relation to the Af--
fairs of the Northern Alliance ; and faid, * That it appeared
hy the Memorial prefented by the Ruffian Minifter, and by
the Anfwer return'd, that fuch Meafures had been purfu'd arf
were like to engage us in a Quarrel with the Czar.' Upon
tHis Gen. Stanhope ipokc in Vindication of the King and hi» <^n» stanhop*
Mjnillcrsi in Relation both to the Czar and the King of Swc-
doL With Refpea to the firft. He faid, * That he had hi-
therto been obliged to be filent ; but tliat he was now at Li-
berty to fbt this Matter in a clear Light, and to acquaint
the Houfe, That tke Coldnefs which appeared of late between
the King and the Czar, proceeded frpm his Majefty's refu-
fing to become Guarantee, of his Czarifh Majefty'sConquefts j
a^d from his Majeily's foliciting the Czar to withdraw hi$
Troops from the Dutchy of Mecklemburg : That as to the
firiofthofeMatters^ his Majefty's Conduft deferv'd the Ap*
pbufe and the Thanks of a Britifti Parliament, fince it ap-
peared thereby, that his Majefty was tender not to engage
the Nation in Foreign Quarrels : That this, indeed, had
been his Majefty's principal Care, fince his happy Acceflioh
to the Throne 5 and he * might aflure them, that Great Bri-
tain was entirely free from any Engag^ents, and at Liberty
to toUow fuck Meafures as beft fuit with her Intereft : That
as for the Inftances which his Majefty has caus'd to be made
Vol. I. . Q^ with
t MmdefifiLl Cmwn$om f{ a?9 Treafiffy, Mnd,Chmu€^.9fibt E^
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( tit V
with the Czar, and the Meafures he ma^ have concerted, to
get the Ruffian Troops out of the Dutchy of Mecklemburg,
his Majefty has aded in all this as Elector and Prince of the
Empire : That he was per(waded, all the Gentlemen there
would agree with him, that the King's Di|;nity, as King of
Great Britain, was never underflood to tie up hk Hands
with refpcdl to his Interefts in Germany, and a Prince of the
Empire : But befides, he mufl defire Gentlemen to confider,
That long before his Majefty's Acceffion to the Crown,
Great Britain was in ftrift Union with the Emperor and Fjn-
pire ; fo that if, by Virtue of ancient Alliances, the Empe-
ror fhould require Great Britain to ufe thofe Inlbmces with
the Czar, which the King has made only as Elector of Ha-
nover, Great Britain could not avoid complying with his
Requeft : That in Relation to Sweden, the King*s Condud
was not only blamelefs and unfpotted, but worthy of the
higheft Conmiendations : That in the late Queen's Time,
Great Britain interpos'd to procure a Neutrality in the North,
whereby (jhe King of Sweden might have prefetv'd his Pof-
fcffions in the Empire : That the Regency at Stockholm
agreed to this Overture j but that the King of Sweden re-
jeded it with Haughtihefs and the utmoft Scorn, declaring, he
would ufe thofe as his Enemies, who fhould pretend to impofe
fuch a Neutrality upon him : That during the whole Courfe
of that Negotiation, the King, then Eleftor of Hanover,
ufed all friendly Offices in Favour of Sweden : That all this
Jiaving prov'd inefFeftual, through the King of Sweden's Ob-
ftinacy, and the King of Denmark having, by the Fortune
of War, re-conquer'd the Dutchies of Bremen and Verden,
his Majefty, as Ele6lor of Hanover, has purchased the fame
with his own Money, for a valuable Confideration : That
although it never was in his MajeHy's Thoughts to engage
Great Britain in a War to fupport that Acquifition, yet, if
Gentlemen would give themfelves the Trouble to call their
Eyes upon the Map, to fee where Bremen and Verden lie,
he hop'd they would not be indifferent as to the Pofleflbr of
thofe two Dutchies, but would agree with him, that their
being in the King's Hands fuits far better with the Intereft
of Great Britain, than if they were in the Hands either of
the Czar, who gives already but too much Jealoufy to the
Empire ^ or of the King of Sweden, who ^ndeavour'd to
raife a new Rebellion in Great Britain, and harbours our fu-
gitive Rebels.'
Mr John Smith. . Mr John Smith anfwer'd Gen. Stanhope, and faid, 'That
he had already declar'd hisReafons for oppoiing the granting
this Supply in fuch an extraordinary Manner ; and that fomc
Expreffions that had cfcap'd a Gentleman in the Minifby,
initead of making him alter his Opinion^ rather confirm'd
' him
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( ««3 )
him in it : That as, on the one Hand, he never aflleQed Po- ^'^ s. <3m.i.
polarity ; fo, on the other Hand> when the Good of his v^^^^y^>^
Country came under Confideration, he alivays fpolce his
T^houghts with the Liberty that becomes an EngliOiman,
without any Regard to the Minifters : Tiiat he did not pre-
tend to be thoroughly acquainted with Af^r^ abroad ; but
liaving had the Honour to fit fo long in that Houfe, where
lb great a Variety of Bufinefs, both foreign and domeftick,
had often been debated, he might prefum^ 66 have fome
Knowledge of them : That, however he w6ard not fay any
Thing to what had been advanced by tKfe honourable Mem-
ber who (poke laft ; but if an Eftimate of the Condudl of the
Miniflry, in relation to Affairs Abroad, was to be made by
a Comparifon of their Conduft at Home, he was fure they
would not appear altogether fo faultlefs as they were repre-
fented. Was it not a Miftake, added he, not to preferve the
Peace at Home, after the King was come to the Throne,
with the univerfal Applaufe and joyful Acclamations of all
his Subjeds ? Was it not a Miilake, upon the breaking out
of the Rebellion, not to iiTue out a Proclamation, to offer
Pardon to fuch as fhould return Home peaceably, as had
ever been pradUs'd before upon fuch Occaiions ? Was it not
a Miffake, after the Suppreifion of the Rebellion, and the ,
Trial and Execution of the principal Authors of it, to keep
np Animofities, and drive People to Defpair by not paffing
an A&, of Indemnity and Grace, by keeping fo many Per-
foos under hard apd tedious Confinement, and by granting
Pardons to fome, without leaving them any Means to fub-
fift ? Is it not a Miflake, not to trufl to a Vote of Parlia-
ment, for making good fuch Engagements as his Majeily
Ihall think proper to enter into ; and inftead of that, to in-
fift on the granting of this Supply in fuch an extraordinary
Manner ? Is it not a Miftake, to take this Opportunity to
create Divifions, and render fome of the King's beft Friends
fufye€ted and obnoxious ? Is it not a Miftake, in fhort, to
form Parties and Cabals, in order to bring in a Bill to repeal
the A€t againft Occafional Conformity ? '
To this Speech General Stanhope reply 'd, < That he had Ccn.8ttnh»fe.
had the Honour to ferve his Majefty, fince his happy Acccf-
fion to the Throne, but as there were other Perfons, fome
of them in, and others out of Place, who had a greater Share
than himfelf in the Adminiftration of Affairs, he left it
to them to jufHfy themfelves : That however, he would
clear a principl Point, by alTuring the Committee, that he
had, fome time ago, the King's Orders to draw up an Ad of
Indemnity.'
Mr Barrington Shutc^ Member for Berwick, faid, * That SJijJ;''^^^"
the King was, indeed, come to the Throne with the joyful
0^2^ Accla-
• Digitized by VjOOQIC
. ( 124 >
f^Dofi |. Oeo. J. Acdamatioiis of moiV of his Subjeds ; bat that the D ifaffec-*
^''SJJJk^ tion that appear'd foon after, did not proceed from the ill
"^ ^ " Conduft of his Minifters, but folely from the Removal of
.fome Perfons in great Employments : That neverthelefs, in
the Changes that were then made, his Majpfty had followed
the Rules of prudence, JufUcc, and pratitude, fince he ad-
vanc'd thofe, who, in the worft of Times, had given un-
doubted Proofs of their Affe&ion and Attachment to his In-
tereft, in thc^ j^oom of thofe who had been preferr'd in the
Jaft Reign, as .the fitteft Inftruments to/dellroy the Proteftant
Succeffion, even before it took Place, and who had fince been
in open Rebellion againft his Majefty : That as for the other
Miftakes char|'d upon the Adminiftration, they might be
reduced to theie two, viz. The not pafling the Aft of Indem-
nity, and the De^^ to repeal the Occafional Bill : That as
to the firft, there were various Opinions about it 5 and con-
^dering the reftlefs Spirit of the difcontented Party, it was
hard to determine, whether an Indemnity was a proper Way
to reduce them ; fince it was notorious, that the repeated In-
fiances of Clemency which his Majefty has given fince his
Acceflion, have been abus'd and defpis'd : That as to the
Repeal of the Adts againft the Difienters, nothing, in his
I Opinion, was either more juft or reafonable ; , and ^e could
not but wonder, that a Gentleman ^meatfing Mr "John Smith']
who had been turn'd out of his Employment injthe laft Reign,
&ndreftor'd fince the King's coming to theC/own, fiiould ac-
count it a Miftake, on the one Hand, not to grant an In-
demnity to his Majefty's declared Enemies ; and a Miftake,
on the other Hand, to make his Majefty's undoubted Friends
eafy.'
Mr^^th. j^f Smith, after an Explanation demanded and given,
about his being turn'd out of Place and reftor'd, replyM to
•the laft Part of Mr Shute'.s Speech, * That he ever was for
allowing Liberty of Confcience to the DifTenters, and had
even voted againft the Occafional Bill ; but tha^ the fame
being pafs'd into a Law, it was his Opinion, that it couki
not be repeal'd without difquieting the whole Nation.'
MrYonte. Mr Yonge, * Member for Honiton, (poke next, and (aid
• That fome Days before, he had been againft the Motion,
/or granting a Supply upon the King's Mefiage, becaufe ho
thought it unparliamentary ; and it was then his Opinion to
addrefs the King to enter into fuch Engagements as his
Majefty ihall think proper, and that the Commons would
make good the fame ; but that, fince the Majority of the
.lloufe had determined to grant a Supply, they had brought
^emfelves to this Pilemma, either to grant what was a&'d
m
♦ Opt f/ tU Camffifififs for fiaiwf thi J>sHs ^f (0 ^c Jfif^^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 125 I
as ncceflary for the Service, or to tell the King, that that
Service muft remain unperform'd, which they had in a Man- ,
ner determined to be necefiary, by granting a Supply.'
This Speech was back'd by Mr Gould, who own'd, * That Mr Gould,
we could not carry on our Trade to the Baltick, without
bringing the King of Sweden to Reafon, and therefore he
was for granting this Supply.' Mr Robert Walpole, who MriLWaipoie,
brought up the Rear, faid, ' That having already fpokea
for the Supply, he would not refufe the Court his Vote,
and the Sum being nam'd, he was for granting it. Here^
upon, it was carry 'd without dividing, that a Sum not ex-
ceeding 250,000 1. be granted, to enable his Majeily to
concert fuch Meafures with Foreign Princes and States, as
may prevent any Charge or Appreheniions from the De-*
figns of Sweden for the future.
April 13. Mr Farrer having reported this Refohition to
the Houfe; fome of the Members endeavour'd to render it
ineffedual, by moving that it (hould be re-committed. To
debate this Motion with more Freedom, Mr Bromley, tak- Mr w. Bromley,
ing Notice that feveral Peers, and others, were got into the
Houfe, mov'd, that the Houfe be clear'd of all Strangers ;
which being done accordingly, Mr Shippen infilled on the M^H^Sord
recommitting of the Refolution in Queftion. He was fe- sir xho. Hanmer..
conded by MrHungerford, Sir ThomasHanmer, Mr.Herne, mJ uwfon.
and Mr Lawfon : But the othef Party call'd for the Que- The Houfe voi^p
ftion ; and the faid Refolution being read a fecond Time,% Kj?g?agiii^'*
was agreed to by a Majority of 1 53 againft 132. ' Sweden.
April 16. MrBofcawen* having acquainted the Houfe
with his Majefty's Defire, that they would adjourn 'till the
6th of May, the Houfe accordingly adjourn'd to that Dayl
Mtpf 6. The King went to the Houfe of Lords, and the
Commons attending, his Majefty commanded the Lord
Chancellor to read the following Speech to both Houfes :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" TT is with great Satisfaction that, after this fhort Re- King's spcecB,
" 1 ccfs, I can acquaint you with the certain Advice I have
" received, that my Fleet is fafely arrived in the Sound,
" which, by the Blefling of Almighty God, will fecure
** thefe Kingdoms againft any immediate Danger of an
" Invafion.
" I have, by thefe Means, an Opportunity, which is
" very acceptable to me, of making a confiderable Reduc-
" tion in oar Land- Forces, ^having eltablifh'd it as a Rule
" with my Jelf, to confult the Eafe of my People in every
" Thing, fo far as is confiilent with their Safety. And,
t for my own Part, as I fliall always place my Greatnels
i»
♦ Cm^trolkr of tU JiaH/hfl^
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( 126 )
** in the Profpciity of my Subjed^s, fo I ftiall always defirc
that my Power may be founded in their Affedions.
*^ It is upon thefe Coninlerations, that I have given Or-
'* ders for the immediate reducing of ten thou&nd Men.
» ** That nothing may be wanting in me to quiet the
** Minds of all my Subjefts, I have, likewife given Direc-
** tions to prepare an AA of Grace ; and however it may be
** received by thofe who are obftinately bent on the Ruin of
*' their Country, I promife my felf, that it will raife a du^
**^ Senfe of Gratitude in all fuch as have been artfully mifle^
*^ into treafonable Practices, againft my Perfon and Go-
** vemm^t, and preferve them from flanding in need of
^ ** the like Mercy for the future, when fuch an Inflance of
•" Clemency may not be fo expedient for Ihe publick Wel-
^* izxty as it would be agreeable to my own Inclinations.
Gentlemen of the Houle of Commons,
" I thank you for your Readinefs to fuj^ort me in the
*' prefent Jun^ure of Affairs, and for the Supplies which
" you have given ; and do promife you, that they fhall be
** employed for the Ufes to which you defign'd them.
" I (hall order fuch feithful Accounts to be laid before
*' you the next Seflxon, as will make it appear, there was
** no other View in a&ing any particular Supply, than to
♦* prevent a much greaterJExpence, which thesNation mull
♦• have unavoidably incurr d without it.
" I muft reconimend to you, as I did at the Beginning
" of the Seffipn, to take all proper Methods for reducing
*« the publick Debts, with a juft Regard to Parliamentary
" Credit.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" The Year being fo far advanced, I hope you will go
*« tlirough the publick Bufmefs with all poffible Difpatch
** and Unanimity, it being my Intention to meet you early
** the next Winter, that the Sitting of Parliament may be
*' brought into the more ufual and convenient Seafon. "
Mr Lechmcre The CommoQs being retum'd to their Houfe, Mr Lech-
K%*^^fl1fts mere mov'd for an Addrefs to his Majefty, which not be-
Md^tbc«for*r??*^^°5 oppos'd, a Committee was appointed to draw one up.
figning theirPiacet. Mr Lechmere, in his Speech for this Addrefs, animadverted
upon fuch of the Members as had lately refign'd their
Places, as if they intended to dii^efs the King's Afiairs ;
MrWaipotevin-upon which Mr Walpole thought fit, in his own Vindi-
fh^cw^"*^'^^ ca"on* ^o %> * That Perfons who had accepted Places
in the Government, had often been reflected on for carry- i
ing on Defigns, and adUng contrary to the Intereft of their
Country ; but that he had never heard a Man found fault
with, for laying down one of the moft profitable Places in
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( t^7 )
ftke Kinzdom : That, for his own part, i^ be would have Aqm t- Geo.1.
(comply 'd with fome Meafurcs, it had noi been in the Power ^y^yy'^^^j
i^ any of the prefent Minifters to remove him ; but that Jie
had Reafbns for refigning his Employments, with which
he had acquainted his Majefty, and mieht periiaps, in a
proper Time, declare them to the Houfe. In the mean
n^e the Tenoar of his Condud (hould fhew, that he never
intended to make the King uneafy, or to embarrafs his
Afeirs : And concluded with moving. That the Bill, For rt-
duming the Duty on Hvufiiy &c might be read a fecond
Time.' Upon this General Stanhope reprefented, « That
(everal Things in that Bill wanted to be amended and rec-
tify^d, and therefore he mov'd, that the fecond Reading
of it might be put ofF to the next Day Se'nnight ; ' which
was ordered accordingly. General Stanhope hkewife made cca. auaiMre.
ufe of that Opportunity to take Notice to the Houfe, ' That
he onderftood it had been the common Pradice of thofe
concerned in the Adminiibation of the Treafury, to make
Bargains for the Publick with the Governors and Directors
of Companies, by which fome private Advantages were
generally made: But that, in his Opinion, fuch Bargains
ought to Jbe made at the Bar of the Houfe, by the Repre-
I fentatives of all the Commons of Great Britain ; and if any
i Advantages could be made, the Publick ought to have the
Benefit of tkem.'
M0^ 7. Mr Lechmere reported the Addrefs to his Ma-
jefty, which is as follows :
Moil Gracious Sovereign,
' TTZE your Majefty's moft dutiful and loyal Subje£ls, The
' VV the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament af- A<wwi».
* fembled, crave Leave to approach your facred Perfon,
* with Hearts full of Gratitude to your Majefty for the
* many gracious declarations you have been pleas'd to
* make to us from the Throne.
* Our Duty to your Majeify, and our Concern for the
' Security of your Kingdoms, at a Time when the Nation
< was threatened with a defperate Invafion, obliged us to
* make Provifion for keeping up fuch a Body* of Land-
* Forces, as might (hew that we were in a Pofture of De-
^ fence : But your Majefty having Grounds to hope, on the
* Arrival of your Fleet in the Sound, that, by the Bleffing
< of God, a Check wiU be put to that Defign, we mull for
* ever acknowledge, that the early DireSions you have
* been pleased to give for reducing fuch a Body of thofe
^ I^id- Forces, is the moft acceptable Pledge you could give
* your People of your Tcndemefs for them ; and that your
! A^jefty luU aothing fg much at Heart as their prefent and
* future
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( 1^8 )
* future Welfare, and is fuch an Inftance of your greai
.Wjfdom and Goodnefs. as muft for ever endear your
' Majefly to all your Subjefts.
* We are bound to exprefs our juft Satisfadlion In your
* gracious Intentions of Mercy, as being highly conducive
* to the Tranquility of the Kingdom, and a convincing
* Proof of your Majefty's Defire to reign in the , AfFedlion^
* of all your Subjefts.
* We have fo often experienc'd the happy Efiefls of thq
* Confidence we have repos'd in your Majefty, that we can
* never entertain any Doubt of the due Application of any
' Supplies granted by us; and do receive, in the mofl du-
* tiful and aiFedionate Manner, your Majelly's Promife to
* lay the Accounts of fuch Application before us, as a great
* Inftance of your Juilice to the Nation.
* We are truly fenfible how much the Eafe and Profpe-
* rity of your Sqbjefts depends on the accomplifhing that
* great and neceffary Work, of reducing the publick Debts,
* and are refolv'd to carry it on in the moft effectual Man-
* ner, with juft Regard to Parliamentary Credit.
* We are likewife refolv'd, by the Difpatch and Unani-
* mity of our Proceedings, to convince the World, fhat we
* are inviolably engaged in Duty and Affediion to your
* moft facred Perfon and Government, on the Support of
* which the Welfare and Happinefs of thefe Kingdoms,
* under God, entirely depend.'
Mr Shlppen moves
fcr recommitting
«ht Addreii.
Bebftte thereon.
Mr W. Bromley.
'Mr Heme.
<3en. Rofi.
Gen. Stanhope.
MrR.Walpole.
Mr W.Pultency.
After the reading the above Addrefs, Mr Shippen mov'd
to have it recommitted ; and that an Amendment might be
made to that Part of it which relates to the Array, which
he propos'd to be as follows, viz. ' That npthing could
more endear his Majefty to all his Subje£ls^ than the re-
ducing the Land-Forces to the old EfiablilKment of Guards
and Garrifons, fuch as his Majefty found it at his Acceflion
to the Crown.' To Support his Motion, he reprefented the
Danger of a ftanding Army ; urging, * That in Cromwel's
Time, a Force much lefs tjian what will remain in Great
Britain after- the Redudion propos'd, had oyertum'd the
Monarchy, abolifh'd Epifcopacy, put dowTi the Houfe of
Peers, and driven the Commons from their Seats. He was
feconded by Mr Bromley, and back'd by Mr Heme and
General Rofs ,• bmt they were oppos'd by General Stanhope,
Mr Robert Walpole, and alfo hy Mr Pulteneyj who de-
clared, * That before the Difcovery of the.late Swedifli Con-
fpiracy, while he Jiad the Honour to ferve his Majefty as
Secretary at War, he had received fuch Diredions as ftiew'd
his Majefty's Intentions, at that Time, to reduce ftill a
igreatej Number of Forces, than was now propos'd*; and
therefore
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( 129 )
t^refore he did not doubt but his Majeft)r would do it as MmyOt^v
foon as the Safety of his ELingdoms would admit of it.* He v,^%>^%^
added, * That, in his Opinion, the Nation had no Reafon
to fear any Thing from an Army, who, for near thirty Years
paft, had giyen fignal Proofs of .their firm Adherence to the
Protefiant Intereft, and of their Zeal to maintain the liber-
ties of their Country ; and that if there was any Dang^ at
preientft it was only from Foreign Counfels.* At length the
Qaeftion being put upon Mr Shippen's Motion, it was csir-
ry*d in the Negative by a Majority of 1 88 agsdnit 83.
May 8. Mr Pultency acquainted the Houfc, * That he J*^^£^
was appreheniive of fome Mifmanagements^ and Imbezle- ing|gkgmtof a^
ments of the publick Money,, in relation to the 6000 Dutch idauon to^Sooo
Troops, and the Service in North Britain : ' Upon this i>«d»T«>w&c,
it was refolv'd to prefent two AddrefTes to his M^e^
fty ; One for an Account of the Money given ftwp die
Payment of the 6000 Dutch Troops taken into his Majefty's
Service during the late Rebellion, with the Charge of Uie
Trapfportation of the &id Troops forwards and l^kwards^
diftin^iiihing each Particular under its re(pe£Uve Head ; the
Other for an Account of the Diilribution of the Extraocdi'
aaries and Contii^^cies iflued out for the Service perfonii'<l
in North Britain during the late Rebellion.
Jl% 9. The Hbufe prefented their Addrefs of Thanks td
the King for his Speech, who returned the following Anfwer :
Gentlemen,
« TT is with great Pkafurc that 1 find the Direaions I '^^^tk^S
** X have given to make a Redudion in the Army, and my Thanio.
" Intentions to grant an Aft of Grace, are fo much to the
" Satisfaftion of my faithful Commons.
** I thank you for the hearty Affurances you give me of
" your Atfeftions to my Perfon and Government ; and fhall
*' always make fuch an Ufe of the Confidence you repofe in
** me, as may be moft for the Advantage of my People.
May 12* A warm Debate arofe on a very odd Occafioh; ^.^ ^ WmdKiBi
Sir William Wyndham having mov'd, * That Dr Snape be moves'forSrsn^s
dcfii'd to preach before the Houfe at St Margaret's, Weil- S/SJife^^^£:
minfter, upon the 29th of May ;' he was feconded by Mr *^*^J**r.
Shippcn, and back'd by all the Members who had lately te- wrlSt^i
fign'd their Employments. Mr Horatio Walpole, who fpoke Mr h. vJ^p^i
iiril after Mr Shippen, faid, * That it was unufual^ on fiich
Occafions, t6 put the Negative oh any Man, whom a Mem*
ber of diat Houfe had thought fit to name ; and that Dr
Saape was not only a Perfon of Merit and great Learnings
but had likewife the Honour to be one of his Majefty's . „ .
Chaplains/ Mr Robert Walpole (aid, ' That hfc knfew Dr ^^^ *• ^^^'
■ " ■ that
Google
Snapc to bt a very learned, and a yery honeft Man i that
I7I7.
Ml IMoBCIV*
MrAiaabk.
lAtd Goe rniey.
Mr HongeribrfL
( 130 )
^6 had not only entrofted him with the Education of his own
Children, but alfo recommended the Sons of the Doke of
Deronfhire and Lord Townihend to his Care ; and there-
fore he could not but think, that he might be trufted with
t>reaching a Sermon before that Aflembly.* Mr Lechmer e
opposed them, and (aid, * That he could not but wonder,
that a Member who had been one of the Managers 2^;ainft
Dr Sacheverel, (hould now fpeak in Behalf of a Divine who
had aflerted the fame Notions of Paffive Obedience and Non-
Refiftance, for which the other had been prosecuted ; and
who had lately attacked a ftrenuous and worthy Champjon
of the Revolution and Proteftant Succeffion/ Mr Aiflafaie
anfwer'd, * That he gave his Vote to Dr Snape, becat^ he
looked upon him as a learned and honeft Man : And as for
having written againft the Biihop of Bangor's [Dr HoadU^]
Sermon, he did not think it a fufficient Reafon to put upon
him a Negative, which would be prejudging of a Contro-
yerfy that did not properly belong to their Cognizance.*
The Lord Guemfey alfo fpoke in Behalf of Dr Snape j and
Mr Hungerford (aid, ' That if the Court had not interposed
the Dodor might have fliewn the Bifhop fine Sport ; but that
the King having ordered his Minifters^to diiband Part of the
Army, they had, by Miftake, difbanded the Convocaticm.*
Sir William Wyndham's Motion being thus ftrongly fup-
ported, and Mr Lechmere being back*d only by Sir Jo-
iS^wS^ feph Jekyll, Mr Bofcawen, Mr Treby, and a few more,
UxTitbyl^' the QuefUon was put, and carry 'd in the Affirmative, by
141 Voices againft 131 5 and Sir William Wyndham and
Mr Shippen were ordered to acquaint Dr Snape with the D^-
fireoftheHoufe.
AnAddrdsreftivd ^^ ^5- It was refolv'd to addrefs his Majefty to give
?^§S5t2i!rf J^jreaions to the Commiffioner of Tranfports to lay before
'*' ' this Houfe all fuch DiredUons as he has receiv'd or given,
and fuch Letters and Papers as are in his Hands relatmg to
the Tran(i)ortation of the Dutch Troops, and all Accounts
and Demands relating thereto.
May 1 8. After the difpatching of private Bufinefs, Mr.
Hungerford mov'd. That Leave be given to bring in a
Bill tor examining, taking, and ftatingdie publick Acoounu
of the Kingdom. He was feconddd by Mr. Horatio Wal-
pole ; but the QueJHon being put, it pafsM in the Negative.
' May 20. The Commons having refolv'd themielves into a
Committee of the whole Houfe, to confider Buther of Ways
and Means for raifing the Supply granted to his M^efly,
c^%^u>/the Gen. Stanhope laid before them the reipe£live Proposals o£
^*^' the South-Sea Companv, and of the Bank of England, which
were read, and which the Reader will find in the FO TES
of this Seflion.
After
tbe^oo Dutch
Mr HangeHbrd'8
Motion for a BUI
for Sut'mg the
pttbUck Accounti.
Gen. Stanhope
lays before tne
Aoufe the Proi
lab of the S.
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( 131 )
After the Reading of thcfe Propo&Is, Mr. Robert Wtl- ^^,i^ *•
pole rais'd Obje&ions againft them, particularly againft that W^*V^^^
of the Soath-Sea Company. He was feconded by Mr. '
Hutchefon, who endeavoured to fhew, *That the Nati- iir r. v^SJSl
on would fcarce gain this Year loo^ooo 1. by tiiac Barg^ ; HrHoicfcrfa.
and therefore he was for patting off this A^ir 'till the next
Seffion, to give the Communities Time to make more reafon*
able PropoSls.' He was anfwer'd by Mr. * Lowndes, Mem* uxUimhk
ber for St. Maw's, who iaid, * He had much ado to find out
the Meaning of the Member who fpoke laft ; that in the
&me Speech he had advanced. That the Nation would gaia
nothing this Year, and then own'd that the Nation would gain
100,000 1. That fuppofing the Gain to be no more than
thelaft mentioned Sum, yet the Propofal of the South-Sea
Company was not to be rejected, iince it would enable
the Nation to b^in to reduce the publick Debts. That
in cafe the Propofals of the Communities were not
thoBght reafonable, nothing, in his Opinion, could be more
cfiedual to bring the Communities to Reafon, than a Vote of
that Houfe ; and therefore the Commons needed but declare
their Intentions, and he did not doubt but the Communities
would comply therewith.' After Mr. Hutchefon bad reply'd
fomething by Way of Explanation, Mr. Hun^rford faid» MrHiiQCDriM
* That for his own Part, he ever was of Opimon, that the
Parliamentary Faith ought to be preierv'd untouched and
inviolable ; that by keeping up the National Credit, Eneland
was glutted with Money, and was become the general lank
of Europe, while moft of the neighbouring States were re-
duced to Streights, and wanted Specie. That France had loil
her Credit, or rather never had any ; and if there was any
Money in that Kingdom, 'twas in the Hands of the Re-
gent ; for what Purpofe he could not tell. That though the
Parliamentary Faith ought to remain inviolate, yet he did
not doubt, but the Wifdom of the Reprefentative^ of Uie
Nation could find legal Ways to reduce thclntcreft of publick
Securities, fince the Parliamentary Faith confiiled only in the
fecttring the Payment of the Capital Sums advanc'4 by pri-.
vate Perfons for the Ufe of the Publick. That he did not;
underfland why the Publick fhould pay a higher iQtereft thanr
a private Man. That he knew by Experience, and in the
Courfe of his Bufineis, that Money may be had at 4 1. per
Cent, on good Securities ; that there was on the Flo€>r a
Member bf the Houfe who had lent him 20,000 V. at that
Rate ; and therefore it was to be hcgp'd, that the Communis
tics duly weighing all this, would offer to the Houfe more
liafonablc PropoUls/ Mr. John Smith back'd Mr, Hungef- Mri.fimitl^
R 2 ford
• 4i«rf*#7tfl^ff Ir•^t^ar•.\
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 133 )
mo I^CecL fbrdy and faid^ ^That one would have expe^ed, that the
y^^i^lfLf^ Communities and moneyed Men, who, to make diemfelves
popular, boaft of their Zeal for the pefent Goyenunent,
fhould, on this Occaiion, have given convincing ProoB of
It, by contributing more than they offerM to do, towards re-
ducing the publick Debts, and eafing the landed Men, who
for fo many Years have born the greateft Part of the Nation-
al Burdens. That, in his Opinion, it was of dangerous Con-
fequence to borrow Money of die Communities upon the
Foot of their Fropofals, fince by the granting them a Term
of Years, the Parliament debarred themfehres of the Liberty
of taxing publick Funds, which they had a Right to do, in
cafe of extreme Neceflity, without violating the ParHamenta-
ry Faith. That, for His own Part, he thought the Commu-
Iiities ought to be latisfy'd with one Year's Notice ; but the
. Seafon being fo far advanced, that there could not be above
five Months before the next Seffion, he was for putting off
. this Bufinefs 'till then ; and, in the mean Time, the Cbm-^
munities might maturely confider of it.' Upon this, Mr. ♦
Mr \Mkwi» Hopkins, Member for Bchefter, replied, * That he had as
great a Regard to the landed, as to the money'd Intereft ;
not only becaufe he had, God be thank'd, fome Land of his
own, butaHb becaufe he was fatisfy'd that the landed and
money '4 Interefts are entirely the fame, fince the Value of
Land rifes or falls in Proportion to the Plenty or Scarcity of
Money. That in the Courfe of Bufinefs, it is ufual for thofe
who borrow, to propofe fome Advantage to the Lenders ;
but that on this Occaiion, the Communities were fo far from
gettipg any Thing by advancing Money to the Government,
<hat, on the contrary, they facrific'd their own Intereft to that
of the Publick. l^hat if the Thing was rightly confider'd, it
would be found, thzt the Perfon^ concemNd in the South-Sea
Stock, by contenting themfelves with an Interefl of 5 1. per
Cent, inflead of fix, to which they are intituled by an AGt
of Parliament, did, in Reality, lofe 20 1. in every 1 20 1. (b
that the Company, by accepting the fame Annuity for
twelve Millions which they had before for ten, did in Effe^
prefent the Government with two Millions, which being ap-
ply'd to the paying off the Lotteries and other redeemable
Funds, great Advantages mizht thereby accrue to the Pub-
lick. That he could not forbear taking Notice of what had
been fuggefted by fome People without. That the Intereft of
the publick Funds might be reduc'd at once by an Aft of Par-
liapient i ^)ut t^iat he hop'd no fuc^i Thing was ever intend-
ed
^ TbU (se^leman heii no Place or Empkyment^ but an Aeeomtt of hii
'very remarkabk Omra^tr vfity bffetn m Mk Fn^*i Ethic F0ks.f Fpifi, fll,
Lin$ 85;, • t '
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( «33 )
ed by any that £it in that Hode; for^ in his Opinion, it
cookl not be dmie without violating the Parliamentary Faith,
and giving a dangerous Wound to publick Credit.* This
Speech was anfwer'd by Mr. Aiflabie» who took Notice Mr AUbbk.
^ That of late Years the Companies of moneyed Men were
grown €o proud as not only to treat familiarly with the Par-
liament» but even to pretend to dilate to them ; that there-
fote it was high Time to give them a Check, and let them
know, that the landed Men, and their Reprefentatives, were
Matters of the main Spring and Stock of the Wealth and
Strength of the Kingclom : And, concluded, for putting oflT
this fioiinefs 'till the next Seffibn/ Hereupon Colonel *
Bladen, Membor for Stockbridge, ihew'd, how dangerous cd. nudea.
it was to delay an Affair of fo great Importance ; and he
was back'dby Sir Fiiher Tench, Member for Southwark. sir RAer Tench.
On the other Hand, Mr Pnlteney (aid, * He dki not know Mr w.PiUtener.
what private Advantage feme Perfons might have in accepting
die Propofal of the South-Sea Company ; but that, in hS
0]^nioai, no Term of Years ought to be granted, or, atmoft,
not above three Years/ General Stanhope,being fenfible that Gcmsaohoiie.
the Oppofidon made ^ainft the Propofals of the Communi-
ties, iad the Refledion of private Advantage, were chiefly
level'd againft him, thought fit to vindicate himfelf : * He
ingenooufly own'd his Incapacity for the Affairs of the Trea-
Tory, which were fo remote from his Studies and Inclinati-
on, that therefore he would fain have kept the Employ-
' ment he had before, which was both more eafy, and more
profitable to him ; but that he thought it his Duty to obey ,
the King's Commands. That, however, he would endea-
vour to make up, by Application, Honeffy, and Difintereft-
edneis, what he wanted in Abilities and Experience. That
he would content himfelf with the Salary and lawful Perqui-
fites of his Office ; and though he had quitted a better Place,
he would not quarter himfelf upon any Body to make it up ;
that he had no Brothers, nor other Relaticms, to provide for ;
and diati upon his firft entring into the Treafury, he had
made a (landing Order againff the late Pra£Uce of granting ,
Reverfions of Places.' Mr Walpole, who thought himfelf MrR.Waipoie.
refleded on in what Gen. StanhojJe had faid, reply 'd with
great Warmth, complaining of Breach of Friendihip, and
betraying private Converfation, * He frankly own'd. That
while Jie was in Employment^ he had endeavoured to ferve
his Friends and Relations ; than which, in his Opinion, no-
thing was more reafonable, or more juft : That as to the
granting Reverfions, he was willing to acquaint the Houfe
vyith the Meaning of it : That he had no Obje£Uons againll '
thf
♦ CtmUrotkr »»/ the MinK,
Digitized, by VjOOQ IC
I4i Htmserford.
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Anno ^r Cm. I. thc German Miniftcrs, whom his Majcfty brought with him
^^^-^>J^-s^ from Hanover, and who, as far as he had obferv'd, had all
along behav'd themfelves like Men of Honour; but that
there was a mean Fellow, of what Nation he could not tell»
who took upon him to difpofe of Employments ; that this^
Man having obtained the Grant of a Reverfion, defign*d
fdr his Son, Mr Walpole thought it too good for^iim, and
therefore kept it for his own Son. That thereupon that
Foreigner was fo fancy as to demand of him the Sum of
2500 1. under Pretence, that he had been offered fo much
for the iaid Reveriion ; but that he was wifer than to coni-
ply with his Demand. And that one of the chief Reafcms
that made him refign his Places, was, becauie he would not
connive at fome Things that were carryii^ on.' General
Stanhope ahfwer'd ; Mr Walpole reply'd ; and fome hard
Exprcflions having efcap'd them in the Heat of the Dis-
pute, Mr Hungerford endeavoured to put a Stop to it. 'I
am forry, faid he, to fee^hefe two great Men hH foul on
one another ; however, in my Opinion, we muft ilill look
upon them as Patriots, and Fathers of their Country ; and
iince they have, by Mifchance, difcover'd their Nakednefs,
we ought, according fo the Cuftom of the Ball, as the
Scripture tells us, cover it by turning our Back upon them.
He added. That this unlucky Accident had, however, ]Ht>-
duc'dTome Good, in that it had revealM a Piece of fecret
HiHory, viz. the fcandalous Pradlice of felling Places and
Reverfions ; and therefore he mov'd. That the honourable
Member who made the Dlfcovery, might be called upon
to name the Perfon." No Body feconding this Motion,
Sir Jofephjekyll * brought back the Attention of the Af-
fembly to the Bdmefs under Coniideration, and ihewM the
Danger of putting off till the next Winter, the Condufion
of an Afiair of fo great Confequence. He was back'd by:
Mr Aiiiabie. Mr Aiflabie, who laid, * That as he never defign'd, to he
would not be thought to oppofe any Thing that carry*d the
Face of publick Good ; and therefore he was for granting
to the South^Sea Company the Term of Years ^t had
been mentioned, viz. fix Years, and a Year's Notice.' The
Quedion being put thereupon, it was carry'd without di-
viding. The Speaker having refum'd the Chair, Mr Bof*
cawen a6led the Part of a common Friend between General
Stanhope and Mr Walpole, faying, * That it was melan*
choly to fee that any Difference fhould happen betweea
thofe two worthy Members, unbecoming their own Cha-
racters, and the Dignity of that Aflemblv ; bui that 'twould
fUll be a greater Misfortune, if they moqld go out with,
auy
Sir J. JekyU.
Mr Bioftawen.
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any Rcfentmcnt 5 and dicrefore he movM, That the Houfc
would lay their Commands upon th^n, that no farther 1
Notice be taken of what had pafs*d. Mr Methuen fecond- MrMetiiwn.
ed Mr Boicawen, whofe Motion being unanimoufly agreed
to, the Speaker put it immediately in Execution.
Mffjr 21. Mr Puheney, made Obfervations on fome Pi- MrPotteneym
pen which, that Day, had been laid before the Houfc by tobH^dbefore"
Mr Cdeby, the Commiffioner for Tranfports, relating to JSaI^^'d^
theTranfportation of the Dutch Troops in November 171 J, droops,
and fuggcfted, That the Perfon who was entrufted with the
Management of that Affiiir, [meaning the Lord CadoganJ
kd defrauded the Publick, on feveral Articles ; and, that
^e Houfe might be thoroughly informed of the whole
Matter, he mov*d, That his Majefty be addrefs'd for the
ievejal Papers that might give Light into that Traniporta-
tion. He was fecohded and back'd by feveral Members ;
upon which it was refolvM and ordered, to prefent four Ad- which is agreed to.
drefles to his Majefty, *uiz, I. For an Account of the Par-
ticulars of the « Sum of 2106^ 12/. SJ. with Copies of
the Vouchers for paying the fame, charg'd for bringing
the 6000 Dutch Troops from their refpedive Garrifons to
Oftend, in order to embark for Great Britain, at the Time
of the late Rebellion. IL An Account of the Particulars
of the Sum of 992/. 3/. 6d. with Copies of the Vouch-
trs, ^c. for Tents, Sacks, and other Neceflaries faid to be
deKvcr'd to the ^d 6000 Dutch Forces. III. Copies of
all the Contrads made for tranfporting the faid Troops to
Great Britain, and Copies of all Vouchers for paying any
Sums of Money relating to the fame. And, IV. An Ac^
count of all the Bills of Exchange drawn from Abroad upon
the refpedivc Offices of Great Britain, in the Years 171 5
and 1 7 16, for, or on Account of, the late Rebellion.
Moj^ 22. The Commons, in a Committee of the whole TheConfiJentJon
Houfe on Ways and Means, took into Confideration the ?^tte^r!faod
Pmpoial of the Bank of England, for advancing Money to ^^'^^^'
the Government ; upon which there arofe a Debate, that
lafted three or four Hours, and then the farther Confidera-
tion of that "Matter was put off till the 24th, when the
Committee came to feveral Refblutions ; and Mr Speaker
having refum'd the Chair, the • Report of the Refolutions
relating to the South-Sea Company, and the Bank o£ Eng-
land, was ordered to be receiv'd upon that Day Se'nnight ;
but the Governor and Diredtors of the Bank of England '
knrbg made a Demur npon accepting the Conditions offered
them by the Commons, before they had held a General
Court, the faid Report was, on the 3rft of May, farther
adjouni'd to the 6di of June.
D'i^tized by Google
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AnTOj.r^.1. ji/^ 2^. The Houfe refohr'd to addrefs his Majeftj^
\^^^-V^*^^ That fuch Dire£lions as were fent to his Minillcrs in Hol-
ThcHcmrerefoive land, and their Anfiversy as far as they relate to the Ex-
SSI JS^tothe pence of the Dutch Troops, be laid before the Houfe.
coooDutchtroops. ^^ ^7. The Lords fent a Meflage to the Commons to
^iiub^i& acquaint them that their Lordfhips had {^pointed tke 1 3th
Jfe'i?7f i^fS'^ of June, for the Trial of the Earl of Oxford.
^vt^Il *' ^^y 3^' '^^^ Commons having taken the faid Meilkge
into Confideration, appointed a Conunittee to confidcr of the
SSS^ State of the Impeachment againft the faid Earl. Several
fi^hJ^j;^"^^. Members of the Secret Committee, who firft pufh'd on that
mittcc. Profecution, being caJl'd up to the Houfe of Peers, as Sir
Richard Orilow, the LordConingsby, and Sir Robert Marfh-
am ; foiue abfent, and others grown remifs and indifferent
in the Matter, it was thought proper to fupply thofe Defe&,
by* adding to the remaining Members of the faid Secret
Committee, Mr. Carter, Sir William Thompfon, Serj.
Birch, Serj. Pengelly, Serj. Reynolds, and Mr. Gaidott.
And it was ordered. That the faid Committee have Power
to fend for Perfons, Papers, and Records, and to adjourn to
fuch Times and Places as they fhould think fit,
ThSkTofu.?* The fame Day, Sir WiUiam Wyndham mov'd, That the
Hottfefor hitscr- Thanks of the Houfe be given to Dr. Snape, for the Sermon
by him preach'd before this Houfe the Day before, at St*
Margarers Weftminfler, and that he be defir'd to print the
fame : He was-feconded by Mr. Shippen, and opposed by the
fame Party who had oppos'd the Dodor's preaching, but the
Quellion being put, was carry 'd in the Affirmative by 86
Voices againft 70,
Several Paper* re- Several Papers relating to the 6000 Dutch Troops, were
T?i?ps'kSl)SbJ? ^id before the Commons, and upon a Motion raade by Lieu-
Mouic. tenant General Erie, it was refolv'd to take that Afiair into
Confideration, in a Committee of the whole Houfe, the
Tuefday following.
yu»e 3. Mr. Coleby, the Commiflioner for Tranf-
ports, Lieutenant General Maccartney, and others, were or^-
dcr'd to attend, the next Morning, the Committee of the
whole Houfe, to whom it was referred to confider of the
Matters relating to the Tranfportatwn of the Dutch Forces.
The femeDay the Secret Committee met for the firft Timc^
and chofe Mr. Carter for their Chairman, in the Room of
M^iSS^iSSd to Mr. Walpole, who abfented himfelf j and General Stanhqpe
^crauniiteeof happening at this Time to be indifpos'd, the Committee met
feveral Times without being able to do any Bufinefs. This
was the Reafpn why four other Perfons were added to
the reft, viz. Mr. Addifon, Mr. Cra]^, jun. Sir Na^thanicl
Mead and Mr, Jeffop.
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ymntj^. The Honfe, according to Order, wuto idblteitielf imtbj^
into a Committee of the whole Houfe, to take into ConSAt^
r^uion the feveral Paoen rekting to the Charge of Tnmf-
portation of the Dutch Troops, to zsi, from Great Britain i
and likewife the Papers rdadi^ to the Contingencies j«d. 5Sl?i»f3.?6ooo
Extraordinaries, for Serncesperrorm'd in North Britain dur* Dt^eii Troop*.
ing the Kebellion : But the Courtiers obferving, Tiiat the
Tory-Party, now ftrongly rcinforc'd by the difcontentccl;
Wh^ had the Majority, a Motion was made. That ther
in^ois'd Malt'Bill be read a third Time. This Motion
being contrary to Order, was opposed not only , by all tho
Tones, bat alfo by many of the Court-Par^, who were not
in the Secret of it ; b that after a Debate of about an Hour^
die Queftion being put, was carry'd in the Negative by «
Taft Majority. This preliminary Skirmifhhad, however^
the Efied the Court-Party expelled, which was only to give ^
Time to their abfeat Friends to come to the Houfe. In th«
mean while, the Court-Par^ having proposed Mr Farrer to
be Chairman of the Grand Conunittee, Mr. Wsdpole put up
Mr. Ed^oombe in Oppofition to him i and the fbnner d^ubt*
1^ their Stren^, chofe rather to yield, than to run the
Hazard of a Diimpointment { fo that Mr. Edgcombe wa$
aocordii^ly f^M in the Chair. This done, the Clerk
proceeded to the Reading of the Papers that had been laid
before the Houfe, relating to the Traniportation of the
Dutch Forces, after the Reamng of which, Mr. Pultcney made ^^ piUency.
a %>eech, v^rein he ihew^d * That there had been great
SuBKof Mcmey eoe^bezael'd in this Expedition ; that he could
Hot fix the Fraud upon any Body ; but that it plainly appeared*
diat the Sum of upwards of 2000 1. was *twice charged for
the &me Service, vie. for tranfporting the Dutch Forces into
Great Britain.* This v^anfwer'd by Mr. Craggs, ♦ who, in y^ ^^^^
particular, fhew'd the Rea£m why the refpedive Sums of
ao45l. and 2061 1. were charged for Tran^rts. On the
other Hand, Lieutenant General Maccartney, who had aflifl^
cd the Lord Cadogan in taking Care of the Marching and
Fimbarhation of the Dutch Troops, being examined at the
Bar, vouched feveral Particulars relating to the Provifions and
TraAfporti. But neverthelefs, Mr Robert Walpole, Mr MrR.Waipore.
Shippea, and Mr Smith, maintained Mr Pultoiey's A^rtion, m, shippen.
with^ a great deal of Warmth, and ma^e fevere Refle6tions ^ i.smitiu
on thePo-fena enq^y'd in brioging over the Dutch Troops.
On the contrary, Mr Lechmere f. Gen. Stanhope, Mr MrLeckmer«.
Hampden, Sir Wmiam Thompfon, and Mr AiHabie, fpoke ^i^^^'
Vol. I ^ S in Sir W. mmpfisiW
VOL.1. V O °* MrAiflabie^V^
• M»M SeorcUry at IVjtr in fje Ronm qf Mr fulttney.
•f M^dc ChamUor ofth^ Xhuhy cf tattc^cr in this S^jpgn,
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Sirjol. JekylL*
Mr Lccluncrc*
Mr Hiu)|«fford.
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in Vindicatloa of the Lord Cadogan. Mr Robert Walpolc
fupported Mr Ptilteney's Charge with much Vehemence, and
at two different Times, fpoke near the Space of two Hours,
and ftrain'd his Voice to that Degree, that he was taken
with a violent Bleeding at the No&, which eblig'd him to
go out of the Hottfe ; but came back before the Queftion
was put. The main Strefs of his Reafoning was, ' That
by the Papers that had been read, there was an ap{>arent
Fraud ; tho* he could not fay, but that it might afterwards
appear otherwife ; and he could not tell, bur that the Lord
C5adogan might produce other Evidence to prove his Inno-
cence.' Sir Jofeph Jckyll took Notice of the Inconfiftency
of MrWalpole's Argument ; for if the Fraud was apparent
ft was confequently real j and if fuch, it Was impoflible to
appear otherwife, and Confequently for the Perfon on whom
the Fratid was laid, to prove himfelf innocent i but that, in
iis Opinion, neither was there any apparent Fraud, nor, if
there were, could it, with any Juftice or Equity, be charged
on the Lord Cadogan, Who, in all this Affair, a£ied only as
a publick Minifter, and not either as , a Commander, or an
Agent ; concluding with fome Praifes on his Lordfhip, who,
in Military Affairs, held the fecond Rank, next to that
Great Man to whom every Body allowed the firft.' Mr Lech-^
mere likcwife diftinguifh'd himfelf on this Occafion ; ami
urg'd, *That this Enquiry was altogether frivolous and
groundlefs : That as it was the Refult of Party P^ue and
Malice, fo it had no other View than to blackeh and aiperfe
a Perfon whofe greateft Crime was, that he had real bright
Qualities, that drown'd the Tinfel Merit of others. That
this Enquiry was of the fame Nature with thofe that had
formerly been fet on Foot againft the Duke of Marlborough,
the Lord Townfhehd, and an honourable Member of that
Houfe 5 and, he hop*d, would have the fame End. That it
look'd very ftrange, that the Pej^ons who now appeared the
hotteft in this Enquiry, fhould have been filent about thefe
pretended Frauds while they were in Place : But that it was
ilill more iurprizing to hear them exclaim, with fo mudi
Rancour and Bittemefs, againft a noble Lord, of whom they
had been heard to fay. That the fpeedy fuppreffing of the
Rebellion in Scotland, was, under God, owing to his A^-
vity and Indefatigablenefs ; and that if another Gener^ had
had the Management of that Affair, he would have made k
a ten Years War.' Mr Hungerford fpoke in Favour of the
Lord Cadogan, and faid, < He wonder'd there was (b much
Noife made about a Dutch Reckoning ; that by all that had
been laid before them, the Lord Cadogan appear^ very in^
nocent ; and therefore? he thought he defervM rather the
Praife, than the Cerifure of the Houfe.' After both Parties
had
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liad mamtaiiiM the Confii£l *till near Eight in theBvetK apiu>}.gm.i.
ing. General Stanhope, in order to let the Buiinefs drop, ^^s^^^^
ino?*dy That the Chairman leave the Chair : Which, upon; '
the QoefHon being put, was carry 'd in the Affirmative b/>
204 againft 194. This was look'd upon ^ a great ViSbory-
on the Court Side ; for had the other Party gained their
Point, it was apprehended, that they defign'd not only tor
have pars*d. a Cenfure upon the Lord Cadogan, but aUb to.
have carry*d the Enquiry farther.
ymte 12. Mr Carter reported from the Committee ap-
pointed to confider the State of the Impeachment ag^^
Robert Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimta:, • That the Cwrj
mittee had met (everal Times, and made fome Progrefs in)
the Matters to them refrrr'd ; but that the Profecution ^pjp
the £ud Impeadiment having been iaterriipted for fo many(
Months, by the Intervention of many weighty and: urgent
Afiairs, which more nearly and immediately' concerned tht^
Welfare, Defence, and Security of the Kingdom i it wa^
become abiblutely neceflkry for thofe who fhould be appoint^
ed to manage the faid Impeachment, to review, and caifc-^
folly perufe all the Treaties, Records, Letters, 9|i4 o(i^
^Papers proper and necefiary for fupporting this Profec^it^n k
^hich being very voluminous, it would be impoflible wi^iipi^
the Time appointed for the Tryal, to adjuft and 9f^
the proper Evidence to the fisveral Articles.* Hemippn ii^
was moved. That a Meflage be fent to the Lords, 2^:qttainti Motion fbrdeBcing
ing them with the Reafons why this Houfe could not pro- S^^Jufa2ftl3i
cecd on the Tryal of Robert Earl of Oxford af4 Earl 1^^^^
Mortimer, at the Time appointed ; and to deiire that th^ geparvi to proceed
feme might be put off to a farther Day. Upon this ther^ **^ *^*
was, for two or three Minutes, a Siloice in the ^ou^e, thf
Members looidng upon one another, waiting who &pal4 Odate theieon.
fpeak firft. At laft, Mr Hungerford rofe up, and tqok Mr HongerfortL
Notice of the great Hardfhips which the Earl of Oxford
had undergone. Then Mr Bofcawen exprefs'd his Conoem, Mr Bofcaweiv
* That a Profecntion which the Commons had began in Cg
(tAemn a Manner, and which was thought fo neceilkry to
vindicate the Honour and Juftice* of the Nation, fhool^k
at hJk, be dropped ; which, he was fure, would be a K^
flc^'on*on that<Houfe.'' Here again was a deep Silence^
and Mr ^jeaker rifing, in order to put the Queftioi^, .|4y
ToiFne] ttfok that Opportuni^ to fpeak as foUowa. .: \
Mr Speaker, . v
' I have not yet te-ouUed the iloufe upon any of the MrTuffhcfi'*
Impeachments : However,, fince I have given my Aflent to ^^ '
every Article exhibked againft' this Noble Lord, I think it,
in fome Meafurc, incumbent upon roe, to declare the P^e^-
• fops why I did fo. I am fure there is m Gentleman in this
S z Houfe,.
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Hod^, diat at any Hme more unwillii^ oomei into anv
T^ng dut has the kaft Appearance of Severity towards
bb Feliow-Snbjeds, diaa s^ feif. And I can, with a
matdealof SinccifiQrafinriy that no perfimal Pique, Pre-
jiidice, or Refentment ever dic^ and I hope never will, in^
iloence my Vote ; efpedally when eidwr the Life, the
Fortune, or Ac Reputation of any Man h concerned. What
I did, I did out of a difinterefted Zeal ; out of an iadtfpen*
fible liove and Duty to my Country : And whatever may
be the Fate of this Ptofecution, I then thought, and ftill
am of OjHnion, that the Meafures which this Noble Lord
cftCer*d into, at Prime Minifter, have, if I may be excusM
the Imnroprkly of the Expreffion, hid a Foundation for
the Rmn of his Coimtry. I have already dedar'd, that
I have, in every Fart of the Accuiafion, voted againft this
Noble Lord. Ai to the Articles of High Crimes and Mis-
demeanors, I believe there is no Body but thinks there was
fidkient Ground for them : As to the H^h Treaibn»
where lay the only Difficulty, I muft fredy own, had I
confttlted only my private C^union, I could fcarce have
dkmght it included in the twenty-fifth of Edward IIL But
when an hcmoutable Gendeman, who was then Chairman
of die Secret Committee, undertook, in a Faft which die
Houfe had already adjuc^'d to be High Treafon, to brix^
Aat Matter as home to the Earl of OxfM, as t]» Report
had done to the then Lord Bolirtgbroke ; vi4ten he gave us
an the Aflnrances imaginable, that thcj had living and
legal Evidence to fupport die Charge ; fuch as it was al*
mofi: die unanimous Opinion of die Committee, might be
E'ven in Weflminfier-Hall ; and he hop'd, that iince the
'oufe had thought fit to repofe a Confidence in them, it
would not be expeded the Evidence fliould be difcover'd,
left it might give them an Opportunity of beii^ (educM :
iThis, I fay, and this alone, iwayM my Opinion. I then
conikler*d my felf ading, not as a Judge, but as a Profecit-
tor. And when that very ingenious Gentleman, ix^m I
always hear widi the greateft Heafure, and to whofe Judg-
ment I alwa3rs pay the mateft Deference, I fay, when his
Honour^ his Underftanding, his Veracity, his every Thing
was fb far engaged, the only QuefUon wiib me was, whe-
ther it was reaibnaUe to undertake the Profecution, or not I
And upon thefe Confiderations I can't but think I fhoukl
have been extremely wanting in that Duty which I owe to
my Cpuntry, if I fiiould have dedin'd giving my Vote to
brmg an Offender to publick Jnfiice; when, at the fame
Time, I was fiilly convinc*d that he had betrayed the
Honour and Intereft of this Nation.*
Ut
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Mr Bromky taUag Illotioe, dut th^ am»].c3m.I.
itm principally kydTd at Mr j^obert Wal^x^ endeavottr'd i^^^>?s^i
to Tiodicatt luin, by bymg, ^ That tho* he was Chairauui i£i^oa«^^
of the fecret CoaimUttr, yet» if any Thij^ was done
amUs among th«a« i% were hard to lay all the Blame at hit
Door, fince tht wh^ Committee were eqtially concerned
in ^ ImpeacfajQents.* A3 to the Matter now under Con-
fideiati<»^ Mr Bcomley aidded> ' That they had been xM
above a Year and a half ago^ that the Evidence was readyj
bot that thty ought not to give d^ Lords the Trouble of
g^i^ thro* d»e whole Impeachmoit^ fince, in his Opi-*
nioQ, twa^ pf the Articles were altogether vain and need-
le&»* Some Members reftntine this Aflmioo» Mr Bromr
1^ immediately explained himielf, iaying, * Tliat if the
two Articles that were for High Treafon, could be made
good» the odier twenty Would be needlefs and infignificant.*
MrShippen, who fpoke on the fame SKle, faid, among Mr sujipeiu
other Things, ^ Th^ this Impeachment had been depend^
ii^ ib long, tfaatevery Body expeded it would be dropt ;
aiM, indeed, unlefs the two Articles of High Treafi^n could,
be made good, he thought it unreafonable to give the two
Houfes an unnecefliuy Trouble about the other Articles,
by keeping them fitting in the hotteft Part of the Summer :
That, after all, thofe who had firft begun thelmpeach^-
ments, ought to be frtisfy'd with having got the Places of ,
tliofe that were inpeach'd ; which, indeed, feem*d to be ^
wkat they had principally in View : That the Truth of this
appeared evidently from the Behaviour of the Gentleman
who was the moft forward and adive in die Impeachments,
[Mr Rtberi W^tippli] whofe Wahnth was vejy much abated
iince he was out of Place : That he did not mention this as
a Refl«(^ion on that Gentleman, for whom he ever had a
^eat Refi>ed s but that he was afraid this would leilen him
in the Efteem of others : That, for his own Fart^ he was
sot in the leaft furpi^'d at this CondoQ ; of which he had,
of late, obferv*d many Inftances i but that he ever difiip-
prov'd it : That if he would have been a Time-lcrver, he
might, as well as odier People^ have got ibme good £m-
tleyment ; but that he rather <phofe 0 be contoi^ with a
un^ private Fortune, than betray his Sentiments : And as
an Inftance, he added, he could never be guilty of fo much
Adulation, as lo c^^itftent a certain Perfon with the
Rank of fecond Genet^ [mt^mu^ thf Lord CaJogan] to the
Prejudice o£ an hcmcmrable and worthy Member of that
Houie, Imidmng (kn$ral PFM"] whofe glorioi» Adions had
gaiii*d him an immortal Name/ Mr Hungerford then (aid, :Mr Hongecferd
* That f«»r his own Part, he ever was againft Impeach-
ments, bemift he h^ obftrv'd tl^t they generally come to
nothing;
Digitized by VjOOQIC
1717.
Sir Jo. JdcyH.
MrWalpdIe.
MrToffiieU.
MrLcchmere.
( t4z )
An«>|^GM->^ nodiing $ and as for the Refleaioii made by the wordy
'^^' Gentleman who fpoke laft, he fui^)os'd it was meant for
ibme Body elfe : ILooiif/g, as he J^ke this, tanvards Sir
Jafifhjekyll^ luho Jat mar him* and nvh§f (P^^I38) bad
fiokin in behalf of the Lord Cadegan.'] S^r Jofeph Jekyll
juftify'd himfdlf, ' both as to this, and atf to the Share he
had in the Impeachment of the £arl of Oxford ; having,
ftoia the Beginning, been againft the Articles for High
Treafon. After this, Mr Walpole made a feint Apology
for himfelf, laying, among other Thin^ * That he had
of late look'd over fome of the molt material Papers re-
lating to this Impeachment, and he was (till convince in
his Q>nfcience, that the late Miniftry had given themfelves
up entirely, and were ready to deliver up the Nation to
France.* But having let drop an Infinoation, as if many
who followed his Opinion in the Bufinefs of the Impeach-
ments, did it rather out of Compliment to his Power, than
to his Perfon, Mr Tuffhel refenting this Innuendo, imme-
diately repelled the Dint of it, by appealing to that honotir-
able Member, • Whether he ever made his Gourt to him ?
* And whether he had not paid him more Refped fince he
was but^ then when he was in Place V On the other Hand,
Mr Lechmere (h-ongly fupported the Motion for the Mef-
fage, and, amon^ other Things, faid, * It was no Wonder
that a certain Set of Men, who had, at firft, opposM the
Impeachments, fliould now be^ for letting them drop ; and
-that this was yet the lefs furprizing, in that the fame Gen-
tlemen had cbnftantly opposM all that had been proposed for
the Suf^rt of the prefent happy Settlement : But that for
his own Part, he was of the fame Opinion he ever had
been of, viz. that the Nation could not profper, till they
had brought thofe to Juilice, who betrayM its Allies in io
fcandalous a Manner, and brought it to the very Brink of
Ruin J and that he would venture his Life Jn this Profe-
cution.' After this, it was carry^d, without dividing. That
a Mefiage be fent to the Lonls; which being done the
fame D^y, their Lordfliips took it immediately into Con-
lideration*
June 1 3. The Lords fent a Meffege to the Commons to
acquaint them with their Refolution, of potting off the Bar!
of Oxford's Trial to the 24th of |unc.
, June 1 8. Writs having been ifiued to fopply Vacancies,
SfaTetyfi-'''^'^ ^V ^^««^ Members having accepted Places, Mr
Horatio Walpole mov'd, that Letf^e be given to bring in
A Bill to repeal Jo much of an AS pafs'd in the fixth Year rf
^en Anne's Reign, intitled. An A& for the Security of her
Majefty^s Perfon and Government, '^c as relates to the mak-
ing any Perfon capable of being again elefted aftcF the Ac
^ ceptance
Mr H. Walpal«
bcr, who takes a
Pbre, from being
y Google
( 143 )
iXfUmce of any Office of Profit fnmi the Ctcnmi, He was
feconded by Mr Daniel . Campbell, and no Member op-
pofing that Motion, the &id Bill was ofderM to be brought
io»
y»ti 24. Being the Day appointed hy the Lords for the Jy'e^*E?J^"J*
Tral of die Earl of Oxford the Commons refoh'd to be u7omt^^%
prcfent, as a Committee of the whole houfe; and the $J^i<0)i«bni'<
Managers and other Members having taken thdr refpedrve
Pbces in Wellminiler-Hall, the Lords came thither like-
wife, and the Earl of Oxford was brought to the Bar.
Tbtn, by the Lord High Steward's Conunands, were read,
1. The Articles of Impeachment exhibited by tl^c Com-
mons. U. The Eaii's Anfwer to them ; and. III. The
R^lication of the Commons. After the Reading of which,
the Lord High Steward addrefs'd himfelf to the Priiimer at
the Bar in a Speech fuitable to the Occaiien. This done*
his Lordfhip told the Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
diat they might proceed : And then Mr Hampden, one of
the Managers for the Houfe of Commons, open'd his Charge,
which being ended. Sir Jofeph Jekyll ftood up, in order to
proceed oh the fird Article of the Impeachment ; but as
he was beginning to ipeak, he was interrupted hy the Lord
Haicourt, who ngnify^d to their Lordfhips, that before the
Managers for the Commons proceeded farther, he had
ibmething to offento their Lordfhips, who thereupon ad-
joumM to their own Houfe, and the Commons returned to
theirs. The Lords being about to go down again to Wefl-
minfter-Hall, fent a Meii^e to the Commons to acquaint
them therewith » upon which the Cominons in a Conmiittee
of the whole Houfe, returned alfo to Wefhninfter-Hall,
where the Lord H^h Steward acquainted the Managers
with their Lordfhips Refolution, viz. ' That theCommons be The loHc nSaHyc
* not admitted to proceed in order to make good the Articles ^tHte^ArdS^
* ^inftRobert Earl of Oxfordand Earl Mortimer, for High ^' «*»» T"**^
' Crimes smd Mifdemeanours, till Judgment be iirft given
* upon the Articles for High Treafon.?
This Refolution of the Lords was highly difagreeable to
the Commons ; ias it feem'd to prescribe to them the par-
ticular Articles on which they were firfl to proceed -Ac-
cordingly feveral Conferences were held between both
Houfes about die Method of Proceeding at the Earl of Ox-
ford's Trial.
June 27. Thi5 Commons having dciir'd a free Conference upon wUch afrec
with the Lords on the fubjed Matter of the late Conferences, fi?3j^"SS,'rtif "
Jufy I. Mr Carter * reported. That the Lords infifled up- Lords lefUic.
on denying a fret Conference ; This put the Houfe into a
Flame ;
• Mmtk Mtamey General to l^e Trmce </ Witks m ihi$ Seffm.
)y Google
1717.
Debate thertocu
Gen. StMilK^.
Mr Cra{g9.
Mrl>ABiM
Speech.
( 14+ } .
Fhiaei anditbemg thereupon ordered, Tkit tKeiaid Report
be Now ttken into Conikleration, feveral -warm Speeches
were made on that Occafion, by Goicral Stanhqpe and
Mr Craggs, immediately after whom Mr Tuffhell rofe up,
and ^ke as f(^]jDW& ;
Mr Speaker^
< I can't but think the Proceeding of the Lords very car*
traofdinsury upon this Occafion, That, after having received
die Articles as delivered in by thi» Houiet they ihoidd
now come (0 a Refolotion, * That the Ccmunons be not ad*
'. mitt^to proceed upon the Hi|;h Crimes and Mifdemea"
* nours, till Judgment be firft given upon the Articles for
* High Tre^on.' And here, though unwillingly, I muil oi>-
ierve. That the Ekpreffion made uftvOf in Seir Lordihipt
Meffi^ge to the Commons, to me feems very unfuitable to
that Dmdor which they have fo r^tnarkably ihewn upon aU
Oocafions, and from whence this Hou(e might reafonably
esnpe^ a more becoming Treatment. There's another
Thing which I can't but take Notice of, which is. That
mfter 'having had Conferences with the Commons on this
Sutge^ they ihould now refufe a fr^ Conference, which I
ftould have thought, muft have been the natural Refult of
the former^ as being the moil probable Way to acconunq^
date Matters in Cafes of Difficulty. The Reafon they give
for this their adhering to their Refdudon is. That this is a
Point of Judicature which folely belongs to their Lordfliip 1
whereas the Commons fay, 'Tis only a Matter of Profecu*
tion. And yet, if this Objedion were good, why was it
not equally io againil their agreeing to the £rft Conference ?
< Notwithftanding thefe Confiderations, if I could be tk
Opinion with thofe> Gentlemen who think, either that the
Honour of this Hpufe is fo much concerned, or that it is ib
eflendai'to the R%hts of the Commons of Great Britain, I
Aould be as unwilling as any one here, to contribute the
kaft towards the bettaying of them. But fince I dcm't
hear 'tis pretended that there are any Precedmits on either
Side; and T<ian, by no Means, think it of that Confe-
quence which fome Gentlemen feem to imagine, eipedadi/
i£ there be a * Saving to the Rights and Privileges of diis
* Houfe ;' I fhould be inclin'd to be of Opinion, That it
would be better to acquiefce in the Mediod propofed by the
Xords, than to let a Profe6ition entirely drop, which has
fe univerfally raifed the Expefkations >of Mankind. Then
we ihould fee, what that living and legal Evidence is, which
we have been fo often promised from thofe, in wlwm the
Houfe Yepofed the i^eateft Confidence i and if thore fhonU
be any Failure in the Proof of the High Trcafwi, the Blame
might Be in its proper Place.'
* Sir
y Google
f *4S )
' Sir, I am ibrryr to find there fliodd be foch Remiflhels ^^A]^^^ ^
in a Profecation, which was fonaeiiy carry^d on with fo much \^^S^
Warmth and Vigour. And I could wifh to fee that Spirit of
Fttriotifin, which has hitherto animated this Houfe ; that
jnft Rdentment for our injured Country, once more revived*
What's now that poblick fpirited, difinterefted Zeal» which
thenwaitnVl the Patriot's Brcaft? Are all thofe glorious
Thoughts and Heroick Sentiments quite evaporated ? How
comes it that thofe who then felt, and made others to feel»
fiich an Intenfenefs of Heat, fach a lively Emotion of Spirit^
' are now fo calm and undifturb'd ? That thofe who were then
f(> fun of Heat and Flame, are now fo coM and lifelefs ? Is
the Nature of Things fo far altered, that what was then the
moft flagrant High Treafon, is now Nothing at all >
* Mr. Speaker, My Concern is for the Honour of this
Houie, Which has been fo far engaged by Affurances of
Bvidence to fupport the Cham. I mufl therefore take the
Liberty to call upon thofe Gentlemen who gave them, to
extricate us from our prefent Difficulties : And, I am fure»
we&allnoc want their Affiflancein an Affair where their Ho*
nour is 4b nearly concemM. I call upon them the rather, be-
caufe *tis*a Juftice which they owe to themfelves, 'tis a
Joftice which they owe to this Houfe of C6mmons, *tis a
Jitfice which they owe their Country, their poor, unhappy
Country, which they have fo often defcrib*d, as involved in
thegreat^ Difficulties, as labouring under the moH ruinous
Ctomifbnces, occafion'd by the ill Condu6t, the pernicious
Counfels, and traiterous Pradiies of the Noble Perfon now
imderyour Frofecution.*
In the Middle of this Debate, another, MeiG^e was
bei^t from the Lords, to dcfire that .the Commons would
coocinne fitting fbmetime, which the Houfe agreed to.
After this, Mr. Lechmere made a Speech, wherein having |^ uoMttt
lamented the unhappy Dilemma, as he call'd it, to which ^tJJ^^gJ^
they were brot^t, either to fee fi) great an Offender as the rjjg^ «* »>y ^
Barlof'Os^ordefcupe unpun^M, or to acquiefce in pro-
ceeding on his Tryal in the Manner prefcrib*d by the Lords,
k faid, • That he thought the later the more eligible of the
two, with a Saving to the Rights and Privileges of the Com-
nxms; and ther^Mre made a Motion for it.* He was fe-
l €oiKledandl>ack'd by Mr. Ham^en: But the Queffion beipg
fut thereupon, it was carry *d in the Negative. Then a AMcfla«eftomth«
Meflage was brought from the Lords, to acquaint the Com- ^^fl^^l^
inoiw. That their* Lordlhips intended prefently to proceed ^^y^^Jj^?,****
farther on the Tryal of the Earl of Oxford in Weftroinfter- Tmij of which
■Hall, of which the Commons took no Notice i but being ^'N^kT"* '^
fenfiWe that the Loi^ :woald difchargc the ftifoner, Sir
Vol. I. T William
Digitized by ^OOQIC
Sir
mores
MrTtffaeirs
Speech ijteycoB.
( 146 )
Waiiam Stricklttd, Member for Cariifle niOT'd, That Leave '
be^en to bring in a BUI Co inflid fuch Pains and Penalties
^'^^mtf ^^^ I^obert E^l <^ Oxford and Earl Mordmer, as ha
t traiterons Pradices and other High Crimes and Miidonean*
oars do deferve, and as ihall be thoi^ht rcafenable. Here-
upon Mr. Toffhell rofeup again^ and fud^ *That he cooki by
no Means come into that Motion ; For that how neceffiuy
and reasonable foever fuch a Bill might be at another June-
rare, he could not but think it unreaibnable now ; when, as
yet, it was uncertain what the Lords would do. But that,
however, he would freely declare his Mind on this Occifion,
viz. That notwithftanding he was c(myinc*d, the Earl pf
Oxford was guilty of the Crimes wherewith he was charg*d,
and that no Man had ever contributed more to the Ruin of
his Country than he hs4 done : Yet, fince there was a legal
Profecution begun ; fince that Noble Lord had fufamitted
himfelfto Publick Juftice ; and confidering that 'tis the
peculiar Glory and happineis of a Free-bont People to be
governed by known Laws ; he^would never give his Confent
to a Bin, which, in his Opinion, muft make the Lives, the
Fortunes, and liberties of the Subjeds of jGreat Brbais,
ftand upon fo unsettled and precarious a Foundation.* Upcm
which it was adjoum'd to the third of July.
The Lords went from their own4ionfe, into Weftminfier-
Hall, about Seven in the Evening, where three ieveral Pro-
clamations were made for the Accufers of the Earl qf Ox-
ford to appear, and make good the Articles of Impeachment
againfl him : But the Commons not iqypearing, their Lord-
ihips went back to their Houfe, where the Lord High Se-
ward put the Queftion, whether the Earl of Oxford ihonld
be difcharg'd o? the High Crimes and Mifctemeanoors as
well as of the High Treafon of which he was impeachM ?
This, after fome Debate, beii^ carry*d in the AffirnuLtnrey
the Lords went t^ain into We£ninfter-Hall, where the Lord
High Steward put the Queftion to every Lord in the ofoal
Method, viz. Content or not Content ; All the Lords prefenc
being Content; his Lordfhip dechu-ed the Earl of Oxford
acquitted by his Peers, of the Articles of Impeachment ex-
hibited againft him by the Commons ; commanded the Liea-
tenant of the Tower of London to difcharge his I^iibncr ;
and, declaring his Majefty*s Commiffion to be diflMv*d»
broke his Staff.
Jufy 3. The Commons refumM the adjoumM Debate in>«
on the Motion made two Days before, by Sir William Strick-
land, who again infifting on that Motion, had the Mortis
fication of feeing, that not one Member would fecond ^im :
Oh the contrary Mr. Hungerford faid upon that Matter J
< That for liia own Part, he had ever been againft violent
Proceediogd
Digitized by VjOOQIC
The Lords pro-
ceed to the Trial
of the Earl of
Oxford, but the
Commons not
appearing^ his
I'ordfliipis ac-
quitted.
SirW.Stricktaftd
tmews his Moti&a
for the BUI of
Attainder.
Debate thereon.
Mr. Hunx«rford.
( «47 )
Ptooeedii^ ; That, in his Opinion^ y/^h^n the Lifc» For-
tnae, or R^utadon of any Man is concern'dy the Parlia-
ment oaght to go upon Evidence as ftrong and as full as
is required in Weibninfter-Hall ; and that he had obferv- d«
that all Billsof Attainder proceeded from Party-Piqu^.* Sir.
William Strickland beiiig offended a( this Speech, made .sir w. Strickland.
imne fevere RefiedUons upon it ; and added, * That for his
own Part he had no perfonal Pique againft the Earl of Ox-
ford ; but look'd lipon him as an Enemy to his Country ;
and fincc the Commons could not bring him to Joflice in .
the ordinary Way, they ought, in his Opinion, to have Re- .
coorfe to an extraordinary Method ; for which, however, .
they did not want Precedents.* Mr. Hungerford turn'd the
Rdlc6Uon8 made upon him into Raill^ery ; and after fome other .
Speeches, the Lord Caflleco^ier, Member for Rijpon, mov'd, ^^^ ctiHccomcr
* That an Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, letting fortK mom for an m.
the many great Crimes of which Robert Earl of Oxford and f^^^i^of"
Earl Mortimer has been impeach'd by this Houie, as li^e- ^^^f^Q^f,^
wife the Endeavours that have been us'd by the Commons
to bring the (aid Earl to Juftice ; in which Proceedings the ui|-
^^njpfy Differences that have arifen between the two Houfes
have di&ppointed their juft Expedtations ; and likewi{e
humbly to pray his Majefty, that he will except the faid Earl
out of the Ad of Grace, The liord Caftlecomer being fecond-
ed by Mr. Yonge, and the QuefUon put upon his Motion,.it
was carry'd in the Affirmative, and a Committee appointed ^yy^^cowirt.
to dxaw up the faid Addreis. Another Committee Was the tee itappointodta
iame Day^;ypointed to infped the Lords^ Journals, in Rela- '^'^ ^^'
6ffa to their Proceedings on the Tryal of the Earl of Ox-
ford, and to report what they find therein, to the Houfe.
Jufy j^. The Lord Caftlecomer, Chairman of the Com-
mittee appointed to draw up the Addrefs againft the Earl of
Oxbitdif repeated the fame, which being agreed to,«it wasre-
folv^d that the iaid Addrefs be nrefented by the whole Houfe^
yufy 5, The Commons, with their Speaker, prefented the
iaid Addreis to his Majefty, which is as follows.
Moil Gracious Sovereign,
« \X 7E your Majefty's moft faithful Subjedb, the Com- The Addttfc
* VV mons of Great Britain in Parliament alTembled, '*^«'-
* do moft humbly reprefent to your MajeHy, That in our
* Impeachment exhibited againft Robert Earl of Oxford and
* Earl Mortimer, we did fet forth. That he the faid Earl did
* traiterouily adhere to, aid, and abet tlie late French King,
* then an Enemy to her late Majefty, and did begin and
* carry An a dandeiline and feparate Correfpondence and
' Negotiation with die Minifters of the faid French King ;
* in confequence of which it is evident, that great Part of
T a the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
(• 148^ );
* Ae Forces mainteinM at the Bxpenoe of fo moch Bridfli
'^ Treafurc, in oJrdttr to redaee the Power of France j as like*
< wife great Part of the Subfidies ^-anted by Parliament to
* Foreign Princes for theikme End, were, in Reality, made
* fubfervient and inftrumental to awe the good AUits of
< her Majefty into a Compliance with the lu^d Terms dk«
* tated by France.
' The unhappy Catalans were abandon^ ; the Emperor,
* Empire, and Kingof Portu^, were left to treat for them-
« fehesf the Kingcbm of Sicily was given to the Dake of
^ Savoy, as an Inducement and Reward to him for quitting
* the comnKm Caufe, in dired Defiance and Violation of
* the grand Alliance, and of the dedar*d Senfe of moft of
* her good Allies, and efpecially of the Dutch, who, to diis
* Day, have never aifented to that Condition of tho Treaty
* of Utrecht. A fhameful and difhonourable Treaty of
' Peace was at laft concluded, by which impradicable Terms
' of Trade were imposM on Great Briton ; the Demoliti-
* on of Dunkirk, Vi/iach had been addrcfs'd^ for by Tarlia-
' &ent, was eloded fay a treacherous Connivance, at th«
' making of a new Canal at Mardyke ; and Utt Security
' which was proposed by removing the Pretender out of
* France, was, in the like Manner, evade(^ by a treacherous
* Connivance at his refiding in Lorrain.
' It is owing to your Majefty^s unwearyM Endeavonrt
* for the Good of your Sufajedts, and that juft Regard which
* is paid to your Majefty by Foreign Princes and States,
* that we fee our felves delivered, in a grei^ Deg^e, from
* the EfTe^ of thofe pernicious Meaiures, which might
* otherwife have prov'd fatal to your Kingdmns: But as we
*. refled with equal Gratitude and Admiration on your Ma>
* jefty's beingable to retrieve fuch Mticarriages, evpcti^iXfyin
' a TimeNvluch has been dillurb'd by pubKck Tumi^^ and
' Rebellions : We think it is a great Aggravation of Guilt
* in thofe who gave up fo many National Advantages, at a
* Time when they laboured under no fuch Difficdties at
* Home, and when the continued SuccefTes of a long and
* glorious War had put them into a Condition of gaining the
* moft beneficial Terms from the Enemy.
* Your faithful Commons did likewife exhibit feveral o-
* ther Charges againft the faid Earl, reprefenting him in
' many notorious Infbnces, as a Perfon who had aJbus*d the
* Truft and Confidence which her late Majefty had repos'd
' in him, and facxific'd the Honour of his Sovereign and
* the Good of her People, to private Views of Intere^ and
* Ambition.
* Your faithful Commons have not been wanting in their
* Endeavours to bring the faid Earl to Juftice i but by Rea-
fo«
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( H9 )
< fiNicif the imhati|i3f Diffinsnces that Ittve^ in t]us P^oteed-
< ioi^ . arUen between the'tw» Hmi£D8» we have found our
* fidvesdifiipp(»ntcdof our juft Expe^tton^ and reduced to
< the Neceffi^ieithcurof giTing iq> J^igfats and Privileges of *
< the higl^ Impm-tiUMie toaU the Cottmottt of Gitat Brie-
^ tahiy or feeing this^ g^eat Offender efeape wilh Impmiity
* for; the prefent
* For thde Rea£nis» we do m«il hmnUj^ beieech yoar '
' Mi^eft)r> thatyoac Majefty will be fdeas'd to except Robert
« Earl of Qx£b«d/and,Bad Mortimer oot ofthe Ad of Grace,
' which .yoar liia^% has been giadoufly pieas'd to prcMBxfe
* from the Throne ; to the End the Commons may be at
* Liberty to f ix>ceed agaihftthe iaid £ad ina Parliamentary
« Way.
To this AdAeft, his Majefiy was pleas'd to return the
fi^lowing Anfwen ^
Gendemen,
" TfWiU give Direaious in Rektion to the Earl of Oxford, JjJ^* ^^
" X a^yon defire; and it is withrPlea^ore I obforve the
^ Senfe, eiipreis'xlin^rour Addrefs, ofmyEodeavoors for the
** Security, Honour, and Advantage of thele Kingdoms.
yufy 15. The King came to the Houfe of Peers, and a
Meilage was brqaght to the Conanpns by the Uiher of tbs
black Rod, commandii^ them to att^d his Majefly imme^
diately, which they did accordingly, and Mr. Speaker pre-
fcnted the Money-Bfills to his Majefly; n^ch done, the
Lord Chancellor read a Speech delivered into his Hands by
the King, from the Throne, as follows.
My Lords and Gentlemen, ^
" TCannot put an End to this SeflSon, widiont cxpreffing ^^l^^j^^^
" X my^ Thanks to you, for the Difpatch you have given SSidS&wu
*' to the publick Buhi^s, and declaring the Satisfa^ion I
** promife my felf in meeting you again early the next
" Winter, with the fame good Difpofitions for the Service
*' of yoyir Coimtiy. The Meafures we have taken in this
" Parliament, have, by the Bleffing of Almighty God, ef-
" fe^ually defeated all the Attempts of our Enemies, both
** at Home and Abroad ; and, as the Principle on which
** thofe Meafures are founded^ are e^ally condticivr to the
'* fupporting the juft Rights of the CroWn and the Liberties
" of the P^le, I (hall allways perfeyere in them my felf,
*' and diftinguifh thofe who adhere to them with the fame
" Steadinefs and Refblution.
Gentlemen of the Hpuie of Commons,
** I thank you, in the moft affe£HoBa(e Manner, for the
* SttppUes you have granted me, and for that Conftancy
•^ and
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( ISO )
V./i^y'-S^ " Debts, notwithfiuidiiig the many Imadents and OU
'^ ons 70a have met widi in the carrying on of that great
*' Worjc. As yon have famiih!d me with the Means of
** difimpointin^ anv Defigns of a foreign Enemy againft
** theie my ^fldomt, fo I cannot but aftribe, in a great
<* Meaiure> the happy Profpedt of our Affiurs abroad to
** that publick Spirit which has appeared in your Proceed-
**. ingS} and has convincM the Worki, that no Infinuadoos or
** Artifices can divertyooft«»nyottrDatv to your Sovere^,
" and a di£ntereftcd R^;ard to your Fdlow-Sabjeds.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" It is with great Pleafnre that I fee the Tmnquil ity of
" the Nation fo well eftablifh'd, as to admit of an A€t of
** Grace, which I have long de(ir*d a fit Opportunity to
*' grant. I hope that fuch as (hall, by this Means, be re^
*< Sor^d to the Enjoyment of Security, and the Protedion
** of thofe Laws agamft which they have ofiended, will have
*' a due Senfe of this my Indulgence, and eive me the moft
" acceptable Return they can poffibly ma^e me, that of
** becoming Friends, infieul of Enemies, to their Country.
TheP»»iit»eai Then the Lord Chancellor prorogued the Parliament to
■•^'**** the 1 2th of Auguft : They were afterwards farther prorogued,
by &veral Prorogations, to the 21ft of November.
STEECHES and DEBATES
In the Third Session of the .
FirftTarliamentofKingQ^o'B^G^ L
Aono4. 000.L /■' ■ \ HE Parliament being met on the sjift of Novem-
»7»7. I ber, the King opened the Seflion by a Speech to
JL both Houfes as fidlows.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
JSe"?iII|^£?niw " T Am very glad I have been able to bring the Sitting of
^*^™»v " J. Parliament into a more proper and ufqal Seafon of
" the Year : I hope fuch an early Meeting will not only be
** a Benefit to the Publick, but a Convenience to your pri-
" vate Affairs.
** As I have always had at Heart the Security and Eafe
** of my Peof^e, fo I never kept up any Troops but for their
*' ProttfUoD, and have taken every Opportunity to dijhand
*' at
\
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" as many as I thought conMent with their Safety. I have
*' reduced the Army to very near one Half, fbce the B^n-
'* ning of the lail Sei£on of Parliament, and le(ien*d them to
'* fuch a Namber as will neither be a Burthen to my good
" Si^eds, nor an Encouragement to our Enemies to infult
" them.
** You dumot but be feniible of ike many Attempts which
** hav« been iet on Foot to difbirb the Peace of Europe, and
" of thefe Kingdoms : They only pretend not to fee, who
'' are not afraid of them. But as no A{^lication l^s been
** wanting cm my Part to preferve the publick Tranquili^,
*< I have the Pleafure to find my good Offices have not been
*' altcsether unfucceisful, and have Reafon to hope they will,
•' in me £nd» have their full and defir*d Effed.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Coomions,
'' I queftion not but you are very well pleas'd to find that
*' your Endeavours for lefiening the National Debts, have
'< at the &me Time raifed the publick Credit; and that
** whatever was propose for that End is adually and com-
** pJeatly effeded. This Succeis mu&, chiefly be attributed
" to that juft and j^udent R^ard you have fhewn to Pariia-
'* mentary Engagements.
'' It was with the View of procuring and fettling a lafling
*' Tranquility, that I denumded the extraordinary Supply
*' which you granted me laft Seffion. The Credit, which
" this Confidence repos'd in me, hath given us Abroad, has
*' akeady been fo far eSednfd, that I can acquaint you we
*' have a much better Pro^d than we had. I have ordered
** an Account to be laid before you of the very fmall Part
" of that Supply which as yet has been expended ; any far-
'< ther IfTues diat may be made of it, fhall be alfo laid before
'* you : And you may be afilired, that every Part of it (hall
" either be employed for your Service, or ikv'd to th^
'' Publick.
'* I have ordered to be laid before you a State of the De-
*' ficiendes of the prefent Year, and the feveral EfUmates for
" the Service of the next ; which you will find confiderably
*' 4imini(h*d. I rely upon vour making the neceflary Pro-
*' vifion for them ; not doubting of the Continuance of that
" Zeal for the Good of your Country, which hath been fo
" eminently confpicuou|^in every Seffioaof this Parliament.
'* I cannot in JuiUce avoid putting you in Mind, that fe-
" vcral Arrears of Pay and Subfidy, incurred befgre my Ac-
" ceflion to the Crown, are daimM bv J^oreign Princes and
*' St^ites: I fhall order them to be laid before you, to the
" End you may put them in a Method of being exajnia'd
** and fUted j wl^ will very much tend to the llonour and
i; Credit of the Nation.
■ ■ '■ My
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*n«>4.Cco.i. My Lords and Gendemen,
X,/^V^ ** Iconld heartly wifh, dut ^t a Time whea Ae com-
" mott Enemies of our Rdigion are> by dl Manner of Ar*
'^ tificesy endeavouring to ondermine and weaken it both at
'* Hon» and Abroad, dl tfaofe vfho are Friends to our pre-
** fent happy Eilabliihment, might unanimoofly concur in
*' feme proper Method for the greater ftrengthoiing the
** Protefbntlntereft: of which, as the Church of England
** isunqueflionably the main Support and Bulwark, fo will
** (he reap the prindpal^Bcnefit ofertry Advantage accruing
** by the- Union and mutual Chari^ of all Proteftants.
** As none can recommend themfelves more efie£hially to
•* my Favour and Countenance, than by a fincere Zeal
•• for the juft Rights of the Crown and the Liberties of
** the People ; fo I am determined to encourage all thofe
*< who ad agreeably to the Conftitutipn of thefe my King-
*^ doms, and confequently to the Principles on which my
. ** Government is founded.
' •* The Eyes of all Europe are upon yoti at this critical
•* Jun^re. It is your Interdl ; for which Reafim Idiink it
** mine, that my Endeavours for procuring the Peace and
** Quiet of Chriftendom, fhould take Efficdt. Nothing can
** fo much contribute to this defirable End, as the Unanimi-
** ty, Difpatch, and Vigour of your Refolutions for the Sup-
** port of my Govemntent.
The King being retired, and the Conmions retumM to
their Houfe, the Lord Hinchinb^-oke reported the Addrefi
of Thanks, which was agreed to, and the next Day preiented
to his Majefty, by the whole Houfe, as follows.
Moft Gracious Sovereign,
U&Srfmiiks.' fX/E your Majefty's moll dutiful and loyal Sutjeas,
' VV the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament af-
< fembled, crave Leave to exprefs our Gratitude to your
* Majefty, for your moft gracious Speech from the Throne,
' Our Minds are fill*d with the moft Hvdy Senfe of your
* Majefty's Regard to your People, in bringing the Sitting
* of Parliament into a more proper and ufoiu Seafon of the
* Year. And as your Majefty has been gradoafly pleasM to
< confider the Convenience of ouep rivate Al^urs in this ear-
* ty Meeting, we fhall endeavour to anfwer your Majefty*8
* gracious Intentions, by improving it, as much as we are
* able, to the Benefit of the Publicki
* We are highly fenfible of the Concern your Majefty
« has fhewn for the Welfare of your People, by the Redu6H-
* ons you have been pleas'd to make, from Time to Time,
^ of the Land Forces, fo foon a$ the Pofturc of Affiurs ren-
■ - dcr'd
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* dcr*d it fnfe tathefe vour Kingdens* It isdoi* pMdiar Aaaft4,oiMit
* Happinefs to fee our (elves govemVl by a Sovereign. jadM> \j,^^^\i
* is not influenced by tny Notions of Oreatnefs tlutt aie in- ^^^
* confiftent with the Profperity of his SubjedU ; ^nd i^]m>
' propofesr to himrdf the Eafe of his People, as the chief
* Glory of Jus Reign.
* We acknowl^ge, with Hearts full of Doty and Grad-
* cade, yoor Majefty's unwearied Endeavours to preivnt the
' many Attempts whidt have been iet on Foot to diftitt^ the
" Peace of Europe* and the Quiet of thefe Kingdoms ; and
* .have the more Reaibn to apprehend the ill C6nAqaences
* of fuch Attempts, fince there are thofe who, as they would
' be thought to fee no Danger in them» give us Reafiift td
' believe that they would not be troubled at their Snooefi.
* We are therefore firmly refolvM, in the moft ei&dual
* Manner, to fupport your Majefly in fuch Meafures as your
' Majefty, in your great Wif<iom,ihall judge necefiaiy to pro*^
* cure the Eftablifhment of the Tranquility of Burose.
* We receive, withthegreateft Sads&aion, your MOfefty'l
* gracious Expreflions and Aflurances touching the extraordi^
* nary Sm>ply granted kft Year ; knd will chearfuUy giant
< your Majeily fuch Supplies as (hall efiedually provide for
* the publick Service.
* It is with unfpeakable Sorrow of Heart, that We obiervd
' the many Artifices which are made Ufe of by the common
' Enemies of our Religion, to undermine and weaken it both
* at Home and Abroad ; And as we have the mod gnrtefot
* Scnfe of the tender Concern which your Majefty has been
* pleasfd to exprefs for the Proteftant Religion, and efpecial-
' ly for the main Support of it, the ChUrch of England as
* by Law eftaWifliM ; fo we are refolv'd, on our Part> to con-
' fider of the moft effedual Methods for ftrengtheaing the
' Proteftant Intereft of thefe Kingdoms.
' It is a Pleafure to us, that the Eyes of all £nrope wr6
* tum'd upon us at this critieal Jundure, fince we havt
* thereby an Opportunity of fhewing the World the joft Con-
' fidence we repofe in your Majefty, and our unftiaken Re-
* folutions to fupport your Government in fuch M^nnet, as
' (hall enable your Majefty to fettle the Peace of Chriftendom^
To which the King returned the following Anfwer.
Gentlemen,
*';:T Thank yoii for the repeated Aifurances you have »veli The iguj^ Aa*
"rx me, in this dutiful and loyal Addrefs, of youraffedi- ^''*''
'* onate Support and Affiftance in the prcfent Junfture of Af-
" feirs. , I expedted no lefs from a Houfe of Conwnons fo
" aiFeaionate to • my Pcrfon, and. fo zealous for che publick
"Welfare.
Vol. L u >v;^*
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^^m?^'* ^^' ^S* '^^ Hoofe began to enter upon Bnfinefi, ud
^^"^"-S^ voted a Si^ly, in futncrHf to his Majefty.
MockMi for si»- ^^' 4* Motion was made for a Safety for maintain-
t^fer maitt^ lAg the Guards and Garriibns in Great Britain for the Year
m^IuyS?' I7i^» according to the Eftimate laid, before the Hoofe.
>7xt> This Motion was opposM by Mr Shippen, Sir William
Detete tbereoo. Wyttdham* and Mr R. Walpoky which h& made a Speech^
Mr Skim. wheretn, befides the common Topick of the Danger of a
uiKW^^' Standmg Army in a free Nation, he infifted on four prift-
dpal Points, viz. * I. That whereas they were giten to un^
derftand, tliat the Army was redvc'd to 16,000 and odd
Men, it ftiU confided of above 18,000, which was one third
Part more than the Number of Land Forces in Great Bri-
tain amomited to formerly in Time of Peace. II. That
tl»re was no due Proportion obfery'd, either between the
Number of Horfe, Dragoons, and Foot, or between the
Number of the Officers and Soldiers that were kept ftanding ;
infomuch, that of about .1 1000 1. which the Pay of a re-
duced Regiment of Foot amounts to, near 7000 1. goes to-
wards the Pay of the Officers, and 4000 L only to the pri-
vate Soldiers. III. That the keeping; up fo great a Num-
ber of Officers, was, in efied, the mamtaining of an Army
almoft double of what was intended, fince the Soldiers that
vicre wanting to compleat the Companies and R^ments,
snight be raifed with a Drum in twice four and twendr
Hours. IV. That the Pay of General Officers, whidk
amounted to above 20,000 1. was an Expence altogether
needlefs, and unprecedented in Time of Peace." Alfthefe
Particulars Mr Walpole enlarged upon, and made good his
UrCtafltt. Affertiony by proper Vouchers. MrCraggs, Secretary at
^^ War, anfwcr'd Mr Walpole. He iaid, • That in all wife
Governments, the Security of the State is the Rule chiefly
to be regarded ; and that his Majefty, both in the Augmen-
tation and the Reduction of his Forces, had not only con*
folted the Safety, but likewife the Eafe of his People. That
though, as was fuggelled, the Nation paid at prefent near
180TO Men, yet there were only 16347 who could give attjr '
Jealoufy, unlefs fome People mould think our Literties in
Danger, from the Chaplains, Surgeons, Widows of Officers,
and fuch harmlefs, inoffedive Perfons, who were included
in the firft Number : That therefore there are not muck
above 4000 Men more now in Great Britain than ^ere
were kept up after the Peace of Ryfivick, which Number
muft be thought very moderate by all who wifli well to
the prefent haj^y Settlement, confidering that the Embers
of an unnatural Rebellion lately extinguifh'd were ftUl
warm, and the Difcontents induflrioufly fomented by the
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Enemies of die Govcnunent; That the l^uliiiiieiitliadevtr AM»4.Qeo.L
contented themfelvet with fixing the Number of the Forces JSJJL ■
that were thought neceilkry to be maintain'd^ but had left ^^^▼^^
to the Crown the Manner of redodng and modeHing that
Number ; and therefore, if they ihopld now do oAicrmk,
it would be but an indiferent Return to that gracious and
tender Regard, which, on all Occafions, his Majefty has
ihewn to t& Security and Eafe of his Subjeas. That after
all, it is no le(s a Piece of Juflice than Matter of Prudence^
to keep up as great a Number of Officers as poffibk ; fn;
befides the Occafion which the Nation may have for them
for the future, it is but reafonable to acknowledge the paft
eminent Services of Gentlemen, who having been broi^t ^
iq> to no other Trade but War, had no other Way to fubfift
and provide for themfelves and Families.* Mr Craggs was
backed by Mr Aiflabie H, Mr Hampden (^), Mr John ££ttMj^
Smith M, Mr Coventry f^<(), Member for Bridport^ Orf. Jg^^Sft
Bladen (f), Mr Barrington Shute, and Sir Jofeph Jekyll, Coi.jffiSu'
who chiefly iniifled on the Neceffity of keeping up 16000 ^^^fSSfiL
Men, at leaft, one Year longer. Sir David Dalrymple (/) was sir d. Mtyvi^ia,
of the fame Opinion, and to that PurpoTe urg'd, * That the
Diicontents run ftill as high in Scotland as before the late
Rebellion ; for whidi he alledg'd feveral Reafons.* Mr
Walpole, Mr Brondey, Mr Freenum, General Erie/- and MrWa^Mio.
feme other Gentlemen, were of Opinion, That 12000 Men JJpSSt
were fuffident ; and die Debate havme lafted 'till a Qjiarter oeiuErie,
paft Six, the Queftion was going to be put, Whether the
Number fhould he 16 or 1 2000 ? When Mr Slpppoi ftaad^
jog up> made the following Speech.
Mr Speaker,
* I congratulate the honourable Perfen below, IGiturmi Mr shifpeiw
LumM on his being^ reftor*d to the good Opinion of the
learned Gentleman who fpoke laft ; [5/> 7- 7^¥^*1 ft>' *t
is not long fince he {Sit p. 1 38.] complimented, Iwillnot fay
flattered, another, at the Expence of thai honourable Perfon»
and moft of the General Oficers in tliis Kingdom.
' * But as to the Queftion before us, 'tis my Misfortune to
differ from that learned Gendeman in all he hath<advanc*d»
w^ich> when foripM of fome EjDCurM»9 o^f be reduced to
thefe two Fropoftdons :
** L That the only Dagger qf contini^g the Amy ii
•* die Expence of it.
i; ^ - If-
fa) Treajkrer tfiShe Now, (b, c; WIert cf tb$ Exeheqiter.
' (d ; CvmptroiUr of the Green Ooti, (e) CommiShner (f Trade and Tkmr
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imi^^f^'U « ^ IK Tkn «« Cftght U^ ^omphr with te^Kumb^ of
" Forces- propoj'ii, bi^iiii? it is daaanded by the King,
«< ^ whd is the bdl Jadge of our Naceffides/'
< I 4q not obj^ to the, Hxk ResUbn, tliat the Phrafeis
ambigiioitSy a^ that it isdiffiaih to knpw what he means
Ir^tkcfOirngpt of the S^speoce; but, if I runderftand Jiim,
the AnfWer is obvioits;. For though the Bxp^nce is doubt- ^
left z M^ter highly^ dcfervine the Coqiideration of this
Hmlhf whofe Bu&eTs and Doty it is to difpofe of the pub-
lick' Money with the udndft Frugality i yet it is by no
Meaas the chiefs or only Aigument againft keepiac; up an
Am^iit Time of Peace. Hie chief Argument, with grear
Submiffiinj it; That the ciyil and military Power camiot
Jdi^fiibfift tog^hert that ^ ftandi^ Amy in Time of
BBwe^ndfirnect^ril)^ impede (he free Exaecotion of the Laws
' ioi lAk Laiid. And 'tis therefore very extraordiiury that the
Eiqidnce-flioald be though the only Daagfr,. to^de his own
Tnms^ of' a ftanUn^ Anny* by a Perion wbofe l^rofeffiom
^'p^efent Station ^ige him to make tiiofe £<aws his &r&
Caie J tnd that it fliomd be urg*d as inch in this Place,
wht]uib( many MiUioos l^rebeen chearfolly granted for the
jftkncbx^ them.
'^ Thefeeood Reafim is &o more qonclMiive than the firi^
' ab'Ihope t6 make^ppeaf in ;the Se^pdiof what I have tp
pffidV. ' '.J
: < Gtudemen have, iiififled much on*^ great Gmce and
Favoor diewn in redudng the Army finee the BogiMung of
ti^liaSefiion;.and I prefume «o( t» fay, that we were
deceiy'd into the Vote then given for mainfatning thirtjr
two thoufand Men, becaufe we always proceed with the
utmoft Caution and Circumfpedion, and beotaie tte deep
' Be^iy . of theSwadift Plot, which oiCQaiioa'd fuch terrible
Appfahenfions aihotq^ft us, htir^ £n(ce, bfcn fuUy difca\^r'd
fdtl^ WoHdv ] ,
['*■ dot howihrer ' ndfdiy k\9si&i then. done,. I h<^ never
tgoiin ta foe^ eitfaer.>t]te fonie Noinbef^ or near the&me
Corps, afler fome ^rtfiil Redq^ipns^T^pnthiH'd in t^ Na-
ci^ii in Thae of Peace,, on any Pret^n^K on w^ Apprehen^
fibns whatfoei/ier. , ' . .
<" I will not tioviUe yon, Sij^ with my AeoM/hs on the
Fallacy of thofe Redudions. They haVe bfett fafficientlx
^kcpm'd by a ^kntismin iMrJl. W^k^MiQ is better in-
formed of the Secret of that AiFair, .m^ who# I 4ni.glad
|o fiad, when he is contending for the Service of his Coun-
|ry, is no more afraid than my felf, of being call'd a Ja-
cobite, by thofe^ \jrfu) ^ant other Axg«ment5 to IJipport
^ir' Debates. /.
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(• 157 y
« Owe frekm Confidcmtioa is» wlðer there are an^r AQK>4.Getj»
Reafbns to induce us, as our Circumftances now ftaqdj to tJ^
keep up atoovc fbcteea thouiamd Men, with Officers for al- ^■^^'^
moft doaUe that Number ; and whether, if we ihould con-
ieat takeqp diem ap« we (bould z&f as his Majefty defir^
we (bouM, agreeably to the Conftitution of thefe Kingdoms,
and ccmieqo^ J to the Principles on which his Government
is founded.
* Now in Virtue o£ that Frecdomrof Speech, we are all,
iatitled to« I beg Leave to declare my Opinion* l^hat the.
feeepii^ iq[l the Nomber prqpos'd, is fo far from beii^ ne*
ceflary to oar Prote£Uoni. tiiat it wilL be inoonfiilent with,
oar Safety^, and an exceflive Burthen, to his N^efly'sgood
Sttbj«ibb Nor do I think it poffible any Aqmments can be
invented, none I am fure have beeq yet c^'d, to incline,
a HotUe of Commons at tdiis Time, when we are in a pro-
fbnnd Traa^liity» foi^e domeftick Fei^ excepted^ to fob-
Qliit to that, which every Member, every Lover of Liberty
muft own, abflradedly confide r'd, to be a Grievance, and
fiieh a one as oo^t never to be fubmitted tOj but in that
moftdefpemte andd^lorablcCircumftance, where it is to
be choien as the le^ Evil.
. * I koQKV thefe Afiertiomintcffere with what isl^d dowi%
in dk fecond Paragraph of his Maj^'s Speech. . But ws
are t6 catfider that S^ech as the Compofition and Advice
of hisL Nfini&7, and are ijierefore at Liberty to debate every
Propoiition in it ; efpecially thpfe which feem^ rather cal- ^^^^
colated for th^ Meridian of Germany, than of Great *^
Britain.
* 'Tis the o«ly Infelicity of his Majefty's Reign, Thaf
he. Is anacquaint^ with our Language aivd Con&tutioni 'tDl
a»d>^tis therefore the more ioci^imi^^nt on \^is Britiih Minir
fbn. ti^ii^rm him, Th^ our: Go^mment dpes; not ilaiu}
on ibsi&xiifi Foundation \ii4th his German ]>omiaions,which>
bftiRkafoniof theii! Sitiiation> and the N^tiw^r of their Conf
litittion^ 4re oUig'd t^iksep «p Armies i^ Tipie of I^eace.
Nor is i^ in the teaft to.be w<»ider'dat, that his Majei^,
tdhdb hath fjpem iim fstli^r Pari of k> Life 4>^ thofe Domir
nionsv ftoold think fixteen* or even thirty two thoofand
Mcii^ might be .€onfiin»'d{ in b rich and powerful a Nation
■s ^s J9^ wtthou£ beings a Burthen tq^ it* But. when he ihaU
tiane lo u&dirftaiid,:jtlut the £inaUer Number in Time of
Bcace wmiTd hm deftrnaiire to that Security and Eafe ^f his
Sbopk^ for which he eafcpreflb fo te^r a ^eg^, he will
dnnbdefebe oonyinc'4 that thofe aft moft^foniformably to
their D^ty and his Intcareil, who, as^ trqe S^ibje^ o£ Great
^ckaitt, ajre aguitil continuing moreTrOopSi than h^ve been
^tbally Aoughtaad fcitmd ^fficieat,'iii tto (m^^ Situation
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^ami. e».i. of Affiurty for die Sopport of the Crown and die Safety of
"^'' the Kinf^om.
' I am therefore at a Lofs to conceive how Gendemen
can perfwade themiHves, that the comflyio^ with this ex-
traordinary Demand wonld promote his Majefty's Service.
For it fappofes not only a Diftruft, but a Weakneft in the
Qoveniment ; as if neither the Afib^ons of the People at
^me, nor the Treaties of oor Allies abroad, were to be
depended on : Which is a Thought fo injurious, fo contra-
didory to feme felemn Afliiranees from the Throne, that
no one will prefume to advance it openly in this Hou]fe, or
dfewhere ; and yet it is all, in my humble Apprehenfion»
induded in this Motion. Nothii^ indeed can alienate the
Hearts of the People from his Majefty ; but fach Attempts
have formerly prov'd fttal to Princes of lefs ccmAmunate
Wifdom and Virtue. Nor are we to imagine, that die iame
Grievance is not equally mifchievous in the Reign of a good
Prince as of a bad one. 'Tis fometimes more fe, beotofe
leis expected, and lefs guarded againft.
* Surely his Majeily will have no juft Canfe to donbt die
Continuance of that Zeal for the Good of our Country,
which, he is pleas'd to iky, hath been fe emin^idy con^*
cuous in every Seffion of this Parliament, if we make die
Fate of other Nadons a Document to ourfelves on this Occa-
fion ; if we think, that the keej^ng op a larger Number of
Forces, than is abfolutely neceflary, too dangerous an £xpe-
riment to be often repeated.
^ Let Gendemen look rouiid Eunqse, and they will find.
That feme of the freecft and braveft People in h have, by
this very Method, loft their Liberties. They will find, that
the civil Power was from Time to Time drawn in, by pre-
tended Exigencies, to allow and maintain an anned Force
in Peace ; which, as they at firft thought, and were inftru^ed
€0 believe, was intended to add Strength to their Authority ;
to fecure them in thePofl^flion of their rel^^ious and poUdod
Rights ; to watch the ambitious Defigns of their Neiriibour
Nations ; and to preferve the Ballance of Power. Glorious
{ntendons, if they had prov*d real^! But thoi^h they us'd all
poflible Precautions i though they made it the Condidon of
their Eftablifliment, that the Foices fliould be difbmifcd,
when the extraordinary Occafion for which they were raised
ceas'd, yet they perceived too kte that their Conditba wis
not binding i That they had erected a PbWer fnperioor to
themjfelves ; That the Soldiery, when they had tafted the
Sweets of Authority would not part with it, and^ that even
their Princes, after thefe temporary Cbnceffions made t»
them, began to thinks that rubng by an Army was a moce
eafy, a more compendious Way of Qovenunent^ thaoaaiog
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under tlie Reftraints and Limitadoiis of tlte Laws of their
Country. And now d^ wear the Chains, which they^
pot round their own Necks, and lament the Lofi of that
Preedom, which they unhappily confented to deftroy, zsA
which could never have been deiboy'd without their Con*
fent.
' But there is no Need of fetching Arguments on this Sub-
jed firom Foreign Nations. Our own is too well acquainted
with the Efieds of continuing an armed Force in Peace, not
to apprehend every Thing from it, be the Pretence never fo
fjpecious.
* 'Twottld be mifpending your Time, to recount the Mis-
chiefs which have from hence haf^ned to thb Nation ; and
I will not run back to former Reigns. But I cannot forbear
obferving what [Mr Sm/r} my very good Friend near me
hath already hinted, that it was the great Grievance com-
plained of in the Bill of Rights, and was that from which
the Revolution was to deliver us. King William himfel^
after the Peace of Ryfwick, could not obtain above ten thou-
fimd Men, though he had then a more enterprizihg and a
more powerRd Prince to deal with, than any now in this Part
of the World. And the Proceeding of that Houfe of Com^
mons muft be ever juilified by thofe, ^ho have the leaft
Concern for our Conftitution, notwithfbnding feme un«
grounded Infinuations, that it involved us in a long and ex-
peniive War. Befides, it is every Year dedar'd in the Aft of
Mutiny and Defertion, That the keeping up a Ending
Army in Time of Peace is againfl Law ; and as the Freeing
us from it was one of the Ends of the Revolution, fo no doubt
the Preferving us for ever from an Attempt of the like Na-
ture, was one of thofe innumerable glorious Advantages pro*
pofed by the Aft of Succeffion.
' But it hath been urg'd. That the Confent of Parliament
reconciles all ; and that Forces fo continued are net to be
accounted a (landing Army, becaufe they are intended to
keep out a ftanding Army ; which with the noble Lord^s
Leave, [Lord Mole/wortb] who makes the Diftinftion, is a
Notion too fine, too chimerical to be maintained.
^ I know indeed it is explained both in the Bill of Rights,
and in the Aft of Mutiny and Defertion, that the keeping
up a ftanding Army in Time of Peace is illegal^ only, if
done without Confent of Parliament : Now this in no Sort
weakens the Argument, as to the Inconvenience and Oppref-
fion of which I am fpeaking. For tho* the Parliament, in
thefe declaratory laws, feems to put in its Claim only againft
the Encroachments of the Crown, from whence it fuppos'd
fuch Oppreffions were more likely to come, than from the
^epreicntatives of the People ; yet the Confent of Parlia-
ment
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( t6o )
Aano4. Geo. I. mcht canAot alter the Nature of Things, cannot Krfd^r die
^^^^^^^Jfc^j fameCaufes from producing the (amcEJffcas. An Army,
^^^ tho' kept up by the Confent of Parliament, i»ill, Hke, other
Armiee^ foon know its own Strength, wfll in Probab9i^
purfue the Dictates of Self-Prefervation, arid rather tho6ie
to dilTolve that Authority with which it is incompatibly tjian
tamely fubmit to its own Diilblution. An Army, the* kpp<
np by Confent of Parliament, if it hath no EnemieS'Abroad,
will be apt to make Depredations at Home ; and I wifh there
'hath not been fomething of that Kind done this laft Year : 1
wifli we have no Complaints from fome of our. own moft con-
ftderable Parliamentary Corporations, of Soldiers demanding
free Quarter, and infulting the chief Magiftrates for exert-
ing the Power we hav^ lodg'd with them, and endeavour-
ine to redrefs the Grievances of the poor* Inn-keepers and
Inhabitants. Nay, the Confent of Parliament is (b far from
altering the Nature and Genius of Armies, that a Paiiiament
Army, confifUng of about the Number now demanded, once
committed greater Outrages, and gave a deeper Wound to
the Conftitution, than all the Armies of the Crown have
ever done ; and that Army was the Creature of a Parliament
which Ifid eftablifh'd itfelf. But, if we were to admit for
Argument's Sake, th^t the Confent of Parliament could make
Armies more tame and du£Ule than thev would otherwife
be, I think, however, it would not be advlfeable for a Par-
liament, that intends to a£l rationally and agreeably either
to the Principles on which his Majefty's Government, or its
own Power is founded, to familiarize a military Force to this
free Nation. For the very Name and Terror of it would,
without Oppreffion, awe and fubdue the Spirits of the Peo-
ple, extmguiih their Love of Liberty, and beget a mean aiid
abjedi Acquiefcence in Slavery.
* Sir, We have already fufpended fome Laws, and repeal-
ed others, to comply with the Neceffitics of the Adminiftra-
tion : But pray let us not go farther, let us not go on to con-
tinue the Army, or the greateft Part of it : For fb long as it
is continued, lb long is the whole Conftitution fufpend^, or,
at leaft, in the Mercy of thofe whom we arm againft it*
^^^ The Expreffions in the above Speech, which are' difHn-
movlfftrSni- gnifli'd with a Xf' gave Offence to feVeral Members, and in
J?nto"S.e^oS^v P^^^^ *® Mr Lechmcre, who having taken them down
w Ex"reffion$' ^" Writing, urg'd, ' That thofe Words were a fcandalous
fJ«J«in| Si ^ Inveft i ve s^ain ft the King's Perfon and Government, of which
Xing'. Speech, jjjg ^^^^ ^^jgj^j jQ ^g^ ^^^ higheft Refentment, and there-
Debate thereon, fore mov'd. That the Member who fpoke thofe offenfiVc
Words ihould be fent to the Tower/ Mr Lechmere was
fecondled
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( l^t )
IteondcdbyMrSpcftccrCowper* a!idb«i^iby^Jofe|4 Attite4.tt»*k
Jckyflf, and feme others: Upon which Mr Robert Wal-^^i^-s2Ss^
fole fairf, * thstt H^ Words in Qgeftkm were fpcfkei^ hy urBprn^x^mf^
the Member on whom they were charged, the Tower was Jgfj'vJSSSc*
too li^ht a Poniihment for his Rafhnefs | but as what he had
tSA in the Heat of this Debate might have been mid^er-
ftt>od, lie was- for allowing him t& liberty of ex{^rang
himfetf.' Mr SneH> Mr Hutchcfon, and feme others, ijpoke W'g^-^
sSfe ill Behalf of Mr Shippen> intending chiefly to Mve hitti ^ **'**«*•
aa Ojpportoni^ of retracting or excufing what he had fiud^
whidiMrShippennot thinking proper to doi a great Dis-
pute arofe, upon the Qucftrottj Whether the Words taken
down in Writing were the fame as had beeh feoken ? A
Member having foggcfted. That there was no Precedent of
tL Cenfure paiKd on a Member of the Houfe fbr Words fpo^
ken in a Committee^ Sir Charies Hodiam **, Member fbr sirdubothtn^
ttveAey, produced Inftances of the contrary ; and, on thfe
odier Hand, Mr Shippen«having maintained what he had ad-
vanced, it was, at lail, refolv'd, by 196 Voices aeainft 100
That the Words taken down in Writing were fpoken by Mr
Shippen. It was then about Nine in the Evening, and il
being moved and carried. That the Chaiiynan leave the
Chair ; Mr Speaker refwn'd his Place, and Mr Farrer re-
ported from the faid Committee, * That Exceptions having
b^en taken to feme Words fpoken in the Committee, by
William Shippen, Efq; a Member of the Houfe^ the Com"-
lidttee had directed him to report the Words to the Hoofc.*
Wkich beins dbile accordingly, Mr ^ippen was heard in his
Place, and then he withdrew. After Ais it was mov'd, that
the Queftion mig^t be put, * That the Words fpoken by
William Shippen, Efqj a Member of this Houfe, are highly
difhonoorable to, and unjuiUy refledUng on, his Majefty^s
P^on ahd Government/ This occafion'd a Debate that
iafted 'till pafl Eleven ; when the Queftion being put, was
carry 'd in the AfHrmative by 175 Voices againft 81 ; and
dicreuponitwasorder'd, « That William Shippen, £fq; be, ^t^^^"t^'
foe the faid Oflfehcc, committed Prifoner to his.Majefty's Si Twer for
Tower of London, and that Mr Speaker do ifTue his War- ^J?^*
i^ont accordingly/
Die. 5. The Commons went again into a Grand Com*- f^J^^^^
mittee, to coniider fkrdier of the Supply^ and a Debate ari- Land Forces.
fing concerning the Number of Men for Guards and Garri-
fens in Great Britain, and Jerfey and Guernfey only,
without including the Forces Abroad, viz. the Plantations in
X America^
• He toai made Oa^'Jifikt (f Chtfier^ M^ 3CJ^ fj^^*
•f Apptiiitei Mrfet if the RoUs^ May 2.7. 1717.
•» Made Colw9l tf thi Irinie <jf Wnki*i ^eyal Kegiment vf Vtagmi^
Jnly 18, 1717,
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AjUM4-Geo.t
1717.
Mr JdTeriesli
Speech thereon.
(/ 1^2 )
Amerki^ the Garrifons^n Minofca, Gibndtar, Phcentk
and AiuapoIiSy and of the Iflands Bahama "and Providence,
Mr Jefferiesy Member for Droitwkh, made the foUowiog
Speech:
Mr Speaker, ■,
' I Shall not ^i^e die Time of the Committee inmakbf
an Apology for meddling in this Queftioa ; iince I appre*
hend whatever I can yet call my own to be at Stake in the
Event of it Whether the Army fhall be disbanded or con-
tinlied in Time of Peace ? Whedier we .fhall be governed by
l;he Magifhate, or the Soldier? Or, whether we ihali hd
bond or free ? are, in my Opinion, Queftions of the fame
Import.
* I think myfelf juftify'd in faying this, from the Examples
of moil Countries in Europe. They were once free ; but if
it be inquired, how, from the State of Fredom, they funk
into Slavery, it wiU appear, that their conmion Ruin has
proceeded from the Omtinuance qf regular Troops in Pay,
after the Occafion for which they were rais'd was over.
* That this JjQand has retained its Freedom longer than
Che Countries on the Continent, has been imputed to its Si-
tuation, which not being fo much expos'd to the Incuffions
of its I^eighbours, there was not the Uke Pretence for keep-
ing up regular Troops. , But th* Prefervation of our Liber-
ties to this Time, is, in my Opinion, rather to be afcrib'd
to the due Senfe our Fore^thers had of the Danger the Pt^-
iick underwent from intKiiling Princes with a Handing Force
in Time of Peace ; and alfo to the Meafure ohferv\l by the
Houfe of Commons^ in giving fuch Supplies only, as en-
abled the Prince to live in the full Enjoyment of his Prero-
gative, without putting it into his Power to affed the Liber-
ties of the Subjed.
* From the firft credible Account of Things in this King-
dom down toKingCharles II's Time, I can had no Xnilance,
where the Crown kept up regular Troops in Tim^ of Peace,
that of Richard II. excepted. '
' He livM in a tempeiluous Age ; he had Wars Abroad,
and Comn\otions at Home. The firft Rebellion, headed %
Wat Tyler, was compos'd without ihedding the Blood of any
one of the Rebels, fave Tyler himfelf : The King gave them
good Words ; they laid down their Arms, went Home, and
were all pardon'd. Another Rebellion of the Men of Kent
and Eflex broke out, which occafionM the King^s raifing an
Army of forty thoufand Men. The Rebels apply'd by Pe-
tition to have their Liberties and Franchifes aUow*d them.
But the King fpoke to thefe in a different Style ; and told
th^m, Slaye9 they w^e, and Slaves they flioold be. Five
hundred
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hundred of dicm were cut to Pieces in the Fidd, and ^ftcen AnMi^«co.L
HiMidred of them were afterwards execated in-cold Blood. <
* This Severity aw'd the Nation for a while. But, the
Difcontent of the People afterwards increafing, about the '
thirtieth Year of his Reign a Parliament was call'd, and to
ufe the Hiftorian'? Words, left I-fliould offend any tender
Ear, * all Endeavours were us'd to procure fuch a Parliament,
* as would concur with the Kings Defigns.' Before they
met. Forces wfere rais'd * to attend and guard the Parlia-
* ment ; which might at the fame Time be an-' Awe upon
* any rcfraftory Members.' touching the i^umbers of
which this Army copfifted Hiftory is filcnt : This only we
are given to know, that four thoufand of them were Arthers, ^
and thait many of them were Chefliire-Men. It is not to
the prcfent Purpofe to go over the Extrayagjmcies of that
Parliament. '\ . '*'
« Into what a Statse Things were brought by that King's
Condud, appear^ frtMii an Obfervation made by the fame
Hiftorian, who fays, * That the King havii^ thus eftablifli'd
* his Power, and put hrmiclf beyond all Oppoikion, thought
•. Kmfelf fecurc, and anr abfolute Prince. ^ But it being laid
« lifen ftich a Foundation, as begat many Difcontents among
« wTtttfltCf^ a!f thfe Fabrick' proved weak, and was (bon
* foflow*a-wiA hmiW^We Ruin.' Wheh 'that King^s Af^
fkfrs grew '^d^rate, • kn Oath was requirM from the Duke
of Lancaftfer. ^ften^tds Henry IV. that he Ihould cauie
the King to lehd Home the Chieftiire Guard, which was acj-
tordhagfy done. . . ; ^ ^
« I obfcrve in the Debate it has been token for granted;
That the Crown of Etigland has a Right to a Number of
regular Troops, under* the Denomination of Guards. This
is a Notion I can by no Means give into. It was not fcf ab
Antiqttd. ' , ^ , ^ V
« The firft Guards we hear of, the Yeomen of the Guardi,
which were 'conftitutcd by Henry VII. being of anofher
Kind, were in Charles IPs Time. That Prince immediate-
^y after his Reftoration, got together a fmall Number of
Guards, which at firft feem'd to be meant only to add to the
Equipage and Splendor of the Court. But it foon appear'd,
jthat he had other Views : The Gourds,, by adding Men to
Troops and Companies^ and Troops and Companies t6 Re-
giments, ivere mfenfibly increas'd ^ fo that in the Year 1677,
tkey were got up to five thoufand eight hundred ninety Men.
Few Seffions pafe'd, but they were taken Notice of in the
Hoofcof Commons, and though Money was not ask'd of
Parliament for their Support, yet diey oocafioned a general
Uneafinefs.' X, ^ About
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f 164 )
^^tS^^ * Alw* diat Ti^c.thej;e w?is a prc4jp^,jOf Wiur «dth
t^i^iy/ Frai^^ 9n w)vjc1j Pxel;eoce ^ Araiy was xais'd. But tii^
"^^^^""^^ Wjir .jpi4»c proceeding, an A£lt pafc'd, whicK g^c tb^ King
£x Jiundxed an^ ninete^ thoufand three thimdr^ and eighty
eight Pouads for dlibanding the Armv, W^^ die PaxSar
mnt met again, thjcy were tcdd from tfie Throo^ ' That ^e
* Forces were iUil kept on Foot for ^ Pirpfc^rvatioa of Qvof
* Neighbours, who otherwife had abiolutely deipair'4» and
^ for preferving what was left in Flanders ; and that the ^ihg
f 4vas confident no Body would repine at the Employing that
^ Money, yvhich was rais'd for the diihaDding? the Aimy^
< for the Cofitmuance of it.
^ This di4 not Ss^Usfj the Houfe^ and. the^rxame to a ^e-
Ibjution, . * That it wa^ neceflary, for the Sitty of his Ma-
* jcfty'5 Perfon, a»d preferving the Peace of the Govern*
' ihent> That all Forces, raised fince the Iwentyrninth xil'
' Septemlsi^ i677» il^ojuldbe difbanded.V Wheveupon that
Parliament^ which went under ^^ ^m^ of the PenfioQarr
Parliament^ was diilblv-'d*
■' The new P^Uament which met on the. firft pf Match
jbllowii^ had the fame Apprekenfions of regular Troi^pSh
Mqjek^ wa« eiyen: ta difband them, 2^i4 J^J A^ dire&pd»
ihat it fllo^ld be p^d, into the Ch^iUief iff. London i ;ipii
Commiflioners of the^: own were appomiied to (ee jt iffjfifi
to that Ufe. Whatever Diffidence, pf the ^ing d^ Jn^>t
imply, I do not find that any Member lo$ his libqrt}^^
Freedonv of Speech on that QccafioQ, Tj^ Opinion , ti^t
Parliament had of a (landing Army, appears m the lUfi^-
lution ihey c^me ^ * That the C^^uance of ^ding
f Forces in this I^ktion, other than the Militia, waa iU^pa)»
' and a great Gf i^yaiice and Vexatipi^ j^ the People.
*' I fliall now take JU^ve to confid^r ^ Aiguments ad-
vanced for continuing fixteen thoufand duree hundred iCbrty
IbveaMen for the ending Year.
. It is faid, ' That there is a diiafSbai^ f'artyin the Kii^-
* dom, which makes ^n Army.nec^i&By.
* If this Argument will prevail, /tis ilraii^e it has not
prevaird Jor iix hundred Years pa(l» fince n^ Period within
^at Time can be a0ign'd» wherein this Argument was not
as ftrong as in the prefent.
^ During the kmg Controverfy bei^yieeii the Honfesof
York and Laacailer touching the R?ig^ of Succeflion, in
which each Side had its Turn of liffiAg uppermoU, one
would think it ihonld have been natui^ for the pre^^ing
Party, in order to their S^urity, to hj^e infifted on the
Continuance of their tegular Troops, at leaft for a Time^
There was a Pretender to the Crown^ who had a ibong
Party in the Nation, and the Government was infecare 'till
the
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( i65 )
^ S^rit of R«li(imoB was fupprdfsy. It might Acn wth Aaiio4.Gco.L
m Appearance ^f R^fon have been infifled on. That the — ' '^
Taxes on the IXi&fFeded fhould be increas'd, that thofe,
who occafion'd the Expencje, (hottid bear the Burthen 'd3
the Danger was over.
* Why this Sort of Reafoning did not then prevail is
obvious. They faw it was unfafe to truft any Prince, even
one of their own fetting up, with fuch ^ Power, which, if
ill apply'd, m^ht enilave them.
* Another miodof Time I fhall take Notice of is, that
of Queen Elizabeth's Reign. The Difafieftion to her ia
the Beginnii^of it was greatr oca5fi<^'<i by the Reformatioa
in Refigion, and the Application of EcclefiafUcal Revenue^
to fecular Ufes. Many Plots there were againft her Life»
Spain, one of the greateft Powers in Europe at that Time«
attempted an Invaiipn, and a more proper Juncture couI<}
not hav« hscmea-d, wherein to have • a&'d for an Army-
Bat inftead ofQiat, t'he greateft Part of the Forces then go^
together to oppofe the Invaiion confifted of Militia, and as
foon as the Ar^iado was fcatter'd, the Army was diibanded.
That Queen bein^ fenfible, that the true, the only Support
of the Crown, was the Good-wi}l and Affections of the
People
* Another Argument brought for the Continuance of the
Army is, ' That the denying it does infinuate a Di&uft of
* hJs Majcftjr.'
* How difii^genapip and unparliamentary a Way pf Ar- *
hg this is, let Gentlemen judge : For to draw that ikcred
ame into a Debate, muft put every Body to Pain, who
^akes the other Side of the Queftion, in Regard it; niay bp
conftm^d, that the ftronger the Argument is, the greater is
thelMlbuft.
' But this Reaipning, in my Opinion, turns quite another
Way^ and infiead of implying a Diil/uft, argues the greateft
R^ard te the Safety of his Majcflty's. Perton and Govern-
ment. Who jcan ^fwer for the Capice of an Army»
when once eit<^^di^4 .'
* Although no Man living has a greater Eileem than my
fclf for thofe honourable Uentlemen, who have with fo
much Bravery f^rv'd their Country in a military Way, nor
IhaU any M^ go farther in rewarding their Services ; yet
the common E^rience of Mankind demonlbates. That it
is not reafonable to expedi an Army fhould be always in tho
fame Humour. Auguftus Caefar liv*d in great Peace and
Security with the Praetorian Bands, which ^d put an End to
the Roman Liberties ; but the Cafe was diiFerent >vlth his
SuQccflbrs ; for of tw^nty-fix EmperoHi no lefs then fixteen '
" ' were
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gui
Na
f »66 ) , , I
AaA0 4.^i. vvere pvJTd to pieces by their own Soldiers.' Did not tli«|
J|7 «7. Army here in England, in the Times of tTJTurpation, if t
may be allowed to name them, in a fhort Space change the
Government into ten feveral Forms ? What Treatment did
the Parliament, who had cais'd. and fu^ported them, meet
with from them ? They befet the Houfe, repulsed many
Members who would have come in, others they dragged
out even by the Leg3, and at length they were all turned
out, afld the Doors fhut up. I fay this with the more
A/Turance, having had the Accbunt front an honourable
Perfon, lately dead, who was an Eye-witnefs of it. T^lifs
Army, 'tis trwe, which confifted of about feventeen thoii-
fand Men, afterwards btou^ht in King Charles the fecond.
But that Prince foon difhanded them, being well aware that
the fame Army which brought him in, fhould their Minds
change, might again turn him out.
* This Objeftion," drawn from a Diftrtift of his Majefty,
deferves another Nam^. 'Tis an honeft, 'tis a reafoiiable
Tealoufy of the growing Power of the Crown, which thofe
thzt went before us always avow'd. May it hot with Parity
of Reafon be faid. That Vcaufe I will not confent, that
th^ King fhall by his Proclamation raife Money without
Parliament, that this is a Dillruft of his Majefty? Becaufe
I will not confent to give up Magna Charta^ and accept of
a new Patent at Pleafiife, may not this likewife be calPd a
Diftruft of hi^ Majeily ? But fuppofe from an Opinipif of
the Virtue of the Troops ; from an Opinion, that Men in
Power will not make an ill Ufe of it ; that thofe who may
l}e Mailers, will chufe to continue Servants ; that Men
under the fame Circumftances will not dQi^<d lame Things 5,
and that ,welhould confent for ourfelves, * to depo&te our
Liberties in their Hands for a while ; will, any one fey,
that we have an Authority alfo to confent on the Behalf of
thofe we reprefent ? A Sum of Money, a Jewel, or other
valuable Thing is committed to my Cafe ; I without the
Owners Confent leave it in the Polfeffion of another, al-
though the Perfon with whom I left it, does not aftually
embezil the Money, or detain the Jewel, yet do I break
my Truft by putting it into his Power fo to do.
* It is felf-evident that, by keeping up fuch a Number of
Forces, who may, when they are dispoS'd, controul the
Power of the civil Magiftrate, the Strength and Secu-
rity of our Conftitution is at an End, and that we have
no other Rule of Government left, than Will and Pleafurc.
The Notion I have of Slavery is the being fubjeAed to the
Will of another ; and notwithftanding the Rod, be not al-
ways on my Back, or the Dragoon in my Houfe ; yet, if
it is not in njy Power to prevent its being fo, I am no
longer
Digitized by C^OOQIC
{ i67 )
kmer fcee. After Augoftus iiad eftabli£b'd his ei^t thou- abm 4* Ce*. i.
Ew r^iilar Troops^ the Roman Conftitodon Was as mach \^^^^\^>^
kt an £nd» as it was in Nero's Time. Although the Tynm*
ny vna not by Augoilus exercisM with the like Severi^ it
was by his SuccefTors ; yet, from, the Time his Power be«
came irrefilUble, the Romans were Slaves,
p * Another Argument us'd for this Number of Troops is,
* That there are no Thoughts of eftabliflung them ; but ody
* continuing them for a Year.
* If the Notion be true, which no Gentleman in the De? ^
bate has den/M, That the Number of difcq^lin'd Men now
contended for, are fufficient to didtate to the greateft Number
of imdifciplin'd ; I defire to know who ihall dare to bid
them go Home? *Tis faid indeed the Parliament will not
provi^ for them : Why may not they then, as others in
their Circuinfiances have done, provide for themfelves? Is it
reafonaUe to think^ that Men will ftarve with Swords in
their Hands ?
' I am fenfible, that I have too much treipafs'd on Gen«
tlemen^s Patience. I fhall fay no more ; but that Bodies
Political as well as Natural, have their Periods : Govern-
ments muH die as well as Men ; ours is grown old and crazy ;
and the' flie hath furviv'd her Neigl5>our, yet I fear her
Day approaches.
After Mr Jefferies had ended his Speech, Sir Thomas
Hanmer (poke as follows :
Mr Speaker, .
. • I cannot forbear troubling you with a few Words upon sir Thomas Han-
this Sabje£l, tho' I can neither flatter myfelf with the Hopes ^id^lJ^-
of convincing any one, nor pretend to be able to offer any SJ^ ^^-^^
Thing to your Confideration, which has not in a better
^fenncr been urg!d already. But I am truly concerned for
the Mifchiefs which, I think, we are giving Way to ; and
if I cannot prevent them, it will be a Sati^faflion to me at
leaft to protcil againft them.
* All Gentlemen who have fpoke in this Debate, have,
for their different Opinions, agreed in one Thing, to prefs
very much the Argiunent of Danger ; and the only Quefti-
on is, on which Side the Danger lies ; whether to the Go-
vernment, wkhout a military Force to fupport it ; or to the
Conftitution and Liberties of Great Britain, from that mili-
tary Force, if it be allow'd to continue in it. #
* As to the Dangers which threaten the Government, t
Aink I am not willing to overlook them. . But I hope we
may be excus'd, if we cannot be convinced of Dangers, which
no Map, that I hea^^ pretends to explain to us.
■ ' Abroad
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lyuio 4*<^ t 'Abroad ib€ State ahd Circnmftances 6f Europe ixAPpt
^JHl-^_/ to be fudr, Aat I tRinkft is hard to fuppofc ^ Time po^k
" wfte^ there ihall be lefe Appearance or Apprdienfion of an
ImMdiate Difturbance to ^s^ B^gdom. The three greei
Pdwersy thofe which are moft confiderable m themfelvesj
and of neareft Concern to m, I m^ah the fimpire, Firanc4
and Hdland/ are fo far from being at any Enmity with U3|
that they are sA of them our fail Friends and Allies, at leaft
we are told fo, and hear very often a great deal of boafting
upon that Snbjeft, whenever the Adniiniftradon of the Co-'
terttiiient is to be e?ftdU'd, and the Merits of it are to be iet
Ibith to us. Upon thofe Occafions we hear of nothing, but
die wife andufeful Treaties which have been^ itiade, the great
Influence which we have acauir'd in foreign Courts and
Councils, and die (olid Foundations which are laid for our,
Security. But when, in Confequence of thefe great Things,
we come to talk of reducing Forces, then I obferve ue
I^anguage is quite tum'd the other Way, then we are in the
we^efl and taoft infecure Condition imaginable, there is no
Dependence upon any Thing, and we muft even be thoc^ht
difafFe£led to die Government, if ^e will not believe i£at
we 2re furrounded on all Sides with the greati^ft Dangers.^
■^ * But in the midft of thefe Contrariedes and Contradi^ons
I think we need not be at any Lofs what our Condu£l ought
to be ; if we will but haxe Regard to thofe plain Rules and
Maxims which have alwaya been obferv'd in the like C^es
with that which is now before us.
**It would certainly be an endlefs Thing, for an Houie of
Commons to enter into the Secrets of State, and to debate
upon the different Views, and Interefb, and Intrigues of
Foreign Courts ; what Jealoufies are among them, and what
Treaties are on Foot to reconcile them. If we take fuch
Things into our Confideradons, to jguide us in Queftions
concerning our own Guards* and Garrifons here atHome,
we ihall be in a Labyrinth indeed ; and mud be compellM at
laft to put an abfolute Truft in the Government, becaufe
they only know the Truth of fuch Matters, and from thiem
we mufl be content to feceive whatfoever Account they think
fit to give us of them. But the only Thing proper for us to
look to is, what is plain and obvious to the Senfe 6f all Man-
kind, I mean. When are the Times of prefent ?eace. Tliere
need no Refinements of Polidcks to know that, and I will
venture to fay, that during fuch Times of Peace no remote
Fears, no Arguments drawn from Contingencies of what nuy
be hereafter,- have ever yet brought this Nation into a Con-
ceffion fo fsLtal to Liber^, as the Keeping up of flanding
Forces, when there is no other Employment for them, but
10 mfuh and opprefs their Fellow Subjefls, J iay there has
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liitliertdbeennoPj'ecedefitofthfttkiiidy and tbe Misfbitiitte Aaa64.Qtti,t
of this Cafe IS, there will need but one Precedent in it i^oiie \^^^4^
wrong Step taken, in this Particular, may pot an End to all
your Claims of Rig|its and Privileges.
' And on the other Hand I b^ it may not betaken fof
granted, that if we difmifs onr Si^diers, we (hall therefore
leave ouHdves naked, and void of all Protection againft saty
iudden Danger that may arife. No, Sir^ Providence has
given us the bed Protedion, if we do not foolifhly throw ^
away the Benefit of it. Our Situation is our natural Pro-
tedion; our Fleet is our Protedion; and if we could ever
be Co happy as to fee it rightly purfu'd, a good Agreement
betwixt the King and People, uniting and adling together in
one National Intercft, wotdd be fuch a Protection as none of
our Enemies would ever hope to break through.
^ It is a melancholy Thing to me to hear any other Notions
of Government advancM here, and that his Majefly, either
from his private or his general Council, fhould ever upon^thk
Siibjeft have any Thing inculcated to him, but this great
Truth, * That the true and only Support of an Englifh Prince
' docs and ought to confift in the AfFedlions of his People.' It is
That fhould ftrengthen his Hands ; it is That fhould give him
Credit and Authority in the Eyes of other Nations ; and to
think of doing of it by keeping up a Number of Land Forces
here at Home, fuch a Numoer as can have any Awe pr 1th
flaence over the great Powers on the Continent, is, I think,
one of the wildeS Imaginations that ever enterM in|o the
Heart of Man. The only Strength of this Nation muft al-
ways confijl in the Riches of it ; Riches mufl be the Fruife
of publick Liberty ; and the People can neither acquire
Riches, nor die King have the Ufe of them, but by a
Government founded in their Inclinations and Affeftions.
* If this,be true, then of Confequence it follows. That
whoever advifes his Majefly to aim at any additional Securi-
Jf to himfelf from a ^ding Army, inflead of increafmg
is Strength, does really dhnimfh it, and undermine his
true Support, by robbing him of the Hearts of his Subjeds^ *
For this I take for granted, that as there are but two Ways
of Governing ; the one by Force, and the other by ike
Afieaions of the Peopte govem'd, it is impoffible for any
Prince to have them both. He muft chufe which of the
two he will ftick to, for he can have but one. If he is
Mafler of their AfFedlions, he flands in no -need of Force i
and if he will make Ufe of Force, it is in vain for him to
expea their Affedions. For it is not in Nature, and it cad
never be brought to pais, that Men can love a Government,
under which they are loaded with heavy Taxes i and pay a
Confidcrable Part of their Eflates to maintam an Arm)V
vot'. I. y ^^^^
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^tm^'^ ^^^ ^^^ them in thePoffcffion of the reft, and can
turn them out .of the whole whenever they pleafe.
* With Submiffion therefore^ the Argument is taken by
the wrong End/ when it is laid. There are great A^imo*
fities in the Kingdom, the People are difaffeded, and npon
that Account there is a Neceffity of keeping up an Army.
It concludes much righter the odicr Way ; that is, difinifs
, your Army, and give no other Caufe of Su^idon that any
Part of the Conftitution is to be invaded, and the Pepple
will be^well'^eded. Upon any other Foot than this, what
Minifterwill ever care, whether he does right or wrong ?
It is not his Concern, whether the People are eafy or un-
cafy; his Army is his Dependence: Nay, and the more
by his wicked Counfels he exafperates and enrages the Peo-
ple, the fh-onger he makes his Pretence for maintaining and
mcreafing that Army which fupports him.
* What I have faid, I confefs, goes upon a Suppofition,
that the Numbers containM in the Eilimate, and in the
Queilion before you, do make an Army formidable enough,
and able to enflave this Nation ; of which indeed th^ re-
mains no Doubt with me. In the Manner thofe Forces are
conftituted, 1' think, a Prince who would wifh to be ^bi-
traiy, could defire no more; and if he had all the Power
in his Hands, I think, for his own fake he would keep no
jnore.
* Of what Nature the Redudions have been other Gen-
tlemen have fo fully explain'd, and I believe it fo generally
nnderflood, that it will be needlefs for me to dwell upon it
But the Short of the Cafe is this. That out of thirty two
thoufai)d Men, thirteen Raiments only have been diiband-
ed, which do not amount to more than five or fix thoufand,
befides a few Invalids, which were taken from the Ella-
bliihment of the Army, and put upon the Eftablifhment of
the Hofpital. So that there are the Corps now fubiifting
of more than twenty five thoufand Men, which Corps may
be fiird up to their entire Complement whenfoever tht Go-
vernment pleafes^ and that even jvithout any Noife, or No-
tice taken. For the Cafe is very different in that ReQ)ed,
where the Regiments are few, and thole kept compleat :
There, if the. Numbers allowed by A€t of Parliament arc
exceeded, it m\i(t be by raifing new Regiments, which is
eafily feen and known. But where the Corps are kept up
with only a few Men in them, and fomc Recruits will al-
ways be neceflary for them, there, if the Government is
willing to be at the Charge, they may keep the Numbers
up to what they pleafe, ^d it is impoffible to know when
the , Parliamentary Standard is exceeded, and when not.
Thus therefore fiands our Account; In Uie fixft Place, the
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Pnblick is to pay eighteen thouland Men ; in the next Aiiiio4.Geo.i.
Place^ the Number of efiedive Men is to be fixteen thou- l^^SJ/*^^
(and three hundr^ forty feven ; and if thofe are not fuffi- ^*^^V^^^
dent to exercife Dominion over us, yet; in the Mannec
they are kept together, they are equivalent to twenty five
thouiand Men; the Charge is/ inconiiderably lefs, and the
Terror, which is the main Thing, is not at all abated.
* For the taking this dangerous Step, the only JufHfica-
tion I hear Gentlemen offer for themfelves, (he only Shelter
they ily to, is the great Confidence which is to be reposed
in his Majefty*s juft and gracious Intentions ; of thofe I
will entertain no Doubt ; I believe his Majefty is too good
to be funded of any arbitrary Defigns. But yet there is a
general Sufpicion, which I will never be aihamM or afiaid
to own ; becaufe it is a Sufpicion interwoven in our Confti*
tution ; it is a Suipicion upon which our Laws, our Parlia-
ment, and every Part of our Government is founded;
which is. That too much Power lodg'd in the Crown, ab^
fhading from the Perfon that wears it, will at (bme Time
or other be abus*d in the Exerdfe of it, and can never long
confiftwith the natural Rights and Liberties of Mankind.
And therefore whatever Opinions wc have of his Majefty^s
Goodneis, and how much foever he deferves them, we
Ihould ftill confider, that in this Place we are under a di*
fdvi€t Duty to our Country, and by tfet Duty weWhould be
as incapable of ^ving up fuch an unwarrantable Truft, as
Ms Majefy, I am perfuaded, would be incapable of abufing
it, if he had it in hi^ Hands. Thofe we replrefent wiS
expedi, and they ought to expc6k from us, that they fhould
not only continue to enjoy what belongs to them, as Englifti-*
men j but that they fhould hpid it fHU by the fame Te-
nure. Thdr Elhtes, their Lives, and their Liberties they
have hitherto pofTefs'd as their Rights ; and it would be a
very great and fad Change, and fuch as fhall never have my
Confent along with it, to make them only Tenants at WiU
for them. '
Dec, 6. In a Committee of the whole Houfe on the'Sup- TheCommmoeof
ply, the Commons came to twelve feveral Rcfolutions. fcrcSiSSuiUMfl.
It not being in the Compafs of ou/ Defign to recite them
aH nine of them being, without any Oppofition, agreed to by
the Houfe, and to be found at large in the VO TE S of this
Seffion, we fhall only quote thofe three Rcfolutions of the
Committee, as gave Rife to fome SFEECMES and DE-
EM SS ; which, for the better Underftanding thereof, it will
be necefiary to do. They are as follows ; t
I. That the Number of effedive Men to be provided for
Guards and Garrifons in Great Britain, and for Jcrfcy and
' y 2 Guernfev;^
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41110 4. tteo^i. Cvncmkf, for the Year 171a, he ^6^2» commifioned az4
l^^iJJL. oon-commiffiooed Officers inchided. Jl. That a Sum not
S^^^^^^ eiBceediiig 681,61 &1. be mnted to hi$ Majefty, for defray-
ing the Charge of the £ua 16347 cSeSdwt Men for Guards
aM Garrifona^ and other his Majefiy's Land Forces in Great
Britain, Terfey and Gaemfey» for the Year i7i8« III.
That a oum not exc^ding 130361 1. 5 s. 5d. oe granted
lo his M^efty, ibr the Charge of Half-pay to the re-
duced Officers of his Majefty*s Land Forces and Marines,
fa- the Year 171 8.
Mf^forwcoBi- The firft of thefe Reibhitions being read the fecond
peu^ ivee fime, arMotion was made, that the iame be recommitted ;
iqpon which there arofe a warm Debate, and inoft of the
Members who ^ke in the Debate of the 4th Jmftant, {Sa
f>, 1 54.] fpoke either for or againft the laid Motion : But the
QuefBon being put thereupon, it was carryM in the Nega-
tive, by a ^jority of 175 Voices againft 12c 1 and then
peiate tiiereon. ^ ^^ Kefohidon was agreied to by the HooJe. Tiie fe-
cond Refolution being afterwards read a fecond Time, a
Motion was made, that the fame be recommitted, which
^ |L w^ipoie. occafionM a frefh Debate. Mr Robert Walpok, who made
the moft remarkable Speech, urg'd, ' That by the Method
that had been followed in the Redudion of the Army^ the
Nation was put to an extraordinary and needlefi Charge.*
Whicn he endeavour'drto prove, * &y enterine into the Par-
' ticulars of the Regiments that were kept ftan£ng ; ihewing
the Di^opordon between the Foot, and the Horfe and
Dragoons, which laft were mod grievous and <^reffire to
the Country ; and fuggefted, * That by reducing the Army
in another Manner, tS^ full Number of Land Forces already
voted, might be kept up, and yet near a hundred thoufand
Pounds faved to the Nation, beddes the Pay of General
Officers, which, he doubted not, all Gentlemen would rea-
dily acknowledge, with him, to be an unnecei&ry Expence.*
This Overture was liilen'd to with great Attention, and
Sir Jo. jekyiL particularly Jby Sir Jofeph Jekyll, who, being defirous to
know what Mr Walpole had to propofe, to mve fo confi-
berable a Sum to the Nation, declared his Opinion for re-
conunitting the fecond Refolution above-mention'd, which
was cany'd without dividing. It was alfo refolv'd, Tkfct
the laft of the three above-recited Refolutions be recom-
mitted.
S?Sa'*e'drSl P^^' 9* ^^^ Houfe refolved itfejf into a Grand Com-
L^uid-Fotln. ^ mittee, to take into Coniideration the fecond Refolution,
viz. for granting to his Majefty the Sum of 681,618 1^
Mr^wgp. which had been re<;pmmitted<. Mr Craggs, who fpoke firft,
!faid, ^ That having already ag^ed to the Number of
Trppps, it >v^s but na^ral and r^fon^ble to grant the Sum
ncceflary
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neceSkry to maintain thofe Troops ; that die Commons had ABM^^ceo.!.
never entered into the. Particulars of the Regiments, whether v>>"X^^^^
Horfe, Dragoons, or £oot ; but contenting tbemfelves with
fixing the whole Number, had wholly left the i^egolating (^
that Matter to the Crown ; and therefore he hoped, thej
would not ihew kis Regard to his Majeft}?, or repofe le&
Confidence in his Wiidom, of which they had feen fo many JJjJj^'j^
Inftances, particularly both in augmenting and reducing of MrXieby.^
the Army.' Mr Craggs was feconded by Mr Aiilabie» Mr sfrR^^je.
Lcchmere^ Mr Treby, Mr Yonge, Sir Richard Stedc, ^^^3^*"-
Gen» Caqjcnter, Gea^ Wade» G^ Stanwix, and others : cea'stanwiz.
Bat, on the other Hand, Mr R. Walpok, reprefented, Mr a. waipoif^
' That the beft Way for the Commons of Great Britain to
acknowledge his Majefty's moil gracious Intentions for the
Gqpd of his Subjeds, was to point out to him the Means
of rendering shofe good Intentions efiiedual ; that this might
be done by difbanding or difmounting eight or nine Regi-
ments of Dragoons, whereby the Country would be eafed
of a great Borden and Oppreffion ; and that by this, and
fome other Redo^ions, of which, he made mention, a con- «
fiderable Sum of Money might be faved to the Nation ; as
well as by taking off the Pay of the General Officers, and
other iifekis Contingencies.' Mr Walpok was backed by
Sir Joief^ JekyH, Sir Thomas Hanmer, Sir William sirhj^n,
Wyndham, Mr John Smith, and Sir Thomas Cro6; and, tiiw^w^ham.
on the other Hand,.the Courtiers endeavour'd to fhew, cither sir |'h?^fi.
that the Redndions propofed were impraifUcable, or would
not anfwer the End intended therd>y. But fome General
Officers having iaid, * That for their own Parts, if their
having no Pay could any way contribute to mak6 the Na-
tion Gkfyf they readily acquiefced,* They were taken at
their Words ; and the Queftion being pot. That a Sum not «
exceeding 650,000!. be granted to his Maje%, for de-
fraying the Charge of 16347 effedive Men for Guards and
G^fons, and ^hcr his Majefly's Land Forces in Great
Britain, Jerfey and Guemfey, for the Year 171 8, the fame
was carry'd in the Affirmative, by 1 72 againft i $ 8. And this
Reiidution was the next Day reported and agreed to by the
Houfo without Of^fition. .
Dir. II. In a Grand Committee on Ways ^nd Means to fi:b«tecoMerang
raife the Su^y, after fome Debate upon the Qucftion, ' « '^^ **•
Whether two or three Shillings in the Pound be laid upon
Land, it was by 1 64 Votes againft 97, carry 'd for the latter.
There were great Struggles to fave the odd Shilling, but it
would not do j for the nex^ Day Mr Farrer reported the
Refolution of the Committee, which was agreed to by the
Houfe 5 aod a BiU was prdcTci to be brought in accordingly.
Thii
y Google
Anno 4» 0«o. I*
1717.
Debate concerning
the Uilf-Fiy Offi-
cers. ''
Mr Freeman.
Mr Hutchfion.
Mr Craggs.
Col. Bladen.
Mr Aiflabie.
Mr Lechmere.
Debate concerning
the Scarcity of Sil-
vei^ and lowering
the Gold Species.
MrAiHahie.;
MxR.Walpok.
Mr Cafwail.
( 174 )
This fiilly with an tmnfoal Difpatth paffed through both
Hottf(^ in ten Days.
Dec, 18. Mr Freeman and Mr Hutchefon, npon exam-
inins the lAUts of Half-Pay Officers that had been laid before
the lloufe, reprefented. That there were diree Sorts of
Officers in the (iud lAdts, who, in their Opinion, had no
Tide to the faid Half-Pay, via. the Warrant-Officers ; thofc
under Age, and therefore uncapable to ferve ; and the Offi-
cers who had Civil Employments. Mr Craggs *, Col. Bk-
den, Mr Aidabie, and Mr Lechmere f , in Anfwer to thofe
Objeftions, faid, * That the Half-Pay had never been denyM
to Warrant-Officers ; and as for Cfecers under Age, they
were very few in Number, and their Half-Pay given as a
Recompence for the Services of their Fathers or near Rela-
tipns.' However, after a Debate, it was refolved to prcfent
four Addrefies to his Majefty on that Head.
Dec. 19. Mr Aidabie, took Notice of the great Scarcity
of the Silver Species, which, in all Probability, was occa-
fion'd by the Exportation of the fame, and the Importation
of Gold ; and proposed. That a fpeedy Remedy might be
put to that growing Evil, by lowering* the Value of the
Gold Species. He was feconded by N& Cafwall, Member '
for Leominfter, one of the Sword Blade Company : But
Mr Rt Walpole, who did not expeft fuch a Motion, £aid,
* This, was a Matter of fo great Importance, that it ought
to be well weighed and maturely coniiderM, before the
Houfe came to any Refolution thereupon.* It was accor-
dingly refolv'd toconfider of it the next Momilig in a Com-
mittee of the whole Houfe.
Dec. 20. Mr Aiflabic renew'd theMotionhemade the Day
before, relating to the doin, and was feconded by Mr
Cafwall **, who made a Speech, on the various and re-
fpedive Values which, it different Times, Gold and Silver
Coins have bom, with re(ped one to the other, according
to the Plenty or Scarcity of either j and fuggefted, * That
the Over-valuation of Gold in^ the current Coins of Great
Britain, had occafion*d the Exportation of great Quanddes of
Silver Species ; and to that Puxpofe, laid open a dandefUne
Trade, which of late Years had been carry'd on by de
Dutch, Hamburghers, and other Foreigners, in Concert wim
the Jews and other Traders here. Which conMed in ex-
pordng Silver Coins, and importing Gold in LieU thereof,
which being coin'd into Guineas at the Tower, near 15
Pence was got by every Guinea, which amounted to about 5
• P^
• Mt^ Secretary qf State in this Sejpon,
t -w^-^* AttntneyGeneral and a Friv/'CoKnf^ in this Seffimy W t^
Kofim of Sir Edward Nor thev. .
•*■ Ktfi^htcd dming this SeJJion,
y Google
, ( '75 )
per Cent, and as thefe Returns might be made five or fix Aimo4.Geo. l
Times in a Year, confiderable Sums were got by it, to the v,^\/vy
Prejudice of Great Britain, which thereby was drained of
Silver, and over-ftock'd with Gold : Concluding, that in
Ks Opinion, the moil effedual Way to put a Stop to this
|)ernicious Trade, was to lower the Price of Guineas, and
/all other Gold Species.* This Speech was received with
I j general Applaufe, and it was refolv*d m the Grand Com-
II mittee, and tmanimoufly agreed to by the tiouie. That an
i Addrefs be prcfented to his Majefly, to iffue his Royal Pro-
f damation, to forbid all Perfons to utter or receive any of
the Pieces of Gold calPd Guineas, at any greater or higher
Rate than one and twenty Shillings for ea^h Guinea, and
fo proportionably for any greater or leiTer Pieces of coin*d
Gold. This Addrefs being prefented to his Majefiy, a
Proclamation was ifTued accordingly.
Dec. 22. The King gave the Royal Aflbnt to the Land-
Tax Bill, and then the Houfe adjourned.
yan. 22. The Commons, in a Conimittee of the whole second Debate m.
Houfe, confider'd farther on the Supply, and Mr Hutche- ^eS^oiTi^f-^^
fon urg'd. * That' the Lifts of th^ Half-pay Officers werp ,^Hitchci«n.
charg'd with many who had no Right to it : He was ftrc-
nuoufly fupported hyfAr R. Walpole, who particularly ob-
jected againft allowing Half-pay here to the Officers of the
13 Regiments lately reduc'd in Ireland. Mr Craggs an- ^^^ ,^ ^^ip^^
fwcr'd them/ and Mr Walpole having fu^efted that Mr MrCraggs.
Craggs had not been long in 'Office ; tins laftreadily own^d,
* That tho' he could not boaft of fo much Experience in
ASdirSf as a certain Gentleman, yet this he was fure of,
that, though a Novice, he would, ten Years hence, be of
the fame Opinion he was of at pfefent> and not imitate them,
who changed theirs, as they were in or out of Place.* -
Hereikpcm Mr Walpole appealed to the' Committee, * Whe-
ther, while he had the Honour to be in Employment, he
had not declared his Opinion as freely as he did at prefent,
particularly in relation to the Matter now before them V
Mr John Smith, Sir Henry Bunbury f. Member for Chefter, ^r j. smkh.
and Sir William Wyndham, fupported Mr Walpole, and Ji^ Hen Bu^bary.
all of them did Juftice to the Officers who had ferv d
their Country in the two laft Wars ; excepting only againft
the Abufe which had been made of the National Bounty, in
granting Hal^-pay to thofe that did not ^ferve it. On
the other Hand, Mr Aiflabie, Colonel Bladen, 'Sir Charles ^^^^^;;
Hotham, Sir Ricfeard Steele, General Wade, Mr Lowndes, sir *ch. Hofhtm. ^
and feveral others, fupported, Mr Craggs ; and Mr Bofcaw- c^en^widJ"**"*
C8, laid, * That, in his Opinion, the Officers who had JJj^^S^^i
lately
t CvmifiHm (f 4ft Kfvmi m Jr^^t in ibt Ute Slueen's Keign. J^
, * Digitized by VjOOQIC
Anna 4- ^^* I*
1717-18.
Farther Debate
relating to the
Half-pay Officers.
MrHutcbefon.
Lord Broderidc
iSg%.'W9iipole.
94,000 1, eranted
lorthtittir-iJay
Lift.
An Addrcfs for fup-
« plylhg all Vacan-
cies in the Troops,
(theHorie and Foot
Guards^ Horfe and
Grenadiers excep-
ted,] with Half-pay
\ .Officers.
( 176 )
ktely ierv'd againft the Rebels Id Scotland, and in the
North and Weft of England, had no lefs merited than thde
who had ferv'd many Years in foreign Wars, fmce by fop-
preffing a moft unnatural and deteHable Rebellion, th^ Ibi
delive^d their Country from its mod dangerous Enemie&y
But though the Court Party, inftcad of about 130,361 f
to which the Lift -of Half pay for 171 8 amounted, woulc
have been contented with 115,000!. yet a Motion^ being
made, and die Queftion put. That the Chairman leave the
Chair, it was carry'd in die Affirmadve, by 1 86 Voices
againft 148.
yan. 24. The Houfe went into a grand Committee, to
confider farther of the Supply } particularly in relation to
Half-pay j and Mr Hutchefon and Mr Walpole chiefly in-
lifted, * That the Officers of the 13 Regiments reduc'd in
Ireland, ought to have been plac'd oh the Elkblifhment of
that Kingdom.' The Lord Vifcount Broderick *, IVfomber
for Midhurft, endeavour'd to juftify the Miniftry there, and
reprefented how hard the Cafe of thofe Officers would be,
if they were ftruck off the Englifh Eftablifhment. To which
Mr Walpole reply'd, ^ That 'twas Matter of Surprise, that
an End had been put to the Seffion-^of the Parliament of
Ireland, without making Provifion tor the faid Officers.'
After this it was agreed to ftrike off the Lift of Half-pay
all the Minors under ftxteen ; feveral Warrant Officers , the
Officers of the i j Regiments reduc'd in Ireland, and the
Chaplains not provided for; Notwithftanding whidi, the
Courtiers ftill demanded 1 15,0001. for the Lift of JIalf-pay;
but upon the Motion for the Chairman to leave the Chair,
which was carry'd without dividing, the Speaker refom'd
it, and the ^rther Coniideradon of that Matter was put off
to the next Day.
yan, 25. The Commons went again into a Committed
of the whole Houfe on the Supply, and the Courders re-
new'd the Demand of 1 15,000 1. for the Lift of Half-pay.
On the other Hand, the oppofite Party were for reducii
that Sum to 80,000 1. But Mr Walpole having propos'd
94,000 1. the fame was readily accepted on both Sides.
Then Mr Freeman mov'd, * That the Vacancies in tie
Guards fhould be fupply'd by Half-pay Officers ;' But the
Qgeftion being put thereupon, it was caj-ry^d in the Nega-
tive by 164 Voices againft 156.
Mr Speaker having refum'd the Ch?iir, Mr Farrer imme-
diately rq>orted to the Houfe, * That the Committee had
diredlcd him to move, and it was accordingly refolvcd. That
an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, that all Va-
c^cies
* Lord CbanetUor 0/ JnHmd*.
y Google
( Ml )
wUch ihatl luqpp^ m the Troops up<m die Britiih
EtoMiihmcnt be fappl/d by Half-Pay Officers, or Officers <
rcdnc'd in Great Britain of the fame Rank, except in the
Hode.and Foot-Goard^and Horfe- Grenadiers/ The (kid
.Addrefi was accordingly prefented to the King.
Jmn. z^i Mr Bofcawen acquainted the Houfe, that his
Majefty had commanded him to inform the Houfe, *' That *"« King*i Aa-
*• Orders ihould be given, purfuant to the above Addrefe, his *''" '^^^
*' Majei^ being de&oos^ on all Occafions, to contribute, as
'* &r as in him lies, to the Eafe of his People.'* After this,
Mr Farrer reported the Refolutions on the Supply, which
were agreed to, and may be feen at large in du: FO TE$
ofthisSeffion.
Febrtiary 4. The Houfe refolv'd itfelf into a Grand Com-
mittee, upon djeBiU, For regukting tht Forces^ and for Pav- S^^Sfa^^**
manu oftb^Atwf^ &c. After reading the Bin,andthc Articles
Of War, Mr Hutchefon excepted againft the Claufe, enad- ^ »«ttWb
ing^ ' That it fiiall and may be lawful to and for Court Mar-
' tials to puniih Mutiny and Defertion with Death, urging^
' That a Court Martial was never allowed of in England in
Time of Peace, as being inconfiHent with the Rights and
Liberties of a free IVople ; and mov'd, ' That the Offences
committed by the Soldiery be cognizable and puniih'd by
the Civil Magiftrate.' Sir William Thompfon anfwer'd Mr sir w. Thompfon.
Hutchefon, and the laUer was feconded by Mr Edward Har- Mr t, Hariey.
ley, who, to (hew the Danger of a (landing Army governed
by Martial Law, quoted a Book written by a noble Mem*
ber of the Houfe, intitled. An Account of Denmark, Here-
upon I^rd Molefwprth, [Author of that Book,] endeavoar*d LordMofcf^orOi.
to fhew, * That this was not a parallel Cafe , that the pre-
fent Pofture of ASsdrs in Great Britain was vallly different
from the State of Things in Denmark at that Jundiure ; and
that the Commons having already 4eclar'd it neceffary to
maintain the ftanding Forces, it was no lefs necefilary to
keep thofe Forces within the Bounds of Duty and Difcipline,
bjr the ordinary Rules of Martial Law, as was ever pra6tis*d
in all civilized Nations.' Sir Gilbert Heathcote having sirCHeathcote
back'd the Lord Molefworth, Mr Hungerford fatd, ' He Mr HuDferiM.
xe^ember'd a remarkable Faflkge in The Hiflory of the Rew-
hakns of Sweden^ which was. That one Sun^, a rich Burgher
of Stockholm, who had much contributed to the keeping up
a ftanding Army, was the firft that wa^ hang'd by Martid
Law. General Lumley and fome others were of Mr cen. LnmicT.
Hntchefon's Opinion ; and, on the other Hand, Sir Jofeph sir j. jdcyii.
Jekyll was for keeping up the Martial Law, at kan, one
Year longer.' But the. main Difpute fell between Mr
Craggs and Mr Robert Walpole, who in the Heat of Ar- mJ iL^jwk,
gttiiient could not forbear letting drop fbme flarp Refte6U-
VolL ' Z ons.
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{ iS6 I
Anno 4. OOP. «. GEORCfB R. '
yJJi^S/'-s^ ^ U^^ Majefty being at preferit engag'd in fevcul Nc-
King»»Meflkafbr " Jtx gotiati<tos of tKc utmoft Concern to the Wclfereof
wjg^^^ «* thefe Kangdoms, and the Tranyalitjr of Europe j and ha-
^ '^ << vins lately reeeiv'd InfornultKm nt>m Abroad, which
'< makes him judge that it will give Weight to his Endear
<• vours, if a Kaval Force be emjploy'd whem it (hall be
** necei&ry, does think fit to acquaint this Houfe therewith ;
** not doubting but that in caic he fliould be oUigM, at this
*' critical Jun^ure, to exceed the Number of Men granted
^ diis Year for the SearService, the Houie will, at their
^* next Meetings provide for fuch Eaiceeding,
Upon this Sir William StricUairi mov'd, « That an Ad-
• dreis be prefented to his Majefty, to retmn his Majefty the
AttAddfdi tfieic- Thanks of this Houfe, for his unwearied Endeavours to
^ womotetheWclfefBof his Kingdoms, and to preferve the
Tranquility of Europe ; and to affure his Majefty, Tliat this
Houfe will make gpod foch Exceedings of Men for the Sea
Service of the Year 1718, as his Majefty in his Royal Wif-
dom ftiall find necefikry to obtain thofe defiraUe Ends.* This
Motion being feconded, and tl^Quefti<m put therenpcw,
was carry'd without dividing.
~ It is very remarkable, that the Sp^ifh Embaftkdor ha-
ving about this Time expoftulated concerning the great
Preparations for fending a Fleet into the Mediterranean, Mr
JKf!;;,'!^!^^ Walpole faid, ' That inch an A^refs had all the Air of a
thatAddrefi. ' Declaration of War againft Spam.
Marc^ 1 8. Mr Boicawen acquainted the Houfe, That their
Addrefs had been prefented to his Majefty ; and that he was
commanded by his Majefty, to return lus Majefly*s hearty
TJie K' 's An- ^^*^"^ '^ ^^^® Houfe, and to afture them, that his Majtfhr
fwertoulaboTe fhall think himfelf obligM, in Return of the great C(»m-
^'**'*** dence they have>eposM in him, not only to ufe the ntmoft
OEcMkomy that (hall be confiftent with the real Intereft of
h!^ SubjeQs for this enfuing Year ; but Hkewife to aj^y his
moft eameft Endeavours to prevent future Burthens to his
People, by efbiblifhin^ a lafting Peace and Tranquility.
March 2\. The King went to the Houfe of Peers, and
the Commons attending, his Majefty gave the Roval Afient
to fcver^l Bills.
After which the Lord Chancellor read hi» Majefty 's
-Speech to both Houfcs of Parliament, as follows, viz.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
The Kins'* Speech ^^ T Cannot put an En3 to this Seftion, without returning
totCxIrt^ *• 1 my hearty Thanks to fo good a Parliament, for the
^f^ «* Difpatch %bich has bccip givei> to the publigk Bufincfs.
^ i\Yoa
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** Yon will, I hope, in your private Capacities, feel the abm 4. oeo. l
** ConTeiuence of an early Reeds ; and I am perfoaded the \^^!\^
" PaUick will receive great Benefit, by the imonaUe Zeal
^ and Vigour of your Refolotions in Support of my Go*
** vemment.
*' Nothing can add fo much to the Credit and Influence
** of this Crown, both at Home and Abroad, as die le-
** peated Inftances of your AfFedion to me. This Stoidi-
** neis and Refolution of yours, will, I Ik^, enable me to
*' procure, dgunSt your next Meeting, fudi Treaties to be
** concluded, as will fettle Peace and Tranquility among
** our Neighbours.
** If through the Blefling of God my Endeavours to thte
" &id prove fuccefsful, I ihall have the Satisftdion to
'* fiknce even thoie who will never own them&lves con-
'* vinc'd ; and to let all the World fee plainly, that what
** I have moft at Heart, is the Good and Welfiure of mj
** Peof^, who may then be eas'd in their Taxes, and en^
" rich'd by their Trade.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Conunons,
** I mnft return you my particular Thanks for the Sup-
^* plies yon have fo chearfiilly granted, and for the late In-
** ftance of your Confidence in me. I promife you, that
** my Endeavours (hall not be wanting to make Ufe of both
** to the bed Advantage for the Good of my People.
My Lords vaA Gentlemen,
^' The PrafiUces which are daily usM by»a moft relUefe
*^ and unhappy Set of Men, to diflurb a Government by
" whofe Clemency they are proteded, require our utmoft
'' Attention and V%ihnoe. I muft therefore recommend
'* it to you, that in your fevend Statidhs and Countries,
'< yon will endeavour to qudl that Spirit of Di&ffedion,
*^ which our common Enemies are &> induftrious to fo-
'< meat.
Then the Lord Chancellor prorogued the Parliament to
the 20th of May ; after which they were fiirther prorogued
to the I ith of Noyember.
^^
SPEECHES
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( i9z )
STEECHES and DEBATES
In the Fourth Session ojf the
RrfiTarliament 4ifKingQno%GE L
AaBos. Geo.i. ^T'^^^ ^ ^'^ ^^ November the King came to the
^j;7*«j^^.l 1 Mode of ?eers» and the Comiiioils «tteiHlii%, Ws
^•^^^^^^ V.-^ Majefly delivcr'd die Mowing Speeeb im» the
Hands of the L(»d Chancellor, who r^ the isune to both
Houfes:
My Lords and jQendemen,
cag^r sijeech at ** Qloce yowT 10 Reccfs, I have, by the Bleffing of AI-
SS£?***^'^**Onughty<3od;c»ncluded fiichTcnns and Conditions
" oS Peace and AHiance between the gneateft Princes of
'< Europe, as will, in all human Appearance, indoee others to
«* follow their Eaounple, and make any Attempts to difturb
^' tihe publick Tranq^oility not only dan^rcnis bnt i«iprac-
*' ticable.
** Thefe Engagements, I am perfoaded, will hR Ibmuc^
** the more agreeaUe to all mj good Sabje&s, as Aty iund
*' the toatraSing Pbwers to (upport die Subc^ffion to thefe
'* Kingdoms in my Family, to whidh fame wei« not at all,
** and o^ers not fo fully, bound by any farmer TresMties.
" During the whole Courfe of Acfe Negociadonis, a moft
'• ftria Regard has been had to the Intotft of Spain ; and
** better Conditions hare been ftipulatcd for that ELing, than
" were iniifted u|)on in his Behalf even at the Treaty of
•• Utrecht ; but the War in Hungary, which by our Me-
'* Nation is fmce happily ended, havii^ tempoed the Court
" of Spain unjuflly to attack the Emperor, and the ifepes
* ' they have fince concdv'd of railing Difturbances in Great
** Britain, France, and eHc where, iiavingenctfurag'd them
*' to believe, thatweihould not be atie to aa in ^rfiianoe
'' of our Treades, for the Defeneeof ^ Dominions in-
*• vaded by them, nor even to fupport thofe other effemial
" and neceflary Condidons of the Treaty of Utrecht,
** which provide againft the great Monarchies of Europe,
" being at any Time hereafter united under one Sovereign,
" they have not only perfifted in.fuch a notorious Violation
** of the publick Peace and Tranquility, but have rejedled
** all our amicable Propofals, and have broke t^ro' their
" moft folcmn Engagements for the Securitv of our Cbm-
•*' merc-e.
" To
y Google
( 183 ),
** To vindicate ^ttfon tke Faitb of our former Trea.- AiiB§5rCcP.L
'' tics» aa well as to mainuin thofe which we lately made» ^"■^/^
<* and to proted ftiid dele^d the Trade of my SubjefU, .
<* which has in every Branch been violently and unjuftty
** oppre(s*dy it became neceflaiy for our Naval Forces to
'* ckeck tlMhr Pto^reit. It was feafonabk to h<q>^ that
** the Siicob6 of our Arms, the repeated Offers of Friend-
*^ fliip, whidi I hare never ceas'd to make in the mod .
" . prefiflg Manner* and the Meafures taken in Concert with
*' the Si^peror and &e moft Chriitian King, to reftore the
'* piditidc Tranquilky, would have produced a better Dif- .
** pofition in the Court of Spain ; but I have received In-
" ^ormatioBs, that inftead of Mening to our reafonable
*' Terms of Accommodation, that Court has lately given
'< Qkders at all the Ports of Spain aoid pf the WeH-Indies,
'^ to fit out Privateers, and to take our Ships.
*' I am perfuaded that a Britifh Parliament will enable
" me to reJent fuch Treatment, as becomes us ; and it is
'* w^ Heafure that I can aflure you /of the ready and
'< firsen^y Refolutions of our good Brother the Regent of
** France, to concur and join with me in the moil vigorous
" Meaiiires.
*• The firm Confidence I repofe in the Affedion of my
'^ People, together with my eameil Defire to eafe them of
" every Charge not abfolutely neceflary, determin'd me,
" imniediately ^Iter the Exchange of the Ratifications of
** our great Alliance, to make a very confiderable Reduc*
** tion of our Land-Forces ; nor could I better expreis,
*' than by £6 doii^, how litde we af^rehend the Attempts
'* of our Enemiet to difturb the Peace of my Kingdoms,
" even tho' ^pain ihould think fit to continue fomeTime
" in War. Our Naval Force imploy'din Concert with our
'' Allies, win, I tmft in God, fbon put a happy End to
*' the Troubles wMeh the ambitious Views of that Court
" have begun, and fecure to my Subjeds the Execution of
" the many Treaties in force relatmg to our Commerces
, Gentlemen of the Houfe of Ccmupions,
** I muft defire you to grant me fuch Supplies, as will
" enable me to carry on & Service of the Year. I have.
" given CMers to have tikt pr<^r. EiUmates laid before.
" you, whereby you wiU perceive I have reduc'd the Ex-
" pence as much as our Ciicumibn(£s can well admit. I
*' nave the Pleafure to obferve to you, that the Funds ap-
" propriated for finking the publK^ Debts, have anfwer'd
'' above Expedation. I muft h#(^ver recommend to you
" to confider of proper Methods for imjMroving them, by
** prevenung the Frands and Abufes daily committed in
!^ die piibl^ Remiirs, nki doubtil^g in all your Pro-
" ' ceedings
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t tS4 )
'^ ceedii^ yon will have that Rcgai^ to the invIolaUe Prtf-
'' fenration of the paUkk CrecSt,, which may qviet the
'* Minds of all thole that have tnifted to Pariiamentary
'< Ei^gements.
My Lords and Gendemen,
'* There never was a Time when your Unanimity, your
*' VigouTy and Difpatchy were more necefiary to fo many
** good ^ids, as thofe we have nowin View^ I havedone
my Part. It remains with yoa to give the laft FinMhing
<* to this great Work. * Our Friends and our Enemies,
*' both at Home and Abroad, are waiting the Event of
*^ yonr Refolations : And I dare promife my felf that the
<* firft have nothing to apprehend, nor the others to hope,
** from your Conduft in this important Jondhire, who have,
•* during the whole Courfe of my Reign, given fuch lively
*' Proofs <>f your Zeal and Affedion to my Perfbn> and of
your Love to your Country."
«<
(«
The Commons being returned t6 their Houfe, Mr Craggs,
, by his Majefty's Command, prefented to the Houfe Copies,
in Latin, of feveral Treaties, with a Lift of them ; and
the Title of the Copies of the &id Treaties were read, and
t^idgjibrMK. then the Lord Hinchingbroke mov'd, * That an humble
dRftofThanki. Addreis be prefented to his Majefty, returning the Thanks
of the Houfe for his moft gracious Speech from the Throne,
and for the many and great Inftances which he has therein
given to his People, of his conftant Endeavours for their
Security and Welfare ; That the Houfe has intire Sadf-
h€tion in thofe Meafures which his M^efty has already
ta^en for ftrengthening the Proteftant Succeffion, ^nd efta-
Uifhing a lafting Tranquility in Europe ; and particnlarly
in relation to the Crown of Spain ; and is idolv^d to
enable his Majefty, in Concurrence with his Allies, not
only to reient the Injuries that Crown has already done to
. the Commerce of thefe Kingdoms, in Breach of the Tren-
Debaie thtreoa. tics fubfifting between the two Nations, but will likewife
lord Tvromnd. fupport him, in Hie moft vigorous and eftedual Manner,
Sfr L^^S**^ in luch farther Meafures as his Majefty fliall judge neceflary
ȣ ^'Kiith ^^ compleat the publick Tranquil ty, and to check the
8i^6?HeaScote. Growth of that Naval Power, which muft odierwife prove
Bfribin^^' dangerous to the Trade of thefe Kingdoms, and to the
S£b^^ Repofe of Europe.' The Lord Hinchii^broke was back'd
Col. Btaden. by the Lord Tyrconnel, Sir David Dalmni^e, Mr Lech-
Mrgecman. mcrc, Mr Craggs, Mr John Smith, Sir Gilbert Heathcote,
S£ ^S&: Sir Wilfrid Lawfon, Mr Hampden, Mr AiflaWe, Mr Bbf-
Mr^^ifonL ^^®"> -^^d Col. Bladen ; but the Motion being oppos'd 1^
sfr'j"j3SiL ^^ Freeman, Mr Heyiham, Mr Walpole, Mr Sncll, Mr
Mrcowpor. Hungcrford, Mr H^ne^ Sir Jofcj* Jekyll, Mr Cowper,-
~ Sir
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( t85 )
Sk WHlum Wyndfaam, Mr Shippen^ Loi4 MofefwQfth» ^^$^^
and General Rois, a warm Debate eafaed. k^/^^^^'^sJ
The Country Party fbenuoufly objeded againft theWords^ sir w.wyidN&*
entin Satisfa^ion in tboje Meafuru ^hkh bis M^tfty bad ^rtiBSlrorth.
already taken. In order therefore to hare thefe WoriU left &Roi>.
out of the Addrefs^ it was alledg'd in the jficft Place, That
it was unparliamentary and unprecedented, on the firft Day^
of a Se^n to enter upon Particulars i TMt the Bufine&iii
Qgeftion being of th^ higheft Importance, viz. Peace or
War, deferv'd the matureft Deliberation ; That before they
ajqprov'd of the Meafures that had been taken, they oi^ht
to examine the" Treaties, and the Reafons on which thofe
Meafures wete founded, which muft needs cake up fome
Time ; And therefore they ought, for the prefent, according
to the ufual Cuftom, to content themfelves with returning
his Majeily their Thanks fbr his S^ech, with general AA
furances of their Zeal and Affedion for his Majeily*s Peribn
and Government, and then appoint a Day to take the (aid
Speech into Confideration. *
To this the Courtiers anfwcr'd. That tho* all Applicati-
ons from the Houfe to the Throne difFer*d according to the
various Circumftances of Affairs, yet thererwere not wanting
I^-ecedents to fupport the Expreffions excq>ted againft, ^
which fome Inftances were produced : That the Meafures
that had been talun, were grounded on Treaties that had
been laid before thenv and which might be examined into
as foon as the Houfe thought fit s but that ft was necei&uy,
at this critical Jundiure, when the Eyes of all Europe were
fix'd on this Parliament, e^ly to come to a vigorous Re^
iblutidn, whi^ woukt not fail having its due We^ht
Abroad.
This was warmly o|^x>s'd by Mr R. Walpole, who uig'd, MtR. Wiiptii.
* That it was ^ainft the ccMnmon Rules of Prudence, aiKl
the Methods of proceeding in that Houfe, to approve a
Thing before they knew what it was : That he was tho«
roughly convinced of^ and as ready .as any Perfon in that Af*
fembly, to acknowledge his Majefiy's great Care for the gr*
nerai Peace oF Enrc^, and the Intereft of Great Britain i
but that the giving Sandion, in the Manner propos'd, to the
late Meafures, could have no other View, than to fltreen
Minifters, *who were confcious of having done fomething
amifs, and, who having begun a War againft Spain, wodla
now make it the Parliament's War : Concluding, That in-
HatsA of an entire Satis&dion, they ought to ftiew their en*
tire DiftatisfaiUon with a Condu^ that was contrary to the
JUws of Nations^ and a Breach of folemn Treaties.* Upon
this Mr Craggs gave the Houfe an Account of the Meafures i^ cragp.
which the King and his Minift^rs had purfu^ fpr reftoring
'Vqi. I. A a ' - wid
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\ I 186 )
^w^ eked. 1. andPf«carmg th* Tiunquiiity of Europr, and fM, * That upon
|J2JL^^ that View a Treaty of defcnfive Alliwicc between his M^e-
^^ ^^"^ fly and the Emperor had been £gn'd ia May 1716, a»d by
that very Gentkman, then in a high Stfttioa» who now «x-
, cepted againft thefe Meafares : That^ at the fame Time^
his Majcfty finccrely defir'd and endcaroiir'd to maintain d
perfbd Friendflnp with the King of Spain, and had even
proposed a defenfive Alliance to him, before he made one
with any other PoWer ; That notwithftanding the Engage-
ments his Majefty was under to guaranty the Neutrality of
Italy, and to defend the Emperor in the PolTei&on of his
Dominions, which> upon the Invaiion of Sardinia, might
have juftify'd his Majefty's aflifting his Imperial Majefty
againft Spain ; yet the King chofe rather to a£t as a fri^dly
Mediator, and, in Concert with the Regent of France, en*
deavour'd to fkd out Means of reconciling the Intereils of
die Emperor and of the Ipng of Spain, as the only Way to
piat Sr Stq> to the W^ that threatened Italy, aiKl in which
all Europe nii!ght be involved : Tl^t th« Catholick Kii^
was often follicited by the Britiih Miniilers atMadrid, to con-i
cur with his Majtffty's good Intentions, and to give fuch In-
ftru^ions to the Spanifh Minifter here, as would put it m
1^ Maje%^s Power to ibnd up for the Intereft and Advan-
tages oi ^pain ^n thd enfuing Negotiations : That the Ck*-
Iholick King hitving dedin'd to concert Mea£bres with Great
Britain, and dmnanditig, in general, SatisfadUon for the
Breaches he pt^etendied the Emperor had made upon the
Treaty of Utrecht, the Balance of Power in Jf urope, and the
Security and Liberty of the Princes attd States of Italy, all
fh%t his Maje^y, with the Regent's .^fiiftance». could <)o,
was to obtain of the Emperor fuch Conditions as were
^ *' thought moft * agreeable to his Catholick Majefty s to wit,
an abA>lute Renunciati0n of the Monarchy of Spain and the
Indies, and a very ccnt&ierable Setd^n^t in Imly for a
Prince of SpoiA, pardcukrly the Great I>achy of Tufcany :
Thata^ t?he Emperpr's Pretcnfions.to Skily were the prin*
tipal Reatwis of hiStOppoiing the Treaty of Utrecht, nrooi
^Amk he could not afterwards be brought off by the Treaty
^'Baden, it became neceilary, towards ai^ Accommedation,
t& di^o(4§ of that Ifland in Favour of his Imperial Majefty^
of whom, upon that Confideratton, his Majefty and the Re-
gent of France obtained the Difpofition of Sardinia in Favour
of the King of Sicily : That thefe were the principal Acti*
«lesof the Treaty of Alliance, for reftoring and fettlii^
the Publick Peace, commonly call'd the Qiadruple Alliance^
which was a long while depending, and at laft %n*d her^
> *- on the 2ad of July, 171? : That in Order to ^port the
Views of this Treaty, and to add Weight to the Endeavontf
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fOA
( i8y )
for Tt&onng l^eTrmquiliey of Europe^ lusM^'efty- soquainted ^^^JL?^^*
the Commons, toward the End of the laft Seffion of Parlia- y^,/'^^,^
menty that he intended to employ ii Naval Force when it
ihosld be Aeceilary ; whereupon this Houfe unanimoufly re-
fialv^d to recom his Majefty their Thanks fbr his unwearied
Endeavours to promote the Welfare of his Kingdoms, and
to preii^rve the Tranquility of Europe ; and to afTure his
Majefty, that they would make good ftich Exceedings of
Men fbr the Sea Service fbr the Year 1718, as his Majefly, .
in hisRoyal Wifdom, (hould ind neceflary to obtain thofe de*
£xBkAc Ends : {See p. 1 80.] That this unanimous Refolution
undoubtedly imply *d an entire SatisfafUon in the Meafures his
Majcfty was at that Time concerting for preferving the Tran-
ijaility of Europe ; and if an A^on has fince happen^ in
. Consequence of thofe Meafures, this eannot, with any Juftice,
be call'd the War f:^ the Mtnifters, but rather the War «f
the Parliament : That, however, it was not with Defign of
making War, but only of reftoring Peace, that his Majefty
fimt a firong Squadron into the Mediterranean : That, pur-
fuant to this View, as foon as Sir George Byng reached the
Coail of Spain, he wrote a Letter to that King, defiring him
to accept his Maje(ty*s Mediation, and to defiil from xhp
Hoflilities already begun ; ofFeriog him his Service, either
to withdraw his Troops, or even to aflift him, in cafe the
Emperor Ihould not confent to ,a Sulpenfion of Arms j which '
the Admiral propofed while an Accommodation ihould be
negotiated : That the Spaniard, having with Haughtineis
rejedled his Majefty's repeated amicable Propofals, and not
only perMed in the Violation of the puWick Peace, by the
lnvafc>n of Sicily, but likewife brofae thro' moft folemm
Treaties for the Security of our Trade, it became n^effary
for his Majefty's Naval Forces to check tbefe infolent and
violent Proceedings, as well to maintain the Faith of hie
Majefty's Eng^ements, and prevent the Confequences of
this War, as to proteft and defend the Trade of theBritilh
Sidbje£b, which labours under the heivieft Hardftiips and
Difficulties.' To confirm this laft Aflertion, Col. Bladen CoLBiadeo.
produc'd a Lift of many Merchant Ships, taken or detained
Vf the Spaniards.
Mr R. Walpok having made folemn Profeffions of his MrR.Waipofc.
Duty and A jfe^on to the King, and of his Readinefs to acr
knowledge his Majefty's Royal Care and conftant Endea^ -
vouri for the Security and Welfare of his People, and the
irranquility of Europe ; but diftinguiftiing between his Mar
jcfty and his Minifters, and (hewing an Unvvillingnefs to
approve the Meafures purfued by the latter, 'till the Trear
ties on which thofe Meafures were founded, had been fully
and maturely examin'd, Mr Craggs readily admitted of the Mr craggt*
A a 2 Diftinc-
Digitized by ^OOQIC
( 188 y
ABwf^ Om.1. DiftindHon between the King and his Mhiifters, adding,
j^*->yr-N^ * That he obfcrv'd with a great deal of Pleafure, how ona-
nimous th^ were all for the King, and that he fhoold be
extremely lorry if the Minifters flioaid be the Occafion of
any Delay in the Houfe^s expreffing their Duty and Afiec-
tion to his Majefiy : That he ownM Mioifters were not in-
feUible ; That he had the Honour to be one of hisMaj^fty's
Servants, and had gone as great Lengths as any in the Mea-
fures that had been taken : But that he was fo pofitive, that
in the Courfe of this whole A^r nothing had been done
that was not entirely coniiftent with the Faith of Treaties,
and the Honour and Interefl of the Nation, that he darSt
promife, both for himfelf and the reft of the Minifters, that
if the Houfe came into this Vote, which he thought of the
higheft Importance at this critical Jun^re, no manner of
Advantage would be taken of it to palliate any Faults,
which, through human Frailty, might have b^n commit*
ted ; and that for his own. Part he was ready to undergo the
fevereft Eicamination, whenever the Houfe ihould thmk fit
to enquire into the Conduct of the Miniftry.*
Upon the whole Matter, the Queftion being at laftfiut,
upon the Lord Hinchingbroke's Motion, it was carry*d in
Tie Addreft t- the Affirmative by 216 Votes againft 155.
jg^to asdpre. ^^ , ^j, Tj^g Commons having made the ufual Orders ;
the Lord Hinchingbroke reported the Addrefs from the
Committee of which his Lordihip was Chairman ; which on
the 13th was prefented to his Majefty, as follows.
May it pleafe your Majefty,
* T XZE your Majefty's moft dutiful and loyal Subjeds,
* VV the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament af-
* fembled, do return our moft fincere and unfeigned Thanks
* to your Sacred Majefty for your moft gracious Speech from
' the Throne, and for the many and great Inibinces, which
' -you have been gracioufly pleased therein to give your Peo-
' pie, of your confiant Endeavours for their Security and
* Welfare.
* It is with the greateft Pleafure that we have this Op-
' portunity to affure your Majefty, that we have entire
* Sads^^on in thofe Meafures which you have already
* taken, for ftrengthening the Proteftant Succeflion to the
* Crown of thefe Realms in your own Family, and for
' eftabliihing a lading Tranquility in Europe, and parti*
* cularly in relation to the Crown of Spain ; and we are
* refolv'd on our Parts, to the utmoft of our Power, to en-
* aUe your Majefty, in Concurrence with your Allies, not
* only to refent the Injuries which that Crown has already
^ done to the Conmierce of thefe Ifiogdoms> xnt Breach of
* the
Digitized by ^OOQlC
( 189 )
< the Treaties fubfifting between the two Nttioiis, but will Anaos. Qeo.i.
* likewiie fupport your MajeAy^ in the moft yigorous and ^^S!>^^
' e£Ee6ii]al Manner, in fach &rther Meafures as in your
' great Wifdom you ihall judge neceflary to compleat the
* pttUick Tranquility, and to check the Growth of that
' naval Power^ which muft otherwiib prove dangeroos to
' the Trade of thefe Eongdoms, and the Repofe of Europe.
« We ihould be wanting in our Duty to your Majefly, if
* we did not exprefs, in the moft affectionate Manner, the
' great Senfe we have of that Inflance of your tender Con-
' cem for the £afe of your People, in t])e farther Redudioa
' which you have made of your Land- Forces ; which muft
< be accepted by all your good Subje^, as the ftroi^^eft
* Proof of your Wifdom and Goodnefs.
* We crave Leave to concur with your (acred Majeily,
' that , Regard muft always be had to the inviolable Pie-
' {er^fitidik of the publick Credit, for the Quiet and juil.
; ' Security of all thofe who have trufled to Parliamentary
' Engagements.
* And do farther aifure your Majedy,* That we will, by
'oorCondud in this important Jundure, give your Ma-
' jefty and the whole World, all imaginable Proofs of our
' Zeal and inviolable Duty and AfFedlion to your Perfon
' and Government, and of our Love to our Country.
To which His Maje(ty*s Anfwer was as follows.
Gentlemen,
** T Am cxtreamly fenfible of the Duty and Affeaion S^JJ^,^
*• JL you expreis to my Perfon : Your Vigour and Refolu- ^
*' tion to fupport m^ will encourage our Friends, and, by
** the Bleffing of God, enable me to defeat the ill-groun-
** ded Hopes of our Enemies : As I am perfuaded the Ne-
" cefllty and Ufefulnefs of your Proceedings will be ap-
" prov'd by the Event, I do return you my very hearty
^" Thanks for this loyal Addrefs. "
Nffv. 13. Mr Crafi;^s prefented the Tranflations of
feveral Treaties of Aluance, and Articles belonging there- /
unto, which were ordered to lie on the Table.
Die. 17. Mr Bofcawen, by the King's Command, ac- JJ^^jf^JJ^^
quainted the Houfe, That all his Majefty's Endeavours ^"^ Kins's
and thofe of tl^ moft Chriftian King, to procure Redrefs of wZf^iSSji-.
the many Injuries done to the Subjedts of Great Britain by
the King of Spain, to the unfp^kable Detriment of the
Trade of thefe Kingdoms ; or even to obtain a Difconti-
imance of the unjuft Hoftilities, carrying on by that Crown,
having prov'd ineSeftual, his Migefty.had foi^id it necei&ry
to
. Digitized by VjOOQIC
{ 190 )
to declare W^ a|;ainft Spain. After the reading of this
Me&ge^ Mr freby*, mov'd, • That an humble A6drtb
MrTithy^ Mo- be prcfcnted to his Majeftv, to return his Majefty the Bfioft
tionforyAddigft unfeigned Thanks of the Honfe for baring communicated
to them the neceflary Refolution of declaring War againi
Spain ; and to aflbre his Majefty, That this Houfe will,
with the great^ Chearfnlnefs and with die utmoft Vigour,
aM and fupport his Mkjt&y in the War with^e King of
Spain, 'till opain is reduced to accrot of reafonaUe Terms
of Peace, and to agree to fuch Conditions of Trade and
Commerce, as this Nation is jufHy intitled to by their
feveral Treaties.* Mr Treby was feconded by Mr Wcftert,
Member for Sudbury, but Mr Shippen, Mr Freeman, Sir
Thomas Hanmer, and fome others excepted either jigunft
the Motion or againff fome Expicffions in it, which oc-
caiion'd a warm I/ebate. Some Members alledgii^, ' Hiat
they did not fee the Neceffity of declaring War againft
Spain, and that they rather were inclined to believe that
the Grievances complained of by our Merchants might have
been redrefs'd in an amicable Manner', Colond Stanhope,
Member for Derbv, told the Houfe, that he had had the
Honour to ferve his Majelty as his Envoy to the King of
Spain, and he could afiure them, that he had prefented
at leah five and twenty Memorials to that Court, in relation
to the Complaints of our Merchants, without any Succeis.
Hereupon Mr Methuen, Member for Brackiey, InterposM,
and accounted for the Dilatorinefs of the Court of Madrid
in the Pifpatch of Commercial A^irs, occaiion'd by the
different Regulations and Judicatories in the feveral King-
doms, Provinces,* and Ports of Spain ; which might be the
Reafon why the Grievances complained of by our Traden
had not been redrefs'd fo foon as might have been expeded.
A Member having hinted that the Minifters had (hewn no
great Concern for the Trade and Intereft of the Nation,
lince it appear'd by the Anfwer fi-om a Secretary of State
to the Marquefs de Monteleone*s Letter, that they would
have pafs'd by the Violations of the Treaties of Commerce,
provided Spain had accepted the Terms of the Quadruple
Alliance: That his Majefty did not feek to aggrandize
himfelf by any new Acquifition, but was rather inclinM to
facriiice fomething of nis own, to procure the general
Quiet and Tranquility : That no Body could yet tell how
far that Sacrifice was to extend, but certainly it was a very
uncommon Piece of Condefcenfion ; Mr Shippen went yet
farther, and infmuated. That this War feem'd to be cal-
culated for another Meridian. ISee f. 157.] But wrapt up
' the
• Mah Sfcretary s^TTaritithis Sejfm,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Oehttethneoiu
Mr Weflen.
Mr Siun>eo,
Mr Pfeeman.
SirT. Haniaer.
/ Ccl. Stanhope.
Mr Metboea.
Jir Shljipen,
{ i9» )
tke Innuendo h dextroufl/, that no fixc»tion wds taken at , ^^^s- oto. l
it. Mr Horatio Walpolc alfo found Fault with the Treaty yJ\/K^i
of Quadruple Alliance^ particularly^ as to the Difpofition of
Sicily in Favour of the Emperor, which was a Breach of ^^'^*^f^
the Treaty of Utrecht ; and his Brother Mr Robert Wal- Mra. Waipofe.
pole, ejcclaimM s^nil the Injuftice of attacking the SpaniCh
Fleet before the Declaration qf War. They were anfwer'd
by Mr CraggfiyMrLechmere^MrAiilabteyMrT. Broderidc, hirCnm,
and Sir Jofeph Jckyll ; which laft faid, * That fome Weeks S£ JSK.""
before, when tiiis Afeir was firfk mentioned in the Houfe, JJj^jS^^"^
he was Bxy o( givinjg his Opinion, becaufe he had not them
exaniinM the federal Steps that had been taken in it ; but
that now he was fuUy convinc'd« that if diere was any In-
juilioe, it was on the Side of the King of Spain ; and that
the Coodud of his Majefly and his Miniflers was entirdy
agreeable to the Law of Nations and the Rules of Juftice
and Equity. Was it juft, added he, in the King of Spain
to attack the Emperor^s Dominions [meatdng Sardinia}
while he was engaged in a War with the Turks, without
any Declaration of War ? Was it juil in the fame Prince
to invade the Dominions of one of our Allies, the King of
Sicily, without the leaft Provocation ? And was it not juft
in his Majefty to vindicate the Faith of his Treaties, and to
defend and prpted the Trade of his Sub|e£b, which ha4
been violently opprefs'd ? Then the Queflion being put upon
Mr Treby's Motion, the fame was carry*d in the Affirma-
tive by 178 againft 107 ; and it. was refolv'd. That the laid
Reiblution be laid before his Majefty, by the whole Houie ;
which being done acoordindy his Maje% S^ve the follow- rhetbmeAddtdk
ing Anfw^. ^'«^^'
Gentlemen,
" '""I^His feafcnable and loyal Addrefs, will, I truft in The King's aa-
" X God, contribute efFeftually to what you deiire. I "^"^
" return you true Thanks for it. "
Dec. 24. The engrois'd Bill from the Lords, intitled. Am £;^^J^^
jiff ffr firengthimt^ the Froteftant later fft in tbefe KingJomSy tning the Frtttjhat^
was brought down to the Common^ who read it the £rft '^'^'
Time, and ordered it to be read a (econd Time, on the
7th of January, to which Day the Houfe then adjoum'd.
Jan. 7* The Commons read a fecond Time the engrofs'd jy^^^ ^ ^^ ^
BDl from the Lords, intitled, Jn A^ for Strengthening the "^J^^^
frotefiani Intereft in theje Kingdoms : And then fo much of
the Ad, Jgainfi Occafidna/ Conformity^ as was intended^ to be
rcpcal*d by the (aid Bill, as alfo of the Aft, To prevent the
Grefwth of Schifm, i^c. both which were pafs'd in the 12th
Year of the iat« Qgeeft Anne, wcr« read. After which,
upon
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( tgz )
sui/iAij.Ceo.'L iii^ii 2, Motion made to commit tlie fidd Bin, there arc^e
^Jii^y^r^^ a very warm Debate, that lafted above eight Hours. Mr
' MrBaapdeii. Hampden fpoke firft in Behalf of the Bill, and was feconded
m[?S[S^ l>y Mr Cartwrteht*, Member for Boffiricy. The other
strTho. Palmer. Members who {poke for die committing of the Bill, were
SSSSr. Mr J. Chetwynd f. Member for St Maws, Sir Tho. Palmer,
{^rXiSSS^ Member for Rocheftcr, Mr Yonge, Mr Carter. Sir WilUam
*Jw'i2S&r. Thompfon, Mr Bofcawen, Mr Barrington Shute, Sir Wil-
Sk i.jckyu. ' liam Lowther, Member for Pontefiad, Sir Jofeph Jekyll,
Scrw?*^*' Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Mr Craggs, Mr Lechmere, and the
L^rd^femer. I^^d Caftlecomer. Againft the committing of the Bill.
Mr Graham, Member for Weftmoreland, Mr Ward, Mem-
hit mST' ber for Thetford, Mr Richard Hopton, Member for He-
cd^^lSSSkys. refordftiire. Col. Strangeways, Member for Dorfetfhire,
sJwlv^Lam. ^ Blwidel, Member for Haflemere, Sir William Wynd-
Mr lefierto. * ham, Mr Jefferies, Mr Shippen, Mr 'Horatio Walpole,
MrtL^RSW. Sir Tho. Hanmer, Mr John Smith, Mr SneU, Mr Robert
Sto jdSsSST' Walpole, and Mr Lutwyche, Member for Apulby.
Mj sjdL Sir WiUiamThompfon urg'd, * That the SchifmBill deprived
lAr LotwycEeT* Parents of their natural Right of educating their Children
as they think proper ; to which Mr Shippen anfwer'd,
* That it was fomewhat ftrange to fee fo able a Lawyer in-
confiftent with himfelf : For when the twelve Judges were
. confultcd, in a Cafe relating to a great Family, iThe Prince
tf Walts^s Children] he was of the Opinion of ten of them,
* That Children may be taken from their Parents, and edu-
* catcd as the Good of the Nation requirM.^ To thi§ Sir
8k w. Thompibn. William Thompfon replv'd, * That as he never was con-
fulted, fo had he never dedar'd his Thoughts in the nice
Cafe hinted by that Gentleman, and therefore he could not,
with any Colour of Juftice, be faid to have changed his
Opinion : But that the Member who tax'd him with it, and
who thereby declared againft the Opinion of the ten Judges,
if he would be conMent with himielf, muft now be for the
Bill that repeals the Schifm Aft, which reftores Parents to
^ their natural Ri^ht.' After fome perfonal Altercations be-
tween Mr R. Walpole and Mr Lechmere, the Queftion be-
ing put upon the Motion for committing the Bill, it was
carry'd in the Affirmative by 243 Votes againft 202, and
the Bill was committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe,
An exaft Lift of the Names of all thofe who ,voted Pr§
and Con^ in this important Debate; will be found in the
APP B NDIX, by which it appears that the Majority was
chiefly owing to the Scots Members, 3 1 out of 35, then in
the Houfe, having voted for the Bill. •
• CcmmJltoner (ftbe VtBualttig Office.
t Cmm^jfiwer rf Trade and FUn^oitK •*-
y Google
( «93 )
Jan. 9. The Order of the Day being read for the pring AAaof. om.u
into a Committee of the whole Houfe upon the Bill from ^^SS^iL
the Lords, Fer firtngthtnti^ the Proteftant Intrnft^ Sec. the
Lord Guemfey mov'd, * That it be an InftrufUon to the
laid Committee, that they have Power to receive a Claufe,
That any Perfon when he comes to take the Oath of AWu-
ration and other Oaths, fubfequent to the receiving the Sa-
crament, in order to his Qualification, (hall acknowle<%e
that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Teftament
were given by Divine Infpiration, and (hall acknowledge his
jirm Faith and Belief in the Ever-blefled Trinity : But the
previous Queition being put, that the QuefHon be now put
upon the Udd Motion, it pafs*d in the Negative, by 90'
Voices ; feveral Members who voted againft the Bill, F§r
firengtbeniftg the Proteftant Interefty &c. having, notwith-
landing their Oppofition to that Bill, voted alfo againft the
Amendment propofcd by Lord Guernfey ; as the Reader
will find particularly diftinguifh'd in the abovementiott'd
Lift. Then the Houfe refolv'd itfelf into a grand Com-
mittee upon the faid Bill, went through the fame, Mr. Hamp-
den being Chairman, and refolved to pafs it without any
Amendment, by a Majority of 221 Votes againft 170. • ^^
Jan. 10. The Bill, for ftrengthening the Pretefiant IntireftfjhS^l^ih^At
&c. was read the 3d Time, pafs'd without any Amendment,. ^S^JmSL.
and fent back to the Lords.
February 1 1 . Upon a Motion made by Mr Snell, and ^^^J^^g^
fcconded by Mr Shippen, it was refolvM to prefent an Ad- fo? an acc«S^
drefs to his Majefty, That he would be pleas'd to feive Di- ST Sf^iSSJi
refUons to the proper Officers to lay before the Houfe an M»y 10,1715.
"Account of what Penfions, if any, have been granted by
his Majefty to any Member of this Houfe during Pleafure,
or for any Term of Years ; and alfo what Warrants for
beneficial Grants have been direfled to the Lords of the
Treafury fince the i oth of May, 1 7 1 5 . t
Feb. 12. Mr Controller adjuainted the Houfe, That his
Majefty had given DitedUons to the proper Officers, to lay .
before the Houfe the Accounts defir'd by their Addrcfs.
Mareb 10. The King went to the Houfe of Peers, and
the Conunons attending, he was pleafed to fay. That he
had given Orders to the Lord Chancellor to declare to both
Houfes, In his Name and Words, a Matter his Majefty
thought of the greateft Importance ; whereupon the Lord
Chancellor read the following Speech :
TheBJUFir
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
" T T A VI N G reccivM from our good Brother and Ally, W» ^P«cfc ^
" JLjL the Moft Chriftian King, repeated Advices, that l^^^
againft
" my
yL^oogle
King, repeated Advices, that i^^^^jl^
an Invafien will (uddenly be attempted from Spain againft
Vol. I B b " my
( 194 )
« ftif Don^^in Favour of the Prcten^r to my Crown,
** I ksif^ j^ii'i it fionvcnient to make you acquainted with
<* it, and ihaU> on my Part, take all the neceffiuy Meafures
*^ to defeat the I>ef&gns of our Enemies.
Gentkmen of die Houfe of Commons,
" This Attempt^ if it proceed, muft engage me in (bme
*^ &rther Expences by Sea and Land than Provifion has been
<* itoade for. I n^uil therefore recommend it to you that I
" be etiahledA in fuct Manner as you (hall judge convenient,
** to make the neceifary'Difpoiltions for our Security ; and
*^^u may deipend upon it, that I ihall upon this and all
'' Occafions have as much Regard to the Eafe of my Peo-
** pie, as jhall be confiflent with their Safety.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
,«* The matiy Proofs I have had of the Affeftion and
^ Loyalty of ^is Parliament leave me no Room to doubt
/•* tf your fteady and vigorous Perfeverance, in Support of
^ my Perfon end Qovemmeiit upon this Occafion.'*
ModooffbranAd. - The Commons beii^ returned to their Houfe, it was
Aeft of Thank.. ^^.^ , rpj^^ ^ humble Addrefs be prcfented to his Ma-
jefty, to retam him the dutiful and unfeigned Thanks of
t|lis Houfe for having gracioufly communicated to his Par-
liament, that he has received Intelligence of an Invaiion in-
tended from Spain againft thefe Kingdoms ; and to aflore
his Majefty that this Houie will fupport him with the ut<
moft Vigour and Efforts to defeat io extraordinary an At-
tempt : And to defire that his Majeily would give the ne-
ceflary Orders to flrengthen and augment his F<m:es by Sea
and Land, in fuch ^£inner as he, in his great Wiidom,
f}wll think fit 5 affurmg his Majefty that this Houfe will
efieduaUy make good any Increafe of Eicpence that fliall
asife from fuch an Augmentation, and eifedlually enable hi»
Majefty not only to difappoint the Defigns of his Enemies,
both at Home and Abro^, but by the Bleifmg of God turn
x>ebate tiiereoB. thcm to their own Confufion.' None of the Members did
Mr w-^ diredly oppofe this Motion, only Mr W took this Op-
|iortunity to find Fault with the Adminiftration ; particularly
with Refpe£l to the fending a Fleet into the Mediterranean!
whilft Great Britain was left naked, and exposed to the In-
folts of a provok'd Enemy Abroad. He alfo refle^d on
lome Steps, whereby the Difcontents had been much cd-
creas'd at Home 5 and, among others, took potice of a
Bill lately brought into the Houfe of Lords, [meanifi^ an
A^ for fettling the Peerage of Great Btitmn\ which could
not fail making moft of the Scots Peers implacable Kne-
mies." He added, * That tho' he could not forbear blaming
the Conduct of the Minifters |n fome Particulars, yet h©
*iU
Digitized by LjOOQIC
( «95 )
4i]l retained the fame Thoughts with Refpeft to hb MaJ#i>% aam i. ^
and would readily concur with the Houfe, isi giving him k JiiT^tw^ J
the moft hearty Proofs of their Zeal and A^e^on for his ^^^^ ^"^
Majeily's Peribn and Government ; and even go (q fiur ^ to
give his Vote for fufpending the Hahuts Corpus Aft, i$
Cafe of Neceffity ; but that^ in his Opdnion, it became thf
Wiidom of that Houfe, to know whether the Advice^ hi9
Majefty had receivM of an intended Invafion^ were well
grounded, before they either alarm'd the Publick» or en^
gag'd the Nation in needleis Expenc^s.* This Speech wait
anfwer'd by Mr Craggs, who faid, ' That as to what has been Mr Cnot.
fuggefted about the Peerage Bill, that A^r being yet de-t
pending in the other Houfe, it was unparliamentary to take
Notice of it, before it came regularly before them : Bitl
that however, he would before-hand venture to fay. That
as it was a mofl gracious Condefceniion in his MajeHy, ta
fuffer a Branch of his Royal Prerogative to be rellrain'd, in
order to iecure the (liberty of Parliaments, fo he doubtecl
not, that when that Bill came down to them, it would be
unanimoufly approved. That as to the Advices the King
had communicated to his Parliament of the Inva^on with
which his Dominions were threatened, tbo' it was unufual
for the Sovereign to declare his Intelligence, yet his Majeily
had been moft graciouily pleas'd to tdl them from whence
he received his Information. That therefore it would be
want of Refped, to queftion his Majefty's Intelligence ; and
he was fure no Member of that Houfe had Authority to do
it. That he hop'd there was no great Danger from the In-
va£on with which they were threatened : but that it would
be the higheft Piece of Imprudence not to take all the ne-
ceflary Precautions to repel any Infults from the Spaniards,
and to defeat all the Defigns of his Majefty's and the Na-
tion's Enemies, both at Home and Abroad. And as to the
Condu6l of his Majefty's Miniflers, on which that Member
[Mr W ] was pleas'd to refleft, if a Motion were made
' for appointing a Day to inquire into the fame, he would
icadily feccmd it.' After this, the Motion, for an Addrefo Tht Addrefir*.
to his Majefty pafs'd into an unanimous Refolution, and kid b«^e ^
without lofing Time in drawing it up in Form, it was far- '"Es-
ther refolv'd. That the faid Refolution be laid before his
Majefty by the whole Houfe ; which being done according-
ly the next Day, the King return'd this Aufwcr.
Anfrc; tLsr"*©.,
Gentlemen,
^ T Take this Addrefs as a frefh Inftance of that Duty and Hjf^,^^MfjJX
" X AfFe^iion which you have fo often exprcfs'd for my ^ ' ' ' "'" "
" Perfon and Government. I truft in God it will enable
** me to defttit th(? Dcfjgns of our Enemies, and to provide
B b 2 */ cfFcaually
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Anii6 5. Geo. t
1719.
Mr Freeman*»
Mction for ad-
jcrarniiu the Call
of theHoufe.
Kin|*3 Speech at
VuttiQg an End
to the Fourth
Seffion.
\
( 196 )
" eftefiually for what is deareft to mc, the Scpurity and
I ** Wclferc of my People."
' JprU 14. Upon reading the Order of the Day for the
Houfe to be calFd over, Mr Freeman made a Speech im-
porting, • That fome .Weeks before, he thou^t it neceffery
that £e abfent Members fhould be fammon!d to attend
the Service of the Hoafe, in order to oppofe fome dan-
gerous Alterations [meaning the Peerage Bill then depending
in the Houfe of Lords] wluch were intended to be joiade ;
and that he obferv'd, with a great 4eal of Satisfadlion,
that the Summons had not been ineffedual, fince there
was fe great, and fo unufual an A|^arance of Members ;
which ihew'd that all true Patriots were refolv'd to exert
their Zeal and Efforts in Defence of our excellent Confu-
tation : But that he hoped, that by this Time the Danger
was pretty well over, and that the Contrivers of that
Prejed began already to repent it ; that therefore he
thought it unneceflary to give the Members the Trouble
of calling over the Houfe ; and fmce they fiad difpatch'd
all the publick Bufinefs that lay before them, they had
belt adjourn themfelves to the 17th.' Accordingly the
Call of the Houfe was adjoum'd to that Day s to which
Time likewife the Houfe adjoum'd themfelves.
4prti 1 8. The Xing came to the HouCe of Peers, and
the Commons attending, his Majefty gave the Royal Aifent
to feveral Bills ; after which the Lord Chancellor read his
MajeHy's Speech to both Houfes as follows, <vi».
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** T Am now come to put an End to this Seffion, in which
" X you have (hewn many great and feafonable Proofs of
*• your Duty and AfFeftion to my Perfon and Government,
*« and of your Care for the Safety and Welfare .of» your
'« Fellow-Subjeds.
" By the Blefling of God on our Endeavours, we have
" hitherto difappointed the ill Defigns of ourr Enemies,
** who flattered themfelves with Succefs from our unhappy
** Diviiions.
" We perceive by the ra(h and wicked Counfels which
** have lately prevailed in the Court of Spain, that the de-
** fperate and extravagant Projefts of one ambitious Man,
*• though not capable of giving Fears to their Neighbours,
^' may occasion to them. fome Expence and Trouble.
" That Court. being influenc'4 by Counfels odious and
'' deilrudtive to the Spaniards, who find themfelves negledl-
** ed and opprefs'd, after having endcavour'd to foment
y Confpiracies and Seditions both here and in France, and
**ftoop'd
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( '97 )
'< fioop*d to Fradicea unafaal, accompanied by Maiufefloe%
*' of a Style unheard of among great Princes^ has at laft «
*' proceeded to acknowledge the Pretender.
" As this News has given great Surprize to all Europe, I
*' quefUon not but it will be received by every good Briton
** with Indignation and Contempt.
** It is our Happinefs, at this Ju^6turey to find ourfelves
" aMed by the greateft Powers of Europe, againfl an Ene-
^' my that has no Allies, but thofe who would betray the
** Governments under which they live and are proted^.
Gentlen^en of the Houfe of Commons,
** 1 thank you very heartily fbr the Supplies you have
** granted me this Year. The Manner in which you have
" rais'd them without any new Burden to my People, the
** great Addition you have made to die Fund for finking
*^ the Debts of the Nation, the Dircharfi;e of the ^cchequer
" Bills, and the Provifion you have made to pay whatever
" remains jufily due to Foreign States and Princes, are the
" ftrongeft Proofs of your Wifdom, as well as of your
*• Zeal for my Service, and the Good of your Country.
" You may obferve I have hitherto been very cautious of
" making Ufe of the Power you have given me, to increafe
*' our Forces by Sea and Land. If our Enemies ihould
" oblige me to a greater Expence, it fhall be employ 'd for
" your Service. This is what the Truft you repofe in me
'* requires at my Hands, and what I owe to fo dutiful and
'' affedionate a Houfe of Commons.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" There being nothing more defirable at all Times than
*' a firm Union between Protellants, I refied with Satisfac-
*' tion upon the Law you have pafs'd this Sefiion, which
" will, I hope, prove effcdual to that Purpofe. As it is a
*' fignal Infbuice of Moderation and Indulgence in our
" eftabliih'd Church, fo I hope it will beget ftch a Return
" of Gratitude from all diflenting Proteftants, as will greats
" ly tend to her Honour and Security, both which I fhall
" ever have near at Heart.
** I have always look'd upon the Glory of a Sovereign
" and the Liberty of the Subjed as infeparable ; and I think
" it is the peculiar Happinefs of a Britifh King to reign over
** a free People. As the Civil Rights therefore and Privi-
" kges of all my Subjedb, and efpecially of my two Houfes
" c^Parliament, do juftly claim my moft tender Concern,
" if any Provifion dcfign'd to perpetuate thefe Bleflings to
" your Pofterity remains imperfell, for want of Time,
" during this Seffion, maturely to difcufs and fettle Matters
** of fo great Importance, I promife myfelf you will take
^ the.firS Opportunity to render my Wifhes for your Hap*
" pinefs
y Google
( 198 )
^' pinefs compleaC and efiedual, and to ftrengthen the Union,
" which is of fo much Cbnfequence to the Welfare of this
" Kingdom.
** If the Circumftances of my Affairs (hall allow of my
'* going Abroad this Summer, I (hall take the fame Care
" of your Intcreil as if I remained here. The many Nc-
'* gotiations which will be on Foot to reftor e the Peace of
** the North, in which the Trade and Tranquility of this
" Kingdom may be very much conccrn'd, will make my
** Prefence there of great Ufe to thofe my Dominions :
'' And as in that Cafe I deiign, by the Bleffing of God» to
** meet you^ early next Winter, I will only recommend to
** you moft eameftly, that, laying afide all Animofitics,
" you would, in your feveral Countries and Stations, u(c
** your utmoft Endeavours to preferve the puUick Peace,
<* and fee a due Execution of the Law/'
Then the Lord Chancellor prorogued the Parliament to
the 1 9th of May following ; and they were afterwards, by
(everd Prorogations, farther prorogued to the 23d of No-
vember.
SPEECHES and DEBATES
In the Fifth Session of the
Ftrft Parliament cf King George I.
Anno 6. Geo. L f \'^ H E King wcnt to thc Houfe of Peers on the 23d
*^'^' I of November, with the ufual State, when thc Lord
•^ Chancellor, by his Majefty^s Command, read the
following Speech to both Houfes :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
J*«> s^k J ** T^ ^ ^ Satisfa&ion, with which I always meet you,
s^? " X i« very much increased at this TiAe, when it has
** pleased Almighty God fo to ftrengthen the Arms of Great
" Britain and our Confederates, and fo to profper our
<< feveral Negotiations, that, by his Bleiling on our En*
** deavours^ we may promife our felves to reap very foott
•* the Fruits of our Succefles. I am perfuaded it will be
** accounted, by all my good Subjeds, a fufHcient Reward
*' for feme extraordinary Expence, that all Europe, as well
** as thefe Kingdoms, is upon the Point of being deliver'd
^' from the Calamities pf War by the Influence oY Briti(h
^ Arms
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( »99 )
*^ Arms and Connfels. One ProtefUmt Kingdom has alioa-
** dy been rcliev'd by our feafonable Interpofition ; and \
•* fuch a Foundation is laid by our Jate Treaties for an
** Union amOngft other great Proteftant Powers, as will
** very much tend to the Security of our Holy Religion.
^^ I believe you cannot but be furpriz^d at the Continoa-*
** tion of a War, where our Enemies have nothing to
** hope, and fo much to fear. It is indeed difiicult to
•* frame any Judgment , of thofe Counfels, which have
*' broke out of late in fo many raih and ill-concerted Mea<
** fares : If they depend imon our Divifions at Home, I
** doubt not but in a very mort Time, their Hopes, foun-
** ded upon this Expectation, will prove as vain and ill-
** grounded as any of their former Projeds.
** In congratulating with you on this happy Pofture of
" AiFairs, I muft tell you, that as I have been very juft
" and faithful to my Engagements, fo I have met fuch
" frank and powerful Returns of Afliftance from my Allies,
" as will, I doubt not, eftablilh a lafting Friendfliip a-
** mong us.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
*' You will fee, by the Accounts I have order'd to be
•• deliver'd to you, how moderate a Ufe I have made of
" the Power entrufted with me to augment my Forces by
** Sea and Land. I depend upon the «ninent Duty and
" AfFedlion you have always fhewn to my Perfon and Go-
" vernment, that you will be vigorous in difpatching the
" neceflary Supplies for the Year: To which Purpofe I
" have oider'd the Eftimates to be laid before you. And,
•* at the fame Time, I muft defire you to turn your
** Thoughts to all proper Means for lefTening the Debts of
•* the Nation.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** You all muft be fenfible of the many undeferv'd and
** unnatural Troubles I have met with during the Courfe of
" my Rei^. Our Divifions at Home have gone mag-
" nified Abroad, and by infpiring into fome foreign
*' Powers a falfe Opinion of our Force, have encouraged
" them to treat us in a Manner which the Crown of Great
" Britain fhall never endure while I wear it. The Trouble
" and Expence which this hath brought upon us have been
" the moft loudly complain'd of by thofe, who were the
" Occafion of them'. But with your Affiftance I have hi-
" therto got through all thofe Difficulties, and by the Con-
" tinuance of your Help, I hope very foon to* overcome
** them, fmce the Hand of God hath Sb vifibly been with
'' us in all our Undertakings.
y Google
Aimo 6* Geo. I.
r^
Earl of Hertford
moves lor an Ad-
drcfi of Thanks.
Debate thereon.
MrSliippen.
( 200 )
" If tUr Neceffides of my Government hav4 fbmetimes
** engaged your Duty and Affedlion to truft me with Pow-
*' ers, of which you have always with good Reafon been
*' jealous, the whole World muft acknowledge they have
'* been fo ufed, as to juftify the Confidence you, have rc-
«* pos'd in me. And as 1 can truly affirm, that no Prince
** was ever more zealous to increafe his own Authority, than
** I am to perpetuate the Liberty of my People, I hop» you
«• will thimc of all proper Methods to eftablifli and tranfinit
** to your Pofterity the Freedom of our happy Conftitution,
*• and particularly to fecure that Part which is moft liaHe
^ to Abufe. I value my felf upon being the firft who hath
** given you an Opportunity of doing it ; and I muft re-
" commend it to you, to compleat thofe Mcafores which
" remained impcrfed^ the laft SeHion.
" So far as human Prudence can foffetell, the Unanimity
*• of this Seflion of Parliament muft eftablifli, with the
*' Peace of all Europe, the Glory and Trade of thefe
'' Kingdoms on a lading Foundation. I think every Man
** msLy fee the End of our Labours. All I have to ask of
" you, is, that you would agree to be a g^reat and fiourifh-
" ing People, fmce it is the only Means by which I dc-
*' fire to become a happy King."
The Commons being returned to their Houfe, the Earl of
Hertford mov'd for an Addrefs of Thanks.
Tho' this Motion was carry'd without dividing, yet it
did not pafs without Oppofition. * Mr ShippCT in particular
faid, * That no Man was more ready than himfelf to con-
cur In giving his Majefty unfeigned Affurances of the Zeal
and Affeftion of that Houfe to his P^on and Government,
in returning him Thanks for his Care and Endeavours to
procure the Tranquility of Europe, and in congratulating,
his fafe Return amongft us ; but he could not rorbear ob-
ferving that his Majefty's Speech contain'4 many Heads,
of different Nature, and of great Importance ; and as he
remem bred that this^ Houfe had formerly been reflected on,^
for approving the Meaf\ires of the Miniftry by the Lump,.
and without knowing what thofe Meafures were, he there-
fore was of Opinion, they ought to proceed with Cautk>n
in this Jundure, the rather, becaufe Mention was made in
his Majefty's Speech, of a Thing of the higheft Confe-
quence, viz.' tlie altering fome Part of our Conftitution ;
that it was plain enough that thereby was meant the Bill of
Peerage ; but it was fnrprifing, that this Affair ihould be
brought again upon the Stage, after it had mifcarry*d the
laft Seffion in the other Houfe, and that the major Part of
this Houfe had exprefs'd fuch an Averfion to it ; concluding
MfitS
Digitized by VjOOQIC
^^ifjA aMol^ to coigratalate his h^dfy imn U» &fe ^^|&^^
Raturn, and to. give jjuni Tksrnks for Part of his Speech, {^^^^y^%^
and appoint a Day to take the reft into CMi^eratioft.*
Mr Heme hereupon feconded MrShippen ; but Mr Hunger- Mr Hwne.
ford forefeeiagy that if the Houfe fliouM divide^ a Negative f^SmS&ii.
was like to be put upon Mr Shippen's Motion^ ikid, * That
Addrefles of this Nature were but cuftomary Coaf liments ;
tat h^ hofied that in the Conrfe of this Seffion they ftcmld
hnv^ C^Ki^tanities eno^h to inquiire into the Grievances
of the Natiifiiy and the Condua of the Miniftry ; that «t
to the Bill of Peerage in particular, fince the Court feem*d
to have it at Hearty he doubted not but it would ioon pal»
the other Houfei and be fent down to them, and then, and
j^ fyoner, he hq>ed to fee a gr^t Divifioa in that Hoofe.'
Heretqx>n Mr ShipMi wav'd his Motion.
Nov. 24. The Hottfe pr^fented their Addr^ to his Ma-
}Sky, as fc^ows.
May it pleafe your Majefty,
* \X7E your Mftjefty's n>oft dutiful and loyal Subjea^ rueotmomhi.
' VV the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament af* *«*^«^''**^
* femUed, do return onr mod unfeigned Thanks to youf
^ Msyefty for your moft gracious Speech from the ^^hrone^
* and ailure your Maje^> that our Hearts are £U'd widi
* ttnQ)fakable Joy upon your fafe and happy Return to ^
' ihefe your Kingjoms^ and with the moft ji^ and grateftil
* $enfe of your^ unwearied Lalx)urs for our Wel&re, and
* the Security of the Proteftant Religiori.
* We heartily conmtulate with your Maje^ on the
' Sttccefs of your Bmifli Arms, and return the Thanks of
' this Hottfe) in themoft dutiful Manner, for fuch Mea*
* fures taken by the Influence of Britifh Counfels, a^ afford
' theneajrefl Ftofpedi of a general Peace Abroad, and of en-
* jibing with Glory ^e Benefit of Tr^ and Tranquility.
■* And we crave Leave to affure your Majefty, that we
* will, 4m omr Pasts, hf the Vigour of our Refolutions for
* the Support of your Government, and by the Difpatch
* l^hich we will five tpjhe jieceflary Supplies, convince the
* World, that if our Enemies have conceived any Hope»
^ from c^ur Divifil>n$ at Homei this hath been the vaineft
* of all their^ Proje6b. And we will enable your Majefty^
' in Concert with your Allies, effectually to fnpport and
' perfed thofe juft and equitable Meafurcs which have been
' taken to eftabliih a general Peace.
^ And we farther alTure your Majefty, That we will ap^
* ply ourfelves to find out the beft Mean$ for leiTening the
* Debts of the Nation, and fupporting the publick Credit i
' ahd will concur in all proper Methods to eftabliih and
y 0 L. I, C c • prefcrve
Digitized by ^OOQIC
( ^02/ )
AnA6 6. Geo. L * w^tvt the Freedom of our happy Conftittttion, fat
pJJJ?^^ * which your feared Majefty has ^ven fo many texider
* Prooft of your Care and Afie^Uon.'
To which Addrefe the King retumM the foHowing Anfwcr.
Gendemen, ^ \
SS SSL^ «* ^T-^ HIS loyal Addrefe deferves my beft Thanks. It
** X contains the moft dutiful and affedionate Expreffixms
^' to my Perfon and Government ; and you fhall percdve
^ my Senfe of them, by the End^vours I will always ale
** to jwocurc your Welfere and Profperity.**
ABiUieiufhHntiie Difimiif I. UponaMeilagefrom the Lords, by the Lord
Sr&JJ^^S Chief Jufticc Kii^, and the Lord Chief Baron Bury^ that
^Br^am. the Loitls had paU'd a Bill, intided. An Aa for the SeitBng
'"oebatetfatnoa. the Peeri^e ef Great Britain, to which they defir*d the Con*
currence of the Commons, the faid Bill was read the firft
Time, and a Motion being made that the faid Bill be read
a fecond Hme the Friday next enfuing, the feme was ofh
j)06*d by a ereat many Members, who mov'd. That tlus
important Amur might be put off to the 1 8th of this
Month; which lail Motion, after a long and warm Debat?;
was carrry'd by a Majority of 203 againil 158.
Detai9«itk9&- Die, 7. The tengrofied Bill from the Lords, intitled, Af
gJpSSjJyf A&fir the Sett/ifig the Peerage of Great Britain^ was read a
ifmiw.p^t fecond Time, and a Motion being made by the Lord
oJiM«2S^' William Paulct*, Member for Winchefter, for committing
mI^S^ *^« B^l» wWth was feconded by Sir Charles Hotham, the
JJj 2^;^ ^n*c occafion^d a warm Debate, which lafted eight Honrs.
MrAjihhie. The Members who ipoke for committing the BiH, were
?Si^^ft. Lord WiUiam Paulet, Sir Charles Hotham, Col. Moreton f.
Sir It. stwic Knight of the Shire for Glouceftcr, Mr Hampden, Mr
^ttm uwfon. ^""^SP' ^^ Plummer, Mr Lechmere, Mr Aiflabic, Ser-
Afr Hor.' waipS. jeantPengelly, and Mr Hungerford ; Againft committaig it,
SirTSSiflgten. Sir Richard Steele, Mr Pitt, Sir Wilfrid Lawibn, Mr Ho-
mJ "^^^ ^^^ Walpole, Mr Wykes, Sir John Packington, Mr Me-
MrTMffiHJj. thuen, Mr Heme, Mr Tuffnell, Mr Robert Walpde^ and
5J;]^'S£^- Mr John Smith.
Sir Richard Steele ^ke firil againft committing it, as
follows,
si'Wch. s^e^ Mr Speaker,
i^^'guT ^ M am againft the Bill, becaufe I fear it may change this
free St^te into the worft of all Tyrannies, that of an An-
ftocracy
• teOfirtfthi ZxcheqHef.
t One 4 the Vtee-Xreafurers, if htUni, Jfiemttris, cr^eatei ait J^ng^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( «0J )
Hocracf, wlikh is the moft likely Coiufeqiienee to dJbbssHd
fttch a Law as this would be : The whole Tenor of the Bill <
18 veiy unfortunatelx pot together, if any Thing, bat an
Action of Power to the Peers, is intended by it. AU
Mankind muft allow, that the otdy planfiUe Reafim fiur
this Law» was what hs^pen'd in the laft Reign, when
twehre Peers were m^ in one Day ; bat the Preamble
a^gns no fuch R«Ubn, but iays, ' That Sixteen Peers of
^ Scotland, by Re^fisn c^jnany new Creations fince the Union>
* are notafufficient and proportionable Reprefentative of that
' Nobility.' And therefore they (hall her«ifter not be reprf-
Rented at aU : Bat, ^ A Thing much more fuitable to the Pee*
^ rage ofScothmd oug^ to be done for them*, to wit, * That
* twoity-five of than ihonld, at all Timet hereafber, hxvm
* Hereditary Seats in Parliament.*
* I always imagined that no Man could judge what was
ibitable to him but himfelf ; and that it could be no Man^
■er of Comfort to one who has any Thbg taken from him»
that t^e Pofieffion of it is more fuitably placM in another.
HoW is it fuitable to the Peerage of Scodand, that inftead
of Mving a Reprefentative of iixteen fitting by their Elec-
Atm^ they are heieafter to be favoured with Jbaving fiire and
twenty there inft^ of them, and not one there in theirs
Behalf ? It muft be confe&'d, that the Peers of JScotland
cannot complain of ^y Thing like being trick'd ; but their
Potential Seats m Paiiiament are barr'd and taken firon
then^ not by CoUufion and Ooulde-dealing* but by the
moft \mreferved and can^ Ufurpation imaghiable : But
^* this is donewidifo much Eafe, aidno Keafon givoi
but that ^y who do it axe pleas*d to iay it is mofl fuitable }
it is tJl be prefum'd, tbatthofe, whofe ConfoAt is neceflary
fcr the divefting innocent Men of titf irJLiberty and Honour,
will.defire fome better Account of the Matter, before they
deprive their Fellow^Sdbjeas of their undoubted Rights,
r cannot but, from a natural Deteftation of In|uftice, fay,
that it is the hig^eft Wrong d<toe to the Indulgence racn-
tion'd in the Preamble^ to cxped it will be granted in Fa*
wmr of any Men» in Wrong of any other; and I doubt
^t but this Hoirf© will;rfarm that Benignky from being
imploy'd to the DetouAion of itfelf, or Oppreffion of others.
* I h<^ the bcft Man and belt Prince m the World, wiB
bejgracious, fo.as tSo tove it always in his Power tote
gracious : I am fure he will never give his People any
R«B&n to complain, but rfhis too great Geodnefs : Happy
^ Sovereign and. happy the Pedjjle, when exceffive Graee
is all that can be fcarM of him ! ,, -., «. ^ ,
■ * The Peers of ScOtlacRi have an mdefcafible Right by
the Aft of Uok»s toi bcdpfted and fet^e in Parliament as
C c 2 P«^^*
» Digitized by VjOOQIC
^ ( ^4 >
ptett of 6mi| Bdtain, In the Maimer thttstin. ftipuhtod^
andit would be bac nore cnid> not moie luijiift^ to take
6oni thom their Liws and Eostuncs, thm this Hodoov nmd
Psivibgo, which their Ancefton p«n:has*dby thoM^neiic
iiaauua oi thcifs: The Terms of the Union are plain and
ad>&lute 1 nor can any Privily, Libertye, os Bcopcvty
ftcnr'd by it to the meaneft 6fab§t& of either Nation^
he viokted or altered againA his Will, and no fafiis&c*
lory Reparation done him, withoot Infirii^ement of the
whole Ad, and leaving the Per(bns» (o injur'd, at Liberty
to avenge by Force what v(z% done by it : For ProeeAioh
^md Obedience are reciprocal, and the. withdrawing the
one, diicharges the other. What, ch^ is tiie Condition of
ditib unhappy Men, who are to be diveAed of their Rights
and Privileges of Subjedts, and yet^ nodo(^t> to bedeem*d
Traitors, mooid they ffy to any fofei^tt Power, or Invader
of that Nation, which has in the deareft and g^eateft COn*
^derations, thoie of Honour and Diftiiidion, made. them
Foreigners ? The Terms of the Union cannot be rerokM
without difuioting the Kingdoms i for when Aaz is done
they are no Ipnger held together by the Law, but by Fdice ;
hnd the Power which then keeps its together nraft be acba#
trary, not legal ; or if 1^1, not rigbteooa : For a^ Law, not
fiipported by Jndice, is, in itfelf, null and void ; nor are
die Makers of it Legiflators, but C^re^lbrs. It appean,
without any poflible Cbntradiaion, that the Pailianiene of
Great Britain cannot exclude the Peers of Scotland ftom the
Benefit of the 23d Article in the A6t of Union, witkntf
becoming an arbitsary Vowt^ a£Ung with^ an iBdifoenoe
to Good and Evil, on the Foundation of Mi^t.enlv.
* We ave £ifer under the Prerogative in thejCi^ than
we can be under an Ariftocracy. The Prerogadve is n
Power in the Sovereign, not wcpreis'd or dekrib-'d inthe
Laws, but to be exercised in the, Preiervation of them bf
the Role of the general Good: And if it could be pmvVfi
that the Bufmeis of the twelve Gentlemen {mMiiy thi
Nvikfi Lords er9aiU b^ ^m Atmi m dki Time 9/ tJi»^mrlwf
ChejMi Miniftrf] wa$ purely done to iave the Nation, anid
^ac it was ^ot^ for the Good oi the Whok) the Statsfinaiv
who advised it, M^ould deferve the Thallks of alt Mu^dBqid^
ktt ea^ofing hhnlelf to the Mifreprtfentadon and Rtfent-
m^nt of future Parliaments, for the Good of Ms B^oni^
Sttbicas.
* I will not pretend to doubt but thoie nobie Periboagai
k«ve, under the Hands aigl .Seals of all and e^ery of thecr
Eleaors, the Peers of Scotland, foH Bswer and Anthoatj^
fbr this Alteration, without whilh their Proceeding conld
not be ^eccmdl'd to common Honour : And if the-thirtv
odd.
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cip.
( W )
Memhtm^m to cVpl» ^ H^mont ^Ndi«)i I^ij^utoy.
of^ hiAficOM^^b^ 4li<itlmi t^ IMfhiUvcflodin bim
mAhhiSnmify fm ^ i9k^.9i Sm^y m^fyi IwMf 4«4
in this Bill, but loerdy th» $4«m and NoU«i. Th« JUnb
cxrircajfl %Powi! in th^lftft R^fimrciid ^4 an A||)e9l lies
f» lh|Mifc&am:all tlx^ Qwi^ of WeSimi iAer-HaU»^ for do-
tiiBamg.att ti» Ripfiv^ of^ Qi^t^Jg^^a^K and, yn diey
aie MKiUingr (Oi hsiKf at Law« wl^ph nvi^nfCfflkirify; dii^le
AtBkfrQiibbfiQg.aifaff»blf C^tcQ)^ Ju^e for the futiurc $
ferdM»Bitt<fe%fro^s ^r tkm ln(iiflki#noyas*to-tMp
tmtffA L andcdket^ i^^ CMf, ivj^i^ infteM qf Ipoki^g
MTfiMs GfW^andiKmtfmgMfni^ if very cacqful tQ li^iie
tktFomcift Ao||;iAgtotgiva:':Eid^» io: Qaio of l^^dMUr
OM^ ttl MiiiQHt: MhpK oC t)^: &|ne Sc^mg^ i» thoi Q^covali^
of iIm Bilk tlwi Foioaks ^^ e^itflad from their fatuxr
BigjkitSL asiif aJU4y of gpod Swfewffi^ not a^ c^fvWe erf*
fanning iu^tortim WofW a M»p q£ S^fe,. ^ a, Bqyi mnl^
Age, ift of heceiBiMng a Man ol^ Jui^iiQA. and: Ho^u^ ftom
die mer^ ft«Qeinm«mcian of 1m^ ?<>rtwie ; for .it is-joot l»
be dovbtedi h»t that would be his beft^ Pretenfion&f bu^
Lords luve thought it more eligible to have in Viinvx ^F
Rrovidiag' mh HoAaiids fo^v tbc^ Oaup^tirs>fmH among
tbo Qmmow, thm tie Wviag^i^ to their female H^mt »»
aMikcr I^vdHi ofi ^ Ihts»f4p^iv^ of meriiorioa^ Comr
4IOMffl|k
' Thus tb^ Aritomcy. is>(e^QUjti by thj» i^iU ; for: all tbe
Pronto^ ^ l^mimtioas of i( ccigAii^ (v4y the Xitl^s.and
i^MQucajaf dic^Feors, andt p^oAi^u^. ^sire^is u^^Pf tha^
«»QMikeu)AAufeefiQiii.p9iliM^.W'oQai«c^(;^8 and diftant
Jm^Minta a«Mg tbrniMv«f, bu| n5l Hiegard. had t<v the
. known immediate prefent Righff of tbcrfe^ who do not S^m
ttmg H««fa». but tare^Tirfeof ftlc^^aintar it '. There is
no J^ifioibj^rof deftflc^Uif tbofi^ wk9^ they know t<» hajvr
TiilM,. httcAeffcafe pre!difto»fr.«eyider jQ^ hm^ting thor<r «dio
awgt hav^TTitlfii. of which *(ey d« upt know : Th^. Lff«fc
n«aiy Jwlge^ and fimaQd a^mi^t^ whom they pl«a|^i9^
ckkncClaimi bur Skap^c^s ai^ tOrh^^ly'dpnty,!^
die Sing^ a«l'hfl mi(h(t poffbly giv&che«i to PeFfon&tbcy
AouIdaolUb^^ I^Im^ &^ai«r of the Peers to. a.certai^
^Jnmhrr will wtk^tbft w^ft P«we*fi4 qf tbcta h«ve *e reft
lUMkr thfiirrfliteliiwi aA4.all.chi9 «^«R{(9tty 4i<ipoi*4>bifo»
them
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themiviU be beftowM» not by Judemei^ butby Vote&nd
HimiOBry or worfe. Judges fe macb by the bliiui Order ^
Birth will be capable of no other Way of Dedfion.
* ^ It is (aid diat Power attends PropMrty s but it is at true,
that Power will command Property ; and, according to the
J>egeneracy of human Nature, the Lords may as well grow
corrupt as ether Men ; and if they (houki do b, how will
this be amended, but by the Confent of diofe, who fhali
become fo corrupt ? Wluit ihall we (ay then? Shall we ex-
pofe ourielves to probable £vils» with the Forelight of im-
poffil>le Remedies againft them ?
' It is hardly to be read ferioufly; when the Bill in a
grave Stile and lober Contradi^ion has thefe Words, vis.
• The twen^ five Peers on the Part of the Peerage of Scot-
"*' land ; * as if they who were made inilead of the Peers of
Scbtland, could, mthout a Banter, be called Peers on die
Part of the Peerage of Scothmd ; the true Defcription oi
them is. Peers made when the P^ers of Scotland were no
more to be Peers ; for ^e Title refting in their FamOics»
without Hopes of Succeffion in the Peers^e md Legiflatuie^
is only a Bar againft any Participation of rower and Imeieft
in their Country t It is putdng them into the Conditioii of
Papifts CoRvid, as to what ought to be moft dear to than,
their Honour and Reputation. It is held by true Polici«
cians a moft dangerous Thing to give the meaneft of Ae
Peopfe juft Caufe of Provocation $ much more to enra^
Men of Spirit and Diftindion, and that too with downright
tnjurici.
^ 'We may flatter ourfelves, that Pi%>erty is always the
Souree of JPWer ; but Property, like ail other Pd&flions,
has its Bffe^ accorc^g to the Talents and Abilities of the
Owner ; and as it is allowed, that Courage and Learning
are very common Qualities in that Nation, it feems not
xpry advifeable to provoke the greateft, and, for ou^t wc
can tell, the beft Men among tl^m. Thus we are barr*d
from -making this Law by prudential Re^ns, as Well as
from the inviolable Rule of Jnflice and conunon Right,
with Relation to the Scots Peers.
* If we coniider the Matter with Regard to the King's
Prerogative, this Law wiH diminiih it to an irr^pand>le De-
gree ; and it is a firange Time to take ^rway Power, whtn
it is in the PofTefTion of a Prince, who uies it with fo much
Moderation, that he is willing to refign it : But we are to
confer the Prerogative as Part of the Eftote of the Crown»
ahd^not con^nt to the taking it out of the Crown, till we
fee juft Occafion for it. His Majefty's Indutoence nukes it
^fc in his Royal Breaft) and wc know of nothing, any
€vth€t of the^PanUIy. has done, to alter -it ht lear of hhn.
f The
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' The Prerogadve cm cb no hntt, rnh^ lAuaReni^ Aanos. €m.i.
dieir Duty s but a ftttled Number of P^ers may diuib their t^T^^y
Power, when qo Man is aniWerabte' for them. Or can caU ^"^^^^^^
them to an Acooont fer their Incroacfaments. It is Gad,
mad tmely too, that the Mumer of their P^wer will be the
fiune as now i bat then the AppUcationof it may be altered,
ynhidk they are an unchangeaUe Body : Schemes of Gran-
dear and Of^reffion can & form'd to invade the Prc^perty,
as well as Liberty, of their Fellow-Sofajeds $ which wouldt
aocoxdiM to the prefent Eftablifhment, be vain to nnd^-
take, vmn they are fubje6^ to an Alteration before thdr
Projed could be rlpen'd into PraAice and Uiurpation.
* As for any ludden and furprixing Way of Creation^
That lies before the L^iflature for CtoSure ; andAegreat
Diminution which all Qreations bring i^oii the Kii^s Au«
thority, is a fuffid^t Defence againft the abofive mploy*
jnent of that Authority thii Way : For when the iLmg
makes Peers, he makes perpetual O^nents of his Wiff
and Power, if they ihall think fit ; which one Coitfideration
cannot but render Sequent Creations terrible to the Crown*
This ConlHtution has fubfifled in ^e of Convulfions and
Fadions, without reftraining or repreffing the Extent of the
Legiflative Powers ; nor is it poffible m any Man, or A&
fanbfy of hfen, to circumferibe their diftind Authorities :
^o, they are to be left eternally at large ; and the Safety
of each Part, and the Good of the Whole, are to be the
Rules of their Condud : And as 'tis impoffiUe toibrefee all
die Ciitumftances which muil; arife before than, there is no
fiife Way but leaving them at laige, as vigUant Checks
upon each other, un^nfin'd, but by Reafon and Juftioe.
* If there was any Outrage committed in the Oife of the
twelve Gendemen, the Peers fhould have then withilood
the receiving of them, or done what th^ thought fit at
another Seafon for their Satisfadion ; and not, when it is
too late, inftead of, afTerting dieir Liberties, mediate theif
future Security in unreafonable Conceffions fnun the Crown,
and Difcour^ements upon the Merits of the Commons :
And can the Cend^nen in prcfent Power, reafooa^ thmk,
that the Confommation of the £ng^fh Qioxy and Merk,
IS to dok and reft in their Perfons f
* After the Bill has fdEdently provided for the Arifb-
cracy over diefe Dominions, it goes^ into a 'kind of OBcono>
my and Order among themfelves, which relates to tfam«
^^bility and not to their Peerage. We jdain Men and
Commoners irill not difpute about any Thh^ which im
know to be mere^ trifling and ornamental » and if they wiU
heMsfy'd with a Power in them aa Peers, they fhall be
Ookesi IStaqpfS^ Bads,, or whatever odiw Wonb ^tor
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ii»»«.M.t |ltafc^>iridi»nt#«rEBV|r^r6p^fiiiQii< 8atwi«lwecoiM
„^^^ ^ riiii*nB)r li iiiwiiiii ifrhit Trf irf g^Hg to d<^ |;s^e iMft irict
"^ ^ktUkortf^ tevefyjoKhwiifttiiciaft Tinietkiit it «Mf
te ii o«rFowttrt»fliike«ftaiiibr^irWvestlulPoAeiit)r{
wiA VMomm jMUHiec Uune €«l<iMliQn^ wko are it %
fll Mhiwt<ig, m ilicy «ie iilpttltunAte ki va^g» Ae Gfeii(
of f«di i P«wor inthemfehres wUdi foam W of no Uit te
iavwMt|eb«tib thfemfehtt: At tke iaoft Tm^ «iie cia-
ittlfcilift«Ubrviitg td diem, tltot» #itk RjB^pean>«be Pre-
iq{id¥^ diK IWm trf* ScMMtod^ ttM the lUghts df tte
fAok Bofybf tbc raiple of GKeat BHteta, tbtey cateot te
more exofbkuit ih die Ufe of this BiH, (boiild ft beOMe k
Imwt litaii kn tlie Ckoisilbnces undo' ivluck chef fend it to
«tiwt>lirConcurt«taeiaiiditbMoc ThoftofPower, fatt
M#daMiokl in tic Oemicais vaadt of k^^Kicli eati recoil'
ntndMen bo amlMlr I'mft { oid 1 ctMtoe but jq^fwebenl
tkUt wktt is Aundbd on UAvpation, will be ticMed in
« It is 10 be inf)Od) tbat tiiit iins«ifeiud)k Bill wiU be ta^
ttrelf tt!JoAed» fiftoe none can pretend to amend what is in
ils Torir Naftore incorrigible ; for it would be in'Vajn to at-
tempt a good GnfJtiAi Udni^ upon a Fantdatioti which d6»
faires notiiihg but Indignation and Conteni{K«
' I^ is a ]nebncM)r<:eniideralion, that ^nder Iht Preflnt
of Dthti^ tht Necefiities of a War^ tiie P^r^xiticsof frad^
and tiie Calamities of the Poor» jAat L^iflature Aottldthos
be taloen « p and cnqdoy'd in Si^ctees M tht Adtabcement
of the Power^ Pride, and Luxury, of die fLkk and Nobie.
*Tts tfile, this Affiur ought to be treated in a lAoft folemn
Marnier, by Reaibn of the awful Ai^hority frota whence it
eotnts ; but wi^ mnft not, on fuch Octaiioos, be offiefs'd by
outwfttd Things, but look ib the Bottom of the Matter be*
fta-e ns» dtrcfted of evwy Thio| that can divert ns from
faeing the troe lUafea of what pai&s, and Ac Pretenions to
what is aikM. .
* If thi^Bill k re^rM for {Utventing die Creation of oc
cafiorad Peers, why, stthe fame Time, are £vc and twehtf
S^ots> aod eight Bngbfh, to be now made? h not diis thik
fiune Thing, ^ lofay, If you will let as make fo many this
one Tune, under the Sartdion of a Law, wr wiU make no
mdte» for we ikA hare no Occa£6n for any more ? The
ktter End of tiiis Bill foems to have fome OtotpiBon towards
die Prerogative; and cnads fomething gradotts towards the
^fiirendents of the Sovereign, before the Commencement of
die Ariilocracy, vi«. ^ft;tQiMDet albbapjfit netert^Iett*
' That nochilig 10 diis A& coittam^d^ ftall be taken or coa-
*' ftt^'d to lay nny Jleftraint upon the Su^^t MajeRy, ii»
* Heiia or Succeflbr^ ftom, advaitcii% or prom&tiiig any
• Peer
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* Petr^ having Vot» aod S^t ia ¥^m^nt, t^ my lug^ Ai>feof.«M.b
' Rank or Degree .of Digvybty or tiokiiity i w from ci^c^tr j^ .^S^rfc- ^
* ing or makiflg any of the Pri»ccs ef tb? BJchkI Pw« pJF ^"^V^^i^
^ Great Aritaip, or JLords of PjEurliaMnit ; Mi fu(c)i Piiwtf^
' of cfaft BlQO(d> 6» citmdl, 0mU notbt jeft^em'4 D^ U »^
*" Part of tke Number i to y/bkk die pK^rs of Gre«t B^ryfi^
< are l^ tlus Aa reftraio'd.' Tbk is ]t^ iQraor m4 F;»fP9i>
wluch, 9B foon as all tbcir own Pofterity, a^ A(mdfit^ i^
couidiMfall them» are providei for^ i$ Siioft bou^tsovfly kv-
&ov/'d on the Children of the Royal Famiiy : As 4j^s Qi^qd^
Heis is conf^rr'd on thofe of it, who are nf>t yet jtictl^ 1)9
that Honour, it is to be prefum'd, that n^^mg yeOtd m
others of them will be ailauUod ; but that wh^ov«r bccopfii
of this Bill) their preienit Eftates, their the» remauiM^
Elates, wiU be llill inviolable.
' Since there is fo fuU a Houfe at this Diebat^^ t dcwbt ^
bat it if^ill in&Hibly ond according to Juftice; tarlim
never diink «ha liben^ of Great Britain in OaA^ stX ftcb
aA^kieting; bat for my Part, Tam againft cooMnittj^g ^
this Bill, becaufe I thiok it would be oonO^ttiog pf Sin-* .
Mr Pitt, Member for Old Sarum^ fpoke ne?ct ag^inU thf Mr m
PfQJedors of this Bill, whom he tax'd wilh. mean Qbfe-
quHMiiaeA to Foceigners^ and with Defigns agaiiivft the hv-
bercies of their Countrymen** Sir Wilfrid Lawfon, Mpmn ^"J^^^^
her for Borough-Bridge, and Mr .Horatio Walpole, wba Mr a wiuroW.
fpokt on tine fame Side, wei« anfwerM by Colonel Moretont ^i- Moretoa.
Sir . John Packingt6n, Knight of the Shire for WocceAor^ sir John pu^
^^e next as follows. .«*«*»•
Mr Speaker,
' We haice all tKe ke&hr^ in tike World to acknovtMgc tb#
good Intentions his Msgefty has been pleasM to expceis in hiii
Speech for the Good of his Subjeds aiid the liberty of ot^
Coiiftttu^oni but, in my Opinion, his MaJAfty is not rightifr
informed of the Manner of making hisSttbjeds ieel the ESote
of thole ghUdous Intentions s and in particubr, the Bill now
before us is a \ery improper Return to all the DemooAnin ^
tions of Duty, Zeal, and Affe£tioB, whifih his Aittful
Comi^ions hav£ giron fioce his Majefty*s bappy Aooeffioo to
the Throne. When the King and his Miniftors thot^;ht £t
to enter into a MEt Alliance with France, ^md thereby^^
that ancient and ahnoft irrecondlabie Enemy of Engbundr
aft Opportunity to retrieve the extreme^ low and defpesaWr
Condidon of their Affairs, the Commons ^id aot oppoA
t)u>fe Meafures. When his Majefty judg'd it nec^Quy^
either for the Good of iiis Subjeds, or to iectire ibme A^-
quifitions in Germany, to declare War againft Sweden, aA
to (end ftrong Squadrops into the Baltick, his ^thful Com-
mons ceadHy provided for tho& great Bxp^oct. When a&\
Vol. l^ ' D d toward*
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inurt 6. Cm. I. terwards it was thought prqwr to deprive his Majefty^s Sub-
^^^i^Jii^^ jcfts of the beneficial Trade to Spain, by declaring War
^^^ againft fliat Crown, and fending a Fleet in^o the Mediter-
ranean to ferve as Ferry-Boats for the Emperor's Troops,
the good-niitar*d Commons approvM thofe wife Counfels :
After all thefe and fereral other Inftances of Obfe-
quiottfnefs and Con^laiiance, which this Houfe has fhewn
tor the Minifters, it is Matter of Wonder we fhodd, at M,
be no better rewarded, than by a Bill, vifibly calculated to
occlude the Commons from Titles of Honour, and to raife
the Dignity and Power of the Peers. It feems to have been
tile prind]^ Defign of the Miniiby, fince the Beginning
of this Reign in particular, to rive one Family the abib-
lute Difpoial of all Honours and Favours. For my own
Part, I never defir^ to be a Lord, but I have a Son, who
foay one Day have that Ambition ; and I hc^ to leave
him a better Claim to it, than a certain great Man (^mionif^
Gtntrml Staith$pi\ had, when he was made a Peer. It is in-
deed an Extraordinary and unexampled Condeicenfion in his
Majelly, to part with ib valuable a Branch of his Royal
Prerogative, as is the beftowlng Marks of Honour and Di-
fiin^on on fuch ak hav^ deferv*d them, by their eminent
Virtues and Services to their King and Country : However,
coniidering what Equivalent is given by this Bill to his Ma-
jefty, no Body will wonder at this Conceffion, if it reached
no ^ther than his Majefty ; but I hope this Houfe will ne-
ver concur in depriving of fo bi^ht a Jewel of the Crown,
the Prince, who, in his proper Turn, is to wear it ; and
who is fo worthy of it by all the Royal Virtues that fhine
& his Peribn ; and which, during his Regency, have gained
him the Hearts and AfFedions of all true Engliihmen. And
if Ibme Perfons have, thro* their Indifcretion, occafion^d
im unhappy Difference, I am apprehenfive, that if this Bill,
(o prejudicial to the Rights of die prefumptive Heir, fhould
pafs into a Law, it may render that Divifion irreconcilable ;
and therefore I am againft the committing this Bill.*
MrtiaaiKien. MrHampdenanfweredoneof the mofl material Objedions
agamft the BiU, vis. * That it would give the Peerage an
' arifbocratical Authority ; * and endeavoured to Ihew on the
contrary, * That the Limiting the Number of the Peers
would rather diminifli than increafe their Power and Intereft,
^ fince thefe were mainly owing to the conftant Addition of
Riches which the Peerage receives by the ennobling of
MrCnui. wealthy Commoners.* Mr Craggs fpoke on the fiune Side^
v^ urg'd, * That his Majefty, fmcc his Acceffion to
•b Throne, had had no other View than to procure the
Good and Happinefs of his Subje£b, and to fecore their
Rights and litenies, . That having, in his Royal Wifdom.
€onfidcr*d
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Cfinfider'd the AboTe tkat was jnade, in die laft Reki^ of Af»a<,Gt».i,
that branch of the Prerogative, relatiiig to the Creating of v«/-v!rSi^
Peers, which Abufe had brought the Liberties of Great
Britain, and of all Europe, into imminent Danger ; hit
Maiefly, throi^h a Condefcenfion worthy of a Prince truly
xnag^ianimous, had graciouHy been pleased to conient, that
fuch Bounds be fet to that Part of the Prerogative, as may
prevent any exorbitant and dangerous Exerdle of it for the
Time to come : That it was only in the Reigns c^ good
Princes, that Legiflators had Opportunities to remedy and ,
amend the Defers to which all human Inftitutions are fub-
je^ ; and that, if the prefent Occafion of re£Ufyii^ that ap-
point Flaw in our ConlUtution were loft, it might, per-
haps, never be retrieved.' Mr Methuen anfwer*d Mr MrMethuon.
Craggs, a^id ihew^d the Danger of making Alterations in
.the Fundamental Laws and Ancient ConfUtution ; ' Urging
the Comparifon of a Building, in which the Removing one
iingle Stone from the Foundation, may endanger the whole
Edifice.* Mr. Heme fpoke on the fame Side ; after which Mr Heme,
Mr. Lechmere own^d, < That he did not like thi% Bill, as Mr Leduaeit.
it was fenr down to theiQ> yet he did not doubt but it
might be made a good one, provided the Lords would give
the C<^mmons an Equivalent, and fulFer them to fhare ieve-
ral Privileges and Advantages, which their Lordihip* enjoy.
Therefore he infifted on the committing of the Bill, that
they might make Amendments to it ; and as to the Objec-
tion, that it was dangerous to make any Innovations in the
Conilitution, he alledg'd feveral Inftances, particularly, the
A£l for limiting the SucceiHon, and the Ad of Union,
which, indeed, had alterM, but, on the other Hand, had ra-
ther improv*d and fbengthenM, than prejudic*d the original
Conilitution.* Mr Robert Walpole (poke next, andendea- Mriuwtipoic.
vour*d to confute all that had been offered in Favour of the Bill.
He took Notice, * That among the Romans, the wifeft
People upon Earth, the Temple of Fame was plac'd be*
hind the Temple of Virtue, to denote that there was no
coming to the former, without going through the other :
But that if this Bill pafs'd into a Law, one of the mod
powerful Incentives to Virtue would be taken away, fthce
there would be no coming to Honour, but through the
Winding- Sheet of an old decrepit Lord, and the Grave of
an extind noble Family. That; it was Matter of juft Sur-
prize, that a Bill of this Nature ihould either have been
projc^^ed, 6r at leaft promoted, by a Gentleman who not
long ago fate amongft them ; {^meanwg lord Stanhe^e] zjid
who having got into the Houfe of Peers, would now fhut
up the Door after him. That this Bill would not only be
a Difcouragement to Virtue and Merit,. but aMb endanger
D d a ' our
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AniU l,iS^ t 0(xr
Ivir Ai^Iabie.
^^5(j,^# l^v^ewx tte thuee Bi^ttcWs ©f the L^Hl^tei-c, if ifty <nd**
^^-^^^^^ If iigit tv&e thrown hitt) an^ o4i€ of ihbk fettftdiffS^ h
Vwild ddftrby tfiat Ballahce, and cbnfequeritly febv^H*
Whole Cbnllittitkta. TJiat rite Pfeei^ IvfeH? already pwHfrIi
of rakny Vahiablc t^rivfleffes, ahd to give tlicm tiM^
J^W^r and Aatti^ority, by Hmirihg thdi- Nutnbct, tn>^
in titttfe, bring back di^ Cwmncmr itlM tlie State of tjie
itrvite 13e|)f6hwAcjr th^ v»cre in, when they wore the B«rf-
es of th^ Lbrts. That he conH not but wonder, tkat Afr
jrfs woufd Tend fach a Bill to the Contmonsi fbi^hW
^mild they tatjjcft that the Commons wotild gnrc Afcir Cctt^
currencc tb fo injurious a Law, by which they aftd ftirtf
f ofterities are to be excluded froih Hife Peefjage f Aitd h#Hf
WttUld the Lords receive a KIl by which it ftionld ht eft*
afted, Irhat a Baron flxDilld not be made a Vrfcount, nor a
Vifcount be made an Earh and fo on ? That befidcs al!
this, that iPart of the Bill which related to the Peerage of
Scotland, would he a manifeft Violatiofi of the A&. of Union,
on the Part of England, and a difliemotiraWe BreacJi of
Truft in thofe who reprefented tHt Sbots Nobiftty. TfiJtt
fuch an Infiringeniettt of the Uiiion, would endanger the en^
tire Diflblution of it, by dlfgufting To great a Number of
the Scots Peers as fhould be excliSed from Sitdng in the
Britiih Parliament. For as it was wcH known, that the
Revolution-Settlement ftood upon the Principle of a
mutual Compaft, if we fhould firft brfeak the Articles of
Union, it would he natural for the Scots to think thew-
felvcs thereby freed ftom all Alfegiance. And as for what
had been fuggeiled, * That the E4eaion of the fixteen Scots
*■ Peers was no lefs expenfive to the Crown, than injurious
*■ to the Peerage of Scotland,' it might be anfwer'd. That the
making twenty five Heredhary iitting Scots Peers would ^iQ,
encreale the Difcontents of the eleding Peers, who thereby
would be cut off of a valuable ConfideratJon for not being
chofen.* Mr Aiflabie flood up next, and anfwer*d a mate-
rial Objeftion that had been rais*d againfl the Bifl, viz.
*' T^>at it was dangerous tb make any Innovations in the
* Conftitution ; ' ana made it appear, that feveral Aherationa
had been made in the original Conilfttttion by Alagna
Charta, the Habeas Corpus Ad, and feveral other Laws
made for the Benefit of the Subjed ; and upon the whole
was for committing the Bill. He was back'd by Ser-
jeant Pengelly, but they were oppos'd by Mr Smithy who
urg'd, * That the Foundation of this Bill being wrong and
faulty, there was no Room for Amendments, and therefore
he was againft committing it.' Mr Hungerford, who
brought' up the R^ar, lyas for cc^mpitting the Bifl ; but
»tx>ttt
Mr J. bmitli.
Vk Hungerford.
y Google
( 21$ )
abflttt B^ in the Evening, the <^ieftioa beiog pat uponf aomc. Gto.i«
the Lwd William Pknkt's Motion, the Ome was cany'd y^^SJJrO
in the N^ptfave, by a Majority of 269 Vokw ag^linft 177^^^^^^
AiiM thb it wai nov'd and rdbly'd, by abcMK thf £1^ The Pe«
IdMafity, that the BiU be rt^satd. ^ '
T'he lleacbr wiU find a Lift of ^e Members, who voted
for aeid againft this remaricabk BiU, in the JPPENDIX.
ymnuAty at. The Common« in a graodCofllinittee, took The <
into Confidcration that Part of his hfejefty^s Speech at the gJfoi^Sc^.'"
Opening «f this Scffien, which rektes to the poUkk Debts, gj?^^bg^
aw read the Aooouat of thofe Debts^ as they fiood at the MdthePropdais
Bxcheqner at Michaehnas f7»9; as Mlb a Propo&l of the ^^aSS^^
SoUE^Sea Company, towardt the Reden^tion and Sinking,
of the &id Debts. But as this Pmpefal came iaast <tf what
was expedted, and the Friends of the Bank of Rn|^and
having rtjprelbnted, in Behalf of this laft Cotporatioa, the
great and eminent Services they had doAe to the Govern-
naent, aa the meft diiicolt Hmes, and iK^ch defervki at
Itaft^ dwt hf any Advantage was to be made by any pub-
lick Bargains, thi^ flKmld be peeferr'd before a Company
thac had never done any thiq^ ^oe the Nation, the C«mfide-
ration of chat important A&dt was pot off tiU the 27th.
y^m, tj* The Commons in a Grand CemaMttee coofi.
der'd farther of the publick Debts 1 and the Bank of £ng-
lanid havkig 3«id theii Pn^pofition bejbre the Committee,
whereby it appearM, that they offered about two Millions
Sterling more to the Government, in lefs Time than the
South-Sea Company ; it was thought fit to give the faid
Oempmy feme Time to confider farther on that ft^tttr r
whkh was thereupoa put off tiU the firft of February.
February 1. The Commons, in a Coaunittee of the whole DeUtecionMrnii^
Hmfe, refiun'd the Confideration of that Fart of the King's {bdT^c!^.
Speedi whkh Delates to the puUick Debts, as alfo the feoond °^^'
Schemes^ or Prqpoials, both of the Sonth-Sea Company and
<sf the Bank <^ En^Umd.
Thefe two difierent Schemes occaiton*d a Debate, in
which Mr Robert Wa^le was, the chief Perfon who flood mtil wtipoic
Qp for the Bank ; but Mr Aiflabie made it appear that the Mr AUhbie.
pMfoiak of the South-Sea Company were more advantage- the Hoafe reibire
ons to Che Prtlick ; and it was at laft refolv'd. That the ^SS^cffthVbfsS
Propo^ made by the South-Sea Company be accepted, company.
This Refohition being the next Day reported, was agreed to
by the Houfe, and a BiU thereiqxm ordered.
J^arcl 4. An engrofsM Bill from the Lords, intitled, Jn g^^^"A^
AS Jbr thi httftr Jicuring the Dependency of the Kingdom cf F^rMirii^ti^
Irs/and upon the Cro<wn of Great Britain^ was read a iecond J^'"^ ^
Time ; and a Motion being made for committing, it to a
Commit^e pf th^ whole ^ouie, it QC^fion'U ^ Debate.
_ " Mr
Digitized by VjOOQIC
iTto.
Mr Pitt
Mr Walter
Plttinmer.
SirJ.JdcjrU.
MrHancnlbfi,
Lord Molefwoith.
Xiord Tvttonntl.
7'ht Bill, For
jteuring fht Df
ftndentjvf In-
iandf pau'd.
TheBill,F«r
tnahfitig at Sftrfft
intreaft thir Cs-
fHal Stetk, ptflet
the Houfe.
TbeKifl^'tMef-
fige rei&uog to
r.rding Corport-
Tioaifot ininriag
fhipiandMerT^
risandige. .
( ^14 )
Mr Pitt firft fpoke 2ipdn£t the Bill %ing» * It ftediM cal-
culated for lio other PurpoTe than to incFeafethe Poiiferof
the Bdtifli Hoofe of Pern, which, in his Of»nion, was ai-
ready but too great. He was feconded by Mr Walter Plum-
mer, who excepted againft the Pl:eamble of the fiiU, as ia-
ooherent with the enarang Part, which was partly own'd by
Sir Jofeph Jekyll, u4io, in the main, fpoke fcnr the BtU.
Mr Hunfferford, on the contrary Side, endeavoured to fliew.
That Ir^ind Was ever independent, with Refpeft to Cbnrts
of Judicature : And he was fupported by the Lord Mokf-
worth, the Lord Tyrconnel, and fome other Members:
But Mr PhiUp Yorke » having backed Sir Jofqih JekyU ;
and the Queftion being put iqpon the Motion, it was carry *d
in d&e Affirmative, by 140 asainft 83, and fo the Bill was
committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
March z6. It was refolv*d, that the Bill, Fsr ^ httUr
fituring tht Dipindituy tf Inland do pais.
April 2. An engto(s*d Bill, F«r iaaUa^ tht Snab-Sia
Comfatiy tg increafi tbiir frtfint CafHal Stocky &c. was read
the 3d Time, and fome Amendments having been made
thereto by the Houfe, the QuefUon was put, that the faid
Bill do pafs, which, after a Debate, was carry 'd in the Af-
firmative, by 172 againft 55, and the iaid Bill was fent up
to the Lords for their Concurrence.
MiK^ 4. Mr Aiflabie f , prefented to the Hbuie the follow-
ing Me&ge from the King.
t
GEOUGE %.
*f T T I S Majefty having receiy'd feveral Petitions from
JLJL great Numbers of the moft eminent Merchants of
the City of London, humbly praying, that he would be gra«
cioufly pleas'd to grant then^ his Letters Patents for ered*
ing Corporations to infure Ships and Mercfaandixe ; and
the faid Merchants having ofier'd to advance and pay a
confiderable Sum of Money for l^s Majefty's Uie, in
Cafe they nu^ obtain Letters Patents accordingly : His
Majefty being of Opinion, that erecting two fuch Corpo-
rations, exduiive only of all other Corporations and So-
cieties for infuring of Ships and Merchandize, under pro-
per Reilri6iions and Reguktions, may be of great Ad-
vantage and Scanty to the Trade and Commerce of the
Kingdom, is willing and defirous to be fhengthen'd by
the Advice and Afliitance of this Houfe, in Matters of
this Nature and Importance : He therefore hopes for their
ready Concurrence to fecure and confirm the Privilem
• Made ^Hcitor General^ March tl^y l7T9»to.
f LharmUnr 0^ tbi Juxdfe^ntr,
y Google
( «is )
^* his Majelly Ihall grant to fuch Corporations^ and to tn* aum«. om.i^
*^ able him to di&harge the Debts of his CivU Government, ^ ^'^'
** widiottt burdening his People with any new Aid or
*« Supply."
Hereimon a Bill was ordered to be brought in, to enable j^*^*^^'^ ^
his Majefty to grant Letters of Incorporation to the Ufes Puriuaofcut^rc^.
and Purpoies mention*d in his Majefty's Meilage.
Aftfy 6. A Motion was made by Sir William Wynd- MoUon for an Ac-
ham, that an humble Addrefs be prcfentcd to his Ma- ^f^^^^^T
jelly, that he would be gracioufly pl^'d to diro^l an Ac- i^*^ " ^
count to be laid before the Houfe, of the Debts which ^^ .
were owing to the feveral Heads of Expence for his Ma-
jefty's Cinl Government, at Lady-Day laft, and aUb an
Account of the Arrears of the Civfl Lift Funds to pay
the iame ; but the Queftion being put wym the (aid Mo-
tion, it pais*d in the Negative. C^ the other Hand, Mr
Henry Pelham made a Motion for an Addrefi to return his Matkm feruAtf.
Maje^ the Thanks of this Houfe, for his gracious Con- SS^iaJ^tt?'
defeennon, in defiring the Advice of this Houfe upon a ^^^^
Matter of fuch Importance, as the Infurance of Ships and
Merchandize, and to acknowledge his Majefty*s Goodnefs,
in applying the Advances ariiing to him from fuch Pro-
pofab, to the Ufe of his Cavil Government, for the Support-
of the Honour and Dignity of the Clown, without burden-
ing his People with any new Aid or Supply t and to ai&re
his Majefty, That this Houfe would moft readily concur to
make his Majefty*s moft gracious Intenticms eftedual, for
the Eafe, Security, and Wel&re of his trading Subje^.*
Mr Fdham being feconded by Mr Robert Walpole, it was
refolv*d to prefent thb (aid Addreis, and a Committee was
appointed to draw it up : It was likewife mov'd and carried ^^^ * *v««*
to addrefs his Myefty, I. For an Account of the Dif-
pofition of the 250,000!. granted in the. 3d Year of his ^^^'^'^f^*&
Majefty*s Reign, for enabling his Majefty to concert fuch %y^i%^teA
Meafures with foreign Princes and States, as might prevent S?7J^^fef
any Charge or Apprehenftons from the Deiigns of Sweden «« Account ©f Pen-
- / . P -V 1 TT r» * A t- fioiis Riven toMc ax-
for the future. [Sti f. 125.J II. ror an Account of ben iuice <he xoti;
what Fenfions have been granted, and what Warrants for **^^' *^*^'
bene^cial Grants have been iiTu'd by the Lords Commiffio-
ner$ of the Trcafory, fince the loth Day of May 1719, to
any Member of this Houfe.
' Mi^ 7. Mr Bofcawen acquainted the Houfe, that the
King had given DiredUons, purfuant to the Defires of the
Roufe, exprefs'd in thofe two Addreftes ; and, in the After-
noon, the Commons, in a Body, waited on his Majefty
with their Addrefs of Thanks for his Miyefty*s Meilage, as
foUow%
Moft
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I ti6 }
Molt Gnkjous Sovereign,
< IKT/E your Maiefty's moft dntifiil aad loyal Soljeas,
TbeOom^iAd- « VV 1^^ CpouiioNs of Qtttt Briuun ia Ftrliaourait af-
feMhcKingHMef.' femblcd, retam your Majefty our humble Ths^nks, for
^JjJI^f^ ^ * communicaring to this Houfc the Application made to
skipf, «rc • yottr M^fty for obuining the Charters for i^urii^ of
^ Ships and Merchandises. Your Majefty's being ff^taoxAj
* pleas'd not tp take my S^eps^ in a Matter of &ck^ Impor-
* tance to the Trade and Conuaerce of the Kii^dom>
< without the Advice and Concurrence of yoor Pailiament,
< is an Inftaaoe of fo much CondefoenfioB, as ieicvires the
* hi{^eft itetums of Duty and ThaBkiidn«(s.
* We acknowledge your Majefty's Goodaeft, in iq^yii^
< to the Ufe of the Civil Go^i^mment the Advantages
* arifing to y«ur M^efty from fiick Propofals. It is a great
< Satisfa^iea to your CoomionSy to &e MieHonanr aad Dig^
' nlty of the Crew« fupported under the BiiSpdkaes, which
< the fiiecefity ^ ^yranr MafcAy's AlBtiirs may have occa-
* fion'dy widioot laying the Baeden of any^ new Aid or
' ^vif^y upon yottir People.
* Md we b^ Leave to -liriire your Ms^eSty, that this
* IJoole k re6>lv*4l to render fffiafinial your Af4^l^s gra-
' cious Intentions for the Eafe, Secant^, wid Wel£me of
* your trading Subjeds.*
To this Addrefs the King tetafn'd the fblloweig Anforcr.
Anfwcr.
King's Speech it
concluding the
Fifth Scffloa.
Gentiemeny
** T Receive this Addrefs as a particular Matk of your
*^ A. Aieftion to me. It is a new Proof to me aadaH the
** World, how much I can always depend i^on it. I thaak
*^ you for it in a paeticular Maimer."
yume II. The King came to the Houfe of Peers, and
gave th^' Royal Ailent to ieveral Bills ; after which his Ida*
jefly made the following Speech.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
*' T AmnowcometoputanEndtothisSeffioii, whicb^tho*
** X it hath advanced fo far into the Summer* cannot be
*^ thought a tedious one, when we confider how much Bst'
*^ finefs hath been done, and the goeat Advantages that
** may be expeded from it.
" Your fcaftmable Vigour and Perfevcrance to fopport
'* me in the Meafures I have taken with my Allies, for re^
<r floring the Tranquility of Europe, have produced moft of
'* the EfFeas I cQuld ddffeu Much the greateft P&rt of
** Chriilendom is already freed from the Ca&nities of Waiv
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( ^n )
'* and, by what hath happened both Abroad and at Home^
** my People miift be oonvinc'd^ that their Wel£u:e is in-
** feparable from the Strength and Secarity of my Govem-
" mcnt.
Gentlemen of the Houie of Commons^
•* I return you my Thanks for the Supplies you have
** rais^^d for the Sendee of the current Year ; and it is a
** particular Satisfadion to me» that a Method has been
** found out for making good the Deficiencies of my Civil
** Lift, without laying any new Burden upon my Subje£b.
*^ The good Foundation you have prepared this Seflion for
** the Payment of the Naticmal Debts, and the Diicharge
** of a great Part pf th«n, without the leaft Violation of
** the publick Faith, will, I hope, ftrengthea more and
" more the Union I defire to fee among all my Subjeds^
*' and make our Friendfhip yet more Valuable to all Foreign
** Powers.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
•* You will fee the good £ffe6b which bur Steadinefs
** hajth produced ; th^re remains but Utde, On our Part, to
" fedsfy the World, that tnore Credit, .Security, and G^ea^
** nefs,' is to be atqurr'd by following the Views of Peace,
** and adhering ftri£Uy to juft Engagements, than by de-
** pending on the Advantages of War, or l^ purfubg the
'^ Meafures of Ambition. To compleat what remains un-
*' fini{h*d, I propofe very fpeedily to vifit my Dominions
" in Germany, hoping to put an End to thofe Troublcs4ii
'* the North, which are how reduced to a very narrow
«• Compais. I flatter m/ftlf, that my Prcfeoce this Smn- ,
" mer in thofe Parts will prove ufeM tb ot|r t)OQr Protc-
•* ftant Brethren, for whom jrou have exf refc'd fuch fia-
** ibnable and chapitabie Sentiments.
** I doubt not but to meet you again next Winter, dif-
** pos^d to put a finiihing Hand to all thofe good Works
•» which, by your Aflifjance, I have' brdught fo hear to
•* Ferfeffion. I could wifti that all my Subje6b!, con-'
** vinc'd by Time and E>q)erience, would lay aiide thofe
" partialities and Animofides which prevent them from
** living quietly, and enjoying the Happinefs of a mild
*' legal Government : It is what I chufc to recommend at
" this Time, when I am fenfible, that all Oppoiition to it^
** is become vain and ufelefs, and can only end anfortu-'
** nately for thofe who Ihall ftill perfift in ftruggling againU
*' it. I am perfuaded'that, during my Abfence, every one
•' of you wifl take particular Care to preferve the Peace in
** your feveral Countries, and that I ftiaH ikid you, at my
" Return, in fuch a State of Tranquility, as will ftiew v
** Mankind how firmly my Ggvcrnmcnt is eftaWiih'd i
^ Vol. !• ' E c ' " which
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( 2r8 ) --
•«^p«>-»- ". whick I chiefly <Jcfire, bccaufe I thHikUc Security and*
~ * " Prcfervation of: my People, and. of this happy Conftiiu-
^* tioD, depend&entirely uponit.'*
Then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majefly's Command,
prorogued the Parliament to the 28th of JiUy : Afteir which
they were fay< feveral Prorogations farther prorogued to the
8th of December..
SPEECHES md DEBJTES
' In the Sixth Session, of the
'Rrjf Parliament of King George L
^wlo^^o.l. TpwUrfuant. to,:the M Prorogition of the Parliament,
*^^ \r^ '^? ^."8 came to thp Houie of Lords» on the 8th of
X , December, and the Commons attending, the Lord.
Chancellor, by .his.Ma^eily's Coinmand, read the foUowr
ing-Speech to both Hoiues.
My Loi-tls and Gentlemen, ! .
iP"f •* ^thTsiih *' C ^iice wt; Liil parted, the Face of our Afiairs Abroai
sSSSfwherdn " %J h bccome morc favourable j ^he Peace in the South
tiM^S^SoSrif '' o^b^ wanti the Form of a Copgrefs, and that of the
ti>cs.s. ouamity. « North h brought much nearer to a Cpnclufion. I ihall,
** at a proper Time, order the feveral Treaties I have made
** t« be laid before you ; by which you will perceive the
■*' S licccfs of our Endeavours to eftablilh a Peace throughout
*^ Europe, and to fecore and fupport the Protellant Rdi-
** gion : At the fame Time, I can never fufficiently exprefs
" my Concern for the unhappy Turn of Affairs,, which
" hah fo much affbacd the PubEck Credit at Home.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
** 1 do mofl carneftly recommend it to yon, that you
" confi^er of the moft effefbial and fpeedy Methods to re-
*^ f!ore the National Credit, and fix it upon a laiting Foon-
** dation. Vou will, I doubt not,, be aiTifted in ib com-
*' mendablc and ijeceflary a Work by every Man that loves
•' his Country, and efpecially by the feveral great Societies
'' of this Kingdom. I hope you wiU» on this Oocafion^
•* remember, that all your Prudence, your Temper, and
'' Refolution, are neceflaiv to find out and apply the pro*
*^ per Remedies to our Misfortunes ; which wiU, if you
** fucceed, ferve to increafe that Reputation you have fo
V juftly acquired, particulariy, if you ihali be able, faotwith-
«* ftanding
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{ <8I9 )
^ tbmiing thtfk DifficultitA, to di^ai^iE Part of iht
'• Poblkk Debt
<< I liave ord€r*d the fever^l Eftimatel to be laid before
** you of the Expence of the enfuing Year ; aod muft db-
<< £re yott to difpatch the Supplies neceiSiry for them.
My Lords and GeQtlemen»
'< J am glad lo obferye to yon» that our Trade does ap- •
** pear to have been more extended this Year than in the
** preceding one ; we have the moft flourifliing Navy of
** any Nation whatfoever to prote^ k: And I hope 'yon
<« will tur^ your Thoughts to the beft Methods for the fie-
** cweity and Enlarging of our Commerce. You'may dc*
** pend on my hearty Concurrence to all fuch Proviiion^
" as fliall appear to you neceflary for the Good of wf
« People/' ^
The Commons being returned to their Hoife^ Mr Put-
ten^ soiev'd, * That an humble Addrefc be pfcfented to his {^^^"J^JJUg
Majefly, t6 return him the Thanks of this Hoafe for his ofiiaoS.
moft gradous Speech from the Throne i to exprefs the Sse
tisfadion of his faithful Commons at the near Pro^^
there is of Peace being eftablifh*d throaghout Europe, bf
the Siiccefs of his Majefly*s Endeavours i to acknowledge
his Majefty's mat Goodnefs in his tender Qmcem for the
Mi^ortune^of his People^ occafion*d by the unhaj^y Turn
of Afiirs, that hath do muchaffeOed the Pnblkk Credit of
this Kbgdom ; to affiure his Majefty» that this Houfe wiB^
at this critical CoiQunAore, wherein his Majefty*s Goveno^
ment and the Intereft of his ftoj^ are fo highly con*
cem*dy proceed with all poffible Cajre». Prudence, and Tem«>
pcr» to inquire iato the Caolcs of tbefe Misfortunes, and
9ffly the proper Remedies fer reftoring and fixbg Pidblick
Credit upon fuch folid and lafting Fooiida6ons« as may
effi^ftoallv give Eafe and Quiet to the Minds of his Ma*>
jcfb^*s Sabjeds ; and that this Houfe will» with Readine£i
and Chearfulncfs, grant the Sullies neceflary for the-Serw
vice of the enfiiiDg Year, and confider In what Manner the
Trade and Conuneroe of the Nation may be beft fecnrM o^i^ ^am.
and extended*'
Mr Henry Pelham*, Member for Seafbrd, feconded this Mr aMhanu
MotioD, but Mr Shippea offered a Claufe to be added after kir shivpau
Hnt W«lrds» For r^riH ^ fi^*^i ViAlick CruHt, vi«.
* As £»" as it is confiftent widi the Honour of Parliament^
« Iht Intereft of die NMioa, and the Prftdples of Jnl^ce.!
Mf Shi{»ea*s Reasons ^ ^^ Addttioi^jytfere, ' That
in older mBttialty to xemedy die pieiknt MisfDrtunesb
£ e a lmtank%
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^ I 2Z0 )
Aw»7jQte^t {maning'tbi faiafSotah-Sia Schmi] it was afafolutely ne-
^^ , ceilary to maintain the Honour and Faith of Parliamentary
Engagements, and to (hew the higheft Reientment againft
thofe, who» abufing the Truft repos'd in them, had ^ given
fo feul a Wound to Publick Credit, and enrich'd then&lvcs
by the Plunder of the Nation : That, in his Opinion, the
Managers of the South-Sea Projeft were not the moft cri-
minal, fince there were thofe above them, whofe Duty it
was to overlook and direct their Proceedings ; and had thofe
at the Helm interposM in the Aflfair of the South-Sea, as
^ley did in die Cafe of other Prqje6b, they would luive
5 evented that difmal Calamity which has fmce ^befallen the
ation.' Mr Shi]^n was feconded by Mr Bromley, and
8irW,wyii4iaffl. «ir William Wyndham, who faid, • That it would be a
Difgrace to a Bnj^ Houfe of Commons, to (hew, on this
Occa(ion, lefs V^ur and Spirit than the Parliament of
Paris, then fitting at Pontoife : That that Parliament was
* ' ' juftly look*d upon as the Shadow of an Englifh Parliament ;
' «nd yet that very Parliament had, by their Firmnefs and
Refolution, carry'd their Point (b for, as to get that Perfon
teaiov^d from the Adminiflradon, whom they look'd upon
as the Author of the prefent Misfortunes of France.' The
totKoMiroftft. Xibid Molefworth, who fpoke oh the fame Side, run over
Che King's Speech from the Throne, and faid, * He was
^ad they were told, that the Peace in the*South only
wanted the Form of a Congrefs, which gave him Hopes,
Aat the Difficulties darted by Spain, in Relation to Oib'
Ittltar, Were, at kft, fnrmounted, and that we were like to
yeferve that important Conqueib of the preceding War,
together with Port-Mahon, which would make us fbme
Amends for the great ^cpoice of Blood and Treafure ws
had lately been at, to conquer Sicily for the Hou(e*of Au-
ftria.* And (peaking of the South-Sea Calamity, he faid,
' That before they confider*d of the proper Remedies, they
ought to enquire into the Caufe and Nature of the Dif*
-temper : That it is with the Body Politick, as with the
Body Natural ; and therefore they ought to imitate fldlful
Surgeons, who, in order to cure a Wound, begin with
probing it, and, when they find it nece(&ry, make Inc^om
and Scarifications to get die venemous Core out of it, before
they apply healing Plaifters ; and that they who follow a
fxmtraiy Method are but meer l^mpirioks, who, by ufing
palliatives, make the Sore rankle and fefier, and endangef
the life of the Patient. He own*d it had been 1^ ftme
inggefted, that then was no Law to ptmMi the Directors of
A» South-Sea Cosiqpany, who were juf^ly look'd TUpoa as
^'imijEiediate Authors of the prefent Misfortunes : But
fliat^ 19 Ilis X^iinion, they oogh^ on tbk Occafion, to
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follow the Battmple of the ancient iUunans, who having no AnM 7. gm. i
Xaw againft Panicidey becaufe their Legiflators fuppos'd s^^y/^'^'^J
na Son could be U> unnaturally wicked^ as to embrue his
Hands in his Father's Blood, niade one to puniih Co heinous
a Crime, as ibon as it happened to be committed ; and ad-
judged the guilty Wretch to be thro^^ alive, few'd up in 4
Sack, into the Tyber.* Concluding, * That as he look*d
upon the Contrivers and Executors of the villainous South-
Sea Scheme, as the Parricides of their Coun^, he ihould
be fatisfy'd to fee them undergo the fame Puniinment.*
Sir Jofeph Jekyll (aid, < That as lie doubted not but sirj.jekyfl.
among the South-Sea Diredors fome might be innocent,
and others criminal ; fo he was of (pinion, there were
thofe, who were not Difedors, no lefs, if not more crimi-
nal, than the Diredors themfelves ; and who therefore de*
fervM an equal, if not a feverer Puniihment : * Adding,
* That upon extraordinary Emergencies, where the Laws
are deficient, the Legiflative Authority may and ought to
exert itfelf ; and he hoped a Brittih Parliament would never
want a vindictive Power to puniih National Crimes." Mr
Gvty Neville, Mr Pitt, and fome other Members, fpoke {£ pSu^
alfo for the Claufe ofl^'d by Mr Shippen : But, on the other
Hand, it was reprefented by Mr Craggs, Mr Philip Yorke, {Jl p!^ce.
and Mr Rob. Walpole *, 'That fuch a Reilriaion did but ill
fuit with an Addrefs of Thanks } ^ which, in their Opinicm,
ought to run in the ufual Form, and anfwer, in general
TtxmSf the fever^ Heads of the Speech ftom the Throne :
That as to the main Drift of that Claufe, they thought it
iaconiiftent with the Rules of Prudence, to begin this Seffion
with irritating Inquiries : That if the Ci^ of London were
on Fire, they did not doubt but all wife Men would be
for extii^iihing the Flames, and preventing the fpreading
of the Conflagration, before they in<juirM into the |ncen*
diarks : That in like Manner, Publick Credit having re-
ceived a^ moH dangerous Wound, and being ftill in a bleeding
Condition, they ought to a{^y a fpeedy Remedy to it ; and
that afterwiuds they might inquire into the Caufe of the
prefent Calamity.' Mr R. Walpole dedar'd, * That for his Mra.Waipde.
own Fart, he had never approv*d the Sooth-Sea Scheme,
and was fen^Ie it had done a great deal of Mifchief : But
fince it could not be undone, he thought it the Duty of all
good Men to give their helping Hand towaxds retrieving it :
And that wi& this View, he had already beftow'd iome
Thoughts on a Propoial to reftoie FuUick Credit, which^
at a proper Time, he would jGibmit to the Wiidom of that
Hottfe.' Hereupon the Queftionbeii^pit for infiating^e'
CTaufo
j Digitized by Google
( aj2 )
'^^^^^ i>#tf. 9. Upon the Report of die Addrefi of Tbanks, a
Mr MUner. I4oti«A bf^iag lOfufe by Mr Mil(ier> Ifonber fot MinfiikaHi,
linr ii»(«rtiiig the Words, Jmi far tmifiingibi ^ttihor^ tf mr
fr^fmi Mitf$rtuniSy and fecondtd by Sir Jofqpb J^y}i> dK
^EBie wi» ourry'd without duriding.
Dst, ID. TheCommosSy with their &petker» .waited oa
}iit Majefty ^fdth die aybove memieii'd Addrds,^ whkh is as
follows.
Moft Gracioiis SovereigQ,
TheCo^nons * IX/E youT Ms^cfty's moft dutiful aadloyjil SubjeEb,
fofSte oj^ r W the Cominoas of Great Britain in Parliament af-
spcech. t imUed, beg tieaTe to return yoOr Majefty our moft dad*
< MaiKlhearty Thanks for your nioft gracious Speech from
* the Throne.
' We can never fuffictendy exprefi our Gratitude to your
* Majeify, for your conftant Care of the true Inu^re^of
« your Sobjeds, nor the Satisfa&ion of your.fiutbful Com*
* moos, in ieehog that the juft Influence of your Majefty^i
' Councils Abroad, has procurM fo ne^ur a Proi^)eit of a g6
* aeral Peace throughout Europe « which is a irefh Jnftancc
' to them, that your Majefty places your GreaCAeft Ofiljr
( ' in the Profperi^anlHappine^ of your Peojile.
* If any Thing could more efie£lually endear your Ma-
< jefty to us thsA the MUdneis of your Government, it
* would be that tender and ajfedionate Conoem you exprcB
' f<Mr die prefent Misfortunes of your People, occafion'd by
* the unhappy Turn of Af&irs, that hath fo much afefid
« the Publiek Credit of thitKmgdom.
* But your £udi&} Commona are. met ti^ether witli
* Minds fttUy di^)oa!d to take the moft jufk iai ef&aasl
* Methods, and to do every Thing that becomes an afedKh
* nate Parliament at this critical Coi^un^ure, wheicia
* yoxxt Majefly*t Govetanent, and the Inlereil of vour Peo*
< pie, are fo h^y concern'^, to re^re and fix the Credit
« of this Nado^ upon fuch foUd and kfUng Foitiidation, is
f may efFeaually give Eaft and <^iet to the Minds of jm
< Msyefiy's SubjSs: And we ftttter ouifehes, that 00
* Undertaking wiiQ he d» moie eafy, fince. we are dettf-
« min'd 10 pioccod with al polfible Prndenee, TeflMer,\aB<
^ Refcdutioo, to iaqufeinio the Canib of our prcfeat IfiP
f fortunes ; and, wtdk the matorett BriHMratkm, mtf
< otirfidv«a to find out the moft: proper MeafuiiM for ledicA
^ £ng thtfn^ and fiMT poniiui^ the Aadieanf -tfiem.
< The Improvement of our 't'rade is of fo puUick «
! ConccxPy end fe.'^eceffiir^ for ;die. tuppMt^ilii Posnerof
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( a<6 )
^Mfi KingimAi that Vft'' mil tmplojr our otmoft Endea^ aom 7. ceai..
* vows to jC9ofider in what Maimer theCotBiacfce of xh» \^^J\pm^^
* Nation may be beft iecur'd and exteiKfod. Vi^^Ar^"^^
* Asd we beg Leave to aflttve your Majefty, tkait vve will»
* with all Ghaurlalne& and Ujitmmity, giant the Sti|^>lies
^ which flndl be neoeflary for the Seifvke of the ettfuing
' Year, aad the. Simirt of your Gov^mmoitt^ ma which
« the Hapoineffl of the NuioQ^ the , Libetty oT your Sub^
^ jeai, and theSeourtiy of ourJ^digiQ«£> entirely depaad.*
To whteh the King retum^d tic foBowing Aafwer*
vjentienifiny'
«^ TRcCHfmyoa my hearty Tbaafai for this Addre^i and abtfcjdir^Aa.
** JL as I depend on your applying a fpcecfy Rane^ to the ^»w«^»«o-
** prefentOilreAbl am pecTuadM you will mko dip moft
*' prudent Mea&ms to make it eSe^ttal."
• D^. 12.. The .Co;iimoQ% in a grand Coosnittee; confi- Mr Ntraie mom
doh'd of Ao Motiott>to grant a Supply to his Maj^, which ST^'s^^^^
was onanmtouify^ agreed to. After this Mr Grey Neville* to lay before the
mov'd. * That the DiroftDrs of the South Sea Company 5?i^*i^?'
Ibould forthwith ky befeteihe Houfe an Account of tjieir ^ ^^
Pkoceedingi: Hewasfcoonded by;Mr Pitt, and back'd by ia,p^^'^^
Lord Molefoorth. The Conrtaers being furpriz'd at thist Ld. MoieiWoith,
oaexpeftodt Nfbdon, MrO'2^;gs thereupon endeavoured ta MrCmggi.
fhewy * That it was paepofterous ; and that the Houfe ha*
vii^ already appointad a Day toreMvo* intt> a grand Com-
mittee, to gilder of the prefent State of the publick Credit
of this Kingdom, the lame would namralty bring on the In-
emry into die CoaduA of the South-Sea Dire^rs.* Mr
Cnggs was fecondcd by Lord HincEingbroke, and by Mr Ld mnchingbroice.
Horatio Walpole*, who own'd indeed, * That the South- Mrawaipoic.
Sea Sdieme was weak in its Proje£tion, villainous in its Exe-
cntiony andcahoattons in its End t but that, in his Opinion,
they ought to begin widi ap{dyii^ a Remedy to the Evil/
ftfr Robert Walpole added, * That, as hs had alwsdy dc- MrR.waipoic
dared, he had ^at fbme Time upon a PropoTal for that
Purpofe; bot was apprehenfive, that if they went on in a
wum, paffionaie Ws^, the faid Scheme might be rendered
akogetber imptadicable ; therefore he ddir'd, that the
Houfe would proceed regularly and calmly, left by miming
pred^tately into odious Inquiries, they Aiould exafperate
the Difbetnper to fnch a Degree, as to render aU Reme-
dies ineie&uaL' Sir Jofeph Jekyll, on the other Hand, ^jjikfH
fet
• AMnntei Secrstary to tU Vt^t of Cr^ton^ «; hjrd Ueuic-^mt ejf Jfc
, Digitized by VjOOQIC
( «4 )
ftt forth the Neteffity of examining, widiout the feaft
Delaf , into the Condud of the South-Sea Con^pany ; to fee
whether they had made good their Engagements, and ftridly
foIlowM the Rules pfefcribedto them b^ the AdpafsM b&
^^on of Parliament in their Favour ; urging^ « That dus
was the moft natural Way of > poceeding in aa Ail^r of ib
great Importance : That, on the contrary, it feem*d aUurd
to attempt the Cute <^ a DiAemper before they were ac-
quahlttfd with it : But that as ibon as it was thoroughly
difcover'd, he hoped that wife AflemUy ihonld not want
Mr c. uwibn. Schcmes to apply proper Remedies to it/ Mr Gilfiid Law-
to^J^^J!*^ &n having fupported Mr Neville's Motion, the Courtiers
thought fit no longer tooppofeit; fo that the fiune was
> s%teed to without a DivifiM, and an Oder was made by the
Hcniie accordingly.
JJr Kttcompiaiw Dec, 1*4. Mr Pitt compkinM of the DHstorineft of the
of tbes.&EMl!^^ South-Sea Diredors in complyii^ wdth the Orders made on
22r ISotS?* ^« ' 2th Inilant by the Houfe, and was feconded by Sir Jo-
feph Jekyli : But Sir Theodore ;fan£^n. Member for Yar«
mouth, and one of the South-Sea Direftors,- having aflurM
them, that the next Day Part of the Pajpers aiUM for would
be laid before them, the Hou(e acquieic'd.
T^m^A^mtM D^^ ,^ l^jjc Sub^Govemtr and Depoty^Qovcmor of
Koufc. f^t South-Sea Company prcfented to the Houfe feveral Pi-
pers, with a Schedule of them, which was read. Hete-
upon it was ordered, that the faid Papers be reforrM to
the Cbihmittee of the whole Houie, who were to take into
Confideration the prefent State of the poblick Cr^it of this
Kingdom. Then the Houfe refolv'd * itfcif into the iaid
Committee ; and after the reading of thofe Papers, which
lailed 'till about four in the Afternoon, Mr Sloper *, Mem-
ber for Bedwin, Mr Plummer, Mr Milner, Sir Richard
Steele, and Mr Lawfon, nuide feveral Exceptions to the Con-
dudl of the South-Sea Directors, and, in particular, to their
lending out vaft Sums of Money belonging to die Company,
without being duly authorized for tRat Purpofe : But as ^
Committee could not regularly proceed in that Matter with*
out exa^ Accounts of theie Loans, die &rther Confiderttioii
The Confideration of the prcfeut State of the publick Credit was adjourned to
phSdfS^JjJ^ die 19th J and, in the mean Time it was order'd, that Ae
Joarnu Diredors of the South-Sea Company ihould lay befoe the
Houfe feveral Papers reladng to that Afiair.
Dec. 19. Mr Farrer reported to the Houfe eight Refoh-
dons of the Committee on the Supply, feven of which were
agreed to, but the other, viz. * That the Number of eSedive
* Men to be provided for Guards and Garrifons in Great
. ; Britain,
• Secretary to th T^-M^r Gmr^
bigitized by Google
( 225 )
* Britain, &c. for the Year 1721, including 1859 Inva-
* lids, be 14,294 Men, CommiJQion and Non-Commiflion _
* Officers included/ being read a fecond Time, Mr Ship- MrShip^mofct
pen reprefentcd, * That a general Pedce being fo near a f?" '!S?™'~«i"g
Couclufion, Part of the Land Forces, now on Foot, might ^^^ totheNum-
well be fpar'd, and the faving Sum apply'd towards rqpair- ^taL^^rw^**'
ing the publick Calamity ; and therefore he mov*d. That "°"'
the faid Refolotion be recommitted.' He was back'd by Mr
Bromley, Sir William Wyndham, and Mr Hungerford ; sL'wl^S^Sdham.
but was opposed by Mr Robert Walpole. Mr Horatio Wal- ^^^^^^
pole, Mr Smith, and fome others, who endeavourM to mth. vva^«.
ihew, * That the Number of our Forces was fo moderate, ^J*°»^'^-
that it could hardly be leflen'd, even altho' a general Peace
were concluded, without expofing the Nation either to Fo-
reign Infults, or Domeflick Fa£Uons 5 and therefore it were
highly imprudent to make any Reduftion in the Army before
the Condufion of the Peace : That, on the other Hand,
the Sum that might be iav'd by dilbanding 3 or 4000 Men^
was very inconfiderable, and ought not to come in compe- *
tition with the Advantage of being in a Pofturc of Defence;
fince nothing contributes more to the publick Credit of a
free Nation, than the being in a Condition not to fear any
Thing, either at Home or Abroad.' The QuefUon being- *
put upon Mr Shippen's Motion, it pafs'd in the Negative,
without dividing. '
The Commons being in a grand Committee to take into The commonf in
farther Coiifideration the prefent State bf the publick Credit coSi^r^aX^/'Jf
of the Kingdom, Sir Jofeph Jekyll mov'd. That a feledl g;|£'^ ^''p**"*
Committee be appointed to inquire into all the Proceedings
relating to the Execution of the , South-Sea Aft, and was sir j. jd^iT**
fcconded by Mr Gilfrid Lawfon. But Mr Robert Walpole ^j^y^^^L^
having reprefented, * That the proceeding in that Manner
would take up a great deal of Time, and that the publick
Ciedit* being in a bleeding Condition, they ought to apply
a fpeedy Remedy to it ; that Motion was not infifted on.
After this Mr Sloper ihew'd, * That the prefent Calamity MrMoper,
was mainly owing to the vile Arts of Stock-jobbers, where-
by the publick Funds were wound up far above their real
Value ; which being readily aflent^ to, the Committee
came to this Reiblution, viz. That nothing can tend more
to the Eftabliihment of publick Credit, than preventing the
infkmous Pra£Uce of Stock- Jobbing. Then, Mr Robert *J^'J;,^i*HiSfc'
Walpole acquainted the Committee, ' That, as he had 2? ^?8 Ltin^V
hinted fome Days before, he had ^pent fome Time upon a Sg^iSwickSSiit'.
Scheme for reftoringl)ublick Credit; but that the Execution ^^^^ ^„^j^^
of it depending upon a Pofition, which had been laid down as
a Fundamental, he thought it proper, before he opcn'd the
iai3 Scheme/ to be informM, whether he might rely on
Vol. L F f that
\
Digitized by
Laoogle.
Anno 7. Geo. L
1710.
ABUl ordered to
prevent Stock-
JoUiins.
( 226 )
that main Foundation, viz. * Whether the Subfcriptions of
* publick Debts and Incumbrances, Money Subfcriptionsy
* and other Contradts made with the South-Sea Company^
* ihould remain in the prefent State ? ' This Queftioiv be-
ing dated, occaiion'd a warm Debate, which lailed 'till near
Eight in the Evening, when it was at laJft refolv'dby 259Voiccs
againft 1 1 7, that all the Subfcriptions of publick Debts
and incumbrances, and other Contra£b made with the Souths
Sea Company, by Virtue of an Ad nuuie laft Seffion, remain
in the prefent State, unlefs altered for the Eafe and Re-
lief of die Proprietors by a general Court of the South-
Sea Company, or fet afide by due Courfe of Law.
Dec* 20. Mr Farrer reported the Refolution of the grand
Committee on publick Credit ; which, with fome Amend-
ments, was agreed to by the Houfe, viz. * That it will very
* much contribute towards the eflablifhing publick Credit, to
* prevent the infamous Praftice of Stock- Jobbing : ' and a Bill
was order'd to be brought in thereupbn.
MfiLWatooiepre- Dec. 21. The Houfe refolv'd itfclf into a grand Com-
{g^s&njeto mittee, and Mr Robert Walpole laid before them a new
Jorioji pobu^Qw- Scheme to reftore publick Credit, which was, in Subilance»
iM ntoe^fiiiioni to'lugraft nine Millions of South-Sea Stock into the Bank
^iil^^lAt of England, and the like Sum into the Eaft-India Company,
SSeSiKSd- ^V^^ ^^^ Conditions therein mention'd. Mr Hutchefon,
p»BT' and other Members, made fome Exceptions to that Scheme ;
but none offering a better Remedy for the prefent Misfor-
tunes, Mr Farrer, the Chairman, was dire^ed to move the
Houfe, and it was accordingly order*d. That the (aid Com-
mittee have Power to receive Propofals frdm the Bank of
England, the South-Sea Company, and the Eaft-India Com-
pany, towards reftoring publick Credit.
January^ MrTreby *, Member for Plympton,mov'd for
bringing in a Bill, To pre<vent Mutiwf and Defirtim^ Sec.
and was feconded by the Lord Carpenter f , Memter for
Whitchurch. Hereupon Sir Jofeph Jekyll faid, * He could
not but be furpriz'd to fee a Bill mov'd for fo early, which
feldom or never ufed to be brought in 'tiU towards the End
of a Seffion : That fuch a Hurry feemM to be intended to
ftop the Profecution of the Authors of the prefent Misfor-
tunes ; That they all very well knew that their Days were
numbered, and that as foon as they had difpatch*d the
Money Bills and the Bill now mov^d for, they fhould im-
mediately t)e difpatch'd Home : That therefore he was for
fiaying thofe Bills, until they had done Juitice to the Na-
tion,
* Secretary at War.
•f CommauJer in 0nf (f alibis Maj^/s Forces in SeetUmJ^ Gtntrim tf
Muwca and FortMeitmi apd Qmd (fa tJ^imm ^ Jh^igms*
Mr Trebjr moves
IbrtBiU. Tv/rc.
Dtfirtimu
liord Carpenter.
«r J. Jekyll.
y Google
( ^^l )
tion» who call'd aloud for it.' Mr Craggs (aid thereupon, ^^IJ^.^ ^
* He wonderM to fee any Oppofition m^e to a Bill fo ne- ^^^^^'
ceflary for the Safety of the Government, efpecially ^y a uxCnfgh
Perfon who had received iignal Favojirs from the Crown.*
Upon this Lord Molefworth flood up, and fai4 ^ Mr Ld. MokArorti* ^
Speaker, Is it come to this, that every Man who has a
Place muft do all the Drudgery that is enjoyn*d him ? This
may be true of fome Underlings ; but I don't believe it^
I am fure 'tis falie, of ELing George : He commands his Ser-
vants nothing, but what is according to the Laws, and for
the Good of his Snbjeas.' Then Sir Jofej^ Jekyll^ed,
* That he was as scealous as any Man for the Service of the
King and his Government : But he was of Opinion, that the
doing JufUce to the Nation^ and punifhing thofe who had
brought it into the prefent calunitous Condition, was the
moft effedtual Way both to ferve^the King» and at thf fame
Time to difcharge their Duty to their injur'd Country : '
Concluding, however, that he did not oppofe the bringing
in of the Bill in Queftion, which was thereupon order'd to
be brought in.
After this, according to the Order of the Day, the Com-
mons were to go into a grand Committee to take into far-
ther Confideration the prefent State of the publick Credit
of this^ Kingdom: But Sir Jofeph Jekyll refuming his sirj.jM^aaiovet
Speech, reprefcnted, * That before they proceeded any giJ^^cSer.
farther, they ought to fecure the Perfons and Eftates of nor, Direaw«j&c.
thofe they had reafon to look upon as the Authors of the w^omymfSt
publick Misfortunes ; and therefore he mov'd, That Leave ^?lji,^^^
be given to bring in a Bill to reflrain the Sub- Governor, dw^u be brought
Deputy-Governor, Direftors, Treafurer, Under-Treafurer,
Cafliier, Secretary, and Accomptant of the South-Sea Com-
pany, from going out of this Kingdom for the Space of
one Year, and until the End of the next Seflion of Parlia-
ment ; and for difcovering their Eftates and Effcds, and for debate thereon,
preventing the tranfporting or alienating the fame.* He
was feconded by Mr Horatio Walpole, who gave fome In- Mr h. waipoie.
fiances both of the unfair Methods by which the South-Sea
Diredors, and their Officers, had got inmienfe Riches, and
of their Pride and Infolence. Serjeant Pengdly, Sir Robert seii. vtn^f,
Raymond *, Sir Philip Yorke, Mr Spencer Cowper, and to pSuJ^SS**
Mr Jcfferies, having likewife fupported Sir Jofeph Jekyll's J^'^g^^'
Motion, ifr was carry'd Ntm, Con, and order'd, that the faid
> Bill be brought in accordingly.
[ Upon this- Mr Shippen exprefs'd his great Satiafaftion, Mr shippea. ^
to fee a Britifli Houie of Commons refume their prifline
Vigour and Spirit, and adl with fo great Unanimity^for the
F f 2 publick
• A^mUi Attorney Gfntraly Mj^ 5. 1710.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Anno
1107. (ki
i7zo-fti.
te.L
MrCrasgs,
IdMolefworth.
MrCraB**
( 128 )
publick Good, He own'd the Ncceffity of fccunhg die
Perfons arid Eflates of the Soutli-Sea Direftors, and their
Officers : But faid, ' That, in his Opinion, there were feme
Men in great Stations, whom, ' in Time, he would not be
afraid to name, who were no lefs guilty than the Diredlors.'
Mr Craggs being fomewhat nettled at this, faid, * That he
was ready to give Satisfaction to any Man that fhould que-
ftion him, either in that Houfe or out of it.' This Ex-
preffion gave fto fmall Offence 5 and thereupon the Loid
Molefworth replied, * That he had the Honour to be a
Member of that Houfe upwards of thirty Years, and never
before now knew any Man bold enough to challenge the
whole Houfe of Commons, and all England befides : That
for his Part, tho' paft fixty, he would anfwer whatever Mr
Craggs had to fay within the Houfe, and hoped there Wferc
young Members cmough, that would not be afraid to look
him in the Face out of the Houfe.' Upon this Mr Craggs
feeing the Houfe in a great Ferment, got up again, and
laid, ' That by giving Satisfadion, he meant clearing his
Condud.' As foon as this was oyer, the Houfe debated ia
what Manner thfcy fhould proceed in the intended Inquiry,
whether in a grand of a feleft Committee. After long
Difputcs on both Sides, it was refolv'd, Nem. Con. That a
Committee of thirteen, to be chofen by Ballotting, be ap-
pointed to inquire into all the Proceedings relating to the
J'S^^X?^ Execution of the South-Sea Aa. This done, the Lord Hinch-
Ld HmchinjArofce ^"g^^^^^ reprefcntcd, '/That it was to be fear'd, that be-
moves for takji« fore the Bill ordered to be brought in againft the Sub-Go-
Dfreaor^&JTrf' vcrnor. Deputy- Governor, and Directors of the South-Sea
hlfo cuftSyTSSJh Company, was gone through both Houfes, the molt cnmi-
LecEm^*^ •>/ Mr nal amoHgft them might withdraw themlclves out of the
Kingdom ; and therefore his Lordlhip mov'd, that thcjr
might be immediately order'd into Cuftody : ' But M^
Lechmere, having fhew'd the Inconveniences that might
enfue thereupon, that Motion was dropt.
TJjc Commons take Jan. 5. In a grand Committee, the Commons took into
the Propofais from' Confidcration the Propofals laid before the faid Committee
forfngrafti^g'ninc ^Y the South-Sea Company, for ingrafting nine Millions
^^^^x^^i^'Sk' °^ '^^^^ ^t<xk. into the Eaft-India Comparer, and the like
Sum into the Bank of England, as alfo the Prop6fals of the
Eafl-Itidia Company and the Bank, for takihg in -the faid
Stock, and after fome Debate, it was refolv'd, by 1 73 Voices
againll 130, that an Ingraftment of Part of the Capital of
the South-Sea Company into th^ Capitals of the Bank of
England and the Eail-India Company, purfuant to the feve- *
ral Propt)rals of the faid Companies, will contribute very
much to the refloring and eftablifhing publick Credit. Mr
Speaker having refum'd the Chair, the Court Party mov'd,
that
A Osmtnittee of
13 appointed to in-
quiffe iato aJl ^
lidia Company,
and nine more into
the^anJc.
Debate thereon.
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liat Mr Farrer, the Chairman of the grand Committee,
iHoald the next Day report the faid Refolution ; but this
\^otion wa^ ibenaoufly opposM, and the Queftion being
put thereupon, it pafs'd in the Negative by a Majority of
153 Votes againft 140; after which it was order'd, that
tlic faid Report be receiv*d on the i oth.
Jan, 10. The Sub-Governor of the South Sea Company
prelented to the Houfe feveral States and Accounts that had
been caird for, and then Sir Jofeph Jekyll prefented to the ^^J^^^l^^
Houfe a Bill, ^ reftrain the Sui-Governor, Defufy-Go t^irnor^ jiramin^thimrte-
Oireaors, Trea/urer, &c. of the Soutbr^ea Company, from ^ff'J' ^^i^
goirtg out of this Kingdom^ &c. 'which was read the firft, and ^'*^» ^<=-
ordcr'd to be read a fecond Time the next Morning, After
this, Mr Farrer .reported from the Committee of the
ivhole Houfe, the Refolution above-mention'd, about the
Ingraftment Sf nine Millions of South- Sea Stock, upon the
refpeftive Stocks of the Bank and Eaft India Company ;
and a Motion being made that the faid Refolution be re- Rirthcr Debate on
committed, i^ occafion'd^a warm Debate, that lafEed five tteing»mng
Hours. Mr Sloper, Mr Clayton *, Member for Woodftock,
Sir Jofeph Jekyll, and fome others, reprefented, ' That the. Mfcuyton.
Projed before them was more like to prove a dangerous ^" J- J«^y"-
Palliative, than an efFeftual Remedy to the prefent Diftem-
per ; and being founded on Injuftice, would rather farther
hurt than reftore publick Credit.' Mr Hutchefon urged, Mr Hutchdon.
* That this Scheme feem'd to be calculated with the fame
, View as the former, the ill, EfFefls of which they intended
to remedy, and rais'd feveral other Objedlions to the new
Scheme, and iniinuated, that if the Refolution in queiUon
were recommitted, he might propofe fomething better for
the rcftoring of publick Credit.' Mr Robert Walpole an- mtr. waipoie,
fwer'd all Objeftions, and being ftrongly fupported by Mr
Craggs, Sir Robert Raymond, Sir Philip Yorke, and by JfJifS^^mt.
feveral other Members ; the Queftion was put upon the Mo- sif ^^^9 Yorke.
tion for recommitting the Refolution about the Ingraftment,
which was carry'd in the Negative, by 267 Voices againft ABminPurfuance
1 34. Then the Houfe agreed to the faid Refolution, and of the ing«^
a Bill was order 'd to be brought in'thereupon. be brought &.
Jan^ 1 1. Serj. Mead reported the Names of the Commit*
tee appointed to inquire into all the Proceedings relating to
the Execution of the South-Sea A£l, viz. Mr Broderick,
Mr Hutchefon, Sir Jofeph . Jekyll, Mr Wortley, Sir Tho. JkJ^a***^'*^^
Pcngelly, Mr William Clayton, Mr Jefferies, Lord Molcfworth, Squire inio tho
Col. Strangeways, Mr Sloper, MrLechmere, General R06, c^^y?"^'^
and Hon. Mr Dixie Windfor.
Thefe PeVfons, or any five of them, were to report their
Proceedings from Time to Time to the Houfe, and to have
Power
• J)e^Hty'4Ht^tQr of th JExcte^wfr.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Vfho are ordeiM
to be a Committee
of^ecreqr.
The Bill againft
the S. S. Oi^efton^
Sir Tho. Pengelljr
aoqoaintBtheHoue
that Mr Knight,
CadUer of the S. S.
Company, y0a»
{oneo^
MFheretipon tht
Commons prelent
two Addreffcs to
the KAoj^ oa tiut
AlEqr.
. Sir ReAert Chap-
lin, Sir Theodore
^nffei), Mr Fran.
£yJes, and Mr
Sawbridste, Direc-
tor* of the S. S.
Company^ ordered
to aueiid m their
Places.
(230 )
Power tb fend for Perfons, Papers, and Records ; and the
fevera) Books and Papers which ha4 been laid before the
Houfe by the South-Sea Company, were referred to the
faid Committee.
Jan, 16. The Bill againft the Sub-Governor, Deputy-
Governor, and Diredors of the South-^ea Company, was
ordered to be engrofs^d ; after which it was ordered, that the
Committee, appointed to inquire into all the Proceedings re-
lating thereto, be a Committee of Secrecy.
Jatf^ 19. The engrofs'd Bill againft the South-Sea Direc-
tors was read the third Time, paf^'d,. Nim. Con. and fent
up to the Lords.
7««. 23* Sir Thomas PengeUy, Member for Cocker-
mbuth, acquainted the Houfe, that the Committee of Se-
crecy had received Information that Mr Robert Knight, Ca-
fhier of the South-Sea CompSiny, after having been exa-
mined by the iaid Committee two Days before, was gone off.
Hereupon it was refolv'd, Nem. Con. to prefcnt twb Ad-
dreifes to the King. I. To iiTue a Proclamation, with a
Reward for difcdvering, apprehending, and detaming the
faid Robert Knight, that he may be brought to JuiHce.
II. To give Orders forthwith to flop the Ports, and to take
effedual Care of the Coafb, to prevent the faid Mr Knight,
or any other Officers of the South-Sea Company, from
eicaping out of the Kingidom. Thefe AddrefTes were di-^
redlly carried to the King by Mr Methucn *, and his Ma-
jefly returned for Anfwer, that he would immediately give
the neceflary Orders according to tie Defire of the Houfe :
Accordingly a Proclamation was publifh'd, with 2000 L
Reward for appreljiending Mr Knight*
Notwithflanding this Precaution of the Committee, Mr
Knight, who was undoubtedly intrufled with the principal
Secret of this villainous Intrigue, embark'd the very fame
Morning, on which Serjeant Pengelly gave the above Informa-
tion to the Houfe ; ahd landed t|ie fame Day at Calais. Whe-
ther this £fcape was voluntary, or at /the Suggeftion of
others, is not eafily determined ; though the Publick were
generally inclined to charge it to the Diredion of fome Per-
fons, whom it may be fa^r to guefs than to name.
The Commons having ordered their Doofs to be lock'd, and
the Keys laid on the Table, fummon'd Sir Robert Chaplin,
Bart. Member for Grimfby, Sir Theodore JanfTen, Bart. Mem-
ber for Yarmouth, Mr P. Eyles, Member for Devizes, and
Mr Sawbridge, Member for Cricklade, to attend in their
Places immediately ; Then Gen. Rofs acquainted the Houfe,
• That tjiey had already difcover'd a Train of the deepcfl
Villainy
• Controller rf th Hoifjhold.
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( 23' )
Villainy and Fraud that Hell ever contrived to ruin a Nation, amm 7- ota,u
which in due Time, thejr would lay before the Houfe 5 and ^J?^^ILj
that, in the mean while, in order to a ^ther Difcovery, ^^^ Rofa».Motioii
they thought it highly neceilary to fecure the Perfons of <or Vecuringthe
fome of the DireAors, and pi^ncipal Squth-Sea Officers, and ^d9^&e!if^
to feize their Papers ; which was ordered accordingly. Mr s. s. company.
Sawbridge, and Sir Theodore Jatoflen being come into the ^|J*^fi^*^
Houfe, a Motion was feverally made ; That they were guilty expeUM t£ »oufe.
of a notorious Breach of Truft, as Diredtors of the &uth-
Sea Company, and thereby occafion'd very great Lofs to
great Numbers of his Majefty's Subjedls, and had highly
prejudiced the publick Credit : And they having feverally
be^ heard in their Places, and being withdrawn, the'Que-
ition was feverally put upon the (aid Motion, and carry*d in '
the Affirinatke Ntm» Con. after which it was ordei^d, that
the ^d Mr Sawbridge, and €ir Theodore JaniTen be, for
their faid Offence, expelPd the Houfe, and taken into the
Caftody of the Serjeant at Arms.
Jan, 24. The Commons refolv'd Nem. Con. to addrefs ^m^^SS*
the King, to give Direftions to his Minifters at Foreign apprehended in fo-
Courts to ihake Application for Mr Knight, if he fhould ffii?^"^
Iheher himfelf in any of their Dominions, to be furrender'd S^y.'"*"**'**v
up in order to .be brought to JuiUce ; which Directions hia
Majefty gave accordingly.
Jan. zz. The Royal Aflent was given to the A6t, For '^^'f^^J?
A ' . t e\ 1 i^ rx j^ T>. Riven t^twoBilU
reftratnsng ibe SuO'Go^ernor, Deputy-Governor^ Dtre^on^ «pjnft the s. s.
Treajurery {ffr. of the South-Sea Companj^, from going out of "*''^°"» ^''^
this Kingdom for one Tear, dnd until the End of the then next
SeJ/hn of Parliament i and for di/co*vering their Eftates and
EffeSsy and for fre<venting the trdnfporting or alienatif^ the
fame : Alfo to an Aft, To difahU the prefent Sub-Governor^
Deputy Governor, and DireSors of the South-Sea Company,
to take, hold^ or enjoy any Office, Place, or Impkymint in the
faid Company, or in the E aft- India Company, or in the Bank
of England^ and from voting upon EleQions in the faid Com'
ponies.
Jan. 7.%. Sir Robert Chaplin, Bart, and Mr Francis «^ R- chapiin and
Byles, Direftorsof the South-Sea Company, attending in reaorso?^s?^s.
their Places, they were both likewife, for their Offence, S'We.*''^"'*'
expcU'd the Houfe.
February 3. Mr Robert Walpole prefented to the Houfe a MriLWaipoiepre-
Bill, For ingrafting Part of the Capital Stock and Fund of the J^J^* ?i^;X-
South-Sea Company into the .Stock and Fund of the Bank of f^^i^Sl^^
England, and another Part thereof into the Stock and Fund of thehmtk^and part
the Eaft- India Company ; which was read the firft Time, and c^i^i'w'hkh'is
otdcr'd to be read a fccond Time, on the 7th of Febru- «ad«»efi^Tixne.
, ^t to which JOay th« CocfunoQS adjouxnU
: February
Digitized by ^OOQIC
{ 282 )
Aaao ^f Geo. I. Feh. 7. The aborementionM Bill was read a fecoad Time,
^1^^^!^!^^ and a Motion being made for committing it to a Committee
i)ei)ate on ti» fe- ^ '^^ wbolc Houfe, it occafion'd a high Debate, in which
condEouUngthefe-Mr Rdscrt Walpolc, Mr Heath, Member for Harwich,
lit R. w«ipote. and fcmie others, inMed for the Affirmative, and Mr Milner,
ut^ Mr Slopcr, Mr Clayton, and Sir Jofeph Jekyll, for the Nc-
Mr Slop?.* gative ; and it was at lad carry'd for the former, by 257
SfSeCu. Voices iigainfl 139.
' Feb. 8. Mr Hungerford prefented to the Houfe a. Bill, For
sSdSo^^S *^^ ^*'r EfiMtfhmnt rffwhlkh Credit, by preiMiwtif^, for the
the firft Time, fitiure^ tin infamous, PraSia of Suck-fohbingt which was read
the Brk Time, and ordered to be read a fecond Time. .
AnAddreft tothe ^^' 9- The Lord Molefworth, froin the Conimittee of
&iKi5Su* Secrecy, acquainted the Houfe, that they had receivd In-
^c&^f " formation, that Mr Robert Knight, late Calhier of the
Verp. ^ ^"'' South-Sea Company, was taken, and wa^ in Cuftody in the
Caftlc of Antwerp :«Hereupon hemov'd, and it was re-
• folv'd, Nem, Con. That an Addrefs be prefented to his Ma-
jefty, to return the Thanks of the Houfe for his Gpodnefs
in giringfoch effedual Dire£Uon$ to his Miniders Abroad,
for fecuriog Mr Robert Knight, purfuant to the Addrefs of
the Hooie; and to dcfire, that his Majefty would give
Orders to his Minifters refiding in the Courts of Vienna and
BruiTels, t4 make the proper Applications, and ufe the moft
effcdual Inftances, that the Perfon of the faid Mr Robert
. Knight, together with his Papers and Meds, might be fe-
curcd ^id deliyered up to fuch Peribns as his Majefty ihould
appoint to receive the fame ; and that his Majeftv would
giv^ Orders, upon the faid Mr Robert KnightS being
broi^ht into Great Britain, that he be forthwith delivei^
and put into the Cpflody of the Serjeant at Arms attending
the HoufCr This Addrefs was immediately ient to the King
by Mr Methuen, who being returnM, acquainted the Houfe,
that his Majefty would give the neceflkry Orders and Di-
re&ions, according to the Defires of the Houfe ; and that
in cafe his Majefty's Endeavours to have him fecur'd and
brought over into Great Britain (hould fucceed, his Ma-
jefty would forthwith caufe him to be delivered into the
Cuilocfy of the Serjeant at Arms attending the Houfe. Co-
lonel Churchill*, Member for Caftle-Rifing, was accord-
ingly ordered by his Majefty to go to the Court of Vi-
enna, to make Inftances for the delivering up of Mt Kpight.
Petiuon from Af Feb. 1 3. Upon the reading, of the Order of the Houie
aiiow^S?mfiJ!^ forgoing into a grand Committee upon the Bill, Foff ift-
mcn^omthilSi i^^fi^ ^^^* ^f ^^ Cafifal Stock and Fund of ihe . Soutb-S^
due from them to Comfiam^
• Gmm of ibc PMambtr to the Imcc tf Wdesy and ^(mnmtf
Ctelfes'BfpM, ^'
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 233 )
Comfaftff &c. a Petition of thk South-Sea Company was Anno 7. Gee. i«
offcr'd to be prefcnted to the Houfe, and the Members In vJ^^J^L^
Wefhniniler-Hall, Court of Requcfb, and places adjacent^ ^^^^^"^
having been fummon^d to attend the Service of the Houfe,
the faid Petition was brought up and read, praying the
Confideration of the Houfe, in relation to the Payments of
the feveral Sums of Money, which, by the Adt of Parlia-
ment of the laft SefTion, the (aid Company ard fubjed and
liable to, for the Ufe of the Publick, at the Times, and
in the Manner by the faid Aft direfted, and praying
fuch Relief, as to the Houfe (hould feem meet. Hereupon ^^«« thereon,
a Motion was made, and infiiled on by Mr Shippen and Mr shippen.
feveral others, that the faid Petition be rejefted ; but they
being oppos'd by Mr Robert Walpole, and all the Court Mr r. wiipoie.
Party, and the Queftion being put thereupon, it was car-
ried in the Negative, by 253 Voices againft 166 ; however, »
the faid Petition was ordered to lie on the Table ; and then
another Motion was made by the Country Pa||jr, that it be 5bSJrthl°Di^ao»
an Iriilrudion to the faid Conmiittee, that they have Power ot tties. s. com-
to receive a CJaufe for excluding the Diredors of the South- ^mpaox, and the
Sea Company, the Eaft-India Company, and the Bank of SS&SHi^
England, from being eleded Members, or fitting and voting o^P*fi»«cnt.
in any future Parliament: But, after fome Debate, the
Queftion being put thereupon, it was carry 'd in the Nega-
tive, by a Majority of 21 1 Votes againft 164.
Feb, 15. MrMethuen*, Member forBrackley, delivered
to the CoHMnons the following Meffage from His Majefty.
GEORGE K.
** T TIs Majefty having received a Petition from the Court King's MciBgcfe-
*' JLi of Directors of the South-Sea Company, relating Q^^S^f^
." to the Payment of the Money due to the Puhlict from tion,
'** the faid Company, has thought fit to tranfmit the faid
" Petition to the Houfe of Commons ; and, at the fame • ^
" Time, to acquaint them, that his Majefty has no Ob-
." jedtion to the Parliament's giving to the South-Sea Com-
" pany fuch Eafe and Relief, in the Time of making the
** Payments due to the Publick, as the' Houfe of Commons
'' ftaXL think fit and reafonable.'*
This Meflage was referrM to the Confideration of a Com- y^^^^^^ .^ rtftn^
mittce of the whole Houfe the Friday followii^ ; and then toa^^^^rf
a Claufe wa^ order'd to be inferted in the Bill, For ingrafting
Fart of the Stock and Fund of the Soutb^Sea Comfany, to
rcftrain the Corporations of the Bank of England, of the South-
Sea Company, and of the Eaft-India Company, from lending
Vol. I. G g any
' • Conty-f^ if the BoiP^ild,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 234 )
Anno 7. oto, h any Sum of Money to their Proprietors upon their Stock, cx-
,^^J2f^L^^ ceeding lool. for lool. Capital Stock.
^ B-ii . Feh, 1 6. The Bill, Fcr pre'uentinz the infamous PraSiict
The BUI to prevent ^>.-.,,. ^ ^ t jrS- "^j • i
Biocfc-jobbingrcad of StocR-jobbingy was read a iecond 1 ime, and committed to
afccondTime. ^ ^^^^ Committee.
Feb, 1 7. The Commons, in a Committee of the whde
S!fi£"?S!J Houfe, confider'd of the. King's Meflage relating to the
^^'loM^rr* South«Sea Company's Petition, and came to the following
Comjwny* peu- Refolutions, viz. I. That the Payment of the Sum of
to2ioJ?lrtSr four Millions one hundred fifty fix thoufand three hundred
SSTpS^forft'y- ^^ Pounds four Shillings el/even Pence, due to. the Publick hy
aw". the South-Sea Company, by Virtue of the Aft of the laft
Seilion of Parliament, and made payable within one Year, by
four quarterly Payments, conunencing the 25 th March, 1 721,
be farther poftpon'd to the Year 1722 j and that farther Fro-
vifion be made for the more efFedlu^ Payment thereof . IT. That
the Repayment of the Sum of One Million, which was lent
to the Soutl#Sea Company, on the 7tlx of June 1 720, be pofl-
pon'd to the 7th June 1722.
^ Feb. 1 8. Thefe Refolutions were reported by M^ Farxcr,
and agreed to by the Houfe ; and it was tihtereupon Ordered,
that it be an Inftru6lion to the Committee of the whole
Houfe, to whom the Ingrafting Bill was committed, that they
have Tower to receive a Claule or Claufes purfuant to the iaid
Tie Honfc take Refolutions. After this the Houfe proceeded to take into
the Report fronT ConQderation the Report from the Conmiittee of Secrecy, and
{JjJ^^°"*"<;ameunanimoufly to ten feveral Refolutions; the Particulars
*^^j whereof at large the Reader will fiiidia ihtFO^ZS of this
Seflion. We think it fufficie»f"to fay here, that ^e Sub-
fiance of thofe Refolutions was,^ * That the Tate Sub^Go-
• . vemor, Deputy-Governor and Diredors of the SouA-Sea
;Company and their Officers, Aiders and Abettors, "were guilty
of a notorious Breach of Trufl, and have therdjy occafionM
.great Lo& and Detriment to the Company,, and odiers his
Majefty's Subjefb j which has been one g^t Caufe of the
finking of the publick Credit, and brmging upon thfe Nation
the Di^reis it at prefent labours under, for which they ought
And ordsr a Bffl ^^ tnsikt Satisfadlion out of their own Eflates. The Houie
to be browht in likewife order'd a Bill to be brought in for tlie Relief of the
Se'suftnwif *^ unhappy Suflferers in the South-Sea Company.
Feb, 25. Mr Broderick acquainted the Conmions, that the
QMnmittee of Secrecy were ready to lay a farther Rc^port
^ gj^portfrom^ before the Houfe, at fuch Time as the Houfe fhould appoiitt
tee relating to Mr to receive the fame. Hereupon it wasorderM, that the Re-
oSto sSnhoJi. P?^' ^^ ^ow xeceiv'd. Mr Broderick accordingly rtad tte
pniMM. faidi Report, whieh was orderM to lie on the TaMe. Tliis
Report related chiefly to greatQuantities of Stock afid Sabfbri|>-
tions which appeared to ^have been taken k^r John Aiflabi<^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
(^35)
Elq; * Member for Ripon, and Charles Stanhope, Efq ; f
Member for Milboume-Port, who thereupon iniifted on their
Innocence, and prefs'd, ' That a ftiort Day might be appointed
to examine that Matter, that they might have an Opportu-
nity to clear themfelves. Mr Broderick reprefented there-
upon, ^ That tho' the Secret Committee had a great deal of
Evidence to fupport the Charge againft thofe two Gentlemen,
yet they wanted a material Witnefs, viz. Mr Knight, late
Treafurer of the South-Sea Company, who was in fafe Cu-
fiody, and, in all Probability, would foon be brought over ;
and therefore the Committee hoped that the Houie would
not hurry an Affair of fo gjreat Importance.' Mr Stanhope urg-
baz how heavy an Imputation of ib heinous a Nature lies upon a
Kun who knows himfelf to be entirely iimocent, which, he (aid,
was his Cafe ; and renewing his InAances for .examining into it ;
the 28th of Februaiy was appointed for that Purpofe.
/V^. 28. The Commons lefum-d the farther Confideration SJcSSSS*
of the Report from the Committee of Secrecy, fome Parts of ti»t Part wwch
which relatii^ to Mr Charles Stanhope, were read ; after su^p^ ^
which, the Examination of Sir John Hunt, Mr Holditch,
Mr Jacob Sawbridge, fen, Mr Henry Blunt, and others, be-
fore the Committee of Secrecy, were feverally read, and they
were feverally call'd in and examin'd, as were alfo Mr Elias
Turner, and others. The Charge againfl Mr Stanhope con-
fined of two Articles, I. That 10,000 1. South-Sea Stodc
wz$ taken in for his Benefit, by Mr Knight, without any
valuable Confideration ; and that the Difference arifing by the
advanced Price thereof was paid him out of the Caih of the
South-Sea Company. II. That Turner and Company ha4
bought 50,000 1. Stock at^a low Price of the South-Sea Com-
pany, in the Name and for the Benefit of Mr Stanhope, th^
|)ilferen$:e of the advanc'd Price whereof, amounting to
250,000 1. had been paid to the faid Mr Stanhope, by Sir
^George Cafwall and Company. To prove thefe Articles, the Se^
cict Committee caus'dthe Examinations before-mention'd, and
tht Pcrfons above-nam'd, to be examin'd ; but fome of the latte^r
radier weakened than corroborated their former Depofitions $
Sir John Blunt, in particular, own'd, as to the firH Article, that
Mr Knight had fhew'd him a Letter, which he told him wa§
^'d by Mr Stanhope, defiring him to take i o,oool. Stock for
hira ; but that he did not know whether that Letter was ge-
mone, nor what was become of it ; And as for the c 0,000 1..
Slock transferr'd to the Sword-Blade Company in Mr Stan-
hapt^s Name, Mr Sawbridge and Mr Turner had the Modefly
9Dd Good-Nature to take the wholeCharge upon themfelves,
G g 2 and
* X#tf Chamilior rf*^* Excbemer,
f Then wi of the Secretaries ojthi Tu^Jnry^ nft^vmrds made Trtrfitrf^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( »J6 )
AM9 J, <ho. I. and own*d that they had made Ufe of ^r Stanhope^s Name,
^JZJJ^Ji. without his Priwty or Confent. Thefe Examinations, togc-
^^^>r^>^ ^jjgj. y^^ ^ Animadverfions of the Members of th^ Secret
Committee thereupon. Tailed 'till eight in the Evening, after
which Mr Stanhope was heard in his Place* As to the firH
Article, he (aid, * That for fome Years paft he had lodgM all
the Money he was Mailer of in Mr ICnight's Hands, and
whatever Stock Mr Knight haa taken in for him, he had paid
a valuable Confideration for it : And as to the fecond, that
he could not anfwer for what had been doiie without his
Confent.' When he was withdrawn, a Motion being nude,
and the Quellion being put, that it appea!-s to this Houfe,
that during the Time that the Propofal made by the South-
Sea Company, and the Bill relating thereto, were depending
in this Houfe, 10,000 1. Stock was taken in, or held by Mr
Knight, late Calhier of the faid Company, for the Benefit of
Charles Stanhope, Efq; a Member of this Houfe, without any
valuable Confideration paid, or Seturity given for the Acc^
tancc o'f, or Payment for the faid Stock ; and that the In-
ference ariiing by the advanc'd Price thereof was paid to die
faid Charles Stanhope, Efq; out of the Cafh of the South-Sea
' ^ Company, it was cany'd in the Negative by a Majority only
of three Voices, viz. 1 80 againll 177.
^H<mf?ctofi- March ^. The Houfe refum'd the Confideration of the
clnmitit^TtLe- Report from the Secret Committee, and that Part of the
jgt^utingtoMr faid Report which related to Mr Aiflabie, Member for Ri-
pon, was read ; the Reading whereof, and the Examination
of proper Evidences lafted till nine in the Evening : After
which Mr Aiflabie made a Speech in his own Defence. But
what was depofed againll him by Mr Hawes, one of the 'D'l-^
rcdors, viz, * That he had caufed the Book of Accounts
between them to be burnt, and given him a Difcharge for
the Balance amounting to about 842,000!. appear^ fo
ibong, and fo home a Proof, that after he was withdrawn,
the Houfe came to twelve feveral Refblutions againll him, the
Particulars of which may be found in the FO TE S as above,
It may ncverthelefs be proper to recite two of them, viz.
I. That the laid John Aiflabie, Efq; has encouraged and pro-
moted the dangerous and deftru^ive Execution of .the late
South-Sea Scheme, with a View to his own exorbitant Profit ;
and has combined with the late Dire6lors of the South-Sea
Company in their pernicious Pradlices, to the Detriment of
great Numbers of his Majefty's Subjedb, and the Ruin of the
AiiiaWe publick Credit and the Trade of this Kingdom. And, II.
pcii'dthcHjuie, That he be for his faid Offences expdl'd the Houfe. Then
SrVrS^S'S? ^i was ordered, that the faid Jphn Aiflabie, Efq; be commit-
Tftwcr. ted Prifoner tp his Majelly's Tower of London j and that
Mr Speaker do IflUe his Wairan^ accordingly.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
' C 2J7 )
Tiie farther Proceedings againfl Mr AHIabie in tlut AffiuTi *»aoj, Ge«.L
will appear in the Sequel. <J^^y/^^^'^
March lo. The Houfe took into ConfidenitiQn the Cafe of sirceorgccaiwau
Sir George CafwaU, in the Affair of the South-Sea Onnpany ; S'^^itSiMJ
after the Examination of which they jnade ieveral Refolutions SIac** ^^JwT*
againft him ; the Subihnce of which was, * That he had been beinec^?ern*<L«i
^lilty of corrppt, infamous, and dangerouis Pradices, highly '** *' ** *^^"••
lefle^ixig on the Honour and Juftice of Parliament, and de-
ftra^ive to the Intereft of his Majefty's Government ; ' That
ht be, for his {aid Offence, expell'd the Houfe ; And be com-
mitted Prifoner to his Majefty's Tower of London ; and that
Mr Speaker do iiTue his Warra.it accordingly.
March 15. The Commons proceeded in the adjoum'd Con* The CommoM
fidctation of that Part of the Kcport from the Committee of ^^f^jtl^^
Secrecy which related to the Earl of Sunderland ; and the fc- ^ secret com-
veral Examinations of Sir John Hunt, Mr Edward Gibbon, ^* iTtS^V
Mr Charles Joye, James Crag^, Efq; Mr Richard Holditch, «««*"^-
Mr John Webfter, Mr Robert Surman, Sir Lambert Black-
well, Mr Francis Hawes, Mr William Affel, Sir John Fel-
bws, and Sir Theodore Janffen, taken before the ^d Com-
mittee, were read ; and afterwards, Mr Joye, Mr Gibbon,
Mr Chefter, Mr Holditch, and Mr Surman, were feverally
caD'd in, and examined.
Then a Motion was made, that it appears to th^ Houfe,
that, after the Propofals of the South-Sea Company were ac-
cepted by the Houie, and a Bill ordered to be brought in
thereupon ; and before fuch Bill pais'd, 50,000 1, of the C^pii^l
Stock of the South-Sea Comany was taken in by Robert
Kn^ht, late CaOiier of the faid Company, for the Ufe and
rxjpon iht Account of Charles Earl of Sunderland, a, Lord of
Parliament, and firft Commiflioner of the Treafuiy, without
any valuable Confideration paid, or fufRcient Security given,
for Payment for, or Acceptance of the fame.
l|This Motion occafion'd a warm Debate, that lafled till near Debate diercon.
elg^t at Night, but the Queftion being put thereupon, it was
cany'd in the Negative, by a Majority of 233 Votes againft
172 : Which, however, occalion'd various Reflexions,
March 1 7. The Order gf the Day being read, for the
Houfe to take into farther Confideration the Report from the
Committee of Secrecy, Mr Hutchefon reprefented, * That ^^ Hatchdbn
it was impoffible to proceed in fo important an Afeir, without mc^ for an Ad-
expftfing the Juftice of Parliiunent to be baffled, as it hod been tojmow w^l^
in fame kte Inftances, fo long ^is they wanted fo material a J^^hSSTewilST
Witnefe as Mr Knight : \ And therefore he mov'd, and, te- «^^ ^ Mr
ing fecondcd, it was refolv'd, Nem. Con, that an Addrefs be ^**^'*
pdentied to his Majeity, to defire that he would be pleas'd to
mqjart to^ this Houfe, the Advices his Majefty has received,
or Ihall receive, fpm Abroad, concerning his Endeavours to
bring
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 1S8 ) ^
^j.e^t i^g ot«r Rob«t Knight, late Cafhier of die SoulK-Sea
^^ST^i^y Comj^Yf to anfwcr to die Juflice of the Kingdm : Whkk
Addms was ordered to be jvefented by fiich Members of the
Honie as were of the Privy-CounciL
It was by many conjedcur'd» that the Rcmora diat bk¥ii?d
Mr Knight's coming over, was rather in London than at
Vieniia or BrofTels.
Mri4eti»ie« by MoTch 20. Mr Mcthccn acquainted the Houie, that their
^J?£I bX« Addrcfe, relating t» Mr Knight, having been prcfented ta th(
u<SS«iSSi ^^"^ W» Maidly had commanded him to lay before the
tkatAAur. Honfe, feveral Letters and Papers containing Advices fiom
Flanders concerning him, and^ at the fame Time, to acquaint
the Hottfe, that his Majefty hsA not received any Advice of
Cdonel Churchill's being g(^ to Vienna, nor any Letter 6oai
thence rdating to Mr luiight i that as foon as aay {bonk!
come to his Maj^, they ihould be laid before the Hoofe ;
Hereupon feveral Letters from Mr Leathes^ his M^edy^a He-
£dent at Bruflels^ to the Secretary of State, were read, im-
porting in Sttbftanoe. * That purfuant to his Orders he had
made the moft preiBng Infbnces with the Marque^ de Piie,
for the delivering up of Mr Knight : fiat had been aniwer'd
that the (aid Marc^iels had not recdv^d any Inftrudkxis fitm
Vienna about that Matter ; that, in the mean Time, he was
apprehenfive that the fiime would meet widi great Difficoltief.
That die Greffier, or Secretary, of the States of Braban^
had been t\^ce with the faid Marquefs, to repreient to him»
that according to one of the Articles of the joyfkl Entry <rf
Brabant, which was granted them by the Emperor Oiarles V.
and has been fwom to by all his Succeilbrs, and which lliey
look upon as their MiiT^ff/r C^^TT/^, no Perfan charged with,
or apprehended for any Crime, can be renK>v'd to be tiy*d out
of their Province ; and that the Deputies of the States in-
Med upon that Article, of which the Refident had cndos'd a
Copy in French, which was alfo read in the Houfe. ^
Moil of the Members appeared furpiz'd at the unexpefled
Difficulties about the ddiverjng up of Mr Knight, which was
fhuted, in the Name of the Stat^ of Brabant ; and Lord
LordMoicfworth's Molcfworth faid thereupcm : * That 'twa$ to be hop'd, diey
pUkuTtfes^ed^ fhould have a more fadsBifloiy Anfwer fh»n Vienna, than
SlSSigS.^ th«y had fit)m Bruffels : But if they had not, it i^tquM, is his
Camion, be proper to call for the Treaties lately entered into
with the Houfe of Aufbia, to know upon what Motives we
have been at fo great an Expence of Blood and Treafure, and
^ have fent our Men of War to rot and be wonn-eaten xbL ^
Mediterranean, to conquer Kingdoms for the £n^}eror \ * h^^
ding, * That if that pretended Privily of the States of
Brabant, Ihould be infifted*upon, they might remofs that Ob-
itade^ by addreffing his Maje^ to grant his Paidon to Mr
. Knigh^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
• ( 239 ).
Kiug^y m Order to have him brought ever: But that it was
proper not to make any ^rther Step in that ASm, tXi they
ivere acquainted with die Succe^ of Colonel Chur(^*i Ne-
gotiation at Vienna.^ '
March 22. Mr Methuen acquamted die Hotife» Hiat his
Majefhr haviiw;, the Day before, rcociv'd a Letter 60m Cb-
lonel ChinchiU, direded to the Lord Vifooant Tdwnflientf » ^
dated Vienna t]K 4th of March, 1 720-21, 'had comfiuii^d
him, porfuant to the Addrefs of the Houie, to lay a Copy
thereof before the Houfe ; which he prefented to die Hoiife
accordingly. The Cc^y of that Letter was thereupba read,
importing in Subftance, tha^ he was juft arrived at Vienna,
and would not lofe one Moment, in xtisdng the nioft prcffing
Inflances to the Imperial Court, for die ddiveking up Mr
Knight ; and that he did not doubt Succefs, unlefe the Pri-
vileges of the States of Brabant interfcr'd : Sevttal &utft
Refiedtions were made by Lord Molefworfh, upon the firi-
volous Pretence that was made ufe of, to baffle his Majtfl^s '
Endeavours to bring over Mr Knight : But the Ho«ifc did
not think fit to come to any Refblndoii thereupcm. The
^mc Evening Colonel Churchill arriv'd from Vienna, which
occafion*d an univerlal Surprize.
The Commons having attended the King in the Houie of
Lords, his Maje% gave the Royal AfTent to an Aa, 7# tnMe '^Z^l^^u^
the S^9Ufh'Sea Company to ingraft Part of their Capita/ ^toek gmfUagmii, &^..
HftdFund into the Stock and Fund of the Bank of Ei^Umd^
and another Fart thereof into the Stock and Fund of the Eaft-
India Company y and for giving farther Tiine ftfr Payment to
be made hy the South-Sea Company to the Ufe of the Puhiich
March 24. The Bill, For preventing the infamous PraSice The stock-iobbJng
of Stockjobbing, was oider'd to b? engrofsM. ^" •^"S'^^''**
Colonel ChurcJhill being come into the Houie, it was ex-
pe6kd that an Account of his Negotiations would, this Day,
have been laid before the Commons : But they were only
given to underftand, that as foon as the Di^atches he broi^t
nom Vienna could be tranflated, they ihould be hud before
the Houfe, who thereupon adjoum*d 'tiU the 27th.
March 27. Mr Medraen acquainted the Houfe, tlat his ^]^J^if**ot°"
Majeflyhad commanded him to lay before them Copies of be«sd0Um«d«p.
feveral Letters and Papers relating to Mr Knight, which he
prefented to die Houfe accordingly, with a Schedule ai them.
The Copies of the faid Letters were read, and among them
a Letter from the Emperor to the King oi Great BHtain, ^c-
prtiBng his Imperial Majefly^s IncHnadon and Reediners to
comply with his Britannick Majefly's Defires, as to the de-
livering up Mr Knight ; but that the States of Brabant having
aiul cbiming particular Privil^es, which his Imperial Ma-
jefty wa$ enjag'd to maintain, itiwuld benecefSay^tomake
Application
! ^ . , Digitized by VaOOgle
Mr Htttcbcfon.
Sir J. Jckjrll.
LlMolefwortb.
Sir IL Steele^
MKLecbfflCK.
( 240 )
Af^icadon to the iaid States ; and his Imperial Maje%^, oe
, his Fart, would not fail to fupport fuch In&uices as Hiould k
made. To which ££Fe6t Prince Eugene wrote a Letter to
the Marquiis de Prie, which was aHo read.- Several finait
Refledions were made, by Lord Mcdefworth, on the former
of thofe two Letters : But this Afiair being equally nice and
important, it was refoIv*d to take into Confideration the feve-
ral Letters and P^rs relating to Mr Knight, which his Ma-
jeity had communicated to the Houfe, in a grand Committee
on the 29th. ^
March 29. The Commons in a grand Cbmmittee, took
into Confideration the feveral Letters and Papers, laid hdoxt
them, relating to Mr Knight. After the reading of fbme of
thofe Papers, Mr Hutche&i open'd the Debate, reprefenting,
* How n^uch, on the one Hand, the Publick was concero'd,
in having the Authors of the prefent Diftrefs fiilly difcoverM
and brought to condigii Punifhment; and how impra^-
caUe it was, on the other Hand, to proceed in this impor-
tant Inquiry, fo long as the principal Agent of the late South-
Sea Directors, and their Accomplices, was kept out of the
Way ; that in the mean Time, the publick Calamity oj-
creafing every Day, the Nation call'd aloud for Juftice : And
tlierefore, if i^ Means already us'd fi)r bringing over Mr
Km'ght, prov'd abortive, it were advifaUe to have Reoourfe
to more fpeedy and efFedual Methods.* Sir Jofeph JekyD,
and the Lord Molefworth, ftrongly fupported Mr Hutchefoa,
and in particular, fhew*d, * That it was incumbent on fome
Perf(»is in the Adminiftration to have Mr Knight brought
over in order fuDy to clear their own Innocence ; othcrwne,
tho* acquitted, they would flill be look'd upon as criminal'
Ur^ng, * That il was matter of Wonder, that fo frivolous a
Pretence, as the Privileges of the States of firabant, (bould
be made Ufe ^ to put a Stop to fo important an Inquiry,
efpecially confidering how little thofe Privileges had beoi re-
garded in more material Points 1 and what Obligations the
Houfe of Auftria lay under to the Britiih Nation.* Sir Ridi-
ard Steele ofFer'd fomething againft obliging Mr Knight to
be an Evidence, whether hd would or no : But no great
Strefs was laid upon it. On the other Hand, Mr Lechmere
reprefented, * That in all Probability the Court of Vienna
had not, at firfl, fully confider*d the Importance of the In-
fiances that were njade to them in his Majefty's Name, aad
at the Defire of the Commons of Great Britain : But that
it was to be prefumM that when fo wife a Prince, as the pre-
fent Emperor, fhould be appriz'd, that the Welfere and
Safety of England, to whom his Imperial Majefly has h
great Obligations, depended, in fdmc Meafure, on the de-
Hveiing up of Mr Knight, he would readily comply with
their
• . Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 241 )
their Deiires : ' Hereupon Mr Lechmerc inov*d, * Tliat an
humble Addrefs be preiented to his Majefty, returning the
Thanks of this Houfe for the Inflances he lias been pleased to m^ Lechmere
make, by a Letter under his Royal Hand to his Imperial Ma- LTefe^S^o
jcfty, for obtaining the delivering up of Mr Knight, purfuant {^5!^'!^'*'
to the Addrefs of this Houfe ; and for communicating to this '
Houie, the Steps which have been taken relating thereto:
And to reprefent to his Majefty, the DiiTatis&dtion which his
CcMnmons have at the Obilades which they find have been
laisM, under the Pretence of the Privileges of the States of
Brabant, againfl a Compliance with his gracious Endeavours :
And alfo to reprefent, that this Houfe i^ every Day more
and more convinced of the high Importance it is to the Jullice
due to his Majefly's People, that eiteduai Meafures be fpee-
dily taken for bringing over Mr Knight : And eamejtiy to be-*
ieech his Majefty, to imploy his moil prefling Endeavours, in
fuch Manner, as in his great Wifdom fhall be thought proper,
for attaining the juH Deiire of his Conunon3/
No Body offered to c^pofe this Motion, which, after Mr
Speaker had refum'd the Chair, Mr Broderick reported to the
Houfe ; and the fame being agreed to Nem. Con, it was re-
folv'd. That the faid Refolution be laid before his Majefty
by the whdh Houfe.
March 30. The Commons, to the Number of above three wwch js^rted
hundred, with their Speaker, went to St James*s, and pre- ' ^ ^
fented the faid Refolution to the King ; to which his Majeily
letum'd the following Aniwer.
Gentlemen,
** "T Am very well pleas'd, that the InftanCes which I have The King's Aafwcr
« X wade for obtaining the delivering up of Mr Knight, ^^'^*^^'
" have given you SatisYadion ; I Ihall continue to imploy my
<< utmoft Endeavours for obtaining what you defo-e, and hope
" they will prove effcdual.
Jpril 19. The Bill for the Relief of the urfuippy Sufferers TheS. s. su/rerei*
in the South-Sea Company, was read a fecond Time and com- ^^^^^"^^
mitted to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
Jpril 29. Mr Shippen Hood up, and took Notice, ^ That Mr shippen moves
the Houfe had iatc a fong while, and nothing had yet been SHSey'Si
done towards the reftormg of Publick Credit : That, indeed, JS^iS&t&J.
a Member of great Parts and Abilities had, at firft, propofed of MbUckMoncyJ
a Scheme for that Purpofe ; but that, inftead of proving an Sc Fuu^f ^^^^'^ "*
eSe^bal Remedy, it appeared at lail tp be a meer Palliative,
which had rather inflam'd than alleviated the Diitempen
That by this Time, a whole injur'd Nation call'd aloud for
Vengeance 5 and if they negle&ed to hear the Voic^ of the
People, it would look as if they had a Mind to provoke
Vol. L H h them
Digitized by ^OOQIC
Sir W. Wyndham
moves for an Ac<
count of the War-
rantB, on which
the CommiiSoners
of I>ebts due to
the Armyhave
UTued Certificates.
Debate on the
above Motions.
MrR.Walpole.
Mr lechisere.
( H* )
them to do themfelves Juftice. That it was ever his Opimon,
that the only efieAoal Means to reftore Credit^ was to call
thofe to a ftn£t Account^ who had ruin'd it ; and, in paiti-
cnlai-y all foch as had apply'd any Part of the Publick Money,
introfted in their Hands, in Stock-jobbing, and had raisM
vaft Fortunes by robbing the Publick.' And fo he mov'd.
That it be an Inftrudtion to the Committee of Secrecy, that
ihcy inquire what publick Money had been empioy'd by any
Treafxirer, Cafhier, CoUedior, Receiver, or other Officer con-
cera'd in the Receipt or Payment of the puHick Money, or
of any other Fart of his Majefty's Revenue, or by amr in
Truft for them, pr by their Order, in bt^dng Stock or Sub-
fcriptions in the South-Sea, orsany other Company, or in An-
nuities, or other Parliamentary Securities, or otherwise mak-
ing Vk of or im^oying the fame, to dieir private Advan-
tage fince the firft Day of December, 1719.
Sir William Wyndham (econded this Motion ; adding with-
al, * That there was Reafon to ajpprchend, (hat the Pnblidc Mo-
ney had not been adminiftred with due Ocamomy, particolarfy
in Relation to fome Foreign Troops, Aat were in the Pay m
England and Holland during the 1^ War, to whom jgreat
Sums had of late been allowed, on Account of pretendedTAr-
rears, after they had ieparated ^m the En^ifh General! And
therefore he ^ov'd, * That the late Commiffioners zppomticd
to examine, fiate, and determine the Debts due to the Army,
and to examine and ftate the Demands of feveral Fordgn Prin-
ces and States, for Subfidies during the late War, be Qrder*d
to lay bef(»« die Houfe Copies of the feveral Warrants and
Sign-Manuals, by Virtue of which they iflued any Gerdfi-
cates.
Hereupon Mr R. Walpole ♦ faid, * That he wondered to hear
of fuch a Motion, when a litde after the King^s coming to the
Crown, an AA of Pariiament had been made for I^yment of
thofe Arrears ; and that the Commiffioners of Accounts had,
undoubtedly, a^ed according^ to the Intent and Meanin|; d
that Adt.' To this Mr Lechmere replied, ^ That Ke was not
againfl the Modon that Sir William Wyndham had made,
neither on the other Hand, was he about to jufUfy it : B<|t he
would freely tell the Gentleman [meaning MrR. WalpcieX who
oppos'd it, * That while the Nadon was under the P^'efiSfe of
heavy Debts, he muft expert that many fuch Motions wQi^
be made, in order to £nd out Methods to eafe die Pid^jck
Burden. That as that Gendeman was now m a hig^I^ift
than formerly, fo a great deal more was expeded from hon ;
the rather becaufo the Scheme which he had pitqposM at die
Bc^.
• MaJk Tvcfi Cmn^ner (fthe Tmfury^ dmcdhf^ ^ Ikdir-Trm*
firtr ^ Hit Exebe^tTg J$ril «• I'^zi*
y Google
( 243 )
legmning of this Scffion for the railii^ die Stocks, and ncftor- ABW7^Geo.i.
1^ imblick Credit, had not had the definxlEfiea.* MrR.Wal- ^.^^V^h^
M>le ctpliedy 'That it was known to every Body, that he ever mtr. waipoit.
vas a£^infl: the South-Sea Scheme, and had done all that in
lis Power lay, to hinder its taJdng Place : But now the Mif-
::hief was done, and Things were brought to foch Extrenu^
ies, he thought it his Duty, and therefore was willing to try
^e beil Method he could thbk of, to extricate the Nation out
of the Difficulties into which they were plung*d : That he
did not pretend to work Miracles ; bat oidy to ufo his utmoft
Endeavours towards retrieving the late Misfortunes : That with
dushcHieft Intention he had promoted a Scheme which had been
laid before him, and q>pear'd the moft plaufible of any then
proposed* for reflorii^ publkk Credit : That it coukl not be
deny*d, that while that Scheme was puHu'd, it had donefome
Good, and kept up the Price of Stocks i and that they Ml
fince it had beien laid afide : That, howev^, he never in*
tended to raife Stocks above the intiiniick Value, for that
Would bring us ag^ into die (ame unhiqppy Circumftances
which the liaifing of them had before occafionM.* He after*
wards lamented the ill Difjpofit;ion of fpme Perfons, who, in-
Head of concurring with others in remedying the prefent Di*
ilempeis, us*d ail poffiUe Means to irritate and exafperatls the
Miads of the Veoj^ : And concluded with a Motion, ' That a
^Day be appointed to consider of the State of the Pubtick Cre-
dit of the Kingdom.* This Motion was unanimoufly agreed
to, and that Day Seven-Nieht ^>pointedfor thatPuipc^; after
two Orders had been made according to the two before-mcn-
tk>ned Motions of Mr Shippen and Sir William Wyndham.
April %o. The Commons proceeded to take into Confident- The9omnw>M__
» i' J* T* /•tVk tf*fynt • ^ r> confidcr the Secret
tion tium. Parts of the Reports <a the Committee of Secrecy cominittee*8iie-
as related to James Oaggs, Efq$ deceased, kte Poft-Maf^t-Ge- E^c^^ie^
n^td, whidi having been read, Mr Bioderick, Member for ^^^^^ thcrcoa.
Sct^ddmdge, movM, ' That the faid Mr Craggy havii^ taken MrBroderkk.
40,000 L South-Sea Stock without paying for it, or ^vii^
fa^ent Secority for the Payment of the fame, his Mats
n^^t be made liable to the iiune Forfeitures widi thofe of die
laSe DtcBUxs: Hereupon Mr Grey Neville defir'd, < That MrNerOte.
the Gendemen concerned in this A£fair, two of whom were
MeiAbers of the Houfe, might firft be heard by their Counfd,
and ptxliice what WitnelFes they had, before the Houfe came
to any Refohdon in this Matter.' Mr R^b»t Walpole fe- lifc a. Wtipoie.
(toiided him> and, in pputicular, faid, * He hoped the Houfe
would not break their known Rules, which were, not to con-
dcnmany one without firft hearing themi and fore they would
Il0tdeii}r this Piece of Juftice to thar own Members.* MrH^ra*
H h a tio
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Mr H. Walpolc.
MrTxcfofis.
Sir J. JekyU.
Mr R. Walpok.
Mr Ledunere.
The Commons re-
folve, that the £-
ilateofMrCn^SS
fen. be applied to
the Relief of the
Suflferers by the
bouth-Sea.
( 244^ )
tio Walpde * fycke to the fame Purpofe ; and then Mr Trc-
fbfis. Member for Penryn, flood up, and faid, • That neither
he nor Mr Newfham were at all prepared, not expeding that
this Affair would have come on this Day, becaufe there was
another Part in the Report before it, and therefore he defir'd
the Houfe would give them Time to get their WitnefTes : * Et
added, * He had never been ufed to (peak in the Houfe, ot
but very rarely, and his Brother-in-Law, Mr Newfham, Mem-
ber for Lefhvithiel, not at all, which he hoped the Houfe
would take into Confideradon, and allow them Counfel to
fpeak for them : That by Mr Craggs's Death, his filiate was
devolv'd to them and Mr Elliot, in Right of their Wives, the
Dcceafed's three Daughters : That there was no Manner of
Crime laid to their Charge ; and fince Mr Cfagg^ was dead,
and could not anfwer for himfelf, he hoped the Houfe would
all<9w them Time and Counfel.' This was oppos'd by Sir Jo-
fcph Jdli^ll ; but Mr Robert Walpole faid, * That fince the
two Gentlemen concem'd had not been us'd to fpeak in the
Houfe, and therefore were not likely to make fo good a De-
fence as otherwife they might, he thought it reafonable to al-
low them Counfel, and give them Time to prepare/ To this
Mr Lechmere re^y'd, * That it might, indeed, feem fome-
what hard to deny Counfel to Gentlemen who were not us'd
to fpeak in the Houfe ; but he doubted not but that good-na-
tar*d Gentleman that fpoke lafl, who had fo good a Capacity,
and was fo able to advife them, would fit by them, and by his
Afliflance be as ufeful to then), as if they had Counfel, as he
had been to feveral others in the like Cafe/ No Return was
made to this Rej^y, upon which the MoticMi for allowing
Counfel was dropt.
May I. The Order of the Day for taking into Confidera-
tion thofe Parts of the Reports from the Committee of Secrecy,
which related to Mr James Craggs, deceased, late Poffanafter*
General, being read, and feveral Evidences being esxamined,
the Houfe, among other Refolutions relating thereto, came
to the following, viz. I. That the faid James Crag^ was a
notorious Accomplice and Confederate with Robert Knight
and fome of the lat^ Diredors of the South-^ea Company, in
carrying on their corrupt and fcandalous Praiflices ; and did,
by his wicked Influence, and for his own exorbitant Gain, pro-
mote and encourage the pernicious Execution of the late South-
Sea Scheme. And U. That all the Eflate real and perfbnal,
of which the faid James Craggs was feiz'd or pofTefs'd ihan
and after the ifl Day of December, 1719, (oyeir and above
what he flood feiis'd or pofTefs'd of on the 4id ift Day of De-
cembeir
-**
* Made we of the Secretanei U tH Treafiefy iittwg ibis &tjf»m.
y Google
( HS )
cember) be applj'd for and towards the Relief of the unhappy
Sufierers in the South-Sea Company. 4
M^iy 6. Mr Methuen, by the King's Command, laid before MrM^venim
the Houfe Copies of (everal Letters and Papers rdatihg to Mr ^^^u^l^
Knight, which were read -, particularly, a Letter from Mr J^g ^ *^
I-jeatheSy the Britifli Keiident at Bru£fels, containing an Ac-
count of the Excufes and Pretences made ufe of to elude his
Inftances for the delivering up of the faid Mr Knight. Thofc uehatethewofc
Hxcufes were thought fo frivolous, that a Motion was made
for prohibiting the Importation of all Commodities of the
Growth and Manufedure of the Auftrian Netherlands, parti-
cularly Lace and Lawn, till fuch time as Mr Knight had been
dehver'd up and fent over : But it was thought more proper,
that a Cbmmittee be appointed to conilder of the State of the
Trade between this Kingdom and the Auftrian Netherlands,
and to report the fame, as it ihould appear to them, to the
Houfe ; which Committee was appointed. Then a Motion Motion in farow
was made, that it might be an Intaidlion to the grand Com- ^M^^*'***^
mittee on the Bill, For the Relief of the unhappy Suffer en^ "^'*^
&c. that they ihould receive a Claufe, that the paternal Eflate
of Mr Aiilabie might not be liable to the fame Forfeitures with
the other Part of his Efbte ; but tho** this Motion was fbong-
ly fupported by three Members, yet it was rejedfced with ge-
neral Indignation.
May 8. General Rofs acquainted the Houfe, That that
Morning, while he was at the Secret Committee, he received
a Note, that a Gentleman was at the Door to fpeak with
him, ard he went out, and found there Mr Vernon, Member
for Whitchurch, who acquainted him, that he had fonoething
to fay to him, which he defir'd might go no &rther; where-
upon General Rofs told him, he hoped he had nothing to fey
to him which might be improper for him to hear ; after whid^
Mr Vernon told him, there was a Difpofltion in the Houfe to
be ^vourable to Mr Aiflabie, in the Bill upon which the
Houfe was to be in a Committee that Day, and that it was
in his Power to do him Service, and for the fame, Mr Aiflabie
would make him any Acknowledgment, in any Manner he
fhould think fit ; upon which General Rofs, i&om what he
firft faid, concluding it was upon fome corrupt Matter, left MrTbo, vcmon
him in a Paffion, and thought it his Duty to acquaint the wpcU'd the Houfe
Committee of Secrecy therewith, and the faid Committee ^kati^'c^
thought it was proper to have the Matter laid before the it^^^^^"*
Houfe. To this Mr Vernon was heard in his Place, and
own'd die faid Words and Circumfhnces ; withal declaring,
that he did not mention or intend any thing of Money, or
^y odier corrupt Matter, and begg'd thePaidon of the Gen-
tUanan, and of the Houfe, if he had committed any Offence,
he faying the Wonte without any conupt Intention, and only
on
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f h6 )
0^ account of Friendfhip, being nearly nelated to Mr AMk^ :
And then Mr Vernon withdrew. Hereupon it i^^as rcfblv'i.
That it appears to thisHouf^ that Thomas Venron, Elq; hath
made a corrupt Application to General Rofs, and that he be
cxpell'd this Houfe. It was alfe order'd. That the Thsuaks
of this Houfe be given to General Rofs, for the JuiHce he
had done to this Houfe and to his Countiy, in laying the
Application made to him by Thomas Vernon, Efij; before
this Houfe. And Mr Speaker gave him the Thanks of the
Houfe accordingly. Atter this, the Commons, in a grancF
Committee, made fome Prognefs in the Bill, For Relief of- 1^
% unhappy Sufferers in the SoutBSea Company^ Sec. and added
Mr Afiabie's Name and Eftate.
May 1 1 . A Petition of the Burgeffes of the Borou^ of
Boralllon, in the County of Devon, was prefented to the
Houfe and read ; complaining of an undue Eleffion and' Re-
J*<^ft'«« Ad- turn for the faid Borough, wmch was ordered to be heard at
torem^eMrEi&Ft the Bar of the Houfe on the 6th of June.
tKSffi^ The Honourable Mr St John Broderick, Son of the Lonf
?S^orLfahtei* ^^count Middleton, fianding Candidate for Boralflon, in
fcringiaEieai- * the room of Mr. Carteret, lately made onSe of the Pofl-Ma-
"^ flers General, Captain Philip Cavendifh * was fet up againft
him, and tho' Mr Broderick poll'd moft of the old Legal
Voters, yet the Portreeve, who was Mr Elfiot, one of the
Conuniflioners of the Excife admitted to poll fbveral Per-
fbns who had no Right at all ; and by that Means got a Ma-
jority for, and retum'd Captain Cavendifh. The Petition
above-mention'd having fet forth the whole Matter, General
Rofs and Mr Sloper reprefented, ' That if the Conunifiioners
of the Excife were fuil^i ed to make Pailiament-Menj Aey had
a5 good let them fit in the Houfe. That it was Matter of
Wonder, that when by an Aft of Parliament, the meaneft
Officer in the Excife is not fuffer'd to meddle in Ele^ons, one
of the Conmiiffioners fhould dare to' do it in fo notorious a
Manner.* Hereupon it was mov'd to adih^y his Majefty to
remcrve Mr Elliot, but it was thought proper to dpfer that
Motion 'till after hearing the Merits of that fileftion.
Adanfeordo'd May 1 8. It was.order'd, that the grand Committee <m die
oo^or^^t ^ ^f *^'^ Rdiefofthe unhappy Sufferers, &c. have Power
tors, &c.' of the to rcccive a Claufc for difaWing the late Sub-Govemor, J>e-
SbMr5ffi^\" puty-Govemor, Dire£brs, Cafhier, Deputy-Cafhier, and Ac-
SnfSUSS?^*' comptant of the South-Sea Company, anJ' ^fo John AiffeWe,
ttcat Efq; to hold or enjoy any Office, or Place of Trofl or Pnaflt
under his Majeffy, or to fit or vote in eidier Houfe of Pixr-
liament
May
* J^polnUd 'SreafKrer <f Grtemoicb'Sqffital in March i^io-si.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( H7 )
May. z$. In a grand Committee^ a £irdier Progrds w9» Annor. Geo.x
made in the Bill, For the Relief rf the mhapfy St^erers in ^.^/^^^X^^
the Sojuh'Sea Company % and the chief Matter in Debate was. Debate concemjns
whaA Allowance fhould be |?vcn to the late Dircaors out of ^jt^tolTs.!
their Elates ? Mrloundcs proposed an eighth Part ; to which ^^^"^^
it was objeded. That it would be too much for fome who had
the moft buUqr Eibtes, and confequently had been d&eotft io
the Guilt i and too little for others that had but imall Eibtes^
and were (Hdy pa&vely cdmioal, by not entering their Diflent
to the fraudumt Management of the left.
May 25. The Commons, in a grand Committee on the
South-Sea Suferers Bill, refum*d the C&nfideration of the Pe-
titions of the late Diredors of the South-Sea Con^ony. The
Debate began with Sir John Fellows, the Sub-Governor, in Debate concern.
whofe Behalf Mr. Sloper mov'd, that fmce it did not appear J^^^'^^"^
that he had been fo adive in the late vile and pernicious Prao^* ^*
tices as fbme others had, he might be allowed 20,000 1, out
of iits Eiiate. Mr Hungerford reduced it to 15,000!. others MrHongerford.
to 1 2,000 1. and Mr Robert Walpole having at lail propos*4 MriL.wii^e.
10,000 1. the fame was agreed to without any Divifion. Mr
Joyc, the Dcjnity-Govemor appearing to have been deeply ^^^^ ^^'
CQQcemM in the Cuil^ it was agreed to allow him only
jooo 1.
Then the Ccnnmittee jaoceeded alphabetically to the Dir mt Afwi'iAiiow.
re^rs, and it was unanimouily agreed to allow Mr. Afiell ^^
5000 1.
A Ddate arifing, whether to allow Sir Lambert Blackwd] Debate concern-
^000 L or 10,000 1. and he having many Friends in the ^cSr^I"**^
Houfe, it was, upon a Divifion, cany'd for 10,000 1, by 1 12
Votes againU 108.
After this, there was a long Debate about Sir John Blunt : Debate concern-
Mr Laurence Carter mov'd to aUow him only one ShiHing ; ^S,{'^^'*
Lord James Cavcndifh loool. and Mr Plummer 5000 1. Sir wjam-dvendHh
Jofeph JeykU mov'd for 10,000 1. and was feconded by Ge- sirjofephjdcyiL
nqslRois, Lord Mddworth, Mr Jefferies, and Mr Windforj Ld^M^i^Vonb.
who all fpokc very warmly on his Behalf; alledging, that he J^j^JS
had been more ing^uous in his Examination before the Secret
Committee, than any of the late Dire£iors ; and had let them
into a great many Secrets, which otherwife they could not
have known. To this it was anfwerM, by Mr Sloper, Mr Mrsioper.
Miner, Mr John Smith, and Mr Horatio Walpole, * That JSjI'a^th.
he had been the chief Contriver and Promoter of all the Mif- ^' "• waipoie.
chief, and the^ore ought to be moft feverely punifh'd.* Mr
Sloper added, * That he was grown to that Height of Pride
and Lifolence M Summer, that he could not give a civil An-
fiver to Peribns iv above him. And thereupon inflanc'd in
his Behaviour one Day at the Treafiuy, of which he was
himfelf Witneisy when a Relation of a great Man aiking Sir
John
Digitized by C^OOQIC
MrR.WaIpore.
KrlLWalpcpIe.
Mr leflbp.
GauRofi.
1711?^ ^ J^^ ^^ * Subfcriptaoni the Upftart Knight, with a great
dea! of Contempt, bid him go to his Coufin Walpole, aod
deiire him to jfell his Stock in the Bank, and by that Means
he might be fupply'd.* Hereupon Mr. Robert Walpolc fhew'd,
* That Sir John Blunt was a Projedor of njiany Years {land-
ing ; and had been the Author of feveral Madous Schemes,
by which unwary People had been drawn in to their utter
Ruin.' And to this Purpofe, inftanc*d a Projeft for a Linen
Manufaftury; but Mr Horatio Walpole faid thereupon,
* That was not his firft : For there was a Gentleman that ht
next to him, '{meaning Mrjejfop^ whom Sir John had drawn
into a Projeft for bringing Water to London from a great Di-
ftance, which was to out-do the New-River Water, by which
the Subfcribers loft all their Money, tho' Sir John himfelf got
fbme Thoufands by it.' This was confirmed by Mr Je&p
14. HiDchinghrokB himfelf; nevertheleis, the Lord Hinchii^broke mov'd for
allowing Sir John Blunt 1 0,000 1. urging, * That the Secret
Committee had promised hhn Favour for his Opennefi in his
Examination : ' Upon which General Rofs dcfir'd, * That
the noble Member who fpoke laft might explain himfelf, fince
he feem'd to intimate, as if the Secret Committee had us*d
imderhand Dealings. Adding, that for his Part he knew of
no Promife ever.inade to Sir John Blunt upon that Account;
that he was fure he never made any ; and he bdiev'd he ^ould
anfwer for all the Reft, that there never was any fuch Thing
intimated to Sir John.' The Lord Hinchingbroke reply '<C
that if that honourable Member would repeat his Words as he
Q)oke them, he would explain himfelf: Upon which the Mat-
ter dropp'd. Then the Queftion being put for allowii^ Sir
John Blunt 1000 1. it was carry'd in the Affirmative, by 138
votes againft 94.
June I . In a grand Conmiittee of the South-Sea Sufferers
Bin, the Commons refum'd the Confideration of what Al-
lowances fhould be given to the late Diredors out of their
Eftates; and, continuing in the alphabetical Order, began
wwfo^^h""* ^^* Sir Robert Chaplin. Lord Molefworth, and Sir John
Sir* j^ ^fc8. ' Eyles, Member for Chippenham, having fpoke in his Favour,
it was agreed, without dividing, to allow him 1 0,000 1. and
Debate concern- the fame Allowance was given to Sir William Chapman, Mr
Sld^Mt'^r, Chefter, and Mr Child. A Motion being made to give Mr
JJf .9St."^**^ De la Porte the like Sum, the Lord Moldworth was for re-
ducing it to 7000 1. but upon the Queftion, whether to allow
him io,QOol. or 7000! it was carry'd for 1 0,000 1. by
1 50 Votes againft 69. Mr Eyles's Cafe appearing in a &-
vourable Light, he was allow'd 20,000 1. without dividii^ ;
and Mr Edmondfon^s Eftate amounting^ to little more than
5000 L it was mov'd to allow him the whole, and to leave him
out of the Bill ; but after feme Debate^ it was agreed to al-
low
Digitized by ^OOQIC
Debate concem-
De la Porte,
td Molefworth.
MrEyles'sAllow-
Bcbate concern-
ing Mr Edmond.
lea.
, ( 249 )
low iiim only jdoo 1. Then the Queftfcto was put, wliether Anno 7. cco.i.
to allow Mr Gibbon ic,oooL or ip,oool.. and it was re- \Jir]^^^A
folv'd for \he latter without dividing. It appearing that Mr olbate^dl^
Gore and Sir William Hammond had little or no Share in ^ oSr^^***"**
the fraud6]ent Contrivances of the leading Direfbrs, the firll sirw.Hanumod.
^^ras allowM 20,000 1. the other 10,000 4. It was proposed
to give Mr Hawes 1000 1. But Sir Nathaniel Gould having Debate concern-
obierv'd, that he was very active in the late vile Pradices, SfiJrth^Idi*
and had occafion'd the Ruin of many People, particularly of
fome Gentlemen he had been under in the Navy-Office, Mr Mri)oaninjc«mc
Doeminicque mov'd thereupon, and it was agreed, without di- '
viding, to allow him only 3 1 1. bemg the odd Money of the
Particulars of his £(late. Lord Hinchingbroke and Sir RoBert Debate concern.
Rich ipoke in Favour of Mr Horfey, and mov'd for allowing ^ ^' »orfey,
him 1 0,000 1. which was carry'd, without dividing.; after s^'SSJakllJ'**^
which it was debated, whether to allow Mr Holditch joo 1. jy^^,^ concem-
loool. or 5000 1. the Voices were equally divided, viz. 86 »««MrHoi4iidu
and 86, upon which *Mr Clayton, the Chairman, gave the
calling Vote for 5000 1.
yufie 2. The Commons, in a grand Conmiittee, proceeded Detate concern-
orf the fame AiFair, and began with Sir Theodore Janflcn : i«ffSirT.jtnflen.
Mr Horatio Walpole and Sir Richard Steele having {^kc in sfriu'sS^**
his Favour, they were anfwer'd by General Rofs and Sir Jo- siTj. je*&ii,
feph Jekyll; but Mr Trenchard moving for allowing him Mr-ncSwd.
50,000 1. and the Queftion being put thereupon, it was car-
ry'd in the Affirmative, by a Majority of 1 34 Votes againft
118.
Sir Jacob Jacobibn being one of thofe who had the leaft ?^ {*****"*
Share in the Management of the fraudulent Scheme, Mr **"*
Hungerford mov'd to allow him 1 1,000 1. which was all his
Eftate, except 481 1. 4 s. which was agreed to without a
Negative.
Mr Ingram's Caie being much the like, Mr Pulteney mov*4 ?«*»*• concern-
for allowing him i a^,ooo 1. near three fourths of his Eftate, "^* '' i^«a-
and being feconded by Lord Hinchingbroke, it was carry'd
without dividing.
The next was Sir John Lambert : Some Members were in- P*^?* f^T^'i'^
clin'd to believe him innocent, as to the firft Projcaion of the
villainous Scheme, and thereupon a Motion was made to give
him 20,000 1. ibme would have reduced it to 10,000 1. fonie
to 5000 1. and fome to 3000 1. But at lafl the QueiUon be-
ing put for 5000 1. it was carry'd without dividing.
Then it was mov'd, and carry'd without Oppofition, to Debate concern-
albw Sir Harcourt Mailer ^000 1. and in the fame Manner S^^dMrMoriey.^^
Mr Motley had 1 800 1. allowed him.
A Member having mov'd to allow Mr Page 1 0,000 1. ano- jJ^Mr^^c.™'
ther would have reduc'd it to 5000 1. but the Queftion being
Vol* L I i put.
y Google
Debate concern*
ing CoL Raymoad.
Mr Heyifaaiii.
Mr TaAdL
Sir R. RayoMMid.
Debate concert
ii^Ifr Rm4.
Sir f. Ward.
MrDocminlc^Qf.
ing MrSawbridge.
llrLovodet.
I^ord Maleiirortb.
Sir Ad. Ooghton.
B«rH.Wai^.
Debate concern-
ii^MrTilUrd
and Mr 'Dtmer.
Debate OB Mr Inr-
Mr Crey NeviDc,
Mr Moore.
■h IwinferlonL
Mr Lechnere.
SirJ. lekyU.
8er). Peneelly.
B^lLWalpQle.
Debate concern-
iogMr Girigiby.
( 250 )
^t, wkich of the two Sams fhoold be given ISin^ it was
cany'd for 1 0,000 1. without a Divifion.
Col. Raymond was next ; and his Cafe appearing &voar-
able Mr Heyiham mov'd for allowii^ him 30,000!. and
being feconded by Mr Taffiiel, Sir Robert Raymond, and
Mr Hungerfofdy no Oppofition was made to Mr Heyfiiam's
ModoBi.
After this, MrSloper 9ovM for allowii^ Mr Read io,oooL
and, being back*d fay Sir John Ward and Mr Docminicqney
the lame was carry 'd without any Debate.
In the like Manner the Sum of 14,000 1. was allo)¥*d to
Mr Reynolds.
ytme 3. Mr Hungerford having mov'd for allowii^ Mr
Sawfandge 1 0,000 1. he was opposed by Mr Lowndes, Lord
Molefwortby Sir Adolphus CX^hton, and Mr Horatio Wal-
pole : But at laft, a Member moving for 5000 1. it was agreed
to without dividing. Li the fame Manner the Sum of 1 5,oooL
was allowed to Mr Tillard, and 800 1. to Mr Tunier,
which was near his whole Efbte.
Having gonrthroi^h with the Dire^ors, the Committee
proceeded to Mr Surman, the Deputy Cafhier, whofe Cafe
occafion'd a Debate of about an Hour and a half. Mr Grey
Neville, who {poke moft in hfs Behalf, reprefented, * That
in the Courfe of the whole A£^ir he had only a66ed as a
Servant, and by the Conmiand either of Mr Knight, or of
the Diise^rs, and therefore ilrenuouily infifted, that he
might be left out of the Bill.* Mr Arthur Moore fpoke
likewife in his Favour, and movM to allow him 30,000 L
Mr Hungerford would have reduced it to 20,000 1. Mr
Lechmeie to 1 2,000 1. another Member to 1 0,000 1 and
another to 5000 1. All thefe were opposed by Sir Jofeph Je-»
kyll, Serjeant Pengelly, and Mr Horatio Walpole, who
would not have aUow'd him above 20 1. or 30 1. At laft,
the (^eftion beii^ put for allowii^ him 5000 1. it was a-
greed to without dividing.
\ June 6. Upon hearing the Meri^ of the controverted
£ledlk»i of Boralilon in Devonfhire, [See Page 246.] it was
refolv'd, that Mr Broderick was duly elected.
June \o. The Commons, in a Committee of the whole
Houfe, confider'd farther of the South-Sea Suierers Bill,
particularly with Relation to the Allowances to be given
to Mr Grigfby. Mr Arthur Moore mov'd to allow him
16,000 1. but another Member faid, ' That &ice that
Upftart was once fo prodieally vain as to bid his Coachnaan
feed his Horfes with Gxdd, nO doubt but he could feed on
it himielf ; and therefore he mov'd, that he mig^t be al-
lowed as much Gold as he could eat, and that the xtk of
his Eftate might go towards the Relief of the Sufierers.'
After
y Google
( 2S> ) ,
After this a Motion being made for allowing him 2000 1, it
was carried without a Divifion.
Mr Aiflabie's Cafe cam6 next under Confideration. Mr
Robert Walpdi mov'd, that fo much of his Eftate might be
allowM him^ as he was pofTefsM of towards the End of th6
Year 1719, before the South-Sea Bill was brought in, and
this Motion wks back'd by Mr Erie, Sir Charles Hotham,
Mr Lowndes, Mr Lechmere, Mr Ward, and Mr Palmer.
On the other hand, Mr Freeman mov*d, that all he had
got fince jthe Year 1714, might be confifcated and apply'd
to the Ufe of the Publick ; and he was fupported by Sir
Jo^h Jekyll, who urg'd * That it was in the Power of
the Ix)rds of the Treafury to have prevented the Mifchief
that had been done by the Diredors.* Mr Broderick, Mr
Sloper, Sir William Wyndham, and fome others,' fpoke oh
the fame Side, and the QuefUoil being put, that all the Efktfe
which Mr Aiflabie was poiTefs^d of in the Year 1719, bb
left for him and his Family ; the fame, upon a Divi^od,
was carry'd in the Negative by a Majority of 1 8 Votes.
Then another Motion was made, and the Queition put, f6r
allowii^ him and his Family all the Eilate he was polTefs^d
of on the 20th of Odiober 1 71 8, which was carry'd in the
Affirmative by a Majority of 1 1 3 Voices ^gainfl 95.
The following is the Balance of the Eftates of the late
Sub-Governor, Deputy-Governor, Direftors, Deputy-Cafhier,
and Accomptant, of the South-Sea Company, as delivered
upon Oath to the Barons of the Exchequer ; together witli
the Allowance made, by the Conmiittee, to each Perfon out
of their refpeftive Eflates.
Debate concern-
ing Mr Aiflabie.
Mr R. Walpole.
Mr Erie.
Sir C. Hotfaain.
Mr Lowndet,
Mr Lechmere.
Mr Ward.
Mr Palmer.
Mr Freeman.
Sir J. JekylU
MrBrederidc
Mr Slmer.
Sir W.lVyadhan
Peifons.
Eftates.
Allowances.
/. /. d.q.
/. sJd.
Su* John Fellows, Sub-
Governor
}
243096 CO 06
loooo 00 0
jputy-Govemor
40105 02 00
5000 00 0
MrAftel
27750 19 08J
5000 60 0
Sir John Blunt
183349 '^ ^^\
1000 00 0
Sk Lambert Blackwell
83529 17 II
loooo 00 0
Sir Robert Chaplin
45875 H 05
10000 00 0
Sir WilUam Chajpman
39161 06 o8i
loooo bo 0
Mr Chefter
140372 15 06
loooo 00 0
MrCluld
52437 19 01
loooo 00 0
Mr De la Porte
17151 04 06
loooo 00 0
Mr Eyles
34329 16 07
20000 00 0
Mr Edmondibn
5365 00 00
3000 00 0
M^Qabboh
106543 <'5 06
10000 00 0
r
I
i z
Mr
Digitized by VjQOQI
Pcrfoiw.
Mr Gore
Mr Hawc$
Sir William H^mond
Mr Horfcy
MrHolditch
Sir Theodore Janflcn
Sir Jacob Jacobfon
Mr Ingram
Sir Jolm Lambert
Sir Harcourt Mailer
Mr Morley
Mr Page
Col. Raymond
MtRead
Mr Reynolds
Mr Sawbridge
Mr TiUard
Mr Turner
Mr Surman, Deputy-
Cafliier
Mr John Grigfby, Ac-
comptant.
}
>
June 1 6. Mr Meth
'lowing Meflage from his Majefly, viz.
252 )
j
Eftates.
Allowances.
/. /. /f.
/. s, d.
38936 15 05
20000 00 0
40031 00 02 i
31 00 2
22707 04 02
10000 00 0
19962 05 03
loooo 00 0
39527 10 04
5000 00 0
24324403 II
50000 00 0
11481 04 00
11000 00 0
16795 00 00
12000 00 0
72508 01 05
5000 00 0
' 11814 12 031
5000 00 0
1869 10 03
1800 00 0
34817 12 03;
1 0000 00 0
64373 06 03
30000 00 0
117297 16 00
10000 00 0
18368 13 02:J
14000 00 0
77254 01 08
5000 00 0
19175 14 04
15000 00 0
881 17 06
800 00 0
121321 10 00
5000 00 0
31687 06 00
aooa 00 0
delivered to the Houfe the fW-
JJ.„.^^.^...«0^.^
GEORGE R.
tHMeflagcfor **
__^ uf- " J7X the Death of the late King of Sweden, to renew the
fyingthc^ncrs n ahcicnt Alliances between this Kingdom and Sweden, and
o> two Ships burnt ,,. n.ii» r*i ^ *>i*.i t
on account of thei<< having ftipulated hy a Treaty to pay a Subady to that
Piagac. ,, Ot)wri, hath ordcr'd that Treaty' to be laid before the
** Houfe of Commons, and hopes, from their known Zeal
'< and Affedion for the Proteflant Religion, and the true
«* Intereft of their Country, that they will enable him to
** make good the Engagements he has enterM^ into upon this
** Occafion.
' " His Majelly being informed that two Ships called fhe
*^ Brifiol Merchant and Turkey Merchant^ now lying under
•* Quarentiiic, did arrive from Cyprus, and other Parts of
** Turky, infeded with the Plague, and have Cotton, Wool,
^' and other Goods on Board which are dangerous to (jpread
*' the Infedion; and conceiving it neceflary, for the Pre-
^ fervation of the Health of his Subjeds, that the laid Ship
^ zsiA their Ladings be burnt and defiroy'd, and that a re^i-
fonabk
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'* {onahlt Satis^faftion be given to the Owners, hath, by Ad-
** vice of his Privy-Council, caus'd the Value thereof to be
** computed by his Majefty's Officers, and order'd thofc
** Computations to be laid before the Houfe of Commons,
** that rrovifion may be made for Satisfying the fame.
MoHof the Members, who expelled a Meflage of another
Nature^ and that they were to be acquainted with the near
Profpeft of ,a Peace in the North, were not a little furpriz'd
at this Demand of a Subfidy for Sweden : Hereupon the
Confideration of the faid MeiTage was put off" to the next
Day ; and Mr Methuen having, with the faid' Meflage, de-
li vcr'd the feveral Papers, with a Schedule of them, the,
fame was read, -and it was order'd. That the faid Papers
do lie on the Table, to be perus'd by the Members of the
Houfc.
^Mfte 17. The Houfe proceeded to confider the King's
Meiiage of the Day before, which was again read by Mr
Speaker. The Copy of the Treaty between Great Britain and
Sweden, January 21, 1719-20, and of its feparate Articles,
were alfo read : And a Motion being made, * That
a Supply be granted to his MajeOy, to make good the En-
gagements he had enter'd into with the Crown of Sweden ;
and to give a reafonable Satisfaftion to the Owners of the
Ships caird, n^ Brijiol Merchant, and The Turkey Merchant,
in cafe it were found neceifary for the Prefervation of the
Health of his Majefly*s Subjeds, that the faid Ships and their
Ladings ihould be burnt and defboyed.* This Motion occa-
fion*d a long Debate. Mr Shippen, Sir William Wjnidham, ' Debate thereon.
Sir Jofeph Jekyll, Lord Molefworth, and Mr Buder, Member Mr suppen.
for Suffix, who were agamft the Motion, dcfir^d to know, 8^^)^^"^
' Whether we were to give 72,000 1. to Sweden, befides the 5;^'^^^'*'°'*^
maintaining a great Fleet with 6000 Seamen in theBaltick,
which they thought a fufHcient Charge to the Nadon, with-
out paying fo great a Subfidy ? Urging, * That before this
laft Treaty with Sweden, there had been a Rupture between
the two Nations; and Hoililides ^d great Depredations
committed by the Swedifh Privateers on our Merchants ; fo
that before any Subfidy be given to that Crown, Accounts
ought firft to be ftated and fettled, and it might appear upon
the Balance, that Sweden is indebted to us.' To this it was
anfwerM, by Mr Robert Walpole, Mr Horado Walpole, Mr
liechmere. Lord Barrington, and other Courtiers, * That the Mr r. waipoi<^
Subfidy allowed to Sweden by this laft Treaty, and the Squa- J£ L^dhmc^^'*
d«m fent to their Afliftance, was no more than had been fti- ^^' Bani^iou.
pulated by former Engagements ; but that the (aid Subfidy
was not li|j;c to be demanded any more, the Preliminaries of
the
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Anno 7- Geo.i. the Pcace betwcen the Ctar of Mufcovy and the Crown
i^^^Ji?*;..^^^ Sweden^ being in a manner fettled. Neither did the Kin
^^^ defire any new Tax for it, the Land and Malt-Tax Ix
Mr R. waipoie. ^% fuffideht to anfwer all this Year's Expcnces.* Mr R. Wa
pde added, * That he was extremely glad, he could at th
(ame Time acquaint the Houfe, that his Majefiy*s Endeavoui
to procure a gsneral Peace had been fo fucqefsful, that an zi
vantageous Treaty with Spain was actually agreed on ar
fi^*d.' Hereupon the Motion for a Supply being carri( .
without a Divifion, the next Queftion was, that the Houfe p\
into a Committee to confider oF that Motion : The G>unt
Party would fein hare put it off to a long Day ; but tl
Courtiers having mov*d for the i9th^ it was carried widv
dividing.
yuju 19. The Commons went into a Committee of thei
whole Houfe to confider of the Moticm for a Supply ; and
^ «t the fame Time took into Confideration both his Majefty's
Meffage, and the late Treaty with Sweden, upon which
i!d.^i4JSrorSl"* ^^*^^ ^"'^^ ^ ^^^y ^'^^^'^ Debate. Sir William Wyndham
declared himfelf againft the Subiidy to Sweden, as an unne-
cei&ry Charge ; and Lord Molefworth went to the Bottom
of, and laid open, the whole Affair of the Northern War. His
. Lordfhip faid, ' That he would go as ^ as any Man to main-
tain and fupport the Honour and Dignity of the Crown of
Great Britain ; but that, on the other Hand, he was not for
fquandring away unneceffarily the finall Remainder of the
Wealth of the Nation. That by our late Condud we are
become the Allies of the whole World, and the Bubbles of
all our Allies : But when we have Occaiion for our Allies, we
are obliged to jiay them well ; and to that Purpofe his Lord-
fhip inibnc'd in the Dutth Troops, that came over to our
AMance in the late Rebellion.* He added, * That as to
our Alliances with Sweden, it was a Matter of great Intrica-
cy and Nicety ; becaufe the Treaties which England has, m
divers Times, made with Sweden, are partly contradidtoiy;'
and thereupon his Lotdfhip entred into a Detail of the Trea-
ties of Rolchild and Travendall, made in the Reigns of King
Charles TL and William III. * That the Engagements latdjr
entred into with the Crown of Sweden were l^ewife, in fomc
Meafure, contrary to the Treaties fubfiiting with Denmark ;
tertkularly as to the fecuring to the Duke of Holftein the
Dutchy of SleiWick ; and diredtly oppofite to the Meafwts
fonnerly concerted with the Czar of Mufcovy, in order to
engage him to check the Fiercenefs and Ambition of the
late King of Sweden. That, after all, ' it feem'd unrcafon-
able to expeft that the Czar fhould reftore his Conquefls,
wbilft other Princes kept the Spoils of Sweden : And thcit-
fore in order to engage the C^ to yield what he had gained,
it
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; were but juft tliat the King of Pniffiafliould ^ve ap Stetin, Annoy, ceo. l
nd the Eleftor of Hanover, Bremen, and Werdcn. His \^J^^^m^^
jordfhip own'd, that the diftrefs'd Condition to which the ^"^^r^^
Swedes had been reduced, was really .worthy of Compaffion :
Sut that, on the other Hand, it muft be confider*d, that they
lad been, in great meafure, the Authors of their own Mii^
brtttiies, by their tame Submiifion to a defpotick, tyrannical
i^rince, and by Sacrificing their whole Subfbmce to enable
lixn to carry on his unjuft, raih, and ambitious Defigns ; an4
that any Nation who followed their Example deferv'd the
fame Fate. To this PurpoTe, his Lordfhip took Notice of
the hard Uiage of the Subjedb of Mecklenburgh from their
Prince, whicn by the way, he fhrewdly iniinuated to have
been one of the Caufes of the late Rupture with the Czar ;
but that after all, England ought not to intermeddle with the
Affairs of the Empire, that the getting Naval Stores for our
Shipping was the main Advantage we reapM from our Trade
in die Baltick : And he own'd that Hemp was a very necef-
fary Commodity, particularly at this Junaurc, [At this Ex-
preffion there tvas a general Latigh'] but that, in his Lord-
(hip*s Opinion, if due Encouragement were given to (bme of
our Plantations in America, we might be fupply*d from
thence, at a much cheaper Rate than from Sweden or Nor-
way.* Mr Robert Walpole, and Mr H. Walpde anfwer'd |5^&^*te
Lord Molefworth ; who being fupported by Sir Jofeph Jekyll, sirj.'jeMiT'
Mr Lechmere reply'd to the latter ; and the Queftion being ^' ^«^'»««-
put; That a Supply be granted to his Majefty to enable him to
make good the Engagements he has entred into with the
Crown of Sweden ? It was carry'd in the Affirmative, by
197 Voices againft 136. Then another Queftion being put.
That a Supply be granted to his MajeHy, to be apply *d to the
Satis£i£lion of the Mailers, Owners, and Freighters of the
Ships Brifiol Merchant ^ and Turkey Merchant ^ which are in-
tended to be burnt and deflroy'd for Prefervation of his Ma-
jefty *s Subjeds againll the Plague ; It was carry 'd without Op-
portion.
June 10. Mr. Farrer reported the two Refolutions before-
recited for granting a Supply to his Majefly, for the Pur-
pofes therein mentioned, which were agreed to,
June 21. The Commons, in a grand Committee, conii-
der'd of the Supply, and refolv'd to grant to his Majefly,
I. A Sum not exceeding 72,0001. to enable him to make l^f^\^^^
good thf Eng^ements he had entred into with the Crown Sweden," an/ ''^
of Sweden. II. A Sum not exceeding 23^935 1. \o be ap- fw?lrti'p»^birS*c»ft
ply'd to the Satisfaftion of the Owners of the two Ships, pi^JJJ'"^
which were to be burnt and deilroy'd, for the Prefervation
of his Majefly 's Subjefts againll the Plague.
June
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June 22. Mr Farrcr reported the t?ti6 foregoing Refolr
tions, which being agreed to, Mr Loundes made a Motion
•nlcYoiWiaiid- for adding a ClauTe to the Malt-Bill, for enabling the Com-
ISKertuS^^ pany of York Buildings to difpofc of Part 5f the forfeited
ofpartof tffp^ Eilates by them purchafed, by felling^ Annuities by Way of
tbeyhjidpufdm^, Lottery : This was oppos d by Mr Arthur Moore, and fome
hf^^r^ia^.^^Yitt Members; but Mr Hutchefon and Mr Lcchmerc ha-
ving backed Mr Loundes's Motion, the fame upon a Diviiion
was carry*d by a Majority of 90 Voices againft 66, and af-
terwards pafs*d into a Law.
The Hc«fe agree Jttne 28. The Houfc went through all the Schedules of
to?i^*thSA3^w. '^« Eftatcs of the late Sub-Governor, Deputy- Governor,
«J2w*^te^ I^Jre^ors, &c. of the South-Sea Company, and agreed widi
idrAfteU^^r^Lm-the Committee, a& to the Allowances^ given them, [Seef.
iSL^JST^^ 251.] except Mr Afteirs, to whom they gave 1 0,000 1. Sir
lir Hawes. Lambert Blackwell, who had 15,000 1. Sir John Blunt, who
got 5000 1. and Mr ' Hawes 5000 1. It was moV'd to ledoce
Sir Theodore Janffen's Allowance to 30,000 1. but upon a
Pivifion, it was cany'd in the Negative by a great Majority.
AChafemfevonr Then a Claufe was ofier'd by Colonel Earle, to be ad-
^ "^ * ded to the Bill, in fevour of Mr Aiflabie, viz. for excepting
from the Forfeiture, his Country Houfe, Gardens, and Park,
as alfo his Lady's Jewels and Houfhold Goods ; which was
0 brought up and read, and a Debate ariflng thereupon, the
(ame was adjourn*d to the next Day, when, it was agreed
to without any Divifion.
Ddntecoacermng This being over, the Remainder of the Sitting was {pent in
StSs^lwr^re! a Debate of near thre^ Hours upon the Queftion, whether as
the Bill flood, to veft the forfeited Eftates in Truftces, or to
mulft the late Diredlors and others, at a certain Sum ? A
Claufe for the Mulft was oiFer'd by Mr Hutchefon, who pro-
pos'd a Million and Half Sterling, Sir Thomas Crofs mov'd
for 1,400,0001. but not agfeemg upon the Sum, the Debate
was adjoum'd to the third of Juty.
i>rf»teconceminc July 3. The Houfe refum'd the adjourned Debate upon the
Mr ctaggs'iEaate. Q]^fg q^.^j ^ ^ ^^^^^ ^ the Sufferers Bill, viz. That the
Ellate of which the late Mr Craggs, fenior, was pofIefs*d in
Odlober 1719, be veiled in the Hands of the Truftees ap-
pointed by this KU to difpofe of the Eftates of the late Di-
redlors ; which being ftrenuoully opposM jjy the Court Party,
was, upon a Divifion, carry'd in the Negative, by 104 Voices
againft 90. '
Debate on the Pro. '^^^ Sir John Eyles, Bart. *, Member for Chippen-
po£d for laying a ham, propos^d. That a Claufe for veiling the Eilates of the
DiJjaonl^^ * ^* forfeiting Perfons in themfelves, and only laying a Mul^ up
on
•• One ff the CommiJlmers fit' the fafihed Ifiates^ attd SiA'Gvoermr (f
ih$ SmA-Sca Ctm^aty,
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( 257 )
on them> might be read, whkh being done acoordingly^ Sir
Thomas Crofs, Member for Wcftminfter, fpoke to it, and v,^ ^ ^
fuggeftecH * Tiiat it were more advantageous to the Publick, sir t.ctoA."
either to muld the Diredlors, or to allow them 1 5 per Cent. ^
out of their Eftates for prompt Payment f But this being warm-
ly oppos*d by Mr JeiTop f , Member for Aldbrough, Mr Mil- Mr j^op.
ner. Sir Nathaniel Gould, and Lord Molefworth, the Mo- sk^Sl^pid.
tion for reading the iaid Claufe a fecond Time was rejeded ^^^ M^iidwonh;
without a Divifion.
July 6. The engrofled Suferers Bill wa« read a third Time ^^^SS
with a new Title, viz. A Bill, For raifing Money upon the Time, and paft^d,
Mftates of the late Suh-Govemor^ Deputy-Governor, Direc"
tors, &c. which, with other Amendments, was pais*d and
fent up to the liOrds by Mr Clayton. It is obfervable, that
after the third Reading over of the whole Bill, which took up
above two Hours, Mr Milner proposed a Rider to be added
to it, importing. That the Houfhold Goods, Plate, linen,
&c. of the Dire^rs, might be excepted out of the Bill i
but this Motion was rejedted with Difdain.
July II. MrMethuen acquainted the Houfe, That he
hadaMeiTage fign'd by his MajeHy, which was read by
Mr Speaker as follows :
GEORGE R.
" TTIs Majefty finds it neceflary to acquaint his loyal 2^JS^*Jf4g
** JL JL Houfe of Commons with the Difficulties he labours ^UftDcbo.
** under, by Reafon of Debts contraded in his CivU Go-
** vemment, which bei|ig computed to Lady-Day laft, do
** amount to more than h^t hundred and fifty thoufand
** Pounds.
" If the Provifton, made by an k6t of the laft Seffion of
** Parliament, for difcharging this Debt, had hot hitherto
** prov'd in a very great Degree ineffedual, his Majefty
*' had not been under a Ncceffity of applying again to Par-
** liament upon this Occafion ; but being refolvM to caufe a
*' Retreqchment to be made of his Civil Lift £jq)ences for
'' the future, and finding that fuch^a Retrenchment cannot
*' well be efFeded, without difcharging the prefent Arrears,
*' has orderM the Accounts thereof to be laid before the
** Houfe, and hopes he may be impower'd to raife ready
** Money for that Purpofe, on the Civil Lift Revenues 5
** which, to avoid the laying any new Burden on his People,
** his Majefly propofes fhaH be replaced to the Civil Lift, and
** reimbursed, by a Dedudion to be made out of the Ssdaries
** and Wages of all Offices, and the Penfions, and other
*' Payments, from the Crown."
' Vol. L Kk After
•J" A Welch Juigej qni of tU CommJpopP's and J^Miiver GtntrtH if ^#
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f 258 )
After the reading of this Meflage, Mr SMppcn ftood np,
and took Notice of this new and unufual Method of aflc-
MrShirowi'T^^ M^g for Moncy, not fix)m the Throne, and, at the Beginning
Speech fitreon. ofa Seffion, as it had always been the Coftom in former
Reigns ; but now, by a Meffage, towards the End of the
SeiRon, when moft of the Member* were gone Home : * Look
round about the Houfe, Gendemen, feid he, and fee how
few Members are prefent, when a Bufmefs of this Confequence
is to be debated." But befides the Unfeaibnablenefs of the
Time, Mr Shippen obfcrv'd, * That thb Meflage was no
lefs extraordinary as to another Circumfbince: For whereas
the Ways and Means of raifing Supplies were always left to
the Commons ; here, not only the Sum, but the Way of
railing it, was pointed out to ^em, which was making the
Houfe a perfcft Parliament of Paris. That if Things were
brought to that Pais, it might be eafy for any Eling, when-
ever he thought fit, to make himfelf arbitrary, and abfblute
Walter of our Liberties and Properties : Concluding, he was
fure, that the Gentleman, who had advis'd the afldng for
fuch a Sum, in that Manner, [meaning Mr Robert Walpolel
would have been of a quite contrary. Mind four Years ago ;
[Seep, 138.] but that it was ufual for Men's Judgments to
alter as their Interelb lead them.' But Mr Shippen not being
feconded, it was refolv'd to take the King's Meffage into Con-
lideration the next Day, in a Committee of the whole Houfo.
July I z. The Commons, in a Grand Conmiittee, took the
The Houfe in a ^^ Account and Meflage into Confideration ; and Mr Ship-
Grand Committee pen having {poke much to die fame Purpofe, as he did the
Sion^ King's " bay before, was anfwer'd by Mr Robert Walpole, who
Meflage. {tusw'di the Occafion, and Reafonablenefs of the King's Mef-
Debate thereon, fggg^ the Tendcmcfs and Regard his Majefly exprefs'd in it
ItoRwSi>ic ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ ^^^ Subjedls, and the Necfflity of complying
with his Majefty's gracious Delires and Intentions. He was
feconded by Mr Lowndes, who faid, * That Six-pence in the
Mr Lowndes. Pou^d on aU the Civil Lift Funds,' would anfwer the Porpofe ; '
Mr Pni ^"' ^^ Pulteney, and Sir Jofeph Jekyll, were of Opinion
sirj.jd^t that it would not do, and therefore they mov'd for One
Shilling in the Pound ; adding, * That jf this were too much
for the prefent Occafion, die Overplus might go towards the
A MotipBferia • ^^^harge of the Publick Debts.' Mr Sfoper upon this laft
ing a^Ta» on aJ" Cbnfideration, mov'd, for One Shilling and Six-pence in the
ihKJMLiftFunds. p^^^j^ ^j ^^^ ^^ ^^ ^gj^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^ Military Ofli-
Debate thereon, cers, whofe Pay was above Ten Shillings a Day. This
MrR. waipoifc htiRg^ oppos'd by Mr R. Walpde, Mr Slopo- anfwer'd him,
MrL^rais. ^"^ ^^ Lowndes reply'd to Mr Sloper, whofe Motion
Mi ArUmrMgojt. was back'd by Mr Arthur Moore *, Mcnj)er for Grimfl)y,
and
^ ^ A CmmiSpmtr of TrMie tmd ^Umtatim in tht Keig* 4 ^ctn Apm,
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and Mr Heme ; bat Mr WaJbole, and Mr Lowndes, having Annor. gm.iv
again replied, Mr Sloper's Motion was dropt. Then thei^-J'JiL-
Queftion was put, whether one Shilling, or Six-Pence in the MfHeraT^*^
Pound, be laid on all Payments out of the Civil Lift j and it {J £S}S!S;
was jcarned for cme Shilling, by one Voice only, viz. iii
Votes againft no. After this, the main Qucftion was put, 3^^£?^tJx
* That one Shilling in the Pound be given on all Payments {1*2*^*^^
out of the Civil I^ towards a Fund S)r paying the Intereft o& the chji ua
of 500,000 1. and for finking Part of the National Debts, ^^^'
which was carried by 153 Voices againft 63.
yufy 14. Mr. Farrer reported the Refolution of the iaid ^;«J;S!2gp^
Committee, for a Tax of One Shilling in the Pound on all ingwithtiv^SS*
Payments out of the Civil Lift : Upon which Mr. Lowndes odMte tfaereon.
moved. That the Houfe do not agree with the Committee in
die fkM Refolution, and that the faid Tax be altered to Six-
pepce in the Pound. Hereupon Mr. Hungerford took NojUce, Mr Hong^ori.
^ That this Tax was inconfift^nt with the Refolution taken
this Seffionfor a Land-Tax, importing, That Three Shillings
in the Pound, and no more, be laid on all Lands, Salaries,
PeniiOBS, 8cc. That there was, indeed, an Inftance of fuch a
Tax in the late Queen's Reign, when 500,000 1. were raifed ,
much in the (ameManner, for the Civil Lift i but that this
was then called Robinifin, [/^^ Earl of Oxford's Name^ *who
twos tbtn Prime Minifier^ t^i^g Robert] and he fearM this
would bear the fame Name.' Mr. Treby * anfwer'd Mr. Mr T«%t
Hungerford, as Mr. Clayton, Member for Woodftock did Mr. Mrcuyton.
Treby, who was anfwer'd by Mr. Henry Pelham f , and the *^Mham.
latter by the Lord Stanhope ff. Hereupon Mr. Robert Wal- \Sk!^^^
pole anfwer'd moft of the Objections that had been ofier'd on
the oppofiif Side. But Mr. Pultency obferv'd, ' That he w»»>»»y'
had not always been of the Opinion he now feem'd to be of;
that his Mipd alter'd as he was in^ or out of Place 1 and as he
might be out in a Twelve-month's Time, fo he might then
be of another Opinion.* To this Mr. R. Walpole reply^d,
* That it was poffible, indeed, he might be out again : But
whenever that happen'd, he (houM be glad to reiign to
a Perfon of fo much Merit as Mr. Pulteney.' The latter re-
tum'd the Compliment; after which. Sir Jofeph Jekyll sirJJekyU.
^xdce for the Motion of One Shilling in the Pound ; but the
Queftion being put therenpQn, it was carry'd in the Ne^tive,
by a Majority of 132 Voices s^^ainft 83. And then it was •rheHoufereroiro
jefohr'd, without dividing. That His Majefty be enabled to {feV^fd^'kid
laBe any Sum not exceeding 500,000 1. to difcharge the Ar- «^« chri* *^
rears and Debts upon the Civil Lift, 1^ caufing a DedudUon,
not exceedii^ Six-pence in the Pound, to be made out of
Kk2 Salario,
P Seemurf A War.
^ Jppoinud wutftbe Cmmj^wers tfihe Treafmy nf fhif Sejfoiu
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Salaries, Wages, Penfions or other Payments from the Crown:
And a Bill was order'd to be brought in%ccordmgly.
Jufy 21. The Bin for the faid Tax was read the third
Tirne^ pafs'd, and fent up to the Lords.
The Hosib pre. 7"^ ^^' '^^ Honfc prcfented to the King an Addrefs,
^jj^heKiwtii repre^nting the State of the publick Credit, and their Refolu-
iMtb«8(%o^ tions thereto relating, the Partictllars of which may be found
™^^^~^ in the rO rZ 5 of this Seffion ; and alfo to requeft the King,
That as the eftabliih*d Rules of Parliament made it imprac-
ticable for them to prepare Bilk for the Royal Adent during
"^ this Seffion, for fome of thePurpofes contained in thofe Refo-
Intions, his Majefty would be pleafed, as foon as the publick
imd private Bills depending were difpatch*d, to give them an
early Opportunity of perfeAing that great and neceffary Work.
yufy 29. The King came to the Houfe of Peers, and the
Commons attending, the Speaker, upon prefenting the Civil
Lift 9ill to his Majefly, made the following Speech.
Moft Gracious Sovereini,
•^**SS ♦ X70UR Majefty's moft Dutiful and Loyal Subjeds, the
^ti?(&flLi ' 4 Commons ofGrett Britain in Parliament affemblcd,^
wL * being fenfible of the great Debt upon the Civil Lift, oc-
' cafioh'd by the Calamity oJF the Times, which has dif-
< abled the two Companies of AiTurance to make good the
^ « Money which they had ftipulated to pay to the Crown,
' which^ if it had been inMed on, would have occaiionM
* the Ruin of many Families, and would confequently have
< been a great ObftruAion to Trade ; And your Majefty
^ having always had fo much Goodnefs, as rather to wave
* your own Right, than to exa^l it, to the Prejudice of your
' faithfiil Sabjedb ; We have therefore, to make good that
' Lofs, given your Majefty, and we humbly pray, that your
* Majefty would be gracioufly pleafed to accept of. Six-pence
* in the Pound, to fcc paid out of the Civil Lift, from your
^ Faithful Commons, who will be always ready to fupport
* your Majefty and your Government.*
After which the Rbyal Aflent was given to an Ad, For
raifing Money upon the Eftates of 'the late Suh-Govemorf
Deputy-Go'vernoTy DireSiors, Cajhier^ Deputy-Cajhier, and
Accomptant of the South-Sea Company ^ and of John Aifla"
bie^ Efqi and like^ife of James Craggs, Senior ^ Efqi deceas^d^
towards making Good the great Lofs and Damage fufiaii^d hy
the faid Company ; and for difahling fuch of the faid Perfins
as are li<vingy to hold any Office or Place of Trujl under the
Crown y or to fit or <vote in Parliament for thefuturo } and
for other Purpofis in thefai4AQ $xprefidi And tO five other
Kills,
AM
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And then the Lord Chancellor prorogued the Parliament Anno s. Geo.i.
to the 31ft. v.^nirs^
yuly 3 1 . The King came to the Houfe of Peers and made
the following Speech.
My Lords and Qentlemen,
M ^ I'^HE Occafion of my <^ling you together again fo SaS^SS''
« JL fuddenly, is to give you an Opportunity of refum- Addrefr*Jf the
" ing the Confideration of the State of Publick Credit. ^^S^^
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons, ^"^^ <^«^
** The Progrefs that you made in this Affair during the
" lail Sefiion, laid fuch a Foundation of this neceflaiy Work,
'* that the World is fully apprized of what is g^onably to be
*' hoped for at this prefent Conjundure.
My Lords and Gendemen,
'* I muft reconmiend to you dl poifible Difpatch, and am ^
" perfwaded that at this Seafon of the Year, your Delibe- *
*< ration will be con£n'd to what is abfolutely neceHary upon
" this extraordinary Occafion."
The Commons being retum'd to their Houfe, refolv'd them-
felves into a Grand Committee on his Majefly*s Speech, and
came to ieveral Kefolutions thereupon for the re-efiablifhing
publick Credit, which afterwards pafl into a Law.
Auguft 10. The King came to the Houfe of Peers, with
the ufual State and Solemnities^ and the Commons being fent
for up, and attending, the Lord High Chancellor, by his M«-
Jefly^s Command, read the fdlo wing Speech to both Houfes.
My Lords and Gendtmen,
^< TAm g^ that the Bufinefs of this and the former Seffion
^^ \^\izx. length biou^ht to fuch a Period, that I have now TfirTrinfupg^ch
'* an Opportunity of giving you fbme Recefs, after the great JUtC^^^
*« Pains you have taken in the Service of thd Publick. ^^
^^ The Conunon Calamity, occafion*d by the wicked Exe-
*^ cution of the South-Sea Scheme, was betome (bveiy great
** befixe your Meeting, that ^the providing proper Remedies
^^ forit was veiy difficult: But itisa great Comfort to me,
** to obferve, that Publick Credit now begins to recover ;
" which gives me the greatefl Hopes thgt it will be entirely
<^ itfbr'd, when all the Proviiions ypu have made &r that
f' &id, ihall be duly put in Execution.
" I have great Companion for the Sufierings pf the Inno-
** cent, and a juft Indignation againil the Gmlty ; and have
" readily given my Aflent to fuch Bills as you have prdented
*^ tq me, fpr puniihing^ the Authors of our late Misfortunes,
'^ and fbr obtaining the Reftitution and Satis^&ion due to
^f tbofc who have l^en injur*d \rf theoii in fucb Manner as
4« yQ^
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( ^6z )
youjodg'd proper. I was, tt the £mie Time, willieg aa
defirous, by my Free and General Pardon, to give Bafe an
Quiet to the left, of my Subjeds, many of whom may,!
** fuch a ^eral In&tuation, have been unwarily drawn i
** to tranlgrefs the Laws.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commonsy
** I return you my hearty Thanks for the Supplies yoi
^ have granted for the current Service of this Year ; aat
** particularly for your enabling me to difcharge the DdM
** and Arrears on the Civil Lift, and to make Good the i^
** gagements I was under for procuring Peace in the NcHtl
*^ which, in all Probability, will now veiy foon be condudol
** Thei^ Inftaaces of your faithful Endeavours to fupport dn
** Honour and Dignity of the Crown, at Home and Abroad
** are frefh Marks of your Ztal and Afie^on to my Perfim
« and Govenuncnt.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** I take this OppcMtunity of acquainting you, that we
** have renewed all our Treaties of Commerce with Spain,
** upon the fame Foot as they were fettled before the late
** War 5 which muft neceiTarily prove an immediate and
** valuable Advantage to the Trade and Manu6£bires of this
** Kingdom.
** I eameftly recommend to you all, in your feveial Stad-
** ons, to fuj^refs Profanenefs and Immorality, and topeierve
•* the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom.
** You are all fenfible, that the Difcontents occafion'd bjr
** the great LoflSss that many of my Subjefb have fuftainU
** have been induftrioufly rais'd and inflam*d by malicious and
** feditious Libels ; but I make no doubt, but that, by yoar
" prudent Ccmdud in your feveral Countries, all the Enemies
** of my Government, who flatterM themfelves they fhould
** be able to take Advantage from our Misfortunes, and blow
** uj> the Sufferings of my people into Popular Difcontent
*^ and Difaffedion, will be difappointed in their wicked
** Defigns and Expedations.
And then the Lord Chancellor j»x)r(^;ued the Parliameitt
to the 19th Day of Odober.
SPEECHEi
y Google
i *63 ) •
ri^SECHES 2nd DEBATES
In the Seventh Ssssion of the
JFirfi Tariiament of King George I.
3N the 19th of Odlober the Parliament being met. Anno 8. Geo. i.
die King came to the Houfe of Peers, and the Com- wJZ^>4^_i
mons attending, his Majcfty, by the Mouth of the ^^^'^Nr^^-^
ord High Chancellor, made the following Speech to both
My Lords and Gentlemen,
I Acquainted you, when' we parted lafl, with our having Kin^speediat
renew'd all our Treaties of Commerce with Spain ; ^^^r^
^ fince which. Peace is happily reftor'd in the North, by
' the Conclufion of the Treaty between the Czar and the
' King of Sweden 5 and by that which I have made with
' the Moors, a great Number of my Subjects arc deliver'd
* from Slavery 5 and all fuch of them as trade to thofe
* Parts of the World, are, for the future, fecur'd fiiom
' falling under that dreadful Calamity.
** In this Situation of Affairs we ihould be extremely
* wanting to ourfdves, if we neglefted to improve the fa-
* Yourable Opportunity, which this general Tranquility
" gives us, of extending our Commerce, upon which the
" Ridies and Grandeur of this Nation chiefly depend. It
" is very obvious, that toothing would more conduce to the
" obtaining fo publick a Good, than to make the Exporta-
** tkm of our own Manufaftures, and the Importation of
" the Commodities ufed in the Manufafturing of them, as
" pradicable and eafy as may be ; by this Means, the Ba-
** lance of Trade may be preferv'd in our Favour, bur Na-
•* vigation increas'd, and greater Numbers of our Poor
•* employ'd.
" I muft therefore recommend it to you. Gentlemen of
" the Houfe of Commons, to confidcr how far the Duties
" upon thefe Branches may be takers off, and replaced, with-
" out any Violation of publick Faith, or laying any new
•* Burthen upon my People. And I promife myfelf, that
" by a due Confideration of this Matter, the Produce of .
•* diofe Duties, compared with the infinite Advantages that
** will accrue to the Kingdom by their being taken off, will
•* be foimd fo inconfiderable, as to leave little Room for any
" Difficulties or Objeftions,
« The
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JUtao 81 Geo. U
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** The fupplying ouHelvcs with naval Stores, upon Td
themoft eafy aad leaft }H-ecarious, feems highly to dd
the Care and Attention of Parliament. Our PlantaCiom^
*• in America naturally abound with moft of the proper
." Materials for this neceflary and effential Part of our Trade
*^ and Maritime Strength ; and if, by due £iicouragemeiiC,
** we could be fiirnifh'd from thence with thofe naval Stor^
** which we are now oblig'd to purchafa, and bring from
** foreign Countries, it would not only greatly -contribute to
** the Riches, Influence, and Power of this Nation, but,
** by employing our own Colonies in this ufeful and advan-
** tageous Service, divert them from fettii^ up, and carry-
** ing on Manufedtwes which diredlly interfere with thofe of
•* Great-Britain.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
*^ It will be a great Pleafure to me, if, in rai£ng the Sup-
** plies of this Year, it may be fo order'd, that my People
** may reap fome immediate Benefit from the prefent Cir-
** cumilances of Affairs Abroad. I have orderM £ftimates
•* to be prepared for the Service of the enfuing Year, and
** likewifc an Account of the Debts of the Navy, to be
** laid before you.. You cannot but be fenfiUe of the ill
'^ Confequences that arife from fuch a large Debt remain-
** ing unprovided for ; and that as long as the Navy aod
^* Vidualling Bills are at a very high Difcourit, fliey do
*^ not only afFedt all other publick Credit, but greatly in-
** creafe the Charge and Expence of the current Service.
** It is therefore very much to be wifli'd, that you could
*^ find a Method of difcharging this Part of the National
** Debt, which, of all othen, is the moft heavy and bur-
*' thenfome, and by that Means have it in your Power to
" eafe.your Country of fome Part of the Taxes, which
** from an abfolute Neceffity, they have been obligM to
** pay. y
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** The unfpeakable Mifery and Defolation that has of
** late rag'd in fome Parts of Europe, cannot but be a fuffi-
" cien^ Warning to us, to ufe all poffible Precautions to
« prevent the Contagion from being brought in among us ;
** lor if thefe Kingdoms ihould be vifited with fuch a fetal
** Calamity, to b^ in a Condition, with the Bleffing of God,
•* to ftop its farther Progrefs. And as all other Provifions
*^ will be altogether vain and fruitlefs, if the abominable
** Praftice of running of Goods be not, at once, totally
*^ fupprefs'd, I moft earneftly recommend to you, to let no
** other Coniideration ftand in Competition with a due Care
" of prcfcrving fo many thoufand Lives.
.^ The
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{ i^S )
** The feveral Aff&irs whicli I have mentionM to you, Annot. oe*.i,
** being of the higheft and moft immediate Concern to V„^"v^^^
" the whole Kingdom, I doubt not but you will enter into
** the Confideration^of them with that Temper, Unaniaiity,
*' and Difpatch, that the Neceilicy and Importance of them
** require."
The Commons being returned to their Honfe, Sir George siraeorjeoxto*
Oxenden, Member for Sandwich^ mov'd for aa Addrefs of Add5£![** ^^^ **
Thanks, which was unanimoufly agreed to.
Oa. 20. Sir George Oxenden, Chairman of the Com^ whkh being re-
mittee appointed to draw up the feid Addrefe, reported the JK^JSkt'iblS.
fame to the^ Houfe, and upon the Speaker's putting the o»>jeakms thereto.
Queftion, Whether this (hould^afs as the Addrefs of the
Houfe ? Mr Arthur Moore, Member for Grimfby, faid, ' He
thought the Expreflioais relating to the preventing Running
of Goods were^ too general ; and that, in his Opinion, the
beft Way to prevent that pernicions Practice, was to take ofF
fome of the high Duties, whereby the Temptation to Smug-*
gling would very much abate ; fince People would not thiAlc
it worth their while to vun great Hazards for a fmall Gain.-
And beiides, if the Duties were leiTen'd, the Importation,
in all Pcobability, woidd increafe proportionably ; (o that
the^Cuiloms might amount to as much, with a fmaller Duty,
as they do at prefent ; and if they did not. Ways might be
found to make up the Deficiency to the^ Crown.' NothijB|g
of Moment was ofFer'd againft this Speech j but, the Houi^
not thinking it proper t6 enter then: upon the Coniideration>
of that Matter, the Addrefs, as it had been drawn up, was
approved, and the next Day prefented to the Kin^ by the
whole Houfe, as follows :
Moft gracious Sovereign,
* WT^ your Majefty's moft dutiful and loyal Subjefts, The Common* a*
* VV the Commons of Great-Britain in Parliament af- ^«^
* fembled, beg Leave to return your Majefty our unfeigned
* Thanks for your moll gracious Speech from the Throne.
* We congratulate yiwir Majefty upon the Succefs that ha»
* attended your unwearied Application for reftoring Tran-*
* quility to Europe, for fecuring our Conunerce by Trea^es,
* and for relea£ng great ;J>rumbers of your Subjedls from
* Slavery among the Moors, and for delivering the trading
* Part of the Nation from the Apprehensions of the. like
' Cakmity. for the future i which are fo many Inftances of
* »yqur Majefty's Goodiicfs, in which all your Subjeds are fo
* nearly concerned, that we are no kfe bg^nd by Intereft,
f than led by Inclination and Duty, moft thankfully -to
' Vox... I. . •. *^ , LI • adcD0wfc4g*
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acknowledge thefe happy EfEeds of your Majefty's Care
for your PeOf>le.
* Your Majefty^s recommending* to us to improve the ge-
' neral Tranquility Abroad^ towards extending and enlargiog
* oor Commerce, is an additional Proof, how much your
* Majefty has the real Intereft of Great-Britain at Hearti
* in all your Counfels and Undertakings.
* Your Commons are throughly ienfible that our Poor
* cannot be fufRciently employed, nor the Balance of Trade
* be long prefer v'd in our Favoor, while fuch Duties are
* continuMy as either clog the Exportation of our own
* Manu£i£iures, or render the Manufadaring of them at
* Home lefs eafy and practicable ; and they will moft chear-
* fully apply themfelves to coniider how ftr fuch Duties
* can be taken off and replaced, withoi;^ laying any new
* Burthen on your People, or violating the publick Faith ;
' ' haytne great Reafon to fnromife themfelve^, that the free
' Circulation of Trade, which mnSt naturally fucceed upon
* the taking off this PrefTure, will, in a (hort Space of
* Time, compen&te any Diminution of the Cofloms, which
' this Alteration may occafion for the prefent.
* And fince the Trade, Navigatiob, and Safety of this
' Nation muil remain, ht fome M^iure, precarious, as long
' as we are under the NecefHty of purchaBng and importing
' all our naval Stores from foreign Countries, your Majefty's
' moft faithful Commons will do their utmoft Endeavours,
' that this important and beneficial Branch of Trade may
* -be fupply*d from your Majedy's Plantations in America,
' and thereby di^7«t our Colonies from fetting up Manu-
* ladtures, which diredly interfere with thofe of their
* Mother-Country.
' Your Majelfy's tender Concern to have the Supplies of
' this Sefiion fo ordered, that your Snl:jeds may be amcH^
*• the' earlieft in ittapihg the happy Effeds of the ' general
* Tranquility Abroad, cannot fad of exciting in your
^ ftithful CommOtis a D^rt of makmg fuitad)le Returns,
' by proceeding, with all' Alacrity^ to grant tk^ necefiary
* Sup^ies for the current Service of the Year, and lor dif-
^ Cha^ii^ the hettvy Debt of the Navy : And we find onr-
' felves engaged, 1^ aQ the Ties of Duty and Interefl, to
' fecond your Mijefty*s provident Intentiof»» toe hmt&x^
* the in^ous and pernicious Piadice of Running Goods ;
* which, befuiies that it defrauds the publick Revenues and
' difconrages the honefl Trader, may, at tins Jun^ore, in*
*■ danger the Hei^th and lives of many ThouCoids^f ywx
* M^ly's inn<k!ent Sobjeds.
^ The feveral Pbints which yo«r ^Jia^^ has been giad«
* oufly {deas^d to reconunend^^us^ cany in then foch cvi*
[ dent
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( 26; )
' dent Marks of your Majdly^s paternal and moil affectionate Anno 8. Oo.t
* Concern for your People, and are of fuch laiUng Confe- ^-^i^^
* quence to the Welfare and Safety of this Nation, that we
* ihould be inexcufahle, if we did not, by a ready Concur-
' rence on our Parts, do all in our Power to render thefe your
* Majefly's mod gracious Purpofes effedual ; and proceed
* in the Confideration of them with fuch Temper, Unani-
* mity, and Diipatch, as may fully anfwer your Majefly*s
' Expedtations, and defeat the Defigns of thofe who hope
* for any other G>ntentions amongft us, but of Zeal and
' Af!e6Uon towards your Majefly's (acred Perfon and Go-
* venunent*
To which the King gave this Anfwer,
Gentlemen,
*' T Return you my Thanks for this dutiful and loyal Ad- jn»« i^^ a*.
•' I dreis, and for the AfTurances you give me of going ^^ ****
** through the weighty Affairs now before you with Unani-
'' mity and Diipatch ; and I promife myfelf, from your
" experience Zeal and Application, that my good Wilhes
*' for the Welfefe and Profperity of my People, will be ren-
« der'd effedual/'
O^. 23. A Motion was made for a Supply to be granted
to his Majefty, which was unanimouily agreed to.
0<ff. 27. The Commons, in a Grand Conmiittee,coniider'd of
the Supply to be granted to his Majeily ; and, in the iiril Place, Debate in theCom-
went upon the State of the Debt of the Navy, as it flood on SJJSJiSL^'
the 30th of S^tember 1721, which amounted to about ^btseftiieNavy
1,700,000!. Hereupon Mr Freeman flood up, and with Mrftwmiiu
ibme Waimth animadverted upon the Perfons concerned in
that PM of the Adminiibation, ikying, amongother Things,
* It was Matter of Wonder, how fo great a Debt could be
incarr'd, when the Parlianient had provided for what had
been defir'd upon that Head.* He was feconded by Mr
Shqppen, who hinted, ' That fuch extraordinary Expences Mr suppen.
could not be for the immediate Service of Gceat-Britain, but
in all Probability, for the Prefervation of fome foreign Ac*
quifitions.* Mr Rummer anfwer'd them. Upon which Sir ,^,p|,,„„^^
Jofeph Jekyll iaid, * That he was not againu providing for sir j. jetyii.'
any juft publick Debt ; but that, in his pinion, they could
not anfwer it, either to themfelves, or thofe they had the
Honour to reprefent, if they gave away the Nation's Money
Uindfold ; and therefore he deiir'd, that the Houfe might
be informM, how fo great a Debt had been contra£ied ? * To
this Mr R. Walpole replied, * Nothing in the World was,^,^^^^^
more reafonable ; and therefore he mck'd the Motion for
LI z having
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One MiUion grant'
ed tow.vds paying
the Debts of the
Navy : And an Ad-
( 268 )
having a particular Account of that Debt laid before the
Houfe ; but, in the mean Time, he might afTure them, that
near 1,1 00,000 1. of it was contracted in the lafl Reign ; and
as the Perfons now in the'Admiftiibation, were not anfwer-
able for that Part, neither did they dcfire that above one
MilL'on of it fliould be this Year provided for.' Hercopon
the Queftion being put. That one Million be granted towards
paying off the Debt of the Navy, it was carry 'd without di-
dw?«»nthi^5^- viding : Then the Speaker having refum'd the Chair, it was
**•• refolv'd, according to Sir Jofeph Jekyll's Motion, to addrefs
his Majefty for an Account of all Money, granted by Parlia-
ment for the Service of the Navy, fl-om the firft Day of Ja-
nuary 1 7 10 J and how far the faid Money has been iffued for
that Purpofe, and what the Excefs of the Expence above the
Provifion made by Parliament has every Year amounted to,
and what were the Caufes of fuch Excels. ^
OSl. 31. The Order of the Day being read, for the Houfc
to refolye itfelf into a Grand Committee, to coniider farther
of the Supply granted to his Majefty, the feveral Eftimates
and Accounts relating to the Land- Forces, Chelfea-Hofpital
and reduc'd Officers, were referr'i to the faid Committee :
But a Motion being made by Mr Treby, that the Speaker do
now leave the Chair, the fame was oppos'd by Mr Freeman,
who dcfir'd that this Affair might be put <)9iy at leaft till the
Friday following, urging, ' That there had not been fufficient
Time allowed to the Members to perufe the feveral Accounts
and Eflimates, and, confequently, they were not prepared to
cive their Opinion thereupon/ He was feconded by Mr
Heyfham ; but Mr Yonge anfwer'd them both ; Mr Jefleries
having replied to Mr Yonge, he was anfwer'd by Mr Treby,
the latter by Mr Shippen ; to whom Mr R. Walpole having
replied, the Queftion was, at laft, put upon Mr Treby 's Mo-
tion, and* carry'd in the Affirmative, by 120 againft 40.'
^ The Houfe having thereupon refolv'd itfelf into a Grand
Committee, MrFarrer in the Chair, MrTreby mov*d, *That a
Supply be granted for the fame Number of Forces as were
provided for laft Year, viz. 14,294 Men, including Com-
mifllon and Non-CommilTion Officers, and rS^g Invalids.
This was again opposed by Mr Freeman, who alledg'd, * That
confidering the general Tranquility, both at Home and
Abroad, the Number of Land- Forces might be reduc'd, and
Part of that Expence apply 'd to more important Ufes :' But
he was anfwer'd by Mr Horatio Walpole ; and the Queftion
being put, Mr Treby's Motion was, upon a Divifion, ear-
ly'd by a Majority of 121 Votes againft 37.
No*vember 9. A Bill, To enable his Majefty effeilually t9
prchibit Commerce wtb any Country^ as he Jkall think necej^
X>ebate concerning
the Number of
lond-Forccs.
Mr Treby.
Mr Frcenua.
Mr Hey/ham.
Mr Yonge.
Mr Icffcrics.
MrTrefcy.
Mr Shippen.
Mr R. Walpole.
MrTwby.
Mr Freeaun.
Mr H. Walpole.
A Bill to forbid
Commerce vi ith
any Country >»■
Pla&uc.
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( 269 )
fary^ in order to pre^vrnt the Contagion being hwought into this
Kingdom, was read the iirft Time.
Non;, 13. The Bill, To present the Contagion , &c, was
read a fecond TiiM, and committed to a Committee of the
whole Houfe.
Nov. 17. Sir Gilbert Heathcote flood up, and fet forth, sirC.Heaihcote^
' That fmce the Ruffia Company had cngrofs'd the Trade to r^^^^
that Country, the Tar was rais'd above double the Price it ]b^^2^*
bore when the Trade was open. That, befides, while we
fetch'd our naval Stores from Ruffia, it was in the Power of
the Czar, not only to fet what Price he pleas'd upon them,
but even to prevent our having them at all, in Cafe we ihould
be at War, either with him, or any of his Allies ; or, at
leaft, to hinder our having them, iinlefs bt-ought over and
imported in his own Veflels ; which, he faxd, that he
was informed the Czar now infilled upon. That therefore,
fince thefe Commodities were fo abfolutely neceflkiy fpr our
Navy, it was not fitting we fhould lie at the Mercy of a
foreign Prince for them j efpecially, -fince we could be fup-
d^y'd with them from our own Plantations, and upon eafier
Terms : For whereas we now pay for the naval Stores from
Rufiia.moilly in ready Money, we might have them from
New-England, and other Englifh Plantations in America, in
Exchange for our own Manufadures ; whereby we ihould not
only encourage his Majefly's Subje£ls abroad, and divert
them fit)m fetting up and carrying on Manu&dhires which
dircdUy interfere with thofe of Great Britain, but alio em-
ploy our Poor at Home:' Concluding, with a Motion for
bringing in a Bill, For giving farther Encouragement /or the
Importation of Naiml Stores ; which being feconded, the faid
Bill was order'd to be brought in. /
Then the Houfe refolv'd itfelf into a Grand Committee, Debate on tbeia
upon the Bill, To prevent the Contagion being brought into SjpS ^ ^
this Kingdom, Mr Sandys in the Chair. A Claufixbeing of-
fered to be inferted in the Bill, impowering the King to order
his Officers to fire upon, and fink any Ship coming fh)m an
infeded Place, Sir Gflbert Heathcote mov'd, and wasTeccmded ^ ^ Heathcote.
by Sir Nathaniel Gould, and Mr Chifwell, Member for fjN^^Goua
Cake, all Turky Merchants, * That there might be an Ex-
ception as to the Ships of the Turky Company ; alledging,
that many of them were abroad, which they expefled hoftie
very fpecdily, and which could not have Notice of this Law.
They urg'd befides, that to allow the finking and dellroying
all Ships coming fit)m infedled Places, was, in Effedl, to pro-
hibit all Commerce with Turky, where it was known by
every Body, that the Plague was always in fome Part or
other 5 whereby w6 fhould lofe the moil beneficial Branch of
our Trade, and which took off fo much of our Woollen Ma- ,
nufefture.'
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Ur r. l(«iBtidb
{ 270 )
nafadurc/ To this it was tnfwcr'd, by Sir Philip Yorkc,
and Mr Yonge, * That there was a vail Differeace between
the common Plague, which is Epidemical in Turky, and the
Contagion which at prefent rages in the South Parts of
France, to prevent the bringing over of which this Bill was
chiefly intended. That therefore it might be left to the
Difcretion of the King and his Miniflers to a^ in that Mzt-
Iter as they fhould fee Occafion, and to give Directions ac-
cordingly by Proclamation :' And Mr Thomas Broderick^
added, ^ That for his Part, he was more afraid, that in this
Cafe, as on other Occaiions, the King would be too merci-
ful, rather than too fevere." Hereupon the Bill was gone
through. Then, upon the QueiHon, when the Amendment
made thereto fhould be reported. Sir Gilbert Heathcote and
they who were againfl the Bill infixed to have it put off,
that there might be more Time to confidcr of any Objedlions
that might he made againft it : But Mr Broderick (aid, ' He
thought no Time ought to be loft in a Cafe of this Nature,
wherein the Lives of hs all were conccm'd : That for his
Part he wifh'd the BUI could obtain the RoyalAffent that ve-
ry Day ; and therefore nwv'd, • That it he reported the next
Day, which being order'd accordingly, the fa^ Amendments
were then agreed to, and the Bill order'd to be engrofe'd.
nvBiOtoiievent f^^^* 20. The Commons read the third Time, pafsM, and
^J5S^'^''*fent up to the Lords, the Bill, To enable his Ma^fiy sfeau-
f^* al^ to frobihit Commerce^ foK the Space of one Tear, loith
any Country that is, orjhall be, infeSied nvith the Plague.
December 1 3. A Petition of the Quakers^ in Behalf of their
AKBonier^dto f"^^> ^ho fcruplc thc Form of folemn Affirmation, viz.
ke koMht ituin the Wordfi, In the Prrfence of Almighty God, was piefbited
fiw<2|hcQM^ to theHouie, and read, praying, that Leave be given to
bring in a BHl, For granting the faid People fuch Form of
jifirmation or Declaration, as may remove tbofe DiJ^culties
nvbich mofvf of them lie under \ or fuch other Relief as to
die Houfe fhould feem meet : This Petition was fpoke to by
SifcSS^ Sir John Ward, and Mr Heyfham, Members for London,
j^idwIftSet. who were back'd by the Lord William Paulet, Mr Sl<^r,
i!lH!^^poie. Mr Horatio Walpole, and Sir Wilfrid Lawfon * 5 whereupon
suwiMHAwi«. a Bill was order'd to be brought in, according to the Prayer
of the fiud Petition.
Dec, 15. The QgakePs Bill was read the firftTime.
ABiUorderMto \ Dcc, 1 6. Upou the Moti6n of Mr Hutchefon, a Bill was
XtS^^^I/" ordered to be brought in. For the better fecuring the Freedom
SilSw."" ^ ^/ ^^^^^ons of Mmbers to ferwe in Parliament.
Dec. 1 9. Thc Commons read a fecond Time, and comr
joitced die Bill in Favour of the Quakers.
January
* 0)ie cftbe Groms qf ihe Kirig's Bed^fon^.
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y,amiuuy 9. The Bill, For granting th^ Pi^ caiVi ^a-^
\ers, Jucb Form of Affirmation or Declaration^ as m^y remove v.^— xy-^^i^^^
the I^ijficulties n^hich many of them He undir^ w»$ read tli$ ThcQjiakertBai
diird Time^ pafe'd, and fent up to tkc Lwds. luffc. u,c Hoije.
yan, 16. A Bill, For fecuring the Freedom of tUaions of
'Members to fer*ve in Farliamenty was read tjic fij^ Time.
yan. 22. The abovc-mention'd Bill was jtetA a fecond
Time i upon which Mr Hutchefon ftood up and ipoke for
committing the f«me, as follows,
Mr Speaker,
* Tho' r thmk the Neccffity of the Bill which has beea Mr Hutchefon'*
read to you, is of kfelf a fofficient Argument lor it, yet fJ^rte^HTS?"
fince I was cMie of thofe who had the Honour oi your Com- 'j! "^if"2P
mands for bringing it in, it may, perhaps, :be expeaed thU £/«^ v^
I iheuld fay ^Mnedung upon it. As therefore there is too
muck Keaion to Af^ehend, that this is th^ laft Struggle yo«
are ever like to have for the Prefervation of your Rights and
Liberties ; {(> certainly the Efforts of every honeft Man are
more than ordinarily requifite at this critical Jundlurc, to pro*
cttte, if it be poffible, the Choice of a &ee and independent
Parliament, tl4t being the only Means, under Providence,
which can fave you from that State of Ruin and Confufion)
which ieems fp immediately to threatei^ and to be hanging
over you. If you ihould have the Misfortune to mifcany,
and that the M^ority of this Houfe ftouW hereafter be com*
pos'd of Perfons, who have Views and Schenws to purfue
cepugnant to the commcm Good and £aie of their Counmr,
what dfe muft you then expeft but the Continuance at Icall, * ^
if not the Incr^e, of thofe heavy Burthens you have already.
upon you, and at every Turn to fee the Honour and Sanftion
of Parliament bai^y proftituted to the dcflru6Uve Meafni«f
of thofe, who fliall then happen to be in Power, v^hich,,
without oUier Means of Violence, a)uld not be Juftify'd and
Supported ? If you ihould be phmg -d into an unaeccflary and
cxpenfive War, if your Trade and Inteteft ihould be fwai-
fic'd for the Service of other Princes, and it ma/ be, tthat
done too, only to engage them to the Cdacefion of foreign
Provinces and Acquifitioos, in which Britain has not the ieaft
Concem, what Redrefs could our Countiy hope for, tma
under iuch Grievances, from Patriots vtho had themicbcs
ecmtt^ted towards them, or were the ra^rcenai/ Tools and
Dttcndents of thofe who had ? AH Mmer of Licentioufiicft
aad pubUdc Frauds would then have their open and aTOwM
Advocates ; and it would be no Wonder to fee the greateft
CaiQiiiak o&ape ui^puniih'd^ i^^eft the Power of Remif^
fioa and PaidioA ^ Cosies wetn fo xtuch Uk their own
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ITU-ax.
Aanot.Geo.1. « It js too hotorious what Attempts are itow carrying oo**
to invade the Freedom of your approaching EledUons ; in 1
fomc Places by Threats, to fill and over-awe them with the
quartering of Troq)s, if they do not comply; is others, by I
die corrupt SoUicitations of Agents and Undertakers, em- \
ploy'd by thofe, who, from the incredible Sums whidi arc i
difpers'dy one mufl imagine, have more than private PuHes
at their Command.
' But what, in God's Name, can all this tend to ? What
other Confhru^n can any Man in common Senfe pat upon
all thefe Things, but that there feems to have been a fonn'd
Dcfign, by Vidence and Oj^reffion, firft to humble you and
to niakc your Necks plmble to the Yoke that is defign'd for
You, and then to finifli the Work by tempting the Poverty
and Neceffities of the People, to fell themielves into the moft
abjed and deteftable Slavery, for that very Money which had
been either unneceilarily raisM, or mercilefly and unjuiUy
I^underM and torn from their very Bowels ? And thus you
may be in a feir Way of being fubdu'd by your own Wea-
pons. Nor can I imagine what Inducement Men can have,
who run from Borough to Borough, and pnrchafe their Elec-
tions at fuch extravagant Rates, i^efs it be frxxn a fhong Ex-
pectation of being well repaid for their Votes, and of recei-
ving ample Recompence and Rewards for the fecret Service
they have covenanted to perform here. In this Situation, it
is high Time for Gentlemen to put themfelves upon their
Gua^ J and if it be not already too late, to endeavour to put
a Stop to the Courfe of thofe Evils, which arc otherwifc
likely fo ibon to overtake them. It '\% for thefe Purpoies that
this Bill is now before you, and I hope it either is, or by
your Afliftance will be made fuch, as nmy fiilly anfwer the
Ends for which you were pleas'd to order it to be brought in.
* The Abuies in the Maimer of difpatching your Writs to
the SherifB, were the Motives which firfl led "yOu into thisConii-
deration. I am perfuaded the Method here pitfcrib^d to re-
gulate that Matter, will be found fo eafy and practicable,
and fo litde lialsle to any Objection, that it would be needlefs
in me to take up your Time in enlarging upon that Head :
But for the Penalties upon falfe Returns, unlefs the)^ are
ietded on the fevereft and moil rigorous Terms^ it will be in
vain for you to contend with Shaifis and retttming Officers,
who, inilead of the People in whom the Right is and ou^
to be lodg'd, will draw the whole Power of Eleftions into
their own Hands, and therefore they ought to ht tyed up to
fuch ftriCt Rules, as that they fhall never dare, iqwn any Ac-
count whatfocver, to depart from them, aiucl^kfs to be fob-
jedt to thofe Sort of Influences, which, of all others, you have
moft Reafon to be jealous of. We know, that Pgfons here-
tofore
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tofore have not only brib'd the returning Officer, but have
even indemnify'd him againft the whole Penalty of Five Hun-
dred Pounds, rather th^ not get the Return, right or wrong,
in Favour of themfelves ; depending, I fuppofe, upon the
Strength and Partiality of their Friends, to maintain them,
at any Rate, in the unjulliiiable PoffeiEon of a Seat here ; this
has been pradis'd upon former Occafions, and therefore there
is always juft Grounds to fufpeft it will be attempted again.
And it is now come to fuch a Pais, that if you were even to
double that Penalty, without doing fomething elfe, I am
afraid it would have little or no EfFeft. But when all thofe
Bonds of Indemnity are declar'd null and void, when the
Securities ufually given and taken upon thefe Occafions are
withdrawn, they may then, perhaps, be deterr'd, at leall
from fo barefaced a Pradice of thde arbitrary and illegal
Proceedings for the future.
* Another Expedient for fecuring the Freedom of your
Eledtions, and which, I think, will more efFedually contri-
bute towards it, than any one Thing whatfoever, is the an-
nulling the Votes of thofe Swarms of Officers in the Cufloms
and Excife i they are already fubjefted to the Penalty of one
hundred Pounds, if they fhall prefume to intermeddle ; this
therefore is no more than a natural Confequence, and a ne-
ceflfary Enforcement of what you have done before. The
Conmiiffioners themfelves of thofe Branches of the Revenue
have been for fome Time under a legal Incapacity of fitting
here, as being thought under fuch fht)ng Ties and Influences,
in regard to their Employments, as were inconiiltent with
that Freedom with which Men ought to ad in Parliament j
certainly then the fame Reafon will hold good as to the
Votes of them and their inferior Officers, efpecially in Mat-
ters that fo nearly relate to it. There is likewife a Provifo,
that no Perfon fhall be capable of pofTeffing any of thefe Of-
fices, for a certain Time to be limited, after they fhall have
tendered their Votes in any Election ; and the Reafon of that
is very plain > without it all this Difability would flgnify no-
thing ; for by difplacing them jufl to ferve a Turn, and re-
ftoring them again immediately after, the whole Force of
this Claufe would be entirely defeated.
* I make no doubt but the Intention was very jufl and
commendable of the Gentlemen who brought in the Quali-
fication AEt, which was certainly defign'd to eflablifh a land-
ed Property in Parliament, without which, I will venture to
fay, it will be impoffible you fhould be fafe ; but that Matter
Hands at prefent upon fo loofe a Foot, that I am afraid it
has hitherto been of very litde Ufe or Service to you. What
Dependence, for Inflancc, can you have upon a Man who
has no more than three hundred Pounds ^ Year in Land, or,
V o L. I, Mm perhaps
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17XI-11.
( 274 )
Anrog.Gco.L perhaps, only an Annuity of that Value for Life, and has
*^'"*' at the fame Time thirty or forty thoufand Pounds in the Funds,
or an Employment of two or three thoufand Pounds a Year
civil or military from the Crown ? And even that fmall Qua*
lification is no otherwife obligatory upon him, but merely to
fwear to his having it, if it be required, at the Time of his
Election 5 for tho' he fells it, or otherwife divefts himfelf of
it immediately after, yet it remains a Doubt, whether, by
fo doing, he Ihall vj^cate his Seat in Parliament. This is
certainly fuch an Omiflion as requires to be better regulated
and explained. There is likewife a Saving in that A6k in
Favour of eldeft Sons of Peers, and the fame for thofe of
Cenunoners of fix hundred Pounds a Year ; but I confeis I
am at a Lofs to find 'out upon what Grounds the latter was
inferted, unlefs Care had been taken at the fame Time to
have obliged the Father or the Son to have proved the Pof-
feflion of fuch an Eftate 5 for at prefent, let the Circum-
jftances of the Family be what they will, if the eldefl Son
can procure himfelf to be eledled, I cannot fee but he is in-
titled to a Seat here, without any farther Examination what-
foever. This is another Defedl fo grofs in your former Ad,
and opens a Back- Door to fo many Perfbns, fo entirely con-
trary to, the Intent and Meaning of it, that it very well
juilifies the Repeal of it by this Bill, I mean fb far only as
it relates to the eldeft Sons of Commoners.
* Whether the Houfe will be willing to enadit by aQaufe,
muft be fubmitted to them, I only take the Liberty to menti-
/on, that it were very much to be wiih'd, that Gentlemen of
Eftates and Families in the Country would heartily unite in
this Particular, of keeping the Eledlions in their feveral
Counties among themfelves ; that they would refolve inviola-
bly to fupport each other's Intereft agamft the Incroachments
and corrupt Applications of Strangers, let them come from
what Quarter they will. If this were done, it would, in a
great Meafure, put an End to thofe dangerous and infamous
Pradices that are now on Foot, and we might hope once more
to fee this Houfe iilPd with Gentlemen of free and indepen-
. dent Fortunes, fuch as would be above making their Court
any where at the Expence of their Country, and would de-
{i^{e all Manner of flavifh Conceffions to Men in Power ; Mini-
llers would then be neither able to Ikreen themfelves, or
their Friends, ^gainft your Inquiries; and the boldeftand
moft enterprifkig of them would be made to tremble at the
Apprehenfions of your Animadverfions upon them; nor
Ihould we then, it is to be hop'd, fit tamely here, and fee onr
Country harrafs'd with the Expences of fruitlefs Expeditions
abroad, and with the MaintenJince of a Handing Army at
home,, dangerous to our Conftitution and Liberties.
There
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* There are other Parts of this Bill, which I had like to ^^^^
have omitted to have fpoken to, which arc dcfign'd, if poffi- '^
ble, to put a Stop to that. Torrent of Bribery arid Corruption,
which the Iniquity of the Times has let in upon you ; and ^
tho' I have very little Profped of any good EffcA that Way,
and whatsoever the Fate of this Bill may be, every Gentle-
xnan, I dare fwear, will fo far agree, that fome Method ihould
be taken to prevent fuch Pradices, or the Kingdom muft be
undone. If at this Time you had Men at the Head of your
Adminiftration, who had ever been charg'd with, or any Way
convi£bed of fuch Crimes, I own it would be in vain to pro-
pofe this, or any other Method, to punifti and difcourage it.
Were it poflibie to beheve, that the Influences of fuch Men
coald prevail here, or in any other Branch of the Legiflature,
it would then be no Wonder to fee this Bill mifcarry, or to
hear it treated as a Compofition of Abfurdities; or as a Viola-
tion of the Birthrights of great Numbers of his Majefty's beft
Sabje£b. But at prefent this fhall be no Reafon with me to
anticipate fo much ill Fortune to it, iince it is plain it could
come before you with no other View, but to rellore the Free-
dom and Honour of Parliament, to refcue the Rights and
Liberties of our Country, and to fave, if it be poffible, the
poor Remnant of our Conftitution. Thefe are the Confidera-
tions which occur to me in Favour of this Bill ; and I humbly
move you that it may be committed.'
Accordingly ^the faid Bill was committed to a Conmiittec
of the whole Houfe.
February I . Sir John Cope, Bart. Member for Tavi- sir John Cope
ftock, charg'd Sir Francis Page, one of the Barons of tlie p^lwith*eSdS?
Exchequer, with endeavouring to corrupt the Borough of Jh°e sofoughT**
Banbury in the. County of Oxon, in order to procure Sir Banbury."
William Codrington to be chofen a Representative for the
faid Borough in the enfuing Eledlion. The Sum of this
Charge was, that Mr Baron Page had not only ofier'd to the Debate thcrcoiu
faid Corporation to forgive them fix or feven hundred Pounds,
they ow'd him for their new Charter, but likewife to give
them another large Sum in ready Money, which Sir John
Cope having offered to prove by undeniable Evidence, fet the
whole Houfe into a Flame ; and fome Members were for
cenfuring the Baron immediately ; but *Mr Robert ^*Valpole
moderated that Heat, reprefentihg, * That it was unreafon-
able to arraign, condemn, and cenfure a Man, efpecially one
in fo eminent a Station, before they heard what he had to
fay in his own Vindication ; and befides, that it would look
like prejudging the Merits of the Election of that Borough ;
ajid therefore he was of Opinion, they ought not to take
any Notice of that Comj^nt, until the Eledtibn was over^
Mm z and
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('276 )
Aano 8. Geo. I. and then, if any Thing of that Nature appeared, the Hotife
^J^iT^^:^^, might proceed to cenfure as they fhould think fit.' He was
fupportcd by feveral other Members of the Court-Party, who
alledg'd, * That when they fhould hear what Mr Baron Page
had to fay for himfelf, the Matter might appear quite other-
wife ; and that the Gentleman who accused him, might be
either mifinform'd, or imposed upon.' Hereupon the Matter
of the faid Charge was order'd to be heard at the Bar of the
Debate on the Bai, Houfe the 13 th. Then in a Committee of the whole Houfe,
iZid^'!^£Uc- the Commons went upon the Bill, For better fecuring the
tim, &c. Freedom of EleSiions of Members to fer*ve for the Commons
in Parliament ; upon which there were great Debates about
feveral Qaufes that were ofler'd to be inferted in the fiiU :
One of them was, that no Officer of the Cultoms, or Excife,
ihould have any Vote at any Eleftion for Parliament-Men ;
which was ftrenuoufly opposed by the Court Party, as taking
away from the faid Officers their Birthright, as Englifhmen
and Freeholders ; fo that after fome Speeches made on both
Sides, the Country-Party were contented to drop that Claufe.
Another was proposed, importing. That no Perfon who did
not pay Scot and Lot, fhould have a Vote in a Corporation ;
but this was alfb oppos'd by the Courtiers, who urg'd, * That
it had already been adjudged, at Committees of Elections, and
agreed to by the Houfe, in feveral Cafes, that fuch Perfons,
in fome Places, fhould have no Votes ; and that in other
Places they fhould be allowM to vote, provided they did not
receive Alms from the Parifh.' The other Party, in order to
give the Bill a more eafy PafTage, did not think fit to infift
upon this fecond Claufe neither ; and fo the Bill was gone
through, and ordered to be reported on the 6th.
The Hoi^e order ^gf^ 2. The Houfe Ordered, That the Complaint made
bir John Cope and -^^ ,>. , o«ti^ tw 'Jiik/rTi
Mr Baron Page to the Day before by Sir John Cope, Bart, agaimt Mr Baron
0)uS ^ ^^^ Page, be by him put into Writing, and delivered to Mr
Baron Page 5 and. That Sir John Cope, Bart, and Mr
Baron Page be heard at tlje Bar of this Houfe by their
Counfel, upon the Matter of the faid Charge.
T^li^'hr^eldlm ^^^' 7' '^^^ engrofs'd Bill, For better fecuring the Freedom
cf 'liciims, paifcs of Ele^ions, was read the third Time, pafs'd, and fent up
rc[eaed iqrSe** to the Lords ; who rejeded it, on the fecond Reading there-
Lords. ^f February the 1 3th.
FirrherProceedi /v^. jm. The Houfe weut upon the Complaint of Sir
jngs on the Com- _, ^t^ •n-n/r-r**^ /-t
plaint of siMohn John Cope, Bart, agamft Mr Baron Page, for endeavouring
j^ioa^lgj! ^^^ to corrupt feveral of the leading Members of the Corporation
of Banbury againfl the next Election ; and to aggravate the
Matter, Sir John Cope acquainted the Houfe, diat he ^s
informed, that fome of his Evidences had been tampered with;
and tliat there was one Mr Gregory at the Door, who could
give the Houfe an Account thereof. Mr Gregory having
thereupon
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(^77)
thereupon been caU'd in, and examinM, Sir John Cope AimoS."Geo.i*
mov'd. That the Matter of the faid Charge might be referr'd """**
zo the Coniideration of a Committee, upon C^h ; but this
was oppos'd by the Courtiers, who urg'd. That the faid
Ooxxiplaint was already ordered to be heard at the Bar of
this Houfe this Day, and the Quellion being put, that the
hearing the Matter of the faid Charge at, the Bar of this
Houfe be difcharg'd, it was carry'd in the Negative by 1 76
Voices againft 135. Then Sir John Cope mov'd, and
the Queftion was proposed, that the WitnefTes to be examined
in the Matter of this Charge, be examined at the Bar of this
Houfe in the moft folemn Manner ; but the previous Queftion
being put, that the Queftion be now put, it pafs'd in the Ne-
gative by 144 Votes againft 142. Then the Counfel for Mr
Baron Page being call'd in, and the Charge of Sir John
Cope againft him read, the Mayor of Banbury, and other
Witneffes, were call'd in, and examined by Sir John Cope ;
after which, the Counfel for Mr Baron Page was heard,
and a Wimefs examin'd. The WitnefTes for Sir John Cope
declared, * That Mr Baron Page being with Sir Adolphus
Oughton, and Sir William Coddrington in the Town-Hall at
Banbury, Mr Baron Page call'd the Mayor and two or three
of the Aldermen into another Room, and difcourling with
them about a Perfon to be fet up at the next Eledlion to repre-
fent the Corporation, he propos'd to them Sir William Co-
drington. That they anfwer'd. They would be very glad to
accept one of his Recommendation ; but added, that moft
other Corporations made> a confiderable Advantage of their
Eleftions ; and they knew no Reafon why they fhould not do
it as well as their Neighbours ; that they wanted to have their
Streets pav'd, an Augmentation to their Vicarage, and a
School to be built ; which the Corporation not being able to
do of themfelves, their Stock being very low, they therefore
expedled, that the Peribn who fhould be chofen fhould be at
that Expence, which, in all, might amount to 500 1. or 600 1.
That thereupo|i the Baron told them, he did not expcA fuch
an Anfwer ; that they knew he had been very kind to the
Corporation, and had been at a great Charge, no lefs than
600 1. or 700 1. to procure them a new Charter ; that he
never intended to afk that Money of them, and if they would
order a Releafe for it to be drawn up, he would readily iign '
it, which he did accordingly on the 2 2d of December laft.
That this was all that pafs'd then ; but that the Baron came
afterwards to them, and offer'd them firft lool. and then
came up to 500 1.' It being late, the Houfe adjoum'd the
farther hearing of that Matter to the next Day.
Feb. 14. Afcer the farther examining of WitnefTes, and
hearing of Mr Baron Page's Counfel, a Motion being made,
and
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Mr Hatchdbn.
Lord Morpeth.
Gen. Rofe.
Mr W. Pulteney.
MrR.WalpoIe.
( 278 )
Anaos. G«D. L asd the QttdHoQ put^ that it z^ppesuc^d to dus Hoafe, that Sir
^^^iil^J;^^ John Cope, Bart, had made good his Giarge againft Sir
TheHouferdbirc Fnuicis Page, one of the Barons of his Majefty's Exchequer,
^pc^U^ it was, after a long Debate, cany'd in the Negative, by i?8
cS?' * «BiiS Votes only againft 1 24.
MrilSonPage. FeL 1 6. The Hoafe went into a Committee upon a Bill,
Dcbatecooceming ^^ ^^^^ *^^ Soutb-Sea Company to dij^ofe of the EffeBs in
^^f's^c^Z^ ^^^^^ ^fl»</jf by Way of Lottery or Subferiptiony in order to
ndi'^etf^^rf pay tbe Debts of tie faid Company. Sir Thomas Crofs being
tTM'^SSt in the Chair, Mr Robert Waipole oflfer'd a Claufe to be
added to the Bill, To impo^er the South-Sea Company to dtf-
pofe of Fart of their Capital Fundy not exceeding t*wo Hum-
dred Tboufand Founds per Annum, to any Ferfons^ Body FoU-
tick or Corporate^ to enable them to pay their Debts, This
Qaufe was very ftrenuoufly oppos'd by A4r Archibald Hutche-
fon, the Lord Morpeth, General Rofs, and Mr Pulteney;
who fuggefted, * That this was but an Ingraftment in other
Terms : That the South-Sea Company had defirM no fuch
Power ; but if they had it, the Direftors would not fail
making Ufe of it, whether there was any Occaiion for it or
not.' To this Mr Waipole replied, * He perceiv'd, that be-
caufe he had once declared himfelf in Favour of an Ingraft-
ment, every Thing he proposed iince appeared frightful, as
tho' he were in the Intereft of another Company, and not in
that of the South-Sea j but that he took that C^^rtunity to
declare, that he had no Manner of Concern in the Bank,
where, for a long Time, he had not had one Penny ; where-
as he 'had, at this very Jun^re, a confiderable Stock in die
South-Sea Company, and therefore had Reafon to be for die
Intereft of the latter, if he coniider'd only his own ; but that
in this whole Affair, he had the publick Good princmally in
View : And altho' he had been fo much reflefted on to being
for an Ingraftment, yet he would undertake to prove to any
two unprejudiced Gentlemen in that Houfe, as plainly as Fi-
gure? couki do, that an Ingraftment had been fba- the Intcrd
and Advantage of the South-Sea Company. That as to this
Claufe, he could not imagine, why any one concem'd in the
faid Company, ihould be againft their having as much Power
as they could, fmce it was in their Choice, whether they
would make Ufe of, it or not : That confidering the prefcnt
Circumftanccs of Affairs, the lownefs of Publick Credit, the
Parliament's drawing to an End, and how many Accidents
might happen before another Seflion, he thought it could not
hurt the Qovaspmy to have Power from the prefent Parlia-
ment, to do what they might have Occafion to aj^y for to
a Parliament, when, perhaps, none were fitting.' Hereupon
the (aid Claufe was agreed to, and the Bill gone through.
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( 279 )
]^eh. 23. The Commons read the third Time, pais'd, and Anno 8. ceo.r.
lent up the feid Bill to the Lords. V^>^^\^i<^
March 7. The King went to the Houfe of Peers with the which is pafe'd.
ufual State and Solenmity, and the Commons attending, their
Speaker, upon prefenting the Money-Bill, made the following
Speech to his Majefty, viz.
Moft gracious Sovereign,
* ^TT^His is the (eventh Year in which your Majefty's faith- ^^ spetion**
* J[, ful Conunons, without burthening your People wkfa ^P****if'^*'^'
* any ikw or unufual Taxes, have readily and chearftlly Mo£y.j£S?^
* , granted to your Majefty the neceflary Sullies, not only for
* carrying on the ordinary Ejq)ences of the Goveifnment, but
* for maintaining the Honour and Dignity of the Crown ;
* and, at the fame Time, they have omitted no Opportu*
* nity of eaiing the publick Incumbrances, and of putting the
* National Debt into a Method of Payment ; for no fooner
* had your Majefty, by the Vigilance of your Councils,
* and the Succe^ of your A^ms, reftor'd and fecur'd the pub-
* lick Peace and Tranquility, but your Commons inunedi-
* ately found Means to reduce the Intereft of the National
* Debt, and thereby fet apart a Fund, which, by a, farther
* Redu6Uon of Intereft fince nfiade' by your Commons, will,
* in a few Years, be confiderably increased, and the Payment
* of the Principal become practicable ; and from which your
* Majefty's trading Subjeds have already reap'd this imme-
* diate Benefit, that your Commons have been enabled, during
* this Seffion, without endangering the Security of any Par-
* liamentary Engagements, to take off fuch Duties as were
* found by Experience to be moft prejudicial to the Trade
* and Manufactures of your Kingdoms. And as your Com-
* mons were apprehenfive, that the Debt of the Navy Was
* riling to fuch an Height, as would, if not timely prevented,
* neceftkrily aflFeCt and depreciate all other publick Credit,
* and which would inevitably increafe the Charge and Ex-
* pence of the current Service ; they have therefore unani-
* mouily agreed on fuch Methods of difcharging fo much of
* that Debt, as will efFedbally prevent the Mifchiefs they
* apprehend, and can be no Ways burthenfome to their Fel-
* low-Subjefts.
* Thus have your Commons fully and happily compleated
(■ « every Thing which your Majefty was gracioufly pleas'd to
* reconmiend to them at the Beginning of this Seflion ; and
* whenever your Majefty, in your Royal Wiidom, fliall again
* think it proper to meet your People in Parliament, may
* they imitate your prefent Houie of Commons in our Duty
* and Affedion to your Majefty, in our Steadinefs and Refo-
' lution to fupport your Government ; may they continue,
with
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AaBoS.Ofee.L ' With like Applicatioii and Diligence, to extend Trade and
^^•^j^ ^ * Commerce, the true and natural Source of Wealth and
Plenty in thefe Kingdoms ; and we ihould think ourfelvo
happy, if even our Miftakes might Be of Service to yoa
* Majcify, by beii^ a Warning to thofe that come after us:
* And that when the Wifdom of- your Majefty's Councik,
^ and theSteadinefs of your Adminiflralipn, fhall have rdbr'd
* Credit to its former iiounfliing Condition, they may not
* ffow wanton with too much Profperity, but may proceed
' with fuch Caution • and Prudence in their Endeavours to
* leffen the. National Debt, as may put it out of the Power
* of any Set of Men to produce Mifery and Diibiefs, hm
' what ihall be propos'd for the Eafe and Benefit of yoor
' People : And that, by the Bleffing and Affiftance of Divke
* Providence, they may fo efFedually unite the Afledions of
* your People, and finnly eftablifh- your Majeity's Throne,
* That the Scepter may not depart from your Royal Hottfcy
* nor a Lamjgi'ver from het^Meen your Feet ! that the ancient
' legal Conftitution of this Kingdom, in King, Lords, and
* Conmions, may be perpetuated in your Majefty and your
* Royal Pofterity, till Time fhall be no more.
* Your Majefty having been, at different Times, in tk
' Courfe of this Seffion, gracioufly pleased to accept fach
* Supplies, as your Cdmmoils offer'd to your Majefly for the
* Service of this Year, they do now humbly pray your Afe-
* jefly's like gracious Acceptance of a Bill they have prepar'd
* for difcharging the Debt of the Navy, intided, jin ASftr
* paying off and cancelling one Million of Exchequer Bills, &c.'
After this the King gave the. Royal Aflent to the faid
BiU ; alfo to a Bill, To enable the South-Sea Company to dif-
pofe of the EffeHs in their Hands by Way of Lottery or Suh-
fcription, &c. Alfo to feveral other publick, and private Bilis.
* After which his Majefty made the following Speech.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
«**S?inES^ " \/^^*^ could not have given me a more acceptable Ito-
toffsfl^fttfiia- " X ftance of your Zeal and AfFedion, than by dHpatch-
"*"* ** ing, with io much Unanimity, the feveral Particulars I
" recommended to you at the Beginning of this Seffion, for
** the Eafe and Advantage of my People.
** The many and great Encouragements you have given to.
** our Trade and Manufactures, and the Provifion you have
** made for our being fupply'd with naval Stores from our
** own Plaitations, w3l, I make no doubt, excite the Ib-
** dufby of my Subjeds, employ a greater Number of the
** Poor, encreafe our Navigation, and be a confiderablc Ad-
•* dition to the Riches and Strength of this Nation.
Gentlemen,
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Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commonsi
** The raiiing the current Sironlies of Ac YeftTi aiyi the
*• making a Proviiion for the Diicharge (Jf fo.confiderable a
** Part of the Debt of the Navy, is a farther Proof of your
•* Afledion to me, and your Regard for the Publick ; and
** doing it in a Manner fo little burthenibme to my People
*< gives me the greated Satis^^on.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
^ I <:annot Jb Juftice part with this Parliament, without
•' returning you, my iincereft Thanks, for your fteady and
** refolute Adherence to my Perfon and Government, and to
•• the Intereft of the Proteftant Caufe, both at Home an4
** Abroad. The Enemies of pur happy Conftitution have
** given the flrongeft and moft honourable Teftimony of your
*' Behaviour in thefe Particulars, by the implacable Malice
** which the/ have, upon all Occ^ons, exprefsM againft you.
** You muft all be fenHble, that they are, at this Junfiure^
** reviving, with the greateft Indufoy, the feme wicked
** Arts of Calunmy and Defemation, which have been the
•* conftant Preludes to publick Troubles and Diforders ; and
*' fuch is their Infatuation, that they flatter themfclves the
•' grofleft Mifreprefentatioiis will turn to their Advantage,
** and give them an Opportunity of reconunending themfelves
** to the Favour arfd good Opinion of my People ; but I
** have fo juft a Confidence in the AfFe^bn of my Subjefts,
** and In their Reeard for their own Welfare, that I am
" perfuaded tliey will not fuflfer themfelves to be thus impos'd
** upon, and betray*d int6 their own DeftrudUon.
*' For my Part, as the Prefervation of the Conftitution irt
** Church and State fliall always be my Care, lam firmly
" deterfiiin'd to continue to countenance fuch as have mani-
** fefted their Zeal for the prefent Eftablifhment, and have
" the religious and civil Rights of all my Subjedls truly at
" Heart ; and I q'ueilion not but that Behaviour, which has
** juftly recommended them to me, will effedually fecure to
" them the Good-will of all that are well aflTedted to ray
•* Government ; and will convince the World, that the Ex-
•* peftations of thofe are very ill grounded, who hope to
" prevail with a Proteftant free People, to give up their Re-
*' ligion and Liberties into the Hands of luch iu are Enc-
«* mies to both.*'
And then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majefty^s Command. Th« Pariamtat
prorogued the Parliament to the 15 th of March : But on ***^'^
the loth of the fame Month, a Proclamation was ifRied for
the Diflblution of this Parliament, and the Calling another.
Vol, I. Nn SfEECHSS^
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SPEECHES
AND
DEBATES
JN THE
Fsrft Seffiim ef the Second Par.iiament
o F
King George L
BemgtheSixth Parliament c^Great Britain.
Aaad9. Oco. t ^""^^ ^ ^ 9^ ®^ Oftobcr, tHe Parliament bdog met
>7tt< * ■ m ^^ Wmninfter, purfuant to a Prodamation for
S;;^\i^y^^ tLW thatPurpofe, the King came to theHonfe of Peers,
««t. ^^1^^ with the ufiial State, and the Conuncms being fcnt
for up and attending, his Majefty^s Pkafure was fignify'd to
them % -die Lord ChanceDor, that they ihould return to
their ftoak ^d chufe a Speaker, and prefent him to his
Majefiy sim Thorfflay following. The Commons bdng re-
tnniM acc^idin^y, Mr Polteney*, Member for Heydc^
A^speBcer^Mp. made a Motion for chufing Mr Spencer Compton f , Knight
speakcn^ of the Shire, for Suflbc, their Spe^r, as a Perfcm of kncMoi
Abilities, and confummate Experience, and in all Re^pc£b
qiialify*d for fo arduous and important an Employment^
whidi he had already difchargM with imiverial Applaufe, in
the laft Parliamfpt. This Motion was immediately feconded^
and beii|g Imported by a great many Voices, he was chofen
%eafcer, without Oppofition.
OM^er 1 1 . The King being come again to the Houfo of
Peers, the Commons prefented their Speaker to his Ma*
ji%, who, by the Mouth of the Lord Chancellor, fignify*d
1ms jAj^robation of their Choice. Then the Lord ChanreHor
«rad his Majefty's Speech to both Houfes, as foUows.
My
• jlppMiUd Lord lAiutemtit tf On E^ifi KM^ tfXorkJtiftj Jatmmy
■*■**-*' * • ''
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My Lords and Gentlemen^ Aom^ omh^.
** TT Am concerned to find my fdf oblig'd, ^t the opening of i^JI!*** -
«* X ^^ Parliament, to acquaint you, tliat a dangerous Coa- tJTkiJi^JSa
** ipiracy has been fyr fbme Time £onn*d, and is ^ car- S^^^^^J^JH^
'' lying on, againft my Peribn and Govenunent, ift Favour coadPtrUameiit^
« of a Popifti Pretender. J^tltoN JS;
" The Difcoveries I have made here, the Informations I rfMyer'iPiou
** have receiv'd fiom my Miniibrs abroad, and the Intetli'*
** gences I have had from the Powers in Alliance with mt »
** and indeed from moft Parts of Europe, have given me
** moft ample and concurrent Proo& of this wicked Pdliga.
** The Conipirators have, by their Emiflaries, made the
** ftrongeft Infiances for Aififtance from Foreign Powers, fant
*^ were difappointed in their £xpe4buions: However^ coa-
*' fiding m their Numbers, and not diicoitfag*4 hy thor for-*:
" mer ill Succefs, they rf iblvM once more, ubon their awk
'* Strength, to attempt the Subverfion of my MO^^cnmiei^
'' To this End, they provided confiderableSuimof Money,
«' engaged great Numbers of Officers from abroad, fecur^d
^ large Quantities of Arms and AnunnnitioQ, and thought
** thraiielves in fuch Readinefs, that had not the Confpiracy
'* been timely difcover'd, ^e ihould, without Doubt, oefoie
^* now, have feen the whole Nation, and particularly the
*' City of London, invdv'd in Blood and Conftifion.
" The Care I have taken has, by the filefling of God,
^* hitherto pievented the Execution of their traiteroos Pro-
** jtOs : The Troops have been encamp'd all this Summer :
** Six Re^ments, uiou^ very neceilaiy for the Security of
** Lreland have been brought over from that Kingdom : The
^* States-General have given me AiTmances, "that they would
** keep a considerable Body of Forces in a Readineis to em-
^ barb on the firft Notice of their being wanted Jbre, which
** was all I defir'd of them, being determined not to mt my
** Teofit to any more Expence than what vna abfolute^
«* neceffiury for their Peace and Security. .^ ^
** Some of the Confpirators have been taken up, and fe-
** cur'd ; and Endeavours are usM for apprehending others.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
*' Having thus in general laid before you the State of the
** prefent Confpiracy> I rauft leave to your Confideration
^* what is proper and neceifiuy to be don^ for the C^iet
<« sod Safety of the Kingdom. I cannot but believe the
** Hopes and Expedations of our Enemies are very ill
^ grounded, in flattering themfelves, that the late Ditcon-
** teats, occafion*d by private Lofles and Misfortunes, how-
** ever induftrioufly and maliciouily fomented, are tumtd
^. into OiAlffcftioni and a Spirit of Rebellion*
Nn« •*JIad
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1711.
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Aaa»9^Gee.l «< Had I, fincc my Acceffion to the Throne^ crer slU
** tempted any Innovation in our efhtbliih'd Religion ; had
** I, in any one Infbmce^ invaded the Liberty or Property
** of my Sabjeds, I ftiould leis wonder at any Endeavours
** to alienate the Affedions of my People, and draw them
'* into Meafures that can end in nothing but their own De-
" ftmaion.
" But to hope to perfuadc a free People, in full Enjoy-
** ment of all that is dear and valuable to them, to exchange
** Freedom for Slavery, the Protcftant Religion for Popery,
*' and to (acrifice at once the Price of fo much Blood and
" Treafure, as have been fpent in Defence of our prefent
" Eilablifhment, feems an Infatuation not to be accounted
•* for. But however vain and unfuccefsful thefe defperate
•* Projefts may prove in the End, they have at prefent (b
** far the defired EfFed, as to create Uneafinefs and Diffi-
** dence in the Minds of my People ; which our Enemies
" labour to improve to their own Advantage. By forming
*' Plots they depreciate all Property that is vefted in the
** publick Filids, and then complain of the low State of
^' Credit : They make an Incr^fe of the National Expen-
** ces ncceffary, and then clamour at the Burthen of Taxes,
** and endeavour to impute to my Government, as Grie-
*' vances, the Mifchicfs and Calamities which they alone
•* create and occafion.
'* I wiih for nothing more, than to fee the publick Ex-
** pences leflcn'd, and the great National Debt put in a
" Method of being gradually reduced and difcharg*d, with
<* a ftrift Regard to Parliamentary Faith 5 and a more fa-
** vourable Opportunity could never have been hoped for,
*' than the State of profound Peace, which we now enjoy
«* with all our Neighbours. But publick Credit will al-
<« ways languifh under daily Alarms -and Apprehenfions of
•* publick Danger : And as the Enemies of our Peace have
*' been able to bring this immediate Mifchief upon us, no»
*' thing can prevent them from continuing to fubjedt the
** Nation to new and conftant Difficulties^ and Diftrefles,
•* but the Wifdom, Zeal, and vigorous Refoludons of this
" jparliament.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
*' I have orderM thfe Accounts to be made up, and laid
" before you, of the extraordinary Charge that has been
*' incurred this Summer, for the Defence and Safety of the
** Kingdom ; and I have been particularly careful, not to
** dired any Expence to be made greater or fooner than
•^ was of abfolute Neceffity.
** I have likewife ordered Eftimates to be prepar'd and
«' laid before you, for the Service of the Year enfuing ; and
"I
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" I hope the fiuther Provifions, which the treafonable Prac-
** tices of our Enemies have made neceflary for our common
•* Safety, may be order'd with fuch Frugality, as very little
** to exceed the Supplies of the laft Year.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** I need not tell you of what infinite Concern it is to the
** Peace and Tranquility of the Kingdom, that this Parlia-
** ment fhould, upon this Occafion, exert themfelves with a
•* more than ordinary Zeal and Vigour. An intirt Unicm
*' among all that fincerely wifti well to the prefent Eilabliih- ,
** ment, is now become abfolutely neceflary. Our Enemies
** have too long taken Advantage from your Difi^rences and •
** DiiTentions. Let it be known, that the Spirit of Popeiy,
** which breathes nothing but Confulion to the civil and re-
*^ ligious Rights of a Proteftant Church and Kingdom, howr
■* ever abandon*d fome few may be, in deipite of all OUi-
*f gations divine and human, has not fo far pofleiTed my Peo-
** pie, as to make them ripe for fuch a fotal Change. Let
*' the World fee, that the general Difpofition of the Nati<m
** is no Invitation to Foreign Powers to invade us, nor En-
** couragement to Domeftick Enemies to kindle a Civil War
** in the Bowels of my JKingdom. Your own Intereft and
** Welfare call upon you to defend yourfelves. I fliall
** wholly rely upon the Divine Protedion, the Support o{
** my Parliamoit, and the Affe£lions of my People^ which I
** (hall endeavour to preferve, by fteadily adhering to the
** ConitituticHi in Church and State, and continuing to make
** the Laws of the Realm the Rule and Meafure of all my
« Aaions."
O&oher 15. The Houfe began to enter upon Bufinefs, ap-
pointed and order'd the Sittmg of the Gram! Committees
for Religion, Grievances, Courts of Juftice, Trade, and
Privileges and Elections ; and made the ufual landing Ot'^
ders ai^ Regulations. When they ^ame to the Conmiittee
of Privileges and EIe£tions, Mr Hutchefon, Member for Mr Hutehefim
Haftings, mov'd. That it fhould confift of 36, or fuch other SSSu^^rf-
Number of Seleft Members as the Houfe fhould think fit, "SSSi^^S^
who fhould be empowered to hear, try, and determine the J^JS^'Sj**^
Merits of Elections ; and that no other Members^ but fuch je^rks. ^
as were chofen by the Houfe, might have Votes in the faid
Committee. He was feconded by Mr Jefiferies, Member
for Droitwich, who fhew'd, that this hod been die conibnt
U&ge and Prance both before and after Queen Elizabeth^s
Time, and that it had never been otherwife, till the long
Parliament in 1641, when all Things were in Confuiioni
bat iwvenhelefs Mr Hutchcfon's Motion was dropt
: Mr
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( 286 }
Mm9'0»'t, 1^ Speaker having afterwards nportad the lUi^
^^7«u to both Houfcs, Mr William Paltency ftood up, and
JJViw^^ ^ted the difinal Conicquences of the Plot, if it had plosl
»oj«fc«;»^ the Divine Providence that it had not been timely difcovef 4;
Sonft^hS^ and mov'd for an Addrefe of Thanks, on the fevend Hca*l
^^^^ , <jif his M^cfty's Speech, porticalarly to congrataUte his M^
jefly on the dmely Difi^veiy of the dangerous and liiinatBid
Confpiracy againft his Maj^'9 Perfau and Govemmcnt ; to
cxpreG the juft Deteftation and Abhorrence his ^ithfol Con-
o^hrtetkefMB. mons had of all fach traiteroos Pradices, and their Indi^
tion and Refentment againft the Authors and ContriFeis
UiJ)oUhg¥m. of them. This was fe(^ed by Mr Doddii^on, ^fenber
m mnoL ior Bridgwater ; bat Mr Shippen, Member for Newton,
mov^d, that to the Paragraph, Jfuring bis Mtgtfty^ that bis
faitbful C9mm9n$ 'would enable bim effeSlually to fvpfrtfi all
remaining Spirit ef Rebellion^ thcfe Words might be added,
twitb due Regard N tbe Liberty of tbe'SnbjeS^ tbt Conftif-
t iion in Cburcb and State, and tbe Laws no'w in Ftree.
sxrW.wyndkuL He WES feoonded by Sir William Wyndham, Member for
ifrw.PidtenQr. SomcT&tlhire ; but Mr Pulteney rcply'd, * ThaJt fuch a
Caufe would be injurious to tbe King, fince it would look
like making a Condition or Bargain with his Majcfty, and
tacitly imply, either that the Laws had already been io-
fringM, or that the Commons were jeak>us left his Majeflj
ihould, for the future, break in upon the Conftitution:
Therefore, inftead of the faid Claufe^ he proposed, that at
the hitter End of the Addrefs, they fhould retOm his Maje-
fky their Thanks for his moft gracious Declaration, that he
would preferve the Conftitution in Church and State, and
continue to make the Laws of the Reahn the Rule and Mea^
BftYoQce. fore of all his A^Uoos.' This was feconded by Mr Yonge,
Member for Honiton : And then the Queftion bekig pot,
which of the Two Cbufes fhould be made Part of the Ad<
dreis, it was carry*d for Mr PaHency's Claufe, without any
Divifion. After this, a Comniittee was appoiaCed to draw
up the &id Addrefs.
Mr Juftice Tracy and Mr Baron Price having imiu^t from
£J!Sfo^&ii- ^^ ^^^ord&f a Bill, To imfv^jer bis Mf^fiy taficure and detSM
JijSe miu fitcb Ferfons as bis Majefy JhaU fttfpeB are con^iring mgms^
c^Aftf6ft«e bisPerfonandGovfrwwt: The fame, upon Mr R.Wa$olc'$
Debate tbctcoa. Motiofi, WIS immediately read the firft Time, and CMdered
to be read a fecond Time the next Morning.
Oa, 16. The iaidBill was read a fecond Time, and a Mo-
tion being made, and the Queftion put thercupn. That k
be committed to a Committee of the who^ Houfe, the &ne
Mr cafiv. was opposed hy Mr Caefar, Member for Hertford, who ret
preiented the dangerous Confequences of a Stt^)enfionof thd
Mahaf Qorpt(4 Aft, to the Rights a»d Libcrticf of Englilh^
men*
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t «87 3
He was feconded by Mr Huagerfbrd^ Member (cr aaao9.^m.i.
Scarbrough ; but Mr Bromley, Member for the Univerfity v»^"!^^Vk^
of Oxford, faid thereupon^ * That the chief Olijedion agamft Mr HiugoitMd.
this BiU being in Point of Time, and whether the Sufpenfioo ^■'«'^-
viras to continue fix or twelve Months, it was more proper to
debate it in a Committee than in a Hoiife» and therefore he
was for committing it ; * which, after fome (mall (^pofition,
was cany'd without dividing. The Houfe beii^ immediate-
ly rcfblv'd into that Conunittee, and the Earl ofHertford f, Eari of Hcftfiwi.
Member for Northumberland, placed in the Chair, Mr Spen- M'^co'w
cer Cowper *, Member f^ Truro, ftood up, and open*d the
Debate. He declared, * That he and all his Family had
come as early and as readily into the Revc^ution, and on aU
Occafkms had appeared as zealous for the preient hap^y Set-
tlement as any one : But yet he could not be of O^Hnion,
to tiroft the Liberties of the People in the Hands of ai^ MiV
uiftry, for fo long a Time as above a Year. That nei-
ther in King William's nor Queen Anne*s Reigns, nor fince
his jneient Majeity's Acceffion to the ThwMie, even in Times
of open and adual Rebellion, the Habeas Corpus' Ad had ever
been fdTpended for above Six Mon^ ; and therefore he
moT*d, that ^e prefent Suipenfion might be limited to that
Term.* He was feconded by Mr Smidi f +, Member for Mr scuti.
Eaftiow, and Sir Jofeph Jekyll**, Member for Ryegate, who sir j. jdcyfl.
added, ' That if, at the End of thofe fix Months, th^^ ap-
pen-ed to be a Neceffity for a &rtker Sufpenfion, he fhouki^
and he doubted not but the whole Houfe would, readily
ccmte into it.' They were anfWered by Sir Robert Raymond f , sirRoUR^^niond.
Member for Helfton, who, to fliew the Neceffity of the Suf-
penfion for a whole Year, faid, * That the prefeit Confpira-
cy being laid deep, fpreading hx and wide, and confiding of
feverai Branches, it requirM a great deal of Time to unravel^
and make a full Difcovery of it.' Mr Worfley, Member for Mr worfkf.
Ncwtoft[ffiWi/j] having anfWer'd him, he was re^y'd to by
Sir Wilfred Lawfon, Member for Cockermouth ; after whieh sir warred Uv-
the Debate was continued between Mr Hungerford, Mr Jef- Mr^HHuferiM.
fertes, MrHutdwfbn, and MrSbper, Member for Camel- JJl^^^ji.
ford, whoallfupportcd Mr Cowper's Motion 5 and Mr Pulte- JJlpJRf *
ncy, Mr Yonge, and Mr H. Pelham, Knight of the Shire for mIyom^'
SttfTex, who were for agreeing to the Bill without Amend- ^*^ ^^^
meats. At laft Mr Robert Wailpole *, Member for Lynn, Mriuwaipok.
laid
tGtftmnor of TjumouA-Foet^ and Caftsin of the Second Troop tf Guards^
Chif-f Jiffiiee rf Cheery and jittotMy-General to tb$ fmec.
ff^eff the Telkrs of Ae txobtqiur. '
•* Ma^er of the Rolb.
J Mtmtev^emral.
• QfOMtlhr and XJpdtv-Treafwrtr of tht Exeh$qi(tr,
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[ 288 I
hid before the Houfe fome Pardcukrs of the deteMk
I and dangti'ous Con^iracy, which (or fbme Time paft hd
been, and was fUll carrying on, for the utter Subvorfion of
the prefent happy Settlement. He faid, * That this wicked
Defign was form'd about Chriftmas laft ; that the Confpira-
tors had at firil made Application to fome Potentates sd>roa(i,
for an Affiflance of 5000 Men : That being deny'^d, they 2^
terwards, about the Month of April, made farther ApplKad*
cm and eameil InHances for 3000 Men : That being again dif-
appointed in their Expedatioos from Foreign AfQftancey they
lefblved defperately to go on, confiding in their own Strength,
and fondly depending on the Difafledion in England ; and
tiiat their firft Attempt was to have been the feizing of the
Bank, the Exchequer, and fuch other Places where the pob-
lick Money was lodged : That the Government had undoubt-
ed Informations of this Plot ever fince May lail ; but never-
thelefs thought fit not to take up any Body, becaufe there
being then two Terms coming on together, the Cbnfpirators
would have had the Benefit of the Habeas Corpus Adb, and fo
the Apprehending them was put off 'till the long Vacation.'
He added, *.That the traiterous Defigns againfl his Majeily's
Perfbn and Government had been carrying on ever fince the
Death of the late Queen ; and that they could prove that
there had been a Meeting of fome confiderable Perfi>ns, one
of whom was npjt far off, wherein it had been propofed to
proclahn the Pretender at the Royal Exchange. That an ex-
a£l Account of this deteibble Confpiracy would, in due
Time, be laid before the Parliament : And as to the Buf-
nefs now before them, tho* it was true, that the Habeas
Corpus A6i had never before been fufpended for above fix
Months ; yet, confidering the Lords had made this Suipei*
£on for a whole Year, if the Commons fhould go about ta
alter it, the fame might occaiion a Difference between the
two Houfes, which, at this Time of Jealoufy and Danger,
might (bund ill in Foreign Courts.
After this Speech, about feven in the Evening the QueftioD
being put, that the Bill do pafs as it was fent down from the
SS^iS?^ Lords, it was carryM in the Afiirmative, by a Majority of
^AtSeHS^- ^^^ Voices againft 193. Then the Speaker refum'd the
* Chair, and the Earl of Hertford having immediately reported
^ the faid Bill to the Houfe without any Amendment ; It was
read the third Time, and pafs'd without dividing,
O^. 17. The King came to the Houfe of Peers with the
AgihM the Royal ufual Solemnity, and the Commons attending, his Majcfljr
gave the Royal Affent to the faid Bill.
The fame Day the Houfe prefented their Addrcis to the
King, as follows :
, Men
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Anno 0. Geo. h
Moft Gracious Sovereign, / V.^*>/^"Vi>
E your Majefty 's moft dutiful and loyal Subje£b, the _ ^ \j
Commons of Great Britam m Parliament aflem- i,^
bled, beg Leave to return our humble Thanks to your
* Majefty, for your moft gracious Speech from the Throne.
* It is with Hearts full of Joy we approach your iacred
* Perfon, to congratulate vyour Majefty, that, by the Blefting
*• of God, the Deiigns.of your Enemies have hitherto been
* happily fruftrated and difappointed.
* We cannot fuificiently acknowledge yout Majefty's Care
* and Vigilance, and the wife and prudent Meafures you have
* taken for our Safety, in ordering the Encampment of the
* Troops, and fending for fuch others from Ireland, as were
* though^ farther neceflary for the Peace and Quiet of this
* Kingdom. And it is the greateft Satisfa^on to us, to fee
* the Readinefs of your Majefty's good Friends and Allies,
* the States General, to afliftyou with a good Body of Forces^
* if there had been Occafton .
' But anjong all the Steps taken for the Safety of your Ma-
^ jefty and the Kingdom, none can poftibly equal that of the
' ipeedy calling your loyal Commons together in Parliament ;
' who are met determined with the utmoft Unanimity and
* Zeal, to do every Thing in their Power for the Prefei-vatiott
* of your Majefty's moft facred Perfon : Nor can lefs be ex-
* peded from the Gratitude and Affeftion of a free People,
* fenfiblc that thro' the whole Courfe of your Reign, no In-
* novation hasr been attempted in our holy Religion, nor the
* leaA Incroachment made upon the Liberty or Property of
* any of your Subjedls, and that the full Enjoyment of all that
* is dear and valuable to them, is entirely owing to your Ma--
* jefty 's Government.
* Tho' the Enemies of our happy Eftabliflunent fliould have
*• Malice and Boldnefs enough, ftill to be carrying on their
' traitcrous Deii^, yet we are perfuaded, that all. Uneafi-
* nefe and Appr^nfions will vanifti, when your feithfiil Com-
* mons affure your Majefty, that they will enable you effec-
' tually to fupprefs all remainii^ Spirit of Rebellion.
* If neither the iacred Obligation of the moft folpmn Oaths,
* nor the cert^ Mifery they muft bring upon their Country,
* who would attempt to overturn this Government, can de-
* tcr them from fuch defperatc Undertakings : If there be
* any of your Majefty's Subjefts, who are fo abandon'd, as to
* be ready to exchange the Proteftant Religion for Popery,
* and Liberty for Slavery ; yet we hope the vigorous Refo«
* btions 9f a loyal and dutiful Parliament will convince them
* of the Danger as well as Folly of fuch an Attempt ; and fhew
' the whole World, that the Generality and bcft Part of
Vol. I„ O o your
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* your People are fo far from giving any Invitation to foieigi
« Powers to invade us, that theywill, with their Lives aw
* Fortunes, fupport your Majefty againft all your Enemies at
* Home and Abroad.
* We cannot therefore cxprefs too great an Abhorrence of
* fuch unnatural Praftices, nor too great an Indignatioi
* i^ainft thofe who would have made the Capital of this floo-
* nifhing Kingdom a Scene of Blood and Defolation. Wicked
* Men I whilil they have the Malice to revile your Govcni-
* ment, and attempt to overturn it, at the'fame Time have
* the Infolence to depend upon the Clemency of it f(X thdr
* Security : While they are fcndeavouring to defboy all Li-
* berty, they are clamouring that a few of them afc, for the
* publick Safety, confin'd : Whilft they are attempting tod^
* ftroy all Property, they are murmuring at the neceflaiy Taxes
* given to your Majefty for the Security of it : And whilft
* they ad againft all Law themfelves, they truft and arecon-
* fident that, even in their own Cafe, the Laws of the Realm
* will be the Rule and Meafure of your Adions.
* We beg Leave to acknowledge, with great Gratitnde,
* your Majefty's Goodnefs, in aflurmg us, that notwithfaud-
* ing the traiterous Praftices of your Enemies have made the
* Increafe of the .annual Expence neceflary, yet Care will Be
* taken, that the Supplies to be asked for the Year enfuing,
* Ihall very little exceed what was given for the Service of
, « the laft.
* And we affure your Majefty, that we will not only make
* good, the extraordinary Expences that have been already in-
* currM, but will, with all Cheerfulnefs, grant whatever Ihall
* be neceflary for the Safety of the Kingdom ; Being entire^
* convinced, that we cah by no other Means reftore publid
* Credit, and enable ourfelves to attempt the gradual Rcduftido
* of the great National Debt, with a ftrift Regard to Pariia-
* mentary Faith, than by doing every Thing in our Power
* for the Support 6f your Majefty's Government, and the
* happy Eftablifhment in your Royal Family.
* And we do with all Humility return your Majefty ow
* unfeigned Thanks for your moft gracious Declaration, 00
* which we entirely rely, that your Majefty will fteadily ad-
* here to our ConlHtution in Church and State, ^d coritinuc
« to make the Laws of the Realm the Rule and Meafarc of
* your Adlions.
To the above Addrefs the King rctum'd the foHowing Aniwer.
Gentlemen,
r^^i^r' " T ^^^"^ y°" ^y ^^^^ Thanks for this veiy dadfiit and
A*iit6«fThamtt. " X loyal Addrefs. The feafonable Declarations of yo«r
" Zeal and Afii^aion to my Pcrfon and Gbvcrmnent, will, I
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•* doubt not, contribute very much to the Tranquility and
** Safety of the Kingdom ; and as I Ihall always Iqok
** upon my own and the Intereft of my People to be infe-
" parable, you may be afTur'd I fhall make no Ule of any
** Power or Confidence that my faithful Commons Ihall place
" •in me, but in Support of the Conftitution, and in Mainte-
** nance of the Rights and Liberties of my People.
OS, 1 9. A Motion being made for a Supply to be granted a supply toted.
to his Majefty, the fame was referred to the Grand Com-
mittee. ,
OB, 23. The faid Reiblution being reported, was unani-
moufly agreed to.
OB, 26. The Commons in a Grand Committee confi-
der*d farther of jthe Supply, and Mr Treby having repre- Mr Trebjr moves
fentedthe Nec^ffity, at this Time of Danger from the trai- tJ^i^^i^
terous Deflgns and Confpiracies that were ilill carrying on fo'^Army.
by the Enemies of the Government, to increafe the prefent
Standing Forces, and thereupon mov'd for an Augmentation of
about 4000 Men, the fame occafion'd a very long and warm ^
Debate. The chief Opponents to the Motion were, Mr MrShiupcnT*
Shippen, Lord Morpeth, Member for Morpeth ; Mr Palmer, Jj/p^Pf^-
Member for Bridgwater 5 Mr Bromley, Mr Barnard, Mem- Mr Bromiw.
ber for London ; Mr Crowley, Member for Okehampton 5 SJj ^^y.
Sir Thomas Hanmer, Member for Suffolk ; and Mr Hut- Mr huSS*
chefon : But they were anfwer'd by Mr Sandys, Member
for Worcefler 5 Captain Vernon, Member for Penryn ; Mr capt. vemon.
Eversficld, Member for Horfham; Mr H. Pelham, Mr Dod- ^^^"^^
dington. Lord Stanhope*, Member for Lellwithiel ; Mr {JPgJ^Sf*'"'
Weft, Member for Bodmin ; Mr Smith, Mr R. Walpole, Mr'wcft. ^'
Lord Middleton, Member for Midhurft ; and Mr Pulteney j MrR?wiipote.
Th&D theQueftion being put upon Mr Treby's Motion, it was J^pSSSS?^
carry 'd in the Affirmative, by 236 Voices againft 164.
After this, it was refolv'd, without dividing. That the
Number of effedHve Men for Guards and Garrifcms in Great
Britain, Jerfey, and Guemfey, for the Year 1723, inclu-
ding 1859 Invalids, be 18,294 Men, Commiflion and Non-
Commiffion Officers included. Which Refolution, being
the next Day reported, was agreed to by the Houfe.
O/ff. 31. The Commons in a Grand Committee, conii-
der'd of Ways and Means to raife the Supply, and upon MrR.Waipoicin
Mr R. Walpole's Motion, it was^unanimoufly agreed to i5„^T^Mnto*
lay two Shillings in the Pound upon all Lands, Tenements, nefignofiaying*
Penfions, Offices, &c. Mr Walpole, on that Occafion, ac- t%^v^
quainted the Houfe, * That he hoped that Taxj together «»* Nonjurow.
with the Duty on Malt, and the Million in Exchequer Bills
O o 2 which
* Gftftlmaa (f tbt S^amhr to tbc Frm%
y Google
Mr Edfocombe.
Mr RPeUunu
Mr Hatcheioa.
Mr Tonge«
Mr Bromley.
Cot. Qladen.
( 292 )
wHich the South-Sea Company were to repay to the Go-
venunent^ would go near to anfwer all the necefiary Expences
for the next Year's Service ; and to make ap what might
be deficient, he hinted the laying an extraordinary Tax of
five Shillings in the Pound on the Eftates of all &oman-
Catholicks and Nonjurors ; which could not be thought
either unjuft or unreafonable» confidering the ill Ufe they
made of the Saving out of their Incomes, which mod of
them laid out in maintaining the Pretender, and his^Adherents
abroad, and fomenting Sedition and Rebellion at home.*
o^JSJl%* November 16. The Lords fent a Meflage to defire a Con-
tbe cominoai,aiid fereuce with the Commons, which being agreed to, the Ma-
SS^^^Um*? nagers for the Commons, who were Mr R. Walpole, Mr
JS^^ii^KT- Edgecombe, Member for Plympton j Mr Methuen, Member
^^^otnSlns ^^*' Brackley ; Mr H. Pelham, Mr Hutchefon, Mr Yonge,
thereopon. Mr Bromley, and Colonel Bladen, Member for Stockbridge,
NsraetofthcMsp being retum'd to their Houfe, Mr Pelham reported the
gjg^^lj-,^ Con^rence, and that it was to communicate to the Houfe
'" a Meflage fent to the Lords by his Majefty, under his Sign
Manual, concerning an original Declaration in Writing
fign*d by the Pretender himfelf ; together with the faid De-
claration and a Printed Copy thereof ; and that the Lords
defir'd the Concurrence of the Houfe to the following Re-
folutions of their Lordihips thereupbn, viz. * Refblved by
' the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament aflem-
* bled ; I. That the Printed Copy of the Pretender's De-
^ claratioo, mentioned in his Majefly's Meflage, be burnt
* by the Hands of the common Hangman, at the Royal Ex-
* change in London, upon Tuefday next, at One of the
* Clock; IL That the Sheriffs of London do caufe the
* fame to be burnt there accordingly.'
Then the iaid Report, and alfo the faid Meflage from his
Majefty to the Houfe of Lords, and the Declaration fign'd
by the Pretender, and the Printed Copy thereof, and' the
Refolutions of the Lords thereupon were read. Hereupon
Mr Sandys mov'd for agreeing with the Lords in the firft
Refolution, and being feconded by Colonel Bladen, the fame
To which theCom-^'*'** unanimoufly agreed to. Then the fecond Refolution
moM agree, with being read a fecond Time, Mr Yonge mov'd for an Amend-
ment to it, viz. That the two Sheriffs of London fhould
then attend in their own proper Perfons, and canfe the iaid
Declaration to be burnt by the Hands of the conmion Hang-
man ; which Refolution fo amended, was agreed to Nem.
Con, On this Occafion, Mr Yonge run over the Pretender's
Declaration, and expos'd the Infblence, Wcalpefs, and Ab-
furdities of that Libel. Sir William Thompfon*^ Member
%a Amendment.
Mr Yong e*s. Sir
^V. Thomplon's,
Mr H. Pelham^a,
and Mr Onllow*s
ObTervadons on
thePretendei'9Pe^
• Zicorierof Jjvitim.
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for Ipfwich, fpoke alfo with great Vehemence on the fame Aimo9. oto.t.
Topick, as did alfo Mr H. Pelham, who mov'd. That an v^t!I%s^^
Addreis be prefented to his Majefly upon that Subjedl. He ^■^^^^*^
^vas ieconded by Mr Arthur Onflow, Member for Guildford,
^^o reprefented the Danger ,of Popery, and animadverted
on the Audacioufnefs of the Pretender and his Adherents :
Hereupon, it was refolv'd Nem. Con, That an humble Ad- AnAddj«brotei
drefs be prefented to his Majeffy, expreifmg their utmoft ««^ <>«•«<«•
AHoniihment and Indignation at the furprizing Infolence of
the Pretender, in his late traiterous and prefumptuous De-
claration ; and to affure his Majefty, that his ^thfid Sub-
jc&s being fiilly fatisfy'd they hare no other Security for
their Religious and Civil Rights, but the Prefervation of his
Perfon and Government and the Proteftant Succeflicm, lare
determined to fupport, with their Lives and Fortunes, his
moft juft Title to the Crown of thefe Realms, againft the
Pretenider and all his open and fecret Abettors. And a Com-
mittee was appointed to draw up an Addrefs, purfoant to the
iaid Refolution.
Nov. 17. Mr Pelham reported the {aid Addreis, which
being unanimoufly agreed to, the Managers of the Conmions
were fent to defire their Lordihips Concurrence both to the
Amendment to one of their Refolutions befbremention'd, and
to the Addrefs the Conmions had agreed upon. The Lords
having readily concurr'd, both Houfes went inmiediately to
Che Palace at St James's, and prefented to his MajeHy the
Bdd Addrefs as foUows,
Moft gracious Sovereign,
W^ your Majefty's moft xiutiful and faithful Subjefb, The joimiwditft
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Conmions in ^e wL^^^
Parbament affembled, being deeply affefibed with the Senfe g^Jfe]^'*"^*
of thofe many Bleilings which we have conftantly enjoy'd,
and hope long to enjoy, under your Majefty's moft juft
and gracious Government ; and being throughly convinced
that our Religious and Civil Rights, as wdl as the very
Being of the Britifli Name and Conftitution, do, under
God, entirely depend upon the Prefervation of your Ma*
jetty's Sacred Perfon, and of the Proteftant Succeffion, as
ietded by Law/ in your Royal Line, are fill'd with the ut-
moft Aftoniihment and Indigna^n at the unexampled Pre-
fumption and Arrogance of the Pretender to your Domi-
minions, in daring to ofter fuch an Indignity to your Ma*
jefty and the Britifti Nation, as to dedare to your Sub-
!eds, and to all foreign Princes and States, that he finds
limfelf in a Condition to ofier Terms to your Majefty,
and even to capitulate with you for the abiblate Surrender
I of the Religion ^ Liberies of a fr^e Nation.
• Howcm
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( ?94 )
' H(lwe¥e^ great the In&tuadoo of hk Adviiers may be^
v^2xc feiiiible nodung couU have rais'd his or their Hopes
to fo extravagant a Degree of frefumption, but repeated
< £i)GOura|Qi{ieRt& and Aflivances from the Coufpirators a$
* Hoflieft fotUMled on the moft iiyurious ^d grofs Mifrepre*
* ientatioQs of the Im^ioatioos and AfFedUons of your Nfa-
' jelly's Subje^s ; and a raih ConcUiiion, that becauib fom^e,
* from whom it ou^t lea& to have been e^^pedied, had lydke
* through the (blemn Reftraint of reiterated Oadi^^ ia ord^r
^ to laife themfelves on the Ruins of their Country ; there-
' fore the whole Bod^^ of the Nation vyas ripe lor th^ £^me
' fetal Defe^km, aad ready to exchange the mild and kgal
* Government of a moft indulgent Priuce, for the bai^ndMs
* Rage of an attainted Fugitive^ bred up in the Maxim^s of
* Tyranny and Superflition.
* Bat we, your Majefty*s moft dutiful and loyal Subj^i
' reiblve, by a fteady and conftant Adherence to your Go-
' vemmenty to wipe off thi^ St^in and Imputation froai the
* Name of Britons ; and to convince the World, that thoi^
* wicked Defigns, fbrm'd agrainft your Majefty's Sacred
* Perfon and Government, wmch the InfoJence of this De-
' daration proves to be mod real while it aiFe^ to tx^eat
' them as imaginary, are indeed imprai^cable againft a
* Princ^relyingf on and fupported by the Vigour and Didy
* of a Britifh Parliament smd the A^ftions of his Peoj^.
, ' And We beg Leave in the moil fol^mn Manner, to ^S^
«. your Majefly, that neither the impotent Menace of fbrei|^
* Afliftance, nor the utmofl Efforts of Domeflick Traitors
' Ihall ever deter us fix)m flanging 1^ your Majefly with our
* lives and Fortunes, and fupporting your Majc^y's moft
* jufl Title to the Crown of thefe Realms, againfl the Pre-
< tender and all his open and fecr^t Abettors, both at Hope
* and Abroad.* •
To which his Bilajefty returned the following Anfwer.
My Lords iuid Gentlemen,
S^VS!^"*^' ^ T ^^* ^^ ma«y Thanks for the juft Refentmcnt yo«
M j^ l^av^ exprefs'd againft the Indignity offer'd to nue and
« the Britifh Nation.
** I fhall continue to proted and lupport my good Peq{^
<' in the fuU Enjoyment of their Reli^on, LSyati^ ^
** Properties, againfl all that ihall endeavour to fuli^c^ them
** to Tyranny ^ai Superilition. "
Nov, 25. IiU a Grand Committee, the Commons confid^'d
*4>n Ways and JMLeans to raife the Supply, and a Moi^on
was made> That towards raifing the Supply^ and xeimbm:^
to
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Google
( 295 )
CO the PtiMick the great Expences occafion'd by die late He- a^o p.ceo. i.
bdliems and Diforders, the Sum of One Hundred Thouiand s^^/^i^tm^^
Pounds be raised and Icvy'd upon the real and perfonal Eftatcs MjtiwHnthT*^
of all Pkpifb, PopiQi Recufents, or Perfons educated m the ^;;Taif£riSJ,^L
Popiih Religion, or whofe Parents are Papifts, or who fhall «" ^he Papins', «©-
pTofefs the Popiih Religion, in Ueu of all Forifeitures already Sfi^^^^**^'
incurred for, or upon account of their Recufancy, and in ^^'
lieu of the Rents and Profits of two Thirds of their r^gifter'd ^^^ thereon.
Eftates for one Year. This Motion was oppos'd by* Sir Wil- sirWiifredUw-
fred Lawfon, and Mr Hungerford, who fuggefted, ' That M?»ingerfbrrf.
fuch an extraordinary Tax would carry the Face of Perfe-
catkm, ^hich was inconfiflent with the Principles and Tem-
per of the Proteftant Religion ; ' Dr Friend, Member for Dr. rtkod.
Launcefton, added, * That fome of thde that had their
Educadbn in foreign PopiOi Soninaries, prov'd fome of the
bcft Friends to die prefent Government.' To this Mr Yonge Mr T«og^.
anfwer'd, ' That he knew very little of foreign Education,
but he doubted very much whether Loyalty to King
George was taught byTriefts and Jefuits in Romifii Semina-
ries.' The Lord Gage, Member for Tewk&ury, [w/J© fwas Lord Gage,
^ed a ^oman Catholick] hereupon faid, * That he believ'd
moft of the Roman Catholicks to be very loyal Subjeds, tho'
by their Principles they cannot take the Oath of Supremacy ;
and therefore his Lordfhip proposed that a new Oath of Al-
legiuice might be fram'd for them ; Mr Onflow fpoke on the Mroniw.
fame Side, and declared his Abhorrence of perfecuting any
Body, on Account of their Opinions in Religion.' This was
anfwer'd by Sir William Thorapfon, who ftated the Notion, sir w.Tkompfon.
in his Opinion, of Perfecution, which was only when any
one is pimiih'd for his particular Opinion in Religion, and
for ferving God according to that Opinion and the Didates
of Confoience : But added, * That was not the Cafe here,
for the extraordinary Tax now intended to be rais'd upon
the Papifts, was not a Puniihment for their being Roman-
Catholicks, but on Account of Penalties they had at divas
Times incurred, for being Enemies to the Civil Government,
raifoig Rebellions, and contriving Plots againft the State.'
He was rej^ied to by Lord Gage, Who was anfwer'd by }^^^ Ga?e.
Mr Horatio Walpok, and he again by Mr Hungerford. MlHungcXd."
At liaft Mr R. Walpole flood up, and reprefented the great Mr a. waipoie.
Dangfers this Nation had been in, ever fmce the Reforma-
tion, from the conftant Endeavours of Papifts to fubvert our
happy Conftitution and the Proteftant Religion, by the moft
cruel, violent, and unjuftifiable Methods ; that he would not
take upon him to charge any particular Perfon among them
with being concem'd in the prefent horrid Confpiracy : But
that 'twas notorious to the whole World, that many of them
had been ^gag'd in the Prefton Rebellion^ and fome were
executed
Digitized by LjOOQIC
ito
die HooTe j upon
whichenibesaSe-
food Debate.
I^otdGoge.
Mr Latwrche.
Mr Hnagerford.
MrSloper.
M^Weft.
Mr Lowndes.
Capt. Vernon.
MrlUWalpole.
ABiOorderMto
be brought in, in
Puriumceoftbe
abore Motion.
Petition from tbc
8. 8. Company,
rdatint to the
ctmvertinKone
Bffoiety of their
CapltallntoAn-
nmties.
Debate thereon.
MrlLWilpoie.
[ '96 I
executed for it ; and the prefent Plot was contriv'd at Rome,
and countenanced in Popifh Countries ; that many of the
Papiib were not only Well-Wilhers to it, but had contii-
butcd large Sums of Money towards canying of it on ; and
therefore he thqpght it vety reafonable, fince they made fuch
ill Ufe of the Savings of the Incomes of their Eilates, that
the fame ihould go towards the great Expeiice which they and
the Pretender's Friends had put the Nation to.' Then the
Qucftion beii^ put upon the Motion above, it was carried
in the Affirmative by 217 Votes, againft 168.
Nov, 26. The above Refolution was reported, and the
Queilion being put, That the Houfe agree with the Com-
mittee, It was veiy vigoroufly oppos'd by Lord Gage,
Mr Lutwyche, Mr Hungerford, Mr Sloper, and Sir J<^eph
Jekyll, which laft took Notice, * That tho* the Law for
taking away two Thirds of the Efbtes of Popifh Reco-
iants, which was made in Queen Elizabeth's Reign, was a
juft Punifliment the Roman- Catholicks drew upon themfohres
by their £^uent Confpiracies againfl her Life and Govern-
ment ; yet neverthdefs, fuch was the Wifdom and Mode-
ration of that excellent Princefs and of her Minifters, that
they never put that fovere Law in Execution ; and finoe thofe
great Virtues ihone no lefs brightly in his prefent Msyefly,
than in Queen Elizabeth, his Royal Predeceflbr, he wiih'd
he could fay the fame of thofe who have the Honour to fervc
him.* Mr Weft fpoke likewife againft the Refolution,
but was anfwer'd by Mr Lowndes *, Member for EaMow,
Captain Vernon f , Member for Penryn, and Mr R. Walpdc,
fo that the Queftion being put thereupon, it was carried
by 188 Votes againft 172 ; and a Bill was order'd to be
brought in accordingly.
Decetnher 12. A Petition of the South-Sea Company was
prefented to the Houfe by Sir John Eyles *♦, Member for Chip-
penham, and read, letting forth. That they labour'd under an
infupportable Burden, from which they pray'd to be reliev'd
by tJiis Houfe ; and that they wene content to convert Part
of their Capital into Annuities, redeemable by Pariiament,
transferable at, and payable by, the faid Company. Here-
upon Mr R. Walpole inform'd the Houfe, That his Ma-
jefty had been acquainted with the Subftance of the faid Pe-
tition, and had commanded him to acquaint this Houft;
That his Majefty gave his Confent that this Houfo fhould
proceed to the O)nfideration of the faid Petition, upon Con-
dition that the faid Company fhould convert one Moiety of
their
• Secretary to the Treaftcy
f A Captain cf a Man'rf War,
•* SHb-Qmermir tf the *.
Digitized by ^OOQIC
( 297 )
tl^cir Capital Into Annuities. Then Come Claufes in the A£i ^''^^^ ^
of Parliament of the Seventh Year of his Majefly's Reign, v.,A\?*v^
intitled, an A&, For making federal Pro*vifions to reftore the
publick Credit^ fwhicb fuffers by tht Frauds and Mi/manage^
ntent of the late Dire£tors of the South-Sea Company and
ctbtrsy were read, and a Motion being made, that the Peti-
tion above-mention'd be referred to the Confideration of the
Committee of the whole Houfe, who were to confidcr of the
State of Publiqk Credit and of the State of the National
Debt, the faid Motion was opposed by Mr Sloper, Serjeant Mrsiopar.
Pengelly, Member for Cockermouth ; Mr Hutchefon, Mr m?huSS;
Freeman, and Sir Jofeph Jekyll 5 but being anfwer'd by Sir gfr' j'7^?i
John Eyles, Mr Methuen, and Mr Robert Walpole, the faid sirjohnEyiei.
Motion was carry'd, without dividing. Then the Houfe went JJj RfVvJfiS^k.
into the faid Committee, and a Motion being made for Re-
mitting the two Millions due from the South-Sea Company
to the Government, and for converting into Annuities one
Moiety kj^ their Capital Stock : This was ftrcnuoufly oppos'd
by Mr Sloper, Sir Jofeph Jekyll, Mr Thomas Broderick, Xif!^]^^Vi.
Member for Guildford 5 Sir Nathanael Gould, Member for ^?r t B/odcrick.
Shoreham ; Mr Trenchard, Member for Taunton ; Sir Wil- MrTrenchid.
frid Lawfon, and Lord Tyrconnel, Memb<h- for Lincohi; sirWiif,;idLaw-
who were anfwer'd by Mr Hungerford, Sir' John Eyles, Mr Lo^nVrconnd.
Yonge. Mr Horatio Walpde, Mr Robert Walpole, and Mr ^fSt^
William Pulteney. After a Debate that lafted till Seven in ^'aJISpoie.
the Evening, the Queftion being put upon the iaid Motion, JJJ^^Jjfe^
the fame was carried in the Afiirmative by 210 Voices ' •*^«««ner.
agaiiift 147.
January 15. Upon a Motion made by Sir John Rulhout,
Member for EVefham, it was refolved, Nem. Con, That a
Committee be appointed tp examine Chriftopher Layer, in a Committee ai>.
Relation to the Confpiracy mentioned in his Majefty's Speech, K chrift^her
at the Opening of this Parliament^ to be carrying on againft ^y*^*
Jus Pcrfon and Government ; and order'd. That fuch Mem-
bers of the Houfe as were of his Majefty's Privy-Council, be
the faid Committee, viz. The Hon. Mr. Spencer Compton,
Speaker; Mr Robert Walpole, Sir Jofeph Jekyll, Mr Me- ThdrNamcsj
thuen, Mr William Pulteney, Mr John Smith, Mr Hampden,
Lieutenant-General Wills, and Sir Robert Sutton. After An Arfdeft re-
this, upon another Motion made by Mr Robert Walpole, it i«Jipije« rS^
was alfo refolv'd, to addrefs his Majefty, for the feveral bating tiwetoi
Examinations and Papers relating to Chriftopher Layer.
Jan, 16. Mr R. Walpole, purfoant to the Addrels of the viTikh «» pre-
Houfe to his Majefty, prefented to the Houfe feveral original ^iJl^l^S^lf^
Papers relating to Mr Layer ; and having deliver'd them in MTjl'ffiJiS^'aSd'
at the Table feal'd up, Mr Shippen moved. That the Packet J^f^^i^j"*^*"
be open'd, and the Papers read. He was feconded by Mr Ld Comaiuijl
Jcfeics ; but Mr Pulteney having reprefented, * That as thofe
Vot. L P p P^rs
Digitized by ^OOQIC
mop- GeO'I*
171X-2}.
Debate on a Bni,
f$r pnvtnthw
Framdi and Jthtfrt
in tht Tttaa*'
Trad*.
Mr Trenchard.
Mr Htu^erford.
Sir Natb. Gould.
Debate on the
Artiendmentsmade
to the Mutiny-Bill
by tb<j Lords,
( 298 )
Papers were to be a Guide to the Comroittce appdinted to
examine Mr Layer, it was improper to make them publick
before the faid Examination was over ; it was thereapon or-
dered, I. That the faid Papers be referred to that Ckjmmit-
tee. II. That the faid Committee meet and fit at fuch
Time and Place as they thought fit. III. That Three be
the Quorum of the faid Committee.
February 8. The Houfe went into a Grand Committee,
to prepare Heads of a Bill, For presenting Frauds and Ahufei
in the Tobacco Trade^ &c. aftd confider'd of the Duties and Al-
lowances upon Tobacco, and what Abatements or Reguladons
might be made therein. Hereupon Mr Trenchard mov'd,
' That in order to prevent for the future the Frauds and
Abufes committed in the faid Trade, there might be a Re-
Entry of all Tobacco that was remov'd from one Port to
another, both in England and Scotland ; but that Motion not
being feconded, was dropt. Then he took Notice, * That
tho' the Scots were, in many Refpe£b, great Gainers by the
Union of the two Kingdoms, yet they were very deficient in
paying their Proportion of the publick Burdens ; that by the
Treaty of Union they were to pay 50,000 1. per Aunum^ to-
wards the Malt-Tax, but that, if he was rightly inform'd,
for feveral Years pafl, they had not paid above 1 0,000 1. and
therefore he mov'd, that it might be an Infirudicm to the
Committee to inquire into that Matter. He was feconded
by Mr Hungerford : But it being reprefented, that fuch an
Inquiry was very improper in the prefent Jundurc, and
might inflame the Nation ; Sir Nathanael Gould made a
Motion, That all Tobacco imported both into England and
Scotland be put into Warehoufes, and not be remov'd
from thence without a Pemftt, to prove that the Duty was
paid ; But it growing late, the farther Confideration thereof
was adjoum'd. This Affair was, after feveral unavoidable
Delays on Account of (b much important Bufinefs being
depending before the Houfe this Seflion, put off to the 5 th
of March. '
Feb. 23. Mr Pulteney, from the Committee appointed to
exanline Chriftopher Layer and others, acquainted tie Houfe,
that the Committee had prepared a Report to be laid before
the Houfe, and defir'd the Houfe would appoint a Day for
riBceiving the fame : Whereupon it was ordcr'd. That the
faid Report be received upon the ift Day of March.
Feb 26. The Bill, For punijhing Mutiny and Defertiony &C.
being fent back from tne Houfe of Peers, an Amendincnt
made by the Lords, for inferring in the Preamble the l^um-
ber of Forces thought proper to be kept on Foot for the
Year 1723, confiding of 16,449, efFedive Men, Officers in-
i;hided, and 1815 In\-alids, was read; and a Motion being
. . "^' ' ~ " made.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( *99 )
tn^dc, that tRe Hou(e do agree with the Lords, it occafion'd Anno 9. gco.l
a veiy warm Debate, \mmy Members urging, * That it in- v^<i?^SL^
trench'd on the proper Prerogative of the Commons to grant ^"'^V^^^
Supplies : * But at laft the Queilion being put, whether to
agree or not? It was carried in the Affirmative, by 1 30 Votes
againfi: ii6»
March I . Mr W. Pulteney, Chairman of the Committee
on Layer's Plot, reported the Matter as it appeared to them,
and read the Report in his Place, and delivered the lame in at .^^ ^^^ ^
the Table, with feveral Ai^)eadixes. confidertheRc-
Marcb 2. The Houfe proceeded to take the aboVe-men- E.mmT^'S^
tion'd Report into Confideration, and after the reading of it by ^y*^'* ^*^°'-
the Clerk, put off the fame to the 8th, and order'd in the
mean Time, that the Report with the Appendixes be print-
ed. To thcfe therefore we refer our Readers for the Particu-
lars of Layer's Scheme.
March ^, The Commons in a Grand Committee, confi- a farther Propcfi
der'd farther of Heads for a Bill, For preventing Frauds and ^tsiS^
Ahufa in the 7ohacco-Trade^ &c. and came to feveral Refo-
lutions, which Mr Sandys having reported the next Day, were
agreed to, without Debate,^ and a Bill order'd to be brought
in purfuant to the iaid Refolutions, which afterwards p^'d
into a Law.
March 8. The Conmions proceeded to take into farther Mr w. Poiteney's
Confideration the Report from the Committee appointed to J2? abSve'RepSt''
examine Chriftopher Layer and others ; and Mr William
Pulteney mov'd, * That this Queftion might be put, viz. That
upon Confideration of the Report and the feveral Papers and
Examinations relating to the Confpiracy, it appears to this
Houfe, That a deteftable and horrid Confpiracy has been
ibrm*d and carried on by Perfons of Figure and Diftinftion,
and their Agents and Infbuments, in Conjun£Uon with
Ti^tors Abroad, for invading thefe Kingdoms with foreign
F^ces, for raifing Infurredtions and a Rebellion at Home,
foReizing the Tower and City of London, for laying violent
Hands upon the Perfons of lus moft Sacred Majefly and the
Prince of Wales ; in order to fubvert our prefent happy
Eftablifhment in Church and State^, by placing a Popifh Pre- '
tender upon the Throne.'
This Motion was feconded by Sir John Rufhout, and Mr Debate thereon.
Thomas Broderick ; but Mr Shippen, and Mr Bromley en- S^^r^BSdlrick;
deavour'd to extenuate fome Matters, which, in their Opi- Mr swppen.
nion, were couch'd in too ftrong Terms, as not being dearly ^^ ^^^^ ^' '
prov'd. They faid, ' They <Sd not doubt of the Confpira-
cy, for they believ'd there had always been one carrying on
againft the prefent Settlement, ever fince the Revolution : But
from what had yet been laid before the Houfe^ it did not ap-
pear xo them that there was fuch a particular concerted Plot
f Pp 2 i aa
Digitized by ^OOQlC
( 300 )
«s was mention^ in the QudUcm above-mendon^d. Sir
_ Jofcph Jckyll faid thereupon, with a great deal of Warmth,
Sir J. jekyu. < That he could not with Patience, and with his ufoal Mode;
ration^ hear the Truth of this deteftable and horrid Conipi-
racy call'd in Qiieffaon, afto- fo many undeniable Proofs.
But, added he, as there are Peo{de who know nothing of the
Plot, and yet believe it, fo there are others that know the
whole Plot, and yet pretend not to believe it." He was an-
Mr jcfferiffc fwer'd by Mr Jefferies, who, in particular, excepted againft
thefe Words in the Queftion, via. Fdr Laying 'violent Hands
s^n tht Per/on of bis moft Sacnd Majefij cmd the Prince of
Wales ; becaufe it a(^)earM by the Report, that the Confpi-
rators only meant the Seizing or Affaulting the King*s Perfon,
ifra Wiipoic. ^^ j^^ Yie was replied to by Mr Horatio Walpolc, who
feid, * He was amazed to hear fuch Words come out of the
Mouth of a Lawyer, and a Member of that Houfe ; bat
fince he had forgot his ProfeflTon, and the Place he was in fo
iar, as to make fo iinall a Matter of Seizing the King's Per-
fcm and the Heir Apparent, on whom all that is <kar and
valuable to Engliihmen, both as Men and Chriflians, entirely
depends, he muft take the Liberty to tell him, that much
lefs than feizing and aflaulting the Perfpn oS the King or
Prince, is by our Laws look'd upon as an Overt-Ad of Hi^-
Treafon.' Then the Queftion, as proposed by Mr Pul-
teney, was carried withopt dividing.
sir Robert Rav- After this. Sir Robert Raymond mov'd, That it appean to
tnoml moves the ^ .»«•/• i t -t n.* % % i • • i •
Houfe gsiiiiftjohn this Houfe, that John Plunket has been a prmapai Agent
rnm^iJ^r'''" and Inftrument in the faid horrid and deteftable CodJMracy,
is whicrfiiii of ^^ ^^ carried on feveral treafonable Correipondoices to pro-
Paitwai^ penal- curc a foreign Force to invade thefe Kii^oms, to raifc In-
D?b!ueror^^dto fulredtions and a Rebellion at Home, ahd was engaged with
^^E^.*" others in the villanous and execrable Defign of laying vident
Hands ujxm his Majefty's mdl Sacred Perfoo. This Queftion
being likewife carried without a Diviiion ; Sir Robert ^^
mond naov'd again. That Leave be given to bring in a BR,
T<? infli£l certain Pains and Penalties en John Plunket. He
Mr oq^w. was i^conded by Mr Onflow, but tho' the faid Motion was
wannly opposed, yet after fome Debate it was carried
by a Majority of 289 againft 130, that the iaid Bill be
. brought in ; and then the Houfe adjoum'd 'till the 1 1 th.
sirPhiUpToritt March 11. The Houfe refum'd the adjoum'd Confiden-
wove* t^HJj^ tion of the Report from the Secret Conunittee, and Sir Philip
JSijf afS^c- Yorke * openM the Debate in a Speech, wherein he partica-
Lay^^Md'i BHi ^^^Y enlaced on the Share Mr George Kelly alias Jolmfon,
of Pains and Pe- jj^ jn the traitcrous and deteftable Confpinicy, and then
n.>ltjes IS thereupon , i i . ,^ «. . n-ii ^ /« i- • f ^\.
E>s*d to be propos d this Quefticm, viz. That upon Connderation oi toe
gb«»«a8«aa i^ppQyj from the Committee, appointed Co examine Chnfto*
1*0?
^ • • SdUicttor-GeiUfdL
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( JOI )
pher Layer, and others, and the feveral Papers and Exami* Anno 9. Ow.i.
natioDs relating to the Conspiracy, it appears to this Houfe, \ ***^'
That George Kelly alias Johnfon has been a principal Agent
and Inftrament in the.faid horrid and deteflable Confpiracy,
and has carryM on fev^ral treafonable Correfpondences to
raiie InfiirredUons and a Rebellion at Home, and to procure
a foreign Force to invade thefe Kingdoms from Abroad : ^^'^^ thewia.
This Motion being feconded by Mr Sandys, was carry'd ^^^'^^y*'
without any Divifiwi. Then Sir Philip Yorke mov'd, * That
a BiU be brought in To infitS certain Pains and Penalties
upon George Kelly alias John/on^ which was feconded by i^R^waipofc
Mr R. Walpole. Hereupon Mr Trenchard faid, * That he Mr Trenchwd.*
thought the propereft Way to proceed againft this Criminal^
was in the old Parliamentary Method, by Bill of Attainder, j^ Bromkf.
there being fufficient Proof to fupport fuch a Bill :' But this JJ^Jjf^^
Motion was not feconded. On the other Hand, Mr Brom« ^^
ley, Mr Shippen and Mr Lutwyche oppos'd Sir Philip Yorkers Ij ^^^i^^'
Motion, but were anfwer'd by Sir Jofeph Jekyll, and Mr ^ Taibot.
Talbot, Member for Durham ; and the C^eftion being put, SnitobJtaUSt
it was carry'd in the Affirmative by 280 againft 1 1 1 . ^•
Then Mr Yox^ Hood up, and took Notice, how deeply MrYoonmom
Dr Francis Atterbury, Bilhop of Rochefter, had been ^^^^
concern^ in this deteflable Confpiracy j a^ravating his b^Biihopj^Ro-
Crime horn his holy Fundiion and lugh Station in the Church roncera*din the^
of England, a Church ever confpicuous for its Loyalty ; from S^l^l^^j^
the folemn Oaths he had, on fo many Occaiions, talcen to
the Government, and by which he had abjur'd the Preten-
der; when at the fame Time he was traiteroufly confpuing
to bring him in, upon the Ruin of his Country and of aU
that was dear and valuable to us, as Freemen and Chriftians :
Condnding, that as he was a Di(grace to his Order, and
DHhonour to the Church, fo he might apply to him on this
Occaii(Hi, thefe Words of the i ft of Ads^ Verfe 20. Let bis
Habitation be defilate^ and let no Man dwell therein : And
his Bijboprick let another take. And therefore he mov'd>
That it appears to this Houfe, * That Francis Lord Biihc^ of
Bjochefter was principally concerned in forming, diredting^
and carrying on the faid wicked and deteftable Confpiracy,
for invading thefe Kingdoms with a foreign Force, suid for
railing Infurredions and a Rebellion at Home, in order to
fubvert our prefent haj^y Eftablifhment in ChuixJi and State, ^^^^ thcr«».
by j^acing a Popifh Pretender upon the Thrcmc.' Mr Yonge
was feconded by Sir John Cope ; but they were anfwer'd ^^ J**^ ^^•
by Sir William Wyndham, who faid, * He faw no Caufe sir w.wyndhain.
to proceed againft the Biihop in fo fevere a Manner, there Mr sromiey.
being Kttle or indeed no JEvidence befides Conjedures and M[H5l35^!ik.
Hearfays.^ He was back'd by Mr Bromley, Mr Shippen, ^;,"Sgl°vJl>a.
Mr Hutchefon, Mr Hungerford, Col. Stj-angeways, Mr Mrutwychc."'
Ltttwychc,
Digitized by ^OOQlC
Ajino9> Geo. I
Dr Frieod.
Sir Tofcph Jekyfl.
MrR-Walpolc.
MrPeUum.
Mr Talbot.
Mr fdin Smith.
M; W.Faltotfj.
A BUI of Pains and
Penalties ordcrM
to be brought in a-
gainftthc BiAiop
of Rochellcr.
Mr R. Walpole
Bxxres fbranAd-
dtcb to the King.
to order Dr Friend
to be committed
for High Treafbn-
Debate thereon.
Mr Shippen.
Mr Bromley.
Sir T. JekyH.
Mrk. Walpole.
Ml fti^n.
M: R. Walpole.
( 302 )
Lutwychc, and Dr Friend: They were repIyM to by Sir
Jofeph Jekyll, Mr R. Walpole, Mr Pclham, Mr Talbot,
Mr John Smith, and Mr William Pultency ; and a Motion
being made, and the QuefHon being put, that the Houfe do
now adjourn, itpais'd in the Negative by 285 Voices againft
152 ; after which, the Queftion being put upon Mr YcMt^'s
Motion, the fame was carryM without dividing. Xhen a
Motion was made, and the Queftion put. That a Bill be
brought in. To HnfliB certain Fains and Penalties on Francis
Lord Bijhop ofRochefter, which after fome Debate, was alfo
carry *d without any Divifton.
March 13. Mr Robert Walpole acquainted the Houfe,
' That he had received his Majefty's Commands to acquaint
the Houfe, that his Majefty l^ng had juft Reafon to 2q>-
prchend T>r John Friend, Member of this Houfe, for High-
Treaibn, had caufed him to |^ af^rehended, and defirM
the Confent of the Houfe to his being committed and de-
tained for High-Treafon, according to an Ad of this pre-
fent Seffion, intitlcd an Aft, For impo<wering his Mi^efiy tit
fecure and detain fuch Perfons as his Majefiy Jhall fuJ^eS are
confpiringagainfihisPerJon and Government [fee p. 288.J Upon
whKh he mov'd, that an humble Addrefs be prefented to bis
Majefty, that he would be pleas'd to give Order for committing
and detaining Dr John Friend, purfuant to the Aft of this
Seffion of Parliament for that Purpofe. This Motion was
feconded and backed by feveral Members : But Mr Shippen
and Mr Fromley opposed it, faying, * They could not fee
any Reafon for that Houfe giving Leave for detaining any
Member, unlefs the Species of Treafon was dedar'd, and
that the Information was upon Oath.* . Sir Jofeph Jekyll and
Mr Robert Walpole, lepty^'d, * That by the late Aft for
foipending the Habeas Corpus Aft, the King was impowerM to
take up any Perfon he had Reafon to fufp^ ; that therefore
the Government was not oblig'd to fay, whether the Infor-
mation was upon Oath or not ; But Mr Walpole added, * He
did not doubt but Dr Friend was charged upon Oath ; and
privately declared to feveral Members, that they had pofi-
tive Proof of his being guilty of the blackeft and l^feft Trea-
fon.' Mr Shippen then fuggefting, * That Dr Friend's having
fj^ke fo warmly two Days before, in Mr Kelly's and the
Bifhop of Rochefter's Behalf, was, in his Opinion, the Rea-
fon of his being taken up the next Day himfelf^ and that at
tW Rate, there was an End of the Liberty of Speech which
every Member oflhat Houfe had a Right to : 'Mr R. Walpdc,
with a great deal of Warmth, reply'd, • He wonder'd any
Gendeman could think any Miniihy capable of fo bafe a
Thing, as to take up any Gentleman for what he faid in
that Houfe, without any other Caufe, when they knew them-
felvc«
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 303 )
fclves to be accountable as well as others for their Adions :' Anno 9. oeo. i.
Adding, * That they who made fuch Infinuations might \,^J^i^^PLj
more eafily be prov'd to be Jacobites, than they could make ^*^>^^^^
out iiich an Allegation s^nft the Minifhy ; ' Mr Pulteney Mr Puitenex.
ipoke on the fame Side, and in Relation to Dr Friend's
fpeaking in Kelly's fiehalf, obfervM* that it was ufual in all
Confpirades, for one Traytor to endeavour to excufe another.'
Mr Shippen animadverted feverely upon this Refledlion, fay- Mrshippen.
ji^ * It was not to be endur'd, to have a Member of that
Hooie caird a Traytor, before he was convicted as fuch :'
But Mr Pulteney having explain'd himfelf, that Matter end-
ed ; and then the Motion for an Addreis was carried without
dividing.
March 14. The Commons having refum'd the Coniidera*
tion of the Report from the Committee appointed to examine
Chriflopher Layer and others 5 it was refolV'd, * That an xhc hooIc refo!v«
humble Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, exprefling the JJiJ^^J^J^^^*
Indignation of this Houfe againft the horrid and deteftable theicin^ onthe^
Confpiracy which had been carry'd on againU: his Ma- ^^^^^^^^^^^
jefty's Sacred Perfon, and to congratulate his Majefiy on the
happy Difcovery of it, and to aiTure his Majef^, that this
Houfe would proceed, with the utmoft Vigour, to bring thoie
to Juftice who had been concerned in thefe unnatural Defign^
ag^inft their Country, and would efledually fupport his Ma-
jefty's Government, and would maintain, with all that is dear
and valuable to them, the prefent happy Eibblifhment.
A Committee was appointed to draw up this laft Addreis,
of which Mr Thomas Broderick being chofen Chairman, he
reported the faid Addrefs to the Houfe on the 1 8th, which
was then agreed to.
March 19. Sir Rd)ert Raymond prefented to the Houfe a ^ au, r# mj!m
Bill, For infilling certain Pains and Penalties on John ^'jj^iit*jl^'"
P Junket, which was read the firft Time, and order'd to be amd another todw
read a fecond Time, on the 28th; it was alfo order'd, ^JSftSSJSScetV.
I. That a Copy of the faid Bill, and of the faid Order, be read the fi^ximc
forthwith fent to the faid John Plunket, and deliver'd to
him by the Serjeant at Arms. II. That the Attorney-Ge-
neral and the Solicitor-General do take Care that the Evi*
dence againft the faid John Plunket be ready to be produced
to this Houfe upon Thurfday the 28th. III. That the faid
John Plunket be allow'd Pen, Ink, and Paper. Then Sir
Philip Yorke prefented alfo a Bill, F<fr infliiiing certain Pains
and Penalties on George Kelly, alias Johnfon, which was read
the firft Time, and order'd to be read a fecond on the ifl of
April, and the like three Orders in relation to this Bill, were
made as thofe of the Bill for punlfhing John Plunket.
March 20. The Houfe prefented their congratulatory Ad-
drc6 to his Majelhr as follows ; '
'--' - - Moil
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 304 J
^^ ^^ Moft gradotis SorereigDy
AnAdiJdsofCofi- < XTOoT Majcfty's moft dutiful and loyal Subje^by dtt
ES^Sc^D^ * X Commons in Parliament affembled, do hambly b»
wyof thcHot. < jLeave to af^noBch your Royal Pedbn with Hearts mS
' Concern and ^rroor, for the deteftabk Conipiracy fonn'd
* againft your Perfon and Government.
* We lament with Indignation, that any of oar Fellow-
' Snbje^ who enjoy, in common with us, the many and ^d
' Bleffings of your Majefty's mild and juft Adminiftration,
* fhould fo hr give themfelves up to Deiuiion, as to confpiic
' againft pablick Liberty, againft their own Security, tod
* againft the only Bulwark of all that is dear and valuabk,
* your Majefty's Perfcm and the Proteftant Succefllon in your
* Royal Family.
* We iee with Aftonifhment, that Perfons of Figure and
* Diftindion, who ought to have been the beft Ju^es, and
' * moft zealous Defenders of your beneficent and niild Reign,
* ^ which alone their Fortunes wd Dignities can be made
* fixure, fhould be fo far infatuated, as to head and abett a
' monihous Confpiracy to deftroy your Majefty, their Com-
' try, and them&lves ; that Honour, Faith, and the moft
' folemn Ties of Religion, fhould be violated in Favour of
' a Popifh Fugitive, known only for his Uind fiigotry and
* Attachment to Rome.
* As we have with feniible Sorrow and juft Refentment,
« difcover'd thefe vile Pradices, ib will we take Care that
' the wicked Authors may not, by any Contrivance or Prac-
' tioe whatfoever, efcape Puniftunent ; but that all Confpi'
* rators may, by the JulUce of Parliament, be for ever hcre-
* after deterr'd from engaging in fuch traiterous Attempts.
' We congratulate your Majefty, and all your good Sub-
* je^, that you have efcap'd the black and unnatural D^
' figns of the worft of Men ; and fhat Almighty God has,
' by this happy Difcovery, given you and your Royal Fa-
* mily a frefti inftance of his fingular Care and Prote^ion.
* For us, your ^thful Commons, who feel with Joy and
• ' Gratitude the ineftimable Blefiings of your Reign ; who ate
* fenfible of the gk)rious Advantages of Liberty and of tbc
* Proteftant Religion ; and have in Abhorrence the Mifeiief
* and Slavery inseparable from Popery and a Poptfii Go-
' vemment ; we will ftand by your Majefly, and efiedi-
* ally fupport your Government, at the HasKard and Ezpeace
* of our Lives and Fortunes.
* We will maintain and defend your Majefly's ri^tfbl
' and lawful Title to the Crown of thefe Realms, and en-
* deayour to tranfmit to the lateft Pofterity this happy, fitc,
' and ancient Conflitution."
To
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To. this Addrefs the King return'd the following Anfwer :
Anno 9. Geo. L
Gentlemen,
** X Return you my Thanks for this dutiful and loyal Ad- ThcKing»iAnftrcr.
'* X ^fs : It is agreeable to the many Inftances of Zeal and
•* Affedlion to me, which you have iqx)n every Occafion ex-
** prefs'd. The juft Refentmcjnt and Indignation /ou have
•* fliewn againfl this Conspiracy, will, I doubt not, give en-
** tire Satisfaction to aU that iincerely wiih well to the pre-
•* ,fent Eftabliftment, encourage the Friends to ts^y Govern-
** ment, ai^d deter the Enemies of our common Peace from
** renewing theferalh and delperate Attempts."
March 22. Mr Yonge prefepted to the Houfe a Bill, For rhe^m,romm
, ^._. • 7» • ? ?> » . r\ r* • jt rams and Pemlttts
tnflicttng certain ratns and renaittes upon Or rrancis After- •ntbtSijbtfo^Ro-
hury, LordBiJhopofRochefter\ which was read the iirftTime, '^j^ **"
and order'd to be read a fecond, on the j4.th of April.
It was alfo orderM, I. That a Copy of the faid Bill and
of the faid Order be forthwith (ent to the faid Lord Bifhop
of Rochefler, and delivered to him by the Serjeant at Arms
attending this Houfe. II. That Mr Attorney-General and
Mr Solicitor-General do take Care that the Evidence a-
gainft the faid Francis Lord Bifhop of Rochefter, be ready
to be producM to this Houfe, upon the 4th of April.
III. That the fiiid Francis Lord Bifhop of Rochefler be al-
lowed Pen, Ink, and Paper.
The fame Day, the King came to the Houfe of Lords,
and the Commons attending^ his Majcfly gave the Royal Af-
ient to an A6t, For re'vi'ving and aiding t'wo Mi/lions to the.
Cttpital Stock of the South-Sea Company, and for reviving 0
proportional Part of the Yearly Fund payable at the Exche-^
quer, and for dividing their vjhole Capital^ after fuch Di^
vifion made, into t^o equal Partt or Moieties i and for con-^
verting one of the faid Moieties into certain Annuities,, fhr
the Benefit of the Members^ and for fettling the remaining
Moiety in the faid Company, fcff. (Scejp. 296.}
March 23. A Petition of George Kelly, Clerk, Prifoner BttWon of dorgc
VOL the Tower of London, was prefented to the Houfe and §?hL co^TnfcT^-
read, praying that he might be heard 4>y himfelf and Counfel ^jt^^^^l^
againft the Bjll, For infilling certain Pains and Penalties P*iuiltiuut>mbmi
ifan him, £sff. before the fame fhould pafs into a Law; "^^^^^^^^^
and that this Houfe would affign Sir Confhntine Phipps and
Serjeant Darnell for his Counfel, and Mr Hugh Watfoa
for his Solicitor j ai!d that they might have free Accefs to
him, to receive his Inflruaions in private ; and that he might
have the SujKmons of this Houfe, for fuch WimefTes as ho
fliould think nccef&ry. The Prayer of this Petition, the lafl
Yoi.t , Qji of
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Anno 9. Geo. I. of all cxcepted, was gtanted ; and an Order thereupon made
^^^^■K^L;^^ accordingly.
March 25. Mr Speaker acquainted the Houfe, That he
had that Morning received a Letter from the Lord Bifhop of
Rochefter, that his Lordihip having received a Copy ^ a
Petition of the Bp Bill, For irtjliciing certain Pains and Penalties upon him^ for
fiJJ^pS^'*'* fuppos'd Crimes of which he was innocent, he hop'd he
which is alfo grant. ^^^ \^ allow'd to have Sir Conftantine Phipps, and William
Wyiine, Efq; for his Counfel, and Mr Jofeph Taylor, and
Mr William Morrice, for his Solicitors to aflift him, in order
to the making his Defence ; and that they might have free
Accefe to him to receive his Inftrudions, and grve him tfieir
Advice in private ; which was granted.
APctitionofGcofie March zj. A Petition of George Kelly, Clerk, Prifpner
theii'coS iiJi^ in the Tower of London, was prefented to the Houfe, and
hJm%S'S^«S ^ad, praying, that the fecond Reading of the BiD, For in-
IcdUd. fiiSiing certain Pains and Penalties upon him^ might be put
oiF 'till the 8 th of April j and that the Depofitions upon Oath,
of Mr Michael Birmingham, Surgeon, and Melfieurs Baik
and Borgonio, Merchants, who reiided at Paris, to be taken
before a publick Notary, or before fome or one of the Britifh
Reifidents there, and alfo the Depoiition of Mr Gordon,
Banker in Boulogne in France, to be taken upon Oath before
the chief Magiftrate of the faid Town, or a publick Notary
there, might be admitted to be read at the Bar of this Houfe,
Mr itatfcrfbrd. as Evidence for the Petitioner. Mr Hungerford, Sir William
Mr PaW."*^- Wyndham, Mr Palmer, and Mr Ship'pen fpoke in Behdf of
M- R '{fajok* ^^ Petition ; but being anfwer'd by Mr Robert Walpole,
Sir j.jej^ Sir Jofeph JekylJ, and Sir William Thompfon, it Was carried
&f w. Thompfon. without dividing, that the faid Petition be rejefted.
The Bill againft March 28. The Bill, For infixing certain P^ins and Pe-
lf:^on^T^^^L'"'H'' ^tonjohn P Junket, was, according to Order, read a
ie1iS*thc^Bai^' ^^^^^^ Time ; and tho' Mr Plunket did not think fit to
coinmiued. make any Defence, yet the Commons proceeded, and 6ie
Couhfel for the Bill produced Extradb of feveral orig^naT
Letters from Abroad, giving Intelligence of the Confpiracy.
. ^ And the Counfel having fumm'd up the Evidence, and being
withdrawn, Mr Speaker opened the Bill, and the QucIHon
being put, That the faid Bill be committed to a Committee
of the whole Houfe, the iame was carry'd without dividing.
Debate (sMicttniiig March 29. The Commons went in^o a grand Comrttittee
PiunUt'sPunHh- ^pQjj jjjg 3|ij^ p^^ infliaing certain Pains and PemMts
upon John Plunket. Mr Onflow being plac'd in the Chair,
feveral Letters and other original Papers, ^rov'd by feveral
WitnefTes to be Mr Plunket's Hand- Writing, were l«ad, as
was alfo a Letter fronV the Pretender, and feveral otier
Letters from General pilfon to Plunket ; all which clearly
evincing, that he had a principal Share in the contriving
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( 307 X
and cariying on of the Confpiracy ; Mr Miller mov*d, that Anno 9. cco. t
the Pains and Penalties, for -which a Blank was left in the ^.^^y^'s^
Bill, might extend to Death ; urging, * That, in his Opinion, Mr Miller.
there was.fufficient Proof to convidt him of High Treafon,
even in Weftminfter-Hall. He was feconded by the Lord Lord ^w^ton.
Vifcount Middleton, Sir John Rufhout, Mr Clayton, Mr Mrcuyton.
Sandys,. Mr Walter Chetwynd, Mr John Chetwynd, Sir M;w?&twynd.
Wilfred Lawfon, and many others ; but they were oppos'd Ijf ^^lTw"^
by Mr Robert Walpole, Mr Horatio Walpole, Mr Thomas /*
Broderick, and Sir Jofeph Jekyll, who alledg'd, ' That the Mr h! waipjil*
filling up of the Blank with Death would be a Kind of ^Ijfi^T"^
Deceit put on the Prifoner, becaufe a Bill of Pains and
penalties was generally underftood not to reach Life, and
that it was to ^ fuppps'd, the Prifoner took it in that Senfe,
otherwife he would have made fome Defence.' The Mem-
bers who were, for Death, feeing the G)urtlexs of a contrary
Opinion, would not divide the Houfe ; and then Sir Robert
liaymond raov'd, • That the Pains and Penalties mighr. be sir Rob. Rajrmond.
Imprifonment in fome Part of Great Britain, during the
Plcafure of his Majefly, his Heirs and Succ^fTors ; Forfei-
ture of his EiHte ; and that his Attempting to make, or
any others favouring, his Efcape, be made Felony :' The
Queftion being put thereupon, it was carry'd in the Affirma-
tive by z8o Voices agaii^ 91.
JfpH/ I . The Commons being acquainted, that Serjeant
Darnell had declined appearing at the Bar of their Houfe as
Counfel^for George ^Kdly, being engaged in Buiinefs at the
AiSzes in SujQTex, it was oider'd. That Fettiplace Nott, Efq; ,
be allowed Cbunfel for the faid George kelly, inilead of
Mr Serjeant Darnell.
Jpril 3. The Commons in a Grand Conrniittee confiderM Debate concemins
of theP^ins.and Penalties to be infUded on George Kelly, pS^S"^**
and after fome Debate, it was refolv'd, by 224 Voices
^gm^ 1 1 2, that his Punifhment fhould be jthe fame as John
Plunket's.
Jpril i^, The Biihop of Rocheiler's Tryal being to come TheBahopofRo.
on that^^toi^g, his Lordihip fent a Letter to Mr Speaker, SSd'^^^fefcnce
whkh he defir'd might be communicated to the Houfe j h<^ fCwnm ^
a|Kl accordingly, Mr Speaker read the faid Letter, con-
taii^ng in Subil^nce, ' That his Lordihip, tho' confcious of
' his pwn Ini^ocence, did, on feveral Accounts, decline giving >
* that Houfe any Trouble that Day, and contented himfelf
' with the Opportunity, if the Bill went on, of making his
* Defence before another, pf which he had the Honour to
' be a Member. ' Notwithiianding this Difappointment,
the Commons proceeded in that Affair, ^d the Counfel for
the Bill being call'd in, and the Bill read, the Counfel
ppqji'd the Evidence^ and product a Scheme^ taken amongd
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AcAt9.GM.L Mr Laycr*s Papers, which was read ; as were alfo ievcral
\^^^m,r^Lj Copks of Letters ftopp'd at the Poll-Office, Then the Coon-
^^^^^*^ fcl examin'd fcvcral WitneiTes, to make good the Allegations
of the Bill 5 produced feveral Papers taken at his-Lordihip^s
Houfes at Wefbninfler and BronUey ; as alfo a Packet taken
on one of his Lordfhip*s Servants at the Tower of London ;
and examin'd two Witneflcs ; one to prove, that a Letter
and Paper contained in the faid Packet were his Lordihip*s
Hand^ Writing ; and the other to prove, that a Letter di-
redled to Mr Dubois, taken amongft his Lordfhip*s Papery
at the Deanry at Weibninfler, was feal'd with the fame Seal
that the Letter taken on his Lordfliip's Servant at the Tower,
was feal'd. Then the Connfel fumm*d up the Evidence, and
being withdrawn, Mr Speaker open'd the Bill, which was
committed to a grand Committee for the 6th Infbmt.
Debate on the third jipril ^. The engtofe'd Bill for punifhing Plunket was
i^iSilS^" read the third Time ; and the Queftion being put. That the
Bill do pais, the fame was fhenuoufly oppos'd by Sir WiILizm
sirw.wyndham. Wvndham, who was feconded by Mr Shippen and Mr Ket-
itSSS^. debys but being anfwer'd by Mr Robert Walpole and Sir
Mr R. Walpole. J^^^P^ ]^^% ^^ QuefUon was carry'd in the Affirmative
Sir J. jekyiP^* by 250 Voices againft 72. Hereupon the iaid Bill was
itpaflestheHoufc. order*4 to be carry'd up to the Lords.
TheBfliMainft April 6, The Bill for punifhing George Kelly alias John*
2°t2?Houic. ^' fon, was read the third Time, pafs'd, and fent up to the
^Lords \ and then the Commons went into a Grand Commit-
tee upon the Bill, For inftiSing certain Fains and Fenakies
upon Francis Lord Bijhop of Rochefter, Whefr it came to
the filling up the Hank for Pains and Penalties, the Court-
Party mov'd. That he fhould be deprived of his Office and
Debate eoncemiM Benefice, banifhM the Kingdom, be guilty of Felony if he
^B^^p^o- retum*d, and that it fhould not be in the King's Power to
cbefter. pardon him without Confent of Parliament ; but without
Mr uwfcn. Forfeiture of QoqA& and Chattels. Hereupon Mr Lawibn
reprefented, * That the Evidence againft the Bifhop being all
either Hearfay, or C6nje6hire, and therefore not to be de-
pended upon, he ought to have no Punifhment at all.* Mr
ftfr Og^tbo^e. Oglethorpe was of the fame Opinion, but gave it another
Turn ; He faid, * It was plain, die Pretender had none but
a Company of filly Fellows about him ; and it was to be
fear'd, that if the Bifhop, who was allowed to be a Man of
great Parts, fhould be htnifh'd, he might be follicited and
tempted to go to Rome, and there be in a Capacity to do
more Mifchief by his Advice, than if he wasiufier^d to flay
in England, under the watchfiil Eye of thofe in Power/ But
the Queftion being put upon the M Motion, it was carried
without any Divifion, "'\ ~
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April <^. The engro(s*d KU to inflid certain P^uns and Pe- Aiino9. oeo.i,
nalties on Francis Lord Biih(^ of Rocheflcr, was read the s^^y^iTJi^.^/
3d Time, pafe'd, and fcnt up to the Lords. mai^iwi
April 27. Mr Lowndes prefcntcd to the Hoofe a Bill, For SJ^J^P'^
laying a Uax ttpon Papifts ; which was read the Mk Tiifie^
and order'd to be read a fecond Time on the 3d of May. T^SSifpiS?*
May 3. The above Bill was read a fecond Time, and readtwice.
committed to a Committee of the whole Houie.
May 6. The Commons being in a Grand Committee on
the BUI, For laying a Tax on Papifts, Mr Latwyche fpoke
againft the faid BiU as follows :
Mr. Speaker,
* TheGentlemoo, who have ^ke in favour of this Bill, have Mr tutnyche'*
lug'd * That fmcethe happy Revolution the Roman-Catho- IEmJ^^
* licks have been more or lefs concerned in every Confpraqr
< againft the Government; fo that if they did not fhew
* themfdves in the late Confpiracy, it was out of Prudence,
^ and not for want of Zeal for the Pretender's Caufe/ They
will not allow, that it is liable to the Objedion of not being
fuj^ported with particular Fa6b, but fay, with great Proba-
lulity, ' That the Roman-Catholicks have made laige Om-
' tributions here at Home, to fend to the Pretender and his
* Adherents Abroad : And if they are in a Capacity of (up-
' plying the Neceffities of their Friends Abroad, it is but
* very reaibnable for them to contribute to the defraying an
' Expence they have, in a great Meafure, occaiioned at Home.*
* Upon this general Way of Reafoning, this Bill for railing a
Hundred Thoufand Pounds upon the Roman-Catholicks has
been form'd; and a eeneral Charge of this Kind may be a
fuificient Ground-work for a Preamble to the Bill ; but the
enading Part ought to be fupported with particular Fa6h
plainly provM, otherwife we may involve innocent Perfons
in a Puniihment only due to the Guilty. And though the *
Legiflature hath fometimes gone upon the Notoriety of the
Fa^ it is to be hop'd, that this Method may be but feldom
taken wh^re the 1a£c or Fortune of any Subjed is in Queftion ;
aothii^ being more uncertain than Heariay, Conjedure and
fbic*dC6nftru£tions ; which the Law has wifely provided a-
g^unft by afcertatning fixM Rules to diredi the Judgment of
the infoior Q)urts of Jaftice.
* It is likewiie given, as a Political Reafi)n for Failing of this
HI, * That raiiine this Hundred Thoufand Pounds upon the
' Roman Catholi(£s will deter the Jacobites Abroad from
' entering upon fuch rafh Enterprizes, when they find that
* their Friends here in England are tofuflFer for the Diftur-
* bancc they give us : And it will alfo ihew them, that the
f Natkm can put it felf in a State of Security without burthen-
* ine the SuKeft ; which has been one of Uie chief- Views of
..'' - - — "-^ • the
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C 510 ] .
smt^OBo^h ^UieC^o^iiatDn to aiy Ffwd lod^ X>ifi^9tcnts of t^
^ri^m>^ People/ ^tifjioneof d>eie ArguQients jhoqjd pape^j if
the Notoriety of the Paft docs not conyiiice; nay, if ^ g^eat-
tAiPivbabiUtxof the Roman-Cathriigks. fending MPI^ A-
broad can meet jvith no Ccedit ; the LegjUUtore^ ^ they, is
highly jufiifyM. in poffing. this Xamt for caifiog zpi-jlmidred
fTAocviand Ponads upon the &>man-Cathp]icks ; 'jSi|is».by
* the Laws now in bei^as by the A6lsQf Q«e^ Eliz^^eth,
. * the:Fiift of King^ Geocge, &c.i the-Rom^n-C^lholicks are
* '£a\ijt6L tq three Times . greater > Forfeitojes thj^ tj^ Tax
* will amount to : And that the raifipg tf . th^ rHjiQ^red
* Thoufand Pounds is a Mitigation of the Sevcyily pf tk
* Law ;.and fo ' &r from being . jcckonVl jl :fi»r^i^p .done
* them> it ought to be coniiderM an Indulgence in ^Gqyem-
* me0t.*
M have iiere thrown .together £osac of the Efa^ODS..w]ud
Jiavel)een given for paflii^g this BUI; J, think ithofe I teve
jnention^d are what ib^n'd to one. to make the . grea^t^ . ^pn-
,peffion^apon the. Houfe, ..when this Matter ^w^SgA 4sif^
Thefe Reafons-were likewife enforc-d [See. p. 29 5 j by,a Gen-
tleman, IMr R,W/ilpole] .whofe Opinion is jmfijy. ^fteem!4.ii^
all Paa-liamentaiy Codideratioos. rl will nQW^ a^i^ion ihe
Ofajadi^ns, which occur taMe agaiail the {^iffipg ot ^as^WL
* In Aafwer to the general Surmife of the ^ocoan-Catho-
licks I>iia£&dion to the Government ;: I can't Jielp. obfervii^
That this general Cha,rge neither c^n nor. ought to iiSbsSi MJ
particular Perfon, witkmt Proof of fome particnlar j^9^ ai-
Jedg'd ag^flhim : And it would be the high^ InjiMlice to
^nakeone^Manfuffer for the Crime ofat¥)tber. The L^ir
iuppofing it incumbent upoa every Man to be.ACCQSntaUe
for his own A£tions,dodi not require what is. not in..^iiy Man's
Power> -to be anfweraUe £:>r. another; and, I think. I. ina|r
afErni,' with- great Certainty,, that in no onelnfiance the Laws
have a4|odg^ a Penalty upon one \Man for the^ Crime of a-
nother: For though in the . Cafe of High-Tr«iufeii,. tbe
Blood being attainted, a Son does not attain the. Hqoqpis
which wopld have deicendcd ta him, if .iiis Fath^ had pdt
been guilty of Treafon ; yet in> that Cafe. a.Man dpes oq^
forfeit a Fee-iimple Fftate, and the Income of an. EAatevci-
ed in him during his natural Life : But theiligbfft Cirimfis
and Mifdemeanors can^t avoid a^ttl^ment, to-the Pj^udice
of an iimocent Perfon.
< I due rather infill upon the Unreaibnablenefs jofpmiihnig
ofie Man for the Crime of another, to ihew the Abfurdity
of a Maxim vMck is laid ddwa for a certain Do^ne, * That
* becaufe fome of the Roman-Catholicks are fafpoded 8>
' have been concem'd in the late Conlpiracy, thmiore the
* wholeBody of the Ro2iian-CathoIick$miift equally bear $he
• Buxdca
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B^td^n of a Tax, which fomfe df tHemohly aredled^M to
have ihadenecdTary.' I Would not be thought tobe atl Ad^
locate fbr the Roman-Cathblides; ahy ferther thari common
fuftice requiura, but I mnrft apjjfeaf tb e/efry one who has
read the Report of thti Committee appohited to examme
Layer, Whether it appears there that the Roman-Catholicks
in general are COncem'd irt the Confpiracy ? Or, Whcthei'
iny Mention is made in the Report of any one Romans
Catholick of Confequence, except a Noble Duke, It^e D'uke
of Nor/hlk'] to \^hom a Letter is fufi^s'd to be writ, intimia-
ting, as if he knew of the Deilgns carryfngon? HowunjulJ'then
ivould it be, if the Suspicion of this great Man'sbeingf engag'd
in traiterous Praftices, at die Hazard of his Life and Fortune,
fhould give Occaiion to the inflifting die fevereft' Pendries
upon many innocent Families, who lieither wifli nor can hope
to better their Fortune by any Revolution of Afiairs.
* I think. Sir, I have nilly anfWer^d what has been faid for*
pafling the Bill, upon the general Head of DifafFe6Hon ; but
one Thing more I will add. That If you impofe this Tax
upon the Roman-Catholicks, upon a general Allegation, *Tlikt
* their Religion maintains Principles inconiiftent with theWel-
* fare of the Government ; ' you punifli them for the Caufc of
their Religion. And for my own Part, I look upon Perffe-
cution to be a Doftrine odious in it felf, highly reflcdHng
upon the Honour of Parliament, and gneafiy infringing uport
the Freedom of the Subjeft. Nor Would I have hisMa-
jefty's mild and gracious Reign blcmifh'd with fuch ar mer-
cilefs AA of the Legiflature, which mu^ neceflarily confittA
the obftinate in their Errors, and entirely alienate the A flec-
tions of the well-di^s'd Romaii-Cathoficks.
We are likewife told, * That the raifing this Hundred
* Thoufand Pounds upon the Roman-Gatholicks iis done out
* of a Pblitical Reafon, to deter the Jacobites Abroad from
* entering upon fuch raih Enterprizes, by making their
* Friends here in England pay the Expence which the Na-
* tion finds lieceflary for its own Security.' As this is a
Matter meerly of Speculadon, and as there is no certain Rule
tp eo by to know what will be the Confequence of raifinj^
iuci a Tax, I will venture to give my Conje6hircs upon this
Head. I d6 imagine, that as the Pretender's Scheme is unjufl in*
itfelf, it can be form'd upon no better Hopes than theDifcon-
tettts of the People ; and the more Room there is for Complaint,'
the better Profpedt he has of SUccefs : And if it does happen*
that thefe Complaints are well-grounded, as were the LofTes
the People fuffer'din the South-Sea, then in fuch like Cafe,
how much Indufhy is us'd by the Jacobites to aggravate the
National Grievances ; and to in^ute every Mifchance to the
in Condud^ of the Government, t am afraid, if the Roman-
Catholicks
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CaAciidcs (houM be thus heavily taxM; if their peaceable
and quiet Behaviour does not intitle them to the comiiKm
IVotedion of the Gc^venunent ; nay, if they are more hardlj
iis*d by not having been c(HKem*d than when they wefe
adnally engag*d in Rebellion ; I fay^ I am afraid they will
emlnrace any Opportunity to free themfdves from fuch intol-
crable Burdens, thinking under no Form of Government they
can receive worfe Treatment.
* I ihail next confider the Groundwork of this whole Bill»
viz. * The raiiing one Hundred Thoufand Pounds upon the
' Roman-Catholicks, in lieu of certain Forfeitures they have
• incurred by feveral A^ of Parliament now in being.* And
by dating the Balance betwixt the Roman-Catholicks and
the Government, it is pretended, ' That the Sum now de-
' manded of the Roman Catholicks faUs hr ihort of what is
• due to the Government, if all their Forfeitures were rigor-
• oufly exafted.* I am very ready to grant, that the Roman-
CathoHcks have incurrM feveral Forfeitures : Burl think the
Queftion at pefent is. Whether it is neceffiry at this Time,
for the Security of the Government, to take Advantage of thofe
Forfeitures? For if there is not fome particular Reafon fhewn,
why you ought to exad them more at this Time than ano-
ther, you may with equal Juilice raife one Hundred Thoufand
Pounds the next Year upon the Roman-Catholicks ; and fo
on, whenever the Government fhall fland in need of fuch a
Fund. But furely *tis not fufficient to fay, becaufe the Ro-
man-Catholicks have incurred feveral Forfeitures, that there-
fore you will take Advantage of them : For the plain An-
fwer to that is. Why do you do it now ? And, Why have
you not done it before ? It is here neceflary to obferve.
That when the Legiflature pafs'd this Law, to fubjed the
Roman-Catholicks to the Forfeiture of two Thirds of their
Eilates, this Law was rather made intentionally to keep
the Roman Catholicks in Subjed^ion to the Government,
than with any Defign of having it put in Execution. For
otherwife I dare fay, fo many Adnuniftrations, who are the
executive Part of the Law, could never haye thus long dif-
pens'd with their Duty.
^ If we look back as far as the Reformation,, we fliall find,
Aat the Roman-CathoUcks were never more numerous,
never more powerful, than at the Revolution, juft upon King
Jameses Abdication. Then all Means had been usM to pro-
pagate Popery ; Men of that Perfuaiion were put into Places
of Profit and Truft ; the Army was fill'd with Roman-Catho-
licks, and it was generally thought that the Nat;ion was ripe
to take upon them the Drudgery of the Roman Yoke. Whai
King WilJiam came .to the Crown, he was warmly told of
the Dangers ofPoj>eryi that as there were f^vere Lawa^
againft
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againft the Roman-Catholicks, they ought to be put in Ex«. Anno^9.^Gca.i.
edition : That the. Roman-Catholicks held CcH-reipondencej "
and were canying on Plots and Contrivances with King
James, then in France, who, as he had an undoubted Title
to the Crown, was fupported by one ' of the moft powerful
Princes in Europe. Then the Competition for the Crqwn
was greatly different from the wild and extravagant Preten-
tions of a Popifh Fugitive, fled to Rome for Sanduary, after
having been turnM out of moft of the Courts of Europe.
But King William, who was a wife and juft Prince, and
knew that no Free State could long fubfift, but in doing
equal and impartial Juftice, would not confent to the putting
thofe Laws in Execution againft the Roman-Catholicks,
which he knew amounted to no lefs than a Perfecution.
However, the King, to gratify the Fears of thofe about him,
who were continuaJly poffeffing him with the Dangers of
Popery, order'd an exafi Account to be. taken of the Con-
formifts, Non-Conformifts, and Papifts in England, to fee what
Proportion there was betwixt the Papifts and Proteftants ; and
upon an exa£t Scrutiny, the Account . wa3 found to ftand
thus : One Hundred and Seventy Nine Conformifts, viz. thole
of the Eftablifh*d Church, to one Papift ; belides Presbyterians,
Quakers, Independents, and all other Proteftant DiiTenters.
* If the Roman-Catholicks were, at the beginning of the Re-
volution, but a handful of People ; if all the Encouragement
given to them by King James could not enable them to
maintain a King of their own Religion upon the Thi-one,
what have we now to apprehend from them ? Since many of
them have followed the Fate of King James, and feveral of
them have conformed to the Church of ^gland: So that
we may reafonably conclude, that the Number of Roman-
Catholick* is one Third leis than they were when King Willi-
am came to the Crown. And I beg Leave here to obferve
a Notion, which has long prevaiVd, * That the Liberties of
^ England can never be in Danger, but by the Roman^Ca-
* thoJicks." Indeed, one would have imagined that Explri-
tnce would have exploded this Opinion, iince there is no-
thing more certain than if all the Proteftants were united,
no power upon Earth could hurt us. The Conteft does
not lye becwixt the Proteftant and RomanrCatholick
Religion i Our Divifions are no: ojxafionUl by the Increafe
of Popery J but it is obvious to every Man • unconcern'd in
rhe Difpute, how the Leader^^ of each Party promote their
own mercenary Ends, by poffeffing their Followers with
unneceffary Fears and groundlefs Tealou(ies.
* I muft own, beiides the Injuftice of paffing fuch a Law, I
zm roov'd with Compaffion to'^ny Fellow-Subje£ts, whofe
Condition muft. be very depk)rable, if this Bill ihould pft
' Vot. L R t ' into
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into a Law. I would inffamce in the Cafe of a Gendonan
I of a Thoufand Pounds per Armum^ who pays l^ive Hundred
Pounds/^ Jnnum Rent Charge : He muft pay double Taxes,
whkhy at prefent amounting to Four Shillings in the Pound,
comes to Two Hundred Pounds a Year, out of hjs
Thoufand Pounds a Year : He muft likewife pay his Pro-
portion of this Hundred Thoufand Rounds, which, at a mode-
rate Conqputation, will be Five Shillings in the Pound^ which
is Two Hundred and Fifty Pounds more to be added to the
Pedudlion out of his E^e ; What, then will a Gentleman
of a Thoufimd Pounds per Annum have to live upon ? It is
(aid in Anfwer to this. That the Ron^n-Catholicks do not
Sy more Taxes, in feveral Places, than the Protefbnts. But
^>pofe it were true, that they now pay no more than Two
Shillings in the Pound, the Cafe of tlus Gentleman will be
fiill very much to be lamented ; and inftead of paying Nine
Hundred and Fifty Pounds, he will pay Eight Hundred and
FifQr Pounds out of his EfUte. I have mentioned this par-
ticular Cafe, to fhew the unreafonabl^ Severity of this. Tax ;
but J dare fey^ many more Inftances might be given of the
like Nature.
* X can*t he^ being a little furpriz'd, that thofe Gentlemen
who are fo weU acquainted with the Circumfbnces of our Af-
jairs Abroad, did not confider, before they brought in this
Bill upon the Roman-Catholicks, , that his Majefly's Allies
would certainly interpofe in their Behalf: Apd if upon a Re-
fufal to ad the friendly Part, our Proteilant Brethren Abroad
ihoold be more feverely dealt with, we fhould in vain com-
plain of the Breach of Treaties and of the Laws of the Em-
pire, when we have broke through the conunon Ties of
Humanity.
* I know no better Rule of Government, than to punifh the
Guilty, and, protect the Innocent ; neither the one can com-
plain of hard Ufage, tho^ he may be pitied, nor will the other
wifh for a Change of that Government, which defends him.
itOfo. the OppreffiOn of wicked and ill-deigning Men. But to
punifh a Body of People, whom before the Report was made,
you fufpeded to be crin^inally concerned in the Confpiracy 5
and wluun, upon Enqiiiry, you find to be innocent in every
narticttlar Suggdlion alledg*d ag^fl them, I do not take to
oe the Means of cqpvincing the Wprld of the Impartiality of
our Proceedings.
' I find great Stre& l^d upon the Roman-Catholjcks fending
Money to the Pretender, zxA his Adherents Abroad j a Faft
fo confidently affirmed, that one would expedi fome better
IVoof of it than a general AfTertion ; and yet I havej^ver
heard one fingle Inftance given tO convince me of the Truth
of this AAb-tion. Confidering the grea( Vigilance of the
Muiifby,
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( vs )
Minlihy»who have been aWc to difcover the moft fubtlc Mao 9.^ceo. i.
Contrivances in canying on this Conipiracy, it appears to me y^, — |^— J
very unlikely, if t)ie Itoxhan-Catholicks had made any
coitSderable Remittances Abroad, that they fhould have
efcapM the Notice of the Government. I would fein know
}u>w comes this Notion of the Roman-'Catholicks fending
M<»iey Abroad ; and why they are more zealous for the Pre-
tender's Caufe, than the reft of the Jacobites ? If it is an
equal Contribution among the Jacobites, it ought to be an
equal Tax upon the Nonjurors and every Man who has paid
his Quota, as well as upon the Roman-Catholicks. But to
fingle out one Set of Men from die Herd of the Jacobites ;
and upon mere Suppoiition, to iniiidt the fevereft Penalties
upon them, is an Ah no ways agreeable to the juil and equi-
table Proceedings of Parliament. For which Reafons I am
againil tf|^4|ill.'
Mr l3p^<3ie was fupported by Mr Weft, Lord Gage, idt Weft.
and Mr Thompfon, Member for York j Mr Trenchard, in tfrE^rlompfoni
particular, declar'd, * Tiiat he thought it very unreafonable ^^ Trenchard
that the Papifts Ihould bear the whole Burden of this Tax, movet,thatUic
when there were fo many. Jacobites who had contributed as ciodidT^theTax
much to the raifmc Publick Difturbances as the Papifts Pa^t^wWchis
themfelves;' and Aerefore he mov'd, * That the Non- agreed to,
jurors ought to be included in the (aid Tax intended to be
raifed upon Papifts : Accordingly, after fome Debate, the
Committee came to the following Refolution, viz. That to-
wards railing the Sum of 100,000 1. granted to his Majefty^
towards reimburiing to the Publick the great Expences occa-
fion'd by the late Rebellicms and Diforders, to be rais'd and
I^ied upon the real and perfbnal Eftates of all Papifts, an
eqtial Rate and Proportion be rais'd and levied upon the real
and perfonal Eftates of every other Perfon> being of the
Age of eighteen Years or npwards^ not having taken the
Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and the Abjuration
Oath, who (hall upon due Summons negled or refufe to take
the fame^ This Refolution being the n«xt Day reported by
Mr Farrer, a Motion was made, and the Queftion put^ that
tte &id Refolution be recommitted, but it was carried in the
Negative ; TheQ it was refolv*d, That the Houfe do agree
with the Committee, and order'd. That there be an Inftruc-
tion to the Committee of the whole Houfe to alter and
amen^ the Bill, For laying a Tax on all Papifts, purfuant to
the {aid Refolution.
May 1 1. The Commons^ in a Committee of the whole
Houfe, made a farther Progrefs in the Bill, For laying a Tax ^*;SScimmi^
upon Papifts i and a Motion being made by Mr Lutwyche JJ^i^i^^in^'^JJ^*"
for. a Claufe for including the Papifts and Nonjurors in scotTkpSfand
^ - - - - - D _ - — - ' Cy.«*1«i*J Nonjurors in the
K r 2 Scotland, ^jd^ biu*
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Scotland, in the Tsuc intended to be laid on Papiils and
Nonjurors in England, it was carried in the ABirmattve by
a Majority of five Voices only.
Debate cooccrmng May li^, Mr Farrcr reported the Amendments the Oxn-
?n'iu brfn^"4^. nwttee had made to the Bill, which were . agreed to, excqpt
ed to the HoufcT the Claufe above-mention'd ; upon which a Debate ariiii^
Jf' i^j^ Lord Gage and Mr Hutchefon infifted upon the Equitable-
Sir J. jckyu. ncfs of the laid Claufe, and Sir Jofeph Jekyll faid there-
upon, ' That he knew no Reafon why the Scots fhould be
excused from paying their Proportion of this extraordinary
Tax, unlefs it was, becaufe forty-five Scots ReprefentatiTes
in that Houfe always voted as they were directed : But if
that was theReafon^ it was to be fearM, lead Cornwall, i;i^icb
fends up almofl an equal Number of Members, m^ht, upon
the fame Confideration, claim an Exemption from Taxes.'
Mr iL waipoie. But Mr Robert Walpole having reprefented, Tbl^ dm Naaies
and real Eftates of the Scots Papifts and Non|yMei|||lt beii^
regifter*d, it was impoflible to afcertain thcSrBMfiqrtion of
this Tax, he was fupported by mod of the Courtiers ; and
The above Claufe the Qucftion being put. That the faid Claufe be made Part
auoSerMfoJre- ©f the Bill, it was carried in the Negative by 178 Votes
Sf?hS<5?te^ms ^g^^ * 7^ * ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ Amendments being made
and Nonjurors, by the Houfc to the Bill, it was order'd to be engrofs'd.
vhKhpaflesihe jj^^gygr^ ^q jj^ys after, a Bill was ordered to be ^ught
in, to oblige all Papifls and Nonjurors in Scotland^ to re-
giJder their Names and real Eflates ; which was accordingly
brought in, and had an eafy Paffage through both Houfes.
The BUI, Fi>r lay May 1 7. The engrofs'd Bill, For laying a Tax upon Papifts
'/^it&c'pMi *^»^ Nonjurors in England, was j»fs'd and fent up to the Lords.
May 27. The King came to the Houfe of Peers with
the ufual State, and the Commons attending, their Speaker,
updn prefenting the Bill, For laying a Yax upon Papifts
and Nof^urors, made a Speech, wherein he fhew'd the
Occafion and Neceffity of that Tax, on account of the late
horrid and execrable Confpiracy, in which they had fo great
The Royal Affent a Share. After this, his Majefty ^vc the Royal Afient
SfoS>'SS Mi.*~* to the faid Bill j Alfo to the BUI, To oblige all Papifts in
iSi°^^"t^ 5rtf//2»</, and Nonjurors in Great-Britain, to regifter their
of Rochcfttf. ^* Names and real Eftates ; To the Bills, For inflicting Pains
and Penalties on John Plunket, George Kelly, andDr Francis
Jtterbury Lord Bifl^op of Rochefter : Likewife to feveral
Other Bills, which, as they were not the Subjed of any
SPEECHES or DE BATE S, it would be foreign to
our Purpofe to take Notice of here.
' Then the Lord Chancellor read his Majefty's Speech to
both Houfes, as follows :
My
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f 317 3
Anno 9. Geo. I.
My Lords and Gentlemen, i_„t^^^-.i»._|
^* T Am perfuadedy notwithftanding the unuTual Length pf loa^s speech at
" X this Seffion, you will not think your Time has been ^^^^^4.
" miiemploy'd in confulting the necefiary Means for pre- JJJq^'***'"^*"
** ferving the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom, and bring*
** ing to Juftice fome of the chief Promoters of that C6n-
•* fuiicm which lately threatned the Nation.
*' The prudent Meafures you have taken for our common
** Security, and your enabling me to defend my Kingdoms
** againft any Defigns or Attempts of our Enemies, are the
** moft convincing TeiHmonies of your Fidelity and Afko-
** tion to me, and of your Concern for the Liberties of my
** People. Be affur'd, the Con£denc6 you have repos'd in
" me Ihail never be made Ufe of but for their Safety and
** Defence.
" The Papers which have been laid before you, for your
** Iiliformation, and have fince been publiih*d for the SatiA
** feaion of the World, evidently fhew, that the Confpira-
*' tors had brought their wicked Arts and Practices to fuch
** Perfedion, that they confidently carried on their traiterous
'* Proje6b in Defiance of the Law, from an Afiurance of
** their being able to elude it : The Refped and Reverence
" due to the Law had been loft, and the Tranquility of my
** People endanger*d, had not you interposed. This made it
** necefiiary for the Legiflature to exert itfelf in punifhing
" fuch (Anders, whofe Guilt is too certain to leave the
^' leaft Room for Doubt, and whofe Crimes are too heinous
" to admit of any Aggravatibn.
" And yet it is with Pleafure I lefledl, that the Juftice of
^' Parliament has been fo tempered with Mercy, that even
" thofe who are refolv'd to be diflatisfied, muft acknowledge
" the Lenity of your Proceedings, and will be at a Lofs for
** any Pretence to complain, fo few Examples having been
** made, and* the Penalties, inflided by Bill, falling fa
" much ftiort of the Puniftiments due t<f the fame Crimes
" by the conmion Courfe of l^cw,
" The Firmnefs you have fliewn muft convince the
" World, how much They were miftaken, whofe chief Hopes
" were founded on the DifafFedlion of my People. It gave
*^ me great Satisfa^on to fee as general a Cbncurrence in
" full Parliament upon this Occafion, as has been ever-
" known on any former ; and it is to be hop*d, our Enemies
" will ceafe to flatter themfelves with the vain Imagination
** of being able to fubvert our Religion and prefent Eitablifh-
" ment.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
1* I muft acknowledge, in a particular Manner, the great
•« Readincfs
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t 3i8 ]
Retdioeis vou have /hewn in raifing the necei&iy Sapplio
for the enniii^ Year : It is ^ uneaqpefted FeUcity, that
XOtt have been able fe far to difappmnt die H(^)es of our
** Enemiesy as to avoid laying any new Burthen upon n^
** People : And that ibon after that g^eat ^lock luid Ccwvul-
'* fion in all the piblick Funds, and in the midft of intefiine
<' Alarms and Difturbances, the Credit of the Nad<m ^uld
*' fo £ur revive and ik>ar^, that not only die Suf^lies of the
<^ Year ihould be rais'd, at a much lower In^i^ than was
*' ever known in the moft quiet Times» but Part of the Na-
** donal Debt flK>uld be redoc'd from an Intereft Of 5 to 5
** ptr Cent, and pat in a Courfe of being foon ^fchargM.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" r return you my moft fincere Thainks for the indefatiga-
*' ble Pains you have taken ia the Service of the Publi^
'' I eameftly recommend it to you, in your feveral Statiom
•* and Oountries, to perfcvere in your Endeavours for prp-
'^ ferving the Peace of the Kingdom ; by Juftice and Refb-
*' ludon, to fubdoe the reliefs Spirit of Fadion and Sedition s
*' and by Prudence and Temper, to reconcile the Misled.
*' Some extraordinary Ai^irs calling me AhrQad this Snm-
** mer, I doubt not but that the Wifdom and VigUance of
'' my good Subjeds will prevent our Enemies from taking
^' any Advantage of my Abfenoe, To gain the Hearts and
•* Afie£dons of my Peoj^e, Aall alwi^s be my firft and prin-
*' cipal Care. On their Duty and Loyalty I will intirely
*^ depend : And they may as forely depend on my Protedion
*' in the fidl Enjoyn^t of their Rdigion, Liberty, and Pro-
*' perty." #
TbeP^nament Then the Lord Chancellor prorogu'd the Parliamoit to the
rtoTOiacd. fecond Day of July j aftef which they were farther pro-
rogu'd to the 9di of January.
STEECHESzcA DEBATES
In the Second Session of the
. Second Tarliament of King G^OKG% 1.
|Uino.ia Geo.1. /^"^ ^ ^^ 9^ ^^ January, the Parliament being me^
mj-44. 1 1 according; to their laft Prorogation, the King went
^m^ to the I&ufe of Peers, and the Commons attending,
the Lord Chancellor read his Majefty's Speech to both
Houfes, as follows :
Uy
f Digitized by GpOgle
[ 319 ]
Aanoio. Geo.i;
My JLords and Gentkmen, 17*1^-
" TT Cannot open diis Seffion without congratolatiag you Ki^CsJChtt
*' X upon the Succeis of your Endeavours kft Year, for ^^^^^^^^^
" the Safety, Intefcft, and Honour of the Kingdom: The ^^
<' Rife of the publick Credit, the flounfliii^ Cbndition of
*' our Trade suid Manufa&uxes, and the general Tranquility
*' of my People, are the happy Consequences of y^Mir pm-
*' dent Refolutions. It is to be hop*d, that the few Exunh
** pies, which were made of fone notorious Ofienders, witt
'' be fufficient to deter the noft Difa^ded from engaging in
*' the like deQ)erate and wicked PraAices. The Alimentation,
** which you thought fit to make to our National Forces by
<' Sea said. Land, has not only fecur'd the general Quiet of
" the Kingdom againft any fudden Attempts or Infuiredkions,
" but has alio given me fuch Weight and Credit in all fo-
" reign Negotiations, as greatly contribute towards the Pre-
** fervation of the Peace of Europe.
. Gentlemen of the Houfe of Cbnnnons,
** I will order the proper Officers to lay heiore yaa. the
^' Eftimates for the S^ice of the current Year : I define
** fuch Supplies only, as you (hall find abiblutely neceilaiy
** for preferving the Peace of the Kingdom, and &r the Se-
** curity of my Feo|de j and thofe, I hope, may be rais'd
'* without laying any additionial Charge or Burthen on my '
" Stt^eas.
** I mnft, in a particular Manner, recommend to your
'< Care the publick I)ebts of the Elingdom, as the moft
" National Concern you can poffibly take into your Confi-
** deration. I am perfuaded it muft be a very great Satli^
*' fadtion to all my faithful Subjefb, to fee the finking Fund
*^ improvM and augmented, and die Debt of the Nation
" thereby put into a Method of being fo much the fboner
** gradually redacM and paid off: It would be a Work
^^ truly wc^y of a Britiih ParJiament, to begin this com-
** mendaUe Undertaking, and to make fuch a Progrefs
^* therein, as^ with a ftridt R^ard to puUick Faith and pri-
•** vate Property, may pave the Way to this great and dc-
** firaUe EncL
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** In the prefent hap|)y Situation of our Afi^irs, I have
^' nothing more to recommend to you, than that you would'
** make Ufe of the 0{:^)ortunity9 which your own good
^* Conduft has put into your Hands, in confiderine o^ fuch
" fiuther Laws, as may be wanting for the Eaie and En-
^* couragement of Trade and Nav^aticm, for the Employ-
*^ ment of the Poor, and for the exdting and encouraging
<f a Spirit of Ipia&xf in th^ N^tipn,
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[ 320 ]
*' I am fully fatisfyM, that the Trade and Wealth of my
** People are the happy EffeAs of the Liberties they enjoy,
'< and that the Grandeur of the Crown c6nMs in their Pro-
** {patty ; and I am as fully perfuaded, that all, who wiih
" well to their Country, muft agree with me, that it is the
*' vaineft of all Delufions to imagine, that the Religion,
\ " Laws, and Liberties of this Kingdom can ever be fc-
** cur*d, but by fupporting the prefeht Eilablifhment, and
*' maintaining the Succei&on in the Proteftant Line. Let as
** therefore heartily join in every thing that may tend to
** promote our mutual Happineis, and to extinguiih tht
V Hopes of thofe, who long have been and fHll are reftiefs
** in their Endeavours to fubjeft this. Nation to the whole
•* Train of Miferies, that are infeparable from Popery and
*« Aibit?^ Power."
The Conunons being retum'd to their Houfe, the Lord
Finch mov*d, and being feconded, it was refolv^d, Ntm.
Con, That an humble Addrefs be prefentcd to his Majefty,
whidi was unanimoufly agreed to, and on the nth, pe*
foited by die whole Houfe, as follows :
Moft Gracious Sovereign,
Icft^'iS^*^" * '\70U R Majcfty's moll dutifiil and loyal Subjeas, tk
^ j[ Commons of Great Britain in Parliament ailembled,
* beg Leave to congratulate your MajeUy upon your fafe and
' happy Return into thefe IGngdoms ; and moft humbly de-
* /ire your Majefty to accept the unfeigned Thanks of this
* Houfe, for your Majefty's moft graaous Speech from the
* Throne. As your Majefty is pleas'd to found the Gran-
* deur of your Crown in the S«:urity of the Liberties of
* your People, and your Glory in promoting their Profperity ;
* fo they, in Return, muft'be excited, by all the Ties of
* Duty and Gratitude, to build their Happinefs upon the
* firm and unihaken Principles of Loyalty and Affection to
* your Majefty^s moft Sacred Perfon and Government.
* It is the greateft Satisfa6Uon to your Maje^'s feithfiil
* Conunons to find, that the Loyalty of their Refolutions •
* and the Juftice of their Proceedings, in the laft Seffion of
' Parliament, have been attended with all the happy Confe*
' quences they expe^bed from them ; and now have been re-
* warded with your Majefty's Royal Approbation. .
* We beg Leave to aflbre- your Majefty^ that we AaD
*. readily andehearfiiUy raife all fuch Supplies, as ihall be ne-
* ceflary to fupport the Honour of your Majefty's Govem-
* ment, and fecure the Tranquility of thefe Kingdoms. .
* We are highly fenfible of your Majefty's Goodnefs to
* all your Peopki in recommending, particularly at this Time,
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{ 3«i )
to our Confideration the publick Debts of the Kingdom ; Anno w. Geo. i.
which are fo heavy a Load, and fo much a National Con- . ^i^ ^
cem, that we fhould be wanting to ourfelves^ if we did not ^^^ ^
aflure your Majefty, that wc will ufe our utmoft Endea-
vours to improve and augment the Sinking Fund, and
thereby put the National Debt into a Method of being
gradually reduced and paid, without any Violation of
publick Faith, or Infringement of private Prq)erty : And
as your Majefty is pleas'd to encourage our attempting fo
' great and noble a Deiign ; fo we are fully perfuaded» that
' the Wifdom and Steadinefs of your Majcfty's Government
^ ivill enable us to perfed this great Undertaking.
* We aflure your Majefty, that we know of no other
' Safety, under God, for our Trade and Wealth, Lib^ty
' and Property, Religious and Civil Rights, but the Security
' of your Majefty's Sacred Perfon and Government, and the
* Succeffion in your Royal Houfe ; which we will always
' fapport and maintain againft any traiterous Attempt what*
* foever ; being truly feniible of the Bleffings we enjoy under
* your Majefty's moft gracious and happy Government,
* which has hitherto preferv*d us from all thofe Miferies,
* Experience has taught us, are infeparable from Popery and
* Arbitrary Power.
To this Addrefs his Majefty retum'd the following Anfwer.
Gentlemen, '
** X Return ^ou my hearty Thanks for this dutiful and TbeKinf^Aahwr
" I loyal Addrefs : The Wifdom and Refolution of this ***^^-
** Parliament have principally contributed to our prefent
** happy Situation ; and the Perfeverance of my faithful Com-
" mons, with the fame Zeal and Unanimity^ in the Difpatch
'* of the publick Buftnefs, will be the fureft Means of im*
'* proving this favourable Opportunity to the beft Advantage,
" for the Honour and Intereft of the Kingdom.'*
January zz. The Conmions, in a Committee of the whole nebate cohcemJnB
Houfe on the Supply, read the Eftimates of the Charge uxli^^ *^
of the Guards, Garrifons, and Land- Forces, and MrTreby
movM for keeping up the fame Number of Troops for the
Year 1724, as were maintain'd the Year before. This oc-
cafion'd a warm Debate which laftcd five Hours. Mr Mr Trebr.
Trcby (a) was fupported by Mr R. Walpolc, Mr Pelham \b\ ^^i^^'
Mr Doddington (f), MrYonge(</), Mr Thomas Broderick, Mr DoddJiiton.
OL. I. b S Lord Mr T. Brodcruk.
(a) Made Teller of the Eicheauer^ -*
(b) Appoitited Secretary al ffar^ >M<ftbmflHru'gthi5S^.
(c;(d) Ma4€ C^mmijfimn of the Treafury ; J
y Google
Anno ic. Geo. I.
Lord Finch.
Scrj. Miller.
Mr St J Bfoderick,
Mr Docminiqufe.
Mr Pultcncy.
Sir W. Uwlbn.
Lord Morpctb.
Mr Broralcy.
Sir T. Haniner.
Mr Sloper.
Mr Shippen.
Hon* Mr Vcmey.
Mr Hungprford.
Sir J. JekyU.
Mr Jcflencs.
Mr W. Plummcr.
Mr Hatchdon.
Petition from the
buffcrcrs by the
Bahaam Projea.
Debate thereon.
Mr R. Walpole.
Lord Morpeth.
The raid Petition
rqeaed.
( 322 )
Lord Finch, Serjeant Miller, Hon. Mr St John Broderick, Mr
Docminique, and Mr Palteney (e). But Sir Wilfrid Lawfon,
who was fupported by Lord Morpeth (/), Mr Bromley, Sir
Thomas Hanroer, Mr Sloper, Mr Shippen, Hon. Mr
Verney {g), Mr Hungerford, Sir Jofeph JekyU, Mr Jeffcries,
Mr Walter PJummer, and Mr Hutchcfon, inMed, * That the
additional Trbops rais'd the lafl Year (hould be difbanded,
b^caufe there was, at this Time, no apparent Occaiion for
fo great a Number of Forces ; but the Queftion being pat
upon the Motion, it was carry'd in the AiErmative by 240
Votes againil 100 ; and refolv'd, I. That the Number of
effedive Men to be provided for Guards and GarrifcHis in
Great Britain, and for Jerfey and Guernfey, for the Year
1724, including 181 5 Invalids, be 18264 Men, Commiffion
and Non-Cbmmiflion Officers included. II. That a Sum not
exceeding 655,668 1. 8s. yd. be granted for defying the
Charge of the faid 18264 Men, for the Year 1724.
yan. 23. Thofe Refolutions beipg reported, were agreed
to by the Houfc.
February 2 1 . Sir John Guife prefented to theHoufea Petition
of Sir Guflavus Hume, and George Pratt, Efqi and fevcral
other Perfons who were Sufferers by becoming Adventurers
in the Projed for carrying on a Trade to the Bahama Iflands.
After the Reading of this Petition, a Motion being made,
that the faid Petition be referr'd to the Confideration of a
Committee, many Members were indin'd to the Affirma-
tive J but Mr R. Walpole thereupon reprefented, * That this
Petition feem'd intended to open again the Wounds of the
Year 1 720, which the Parliament, with great Wifdom, had
cndeavour'd to heal ; that if they countenanc'd fuch a Peti-
tion, they would foon have a Load of Petitions of the
fame Nature brought upon them ; and that the Law being
open, the Petitioners ought to feck their Relief there, where
many had already found it.' To this Lord Morpeth reply'd,
* That the rejecting of this Petition would found very iH with-
out Doors, and look'd as if they flcreen'd their own Mem-
bers 5 fome of whom were known to have been the principal
Managers of the Bahama Projed : The Queftion being put
upon the Motion, it pafs'd in the Negative.
j^il 24. The King came to the Houfe of Peers, and Sir
William Saunderfon, Gentleman-U(her of the Black-Rod,
was fent with a MeiTage from his Majcfty to the Honfe of
Commons, commanding their Attendance in the Hoafc oj
Peers ; the Commons being come thither accordingly, ^
Majeiy gave the Royal Aifcnt to feveral Bills ; after n*i^
hiJ
(q) Amintei Cqjptrer qf the HoM/hoU^ Mmy 1.3, 1 713,
(f)aon and Heir apparent to the J£arl (/ Csr^e*
<g) JSontotbcLordWUkt^hhydeBrookt.
y Google
( 323 )
ills Majefiy made the following Speech, by the Mouth of the Anno lo. cco.i.
Xord ChanceUor. ^_,J!^t^^
My Lords and Gentlemen,
«< ^TT^HE Unanimity, Chearfulnefs, and Difpatch with TheKing'iSpceck
** JL which you have now finiihM every Thing I recom- ^U^&T
^* mended to you at the Opening this Seffion, are frefh In-
*' ftances of your Afifediotx to my Perfon and Government,
** and cannot fail of contributing, with the Bleffing of Gdd
^< on our Endeavours, towards the Eftablifhment of that
*• happy Tranquility we now enjoy, both at Home and
*' Abroad.
** Your continuing the like National Force by Sea and
** Land this Year, as was judg'd neceflkry by Parliament for
** the Service of the laft, gives me great Satisfedion : You
** have hereby wifely provided againft the Mifchiefs fix)m
** any fuddcn Shocks of publick Credit ; you have provided
** for the Safety of the Kingdom, and have enabled this
** Nation to hold among the Powers of Europe the Rank
«* and Figure due to her Honour and Dignity. Nothing
** could hiav^ been more acceptable to me, than your having
** been able to make that Proviiion without laying any new
** or additional Burthens on my People.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
** I return you my Thanks for the Care and Pains you
'' have taken towards augmenting the Sinking Fund, and
** improving the publick Revenues by putting them under
** a flri^cr Management. I make no Doubt but that the •
•* happy Beginning you have made will be attended with
*' fuch immediate good Confequences, as will encourage you
** to purfue the Way you have now open'd for a gradual
•* Reduction of the Debt, .and for putting the Trade and
** Navigation of Great Britain on fuch a toot, as may not
** only in fome Meafure difcouragc the unjufHfiable Encroach-
** ments diey labour under from fome of our Neighbours,
^ but at the fame Time extend her Exportations beyond
<' what has been known in former Ages.
My Lords and Gendcmen,
** As the early Recefs which your Diligence and Unani-
■^' mity has procur'd you, affords you the Opportunity of a
^ longer Retirement into the Country, than the Bufinefs of
** former Seffions has ufually allowM of; I alTure myfelf,
** that you will carry with you thither the fame Zeal for
** the publick Good, with which you have been animated in
" Parliament ; and that you will make it your Bufinefs to
** difcountenance any Remains there may be yet left of Se-
^* dition or DiiafiedUon, and to promote that perfed Har-
<^ mony and Confidence between me and my People^ which
" S i 2 « I
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Anna >«; 6e». t. ^ I moft earnefUy defire, and on which our mutual Happi-
ncfs entirely depends.'*
17*4.
ThcParihtnent Then the Lord Chancellor prorogued the Parliament to
prorogqcd. ^^ ^^ ^£ j^^^ . They weTC afterwards farther prorogued to
the 1 2th of November.
STEECHESmd D EBATES
Jn the Third Session of the
Second Tarliament of King George I.
Anno II. Geo. I. ^* I ^ ^ ^ Parliament met Km. the 1 2th of November, ac-
i7i4- I cording to their laft Prorogation, and the King be-
JL ing come to the Houfe of Peers with the ufual States
and the Commons attending, the Lord Chancellor read his
Majefty's Speech to both Houfes as follows ;
Tlurd
My Lords and Gentlemen,
ThcKii«»«speecb *' T ^ pcrfuaded, you (hare with me in the SatisMion
Thi^^^ft^* ** J. I feel at the profperous Situation of Affairs : Peace with
"^ "^ ' ** all Powers Abroad ; at Home, perfedt Tranquility, Plenty,
** and an uninterrupted Enjoyment of all Civil and Religious
** Rights, are moft difHnguifliing Marks of the Favour and
** Proteffion of the Divine Providence. And thefe, with all
** their happy Confequences, will, I doubt not, by the Bef-
*' fmg of God upon our joint Endeavours, he long contino'd
*' to my People.
" The fame Provifion by Sea and Land, for the Defence
*' and Safety of the Nation, will continue to make us re-
*' fi)e£led abroad, and confequently fecure at Home. The
^* umie Attention to the Improvement of the publick Reve-
*' nues, and to the Eafe and Encouragement of Trade and
*' Navigation, will eflablifh Credit upon the fbxMigefl Bafis,
♦• and rajfe fuch a Spirit of Indufby, as will not only cn-
*^ aUe us gradually to difcharge the National Debt ; but will
" likewife ^eatly increafe the Wealth, Power, and Influcna
♦* of this Kingdom.
Gentlemen of the IJoufe of Commons,
*' I have ordered the proper Officers to prepare and laj
** before you Elliniates of the Expences for the Service of the
*^ enfuing Year ; and, as they do not exceed what has bcea
*' found by Experience to be abfolutely neceflary for the Se-
♦^ carity of ^ Kingdom, | make no Queilion but I ihaii
y Google
' have your ready Ccmcurrenco in railing die Supplies, in Anno n. Geo. i.
* fuch Manner as (hall be moft cafy to my People. ^^ J^^^
** There is one Thing that I cannot but mention to you,
^ as deferving your particular Confideration. It is too ma-
* niM, that the Funds eftablifh'd for the finifhing the Works
^ at Greenwich Hofpital, and providing for a competent
■* Number of Seamen there, cannot, in Time of Peace, be
^' fufficient to anfwer the Expences of this great and necef-
f* fary Work. It is therefore veiy much to be wifh*d, that
^' fome Method could be found out to make a farther Pro-
^* viilon for a comfortable Support to our Seamen, worn out
'^ in the Service of their Country, and labouring under old
^* Age and Infirmities.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** You mull all be feniible how much our prefent Hap-
** pinefs is owing to your Union and fteady Condu£t It
^* is therefore wholly unneceffary to reconmiend to you Una-*
-** himity and Difpatch in all your Deliberations. The
•* Zeal and Abilities you have on all Occafions (hewn in
^* fupporting the Intereft of your Country, even under the
** greatcft Difficulties, leave no Room to doubt of my
** having your intire and effedual Concurrence in every
*' thing, that can tend to the Service of the Publick, an^
** to the Good of my People,"
The Commons, being returned to their Houfe, and Mr
Speaker having reported his Majefty's Speech, Mr Edward
Thompfon mov'd for an Addreis of Thanks and Congratu-
lation, which being unanimoufly refolv'd, a Committee was Mr e. ThompTon'ti
• ^ J ^ J ® '^ ^ Motion for an Ad-
appomted to draw it up. drefe of Thanks,
No^v, 13. Mr Thompfon reported the faid Addrcfs, which ^^^ » *«««»»•
was agreed (o Nem, Con, and on the 14th, prefented to his
Majefty by the whole Houfe, as follows ;
Moft Gracious Sovereign,
^ \7OUR Majefty's molt dutiful and Loyal Subjeds, the The commons m.
* i Commons of Great-Britain in Parliament aflembledi SfklS^^***^**
* return your Majefty the Thanks of this Houfe for your
* Majefty*s moft gracious Speech from the Throne ; and as
« your Majefty's fatherly Tendemefs for your People, and
* the unfpeakable Comforts of an eafy Government, demand
< the fincereft Tribute of Duty; your Majefty's faithful
^ Commons do now offer to your Majefty their moft unfeign*
f ed Aftbrances of Gratitude and Loyalty, with that be«
f coming Zeal and AfiedUon that is particularfy requiiite at
f this Time.
^ We beg Leave to congratulate with your Majefty on the
f pofpeions Situ^tioin of ASain sit Home sxxi Abroad ; a
* Suijca
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Aiinoii.ceo.L < Sobjcd HOC Only of Cootent, but of Joy: And we ihonkl
1^ i^^m,,,^ ' be wanting to otufelTes, and infenfible of our own Profyt
* rity, if we did not feel the fame Satisfadion in rea{»tig tk
* Fruits of yoar M^efty^s gi«U Wifdom, that yoor Maj^
' hath in imploying it to dired and guide us to our own
* Huvj^neis.
* Peace with all Powcn Abroad, Plenty and Tranquility
* at Home, with a full and quiet Enjoyment of every Thing
* that is dear ^md valuable to us, are peculiar Marks of yooi
* Majcfty's Government ; which that they may be for ever
* remembred, this Houfe will ufe their utmoft Endeavour^
* by the Divine Affiftance, to traniinit the hsppy Confe-
' quences of thefe Bleflings to the lateft Pofterity, as Monu-
* ments to Futurity of the Glories of your Majeftyh
* Reign.
* To fupport the Intereft and Credit of our Country, b
* to pay the moft acceptable Obedience to your Majefty, and
^ therefore this Houfe will proceed with all Chearfulnefs and
^ Difpatch in raifing fuch Supplies as ihall be necefiary for
* the Honour and Safety of the Nation : We will labour
* to difcharg^ gradually thr National Debt, by the Improi^
' ment of the Publick Revenues ; to increafe our Wealth,
* by the Advancement of our Trade ; and to eftabliih our
* Strength, by the Encouragement of our Navigation ; and
* are ready heartily to affill your Majefty in every thing that
* ihall tend to the Security and Grandeur of your M^e^
* and your Kingdoms/
To this Addrefs his Majefly retum'd the following Anfwer.
Gentlemen,
n* M i ftT»i An- '* T ^^^^^"^ y°^ W hearty Thadcs for your loyal Addrefi ;
fwL. ** X I never made any Doubt, but that whenever the Ho-
** nour and Intereft of the Kingdom call'd upon you, I
** fliould meet with the fame Return of Duty and Fidelity,
'^ and the fame AJBTeftion and Zeal for my Service, as I Jiave
** hitherto expericnc'd on all Occafions.
Nov. 23. In a Committee of the whole Houie, the Coffl-
5?1?umteTrf'* mons confider'd farther of the Supply. The feveral Efti-
Laad-Forces. niates of the Charge of Guards, Garrifons, and Land-
Forces ; of the Forces in die PlantaticMis, Minorca, and Gi-
braltar ; of the Out-Peniioners of Chelfea-Hofpital, for the
Year 1725, and of extraordinary Expences not provided for
by Parliament, having been reforr'd to the Committee, Mt
Mr H Peiham. H. Pclham open'd the Debate on thofe feveral Heads, fliew*d
the Neccffity of keeping up the fame Number of Gu^ids,
Garrifonsy and Land^orceS| and mov'd for making the
feme
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{ 327 )
3une Pfovifion for them for the Year 1725, as was made Aono n. Geo. i.
or this Year. Mr Pcjham's Motion was fupported by Mr ^ iZ^ .
rreby. Sir Edmund Bacon^ General Wade, suad Mr Yonge ; Mi^Trebt.
3ut was oppofed by Mr Plummer^ Mr Freeman^ Sir William ^fvvajr"*
Barker, Lord Morpeth, Sir Jofeph Jckyll, Mr Cornwall, Mr Mr Vungc. '
Snelly Mr Hungertord, and Mr Shif^n, which occaiion'd a MrPiur^mer.
warm Debate, that lafted till pour in the Afternoon. Thofc 5?w.'B?*keV.
who opposed Mr Pelham's Motion, were not all of the J^J'? ^ k^S^'**
fame Opinion, as to the Number of Troops, JTome being Mr Cornwall
for reducing the Army to feven or eight Thouland Men, Mr'HM*^rfor<L
as was done after the Condufion of the Treaties of Ryfwick ^ shippen.
and Utrecht, and others infilHng only on the Dilbanding of
the 4000 Men rais'd upon Occafion of the late Confpiracy.
Mr Snell, Member for Gloucefter, to (hew the Danger Mrsneu.
of a Standing Army in a free Country, brought two Infbnces ;
the one of an Infult given by Dragoons encamp'din the Weft,
to fome Country-Men that were merry-making ; the other,
of an Officer quartered at Gloucefter, who, upon a Re-
joicing-Day, would not permit the City Drums to beat, pre-
tending, that none but the King's Drums had a Right to
beat in the Garriibn.' To the Bik of thefe Complaints Mr
Treby anfwer'd, * That by feveral Affidavits taken before the ^ "^^^r-
Magiftrates in the Neighbourhood, it appeared that a rude
Mob of difcontented People had given the firft Infult and
Provocation to the King's Troops, by calling them Round-
headsy and other abuiive Names, and finging or playing the
Tune of, T^he King Jhall enjoy his own again, &c. To the
otho*, it was faid. That the Officer, who was guilty of that
Piece of Indifcretion, was fo far ftom being countenanced,
that on the contrary, upon the firft Notice given of it to
the Secretary of War, he was orderM to be difmiis'd from
his Majefty's Service ; which Punifhment he would have un-
dergone, had not the Magiftrates of Gloucefter been fatisfy'd
^ with his Submiffion, and interceded for him.' Mr Hunger- Mr Hungcrford.
ford endeavour*d to fhew the Danger of regular Troops to a
free Nation, and what little Occa^on there was for them at
this happy Junflure, and concluded, * He could not imagine,
what Ufe an Army could be put to, unlefs it were to excin-
guiih the Flame that had been kindled in Ireland by the new
Brafs Half-pence, [meaning the hafe Half-pence coind by Mr
Wood for the Ufe of Ireland^ and to force that People to
fwallow them.' But the moft material Obje6^ions were
urg'd by Mr Shippen, who upon this Occafion fpoke as
follows :
Mr Speaker,
* I Have (poke fo often againft maintaining an extraordi- Mr shipppa.
nary Number of Land-Porces in Time of Peace, that I fhould
nowchoofetobefilent, if I had not the fidl DayoftheSef-
lHon
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fion enterM my Claim to difpate the Omtmuance of the Fov I
thouiaiid Augmentation Troops, and if J did not think it my '
Duty to oppcfe every Proportion, which feems to cany the
leaft appearance of Danger to our G)nftitution.
' I afk Pardon, efpeoally of the Honourable Gentleroaa
who moved it, if I take the prefent QueiHon to be of this
Nature. Nor can I be perfuaded, that the frequent Impo-
iition of unneccflary Taxes, or the Repetition of any Grie-
vance, ought to beget an Inienfibility, or a flaviih Acquiefcence
in it On the contrary, I think it ought to awaken and
double our Attention, left it fhould in time plead a Prefcrip-
tive Right, and gradually grow into an Eibblifhment.
* If I may be permitted to oonfider the Kine's Speech, as the
Compofition of his Minifters, which tho' I know by Experi-
ence to be a more dangerous, [Seep. 160] is'yet a more Par-
liamentary Way, than to consider it as an £di6i from the
Throne, I will obferve, that it does not ask the Opinion and
Advice of the Commons, how far they will ufe their great,
eiTential and undisputed Right of railing Money ; but it pofi-
tively prefcribes the exad Provifion we are to make, both by
Sea and Land, for the Service of the enfuing Year ; and,
whether that be not a new Method of fpeaking to Parliaments,
is with all Deference fubmitted to the Wiidom of this HouTe,
which is the beft Judge of its own Privileges and Power.
* Surely, Sir, it is very melancholy to hear one Sefiion after
another, that, tho' we are in a State of Tranquility, as the
Language is, yet we can neither be fecure at home, nor re-
ipedted abroad, without continuing above Eighteen thoufand
Land Forces in Pay.
* This Way of Reafoning entirely mifreprefents ourCircum-
ftances and Condition. For it would fuggeft, that we cannot
enjoy the Bleffings of a good Reign, widiout enduring at the
fame time the Hardlhips of a bad one, which is a Contradic-
tion in it felf, and inconfiftent with the Notions we, as Eng-
lilhmen, muft ever entertain of our legal Liberties, in Main-
tenance of which our Predeceffors in Parliament though fit
to alter the Lineal Succeffion of our Royal Family. This
Way of Reafoning farther fuppofes, that the mutual Confi-
dence betwixt his Majefty and his People is deftroyed, that
there is a Difbuil on one hand and a Difaffedion on the
other, for which there is not the leafl Ground or Pretence.
For his Majefty, by his Reiidence amongft us this laft Sum-
mer, has not only given us the cleareft Proof of his preferring
the Welfare and Happinefs of thefe Kingdoms to that of his
own Foreign Dominions ; but has for ever fecured the Love of
his Subjects here by his moft gracious Affability and perfonal
Condefcenfions to' them. He has for ever fecured that Tran-
quility a^ home, on which he is pleafed with fo much Satif-
faction
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f^BkjEtian to congratulate his Parliament. Nor can this Tnm- ^****** "14?*** ^
quility be afiedled by the Clamours in Ireland againft a late ^0
I*atent, [meaning Mr Woods Patent for Coinings which was
^x/lterwards recalled] for there is a large Army in that King-
ciom fufHcient to curb tumultuous Spirits, and to awe Patro-
nising Malecontents, ihould any fuch be found. Nay, if more
X^orces are judged neccflary, either for the Honour or Safety
of the Government there, that Kingdom is able and willing
to mainuin more on its own Eitablifhment ; and therefore all
.Arguments drawn from thence relating to the prefent Quef-
tion muft be incondufive. The Hot^fe may •perhaps think
fit, at a proper Seafon, to liften ib far to the Complaints of
our Fellow-Subje^ls in another Kingdom, as to call for this
obnoxious Patent, and to examine into the Grounds of it
for the Mifgovemment of Ireland has been frequently under
the Examination of the Houfe of Conunons here, and fuch
Examinations have formerly proved fatal to as great Mini-
fters as England ever bred ; which XKxf be Matter of Re-
He^on to their Succeflbrs, and to thofe it may concern 5
but can never be any Inducement to an Englifh Parliament
to pay one Soldier more, than is abfolutely neceilary for
our own Ufe.
* Now all Rebellions*,* all Conijpirades, feem to be totally
extinguifhed, not more by the late feafonable Exertion of
Parliamentary Juftice, than by the wife and prudent Con-
duft of thofe in the Adminifbation. They have fo carefully
reviewed and modelled the Forces this Summer in every
Part of the Nation, that, we are to hope, there are not left
even fo many, as three or four Serjeants and Corporals^ who
(hall have Fool-hardinefs enough to undertake again to draw
the whole Army into wild and chimerical Attempts. They
have fieed the Church from all Apprehenfions of Danger,
by promoting only the mofl orthodox and learned Part of
the Gergy to the Epifcopal Dignity, and other Ecdeflaftical
Preferments. They have preferved the State, by advancing
only Men of diflinguiihed Ability and Experience to all great
Offices and Civil Employments. They have, which is above
all, reconciled their own Animofities, and have no other Con-
tentions now, but who ihall beft ferve his Majefty and the
* Publick, without any Views of accumulating inunenfe Wealth
to thenifelves, or of aggrandizing their own private Fami-
lies. Such an Adminiiiration can never need the Afliibnce
and Protedlion of above Eighteen thoufand difciplined Troops.
Such an Adminiihrarion fhould not fuller the Army to run
away with the Reputation of their good and great Works, or
to afTume the Glory of railing our Credit, enlarging our Trade,
and eftabHfhing our prefent Profperity.
Vol.. I. Tt ^'Nox
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^^^^Oeo^h * Nor arc oor Forei^ Afl^irs in a Ids flourilhing Conditi'
; on, than thofe at Home, fo far as I am capable of judging on
the common Appearance of Things, without being in the Se-
crets of the Cabinet.
* We can have no Apprehenfions from, our neareft Neigh-
boar, France. For that Kii^om b engaged to us by many
ftrift Treaties, and I have heard the French Bona Fidesy of
late Years, as much aflerted and extolled in this Houie, as I
have fbnnerly heard it ridiculed and exploded. Befides, we
have a vigilant Minifter at Paris, who by his own Skill and
Penetration in Politicks, as well as by good Advice and
Affifbmce from hence, is not only promoting the Britiih In-
terefts there, but influencing add direfting the French Councib.
* Nor can we have any Pretence to keep up thofe Forces
on account of Danger fiom Spain. For, if that Monarchy
fhould be indifcreet enough to retain the leafl harfh Remem-
brance of any pretended ill Ufage from Great Britain : If
it fhould refent our glorious and feafonable Conqueft over
their Fleet in the Mediterranean, \^eep, 185] for which we
ibuck a Medal with pompous Infcriptions : If it fhould infift
on the Reflitution of Gibraltar and Port-Mahon, which, in
iny humble Opinion, can never be furrender'd without the
higheft Infamy, as well as Injury, to England. I fay, if any
thing of this kind fhould remain in the Bi^afl of the Court of
Spain, notwithflanding our Treaties and daily Negotiations
there, it is our Comfort, that we need fear no Inva£on from
their Armada ; that the Mutability of their Counfels, their
Pretenfions in Italy, their Diflance from Great Britain, render
it imprafticable for them, to annoy or diftrefs us. And if
King Philip's Refignation of that Crown was a good Argu-
ment the laft Year, for continuing the Four thoufand Aug-
mentation Troops, then his Refumption 6f it now mufl be a
good one for difbanding them this Year.
* The Emperor's perfonal Obligations to Great Britain arc
fuch, that it is impoflible for him to entertain any ill Intends
ons againfl us, either on account of the Oflend-Eafl-India
Company, or of his Majefty's prions Endeavours to remove
the Religious Grievances in Germany, and to promote the
Proteflant Interefl there, of which he is the great Guardian.
* The Dutch are our old natural Allies, and always ready
to aflift us. Nor is it their Fault, that we have fbmetimes
difputed amongft our felves concerning the Expence of tn^i-
iporting their auxiliar Forces. They are bound to us, by
antient Ties of Gratitude, for their original Prefervation,
and by, what is yet a flronger Cement, their owp prefcnt
Intereil and Safety.
* As to the two Northern Crowns of Sweden and Denmark,
They have in their Turns received our ProtefUon, and tail-
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1714.
' ( 331 )
ied of our Bounty. We all remember the famous -^Era, *^° ^i^ '•
\vlien Two Hundred and Fifty Thoufand Pounds, as well as | '^*^
many fmaller Supplies ilnce, were raifed on that Account.
{^See p. 1 25] Befides, we are to hope our Expeditions into
the Baltkk, under the Condu^ of a brave Officer \Sir John
Morris\ nere prefent, have been as efledual as they have been
expenfive, and that our Fleet has not only awed them into
a Reconciliation betwixt themfelves, but into an abfolute
Submifllon to Great Britain.
* The Czar is ftretching his Conqueib into remote Parts
of the World, and if what we hear of a late Treaty be
true, that it is made entirely in favour of Great Britain, with-^
out any regard to Foreign Principalities, we can apprehend
nothing from our new Ally, who is otherwife fo fully em-
ployed. For, however extoifive our mediating Care may
be, I prefume we are not engaged with him to oppde the
intended Succeffion of the Crown of Poland, or to fettle the
Balance of Empire in Periia.
' If fuch then 4s our profperous Situation at Home anci
Abroad, Why ihould we be denied the promifed happy
^Confequences of it ? Why ihould we be afiaid of reducing
our Land Forces ? Why ihould we not at leafl Ibike off
the Four thoniand Augmentation Troops, in Compaffion to
a Nation loaded, and almoil funk with Dd>t ? For ihould a
Storm arife after this Calm, ihould any new Events pro*
dace a Rupture in Europe, it will be time enough, if we are
either prompted by our own heroick Difpofition, or bound
by any inviolable Treaties, to enter into the Quarrels of
the Continent, I fay, it will be time enough, when the
War ihall be adually declared, to lend our Affifbnce to
thofe, whom we voluntarily efpoufe, or to perform our En*
gagements to our refpedive Allies, if they ihall not be found
romantick an4 imprafticable. We have the Opinion of a
BU^ eminent Author in Civil Learning, * That it is more
* grievous to any Nation to bear the leaft extraordinary Taxes
* m Times of Peace, than to endure die greateft ImpoHtions
* in Times of War. Becaufe a War may prove advan**
* tageous, may terminate in Conqueft and glorious Acquifi-'
' tions. But a Continuance of extraordinary Taxes, widiouC
* it, muft inevitably end in Poverty and Ruin.'
* Now I can never be fo unjuft to his Majefty's moft
vSA and gracious Government, as to afcribe our prefent
Trsnqoility to the Continuance of an extraordinary Number
of Troops, any more, than I can believe, it would ceaie
at the Redu^nof Pairt of them. This would be adan^
gerous, as well as an abfurd Do6irine, with relation to us
at I^nne. For ihould it be admitted, that above Eighteen
thouiaDd Land' Forces have not only ptocured ourprefenc
' - • T t a Tran-
Digitized By LjOOQIC
( 332 )
Anno II. Geo. I. Tranquility, but that they arc abfolutely nect^dary to tli
Security of the Kingdom ; then it willibllow, that the £uiie
Number will always be abfolutely necedary ; that a militaij
Power is the moft pacifick Form of Govemment ^ aiid tku
an Anny will be a better Preferver of Peace and Plenty, a
better Guardian of our Civil and Religious Rights, than the
Law of the Land. This Do£bine too, coniidered widi
regard to the Refpedi and Influence we may have Abroad,
is as abfurd and ill grounded : For that Refpe£t and Ib-
fluence can never proceed from, the Number of Land-
Forces, we m^y think fit to burthen our felves with in Tine
of Peace : But it muft proceed horn the Advanti^es of
our Natural Situation, from our Naval Strength, ifrom our ex-
tended Commerce, from our vaft Riches, which have enabled
us to carry on long and e}^enfive Wars ; to maintain, when
our Allies failed in their Quota's, three great Armies at
once in three diftant Nations ; and thefe Advantages will ever
enable us to hold the Balance of Power in Europe, iuile6
worn out with unneceflary and infupportable Taxes.
* But, if not fo much as the Four thouiand Augmentattoii
Troops are to be parted with, if they are to be continued
till the Pretences of all the Princes in Europe (hall be adjufi-
ed, till the different Interefts of difierent Naticms fhall be
reconciled, till the Claim of Bremen and Verden fhall be fol-
ly fettled and acquiefc^ in, till the long expedited Form of
a Congrefs (hall be compleated, I freely own. I am not
without my Apprehenfions, that our immenfe National Dd)t,
inftead of being annually reduced, will be daily increafed ;
that our prefent Grievances, for Grievances we have in tbe
midfl of all our Tranquility, inftead of being fpeedily n-
moved, will become perpetual, and we may dream of BiGffings
we fhall never enjoy.
' On the whole, I am againfl continuing the Number of
Forces propofed, and for disbanding at lca£t the Four thoo-
fand Augmentation Troops.*
Mr Yonge. Mr Shippcn having done Speaking, Mr. Yonge rofe up
and faid, < That he was obHgM to the Gentlemen that fppke
on the other Side, for fumifhing him with Reafbns for keep-
ing up the prefent Number of Troops : That the profperous
Situation of Aflairs, the Peace with all Powers Abroad, nd
the perfeft Tranquility at Home, being in a great Meafnre,
owing to the good Poflure we were in both by Sea and
Land, which made us refpe£ted Abroad, and fecure at Hooie,
it were Imprudence not to continue thofe Forces on tke
fame Foot. That the Parliament had indeed obliged King
William, of glorious Memoiy, to reduce his Army to fcven
thoufand Men« But what was the Confequcnce of it ? Why,
trody.
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 333 )
tmely, the French King was thereby encoungM to acknow- ^*^ "• ^^- ^
ledge and proclaim the Pretender, as King of England, and \_|-^^' j
to feize on the Monarchy of Spain, which was the Occafion
of a long, bloody, and expenfive War. That as to the ^c*
du^on of the Arniy after the Peace of Utrecht, it was well
known, that it was principally owing to thofe who were
for having an Army of another Stamp. That this Re-
dndion would have proved fatal to the Proteflant Succeffion^
had fbme People had Time to ripen their Defigns. That
at leaft it encouiag'd a great Rebellion foon after his Ma-
je^^s happy, and ahnoft miraculous, Acceffion to the Crown :
And as the Spirit and Difccmtents which raisM that Rebel'*
Hon, were not yet wholly extinguifliM and fubduM, they
would foon fee Infurreftions at Home, and the Peace of
Burope difturb'd Abroad, if they parted with the Army/
After this the Queftion being put upon Mr Pelham's Mo-
tion, it was carry'd in the Affirmative, by 206 Voices againft
69 ; and refolv*d, I. That the Number of effedive Men
to be provided for Guards and Garrifons in Great Bri-
tain, and for Jerfey and Guemfey, for the Year 1725, be,
including 181 5 Invalids, 18,264 Men ; Commiflion and
Non-Commiflion Officers included. II. That the Sum of
654,488 1. 17 s. 8 d. be granted for the Charge of the faid
18,264 effijftiveMen, for the Year 1725.
January 23. A Petition of Edward Earl of Oxford, and APcUtionoftbo
of Henry Lord Morpeth, two of the Guardians of the ^^^SMwLb
Perfon and Eftates of Elizabeth Duchefs Dowager of comphiiuA|of the
Montagu, a Lunatick, >vas prefented to the Houfe, and ^oJSJS^thl.''''
i«ad, fetting forth. That very great Sums of Money of ^nitkOmar
the faid Lunatick*s Eilate have, purfuant to Orders of the
Court of Chancery, been brought before Mr Hiccocks, late
one of the Mafters of the faid Court, and Mr Thomas Ben-
net his Succefibr, now one of the Matters of the faid Court,
in order to be placed out at Intereil for the Benefit of the
faid Lunatick, upon Securities to be approved by the faid
Mailers refpedively: That upon examining into the Ac*
counts of die Mailers in Chancery, relating to the Suitors
Mmies brought before them, coniiderable Deficiencies ap*
pear ; and that the iaid Mr Thomas Bennet has not depoiit-
cd, purfuant to Orders of the faid Court, feveral Mortgages
for large Sums of Money, belonging to the Eftates of the
&id Lunatick ; neither hath he depoiited nor fecured, pur-
fuant to Orders of the faid Court, 9000 1. and upwaids, of
lis Balance of Caih ; and praying iuch Relief as the Houfe
Ihall think fit
This Petition coming unexpededly into the Houfe, whilft
the Accounts of the Mailers in Chancery were put in a
Covfe of E^camination before the Lords Commiffioners of
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 334 )
^^ J^ *• t]ic Great Seal, the iaid Petition was ordered to lie upon the
\_i"-j~' J Table : Bat a Motion being made. That the proper Officer,
A Modoii relating OT Oftoers, of the Court of Chancery, do lay be£»re this
oJSS^f*"^ Houfe Copies of the Orders made by the Coiot, r^ting^
the Aocoiaits, and the Efftds belonging to the Suitors, in
the Haads of ^ MaAers of the Coait of C^iancery, djtfed
die 17th and 21ft of December laft, with Copies of die
Remrti theMm mendoned ,* and alfo the Accoimts of dte
frid Mafteri rating theitto, with dieir feveral £xplaiia.doiis
The Debute ttere* of the faid Accoutits ; a great Debate arofe thereupon, in
**** • which fome fisvere Animadverficms were made on the Con-
^la of the Earl of Macclesfield, late Loid Chancdlor.
Hien Mr Henty Pelham mov*d, * That the Debate be ad-
kmm*d to die 9di of February, which was carried by a great
Majority.*
Fthnmry 9. Mr Methuen acquainted the Houfe, that he had
a Menage from his Majefty to the Hoafe, %nM by his Ma*
jefly ; and that he was conunanded by his Majefty to ky be-
fore the Houfe Copies of (everal Reports and other Papers
reladng to the Mafbrs in Chancery ; and he delivered his
Majefty^s MelTage to Mr Speaker, and the faid Copies and
other Reports, at the Table. His Majefty's Mefiage was read
by Mr Speaker, as follows, viz.
GEORGE R.
King*tMeflkfe re-
lating to the Sui-
tors m Chancery*,
and the Accounts
ottheBlUten.
TbeHdnreconfi-
der the King's
MefTage and the
Papers referr*d
totbereia.
HI 8 Majefty having Reafon to apprehend, that the
Suitors of the Court of Chancery were in Dai^;er
of lofing a confiderable Sum of Money from the Infi^-
** ciency of fwne of the Matters, thought himfelf obli-
** ged, in Juftice and Companion to the faid SuitcM^
*' to take the moft ipeedy and proper Method the Law
** would allow, for inquiring into the State of the Mailers
" Accounts, and fecuring their Efie£b for the Benefit of the
** Suitors : And his Majefty having had fereral Reports laid
'* before him in purfuance of the Directions he had givai,
** has ordered the faid Reports to be communicated te this
** Houfe, that this Houfe may have as full and as perled a
'* View of this important Affair, as the Shortnefs of the
*' Time, and the Circtmfiflances and Nature of the Proceed-
** ings would admit of."
Then the faid Reports, together with fcmie of the Papers
referred to therein, were read, and ordered to be taken into
&rther Confideradon on the 1 2th Inftant.
Feb, 12. The Houfe took into Confideradon the feveral
Reports and Papers referred to in his Majefty's MeKage of
the 9th Inflant. After the reading Part of the fanl Papers^
Sir George Oxcnden^ Bart rofe op, and faid^ * That it
■ " mani^
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( ws )
n^anifeftly agpear'd by thefe Reports^ which after the fhift- Mmoti. Oeo.L
rft Inquiry, aad upon the matureft Deliberation, had been i^^j^it a
Irawn up by Perfons of the greateft Weight and Authority, ^■^^r^*^
For their Abilities, Experience, High Stations, and Integri-
:y i That enormous Abufes had crept into the High Court of
L^hancery, chiefly occaiion'd by the Magiftrate, who was at
the Head of that Court, and whofe Duty confequendy it
ivas, to prevent the fame. That the Crimes and Mii^-
meanors of the lat^ Lord Chancellor were many, and of
various Natures, but might be reducM to thefe three Heads.
I. That he had t^en into his own Hands the Eftates and After the Confide-
Cf{«6b of many Widows, Orphans, and Lunaticks, and ei- S{^"S5cII^
ther had difpos'd of Part of them arbitrarily to his own Pro- moves for im-
iit, or connived at the Officers under him making Advan- ^lof Wcief.
tage of the fame. II. That he had raifed to an exorbitant cHm^^hUf^
Price the Offices and Pkxes of the Mailers of Chancery, demeanor*.
and in order to enable them to pay to him thofe high Prices
and Gratuities for their Admiffion, had truftedin their Hands
large Sums of' Money belonging to Suitors in Chancery.
III. That in feveral Cafes he had made divers irregular Or-
ders. So that in his Opinion, that firil Magiftrate in the Debate thereon.
Kingdom was fallen from the Height of the Dignities and
Honours, to which he had been rais'd by the Kme's royal
Bounty and Favour, to the Depth of Infamy and Difgrace. ^
And therefore he. movM, That Thomas Earl of Macclesfield
be impeached of High Crimes and Mifdemeanors.*
Thiis Motion was feconded by Mr Strickland, and Mr Dod- Mrstricidand.
dington, who ikid, * TheMifdeamenorsof thelateLordChan- Mr Doddington,
celior were of the greateft and moft dangerous Confequence,
iince moil of the Eftates in England, once in thirty Years,
pals through the Court of Chancery.' Mr William Pulteney, ^ ^ prfteney,
who ftood up next, faid, * That it was £sa from his Thoughts
to endeavour to al^te the jtiil Refentment which the Gentle-
men who fpoke laft, fhew*d againfl the great Abufes that had
been committed in the Court of Chancery : But that in his
Opinion, they went a little too fail in fo weighty and impor^-
tant an A^ir, by which Means they might lofe the very
End they aim'd at, viz. the effi^&aal punifhing the Perfon by
whofe Negle^ at leaft, thofe Abufes had been committed ;
That whatever Deference they ought to pay on this Occa-
fion, to the Capacity, Experience, Integrity, and Authority
of the Perfons who had drawn up the Reports that had been
laid before them, yet it little became the Dignity, and was
even derogatory to the Prerogative of that Houfe, which is
the grand Inqueft of the Nation, to found an Impeachment
upon thofe Reports, without a previous Inquiry, and Exa-
mination into the Proofs that were to fupport it ; and there-
fore woy'd, that this Afeir might be referred to the Con-
fideratioA
Digitized by ^OOQIC
( 336 )
fideratioii of a ieled QMiinittee.* He was kic^M I^ Sir
_ ^ _ William Wykidham, who urg*d, * That by proceeding by
8ir w. wyndham. Way of Impeachment upon Reports laid before them from
above, the Commons would make a dangerous Precedent,
and feem to give up the moil valuable of their Privileges,
Sir wflf. uwibn. ^' ^^ Inqucft after State Criminals.* Sir Wilfred Lawfon,
Sir y/'?*'^* and Sir Thomas Pengelly fupported Mr Pultcney's Motioii.
^lalm^weut' ^t Mr Yonge*, and Sir Clement Wearg f anfwer'd thofe
Obje^ns, whereupon the previous Quefbon was put. Whe-
ther the QuelKon be now put upon Sir George Oxenden'^s
Motion ? Which after fome Debate was carry'd in the Af-
firmative, by a Majority of 273 Voices againft 164. Then
The Vaait refeite ^« "^ain Queftion being put, it was rcfolv'd by the fame
^uf^Sc^ Majority, That Thomas Earl of Macdesfidd be impeach'd
c^ «^ ""J^ of High Crimes and Mifdemeanors ; and it was ordered, that
demeanoors, and a Sir Geofge Oxenden do go up to the Lords, and at their Bar,
S"t?5lSrTiJ?-^» ^^ Name of the Houfe of Commons, and of aU the
tides accordingly. Commons of Great Britain, impeach Thomas Earl of Mac-
clesfield of High Crimes and Mifdemeanors ; and acquaint
them, that this Houfe would, in due Time, exhibit parti-
cular Articles againft him, and make good the fame. Then
a Committee waS appointed to draw up Articles of Impeach-
ment againft Thomas Earl of Macclesfield ; to which Com-
mittee the feveral Reports referred to in his Majefty*s Mef-
fage, were refeir'd. After this,« upon a Motion made by
Mr Weft, and feconded by Mr Edward Thompfon, a Bill
was order'd to be brought in. To indemnify the Mafters of
ABiHof^Mto Chancery from the Penalties of the AS of the ^th and ^th
^^c^^ ^^^'•^ ^f^^H ^d-ward VI, againft buying and felling ofOf^
DHcoveiy of what ^rf /, Upon their difcovering <what Conftderation, Price, or
thcix pSet, " Gratuity they paid, or agreed to pay, for the Pur chafe oj^^
or for their Admijfion to, their Offices,
February 13. Sir George Oxenden reported, That he had
been at the Bar of ^he Houfe of Lords, and in the Name
of this Houfe, and of all the Commons of Great Britain, had
impeached Thomas Earl of Macclesfield of High Crimes
and Mifdemeanors, and acquainted the Lords, That the
Commons would, in due Time, exhibit particular Articles
againft him, and make good the fame. After this, Mr Weft
Which is read prcfentcd to the Houfe, a Bill, For indemnifying the Mafters
u^b^i^i^t'^^ //* Chancery from the Penalties of the Aa of the ^th and
6th Tears of King Edivard the VI, againft buying and felling
of Offices, upon their dif cohering fwhat Confideration, Price,
or Gratuity they paid, or agreed to pay, for the Purchafe of,
or for their Admijpon to, their refpeSli've Offices, Which Bill
was
• One 0/ the Lords of the Treafttry,
•f- Aminted Solicitor General^ Feb. zd, l^^yz^y in the Reom cf St
Philip lorkei mMde Atto'wy Generak
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 337 )
was immediately read the firll, and fecond Time, and with- ^^ n. Geo. i.
out going through a Committee, ordered to be engroffed. ^^yg- ^
Feb. 1 5. The faid engroffed Bill was read the third Time, And paflet th«
pafs'd and fent up to the Lords. *^^*'
Feb, 24. Sir George Oxenden acquainted the Hoiife, that
he was direded by the Committee appointed to draw up Ar-
ticles of Impeachment againft the Earl of Macclesfield, to
move the Houfe, That fuch Perfons as the Committee fhould
find it neceflary to examine, be examined in the moil folemn
Manner ; which was order'd accordingly.
March 17. A Bill, For better effeSiing the pious Intention of a Bill relating to
building fifty Ne<w Churches, &c. purfuant to a Meflage from ilLwcC^S?.
the King, ^#^. 10. recommending fuch a Bill to the Confidera- Time^Mr onflow
tion of the Houfe, was read a fecond Time, and committed movelforaCkufe
to a Committee of the whole Houfe, who were order'd to poiitkk*or1?orp^-'^
receive a Claufe^ to confirm Miniftcrs and Qurates in. the TnyAroS^f
Enjoyment of fuch poor Livings as are, or Ihall hereafter be. Livings.
augmented by the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, for
the Augmentation of the Maintenance of the poor Clergy ;
Hereupon a Motion was made by Mr Arthur Onflow, and the
Queftion put, * That the laid Committee have Power to
receive another Claufe or Claufes, to difable or render in-
capable any Bodies Politick or Corporate, Brotherhoods or
Societies, to purchafe or take any Right of Advowfon, Patro- Debate thereon.
nage, Prefentation, Nomination, Collation, or Donation of,i
in, or to any Benefice with Cure of Souls 5 or of, in, or to
any Donative, or any other Ecclefiaftical Preferment what-
ibever.' He was feconded by Serjeant Miller, and back'd serj. Miiicr.
by Mr Sandys, and fome other Members, but being opposed MrS:*jy8.
by Mr Yonge, Mr Oglethorpe, Mr Hungerford, and Mr Mr Yonge.
R. Walpole, the previous Queftion being put, that the M'xK^tf^l
Queilion be now put, it was carried in the Negative, by Mr r. waipoie.
1 44 Voices againft 74. The Defign of this Motion was to
relirain the two Univerfities of Oxford and Caihbridge, from
purchafmg new Advowfons and Prefentations of Benefices.
March \ 8. Sir George Oxenden, from the Committee
appointed to draw up Articles of Impeachment againil Tho- sir ccorg? oxen-
mas Earl of Macclesfield, acquainted the Houfe, that they ffcV/K^^e^'*
had drawn up feveral Articles accordingly, which they had Committee of im-
direded him to report to the Houfe ; and he farther ac- the WrUf Mac-
quainted the Houfe, that they had other Matters depending ci^^i^w.
before them, relating to their Inquiry : and he read the Re-
port in his Place, and afterwards delivered the Articles in Debate thereon,
at the Table, where they were read by the Clerk. Thcfe
Articles were one and twenty in Number, and the two firfl
relating to OflFences faid to ^be committed before the Ad of
Indemnity paffed in the Year 1721, Mr Conduit, Member Mr Condait,
for Whitchurch, mov'd, that the faid Articles be recommitted.
Vol. I. U u Hereupon
Digitized by LjOOQIC
( 338 )
inno II. Geo. I. Hereupon Mr Walter Plomer, one of the Committee that
^17X4-1$^ ^ j^^ drawn up the Articles, {aid, * That the Crimes, for
irKomcr. which the Earl of Macclesfield was impeached, being com-
plicated, and having a Relation to, and Dependence upon,
one another, they could not mention one without the other.'
UrPha.yorke. He was anfwer'd by Sir Philip Yorke*, who fpoke for the
Motion for recommitting the Articles. To this. Sir Thomas
sirTho.PengcUy. pengeUy f, replyM, * That in the Cafe before them, they
ought to diftinguifh between an Aft of Oblivion, and an Aft
of Indemnity : That the firft is begun in either Houfe of
Parliament, and being the Aft of the three Mates, or of the
whole Legiflature, clears and purges Offenders of all Crimes
therein fpecified : But that it is otherwife with an Aft of In-
demnity, which flows from the meer Grace and Clemency
of the Sovereign, is fent down to the Parliament, who are
at Liberty either to accept or refufc it, but not to alter any
Thing ; and regards only Crimes committed againfl the
King, his Predeceffors, and Succeffors ; which was not the
Cafe of the Earl of Macclesfield, who flood impeached for
Crimes and Mifdemeanors committed in a high Ofiice and
Trufl, againft his Fcllow-Subjefts.' This was anfwer'd by
Mr Yonge. Mr Yonge, to whom Mr Weft reply'd ; and to the latter Sir
snG, Hcaihcote. Gilbert Hcathcote. But Sir Clement Wearg having ftrenu-
sir Qem. Wearg. ^ufly fupported Sir Thomas Pengelly's Argument, the oppo-
fite Side drop*d the Motion without dividing. Then the
Report being read. Paragraph by Paragraph, the feveral
Articles were agreed to by the Houfe, and order'd to be
^r'dtobecn" engrofled. It was alfo order'd, that a Claufe be prepared,
groftM, faving Liberty to the Commons to exhibit any farther Ar-
ticles againft die faid Thomas Earl of Macclesfield, and that he
might be put to anfwer the faid Crimes nnd Mifdemeanors.
March 19. Sir George Oxenden prefented to the Houfe a
Qaufe faving Liberty to the Commons to exhibit farther Ar-
ticles againft the Earl of Macclesfield, which was agreed
to, and order'd to be engrofs'd with the Articles of Impeach-
ment againft the faid Earl.
And carried up to March 20. The engfofled Articles of Impeachment of
o^ore'oxSd*^'^ High Crimes and Mifdemeanors againft Thomas Earl of
Macclesfield were read, and order'd to be carried to the
Lords by Sir George Oxenden ; who being retum'd re-
ported, that he had been at the Bar of the Houfe of Lords,
and left with the Lords tlie faid Articles of Impeachment.
April 8. Mr R. Walpole acquainted the Houfe, That he
had a Meffage from his Majefty to this Houfe, fign'd by his
Majcfly,
♦ Appoifited Mtomev Genera\ fan, 31, 171.3-24, in the Koom tfSr
Rolf^t Kayrhmid^ made a Judge tjf the Kir^^s Bench,
t ^i%*^ Serjeant at Law,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 339 )
Majelly, and he delivcr'd the fame to Mr Speaker, who Annoii.cco. i
read the fame to the Houfe, as follows, viz. ^,^^^1:
GEORGE R.
" 'np^HE Neceflities of his Majc%*s Govenmient having King** Me^e
** I rendered it impradlicable for liis Majefty to make J^'^VI^-a^Vv
^, rjiir.1. -^iT^*^ r X* Civil Lift Debts.
** any coniiderable Retrenchments m the Expences of his
'* Civil Lift ; and having engag'd his Majefty in fome ex-
** traordinary Expences, which, he is perfuaded, his loyal
** Commons will believe have been employed, not only for
** the Honour and Dignity of the Crown, but for the Inte-
'* reft and Pro(perity of his People j His Majefty hopes,
** from the known Zeal and Afteftion of this Parliament to
** His Perfon and Government, that he may be enabled to
" make ufe of the Funds, lately fettled for the Payment of
** the Civil Lift Annuities, and for re-placing the fame to
<* his Majefty, in the moft advantageous Manner, and upon
** the Credit thereof to raife a Sum of Money fufficient to
** redeem thofe Annuities, and to difcharge the prefent
*' Debts contracted in his Civil Government.'*
Hereupon it was refolved to take his Majefty's moft gra- ^vwch isreferrM
cious Meflage into Confideration, the next J^iy^ in a Com- SJ^^oTJhSSc?'^
mittee of the whole Houfe j and, in the mean Time,
Mr Scrope, by his Majefty 's Conmiand, prefented to the
Houfe, An Account of the Debts upon the Civil Lift, at
Michaelmas 1724, and alfo. An Account of the Payments
into the Exchequer upon the Dedu^ions of Six-Pence in the
Pound, [See p, 259,] for the Year ending at Lady-day, 1725.
And the faid Accounts being read, were feverally ordered to
be referred to the Consideration of the faid Committee.
After the Reading of thcfe Papers, Mr Pulteney took No- MrPuitcney^sMo^
tice, • That it was not long fince [fviz. July, 1721.] a Fund fbr"n°^o^?;f
was given to difcharge the Debts of the Civil Lift ; and there- fro^h^^^^of**
fore it was Matter of Surprixe, that fo many new ones had ^^'^^•> »7ai, ^
been contraded in fo fhort a Time ; that if Things were '^^^l^^^^^''^
carried on at this Rate, there would be no End of it ; that
it was incumbent upon them to inquire into the Caufes of '
, this growing Evil ; and therefore mov'd. That an Addrefs
be prefented to his Majefty, that he would gracioufly be
pleajfed to give Direftions, that the proper Ofiicer or Officers
of the Exchequer, Excife, Cuftoms, and Poft-Office, do lay
before the Houfe an Account of all Monies which have been
iftTued and paid out of the faid Offices to any Perfon or Per-
fons on Account, for the Privy-Purfe, Secret-Service, Pen-
fions. Bounties; or any Sum or Sums of Money to any which « agreed
Perfon or Perfons whatfoever without Account^ from March
25th, 1721, to March 25th, 1725.' And being back'd by
fcveral Members, the faid Addrefs was voted accordingly.
Uu2 The
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Anno If. Geo. I.
The Earl of Mac-
clesfield's Anfwer
to the Articles of
Impeachment ro^
ferrM to the
Committee.
Debate on the
Kii^s Meflage
relating to the
Civil Lift Debts.
MrPuItenef.
MrYonge.
Mr H. I^lham.
Mr IL Walpolc.
MrPttltenejr.
( 340 )
The feme Day the Earl of Macclesfield having ^ven into
the Houfe of Lords his Anfwer to the Articles of Impeach-
ment exhibited againft him by the Commons ; their Lord-
ihips icnt, the next Day, a Copy to the Houfe of Commons,
who referred the Confideraticn thereof to the Committee
appointed to draw up the laid Articles of Impeachment.
Jpril. 9. A Motion being made for the Speaker to leave
the Chair, that the Houfe might go into a Grand Committee,
to confider of his Majefty's moft Gracious MeiTage about tiip
t)ebts of the Civil Lift, Mr Pulteney reprefented, ' That
the Houfe having order'd an Addrels to b^ prefented to hjs
Majefty, for feveral Papers relating to the Civil Lift a^d
other Expcnces, they ought, in his Opinion, to put off the
Confideration of his Majefty's Meflage, till thofe Papers ^e«
laid before the Houfe ; it being natural to inquire into the
Caufes of a Difeafe, before one applies Remedies to it.' Mr
Yonge, Mr H. Pelham *, and Mr R. Walpoje, having opposed
it,. Mr Pulteney faid, • He wonder'd l^pw fo great a Debt
[i;/«. 508,367 1. 19 s. 4 d.] could be contracted in three Yeap
Time, but vyas not furprized fome Perfons were fo eager to
have thofe Deficiencies made good, firice they and their Friends
had fo great a Share in it. And defired to know whether
this was all that was due, or whether they were to expcd
another Reckoning ? ' To this no direft Anfyver was given ;
but in general, it was faid, * That there was, indeed, a
heavy Debt on the Civil Lift, and a great many Penfions ;
but that moft of thefe had been granted in King William's
and Queen Anne's Reigns, fome by King Charles the Se-
cond, and very few by his prefent Majefty. That fince the
Civil Lift was firft fettled for his Majefty, an E^pencc of
about 90,000 1. per Annum had happened, which could not
then be forefcen, and therefore was left unprovided for:
That upon Examination of the Account given in of the Civfl
Lift Debts, it would appear, that moft of thofe Expences
were either jfor the nece&ry Support of the Dignity of the
Oown and Government, or for the Publick Good : That
there was, indeed, a Penfion of 5Q00I. of another Natarc,
viz. upon Account of the Cofferer's Place, but which could
not well be avoided ; for both the Lord Godolphin, who
was in that Office, and his Father, had fo well deferv'd of
the Government, that they could not handfomely remove
him without a Gratuity ; and therefore they gave his Lord-
ftiip a Penfion of 5000 1. to make Room for the wor-
thy Gentleman, {meaning Mr W. Pulteney\ who now en-
joys f that Poft.' Then the Commons, in a Grand Cwn-
mittee,
• One (f the Lw^s rf thel^^ejtfttry.
■ t Reviov'^from Ms Flacf of Offerer of ^e Ho-JhoU «t the latUr £W qf
^s SeJJion,
y Google
[ 34« ]
nittee^ took his Majefty's MefTage into G)nfideration^ and a Aanon. gm.l
V/Iotion was made, ' That for the Redeeming the Annuities . i?*!l
>f 25,000 1. per jfmtttm, charged on the Civil Lift Revenues,
>y an Aft of Parliament of the Seventh Year of his Majeily,
ind for difcliarging the Debts and Arrears due from his Ma-
efty to his Servants, Tradefmen, and others, his Majefty
3e enabled to raife any Sum, not exceeding one Million, by
Exchequer-Bills, Loans, or otherwife, on the Credit of the ^^otionforraifi
Deductions of Six-pence per Pound, diredted by the faid a MiSion for r^
Aa of the Seventh Year of his Majefty's Reign, and of the nuiSJff^^L
faid Civil Lift Revenues, at an Intereftor Rate not exceeding ^ntlScM*! lS^'**
3 L per Cent, per Jnnum, till Repayment of the Principal.' «Ki foraying tiie
This Motion occafion d a farther Debate ; but the Queftion * ^
being put, it was refolv'd in the Affirmative, by 239 Votes
againft 119. This Refolution being the next Day reported,
was agreed to by the Houfe, and a Bill was ordered to be
brought in thereupon.
Jpril 10. It was refolv'd to addrefs his Majefty, for an Addrefi for an Ac-
Account of the grofs and clear Produce of the Branches of dS^cof^t^^CiS
the Revenue of the Civil Lift Funds, from Chriftmas 1699, LiAfrumi699,to
to Lady-day 171 5. Which Addrefs was readily complied ^^^^'
with.
Jpril 20. The Lord Finch *, Knight of the Shire for Rut- Lord Finch offert
land, having offered a Petition of Henry St. John, late Vif- Siono" Hcn^^**
count Bolingbroke, to be prefented to the Houfe: Mr R. B5u^b?oS['"'**
Walpole acquainted the Houfe, that he had received his Ma-
jefty's Conunands to acquaint the Houfe, That the Petitioner
had, feven Years iince, made his humble Application and
Subroiflion to his Majefty, with Affurances of Duty, Alle-
giance, and Fidelity, which his Majefty fo iar accepted, as
to give him Encouragement to hope for fome future Marks of
his Majefty^s Grace and Goodnefs ; and that his Majefty it
iktisiied that the Petitioner's Behaviour has been fuch, as con-
vinces his Majefty that he is an Objed of his Majefty's Mer-
cy ; and his Majefty confents that this Petition be profented
to the Houfe.
Then the faid Petition was brought up and read, fetting
£>rth. That the Petitioner is trulv concerned (ot his Offence,
in not having furrendred himfelf, purfuant to the Diredions
of an Ad of the firft Year of his Majefty's Reign, whereby
the Petitioner was attainted of High Treafon, and for-
feited all his Real and Perfonal Eftate, [Seep. 39.] and by
Reafon thereof hath fuffered very great Loftes : That upcn
the Petitioner's Marriage in 1700, Sir Walter St. John,
Bart.
* GentUman of tht BeJdmmber to the l^rwoe. Af^iMti CmHtnXkt ff
ibeSoH/holdatOieEndtftbisS^i. ^ ^
y Google
[ 342 ']
Anno II. Ceo. I. Bait, and the Lord Vifcount St. John, flic Petitioner's Grand- 1
^ ^^L ^^ father and Father, together \vith the Petitioner, made a. Sct-
^ ^ dement of their Family-Eilates in the Counties of Wilts, ^
Surrey, and Middlefex, all which Premifles, except a very
• fmall Part thereof, are now in the Poffeifion of the Petitioner's
Father, and the Petitioner cannot become intitled thereto for
his Life, until after his Father's Deceafe : That the Petitio-
ner hath, in moil humble and dutiful Manner, made his
Submiifion to his Majeily, and given his Majefty the &ronge&
Affuranccsof his inviolable Fidelity, and of his Zeal forhisMa-
jefty's Service, and for the Support of the prefent happy Efla-
blilhment, which his Majefty hath been moft gracioufly pleaf-
cd to accept ; and praying, that Leave may be given to bring
in a Bill for enabling the Petitioner, and the Heirs Male of
his Body, notwithftanding his faid Attainder, to take and
enjoy the faid fettled Eftate, according to the Limitations of
the (aid Settlement, or other AfFurances therein mentioned ;
and for enabling the Petitioner to hold and enjoy any Perfbnal
Eftate or EflFedVs whereof he now is, or hereafter (hall be
pofFefled, and to inveft the fame in the Puichafe of any Real
or Perfonal Eftate within this Kingdom.
And mores for a After the Reading of this Petition, the Lord Finch niov'd,
felro^ing!?!hc *^^^ ^ ^^^ b^ brought in, according to the Prayer of the late
Trayerof tncfaid Vifcount BoHngbrolce^s Petition. This Motion was feconded
r>Ihate"thereon. ^Y ^^ ^- Walpole, who, having repeated Part of what he
Mr R. Wiipoie. had before laid before the Houfe, by the King'^ Command,
in the Petitioner's Behalf, added, ' That he was fully fatif-
iied, that he had fufficiently attoned for his paft Offences,
and therefore deferv'd the Favour of that Houfe fo far, as tq
enable him to enjoy the Family Inheritance that was (etded
upon him ; which, according to the Opinion of the beft
Lawyers, he could not do by Virtue of his Majefty 's moft
Sir p. YorJce* Gracious Pardon, without an Ad of Parliament.' This was
Sir clem. Wcarg. confirmed by Sir Philip Yorke and Sir Clement Wearg. Then
MrMeitaicn. Mr Methuen f ftood up, and ftrenuoufly oppofed the Lord
Finch's Motion ; he faid, ' That as he Had the Honour to be
one of the King's immediate Servants, it might, perhaps, by
fome be thought unbecoming his Station, to appear againft
a Petition, to the prefenting of which his Majefty, in hi$
Royal Clemency and Goodnefs, had gracioufly been pleafed
to give his Confent : But that being at Liberty to follow the
Dictates of his Confcience in this Matter, he would freely
declare his Opinion, that the Publick Crimes for which thi§
Petitioner ftood attainted, were fo heinous, fo flagrant, an<J
' ■ ' of
f Comptroller of the IToi(/hM M^de Treafurer of the Jl^iifhold at tbe ht-
t(^ End ef this Sefjion. v ,
y Google
C 343 ]
3F fo deep a Dye, as not to admit of any Expiation or At- Anno. n. Geo. l
tonement ; and whatever he might have done to deferve his ^_ JI^^L j
Majefty's Private Grace and Pardon, yet he thought him al-
together unworthy of any National Favour.* Hereupon Mr
IVIethuen inftanc'd the late Lord Bolingbroke's fcandalous
a.nd villainous Conduct, while he had a Share in the Admi-
niilration of Affairs in the lall Reign. How he was the prin-
cipal Advifer of, and Ador in, the wicked Meafures that
were then purfued ; his clandeftine Negociation of Peace
without the Privity of the Queen's Allies, contrary to the
exprefs Tenor of the Grand Alliance ; his infolent Behaviour
towards all the Confederates in general, and the Dutch in
particular ; his facrificing the Intereft of the whole Confede-
racy, and the Honour of his own Country, particularly in
the bafe abandoning of the poor and brave Catalans : A
Tranfadion with which he had an Opportunity to be inti-
mately acquainted, as having had the Honour, at that Junc-
ture, to ferve the Nation as the Queen's Minifter in Portugal j
and to fum up all his Crimes in one, his traiterous Defign
of defeating the Proteftant Succeffion, the Foundation of
both our prefent and future Happinefs 5 and of advancing a
Popifh Pretender to the Throne, which would have involv'd
his Native Country in endlefs Mifery. Mr Arthur Onflow, l^^uVp'I'T'
Liord William Paulet *, Sir Thomas Pengelly, and Mr Gyb- sir Tho.'pcngeu'y.
bon t fupported Mr Methuen j Serjeant Miller hereupon ^^^^^''^')i^^,
faid, * That he was againll the Motion for three Reafons, '^^^^
I. Becaufe he thought it againft the Intereft of the King.
II. Againft the Intereft of his Country. IIJ. Againft the
Intereft of the prefent Miniftry. That he loved the King
better than he loved himfelf j and hated his Enemies more
than he did. That he loved his Country as he loved him-
felf j and as he thought its Intereft infeparable from the
King's, fo he would n^t have any publick Favour ftiewn to
one, who had afted in fo notorious a Manner againft both.
And as for the prefent Minifters, he was fo well fatisfied
with their juft," prudent, and fuccefsful Management, that
he would not fee them exposM to the Cabals and Intrigues
of their inveterate, though feemingly reconciled Enemies.'
On the other Hand Sir Thomas Hanmer and Dr Friend Df.'pikiS!"'""'*
ipoke for the Motion, and took that Occaiion to extol his
Majefty's Royal Clemency ; and then the Queftion being put, a Bin ordered to
on the Lord Finch's Motion, it was carried in the Affirma- ^rdiS^fy.^ '"^ **^'
tivc by 231 Votes againft 113, and his Lordftiip and Mr
R. Walpole were ordered to bring in a Bill according to the
Prayer of the late Lord Bolingbroke's PetitioQ.
Jpril
* (hie of the Tellers of the Hxchei^er.
'[ One of the CQrumiJJioners qf the Revenue in Ireland.
y Google
( 344 )
^noT^Qm.u jfril 23. Sit Gcorgc Qxcnden rqwrted ftom the Com-
l_ — '1^ - I _f mittee, to whom it was referred to con£der of the Anfwer
JNTOBBrteOxewka of Thotoas Earl of Macclesfield to the Articles of Impead-
2S2*. lup^ ment exhibited againft him, * That the (aid Earl had in-
SSSS^ii?^ duftriouily avoided giving a dircft Anfwer to feveral Matteis
dSuSu^^ pofitively alledgM againll him, and had endeavoured to dif-
acat, goife the Crimes laid to his Charge ; and that many Pant
of the (aid Earl's Anfwer are contradidory and inconfiflent j
and the Committee did humbly fubmit to the Judgment of '
the Hoofe their Opinicm, that for avoiding any Imputation
of Delay in the Commons, in a Cafe of io great Moment,
a R^lication be forthwith fent up to the Lords, maintaioii^
the Charge of the Commcms ; and that the Committee had
prepared a Relocation accordingly, which he read in bis
Place ; and the faid Replication being read a fecond Time, it
was refolvcd to be the Replication of the Commons to the
Which h or^'d ^^^^' of Thomas Earl of Macclesfield ; and order'd that the
to beentroM'd, ^d Replication be engroiTed.
And ient to the -^f^'^ 24. The Commons read the engroifed Replication
hordi. to the Anfwer of Thomas Earl of Macclesfield, which was
order'd to be fent to the Lords.
JfL^hSSr ^t'^ ^7- ^^ ^"'^ prcfented to the Houfe a Bifl, f<7r
hnJ^stadxu&tA enailing Henry St John^ late Vif count Bolinghroke^ tb take
and enjoy fe*veral Manors^ Landsy ^c, which was recciv*^
read the firft, and ordered to be read a fecond Time.
^l^S^^' ^nV 30. The late Lord Bolingbroke's Bill was read a
fecond Time and committed to a Conunittee of the whole
Houfe, who were ordered to receive a Claufe or Claufes,
* For prefcrving the Inheritance of all the Family Eflate in
the faid Bill mentioned, to the Iffi^e Male of the Lord Vif-
count St John, on Failure of IlTue Male of the (aid Heniy
St John, late Vifcount Bolingbroke, with Provifo to the faid
late Vifcount Bolingbroke to charge^the faid Eftate with a
Sum of Money, and ta make Leafes in like Manner, as he
was enabled to do by the Marriage Settlement in the (aid
Bill mentioned, and to make a Jointure, and Provifion for
younger Children.'
Ma^ 3. The Order being read for the Houfe to refWve
itfelf mto a Grand Committee upon the late Lord Vifcount
toHW.Piiuiet Bolingbroke's Bill, the Lord William Paulet mov'd. That
t. .iiabic Henry It be an Inftruftion to the faid Committee, That they have
bi5iJff?om siS'ng Power to rcceive a Claufe to difable the faid Hennr St John,
k";^>!^^y plia. ^^^^ Vi^unt Bolingbroke, to be a Member of either Houfe
of Parliament, or to have or enjoy any Ofiice or Place of
Dc;Ate ibcrcon. p^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^.^ Majefty. This Motion was backed
by feveral Members, but was oppofed by Mr Robert Walpolc,
and the Queilion being put thereupon, it was carry 'd in the
Negative by 1 54 Voices againft 84. After this the Com-
mons
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 345 )
mons in a Committee of the whole Houfe, went through the Ann6 n. Ceo. t
faid -Bill, and made feveral Amendments thereto, which be- ^ ^^t ^
ing the next Day reported by the Lord Finch, were, with
an Amendment to one of them, agreed to, and the Bill fo
amended, order'd to be engrofs'd.
May 5. The engrofs'd Bill, For enahUng Henry St. John, LordBoiingbrokc'a
late Ft/count Bolingbroke, and the Heirs Male of his Body, femC^^th^
notvjtthftanding his Attainder, to take and enjoy federal Ma- ^^^'
norsy Lands, and Hereditaments, &c. was read the third Time,
pafs'd, and fent up to the Lords.
May 6. The Commons orderM, That the Conunittee ap-
pointed to manage the Evidence againft Thomas^ Earl of
Macdesiield, be at Liberty to proceed in fuch Manner as they .
Ihall think moil important for the fpeedieft expediting of the
faid Trial. Then upon a Meffage from the Lords, import-
ing. That their Lordfhips were ready to proceed on the
Trial of Thomas Earl of Macclesfield, the Names of the
Managers were, called over by the Clerk, viz. Sir Geoi;ge Names of the Mju
Oxenden, Bart. * Sir Clement Wearg, Sir Thomas Pengelly, ^^^^Sw*
Sir William Strickland, Bart, f Mr Doddington, LoidMor- "^'^
peth, Mr Arthur Onflow, Mr Palmer, Mr Walter Plomer„
Sir John Rufhout, Bart. Mr Edward Thompfon ft, Mr Philips
Gybbon, Mr Hedges, Mr Sandys, Mr Weft **, Mr Snell, Mr
Lutwyche, Hon. Mr Thomas Gower, and Mr. Cary ^-f- Ac-
cordingly the faid Managers went up to the Bar of the Houfe
of Lords, to proceed on the Trial, which held till the .26tK
of this Month, and being printed by Authority, may be found
at large in the 6th Volume of the 5 TATE TR lALS,
May 27. The Lords fent a Meffage to the Commons, ac- 7?t^'^?S?*
• •1 1 »«Ti/i- t . Menage to tfte
quamtmg them, that their Lordfhips were ready to give houCs, that they
Judgment againft Thomas Earl of Macdesfiekl, if the Com- j^^^^T
mons, with their Speaker, would come and demand the ^es^S! *^*^'
fame. Hereupon a Motion was made, and the Queftion pro-
pofed. That this Houfe will demand Judgment of the Lords
againft Thomas Earl of Macclesfield ; which occafioned a
warm Debate, that, lafted till Five m the Afternoon, when Debate thwon,
the previous Qucftion being put. That the Queftion be now.
put, it was carried in the Affirmative, by a Majority of
136 Voices againft 65 ; and then the main Queftion being
put, it was refolv'd. That this Houfe will demand Judgment
a^inft Thomas Earl of Macclesfield. This done, the Com-
Vo L. L Xx moil^.
♦ jMoitfted otie of the Lords of the AJmtraky,
5' Made one of the Lords of the Tteafwy.
\ Appointed otie of the Commijpotters of the 'Kevenue m Ireland*
• Made Lord Wgh Chancellor (f Ireland.
l-^ ^pointed Warden of the Mint, . ^ *
AO thefe Preferments coiiferr'4 at the latter End gf thia Seflion*
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( 346 )
A&Dou.Geo.t mofis rdblv'd, Nem^Con. That the 'Huuiks of tlih Hwfe be
I ^- f ^ven to the Membera, who were appointed the Maimgea
i^Thitoof of the Iznpeachment againft Thomas Earl of Macclesfield,
tob?^*1?S ^W ^^ ^thfiil Management in their Diicharge of the Trail
Mi^enybyiir xippofed in them. Hereapon Mr Speaker gave them, tb^
^'***^* fiandisg up feveraDy in their Places^ ' the Thanks of the
Hooie, aslbllowa:
Gentlemei^
jVSpeaktt^ V 7 u *witb the great eft Cbearfulnefs^ thai I obey the Com^
^£^"*** X «««* «/ ^^ ^^ «• *^" Occafion ; and yet I «w mc
t^er, OH any O^afion^ more fenfible of the I)ijffi€ultia of per^
fomdnz them^ as I ought ; hut I have this Satisfa&ion in this
Motions being made njoben I teaft expe^ed ity that mj not
being prepared may be Jbme Excuse for thofe Befe£ts, 'which
XjbovJd not have been able to have fupplyd^ had I had nevtr
fo long a Time for Confidtration,
Gendemen^
Yon have mafntatned the Charge of the Comfnous^ vin4h
that Force of Jtgupunt^ Beauty of Exprejfton^ and S^rpegth
of Reafon, as 'vjould have gained you the higheft Applaufe in
fhe nuft fieuri/hing of the Greci^ Commonwealths i and I
majadd,
I I ■■ . — Nee digniiw miquam
Majeflas meminit iieie Romana loc^tam.
lint I A all not enlarge farther on this Part of your Pre^fh^
feing finfihU th^t I am not able to exprefi myfiV^ <V a M^
ner fujttable to the Digifity of the Subjed ; your O'um Tong^^s
ar^ oply equal to ftu^b, an Undertaking i and 'voere I oik to do
iKi yp^ Modefty 'WQuHnpt permit it : I fiaU thorrfore pro^
C^e4 in obeying the Cosffmanii of the Houfe^ infuch of^Mannor^
^ yQuyourfebves may hear it^ not only ivithout Offence^ kni
^ hope 'with SatisfoiSion \ by endeavouring to fet in their
f roper Light* the great and Ming Ben^^ your Comtry ^U
^ijfeive In yonr faithful Difih^rge of your Di^y.
Tou have f^fd the Cries of Orpha^^ W ^W ««► ti$
%ears of the Widow ; even ^ofe v)ho mt^ even b^ infenfibh
ef, the Benefits they receive, Ideots and tnnatichsy emd fnfh.
4 ' ^ply can be bifenJpUe of them, vuiil bp Part%kerA of the. fruft^
of youfr Labours*
Btif you are more particularly intitled to the ThqgJ^, ofthix
Houfey by having made the Profecutions of the Commons ^-
gainft great Offender s, pra3icable ; The P^er of Jmpeafh*,
fnentf that Sword of Vengeance^ which the Con/Htuteon has^
put into the Han4 tf the Commons , qnd which, when drawn,
%y Party-Rage, when direBedf by the Malice of E^dion, or.
wieJfdBd by un^^nl fikw^n has ^ ofi^nfu^e^^^^^ thi^
^ipU.im^
Digitized b/VjOOQlC
I7Z5-
( 3+7 )
Jfiiktwn it nvai inttnded to preferve^ has now^ iy yoiir atie Atmon.oie.t.
Mkiutgemenf^ turn' i its Edge to itmfropif Olyea^ a Great "**
C^hider ; afut if the Wouml it hm ghjen foutd not he fi
dwe^^ at manjL expeS ; yet you may he *oery jkfe^ it never can
he imputed to the Want of Strength in your Arm j J^ I hope
und trufty from your prudent Condu^ through the ijohole Pro*
grefs of the Triai^ thdt this great, Pri*viiege of the Comrnimt
nviil 9<uer regain a Terror to evil Doers ; and that it may he
m. JPraiJe to them that do well, the Houfi hns hnaniMouJiy
<ome to this Rrfolutiouy
RefohrM, Nemike Ctmtradicente, « Thtt the Thaiiks of thb '
'. HoHfe be givcft to the Memben^ who wete al^pointtid the
*' Nt^agets of the Impeatchment agaihft Thoiluu Earl of
* Mdcelesfield^ for their faithful Management m their Dit
« <Aarge of the THift tq>ofcd in thetti.'
The Commons unanimoufly refolvM, That Rfo S^ker be wiachiioni«ra
^kfifed to print the above Speech, aiwl font Sif William Gage * ^ '*^^*'
ifHch a MefTage to the Lords, to acqiiaint them^ That the
Commons, with their Speaker, intended immediately to
come to the Houfe of Lords, to demand Judgment againft
Thomas Earl of Macclesfield.
Though it k not Jwojpetly within the Compass of our De-
fign, to tike Notice of any Ploeefediiigs of the Commons
M the Bai- of the Houfe of Lords, yet, as the Judgment of
thdr Lordfhip againft die Earl of B^cdesfield gave Occa-
fion to an Addrefs from the Houfe of Commons to the King,
it Will be necefiary here to add, That th^ Qomihons widi
thcit Speaker went up to the HoUfe of Peers 5 where Mr rbtCotamottid^
foeaker having demanded Judgment againft Thonks Earl of a^JSi/Jhf Sof
Macdesfield, hr the High Cfimes and Mifdemeanol^ of ]Xd'^I
which he was impeached by the Commons, the Lords, by
Che Mouth of Sir Peter King *, Lord Chief Juftice of the
Gourt of Comrtion-Pleas, their Speaker, pro Tempore^ gave
die Mowing Judgment, viz. ' That Thomafi Earl of Mac-
* clesfidd be fihed in the Sum of Thirtv Thdufand Pounds
* unto our Sovereign Lord the King } and that he be impri-
* (biied in the Tower of London, and there kept in fafe
* Cuftody, until he fliall my the faid Fine.* ,
.^ V' K"^. "^^ii ^r- ^Sl 1^^ «J,^«nibIe J^»^^^f
Addrtts be piefented to his Majefty, * Tiiat he would be gra- ^»*^^^^ Maccicf-
ciodly pleafed to brder. That the Fine impofed by the SS^^uSuowardj
Hoofe of Lords, on Thomas Eari of Macclesfield, or any gJfiSSVnhe
Xx i Part MafteninOuw-
ccry.
* Crested dn Trighjh Baron j May 18. 1715. and af^mted Lofd JFTtgi
€bm^ if Great-Briutiit^ m ift rf Jim fmfwwgi
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Anno II. Geo. I. Part thereof, as the (ame (hall be paid into the Exchequer^
17x5^^^^ jjg iffucd and paid into j|e Court of Chancery, to be applied
" ^ towards making good my of the Lo/Tes of the Suitors occa-
fioned by the Deficiencies of the Mailers of t^e {aid Coart,
as that Court (hall think fie to diredt/ And it was ordered,
that the faid Addrefs be prefent^ to his Majeily^ by fuch
Members of the Houfe as are of his Majeily^s ;noft Honour-
able Privy Council. About half an Hour after, Mr Robert
WalpQle reported to the Houfe, That the iaid Addrefs had
been prefented to his Majefly ; and that his Majefly had
uhch his Maje- coounanded him to a;cquaint the Houfe, That he would give
'^^ "^ **' the neceflary Orders according to the Defire of the Houfe.
The fame Day the King being come to the Houie of
Lords, with the ufual State, and the Commons being fent
for up and attending, his Majefly gave the Royal AfTent to
the Bill in Favour of the late Lord Vifcount Bolingbroke,
and to feveral other Bills.
After which the Lord King, Speaker of the Houfe of Lotxls,
read his Majefly's Speech to both Houfes of Parliament, as
follows :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
The King's Speech ** T ^^ ^^^ ^^ P"' ^ ^^ '^ ^^ Scflion of Patliament,
^ wndu^g the « J^ which, though it has been extended to an unexpeded
" Length, has b^en fo well employed for the Service and
" Intereft of the Publick, that I alTure myfelf it will be to
" the general Satisfadion of the Nation.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
" The prudent Ufe you have made of the prefoit flou-
*^ rifhing State of Credit, by a certain RedudK>n of more
** than three Millions feven hundred Thouiand Pounds to an
** Intereft of Four per Cent, and by a wife Proyifion for the
" Redemption thereof by Parliament, without ftuther No-
** tice, on Payment of fuch Sums as the Circumftances of
*' the Government will from Time to Tiine admit, has fe-
*^ cured a conflderable Addition to the Sinking Fund, not
*• fubjed to the Hazard of future Events.
" You have not only raifed the Supply for the Service of
*^ the current Year, at the loweft Rate of Intereft that has
" been ever known, but without laying any new Burthen on
*' my People, you have enabled me to difcharge the Debts
" of my Civil Government : Debts contradted by neceflaiy
^' and unavoidable Expences, and in Support of fuch Mca-
" fures of Government as have greatly increafed the Happi-
" nefs of my People : You have thereby fhewn your jufl
** Regard to my Honour, and the Dignity of the Cix)Wd.
: My
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( 349
My Lords and Gentlemen, • Anno if. Geo. l
*« As all our publick Bleffings are the lu^py Effefts of the ^ ,.i-^^ll
** general Tranquility we now enjoy, I cannot but exprefs
** my Satisfadlion in the Provifipn you have made, for fup-
<< preffing and preventing Difturbances and Commotions in
" thofe Parts where the Peace of the Kingdom might have
** been moil cndanger'd.
** Nothing more remains neteflary, than to tell you, that
** I entirely depend on the faithful Difcharge of your Du-
** ties in your feveral Stations, and on your conflant Care in
•* your refpe£livfe Countries, to prefer ve the Peace and Quiet
** of the Publick 5 .but I know not how to part with yoa
*« without firft returning you my very hearty Thanks for the
** many repeated Inilances you have, in this Seffion, given
** me of your Duty and Affcdion ; all fuch Returns may
** be expected from me, as can be made by the moftindul-
" gent Prince to an affectionate and loyal People. "
* Then the Lord King, by his Majefty 's Conuna^ui, prorogued The ParUamcnt ^
the Parliament to the iirft of July ; They were afterwards ^^^'^^^^
farther prorogued to the 20th of January.
ST HECHES md DEBJTES
t
IntheFouRTHSsssioNofthe
Second Tarliament of King George L
THE Parliament being met at Wefhninfter on the Anno ix. Geo. i.
2oth of January, purfuant to their lafl Prorogation, ^ns-^-
the King went to the Houfe of Peers with the ufual
State, and the Commons being come thither, the King,
by the Mouth of the Lord High Chancellor, made the
following Speech to botli Houfes :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** T Have had fuch frequent Experience, of the Wifdom The Kmg^sSpewA
«• X and Zeal of this Parliament, on many important Oc- poJ^"^o£*
** caiions, that it is with Pleafure I now meet you again,
<* and I make no Doubt but that your Endeavours for the
** Good and Service of your Country will be as fuccefsful
** as they have hitherto been.
« The diftrefs'd Condition of fome of our Proteftant Bre-
** thren abroad, and the Negotiations and Engagements en-
" tred into by fome Foreign Powers, which feem to have
*^ laid the Foundation of new T'foubles and Diilurbances in
'■ " Europe,
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( 3J0 )
AflMift*^!. << Europe, asd to threaten my Srii^as widi die X^ofi of
1^*?^ J. «f fe^^ of tke wM adtaftOteMtt ^aachet of their Ttatk,
^ " - o^M^ed 8ie wtthoAt aiijr Lo6 of Tiai^ eotoMeiti^
« other Po^wtiB, fech Meafurts^ ai fiB%ktgtVea Chedc cod^
<* ambittott Vie«9t of tkoi^ who are eiKieav6tiriiig to tetikt
•* themfthtti ibifi&idaUt, and ptttaStopio thiB ftrtherhK^
<« pe& of fach dai^erous De%is. ForilMft bads I halt
«< tacrad kiio a ddbnflire AUknce wMi ^ iMft Oirakiaii
** King aal die Xing of PnAa> to whidi ife^mral olh&
" Powei^ and ptticuhrlf the 8caie»-CeaMl, liate bceAiD-
•« i^ted to aecectei and t have not die laaft lUftfefi to doubt
•^ of their OsnouNmce. Thfl Tieaty OnB in a Ibort ThAfe
•^ be laid bef<»« jroo.
^ Bf dMsfe Meaii^ and t^ ytm Si^port and Affifteet, I
^ tnift in God, I (hall be aMe not cHif to fecore to i^
^ mm MijeBs die Bojoyment of ma&)r tahiable R»hts and
«< Privilegeft long ince aoqnirM ftr them bv the inc^ ftlema
<' Treaties^ bat efiedually to preferve the Peace and Balance
•« ofEotojpe^ die only Vievr andSndofallmjrBAdeairOQn.
' GentfeaMtnof the HottleCtf'Cdmmont,
'' I have orders die Eftfanatei fyt die Serrioe of dm
** Year to be preparM and laid before yon, which, frcHD
** an Unwiilingneis I alwaya haft to pctt my Sob^dCb toaa
t€ cxinioidinary Expence by any unnec^lary Precaodons, are
<' fenn*d n^n the Foot Of employing no greater Nmnher
'^ of Forces, than was thou^t neceflanr the laft Year ; ht
<< which, If the Sttmlies you py/t Aail be fatty and dEoc-
<< tually raifed, I (hall be enabled to have a ftrong Fleet at
- << Sea early in die Spdng. If die PoAnre of mxn &aH at
^' any Time make it nece^uy to augment oar Maritiine
<1 Force, I confide fo entirely in the ^^al and Afeawref
<< my Puliament, that I aflare myfidf you will enable me
'< to make fiich an Addition to the Number of Seamen, as
*' fhall be found requifite.
My Lords and Gentlemen^
** It is not to be doiibted, but the Enemies to my Go-
«* vemment will conceive Ifopcs, that fome favourable Op-
" portunity for renewing their Attempts nn^ ^ief, hm
^^ the Proipe^ of new Troubles and Conrniodons : Thcr aie
) <* already very bufy by their Infimments add Emi&rks ii
'« t^ofe Courts, whofe Meafures feem moft to fiivowf theff
» Purpoies, in foliciting and promoting the Orafo of the
** Pretender ; but I perfuade myfelf, notWi^hftandiag the
** Countenance and EncOuragemei^ they may luive leoefv*^
** or flatter themfelves with, the Provifioft yon fhaS nab
<« for the Safety and Defence of the Kingdom will efie6HiaII)r
'^ fecore us from, any Attempts from Abroad^ and render sA
*^ iuch Proje£ts vain and abortive^
^ Whrt
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^ Whoi dufiWodd ihall fee that Jon nfll aot fiifier die ^m^n^^h
^ Bntifli Crown aad Nition ta be nmtnoti a»d iafiikdl, ^ '^l^p^^
'* thofe, iriK) moft enty tke prdGtnt Hapgmb zmi Ten- •
'* quOity of thk ¥iiigA)wi, and aie andetfoujcuig tt> make
^* OS. ittl^esviint to dieir Amhirinm wilL coafidcr their owii
'< Imereft and Cmamfianeat^ befi^retheyaKduasfAttni^
'* iq^n fa brave a Feepl^ fliei^gthcaed anilfiipooctsd by
'* {nudent and powerful Alliances, and thovgh dafirooi to
** jHreierve the Peace^ abk and cea^ to demd dicoafebes
«« agaiaft the Bfixts of all AggreiTonL Soch Itefciiitions
«< and fiich Meafures tskdy taken, I am Sxdsfy^d^ aie the
^' mdibeficdBalMeaasofpffeventuiga Waxv and oontuuiiag
^< toustheBleiEi^ofFcaceaKi Frofperttx."
y«jr. 20. The Commons being retmm^ to their Hoofe» and sirKubertMtai
Mr Speaker hamg rafted hi& M^e%'s Speech, Sir JRo- ^SS^rrSH^
bert Sotton *, Knight of the Shire for Nottingham, mov'd,
and bong feconded, it was reMv'd, That an hnrnhk Ad-
drds be ptefented to hit Majcfylbr his gndona Speech; aad
a Committee was appointed to diaw up an Addrefi iqpon the
iaid Refoltttion s wluch was according/ the next thy ie«
ported to the Hi»ie by Sir Robert Sutton, and agreed tiK wtefciianite^
Jim. 22. The feme was ppe&ated to his Maje% ^ the ^"^i^*^
whole Hdofe as fidlows :
:W'
lio^ Gracious Sovereign,
£ your Majell)r*smoftdutifia and kjralSttljea^ the Tht
Commons of Great Bii&un in Fayli wmt afembfed,
^ bea Leavemoft nnfirignecBv tacoBgratolate your Ma|efly*s
« iiateandhiqvpy'Ari^iathlsKii^em. Nodiiag can eqoal
* theDreadaad AnadjBty whichfiBedthelnaftsofyoorgpod
* Peopie, whilft your Majefiy's iacred Perfon was exposed to
< the Perils of teimeflttous Seas; but the uamrfid Joy- that
* was inftandy dimis'd thlcughout the Kinaebo^ up(Ui» the
* welcome News of your MiylefbyVbeii^ iMy landed on the
« Britifli Shore.
* We return your Mmfty oor humhldib Thanks fi>r yoipr
' moA gBaciotts Speech mm the llirone 1 9^ aamot fiiftd«
* entlyackflowkoge your Mi^efty^sgDeatAteeatioa and Caie
* for the P^tfermtion of the Peace am4B^i>cii^
< tiott> and the general Tranquili^ of Aiiope.
* The tender Eeg^d and Comyiffion, wiudtyoorMfljeflgr
has exprefled for the diflreAdfh^tofia^ abroad^ will give
g^eat Sa^&ftion to all, whole PtafeCon of the iame RipB-
« g^nnifti^piretWwithajttftltafartmentofthebja]^
i and Peilecii^ona which ^Mhi for the Sake'Ofia
! Tfm
9 iM$MKi%U qf %jB!i^ ^ ^7, 174.
y Google
4
( 352 )
Atf* ft, ow.i. * Your Majcfty's Vigilance in watcbing over and diicon-
JJ^^^^, * certing the ambkious Vic^.and Ddigns of thofe, that arc
endeavourii^ to render themfelves formidable ; yourWiiHom
* in early fomiing and entering into Alliances with Powers
* beft able to wtthftand the common linger, and to put a
* Stop to the farther Progreis of the Negotiations carrying on
* by other Powers, and your particular Concern for the
* Trade and Commerce of theie Nations, call upon us for all
* poflible Returns of Duty and Gratitude.
* And that your Majefty'? unwearied Endeavours for the
'^ particular Interefts of f^our own Subjefb of thefe Kingdoms,
* an4 for pr^venjting a War, may have their defir*d Effed:,
* we, your Majeily's moft dutiful and loyal Commons, pro-
* mife and aiTure your Majefty, that we will with the greateft
*' Chearfolnefs, Unarifmity and Difpatch, fo efle^ually raife
* the S(q)plies for this Year, that your Majefty may be en-
^ aUed to have a ftrong Fleet at Sea early in the Spring, fuffi-
* dent to proted and defond the Kingdon^, to difappoint the
* Hopes oir the Enemies to your Majefty's Government, and
* refent any Infults and Attempts that maybe vainly projeded
< and undertaken,
* It is not to be wonder'd at, that in the low State to
* which the Affairs of the Pretender are reduced, his Emifla-
* ries and Inftruments fhould be waiting for every Opportunity,
* that has the Appearance of being favourable to their lan-
« guiihing Caufe ; and as they have been very bufy in foreign
. ' Courts, the Di(afFe£bed and Difcontehted here have not been
* lefs induftrious, by falfe Rumours and Suggeftions to fill the
' Minds of the People with groundleis Fears and Alarms,
* in order to affeft the Publick Credit, and, by diftreffing the
* Government, give Encouragement to the Enemies of oar
* Peace,
r * But we promifo .ourfelves that the Prudence, Temper,
* and Refolution of thofe that truly confult their own Inter-
* eft, and wifh weB to their Country, will, on the. one
* Hand, prevent and obviate the Mifchiefs that, by too
* great Credulity and vain Fears, they ipay bring upon them-
* feives ; and^ on the other Hand, we are determined to con-
* vince the World, that if thofe who moft envy our prefont
<.Hai^ine{s and Tranquility, fhall fo far prefume upon the
* juft Senfe and Value .we have for thefe ineftimable Bleflings,
' as ftill to purfu^ their d^perate Meafu;«s ; how defirous fo-
* 4yer we may be of Peace, we will not faffcr your Maje-
* fty.and the ftritifti Nation to be infulted j but that we will,
* to the utmoft of our Power, as the Exigency and Neceffity
« of Aflkirs Ihall require, ftand by,, and fupport your Maje%
^*-againft all Attempts to difturb the publick Repofe/
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To this Addrefs his Majefty returned the following Anfwer, Anno u. Ccp. I.
Gentlemen,
** T Return you my Thanks for this dutiful and loyal Ad-
•* JL drefs. I make no Doubt but you will foon be fenfible J^J^^^'" ^^'^^
•* of the good Effed of this fcafonable Vigour and Refolu-
** tion. You may be affured, that I will make no Ufe of
** the Confidence' you repofe in me, but for preferving to us
** the Bleifings of Peace, ajid for promoting the Honour and
** Intereft of this Kingdom."
Jan. 22. The Commwis took into Confideration his Maje-
fiy^s Speech to both Houfes, and a Motion being made for a
Supply, the fame was referred to the Grand Committee on
the 24th Inflant. a supply voted.
Jan. 24. The Commons went into a Grand Committee, ^
to coniider of the Motion for granting a Supply to his Maje-
ily, which was unanimouily refolv'd upon.
Jan. 28. The Houfe having refolv'd itfelf into a Grand nebatc conccrnin
Committee, conAder'd farther of the Sup|Jy, and in par- the Number* of"
ticular of the Charge of the Guards, GarrUbns, and other feyS'^J^e?'
his Majefly's Land Forces in Great-Britain for the Year 1726*
Mr Henry Pelham open'd the Debate, and mov'd. That *^"-Pc">am.
Provifion be made for the fame. Number of Men, for Guards,
Garrifons, and Land Forces, f<v the Year 1726, as were
provided for the laft Year. This was oppos'd by Mr Ship- ^ ^^^p**^
pen, who thereupon flood up, and fpoke as follows;
Mr Speaker,
* My Sentiments concerning a Standing Army in Time
of Peace arc well known here, and it may feem unneceflary,
perhaps be thought impertinent, in me to debate anew on
a worn and exhaufted Topic, when 'Other Gentlemen^
who entertain the ^me Sentiments, are pleafed to be filent.
But furely the Qgeftion before you is not become a Motion
of Courfe ; furely as long as the Grievance is continued on
one hand, fo kmg there is a Right of Complaint on the
other ; and that Complaint, I fhould think, m;ay without
Offence be continued, till it can be proved, that the Bjj-^
tifh Govenunent is in its nature Military, or ought to be
made fo.
* I do not intend to trouble you with what I have for-
merly urged, or to ufe any Argumjcnt; drawn from theExpence
and BurSien, or from the Terror and Oppreffion, which
luve been brought upon this and other Nations, by railing,
and keeping up a greats Number of Forces, than were ab-
folutely neceflary in Time of Peace : Not but that the
Gradations, by which Armies, with all their Jjaconveniences..
y o L* L . Y y tavct
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have been firft introduced into F>ee States, and afterwards
impofed upon them, ought to be had in perpetual Remem-
brance. We ought never to forget, that fuch Steps have
been ufually taken, to gratify the Views of ambitious Prin-
ces, to carry on the Schemes of evil Minifters, to terrify
Parliaments into Obedience, and to make the Members
of them dumb SpcAators of the Miferics of their Country.
* I will not infift on thefc Arguments, however juft in
themfelves^ however prc^r pn other Occafions, becauife they
would be unapplicable to the prefent Situation of our Af-
fain. For we have a Prince, whofe only Aim is to continue
to us the Bleflings of Peace and Plenty j We have a Mini-
ftry, whofe Merits are above my Commendations ; We
have a Parliaihent, which s^db with a Spirit fupepor to all
Influences, and to all Temptations. Befides, every Year has
its particular Circumflances, and thofe particular Circum-
fiances ought to guide our Refolutions, when we are making
our annual Parliamentary Provifions* for the Publick Servi<».
I thought our Circumiknces both at Home and Abroad,
were fo proiperous the lafl Seffion, that we might without
Hazard have difbanded atkaft the Four Thoufand Augmenta-
tion-Troopt. [Srep: 326] But the Majority of the Houfewas
of another Opinion. There was then indeed a Rendezvous,
though not a formed Congrefs, of Plenipotentiaries, vying
with each other in the Splendor of their Equipages and the
Magnificence of their £ntert<unments at Cambray, which
had for feme time emj^oyed our Speculations, and promifed
great Events to the World. And it was thought good Po-
licy to fhew the Negotiating Powers, by continuing our
Army, that, if they would not accept his Majefly's Plan for
fettling the Balance of Power, and for eftablifhing the Trail*
quility of Europe, Great Britain was ready to do her Part
towards compelling th^n to a Compliance. But that Po-
licy prove^ inefFedual, and 'that Negotiation appears at laft
to have wanted Subibnce, as well as Form, and to have
prodttc'd nothing to Great Britain, but an Increafe of the
Civil Lift Debt, as we were given to underfland the kft
Seflion, in a Debate on that Subjedb, by one that knew
the Secret.
* But we are now told, that prudent and powerful Alii*
ances are aflually made, and tlut what was only attempted
at Cambray, has been fully accomplifhed at Herenhaufen.
Nor can there be any doubt, but that his Majefty^s extefr-
live Care over all his Foreign and Domeftick Concerns, but
that his alternate Refidehce here and abroad, as it hath
procured, fb it would, with the Advice of a good Minilby,
and withoiit the Aid of a great Army, pref^hvc to us, diro'
the whole Courfe of his Reign, that Security and thofe
Ble£iBg$
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BleiEngs we now enjoy. For, whether at home or abroad,
his influence is irreMible, becaufe his Counfels are wife,
and his Defigns are juft. Nor am I altered in this Opinion
by what has happened at Glafgow in Scotland, or at Thorn
in Poland. "
* For, if I am rightly informed, the Tumult at Glafgow
was no more than a Mob, compofed chiefly of Women, a
mere Mock-Refemblance of an Amazonian Army, that might
have been quelled by the InterpOfition of the Civil Authori-
ty, without Recourfe to that Military Vengeance, which was
executed there. Such Conmiotions we fee arife almoft in
every Nation, when the Occaiions of the Publick call, for
new and extraordinary Taxes ; and yet they are generally
defpifed, as impotent Efforts againft Eftabliflied Govern- .
ments, and left to be puniftied' by the Laws of the Country.
Bat, now all is qui^t, now all is fafe in Scotland ; not the
leaH Murmur is heard againfl ' the Adminiflration : The
Highland Clans have been difarmed without any Diflur-
bknce ; they rejoice, we are told, in their Submiffion, and
are brought to a perfect Senfe of their Duty to his Majefty,
by the obliging Behaviour and prudent Condud of the;
General, whofc Province it was to enforce the A6k of
Parliament againft them.
* As to the important AiFair of Thorn i which, by the
way, was no Ad of Retaliation, as fome, who neither con-
fider the Circumftance of Time nor Things, would infinu-
ate, but the Effed of a Spirit of Perfecution ; we are aflfur-
)ed that his Majefty has done more towards obtaining the
deiired Satisfadion for the barbarous and unchriflian Cruel-
ties committed there, and gained greater Conceflions from
the Catholick Princes, by his Paciiick Mediation, and by
hij Perfonal Intereft, than he could probably havfe done by
rougher Reibrts, by threatening, or even by entering into,
a Religious War. Nor can Malice itfelf fuppofe, that,
whilt he is refenting the Violation of Treaties j he would
do any thing, that would but look like an Infradion of the
Limitation in the Ad of Succeflion, which reftrains the
Crown from involving Great Britain in any Foreign Dif-
putes, except where her own immediate Interefts and Alli-
ances are concerned.
*^ I hope we conceive no ill Omens, I hope we have no
Apprehenfions, from the French King's Marriage to the
Daughter of the Pretender to the Crown of Poland ; no
Diftruft, that fuch an Alliance can ftiake our late Protefbnt
Treaty with that young Prince ; no Jealoufy, that he will
follow the Example of the Emperor and the King of Spain,
hy engaging in a clandeftine League^ without our Know-
ledge, and to our Prejudice. I muft own, that would be a
y y 2 melancholy
Digitized by ^OOQIC
( 3^6 )
melancholy Conlidcration. For then ah Army of twice
Eighteen thoufand Men would not be fufficient to defebd dutf
Caufe, which his Majefty has hitherto ailerted, with Co much
Glory to himfelf, with fo much Advantage to the EVoteftai^
Part of Europe.
• 'Twas*a notorious Saying, and the avowed Pcdicy cS" one
of our late famous Stateftnen, who lived till after the Revo-
lution, and was thought a fecret Infbument in it, tl^t^ not-
withftanding the Noife and Clamour of the People againil
Soldiers in Time of Peace, the eafieft and befk Way of
governing England was by an Army ; and that a Minifber fo
guarded might profecute his own Meafures with Safety and
Succefs, andfoon make the boaftirig Aflertors of Liberty- and
Property, as tame as a Flock of Turkies, and drive them
which Way he pleafed. This gives us a true Idea of ibmc
forts of modern Policy, and of the Infolence of that Man is
Authority, who ruined his Prince by the very Methods he
would have enflaved his Fellow- Subje6b ; but not of the Ge-
nius of the People of England. For he found another Spirit
in them; he found, they perpetually ftruggled with him in
Defence of the Church and State, when he was endeavouring
to facrifice both, as he did - his own Honour and Confcience,
in order to eredl an arbitrary and unlimited Dominion in
thefe Kingdoms. Nor could they endure his Return into
Power after the Revolution, tho' he was countenanced by
King William himfelf, and tho' his meritorious Perfidy w^
llrongly pleaded in his Favour. But they continued their Op-
poiition to him, till they had accomplifhed his Diigrace ; and
iHIl his Memory is as deteflable, as his Adminiftration was
wicked, tho' he neither aggrandized his Family, nor aug-
jnented his Eftate by the Spoils of the Publick.
* Now we are to hope the military Principles of this States-
man are dead with him, and we are^fure good Minifters can
never purfue the Maxiniis of bad ones, becauie the Means of
their Adlions muft necefTaril^ be as different, as the Ends
are. 'Tis therefore unintelligible to me, how the keeping
up an Army in Time of Peace, which has fcurmerly been
thought criminal Advice in Minifters, as being incompati-
ble with our Conftitution, fhould npw be annually recom-
mended to Parliament by our modern Patriots, as the only
Method of fecuring us in the PofTeilion of our Laws and
Liberties. I fay, this is unintelligible to me, and till the
ieeming Paradox can be reconciled to Reafbn, I muft beg
Leave conflantly to oppofe Quellions of this Nature.
%r H-v/him * ^^ Shippen was fupported by Mr. Heyfham, Mr Hunger-
lAi iiuaji«ifyi*d. ford, and others, who infilled on the reducing the Four Thoo-
fjind Men that were rais'd fome Years ago, {See ^ 291] upon
an
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 357 )
an extraordinary Occafion, and which were now become al-
together unnedeffary, fince on the one Hand Great Britain
cnjoy'd at prefcnt a happy and perfeft Tranquility, which
fcem'd firmly fecur-d by the late diiarming of the Highlands
of Scotland ; and, on the other Hand, it having already been
unanimouily refblvM, to enable his Majefly to have a fbong
Fleet at Sea early in the Spring, this they thought fufiicient
for the Safety and Defence of the Kingdom, efFedually to
fecure us from any Attempts from abroad, and to render all
Projeds of the Pretender's Inftruments and Emiilaries vain
and abortive.' To this it was anfwer'd by Mr Henry Pel- Mr h. PelhaiB.
ham * and Hon. Mr Verney, * That it would be highly im- Mr vcmey.
prudent to leflen the Numbet of our Land Forces, at a
Time when fome foreign Powers who endeavourM to make
ihemfelves formidable, and threaten us with the Lofs of our
mofl advantageous Branches of our Trade, were augmenting
theirs. That the Alliances his Majefly was lately entered into,
to check fuch ambitious Views, and put a Stop to the fer-
ther Progreis of fuch dangerous Defigns, might make it ne-
ceflary to fend fome Land Forces abroad, in Support of thofc
Alliances ; and that in fuch a Cafe, the leaving die Kingdom
without a fufficient Number of Men for Guards and Garri-
fbns, would be too great a Temptation to the Eneinies of the
Government, who arecontinu^y watching for favourable
Opportunities for renewing their Attempts, and difturbing
Ac happy Repofe We enjoy.' Sir Jofeph Jekyl, having here- sir j. /•igrt
upon dedar'd, * That he was indeed the laft Year for re* .
ditcin]g; Part of the Army ; but that the Face and Poflure
of Afiairs in Europe being iince changed, he thought it
now unfafe ; His Opinion had fo great Weight, that, with-
out any &rther Debate, it was refolv'd, I. That the Num-
ber of effedlive Men to be provided for Guards and Garri-
fbns in Great Britain, and for Guernfey and Jerfey, for the
Year 1726, be, including 181 5 Invalids, and 324 Men,
which the fix Independent Companies confift of for the Ser-
Ticc of the Highlands, 18,264 Men, Commiflion and Non-
Commiffion Officers included. II. That a Sum not exceed-
ing 655,1781. be granted to hisMajefty for defraying the.
Charge of the faid 18,226 effe£live Men, for the Year 1726.
Jan. 29. Thefe Refolutions were reported to the Houfe AnAddrefifor
by Mr Farrer, and agreed to ; after which it was refolv'd, copies of the
TJiat an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, That Ihf^p^lSd
the late Treaties of Peace and Commerce concluded between ^£?4SJJ*Sio
the Emperor and the Xing of Spain might be laid before Houfc
the Houfe.
February
• Secretary M If'jfr.
y Google
Annoi». G«o.L
1725-26.
ftlrW.Poltenex
3iioTesfbrai>point<
ing a Committee
to fiate the jwb-
lick Debts from
Dec. 25. 1714 to
Dec 15. 1725.
Debate tfaereoo.
Mr D. PoltencT.
SirJ.Jekyii.
tirk.Walpotc.
UrBunard.
Sir T. PeDgenr.
SirR. Walpole.
Mr W. PKltenex.
«irR. Walpole.
Co}»iesortbe Ban-
over Tiealy, and
the Treaty be-
( 3S8 )
February 9. Mr William Pulteney mov'd, ' That a Com-
mittee be appointed to ^te the publick Debts as they ibod
on the ^5 th of December, 1714, with what Debts have been
incurr'd fince that Time, 'till die 25 th of December 1725,
diilinguifhing how much of the faid Debts have been pro-
vided for, afid how much remain unprovided for by Parlia-
ment.^ He was ieccmded by Mr Daniel Pulteney, and backM
by Sir Jofeph Jokyl ; Hereupon Sir Robert Walpole flood
up and endeayour'd to ihew, * That fuch an Inquiry was
uofeaibnable and prepc^rous, and that it might give a dan-
gerous Wound to publick Credit at this critical Junftuie,
. when Money*d-Men were already but too much alarmed by
the Appearances of an approaching War; urging. That in
the prefent Pofture of Affairs, they could not better exprefi
their Love to their Country, than by making good their
Promiies and Affurances to his Majeily at the Beginning of
this Seflion, and with the greateft Difpatch railing the ne-
ce^ary $u{^lies, to enable his Majefty to make good his late
Engagements, for the Welfare of his Subjefls, to disappoint
the Hopes of the Enemies to his Government, and to reieot
any Infults that may be ofier'd to his Crown and Dignity.'
Mr Barnard, Member for the City of London, ccmfirm'd
what Sir R&bert Walpole had faid, as to the Danger of in-
creasing the Alarm of Money'd-Men, which had already fo
much affe^ed publick Credit, that the Stocks were within a
few Weeks feUen 12 1. or 141.^ per Cent, But Sir Thomas
Pengelly, having fpoken for the Motion, Sir Robert Walpdc
reply'd to him. Hereupon Mr Williaip Pulteney ftood up
arui declared, * That he made this Motion widi no other
View, than to give that Great Man an Opportunity to flww
his Integrity to the whole World, which would £niih his
fublimc Character:' To which Sir Robert Walpole anfwer'd,
'That this Compliment wpuld have come out with a btoer
Grace, and ajj^ar'd more fincere, when that fine Gentleman
had himielf a Share in the Management of the Publick
Money, than now he was out of Place.' Then the Quefbon
^ing put upon Mr Pulteney's Motion, it was carry 'd in the
Negative, by 262 Votes againft 89.
The fame Day Sir Robert Walpole accjuamted the Hode,
That he had received his Majefly^s Commands to lay before
the Houfe the Treaty between his Majefty, the moft
Chriflian King, and the King of Pruflia, made at Hanover
twecnS^BSie. ^^^ 3^ of September 1 725 ; and that his Majefty had likc-
swtokidb&we ^^^ commanded him to lay before the Houfe, purfuant to
the Houfe.' their Addrefs to his Majefty, the late Treaties of Peace and
CjOnmierce concluded between the Emperor and the King of
Spain. And he prefented Copies of the faid Treaties, with
Tranllations of them, to the Houfe : together With a lift of
the
Digitized by ^OOQIC
( 359 )
the {aid Treaties ; which Lift being read, it was RefolvM to amo u. Geo. l
take the faid Treaties into Confideration on the i6thlnftant. ^^11^'^' »
Feb. 1 6. The Houfe proceeded to take into Confideration ~*~
the above-recited Treaties, which, by his Majefty Command, Debate thereoa.
had been laid before the Houfe. After the reading thereof
Mr Horatio Walpole ♦ open'd the Debate with a Speech, y^^ ^ waboic
wherein he laid before the Houfe the State and Pofture of
AfFairs in Europe, from the Peace of Utrecht to this prefent
Time, and took Notice, * That fince his Majefty 's happy
Acceflion to the Throne of this Realm, his conftant Care
and Endeavours had been to fetde the Balance of Power on
a (olid foundation, and to preferve and iecare the Tran-
quility of Chriftendom ; to proted and defend the Proteftant
Caufe, and promote the Honour and Intereft of his Britifti
Subjects. That with thefe great Views, his Majefty was be-
come Mediator and Guarantee both of the Barrier Treaty
concluded in 1715, and of the Convention made in 171 8,
for the Execution of that Treaty, between the Emperor
and the States General of the United Provinces. That
in the Year 1716, his Majefty concluded a Dcfenfive Al-
liance with the Emperor; and in 171 7, another with the
moft Chriftian King and the States General ; the genuine
Defign of both which Treaties was only to preferve the
publick Repofe of Chriftendom, eftablilh'd by the Peace
of Utrecht, and to guaranty the Succeffion to the Cit)wn
of Great Britain in the Proteftant Line. That in order
to fortify all the faid Treaties, and to exdnguiih the War
which the Spaniards had kindled in Italy, his Majefty
in 1 7 1 8, made a Convention with the moft Chriftian King,
for propofing Ultimate Conditions of Peace between the
Emperor and the King of Spain, and between' his Im-
perial Majefty and the then King of Sicily. That .this
Convention was, a few Days after, follow'd by a Treaty of
Alliance between the Emperor, the King of Great Britain,
and the moft Chriftian King, which, by their Minifters, was
concluded at London, and fign'd on the 2 2d of July 171 8,
and in which the States General were named as one of the
Contr^dling Parties, upon a Suppofttion, that their High
MighuoeiTes would come into it, from whence this Treaty
was named the Quadruple Alliance. That a few Months
after the King of Sicily was admitted into this Treaty, and at
length the King of Spain himfelf was forced to accede to it,
which was mainly owing to the generous Ai9iftance his Ai-
tannick Majefty gave the Emperor in the Mediterranean*
That there remaining fome Points ftill controverted betweeh
the Emperor and King of Spaing the &me were referred to
be
• JJiif M^j^y'i Embajf^ rimfotentia^ at Be Coftrt vf Jr^tm^
y Google
( 36o )
*^7«5-^ ^ ^ amicably determined in a Congress, which was afterwaids
' opeoM at Cambray, under the Mediation of his Britannick
Majefty and the moft Chriftian King. That by Rea-
foB of feveral DiiEculties, indaftriouSy raifed by the
Courts of Vienna and Madrid, the great Pains taken for
three Years by the Minilfers Mediators, proved unfuccefsful ;
and, at laft, the Congreis was fuddenly diilblv'd, upon Ad-
vice that the Emperor and the King of Spain fecretly
had adjufted the Differences between them, and concluded a
Treaty of Peace at Vienna. That this unexpedled Event
occafion'd no imall Surmize, and railed Jealoufies, which ap-
pearM to be the better grounded, when it was known.
That the faid Treaty of Peace was foon foUow'd by a Trea-
ty of Commerce, the main Defign of which was to fupport
smd countenance the Eaft-India Company fome Years bi^ore
cfbUifh'd at Oftend, by granting to the Inhabitants of the
Aufbrian Netherlands greater Privileges, both in the Eaft and
Weft-Indies, thah were ever granted either to the Englifh or
Putch, which viiibly tended to the entire Ruin of many va-
luable Branches of our Trade, and was contrary to feveral
fokmn Treaties ftill in Force. That thereupon his Majelfy,
«ver watchful for the Intereft of his Britift^ Subjefls, had
caufed lively Reprefentations to be made againft the faid Treaty
of Commerce, both to the Emperor and King of Spain. That
at the Court of Madrid thefe Complaints were received with
Coldnefs, and at that of Vienna with StifFnefs and Haughti-
nefs, even to fuch a Degree, that the Imperial Minifters did
not ftick to infinuate, that if his Britannick Majefty periifted
in his Refolution to take Meafures in Oppofition to the Trea-
ties of Vienna, his Imperial Majefty would not only think
himfelfdifengaged from the Guarantuy of the Proteftant Suc^
ceflion to the Crown of Great-Britain ; but that the fame
might be attended with Confequences in relation to his Ma-
jefty's Dominions in Germany. That thefe infulting Me-
naces made no Impreffion on his Majefty's Firmnefs, nor
deterr'd him from his fix'd Refolution of concerting, with
other Powers, fuch Meafures as might give a Check to the
ambitious Views of thofe who endeavour'd to render them-
felves formidable : That thefe Meafures feem'd to be the
more neceffary, becaufe there were juft Grounds to believe,
that the unforeieen R«:onciliation of the Emperor and King
of Spain was owing to the conftant View of the Houfe of
Auftria, of rendering the Imperial Dignity Hereditary in
their Family. That in order to that, it might be reafonaUy
fuppofed. That the Treaties of Vienna were to be cemented
by a Match between the Emperor's eldeft Daughter and the
lolante Don Carlos. That it was eafy to forefee the-Confc-
tjucncf s of fuch a Marriage. For the Iffu<2-Male that might
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( 36i )
come from it, mighty in Time, be po^efs'd not only of all
the Hereditary Dominions belonging to the Houfe of Anflria,
and of the Imperial Dignity, but alfo of all the Dominions of
the Spanish Monarchy , whicji would entirely overthrow the
Balance of Power, and render the Liberties of all the rcfl of
Europe very precarious. That this Suppofition would appear
more than probable to any one who c^nfider'd, that there
was fcarce any other Way of Accounting, either for the King
of Spain's breaking through folemn Treaties with Great
Britain, in favour of the Emperor's Subjeds in the Nether-
lands ', or for the Emperor's forgetting fo far the Obligations
he had to Great Britain and Holland, as to enter into En-
gagements to affift Spain, towards the Recovery of Gibraltar
and Minorca, and to perfiil in fupporting and countenancing
the Oilend Company, eilabliih'd with no other View than to
deprive the Subjeds of the Maritime Powers of feveral of the
moft advantageous Branches of their Trade. That in order to
give a timely Check to the farther Progrefs of fuch dangerous
Defigns, his Majeily, in his great Wifdom, had entred into a
Defenfive Alliance with the moft Chriftian King and the
King of Pruifia, to which feveral other Powers, and particu-
larly the States General, had been invited to accede ; that
the States of Holland had already done it, and it was not to
be doubted, but their Example would foon be followed by
the other United Provinces. That the main View of this
Alliance was to maintain and preferve the publick Repofe
and Tranquility of Chriftcndom, and to fecure to each con-
trading Party the Po/Teflion of their refpeftive Dominions
and Territories, with the Ri^ts, Inmiunities and Advantages,
partkularly thofe relating to Trade, which their Subjects en-
joy'd, or ought, by Treaties, to enjoy. And that as his Ma-
jelly ever had a particular Concern for the Proteftant In-
tereH, fo out of his royal and tender Companion for tlie
diftrefled Condition of fomeof our Proteftant Brethren in Po-
land, his Majefly had not only interpofed his good Offices,
in the moft preffing Manner, in their Favour, but had taken
the Occafton of the Defenfive Alliance made at Hanover, to
engage, by a feparate Article, the moft Chril\ian King and
the King of Pruflia, who, together with his Majefty, arc
Guarantees of the Treaty of Oliva, to fee it maintained and
obftrved in its full Extent, and to caufe Reparation to be
made for what may have been done at Thorn, contrary to
the faid Treaty of Oliva. Concluding, with an Encomium
upon his Majefty's Wifdom, Care, Vigilance, Ste^idinefs and
Refolutioh in the Condud of all thefe weighty and impor-
tant Affairs.'
Mr Walpole having done Speaking, Mr D. Pulteney ftood ^f p. pufeney.
up, and made his Obfcrvations on moft of the Points mentioned
V 0 L. I. Z z by
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AnM li. Ceo.
• ( 362 )
by Mr Walpole, and infmuatcd, * That the Subjed Matter irf"
this Day's Debate was of a very nice Nature, and of the great-
eft Importance, and therefore they ought maturely to con£der
of it, before they came to any Refolution upon it.' Another
Member having fuggefted, * That it was to be fuppofed, that
the King of Spain did not feem to grant any farther Privi-
leges to the Emperor's Subjeds in the Netherlands, than
what had been granted to the Englifh, and other moft fa-
voured Nations ;' He was anfwer'd by Colonel Bladen, who
pointed to the very Articles of the Treaty of Cbmmerce of
Vienna, whereby it was exprefly ftipulated, in the Second
Article, " That the Ships of War and Merchant Ships belong-
* ing to the Contradling Parties, or their Subjedls, fhould be
* allowed full Liberty to frequent the Harbours, Coalfe, and
* Provinces of each other; naming particularly the Eaft-Indies,
* and without any Exception as to the Spanifli Weft-Indies,
* or any other Reftraint on the Ships of War and Merchant
* Ships, than not to buy any Thing befides Victuals and Ma-
* terials for repairing their Ships :" which implied a Permiffi-
onlto vend their Merchandizes for ready Money ; fo that it
was manifeft, that the Subjeds of the Auftrian Low-Countries
were allowed more extenfive Privileges than ever had been
granted to any other Nation, contrary to feveral Treaties in
Force between the Crowns of Great Britain and Spain.*
Then Mr Shippcn raifed an Objeftion to the Treaty of
Hanover, viz. * That it would engage the Britifli Nation in
a War, for the Defence of his Majefty's Dominions in Ger-
many, contrary to an exprefs Provifion made for the fecuring
our Religion, Laws and Liberties, in tht Adl, For farther
Limitation and SucceJJion of the Cronvn in the Froteftant
Line ; which, beiijg the Bafis and Foundation of the prefent
Settlement, was become Part of our Conftitution, and there-
fore ought to be facred and inviolable. * He was anfwer'd by .
Mr Henry Pelham, who urged,' That the true Meaning and
Intent of that Limitation was not wholly and for ever to
deprive his Majefty's foreign Dominions of any Affiftance
from this Nation ; for if fo, his Majefty in that refpeft would
be in a worfe Condition upon his Acceffion to the Britifh
Throne than he was before ; but ohly to reftrain the Sove-
reign, for the future, from engaging the Nation, at his Plea-
fure, in a War for the Defence of any Dominions not belong-
ing to the Crown of England, without the Confent of Par-
liament, to whom the Legiflature wifely left to judge and
determine, whether fuch a War was juft and necefifary or
no ? That for his own Part, he was fully of Opinion, That if
in the prefent Jundlure and Circumftances of Affairs, his Ma-
jefty's foreign Dominions Ihould be attacked or infulted, this
Nation ought to ftand by and fupport his Majefty againft
all
Digitized by ^OOQIC
C 363 3
all his Enemies Whatibever. And therefore he moved, * That
an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Majefly, to return his
Maje^* the Thanks of this Houfe fdr his great Goodnefs
in communicating the Treaties of Peace and Commerce con- Mr h. Peiham
eluded between the Emperor and the King of Spain, and the d^^Hfr^^
Defenfive Alliance between his Majefty, the moft Chriftian ^ ^ King, for
K-ing, and the Kingof Pruffia. To exprefs our juft Senfe of theabweTrcaUej
his Majefty's Concern for the Balance and Peace of Europe, '^^^^^^>«^'
and the Proteftant Religion j and, above all, our unfeigned
Oratitude for his earneft and feafonable Care of the particu-
lar Interefts of his Britiih Subje6b, by forming and. entering
into the faid Defeniite Alliance with the moft Chriftian King
and the King of Pruffia, in order to obviate ahd difappoint the
dangerous Views and Confequences of the Treaty of Peace
betwixt the Emperor and the King of Spain ; and to preferve
the many valuable Rights and Privileges of this Nation, a-
gainft the fatal Tendency of the faid Treaty of Commerce,
calculated for the entire Deftrudion of the Britifh Trade, in
Breach of feveral folemn Treaties now in Force. To acknow^
lege his Majefty's Prudence and Refolution, in not letting any
Attempts or Inftnuations whatfoever divert his Majefty from
confulting and fteadily purfuing the true Intereft of thefe his
Kingdoms ; and to aiTure his Majefty, tl^at in Juftice to and
Vindication of the Honour and Dignity of the Britifti Crown,
this Houfe will effcdually ftand by and fupport his Majefty
againft all Infults and Attacks, that any Prince or Power, in
Refentment of the juft lyieafures which his Majefty has fo
wifely taken, fhall make upon any of his Majefty's Territories
or Dominions, tho' not belonging to the Crown of Great
Britain.'
This Motion was feconded by Mr Doddington ; but Dr Debate upon that
Friend and Mr Foley raifed fome Objedions to it. They Mr D?idington.
were anfwer'd by Sir Jofeph Jekyll, who was reply 'd to by £r Fok**'
Sir Thomas Pengelly. After him the Lord Finch flood up, si j °jekyii.
and made a ftiort Pancgyrick on his Majefty's illuflrious Fa- iSr^FS*^^^*
nfiily ; * Which his Lordftiip obferv'd had ever been the
Bulwark of the Reformation ; and took Notice of the great
Sufferings of the excellent Princefs Elizabeth, Daughter to
King James I, Queen of Bohemia, and his Majefty's Grand-
Mother, upon Account of the Proteftant Religion. Conclud-
ing, that his Majefty feem'd to have been led to the Britiih
Throne by the Hands of Providence, as a Reward for the
piety of his Anceftors.' After this, Mr William Pulteneyfpoke Mrw. Puiteney.
againft the Motion and fuggefted, * That the Imperial
(5)urt's Backwardnefs in granting the Inveftiture for Bremen
and Verden, might have been one of the Motives to fome
late Meafures.' Upon this Sir Robert Walpole ftood up and sir r. Waipoic.
affur'd the Houfe, < That his Majefty might long ago have
' " Z z 2 had
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( 364 )
AriM ']^^- 1 had the lamc Iprdlilure, if he woald have paid the exorbi^
_'^*^i^- „ J tint Fees that were demanded for it.' Upon the whole Mat'
ter, the QaefBon being put on Mr Pelham's Moti<Hi, it was
curry'd in the Affirmative by 285 Voices againft 107. and
a Committee waa appointed to draw up an Addrefs according
to the faid Reiblution. The next Day, Mr Pelhajn re*
ported the faid Addrefs, which was agreed to.
F$h. 19. The Houfe prefented &e iaid Addrefs to his
Majefty as follows.
Moil Gracious Sovereign,
' T X /E youi* Majefty's mc^ dutiful and loyal Subje6te,
* VV the Commons of Great Britain in Parlianaent af-
* fembkd, beg Leave to return your Majefty oht m<^ hum*
' Ue Thanks for your great Goodnefe, in communicadng
* to us the Treaties of Peace and Comikerce concluded be-
* tween the Emperor and the King of Spain, and the De-
* fenfive Alliance between your Majefty, the moft Chiillian
* King, and the King of Pruffia.
* The Enragements which your Majefty has entred mto
* by the (aid Defcnfive Alliance with the moft Chriftian
* King and the King of Pruffia, in order to oblate and
' diiappoint die dangerdus Views and Coniequences of the
* Treaty of Peace between the Emperor and the Kfng of
' Sjpoin, and to preferve the many valuaHe Rights and Pri-
* vikgcs of this Nation againft the fatal Tendency of the
* faid Treaty of Commerce, calculated for the entire De-
* ftrudion of the chief Branches of the Britilh Trade, and in
* Breach of the feveral folenan Treaties now in Force, call
* upon us to exprefs our moft unfeigned and grateful Senfe
* of your Majefty 's Concern for the Prefervation of the Ba-
* lance and Peace of Europe, the Proteflant Religion, and
* the particular Intereft of your Britifli Subjefts.
* And when we refleft upon your Majdty's Prn<kncc and
* Rdblution, in not letting any Attempts or Infinuations
* whatfoever divert you from confulting and fteadily purfu-
< ing the Good and Welfare of thefe your Kingdoms j we
* think ourfelves obliged, by the ftron^ Ties (^ Duty and
* AfFedUon, toaifure your Majefty, that we will, in Juftice to
* and Vindication of the Honour and Dignity of the Bri-
' tifh Crown, fland by and fupport your Majefty againft all
' Infults and Attacks, that any Prince or Power, in Refent-
* ment of the juft Meafures which your Majefty has fo wife-
* ly taken, ihall make upon any of your Majefty's TerritOn
' ries or Dominions, the' not bel(wging to the Crown of
* Great Britain.
To
y Google
C 36j ]
To this the King return'd the following Anfwer. Annoii.^.1.
Gentlemen,
*^ TTRetum you my Thanks for this particular Mark ©f xheKinrsAn-
*' A your Duty, AfFedUon and Confidence in me. Your Af- iwcr thereto.
** iuranqes not to fuflfer my Foreign Dominions to be expofed
*^ or infulted, on account of the Meafures I have taken for
** thelntereftof thefe Kingdoms, will, I hope, be a Means
•* to preferve the Peace and Tranquility of Europe. I have
•* no Views of Ambition to gratify ; I have no Thought
•* of aggrandizing myfelf, or extending any Parts of my
** DcMninions, at the Hazard and Expence of the other ;
^' ^nd as my Honour is the Common Caufe and Concern of
*• my Subjcfts, their particular Intercfts fhall, upon all Oc-
** cafions, be my conibnt Care."
Mmrch 2. A Petition of Richard Hampden, * Efqj Mem- petmonof
ber for Wcndover, was prefented to the Houfe, and read, fai?iiiBtoiS^
praying. That Leave might be given to bring in a Bill, 7q J?^$^^
imponver the Lords Bemmiffioners of his Majeftfs ^reafury tocompimdwith
to compound 'With the Petitioner^ for the Deht due from him to SToSyto A^
the Crown, Sir Robert Walpole having acquainted the ^J^J./^J^
Houfe, that the Petitioner had apply'd to the King, and that Grand Committee.
Us Majefty had commanded him to acquaint the Houie,
that his Majefty gave his Confent, that the Houfe might do
therein as they thought fit $ the faid Petition was thereupon
referred to the Conuderation of a Committee of the whde
Houfe, <m the i ith Infbnt .
March 4. A Petition of Sir Tho. Lowther, Bart. Member
ibr Lancafter, was prefented to the Houfe and read ; fetting
fcrth, * That the Site of the diflbhr'd Monaflcry of Fumeis
in Jiancafhire and Lands thereto belonging were formerly
the Eflate of the Prefton Family. That in 1674, this Eftate p^tj^^sir
was enjoyed by Sir Thomas Prefton, a Papift, who, to pre^ t. Lowther, for
vent its defcending to the Pctiticmer's Grandfather, conveyrf JJJfit^Pwfrf
the fame to Truftces for fliperftitious Ufes. That the Pcti- ^;int^,n*^^^
tioner and his Anceftors haVe been at confiderable Charges, in Crown.
maintsuning their own and in recovering the Crown^s Title to
the faid Eftate : That the Petitioner now enjoys the faid
Eftate by aLeafe, for 31 Years, of which 22 are yet to
come ; and praying. That as this Efhte was the Family
Eftate, of which th^ were deprived for the Adherence of the
Petitioner's Grandfather to the Proteftant Religion ; and in
legard of the great Expence the Petitioner's Family have^en
atinitcovering and maintaining the Right of the Crown,
That
• One qftbe TtRers tf lie ticdbeauer, and Treafurer of the I^invy in the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 366 )
addo ti. <>fc I. That Leave mieht be given to brine in a Bill to enable hij
V_ I — ^ - _f Majefly to grant the Inheritance of the faid EAate to the
Petitioner, upon his paying fuch Consideration as, according
to the Natture of the Cafe, fhould be resdbnable/ Here-
upon Sir Robert Walpole having informed the Houfe that
his Majefly gave his Confent to the bringing in fuch a Bill
A Bill ordered ao as was defir'd by the Petition ; a Bill was order ''d to be
curdingir. brought in accordingly.
March 7. A Petition of Sir Orlando Bridgman, Bart.
APeuuonofsir Member for Blechingly, was prefented to the Houfe and
Orlando Brid? man read ; praying, * That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill to
to ^ic fam« Pur- gn^^jjj^ j^j^ ^^ purchafe the Reverfion in Fee of Bowood-
Park in Wiltftiire, which had been granted for a Term of
Years to his Grandfather Sir Orlando Bridgroan, Lord
Chief Juilice of the Common Pleas, by King Charles II.
on Payment of fuch Con^deration for the fame^ as fhall be
f jt by his Majefty's Surveyor-General.' Sir Robert Walpole
having thereupon acquainted the Houfe, that his Maje%^
gave his Confent to the bringing in fuch a Bill, as was defir-
coid'in^ " **^" ed by the Petition, the faid Bill was or^r'd to be brought
in accordingly, tfpon Occafion of Sir Oplando Bridgman
and Sir Thomas Lowther's Petitions, Mr Hungerford repre-
fented, * That through the Generoiity and Bounty of his
Majeily's Royal Predeceflbrs, the ancient Demefne of the
Crown had been fo curtail'd and diminifhed, that little was
left of it ; that therefore 'twas high Time to think of fome
Hereupon Mr Hun- Means Or o^hcr to recovcr, at leafl, fo much of it as' reverted
ReiSulbn^irainit* ^o ^^ Crown, by the Determination of former Grants j that
So^^'^pftiSfor '^^^ "^^ known how apt the bell of Princes are to yield to
Jcrft^m*lTcroJ^*^" ^^ Importunities of Courtiers, even to the Detriment of
Lands, whih"!/ their own Families and Succcflbrs y and therefore he mov'd,
agreed to. That the Houfc would receive no more Petitions for ^-
abling his Majefty to fell the Reveriion of Lands held of the
Crown. He was feconded by Mr Freeman ; and nobody op*
pofing that Motion, it pafs'd into a Refolution.
The Commons in March 1 1 . The Commons went into a Committee of the
te^"on(Wer"'S-''" ^ole Houfc, to confider of the Petition of Richard Hamp-
pJiS^"^"* den, Efqj After the Reading of which Sir William Yongc,
Debate thereon. ^^^ had brought it in, fpoke in his Behalf, but was oppo^
Mr w Yonee ^^ ^^'' 'Thomas Hanmer, Mr Bromley, Mr Shippen, Mr
^i'T. Hanme'r. Hungcfford, and others; who made juft Refleflions on the
mI ?m^T Crime of mifmanaging and imbezzelling publick Money.
II' j" Eyjes^"^*^' This Charge was much aggravated by what Sir John Eyle%
Sub-Governor of the South-Sea Ccnnpany, dedar'd, ^ That it
appear'd by the balanced Accounts of Mr Hawes, one of
the late Dire6lors, that Mr Hampden was fo far from beii^
a Sufferer in the South-Sea Projeft, that he was rather up-
Mr Ar. On/icw. ^.^^^g, ^j- ^^^ 1^ Gainci.' Hcrcupon Mr Arthur Onflow
fkid
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( 367 )
CsLid, *That out of Regard to his ancient Family, and, in par* Ann© u. Geo. i.
ticular, in Confideration of his Great Grandfether, IJo^n ^ 'Txs-ag. ^
Hafnfden^ Efq\'\ who made a moft noble and courageous ^
Stand againft Arbitrary Power in oppoiing Ship-Money and
fell the firft VidUm in the glorious Ckufe of Liberty, he was
for having fomething done for his Relations :' To which Mr
Shippen replied, * That he would not enter upon the Merits Mrshippen.
of the Great Grandfather ; but this he was fure of. That
his Great Grandfon had wailed more Ship-Money than
ever himfelf fav*d to the Vation, or King Charles I. intended
to raife.' Other Members fpoke againft the granting Mr
Mampden's Petition, becaufe it would be a dangerous Prece-
dent ; and *twas to be fear'd, that feveral others in the like
Circuml^ances might expeft the fame Favour. Upon this
Sir Robert Walpole declared, * That he would never give his sir r. waipoie.
Vote in Favour of any Body that embeaizelled publick Money :
But took Notice, that they could not come to any Deter-
mination in this Affair, before they had looked into fome
Papers, particularly the State of ^r Hampden's final Ac-
count.'. Hereupon Mf Speaker refum'd the Chair, and then
the farther Coiiideration of Mr Hampden's Petition was put
off to the 1 6th Inftant. '
March \t^. A Petition of Ifabella Hampden, Wife of ^*^°o"fS?'^{j^"*
Richard Hampdeil, Efq; was^ prefented to the Houfe and den, Efq; ' ^^^'
read ; fetting forth, * That ihe brought in Marriage to her
faid Hufband upwards of 10,500!. And that the Petitioner
is neceflarily involv'd in the Misfortune of her faid Husband,
though having no ways conduced thereunto, &c. therefore
praying the compaflionate Regard of the Houfe to the Hard-
fhip of her Cafe, by fecuring to her, 'till ihe fhall come to
the PoiTeflion of her Joynture^ fuch a Provifion fqr her Sup-
port as the Houfe fhall think fit.' This Petition was re-
ferr'd tp the Confideration of the Committee of the whole
Houfe, to whpm Mr Hampden's Petition was referr'd.
March 16. A Petition of John Hampden, Efq; was pre- Andcffo Hamp.
fented to the Houfe, and read ; fetting forth, ' That the Pe- ^^en, e,^ hx. Bro-
tttioner is the only Brother of Richard Hampden, Efq; and
the fde Male-Heir of that ancient Family ; that in Cafe his
faid Brothet fliall not have any Children, the Fee of the
Eflate, being in his faid Brother, may devolve to the Crown,
unleis the Houfe fhall otherwife diredl j that there is not the
leaft Provifion made out of the FamiIy*Eflate for the Petitio-
tier, in Cafe his Brother fhould die without Children, fo that
the Petitioner may probably be left Heir to that ancient Fa-
mily, without the leaft Support ; and praying the Confidera-
tion of the Houfe, and fuch Relief as the Houfe fhall think
fit.* This Petition was likewife referred to the Confideration
of the Grand Committee, into which the Houfe refolv^d it-
felf.
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( 368
Con/ideratiai
)
the Petitions of Kcbird
Farther Debate
on MrHampdcn*s
Pbtitioo.
8irW,y«»gc
^»n»ii.^.i. (elf, and took into
*^* ' Hampden, Efq; his Wife, and his Brother. After a De-
bate, in which nuuiy fevere Refledlions were made upon tke
firft, the forther Coniideration of that ASm was again put
cS to the 23d Inflant.
March 1 9. The Commons orderM the Aaditi^ of the Im-
preft to lay before the Houfe the State of the final Account
of Richaid Hampden, Efq; when Treafwer of the Navy;
which Mr Harley * laid beiR>re the Houfe accordingly on the
azft of March. «
March 23. The Conunons went into a Committee of the
whde Houfe, to confider farther of the Petitions q£ Richard
Hampden, £fq» his Wife, and his Brother, which occafioa'd
a very high I^cbate. After the reading of feveral Papers,
Sir William Yonge took Notice, * That Mr Hampden's De-
ficiency had, in fome Mea£ire, been occafion'd by a genenl
Calamity ; that he had already done all that lay in his Power
to make it up ; that however, fince neither his Wife nor iui
Brother, had any ways been acceilaiy to his Misfortunes, it
were unreafenable and unjuft to involve them in his Ofoce
and its Punifhment ; that his real and Patrimoraal Eftate
amounted to about 2,200!. per Anrnm^ one full half of
which was fettled for a Joynture to his Wife, who Iwooght
him near i i,oool. in Marriage, befides anAmiuity of 200 1.
per Annumy during her Life, iox her {eperate Ufe, all whidi
Settlements ought to be fecur'd to her ; that either Mr
Richard Hampden, or his Brother may have Ifliie Male ; and
in Confideration of the fignal Services, at divers Times,
perfomtM by their illuftrioui Anceftors, fome Provifion fheuld
be made for their Poflerity out of the Family Eftate : And
therefore he mov'd. That a Bill be brought in. For *uefiixg
the real and Perfinal Efiates of Richard Hampden^ Efy\ it
Trufiee* for making fome Frwifion for his Wife and Fami^,
and for the better fecuring the Debt due from him to the
Sir John Hobftrt. Cro^wn. This Motion was feconded by Sir John Hobartf,
Mr^Jg[^Fecr and back'd by Mr William-Peer Williams ; but Mr Cl^toii
Mr ciay^ reprcfcntcd, * That, if this Aflkir went through the ufnal tedi-
ous Courfe of Extents in the Exchequer, great Part of Mr
Hampden's Efbte would be confum'd in Law Expences, (a
that the Crown would never get 200 1. a Year out of it:
And therefore he propofeid that the faid Eftate Ihociklbe
divided into two equal Parts, one of which fhould be allotted
as a Provifion for his Wife and Family ; and the other Hatf
"* immediately fi)Id off, towards fatisfying the Debt due from
him to the Crown/ Many Members fhew'd their Aj^ho-
batioB
• j4M£t0r of the Impr^,
t OttaUi Ktttgbt tf the Bofth, Jnne ijj 172^.
y Google
( 3^9 )
badon of this Propofal : But the Majority were for Sir Wil- amo ix. gco.i.
liam Yonge's Motion ; and the S^waker having refum'd the '^^s-jg.
Chair, a Bill was ordered to be brought in accordingly; ABmTrdw'd to
^^hich afterwards pa{s*d into a Law. ^^^^m* "*
March 24. Mr Methuen acquainted the Commons, That Hampdeu,
he had a Meilage from his Majefty to the Houfe, fign'd by
liis Majefty, and he delivered the fame to Mr Speaker^ who
read it, as follows :
G E O R G E K.
♦* T T I S Majefty having nothing more at Heart, than an The King's M^f-
«* Jtx eameft Defire to fecure to his own Subjeas the full {g;^°Numbi'^of
** and free Enjoyment of their Trade and Navigation, and scameni &c.
** in the beft Manner, to prevent and fruftrate fuch Defigns
** as have been form'd againft the particular Intereft of this
** Nadon, and the general Peace of Europe, has found it
*• Heceflary, not only to augment his Maritime Force, but to
** concert fuch other Meafures, as may moft effcduaJlly con-
** duce to thefe drfirable Ends ; and as thefe Services will re-
** quire fome extraordinary Expence, his Majefty hopes he
** ftiall be enabled, by the Affifbmce of Parliament^ to in*
** creafe the Number of Seamen already voted and granted
** for the Service of this Year, and to enter into, and make
*' good, fuch Engagements as the Circumftances and Exigency
** of Affairs may require."
After the reading of this Meffage, Mr Shippen took No- Debate tbctton,
rice, * That this MeiTage had all the Air of another fent to m, sMppcn.
them about the Beginning of April, 171 7, [See p. 115.]
importii^ in Subftance, " That his Majefty being 'defirous,
* not only to fecure his Kingdom againft the prefent Danger
* from Sweden, but likcwife to prevent the liki Apprehen-
* fions for the future, had thought it neceflaiy early to con-
* cert Meafures with other Princes and States ; and as this
* miight require fome Expence, his Majefty hop*d, that the
* Commons, by their Afliftance at this Junfture, would en-
* able him to make good fuch Engagements as might eafe his
* PeojJe of all future Charge and Apprehenfions upon that
* Account." * That he remember'd, fo unexpeded and fo
unprecedented a Meffage was receivM with great Surprize,
and occafioned very high and bng Debates in that Houfe ;
that he himfelf reprefented and urg*d the Unparliamentarinefs
of aflcing and granting Supplies, without an Eftimate of the
Expence ; and had the Honour to be then fupported by a
great many worthy Gentlemen, and by fome in particular,
who feem'd now to be of another Opinion. That after much
Oppofition, it was at laft carried, by a Majority of four
Voices only, [See f, 1 20.] to grant his Majefty a Supply,
* Vol. I. A aa which
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Anno * . Ceo. I.
1726.
Mr Shippen mores
(ut an Atcoaiiof
xfie 2,50,0001.
granted :<£a!nft
Sweden, jinno
17*7.
Mr SncU.
5ir W. Yonge
moves for a^ Ad«
<1 reft to the King
oa his Meffitge^
with a Vote ot
Credit.
Delk^e thereon.
Mr H. Pelham.
Sir Wilfrid Lawfon,
Mr Shippen.
Mr Snelf.
Mr W. Palteney.
SirW.Wyndham.
Sir Jofeph JekyU.
Mr Hutvgerford.
Mr D. mtcttcy.
Mr Freeman.
Mr Sandys.
Mr Lutwyche.
Sir John Ruihout.
Sir R. Walpole.
Mr E.Thompfon.
Mr Onflow.
Lord Finch.
Sir W. Strickland.
Mr Doddington.
Mr Tho. Lcwi3.
Which is agreed
to.
( 370 )
which was afterwards fix'd at 250,0001 Bat that they could
never know how that Money had been laid out ; and there-
fore he mov'd. That an humble Addrefs be prefented to his
Majefly, That he would be gracioufly pleafed to dired the
proper Officers to lay before the Houfe an Account of the
Difpofition of the 250,0001. granted to his Majefty, on. the
13th of April, 1717. to enable his Majefly to concert foch
Meafures with Foreign Princes and States, as might preveat
any Cliarge or Appreheniions from the Defigns of Sweden.'
This Motion was feconded by Mr Snell ; but the previous
QueiHon being put, that the Queilion be now put upon the
faid Motion, it was carried in the Negative.
March 25. The Commons proceeded to take into Confi-
deration his Majefty's moll gracious Meflage of the Day be-
fore, which being read again by Mr Speaker, Sir William
Yonge open'd the Debate, and having fhew'd the Neceffity
of an extraordinary Supply, mov'd, ' That an humble Ad-
drefs be prefented to his Majefly, that he will be pleafed to
make fuch an Addition to the Number of Seamen already
voted, and to concert fuch other Meafures, as his Majef^
fhall in his great Wifdom think will beil conduce to the Se-
curity of the Trade and Navigation of this Kinedom, and
to the Prefervation of the Peace of Europe j and to afTure
his MnjeHy, that this Houfe will efFedually provide for, and
make good, all fuch Expences and Engagements as fhall be
made for obtaining thefe great and defirable Ends.' This
Motion was feconded by Mr Henry Pelham, but was
opposed by Sir Wilfrid Lawfon, Mr Shippen, Mr Snell, Mr
William Pulteney, Sir William Wyndham, Sir Jofeph Jekyll,
Mr Hungerford, Mr Daniel Pulteney, Mr Freeman, Mr
Sandys, Mr Lutwyche, and Sir John Rufhout. Sir William
Yonge's Motion being on the other Hand fupported by Sir
Robert Walpole, Mr Edward Thompfon, Mr Onflow, Lord
Finch, Sir William Strickland, Mr Doddington, and Mr
Thomas Lewis, Member for Southampton ; the Queftioi
was put upon Sir William Yonge's Motion, which was car-
ried in the Affirmative, by 270 Votes againft 89, and dien
it was refolv'd. That the faid Refolution, by way of Ad-
drefs, be prefented to his Majefly by the whole Houfe;
which being done accordingly the -next Day, his Majefly
was pleafed to return the following Anfwer :
King's Anfwer of
Thanks to the
Houfc for their
Vutti of Credit.
I
Gentlemen,
Return you my Thanks for this loyal and affedUonate
Addrefs ; and you may be affur'a, I fhall make no
" other Ufejof the Confidence you repofe in me, but fbr
preferving The general Tranquility, and in Support of the
Trade, Honour, and Int^reft of my People*"
Jfril
y Google
( 37' ) ; :
jipril ty. Upon a Motion made by Sir John Ilulhout, and Anno u. ceo. i.
fecondcd by Sir Thomas Coke * and Mr Arthur Onflow, a ^ ^l^^^^^J
Bill was ordcr'd to be brought in. For the more effeStual pre- a bui ordered to
'venting Bribery and Corruption in the EUaion of Members to 5jeti^Bri&y**
fer^e in Parliament. » Ele£tio!».
j^pril 29. The faid Bill was read the firft Time, and or-
dered to be read a' fecond Time the next Day 5 when it was
committed to a Committee of the whole Houfe.
May 7. Sir John Rufhout reported the Amendments
made in the Committee of the whole Houfe to the Bribery-
Bill, which was order'd to be engrofsM.
May 9. The faid Bill was read the third Time, pafs'd,
and fent up to the Lords, where it was loft.
MiT^ 24. The King came to the Houfe pf Peers, with the
uAial State, "and the Conunons being fent for up and attend-
ing, his Majefty gave the Royal AiTent to feveral publick
and private Bills.
After which, the Lord Chancellor read his Majefty Spee^
to both Houfes :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
•* T Cannot in Juftice to you put an End to this Seflion, TheKing»sSpeeA
,, m ' ^ • 1 «-mi t f 1 at the Conclufion
** X Without returning you my hearty Thanks for the many of the Fourth
** Inftances you have given me of your Duty and Afteftion ^^^^^'
** to my Peifon and Government, and of your Zeal to main-
** tain the Honour and true Ihtereft of this Kingdom.
** The Spirit and Refolution you have ftiewn on this im-
•* portant Occafion, when our moft valuable Rights and Pri-
«* vileges have beAi ftruck at, are highly becoming the
** Weight and Authority of a Britifti Parliament ; and the
*' Steps that have been taken Abroad, in Support of the
" Meafures enter'd into againft this Nation, muft convince
*' every Body of your Wifdom and Prudence in endeavour-
'* ing to put an early Stop to the farther Progrefs of them.
'* I hope the Precautions you have enabled me to take, will
** be fufHcient, in Conjunction with my Allies, to defeat the
*^ Defigns which have been form'd againft us ; and that the
** Promoters of them, when they have fully weighed their
** own Circumftances, and better coniider'd thofe of the fe-r
** veral Powers united in Defence of the Tranquility -and
** Liberties of Europe, will find it their own Intereft to pre*
** ferve the Peace, and think it moft fafe and prudent to dc*-
•* fift from their dangerous Schemes.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons.
** I return you my particular Thanks for the Supplies
** which you nave fo chearfully and eiFedlually rais'd ; and
A a a 2 " yott
f Cre^i a J^i^H «/ the Satb, Jttm 17, 171^
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
( ^l^ )
Ar.« «t. Gce.L " you may be aiTured, that they (hall be fatdifully iqpply'd
'^'^ , jt •* to the Ufes for which you intended them.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
*• The conflant Employment of my Thoughts, and the
** moft earneft Wifhes of my Heart, tend whoUy to the fe-
'' curing to my Suljeds their juft Rights and Advantages,
^* and to the preferving to them and to all Europe the
'* Enjoyment of a faie and honourable Peace : And I naufi
^' not conclude without giving you the ftrongeft AiTurances,
*^ that the particular Confidence you have placed in me, fiiall
'' be n^ade Ufe of in fuch Manner only, as may mod eSe^u-
'* ally conduce to the attaining thofe good and great Purpoies/*
i
TbePariuaeot Tlien the I^rd Chancellor, by his Majefly's Command,
i^oyosacd. prorogued the Parliament to the Twenty firft of July ; they
were afterwards, by Several Prorogations, prorogued to th^
1 7th of January.
STEECHES and DEBATES
In the FiPTif SESSION of the
Second Tarliamenp of King G e o r G E L
Anno I J. Geo. I. /^"^ ^ ^^^ ' 7*^ ^^ January the King came to the Houfe
I726-17. 1 1 o^ Peers with the ufual Solemnity ; the Conunons
V^^ being come thither, the Lord Chancellor read his
Majeily's Speech to both Houfes^ as follows :
My Lords and Gentlemen,
" X Acquainted you laft Year with the Treaties of Peace
" Jl and Commerce concluded between the Emperor and
** the King of Spain. As that fudden and unaccount^k
** Conjun^cm gave, at theArft Appearance, juft Grounds of
^ Jealoufy and Apprehenfion to the neighbouring Poweis
♦* of Europe, the fubfequent Proceedings and ^Tranfa£U-»
** ons in thofe two Courts, and the Secret and Ofl«nt
♦* five Alliances concluded between them about the fame
*' time, have laid the Foundations of a moil exorbitant and
** formidable Power, and are fo diredlly levelled againft the
^* moft valuable and darling In^erefb and Privileges of this
** Nation, that we muft determine eithei* tamely to fubmi^
** to the peremptory and unjuJ^ Demands of the King of
^ Spain, ^in giving up Gibraltar, and patiently to acquiefc^
♦• in the Epi|)eror's ufurped ^d ^jcten4ed Eyer^jfe of Trad^
" an4
y Google
^^^^^.
(^73)
^ and Commeite, or muft refolve to be in a Condition to do ^^J^- ^
^ our felves Juftice, and to defend oivr undoubted Rights a*
^ gainft thefe reciprocal Engagements epterM into, in DduuBQ^
' and Violation of aU National Faith» and the moft fdenui
'^ Treaties.
** I ha^c likewife received In&rmatioa from different
*' Paks, on which I can entirely depend, that the facing
** the Pretender i^>on the Throne of this Kingdom is one of
** the Artides of the fccrct Engagements ; and if T^e
^* fhall evin(^» that the giving up the Trade of this Nation
^^ to Gos^ Power, and Gibraltar and Port-Mahon to another;
*^ is made, the Price and Reward of impofing upon thisXing-
*^ dom a Popifli Pretender, what an Indi^adon smft this
** raife in the Breail of every Proteflant Briton f
*^ Nor were thefe fatal Combinations confined to ihofe
** Parts of the World alone, but they extended themfdves
'^ into Ruflia ; and had not the Defies of that Court againft
^^ fome of their Neighbours been prevented by the feafonable
^* Arrival of our Fleet in thofe Seas, a Way had beenopen'd
^^ for invading thefe Kingdoms, and giving a powerful Affif-
** tance to any Attempt to be made from other Quarters.
*^ Such Circumlftances would not fuffer Me and my Allies,
^^ am(»ig whom there has been and is themoftperfefttiwmony,
** Union, and Concert, to be idle Spedators, and regardlefs
*^ of our own Safety and the Common Caufe of Europe ; for
<' which purp(^e his moft ChriftianM^'eily has been at a great
V Expence, this lail Year, in augmenting his Forces ; and.
*^ the States General, f^ble of the imminent Danger, have
*^ not only acceded to the Defenfive Alliance conduded at
** Hanovier, but have come to ftrong and feafonable Refblu-
^* tions ibr an extraordinary Augmentaticm of their Forces
*' both by Sea and I^and. The Acceflion of the Crown of
^* Sweden is in fiich a Forwardnefs, and the Negotiations
<^ with the Crown of Denmark are fo far advanced, that we
** may reafonably depend upon the Succefs and good £&ft
^* of them.
^' This fhort View of the pxiefent Pofhirc of Afeirs will, I
^* zfsi confident, not only fecure to Me the Support smd
f * Affiftance of my Parliament, in qurying on this great and ne-*
** ceiflary Work, in Conjun^cm with my Allies ; but juftify
^' the Meafures hitherto taken, and the Expences already
♦* made.
** The Confidence you rcpofed in me M Year has been
^< made ufe of for the Benefit of the Publick ; and as the
<* chief Article of Exceeding has, by my equipping and
f^ fendii^ to Sea three cpnfiderable Squadrons, fallen upon
1' file Head of the Navy, I am perfinded the Neceflity of
^' t|^ Services, and (he Security, Advanta^, and Glory
yLiOogle
( m r
*^ that has accrued to this Nation from theft Squadrons, will
<* fofiipently (peak for themfelves, as long as both Friends
**• and Fbcs, with Joy, or Concern, confefs they have feen
" and felt the Effcas of the Naval Power of Great-Britain.
*' It is not to be wooderM at, that the Princes engaged
** in thefe Enterprizes arc very much difturbed to fee their
** Projeds rendered abortive: The King of Spain, impatient
*' of the Difa)>pointments he has met with, can no longer dif-
*^ guife that Enmity to Us, which for fome time he h^ only
*f waited for a ^vourable Opportunity to declare, lie has
^ now ordered his Minifter refiding here, to depart immediate-
^ ly from this Country, leaving a Memorial, that is little
** fhortofa Declaration of War, wherein he ag^n demands
** and inMs upon the ReiUtution of Gibraltar. He does not
** himfetf deny the Ofienfive Alliance, nor his Engagements
^ to fupport the Oftend Company : He makes my recalling
** thoTe Squadrons, which his Condud had put Me under
*' a Neceffity of fending to the Weft-Indies and the Coaft of
*' Spain, the Condition of any farther Correfpondence between
** the two Crowns ; and fuppofing the Continuance of my
*< Fleets abroad to be actual Hoflilities, threatens to repel
** them with Force, to the utmofl of his Power.
** But not content with thefe Menaces, Infults, andlnfrac-
^ ' dons of Treaties, his Catholick Majeity is now making
** Preparations to attack and beiiege Gibraltar ; and in order
** to cafty on that Service, or to cover another Pefign, has
** affcmbled a great Body of Troops in that Neighbourhood :
** But the prefent State and Condition of that Garriibn,
** with the Reinforcements I have ordered thither, give Me
** little Caufe to apprehend, or my Enemies to hope for Suo
*' cefs in that Undertaking. The certain and undoubted Intel-
*' ligence I have, that it is now refolved to attempt an In-
•* vaiion upon thefe Kingdoms in Favour of the Pretender, by
** an Embarkation from the Coafts of Spain, gives Me Reaibn
*' to believe, that tho' the Siege of Gibraltar may pr<^)abl7
** be undertaken, th6 pul^lick, avowed, and immenie Pre-
" piarations made for that Purpofc, are chiefly calculated to
" amufe the 'World, and to difguife the intiended Invafion,
^ which, I am furely informed, l^s been for fome Time agreed
** to be the firft Step andB^inning of ibelong premedttatcd
*• Rupture.
Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,
** Thefe Confiderations muil awaken in you all (uch a Senfc
** of our common and immediate Danger, as will, I doubt
*' not, inipire you with a Zeal and Chearfuhiefs in raifing the
*' Supplies necefTary for the Defence of your Country, and /or
" making good our Ei^gements with our Allies.
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*' I receive too much Satisfadlion from the Happinefi of Annoij^o.i.
my People, in their full Enjoyment and future Profpedtof *' ^'
Peace, Eafe, and Profperity, not to be fenfibly affefted
>vith thefe new Convulfions, and the unavoidable Neceflity
T am under, of aiking larger Supplies of my People, and
of defiring to be enabled to make fuch an Augmentation of
my Forces, by Sea and Land, as the prefent Exigency of
Affairs requires.
*' I will order the proper Eflimates to be laid before you,
and fuci Treaties as I have made with Foreign Princes for
the Hire of Foreign Troops ; and as the Expence I was laft
Year in a particular Manner intruded to make, has a^
mounted to no confiderable Sum, and the pnblick Utility
may again require the like Services to be performed, I
hope yoQ will again repoie the fame Truil; and Confidence
in Me.
•* It is with great Pleafure that I fee the Time {o near ap-
proaching, when fuch a coniiderable Addition will be made
to the Sinking Fund ; Let all that wiih well to the Peace
and Quiet of my Government, have the SatisfadUon to fee
that our prefent Neceflities fhall make no Interruption in
the Progrefs of that defirable Work of gradually difcharging
the National Debt : I hope therefore you will make a Pro-
. vifion for the immediate Application of the Produce of the
Sinking Fund to the Ufes, for which it was fo wifely con-
trived, and to which it llands now appropriated.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** I have had no Thoughts of making any Acquifitions to
any Parts of my Dominions 5 my whole Care and Concern
has been to preferve and maintain the undoubted Rights
and Privileges of my People ; and therefore all my Meafures-
have been Preventive and Defeniive : But fuch Endea-
vours being now render'd imprafticablc, vigorous Refolu-
tioris, and a fpeedy Execution of them, can alone put an
eifedlual End to the Dangers that furround us. However
hazardous and defperate the Enterprizes formed againfl us
may appear to be, your being afTured that they are re-
folv'd upon, will, I am perfuaded, be fuificient to prevail
upon you, to put ypurfeives in a Condition to refill and
defeat them.
*' If preferving a due Balance of Power in Europe, if
defending the Poffeflions of the Crown of Great-Britain,
of infinite Advantage and Security to our Trade and Com-
merce, if fupporting that Trade and Commerce againfl
dangerous and unlawful Encroachments, and if the prefent
Efhblifhment, the Religion, Liberties, and Properties of
a Proteftant People, are any longer Confiderations worthy
of the Care and Attention of a Britifh Parliament, I need
•« fay
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( 376 )
. Geo. t ** £t)r no more to incite my loyal and Bdthkd Houtea of Par-
^''' •* Uament to exert themfelves in the Defence of all that is
" dear and ralaaUe to them."
Mr Onflow mores The Coftiihons being ncturti'd to their Htmfe, and Mr
gfao^Addreftof gpg^^^ haying ttportal his Majefty's Speech, I^ Onfioir
movMy * That an humble Addrefs be prefented to his Maje-
fly, to return him the Thanks of this Hoofe for his moft
gracious Speech frotn the Throne ; To acknowledge his Ma-
jefty's Goodnefs^ in acquainting li^ Parliament with the k-
rei4l Proceedings and Alliances entred into between the £m-
E^ror and the Khig of ^>ain9 giving fuch jufl Caole of Jea-
afy to the neiehbonring Princes and States, fb formidable
^d deihudtive of the true Balance of Power in Europe, and
fb-iking at the Foundation of the mofl valuaUe Privileges
and Intereils of the Subjedb of his Majeily, and thofe of
^ l^s Allies ; To declare the Refentment of the Ccmunoos of
Great-Britain, at the unjuft Demand of the Kmg of ^pain
for the Reftittitioti of Gifaralta!-, and tl^ unwarrantable Ufur-
ettion of the Ediperor, in creating and carrying -tm the
ftcnd Trade, and their nwtual Obligations to fuppcnt each
bthcr in thefe unjuftifiable Attempt! Znd Undertakings ; Bat
above all, to expre^ our higheft Indignation at the Refolu-
tions and Engagements <*ntrai into, for attemptbg to place
the Pretender on the Throne of thefe Kingdoms ; To return
his Majefty die Thanks of dus Houfe, for his great Car« in
ib'engthening his Alliances, and for employing his Royal
Fleet fo ufSfuIly for the Security, Advantage, and Glory of
this Nation. And, as this Houfe cannot but look upon the
Meafures and Refolutions, taken in Oppo£ition to and in
* Defiance of moft folemn Treaties, as tending to an immediate
Rupture, humbly to defire hjs Majefty, that he will forth-
with give the neceffary Orders for putting this Kingdom in a
Poilure of Defence ; and to affure his Majefty, that this
Houfe will not only chearfully and effedhially raife the Sup-
plies neceflary for the prefent Exigency of Afiairs, but will
Sand by and fupport his Majefty in making good his Engage-
ments with his Allies ; in preferving the Balance of Power
in Europe j in defending the Poffeflions of the Crown of
Great-Britain ; in fupporting the Trade of this Nation
againft all unjuftifiable Ejicroachments ; and in defeating and
confounding all Attempts that ftiall be made in Fstvour of the
Pretender, and to the Deftruftion of our Religion, Liberties,
and Properties ; and that this Houfe will app^ the Produce
of the Sinking Fund to its proper Ules ; and r^fe fuch a
Truft and Confidence in his Majefty, as the puUick Utility
fhall require, and his Majefty fhall find reafoimble and necef-
fary, for carrj'ing on the great Work in which his Majefty is
engaged
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( 377 )
engaged, for tlie hitereft and Security of his People^ and Arniou. cen.L
the common Cauie of Europe.' . ''"^^'^Z: ^
This Motion was feconded by the Hon. Mr John Finch *, debate thereon.
Member for Higham-Ferrers ; but was ftrenuoufly oppofed by Hon. Mr j. Finch,
Mr Shippen, Sir William Wyndham, Mr Hungerford, Mr ^^ shippcn.
William Pulteney, and Sir Thomas Hanmer ; who were an- sirw.vJvndham.
Twer'd by Mr Doddington, Mr Horatio Walpole, and Sir Mr w^pStency.'
Robert Walpole. Mr Shippen uig'd, * That the Matter of ^;'^;,?^^"-
Peace and War is of the greateil Weight that can fall under mJh. waFpiie.
the Confideration of that Affembly j That as his Majefty's ^^^p^t"^'-
Speech contained many Points of the highefl Moment and
Importance, fo no doubt his Majefty, in his great Wifdom
and Goodnefs towards his People, expeded, on this Occafion,
not only the Support, but likcwife the Advice of that Houfe :
That, in order thereto, they oueht maturely to deliberate on
thofe fevcral Heads, which could not be done before feveral
Papers were conmiuriicated to them, that feem'd abfolutely
neceflary to ftate fome Fafts relating to thofe weighty Mat-
ters ; That the Motion, as it was drawn up, imply 'd an Ap-
probation of Meafures taken to prevent Dangers ; which
feemM prepofterous before they knew either what thofe Mea-
fures were, or whether thofe Dangers were real j That there-
fore they ought, for the prefent, to content themfelves with
retifrning his Majefty the moft humble Thanks of the Houfe
for his moft gracious Speech, with AiTurances of fupporting
his Majefty in all juft and neceflary Meafures ; and appoint
a Day for taking the faid Speech into Confideration.'
Sir William Wyndham took Notice of the Unfteadinefs sirW.Wyndham,
of our Counfels, and obferv'd, * That of late Years our
Meafures had been in a perpetual Flu^hiation ; that Penelope-
like, we were continually weaving and unravelling the fame
Web ; one time raifing up the Emperor to deprefs France,
and now we were for deprefling the Emperor, which could
not be done without aggrandizing France, which, in the
End, may make the latter too powerful : So that at this rate,
under Pretence of holding the Balance of Europe, we fliould
be engaged in continual Wars.*
Mr Hungerford faid, * That the Dangers with which MrHungcrfwd.
we were threaten d, were not, in his Opinion, fo great, as
they were by fome People repreientcd to be : That the Cza-
rina's and the King of Spain's Defign of invading us with
five or fix Men of War ieem'd altogether romantick, fince
fuch a Proje<a, may, at any time, be defeated by our ordi-
nary Guard- Ships, much mofe when we had fuch ftrong
Fleets at Sea : That therefore the Fears of the Pretender
y o L. I. B b b . were
• 0»9 of hii M4ij^li/s Cmmil karntdin the Lavs.
Digitized tJy Google
( 378 )
. Geo. I. were groundlers and chimerical^ and he could not tell how
^ they could bring him over, unlefs they borrowed Captak
Gulliver's floating liland. As to the Oilcnd Company, he
owned it to be a National Concern^ and a veiy juft Modre
to a War with the Emperor ; but that it had been an eafy
Matter to nip that Projed in the Bud : For, if he was right-
ly informed, ten ih^ufand Pounds would have prevaiPd with
the Marquefs de Prie to drop it, whereas now, when that
Company has had time to get Footing both in Europe and in
India, it may prove a difficult Matter to fupprcfs it. That
as to Gibraltar, the Demand of which was alledg'd as a
Proof of an ofFenfive Alliance between the Emperor and
Spain, he had in his Pocket the Purport of the Secret Arti-
cle relating to that Affair, which was only. That in cafe the
King of bpain could produce a pofitive Promife from Great-
Britain to reflore Gil»raltar, his Imperial Majefty would en-
gage to become a Mediator and Guarantee for the Perfor-
jnance of fuch a Promife. That, upon the whole Matter,
he hoped Things were not yet brought to Qy deiperate an
liTue, but that fome Means of Accommodation might be
found out, without running into an expeniive War, and aug-
menting our Forces, which, he was ^raid, would prove an
Aggravation of Misfortunes.*
til Tho. Ksuuacr. Sir Thomas Hanmer declared, * That if the Dangers they
were threatened with, were fo real, and fo imminent as fome
People pretended, he would be one of the fbremoft in the
moft fpeedy and mod vigorous Refolutions. But that he
thought thofe Dangers yet extream diflant, to (ay no more«-
That, indeed, fome Fordgn Princes may make a pc^tical
Ufe of the Pretender, as a State Bug-bear to fright^i and
alarm us, and thereby endeavour to make us fubfervient to
their ambitious Deiigns ; but that, in his Opinion, his In-
tered was never fo low, nor his Party fo inconfiderable and
fo defpicable, as at prefent, and, therefore in this Day's De-
bate he ought to be left intirely out of the QuefUon. That
he was appreheniive the Acquiiition of fome Dominions
Abroad had fown the Seeds, and were the true Caufes'of
the Divilions and Diftra£Uons, which now threaten the gene-
ral Tranquility of Europe, by drawing us into unaccountaUc
Compliances for the Emperor, on the one Hand, and into a
Promife, at lead a Cdnditioiml one, for the Reftitntion of
Gibraltar on the other Hand : Both which had brou^t us
at lad into the prefent Difficulties.
MrDoddinston. In Anfwer to thefe Objedlions, Mr Doddington took
Notice, * That the Eyes of all Chriilendom were^ at this
critical JunAure, fix'd upon the Britifh Parliament, whofe
Refolutions had ever a great and jufl Weight and Influence
in all the Afikirs of Europe : And the ^afon of the Year
being
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I
( 379 )
bting Co ht advanced, they ought nol^ to (lip the firft Oppor- Annd x}. ce». i.
tunity that offex'd to give his Majefly the ftrongeft Affurances . ^!!fy- .
of ilipporting him in dl his Engagements, he had enter'd into ^^"^ ^^
with his Ames, and in the M^ures that ihall be judged
aeceflary, for ^curing the Rights and Interefts of his Sub-
je^b, and the common Caufe of Europe. That Delays were
often dangerous, and might be fatal in the prefent Situation of
Affairs, which required vigorous and fpeedy Refolutions,
both for the Encouragement of our Friends, and the perfe^-
ing fbme Alliances, that were already in great Forwardnefs ;
and for the Difcouragement ofour Enemies, who had ali^eady
blodc'd up Gibraltar, and tfireaten'd it with a Siege. That
tke Meafures that had been t^en, were but a Confequenoe
of the laft Year's Refolutions, which that Houfe had come
to, after a full Examination, and mature Coniideradon of
the State of Ai&irs, then laid before both Houfes by his Ma«
jcfty : But that however, fuch an Addrefs as was propofed,
did not preclude a farther Inquiry into thofe Matters.*
Mr H. Walpok, in Anfwer to the Objefticm of the Unfteadi- Mr h. Waipoic
nefs of our Counfels, obfervM, * That it had often been Matter
of Complaint ; but that it was the unavoidable Refult of our
Situation, which puts us on that Neceflity, and, at the fame
Time, gives us the Prerogative of holding the Balance of Power
in Europe : But that befides the prefenring of that Balance,
livhich was in great Danger of being deftroywl by the Conjunc-
tion of the Emperor and King of Spain, aiid the Intermarriages
of their Ifiue, we had an intimate and immediate Concern in
maintaining our invaluable Rights and Privileges of Com-
jnerce, which had been notorioufly invaded; and in de-
fending our Pbfifeflions of Gibraltar and the Ifland of Minor-
ca, which we had acquired, in lawful War, at a vait Ex-
pence of Blood and Treaiure, and which had been yielded
to us by feveral folemn Treaties.'
Sir Robert Walpole faid, * As to the Promife of reftor-
ing Gibraltar to the King of Spain, That fuch a Promife not sirR. Wajpoic.
having been made while he had the Honour to be in the
Adminiftration, he could fay nothing to it ; That if fuch a
Promife was ever made, he durfl aver. That it was condi-
tional, and niade void and invalid by the King of Spain^s
refuiing to comply with the Conditions on which it was made ;
and tlmt whenever the Performance of that Promife was
mentioned to him, as infifled on by the King of Spam, he
always delivered it as his fix'd and pofitive Opinion, That
Gibraltar could not be given up without the Confent of Pafr-
liament. As to the Oftend-Company, which a Gentleman
fuggefbd, might have been nipp'd in the Bad ; he left it to
the Houfe to judge, whether it had not been highly impro-
denc wd impolitidc in us^ to qi^rrel with the Emperor about
B b b 2 it>
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Ann* M. Oeo. I.
An Addrels rc-
IblvM on» and
prefcnted.
( 380 ) ,
it, before' we had engaged both France ftnd Hofiand in the
Danger and Expence of that Quarrel, who have, at leaft,
an equal Concern with us, in the Suppreiling of the Oilend
Trade. And as to the Danger of an Invafion in favpur of
the Pretender, fuch early Meafures had been taken to defeat
it, that he hoped by this Time, it was pretty well over :
But that befides the glaring Appearances of Enmity to his
Majefty, and of Favour and Countenance to the Pretender's
Friends, at the Courts of Vienna and Madrid, his Majc%
had fuch undoubted and c(Mu:urring Evidence of a fbrm'd
Defign to invade his Dominions, that it had 4>een the mod
unpardonable Want of Duty, and a criminal Supineneis in
his Minifters, not to take all poffible Precautions againfl it.
And, as to any Meafures that had been taken many Yean
ago, and to which another Member afcribed the Convulfions
which now threaten the Tranquility of Europe, he was not
at all concerned in thofe Meafures; and fo could fay no-
thing to them ; neither were, indeed, fuch ronote and
groundlefs Cauies a proper Subjed for their prefent Confide-
ration.'
At laft, the Queftion being put upon Mr Onflow*s Motion,
it was carried in the Affirmative, by 25 1 Voices againft 81 j
and a Committee was appointed to draw up an Addrefs ac-
cordingly, which was the next Day reported and agreed to.
January 19. The Houfe prefented the fame to his Majeily,
as follows :
Moft Gracious Sovereign,
Th«Adir<ft. * TX/^ y^^^ Majefty 's moft dutiful and loyal Subjeds,
* V V ^c Conmions of Great-Britain in Parliament af-
* fembled, return your Majefty our humbleft Thanks lor
' your moft Gracious Speech from the Throne.
* The Communication, which your Majefty has been
* pleafed to make, of the Proceedings and Tranfa^lions ia
* Europe for fome Time paft, and of the Engagements en-
* tered into between the Emperor and the King of Spain, is
' an Inftance of youar Majefty 's flngular Goodnefs, in being
* as defirous to give your People all reafbnable Satisfadtion,
' as you have ever been follcitous for their Good and
' Welfare.
* We are very fenfible of the fetal Tendency of the fud-
' den and unaccountable Conjundiion between thofe two
' Crowns ; and as this Nation has always looked with jea-
' lous Eyes upon the very Beginning of every Attempt made
' by their Neighbours to eftabliih a Commerce, at the Ha-
* zard and to the Prejudice of our undoubted Rights and
* Privileges j We camiot but be greatly alarmed to fee thefe
Zncroaciuncnts upon our Trade, and notorious Infra^ons
* of
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( S8t )
of Treaties, accompanied with a Scheme of Greatnefs that
lays the Foundation of a moft exorbitant Power, which,
if not timely oppofed, and withilood with Vigour and Re-
iblution, may b^me formidable to all Europe, and enable
the Aggrefibrs, without Controul, to maintain their un*
ivarrantable Attempts.
* Nor can we at all doubt of the Spirit and Defign of this
new Friendihip and Alliance, when we fee it cemented by
mutual Obligations for fuj^rting one of the ContradUi^
Powers in the unjullifiable and ufurped Exercife of the O^
tend Trade, at the fame Time that a peremptoiy Demand
is made and inMed upon by the other, for the Refutation
of Gibraltar, a Place of fuch Importance to the Trade of
this Kingdom.
' But the Ccmfideration that creates the higheft Refent-
ment in your ^ithful Commons is, to fee that whenever the
^ Ambition of Foreign Princes leads them to afpire and
' grafp at exorbitant Power, or to acquire and poiTefs them*
' felves of any valuable Rights and Privileges belonging to
^ the Subje6b of your Majei^ and your AlHes, all Guaran-
^ tees, and the moft folenm Engagements of Faith and Grati-
^ tude to your Majeiiy, purcnafed by the Blood and Trea-
' fure of this Nation, are cancelled and forgot; and it is
' vainly imagined that your Majefly muft either tamely fub-
* mitto, and patiently acquiefce under, the greateft Indigni"
* ties and Injuries to your Crown and People, or be infulted
* with M^^ces and Proje£b in favour, of a Popifh Pretender.
* But your Majefty's loyal, ^chful, aud aiFe£Uonate Sub*
* je^, the Comipons of Great Britain, fenfible of the inefti-
* mable Bleflings they enjoy under your Majefty's moft grad-
* ous and happy Government, have too great a Regard to the
* Honour and Dignity of your Crown, and too much Al>
* horrence and Detefbition of an abjured Pretender, to fuf-
* fer thefe vain Terrors to haye any ill E&ft upon their
* Minds or Deliberations.
< It is with Indignation that we fee this injurious Treat*
* ment and thefe provoking Infults ; and it is with an un*
' fhaken Fidelity and Retolution, that we are determined^
* with our Lives and Fortunes, to itand by and fupport your
* Majefty againll aU your Enemies.
* We muft, at the fame time, with all Gratitude, ac-
< knowledge your Majefty's Wifdom and Vigilance, in
* ilrengthening your felf with the Alliance of Powers united
< in Intereft, and beil able to withfland the impending Dan-
< ger, and to fupport the Common Caufe of Europe.
* We fee, with the greateft Satisfaftion, the Naval Power
* of Great*Britain appearing in diftant Regions, in its pro-
* per I^uAre, fo ufefuUy and wifely employed to carry Safety
and
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T'-e King^sAtt-
i-.vcr thcxcto.
( 3«2 )
tnd PfOtiftiQtt to yoar owa^Sobjefts ti»i to your ABies^ wad
to curb snd rcwrpm the bosifted Piojcfis w the Diftniixn
of the Peace of Europe.
' And as we cannot buttock upon die MoB&res md Me-
£>hitions ooncerted and taken in JDppofoiQtt to, and in De-
£^ce of the moft folemn Treaties* as tending (x> an imme-
diate RBptnre, We honbly befeech your Majeify, that
yon will be ploifed forthwith to give the necefiary Qrden
for patting Uiis Kingdom kto a Poftoic of Defence ; and
we aflhre yoar Maj^* That we will not only checrfbDy
and effednally raifo the Supplies necei&ry £ot tiie |M«fent
Ex^;ency of A&irs, bat will ikpport your Mayefiy in mak-
ing good yoar Engagements wkh your Allies, in ncefenr-
ing the Balance of Power in Europe, in defending mt pre*
fi^ Pofleffions of the Crown of Grett-^itain, in tappcut-
iog die Trade of diis Nation i^ainil aU anjnftifiable and
penucKNis IncfoachmentSy and in de&adng and confeonding
all Attempts that fiudl be made in FaAronr of die Pretender,
andftr ^e DeffaradUon of our ReligioB, Liberties, and
Pfopertics.
' And that all, who wi& well to the Psace and Quiet of
your MajeAy^s Government^ may have the Satis^iiftioa to
fee, that enrprefent Neoeffides &all make no Interrapdon
in the Progress of that defirable Work of gradually dif-
charging the National Debt, we will confider a£ the nEioft
proper Methods for immediately applying the IVoduoe of
the Sinking Fund, to the Ufes for which it was fo wifel7
coittrived, and to which it iiands now appropriated ; and
will repok fuch a Truft and Confidence in yo<ur Majefty as
die pubhck Utility fhall require, and as your M^e^ (haH
£nd leafenable and neceilary for canying on the great
Work in which your Majefty is engaged, for the Intereft
and Security of your i'eople, and the common Caufe oT
Europe.*
To this Addrefs the King retum'd the following Anfwer.
Gentlemen,
** TReturn you my Thanks for this very Dudful and Loyal
" X Addrefs : Thejuft Senfe you have exprefs'd of thepie-
'^ fent Pofture of A^irs in Eurcype, and the hearty Afiurances
** you have given me of your Support in defending my Prf-
** feffions and the Rights and Privileges of my Pec^e, as
*' they are Evidences of your known Zeal and Afiedion to
** my Perfon and Government, I am perfuaded they will con-
** firm the Spirit and Vigour of my Allies, and convince my
*' Enemies liow vain and ill-grouixied aM their £n)e£btk»is
*^ are, of being able to faccecd in any Attempts to diftarb the
Peace
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( S«3 )
* Pedce of Europe, and in ofiering Injuries andlofiilts to ^'j^**'*
^ t^Natroa. L ^-g^« J
Jmmunry 20. Ift a Committee of the whole Hoiife lits Ma*'
|efty*8 'Speech was taken into Confideration, and a Motion
tkat a Supply be granted to his Majdly was unanimoufly ft-
greedto.
y^iM. 21. Mr Farrer, from the Committee of the whole
Moufty reported the preceding Day^s Refolution for a Sop*
ply, which was agreed to IJm, Cm, and it Was refohr'd, so a supply rwtei.
ad^^ his Majei^ for the uiual EiHmates for the Year 1727.
Jint, 23. The Commons refolv'd to addrefs his Majefl^
for the Acceffion of the States General to the Treaty of A^inototte
HaftOYer, together with the fcparate Articles, if there were J^^jSSJJ
any ; as alio for the Copies of fuch Memorials, and Letters Memoriaii, &c.
with the Anfwers diereto, as pafled between his Majdfty's '«^''^«'°-
Minivers, and die Courts of Vienna and Spain, fince the
Communication of the Treaty of Peace between the £mpe«
ror and the King of Spam, to his Majefty, by the Emperor's
Minifler : But a Motion being made by Sir William Wynd-
bam, and the Queftion put, to addrefs his Majefly, for a Motion for fev«rai
Copy of the Memorial prefented to the King of Sweden, by o'^^^i*^^
Mr Poyntz, his Majefty's Eniroy Extraordinary, rdadng to the
Acceflion of the Crown of Sweden to the Treaty of Hanover,
dated at Stockholm the 4th of June, 1726: As alio another
Motion being made by Mr Pulteney, and the Qucftion put,
to addrefs his Majefty, for the Secret Qffeniive Alliance be-
tween the Emperor and the King of Spain, both thefe Que*
(Hons were carried in the Negative, without Dividing.
Jan, 25. The Cdnunons, in a Grand Committee, confi- Debateconwnv
dcr'd farther of die Supply, particularly with Relation to i'SlSd pJ^cS
the Land Forces ; and Mr Henry Pclham, having (hewn the Mr h. Peiham.
NeceiTity of an Augmentation of about eight Thouiand Men,
Dragoons and Foot, the fame was wannly oppoied by Mr
Shippen, Dr Friend, Sir William Wyndham, Mr Hunger- ^^^S"*
ford, and others 5 who were anfwer'd by Mr Henry Peiham, ^^ H^et foJST*
Col. Bladen, Sir William Ypnge, and General Wade ; fo mJ H^fSham.
that it was, at laft, refolv'd by 250 Voices againft 85, 1. That si? v^YoS'gc
die Number of effcftivc Men to be provided for Guards, ^°' ^*'^*-
Garrifons, and Land Forces for the Year 1 727 be, includ-
ing 1850 Invalids, and 555 Men, which the fix Independent
Companies confift of for the Service of the Highlands,
26,383 Men ; II. That the Sum of 885,494 1. 9 s and 4 d.
begranted for defraying the Charge thereof. Thefe Refolutions,
being the next Day reported, were agreed to by the Houfe.
Jan. 27. Copies and Tranflations of feveral Memorials,
Letters, &c. relating to the Courts of Vienna and Spain,
were laid before the Houfe, and ordered to lie on t^e Table j:
after
Digitized by ^OOQIC
•oti. Gm.1.
I7«5-17*
SirlLWalpele^
( 3H )
tfttrwUth, in t Grand Committee, theCbmmons <;an£derM
of Wavs and Means to raife the Supply, and Sir Robert
Walpoie having ihew'd the Neceffity of laying four ShiUings
ui the Pound on Land, the iame was oppoied by fbme Mem-
iStSf 4l*m^ bc», who alledged, * That it were more eligible to apf^ the
PbQDd, whkiw af- Phxiuce of the Sinking Fund towards the pident Neceffities ;
iT.^ tt?*^ bat the Qaeftk>n being put upon Sir Robert Walpole's Mo-
tion, it was reiblv'd in the Affirmative, by 190 Voices
againft 81, which Refolution, being the next Day reported,
was agreed to by the Houfe.
^s^iHMadoa February 6. Mr Sandys moved, * That an humble Address
Letter, MwKich be prefentcd to his Majefly, that he would be gradouily
£^hhl£^ pleaied to communicate to this Houfe, Copies of the Deda-
jJ^iJJ^'^n ration. Letter, or Engagement, which in the Marquifs dc
Pozobueno's Letter to the Duke of NewcafUe of the 21ft of
December lafl, is afTerted to be a pofitive Promife, upon
which the King of Spain founds his peremptory Demand for
the Reftitution of Gibraltar, which had been fo {olenadY
yielded to the Crown of Great-Britain by the Treaty of
Utrecht, and was afterwards confirmed and granted to Great-
Britain by the King of Spain^s Acceffion to the CJaadruple
Debate theraoa. Alliance.' This Motion was feconded, and fbenuoufly fup-
ported by Sir William Wyndham, Mr Hungerford, and alfo
sirw.wyndhtm. by Mr William Pultency, who took Notice of a Letter,
il£*w!!SSS^. written in 1 721, to one of the Emperor's Plenipotentiaries
at Cambray, wherein a Promife for the Reftitution of Gi-
braltar was exprefly mention'd : ' But they were oppos'd by
Mr Henry Pelham, Mr Thomas Broderick, Mr H. Wal-
poie, and Sir Robert Walpoie. The latter did not difown,
* That fuch a Promife might indeed have been made in a
former AdminiHration ; but this he was fure of, that if there
was fuch a Promife, it was upon certain Conditions, which,
not having been performed within the limited Time, was
thereby become invalid ; and as for the Declaration or Let-
ter, the Communication of which was infilled on, the fame
was altogether impradicable and unprecedented j the private
Letters of Princes being almofl as facred as their very Perfbns.'
Then the previous Queftion being put, whether the Queflion
upon Mr Sandys's Motion ihould be put? It was carried in
the Negative, by 204 Voices againft 97. The Reader will*
find a Copy of this Letter in the APPENDIX,
Feb, 7. The Commons refolv'd to addrefs his Majefly for
Copies of fuch Memorials and Reprefentations, as have been
made to the Court of Vienna, concerning the Charter grant-
Lord Moroeth'i ed to the Oftend Company, with the Anfwers thereto : After
thS/ticnu^o* which, the Lord Morpeth mov*d, * That another Addrefs
theBaiuckiaft ^g prefcntcd to his Majefly, that he would be gracwufly
MrH.Pelbam.
Mr T.firoderkk.
Mr H. Waipole.
Sir R. Walpoie.
Addre(5 for Papers
relating to the Im-
per
Coi
)g t(
rial OfUud-
Year.
Debate thereon*
pleafed to dire^ Copies to be laid before this Houfe, of all
fuch
Digitized by VjOOQIC
( 38s )
^ch Memorials^ or Repr^fentations to his Maje%, from the Anno 13. ceo. i.
Crowns of Sweden and Denmark, as did induce him to fend ^^ 'Tfrj- ^
^e Squadron of Ships the lafl Year into the Baltick, at fo
great an Expence to this Kingdom.' He was feconded by Sir
"William Wyndhain ; but oppofed by Sir William Yonge, and sirw. Wyndhaau-
ithe Hon. Mr Verney. Hereupon Mr Walpole endeavoured to H^n!^7vefn^*
juftify all the Steps that had been taken by Great-Britain, MrHLWaipok.
iince his Majefty's happy Acceilion^ particularly from the
Opening of the Congrefs of Cambray to this prefcnt Time,
to preferve the Balance of Power, the Peace of Europe, and
the Tranquility of the North ; and with this laft View tO
prevent the Czarina's Defigns againJft Sweden and Denmark^
in favour of the Duke of Hofiein. Mr William Pulteney
aniwer'd him, and was replied to by Mr Broderick ; and the
QuelUon being put upon the Lord Morpeth's Motion, it
pafled in the Negative, by 196 Voices againft 79.
Feb. 1 3. Upon the Order of the Day, for the Hbufe to
go into a Grand Conmiittee to confider of the Supply, feve-
Tal P^rs were ^eferr'd to the faid Committee, viz. The
Copy and Tranflation of the Convention between Great-
Britain, 'the States-General, and the Landgrave of Heffe-
CafTel, February 1 3 th, 1 70 1 -2^ alfo the Eftimate of the Charge
of 4000 Horfe and 8000 Foot of the Landgrave of HefTe*
Caffel, from the ift of April, to the 24th of December 1727*
Then a Motion was made by the Court-Party, and the Que-
ilion put^ * That the Account ihewing how the Money given Motion reUUM;
for the Service of the Year 1726, has been diipofed of, w5Soo^i!cha%'d
dilUnguilhed under the feveral Heads, until the firit Day of in'thS^coS^
February 1 726-27, and the Parts thereof remaining uniatisiied, Jj?.^*^^^"^**
with the Deficiency thereupon, be referr'd to the faid Com- Grants. ^ *
inittee : ' But there being in that Account an Article of the Debate tberwa.
Sum of 125,6001. charged, in general Terms, as iffued out
ibr other ^gagements and jExpences over and above fuch
ms are therein particularly fpecified, Mr Shippen, Mr On-
flow, and Mr William Pulteney ftrenuoufly infilled, * That be- Mr swppcn.
fore the faid Account of the Deficiency of the laft Year's SJjwjpStenef.
Grants was referr'd to the Grand Committee^ which Refe-
rence, according to the Ufage of Parliaments, tacitly im-
plies an Acquiefcence in the Difpofal of the Money therein
mentioned^ the Houfe ihould be acquainted with a particular
Difpofition of fo confiiderable a Sum as that of 12 5,000 !•
This was as ftrongly oppofed by Sir William Strickland, Mr
Horatk) Walpole, and Sir Robert Walpole, fo that the pre-* sir w. Strickland.
vious QuefHon being put, That the Queftion be put upon ^/r/w^^^*
the Motion beforc-toention'd, the fame occafion'd a Debate
that laded till fix in the Evening, when the faid previous
Queftion being call'd for, it was refdv'd in the Affirmative^
by 1 78 Voices againft 78 \ and the main Qjieftion being put^ it
y o L. L C c € ivat
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Anno 13. Geo. I.
17x6-17
An Addrefs for an
Account of rhe
laid sum.
Petition from the
Commiffioners of
Hawkers to ena-
ble them to com-
pound for a Debt
to the Crown.
Sir Paul Methuen
reports the fCing^s
Anfwer to the
above Addreft.
( 386 )
was ordered. That the faid Account be rcfcrr'd to the £ud
Committee. This done, the Houfe went into a Grand Com-
mittee on the Supply, and refolv'd to grant the Sum of
160,3061. 17 s. 5d. to make good the IJeficicncy of the
Grants for the Year 1726. •
Feb. 1 4. The above-mentioned Refolution being like to meet '
with great Oppofition, by reafon of the 125,000!. above*
mentioned, it was moved, and refolv'd, without dividing, to
addrefs his Majeily for a particular and diftinft Account of
the Diflribution of the Sum of 125,000!. which, in an Ac-
count laid before tlie Houfe, fliewing how the Money given
for the Year 1726, has been difpofed of, is cliarged to have
been iffued for other Engagements and Expences, over and above
fuch as are therein particularly fpeciiied, for the fecuring the
Trade of this Kingdom, and preferving the Peace of Europe ;
and alfo of the Times when the (aid Sum of 1 25,000!. was
iffued and diftributed. After this, Mr Farrer reported the Re-
folution on the Supply above-mentioned, which was agreed to.
Feb. 15. A Petition of George Townfend and others,
late Commiffioners for^Licenfing Hawkers, &c. was prdented
to the Houfe, and read, praying. That Leave may be given
to bring in a Bill to enable the Lords Commiffioners of liis
Majefty's Treafury to compound with the Petitioners for a
Debt due to the Crown, occalioned by the Default of Tho-
mas Tomkms, late Cafhier of the faid Office, who hath
withdrawn himfelf beyond the Seas, or that they may have
fuch other Relief as to the Houfe ffiall feem meet.
Sir Robert Walpole having acquainted the Houfe, That his
Majefty gav^ his Confent, that fuch a Bill might be brought
into the Houfe, as was delir'd by the Petitioners, the faid
Petition was referr'd to a Committee of the whole Houfe. *
Feb. 2 1 . Sir Paul Methuen reported to the Houfe, That their
.Addrefs of the 14th Inftant, viz. * That his Majefty would be
* gracioufly pleafed' to direft the proper Officers to lay before
* this Houfe a particular and diftind Account of the Diftri-
* bution of the Sum of 125,000!. which, in an Account laid
* before this Houfe, (hewing how the Money given for the
* Year 1726 has been difpofed of, is charged to have been
* iffued for other Engagements and Expences, over and above
* fuch as are therein particularly fpecified, for the fecuring
* the Trade of this Kingdom, and preferving the Peace of
* Europe, and of the Tin>e or Times when the faid Sum o(
* 125,0001. was iffued and diftributed,' liad been prefented
to his Majefly ; and that his Majefly had commanded him
to acquaint this Houfe : ** That the Stfm of Money men-
** tioned in this Addrefe has been iffued and difburfed, pur-
" fuant to the Power given to his Majefly by Parliament, for
*' fteceffary Services and Engagements, of the utmoft Impor-
tance
yL^oogle
( 387 )
** tance to the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdom, and ^"J^^^"- '•
** the Tranquility of Europe, and which require the greateft \_,i,— , — _f
*^* Secrecy ; and therefore a particular and diftinft Account
*^* of the Diftribution of it cannot poffibly be given, with-
** out a manifeft Prejudice to the Publick."
Hereupon Mr William Pulteney endeavour'd to fhew the Vpon which Mr
J[nfufficiency of that Anfwer, alledging, That he had an en- fof SSTd-
tire Confidence in his Majefty's great Wifdom, paternal Care, hS^"p°" '*"*'
and Royal Word ; but that, when in the laft Seffion the
Houfe came to a Refolution, * eflfedually to provide for and
* make good all fuch Expences and Engagements as fhould
* be made, for the Security of the Trade and Navigation
* of this Kingdom, and for the Prefervation of the Peace of
^ Europe ; ' [See p, 370.] the Conunonsdid not thereby diveft
themielves of their undoubted Right of being acquainted with
the Difpofition of publick Money ; that if they gave up fo ef-
iential a Right, thatHoufe would become altogether ufelefs, or
ierve only blindly to approve of, and regiftier the A6b and
I^eds of the Minifters. That he did not, in the leaft, doubt '
the iffuing and Disburfement of the 125,000!. in Qieftion,
£pr necef&ry Services : But that if they were fatisfied with
fuch a general Account, the fame might, in future Reigns,
prove a very dangerous Precedent, and ferve to cover Im-
bczzlements of the publick Treafure ; therefore he moved,
* That a farther humble Addrefs be made to his Majefly, hum-
bly reprefenting the indifputable Right of this Houfe, to have
particular and diHin^ Accounts laid before them of the Difpo-
fition of all Money granted by this Houfe, for the Service of
the Publick ; and that this Houfe did moil earneftly befeech
his Majefty, that he would be gracioufly plealed to order
fuch an Account of the 1 25,000!. faid to have been expend-
ed for fecuring the Trade of this Kingdom, and preferving
the Peace of Europe, to be forthwith lai4 before the Houfe.'
This Motion was feconded by Mr Shippen, but was op- Debate thereon.
pofed by Mr Doddington, Mr ticwis, [of Southampton} and Mr shippcn.
Sir William Yonee ; upon which there was a high and warm U"" poddington.
TN 1 /• * -tt n . 1 A /• rSi ^ . Mr I,eWM.
Debate, from one till fix m the Afternoon. The Courtiers sir w. Yongc.
reprefented, * That the Sum in Queftion was inconfiderable,
and that it was impoffiUe efFedhially to carry on important
Negotiations, without expending a great deal of Money in
Secret Service.' And Mr St. John Broderick mention'd, in j^. g . -^^ . -
particular, a Cafe in Queen Anne's Reign, when the Com-
mons acquiefced in fuch a general Anfwer, for a more con^
fiderable Sum. The Precedent \>y liim. quoted was read by
the Clerk, as follows, viz.
^ On the 1 6th of January 1710-11, Mr Secretary St
^ John * acquainted the Commons, tliat their AddrefTes of
Ccc 2 * the
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Annoi). Oe«.I.
1726 17.
( 38R )
the ;th and 8th Inftant, had been pefented to her Ma-
jcfty, viz. That (he would be pleafed to give Diredion to the
proper Officers to lay before the Houfe, Accounts relating
to the Poundage and Days-Pay, deduded out of the Pay
of the Army i of the Deficiencies of the Grants, and of
the Funds fince Michaelmas 1701 j of the Payment of her
Majefty's Proportion of Subfidies to her Allies ; of all the
Pcitfions, payable out of the Revenue, and Warrants and
Diredions for Penfions ; and alio of the Difhibntions of
the Contingencies, and Forage and Waggon Money, granted
for the Farces in Flanders, in her Majefty's Pay, and of the
Diftributions of the Money granted for Contingencies of
the Guards, Garrifons and Land-Forces in Great-Britain i
And that her Majefty had been pleafed to give Diredtions
for laying all the faid Accounts before tjiis Houfe, except
the Accounts of Contingencies, and that the Account
touching the Deficiencies of the Grants and Funds, had
already been laid before the Houfe ; and that other of the
Accounts were preparing, and would fbon be laid before
the Houfe ; but that as to the Account of Contingencies,
it was not poffible from the Nature of the Service, which
required the utmoft Secrecy, for any Ac^kuit of them to
be made ; but that 'they were really diftriWed.*
Some Objedions were raifed to this Precedent, as if the
Cafe was not parallel : Befides which, Mr Onflow chiefly in-
fifted on the Promife made to the Houfe the laft Seflion, hy
a great Man in the Adminiftration, That they fliould have
a particular Account of all the Money that fliould be exi
pended upon that Vote of Credit, which Promife induced
the Houfe to come fo readily into it. They were anfwer'd
sir w. Strickland, bv Sir William Strickland, Mr Trelawney, Mr Conduit ♦,
5t?r cSiJ^r^'' and Sir Robert Walpole ; to whom Sir Thomas Hanmer re-
lii r. Hm^^l' P^y '^ i ^^^^^ which the Queftion, upon Mr Pulteney's Motion,
being call'd for, it wais carried in the Negative, by 235
Voices againft no. Then it was movM, and refolv'd,
without dividing. That an humble Addrefs be prefented to
his Majefty, to'return his Majefty the Thanks of this Houfe,
for his great Care and Wifdom, in taking fuch Steps and
entring into fiich Engagements, as his Majefty thought would
beft conduce to the Security of the Trade and Navigation of
this Kingdom, and to the Prefervation of the Peace of Eu-
rope ; And to aflTure his Majefty, That this Houfe, placing
ail entire Confidence in his Majefty's Goodnefs ftnd Regam
for the true Intereft of his Peoj^e, will fland by and fupport
his Majefty, in all fuch farther Meafures 'as his Majefty fliall
find neceflary and expedient for preventing a Rupture, an4
fox the Honour and Advantage of thefe Kingdoms.
• Jp^nttd JVkrdcn &f the Mwt in this SeJJioth
Digitized by ^OOQIC
Mr Oitflov,
'( 389 )
Feb, zz. Sir Paul Methucn prefented totheHoufc Copies ^^^f^^^
:>f fuch Memorials and Reprefentadons, as had been made to \_ — ^ — j
the Court of Vienna, concerning the Charter granted to the sevenipapertre*
Oflcnd Company^ with the Anfwers thereto. cS|ii$uSiS!*
Feb. 28. In a Committee of die whole IJoufe, they exar «>'« «»»•«»»*•
min'd the Allegations^ of the Petition of the late Commiffio-
ners for Licenfing Hawkers and Pedlars; and alfo the Papers
annexed to it, and likewife call'd in and cxaminM feveral of
the Perfons ordered by the Houfe to attend the laid C6mmit«
tee^ and came to feveral Refolutions, the Report whereof
was put off* till the 7th of March. Upon this Occafion very
fevere Refledtions were made on the Negled and loofe Ma«
nagement of his Majefty's Revenues.
March 7. Mr Farrer reported fitmi the Committee of the S^SSStSe"
whole Houfe, to whom the Petition of Geotge Townfend, rdatiAg to tbe
Ac late Commiffioners for Licenfing Hawkers^ &c. had c^^^i^^^^
been referr'd, the Refolutions they Weid directed him to report, "»^kc^ *«•
which were as follows, viz. I. That it appears to this Conunit-
tee. That no Money was paid into his Majefty's Exchequer on
Account of the Duties upon Hawkers and Pedlars, from Mid- wiuchiii«reed
fiunmer 1719, toMidfummer 1723, except 15100 1, although ^*
the Commiffioners for managing the faid Revenue are re-
quired, by Aft of Parliament, to pay all the Money arifing
by the faid Duties, into the Exchequer, once in every Week.
II. That it appears to this Conunittee, That by Reafon of
the loofe, carelefs, and negleftful Management of the late
Commiffioners for the Duties upon Hawkers and Pedlars,
there is a Deficiency of 36,693,1. 13 s. 5 d. over and above
6000 1. which has been paid by the Securities of Thomas
Tomkins, late Cadiier to the faid Conuniffioners.
The fkid Refolutions, being feverally read a fecond Time, Debate oa tbat
were, upon the Queftion feverally put thereupon, agreed to ^^^^^t
by the Houfe : After which. Sir William Wyndham took sirw.wyndham.
Notice of the Negleft of thofe who were a Check on the
Managers of that Branch of the publick Revenue ; and who
therefore ought in Time to have calPd upon them, foi* the
Money that pafs^d through their Hands, according to the
Diredtion of the Aft of Parliament. That it might be faid,
that they were even more guilty than the Commiffioners of
Hawkers and Pedlars themfelve? ; fince they not only had
connived, for four Years, at the Imbezzlement of the publick ^
Money, but had, for three Years more, neglefted to recover
the fame, and feem*d, at lad, to have encouraged a Petition
to the Houfe, to have it remitted ; and that the granting
fuch a Petition, would be giving a Parliamentary Sanftion to
fuch vile Praftices, and opening a wide Door for the hke
Mifmanagements of the publick Treafure.' He was fecond-
edby Mr WiUi^ Pult^ii^i who «unukhrerte4 very feverely iirw.fute&ey;
(PQ
Digitized by ^OOQIC
( 390 )
Aaneit. Geo.L OH the Neglcft of the CommiffioncTS of the Treafiuy,
^ '^y^' _; whofc Office and Duty it was, to have call'd the Petitioners
sif w. Yoi^c to Account.' Hereupon Sir William Yonge endeavoured to
excuie the prefent Adminiftradony the Failure of the Ca-
ihier of the Commiffioners of Hawkers and Pedlars, which
had occaiion'd the Deficiency in Queftion, having happened
before their Time ; and the Multiplicity of arduous, impor-
tant and intricate Affairs that fell out iince, having fb taken
up the Attention of the Managers of the T>eafury, that it
was no* Wonder if fo inconfiderable a Branch of the Reve-
Tv above peu- Huc had eicaped their, Notice.' And then mov'd, * That the
iMBirejcaed. Petition of the late Commiffioners of Hawkers and Pedlars
be rqedied ; which was carried without dividing, Neverthe-
kfs, fome Gentlemen of the Country Party, came on again
to the Charge, and inveigh'd againft the Audacioufiiefs of
fome Perfons, who, by their corrupt Management, thought
themfelves fo powerful and fecure, as to dare to fcreen the
greateft Ofienders.' To which an enunent Member replied,
* That he could not help reflefting on the Envy and Rancour
of fome Men, who made it their confknt Buiinefs to
thwart and revile thofe who had the Honour to have a Share
in the Adminiftration, and who, not fatisfy'd with fhewii^
their Malignity within thofe Walk, fhot likewife their Poi-
' • fon in the Dark, and fcatter'd it under Allegories in vile
Libels.' To prevent farther Altercation the Courtiers calPd
for the Order of the Day, and the Queftion being put thereon,
it was carry 'd in the Affirmative, by 248 Voices againfl 1 24.
LordFJtzwiUianjs March 8. Lord Fitzwilliams, Member for Peterborough,
ibSve MemofiaT took Notice, * That On the 2d Inftant Monfieur de Pahn,
ihi°lirg';*by^t1ie° ^^^ Emperor's Refident, in an Audience he had of the King,
Emperor's Mini- dcliver'd iuto the Hauds of his Majeljy, a Memorial in
foTih^fameTo be Latin, couch'd in a very indecent and injurious Stile, alto--
^dteforc the getlier unufual, and very unbecoming the Majefty of Crown'd
Heads ; and to add to the Indignity, that the faid Meniorial
was, the next Day, publickly dijpers'd, and that printed
Whick is agreed Copies of Tranflations of it, one in Englifh, the other in
^ French, had been fent to feveral Members of both Houfes
of Parliament, Aldermen of London, and other Perfons, to-
gether with a Tranilation in the fame Languages, of a Letter
from the Count de Sin^scndorf, to M. de Palm, wherein that
Refident was ordered, * To prefent the faid Memorial, firft
* to the King of Great Britain, and afterwards to publifh it
* to the whole Nation.' His Lordfhip added, * That this
Appeal from a Foreign Power to the People of Great Britain,
againft their lawful Sovereign, was fo unprecedented, and fo.
^eat an Lifult upon the Crown of Great Britdh, and on
his Majefty's facred Perfon, that he thought the Houfe
ought to refen^ it in the wxoft lively Mao^ey > ^d t^le^eupo^
he
Digitized by VjOOQIC
t 39' ]
he mov'dy That an kumble Addrefs be prefented to his Ma- Anno tp ceo.i.
jefty, that he would be gracioufly pleafed to give Direftions> ^ 'Z?^' ,
that the faid Memorial, prefented to his Majcfty by Monfieur
de Palm the Imperial Refident, might be laid before the
Houfe ; and being feconded by Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the
faid Addrefs was order'd to be prefented.
March 10. Sir Paul Methuen, by his Majefty's Command, sir Paai Methaea
laid a Copy of Monfieur de Pahn's Memorial before the Houfe, &?^g,p^V
together with the Tranflation of it; whereupon it was re- t^^^d Memorial.
fblved to take the fame into Conilderation on the 1 3 th.
March 1 3. The Conmions proceeded to take into Confi-
deration the Memorial prefented to his Majefty by Monfieur de Debate thcrcwu
Palm ; and the Tranflation of the faid Memorial being read.
Complaint was made to the Houfe, that the Subftance of
the faid Memorial had been printed and publiih'd in a Paper
intitled^ Tranflation of a Memorial, iffc. whereupon the faid
Paper was brought up to the Table and read ; after which
the Lord Fitzwilliams, Sir Robert Walpole, Mr Onflow, Sir JjJ r ^^*'^^*»«*
"William Yonge, Mr Doddington, and Sir William Strick- MronUowf*"*
land; alfo Sir William Wyndham, Mr William Pulteney, MrD^^^'ffok.
Mr Sandys, Mr Shippen, Mr Hungerford, and Sir John St llrww'^d^*
Aubin, fpoke on this Occafion, and agreed in exprefling the Mr w. pJitenl^*
higheft Indignation and Refentment at the Affront offer'd to mJ shipj^ii.
his Majefty, by the Memorial delirer'd by Monfieur de Palm; «/joS auL.
and, in a particular Manner, at his Audacioufnefs in printing
and difperfing it throughout the Kingdom ; and very fevere
Refiedtions were made on the ill Returns from his Imperial
Majefty to the great Obb'gations he had to Great Britain.
They only difier'd, as to the Manner of Wordmg their Cen-
fure upon fo extravagant an Infult upon his Majefty ; but at
laft it was moved, and refolved, Nem. Con. That an humble An Addrefs re.
Addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, * To exprefs the higheft occ^n.^*'
Refentment of this Houfe at the Affront and Indignity of-
fered to his moft facred Majefty, by the Memorial delivered
by Monfieur de Palm the Emperor's Refident, and at his In-
folence in printing and difperfing the fame throughout the
Kingdom ; To dedare their utmoft Abhorrence of this au-
dacious Manner of appealing to the People, againft his Ma-
jefty ; and their Deteftation of the prefumptuous and vain
Attempt of endeavouring to inftill, into the Minds of any of.
his Majefty's faithful Subjedb, the leaft Diftruft or Diffidence
in his moft facred Royal Word ; To return his Majefty the
Thanks of this Houfe, for his Care and Vigilance, in dif-
covering the fecret and pernicious Defigns of his Enemies,
and his Goodnefs in communicating to his Parliament the
Dangecs that threatened this Kingdom ; And to afiTure his Ma-
jefty, that this Houfe will fland by and fupport his Majefty
againft aU his open and fecret Enemies^ both at Home and
Abroad ;
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( 39^ )
ABMoitJO^t Abroad i and e^k&asUy defeat the Expefiatiom o£ all toA
Ij^i'- — J as mzy have, in any A^mner, countenanced, encouraged, or
abetted the Difturbers of the publick Tranquility in this ex*
travagant Infult upon his Maje%^ or flattered them with
Hopesy that an obftinate Perfeverance in their deftrodive
McaTures^ could dagger the Firmne& of the foitifh Nation,
in Vindication of his Majeily's Honour, and the Defence of
their Rights and Privileges.' And a Committee was appom-
ted to dniw up an Addrefs upon the (aid Refoluticm.
The^imonut Morels 14. The Lord Hervey was fent from the Com-
fire the coociu^ mous, to defire a Conference with their Lordihips upcm a
t^Se&JdXur^. Matter of the higheft Importance to the Honour and Dignity
of the Imperial Grown of Great Britain; This Conference
being readily agreed to by the Lords^ and the Manageis of
both Houfes met in the Painted Chamber, thofe of the Com-
mons defired the Concurrence of the Lords to the Addrefs
relating to Monfieur de Palm*s Memorial, which had been drawn
up by their Committee, reported by the Lord Fit2williams, and
agreed to ; and the Manara^rs for the Conunons left the iaM
Addrefs with the Lords, with other Papers relating thereto.
wiiichbe!ns«- ' March 1 5. At a fecond Conference, the Managers for the
^J<Hi»p««- ixMids declared to thofe of the Conunons, that their Lprd-
fhipSs had agreed to the (aid Addrefs ; which the next Day
was by both Houfes prefented to the King, as Allows :
Mof( Gracious Sovere^,
l^t^^t • \I7E your Majrily's mofk dutiful aftd faithful Subjefe
^ 'S^iS'eS^ * ^^ *^^ Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commcms of
i>eror^Meinork. ' Great Britain in Parliament afTembled, think it our indiP
' penfiUe Duty to exprefs the higheft Rdfentment at the Af
* hqiit and Indignity offered to your mofl Sacred Majefty,
' by the Memorial deliver^ by Mon£eur de Palm^ the Em-
' peror's Refident ; and at his Ihfolence iii printing and dif-
* periing the fame throughout the Kingdom.
* This audacious Manner of appealing to the People a-
* gainft your Majefly, under the Pretext of applying to yofl
' fer Redrefs and Reparation of fuppofed Injuries, and tunung
* a Memorial, prefented to your Majefty, into a (edidoos
' Libel, is a Proceeding that creates in us the utmoft Abhor-
* rence and Deteftation.
* The Endeavouring to inftill, into the Minds of any of
* your Biithful Subje^, the leafl Difh-uft or Diffidence io
* your Majefty's moft Sacred Royal Word, or to ma^ a
* Diflinftion between your Majeity and your Peojde, is an
' Attempt as vain as prefumptuous ; for, by your Good-
* neis, the Intereft of your Majcfty and your People is but
* One, and as inf«>arable ; as their Duty, Afie^ion and Con-
I fidence in your Majefty are moft juiUy and defervedly un-
^ altezablt?
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( 393 )
* dterable t tmi if Time has not effaced the Mcmbry of the awwij. Geo. i;
* glorious Exploits and important Succours, confefied to have . ^^^^' ^
* been Ttcc'tved from Great-Britain ; Gratitude^ Affeftion and
* Efteem for this Nation will be beft manifdfted, by doing
* Honour to the King, whom the People honour, and Juftice
* to the People, whofe Rights and Privileges the beft of Kings
* is now defending againft the Invafions and Incroachmenta
* made upon them.
* We return yout Majefty our iincereft Thanks for your
* Care and Vigilance, in difcovering the fecret and per-
* nicious Defigns of your and our Enemies, and for your
* Goodnefs, in communicating to your Parliament the Dan-
' gers that threatened this KLingdom.
* And we beg Leave to affure your Majefty, That no
^ Amufements, by artful or evafive Denials, fhall lead us into
* a faUe Security^ or divert us from exerting our felves ia
* Vindication of your Majefty's Honour^ or from defending
' and fupporting your Majefty againft all your open and ie-
* crct Enemies, both at Home and Abroad. And if any
* among your own Subje^ have been fo wicked as to coun-
* tenance^ encourage and abet the Difturbers of the publick ,
* Tranquility, in this extravagant Infult upon your Majefty,
* or flatter«l them with Hopes, » that an obftinate Perfeve-
* ranee in their deftrudive Meafures could ftagger the Firm-
* ncfs of the Britilh Nation ; We are refolved effedually to
' defeat all fuch groundlefs Expectations, and to convince the
* World, that the Intrigues of a Few cannot, in any Degree,
* abate or (lacken that Vigour and Refolution, with which
* a true Love and Concern for our Country, a juft Senfe of
* its Interefts, and an unfhaken Loyalty to your Majefty
' have in^ired us.^
To this Addrefs his Majefty returned the following Anfwer^
My Lords and Gentlemen,
** ^\TO U R unanimous Concurrence, in this dutiful and msMajeiV'sAiii
** j[ affeftionate Addrefs, gives me tiie greateft Satisfac- f^««^«^«-
. ** tiod. The juft Concern you exprefs for my Honour and
** the Dignity of the Crown is very becoming a Britifh Par-
** liament. And this frcfli Proof of your Confidence in mc
•* will convince the World, that all Attempts to divide our
^' Hearts and Interefts will be vain and ineffedual.*'
j^il 1 2. After the Readine of the Order of the Day, Mr scrope^s Ma-
jor the Houfe, to refolve itfelf into a Committee of the {iJSi?;*^'''**^
whole Houfe to confider farther of the Malt-Bill,
Mr Scropc movM, * That it be an Inftruffion to the faid
Committee, that they have Power to receive a Claufe of
Ajppi^riatioQ, with a Power to his Maj^y to apply fuch
Vol. L Ddd Sums
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Anno i> Geo. 1.
IT*?'
Debate tbercoa.
Mr Farrer.
Sir E. Bacon.
Lord GiKe.
Sir W. Yonge.
Sir P. Yorfcc.
Mr Talbot.
Mr Doddington.
( 394 )
Sams of Money as ihall be neceflfary for anfweriog and de
fraying fuch Expences and Engagements^ as have at any
Time been, or (hall before or until the 25th of Decem-
ber 1727, be made by his Majefty, in concerting fuch Mea-
fures as he, in his great Wifdom, thinks will beft conduce
to the Security of the Trade and Navigation of this Kii^-
dora, and to the preferving and reftoring the Peace of Eu*
rope.' He was feconded by Mr Farrer, and backed by Sir
Edmund Bacon, Lord Gage, Sir William Yonge, Sir Philip
Yorke, Mr Talbot *, and Mr Doddington, who alledg'd, in
Support of the Motion, ^ That hisMajefly was fo unwilling to
put his Sulijefb to any extraordinary Expences, that he nad
demanded no more Supplies this Seflion, than what he
thought abfolutely necei&iy for the Service of the Year :
But that, in the prefent Pofhire of Afiairs, fome unforefeen
Accidents might require a farther Expence, ibr which no
Ellimate could now be made, becaufe fome Treaties,which his
Majefty .thought fit to enter into, were not yet finiih*d ; there-
fore they ought to enable his Majefty to anfwer fuch Con-
tingencies ; That the Houfe had ^eral Times reposM the
fame Confidence in his Majefty, which had never been
abufed ; and what was now ask'd was only for a fhort Time.
They were opposed by Mr How, Mr Winnington, Mr Hop-
kins, Mr St John Broderick, Sir Wilfrid Lawfon, Lord
fJw.ta^^"'"' Morpeth, Mr Thomas Broderick, Mr Gore, Mr Wortley
Montague, Mr Lutwyche, Sir William Barker, Mr Danvers,
Mr Daniel Pulteney, Mr Shippen, Sir William Wyndham,
Mr Palmer, and Mr Sandys, who urg'd, * That it was on-
parliamentary to ask or grant Supplies without an Efti-
mate of the Expence ; That the Claufe moved for was in-
confiftent with that Part of the Bill which forbids the ifTuing
of the Supplies thereby granted, to any other Purpofes than
thofe^fpedfied ; and rendered inefiedual that Appropriaticm of
the publick Money, which the Wifdom of all Parliaments had
thought a neceflary Security againft the Miiapplication of i^
which was the more to be feared, becaufe no Provi£on was
made to oblige any Perfon to account for any Money that
(hould be difpofed of, by Virtue of the Power in this Claufe.
That vaft Sums had already been granted, which appeared
fufficient to anfwer any Occafioni, as far as their prefent
Views could reach ; and if any unexpected Emergency fhould
demand a farther Supply, it might be provided for, in the
ofnal Manner, when Neceffity required : That this might
be done with lefs Inconvenience, and with Icfs Dan^ of
Mifapplication, than by fuch a Delegation of almoft a Dida«
torial Authority to the Miniilers. That tias Paiiiament had
alreadjr
f J^md S^fftfT Gtptr^^ A^rH aj. 174^,'
Mr How.
Mr Winnington,
Mr Hopkins.
Lord Morpeth.
Mr T. Broderick.
Mr Gore.
Mr Wortley M«»-
taguc.
Mr Lutwyche.
Sir W. Barker.
Mr Danrers.
Mr D. Polteney.
Mr Shippen.
SirW. Wyr
Mr Palmer.
Mr Sandys.
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( 395 )
already given fo many Iniknces of their Zeal and Affeftion Anno t j. Geo. i^
for his Majefty, that there could be no room to doubt of their ^J^^'_
Readineis to make good whatever his Majefty fhould expend, ' **~
in concerting fuch Meafures as, in his great Wifdom, he
Ihould think moft conducive to the Advantage and Intereft
of his People* That fuch an unh'Hiited and abfolute Powct
ought never to be given in a free Government, but upon
O^aiions of evident Neceflity, when the very Being of the
Government is in imminent Danger. That the repofing a
Confidence in the Crown, in the Difpofition of fuch im-
menie Sums of Money, as by the Advice of unthrifty Mini-
fters may be expended, might be attended with great Preju-
dice to the Properties of the Subjeft, and great Danger to
our moft excellent ConlHtution, which cannot be preferved,
but by a ftridl Adherence to thofe eifential Parliamentary
Forms of granting Supplies only upon Eftimates, and of ap-
propriating the fame to Services and Occafions publickly
avow'd and judg'd neceflary. That the departing from
thefe excellent Methods would, by Degrees, render Parlia-
ments altogether ufelefs. That the Precedents alledged to
juftify this Qaufe were far from being full to the Point, and
fatisfadlory ; and if they were, ought not to be follow'd, left
Claufes of the fame Nature might become fo frequent, as in
time to lodge in the Crown, and in the Minifters, an abfolute
and uncontroulable Power of railing Money upon the People,
which by our wife Conftitution is, and with, Safety can only
be, lodg'd in the whole Legiflature.' Mr Hungerford obferv'd, Mr Hangerfbnr.
in particular, ' That they had already given four ^Shillings in
the Pound upon Land, which he could not but think a very
heavy and extraordinary Tax, efpecially confidering they
were more than once told by a great Man, that in his Opini-
on we (hottld have no War : But if now they pafs'd this
Claufe, it would be tacking a Tail to a Whale, which might
fweep away the other fixteen.' The Debate being ended ar
bout eight in the Evening, and the Queftion put upon Mr
Scrope's Motion, it was carry 'd in the Affirmative, by 225
Voices againft 109 ; and the Houfe having refolv'd itfelf into
a Grand Committee, the Claufe above mentioned was added
to the Malt-Bill.
Jpril 26. The Houfe went into a Grand Committee to ^Jj^*^****^* i
coniider farther of Ways and Means for raifing the Supply ; tTbegraji?<3*OT? '
and Sir * William Yonge mov'd, ' That towards raifing the S^w«df Si'LT
Supply granted to his Majefty, the Sum of 370,000!. be p^^'
raifed by Loans, or by Exchequer-Bills, to be charged on
the Surplufes arifen, or to arife, from and after Michaelmas
D dd 2 1726,
• Ou€(f tJ:9 Lw^ tf the Treafkry,
Digitized by VjOOQIC
Aafioi|. Geo. L
Detate thexeoo.
Mr Doddineton.
Sir C. Turner.
Ur H. Pellum.
Mr Talbot.
MrOnHow.
Sir FfailJpYorke.
Mr Sluppen.
Mr How!
MrUunftcrfbnL
8ir J. jJtylL
Mr B«nuffd.
Mr Boutle,
MrWorUexMon-
U(ue.
Sir W. strlcklaad.
Mr Palmer.
MrHutchefen.
Mr W. Palieney,
A Bill ordered to
be brought in ae-
eordingioSir W.
Yonge's Motion}
Which paffcathc
Houfe.
( 396 )
1726, for the Dudes on Coals and Culm, granted by an
Ad of the Fifth Year of his Majefty's Reign, from the 29th
of September 17259 to Lady-Day 175 1» and by a fab-
feqoent A€t of the Sixth Year of his Majefty*s Reign, made
perpetoaly and which are referved for the Difpofition of Par-
liainent/ This Motion was feconded by Mr f Doddington,
and back'd by Sir 4. Charles Turner, Mr H. Pelhap, Mr
falbot, Mr Onflow, and Sir Philip Yorke 5 but was drena*
oufly oppofed by Mr Shijqpcn, Mr How, Mr Hui^rford,
Sir Jofeph Jekyll, Mr Barnard, Mr Bootle, Mr Wortley
Montague, Sir William Strickland, Mr Palmer^ MrHutche*
fon, Mr William Pulteney, and Sir William Wjmdham. The
Objedions offered againil the Motion, were, * That, by fe-
vend Voces and A&s of Parliaments, all the Exceedings or
Surplufes of publick Funds were to be applied toward^ the
leffening of the publick Debts, or to the Increafe of tkfi
Sinking Fund ; and that this Difpoiition could not be altered
without wounding publkrk Credit, which was already ex-
treme low, iince the taking off any Part of the Mortgage
could not but leflen the Security of the Debt. That it was
fomewhat ihange, fuch a Motion ihould be made by thoie
very Perfons who had the Himour of being in the Admini^
ftration, who could not have forgot what his Majefty had
fo fb-ongly recommended from the Throne, at the Opening
of this Seffion,' <' That the Produce of the Sinking Fund
*' might be inmiediately applied to the Ufes for which it was
** fo wifely contrived, and to which it now ftands apprq-
<* priatcd," * And that this Motion was ftill the niore fur-
prizing, after the large Vote of Credit the Houfe had (o
lately come to.' To all diis the Court-Party anfwer'd, 'That
the Surplufes on Coals could not be deemed a Part of the
Sinking Fund, fmce they had never been s^rqpriated» but
were referved for the Difpoiition of Parliament,' And the
Queftion being, at laft, put upon Sir William Yopgc's Mo^
tion, it was <:arried in the Affirmative, by 209 Voices a-
gainfl 82.
Jfri/ 27. Mr Farrer reported the faid Refolution, whidi
being agreed to, a Bill was ordered to be brought in thereupon,
which the next Day was rfead the fiift Time, and ordereJi to
be read a fecond Time.
May 4. The faid Bill was read the third Time, pa&'d,
and fent up to the Lords, and afterwards pafs'd into an A€t.
May 15. The King came to the Houfe of Peers< with the
ufual State, and the Qonmions attending, his Maj^y gave
the Royal Affent to feveral Bills ; after which, the Lord
Chancellor read his MajeAy's Speech to both Houfes^ as follows:
My
t4. Lsrds (f tbc Ireif^.
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( 397 )
My Lords and Gentlemen^
^* T Acquainted you^ at the Openii^ of this Seffioo, with
'* JL the Dangers which th^tened this Kingdom* and the
** Peace and Liberties of Europe. I am now to return yon
** my Thanks for the Zeal and Diipatch with which yoa
** have proceeded upon the feveral Points I then recom*-
** molded to your Care ; for the Confidence youhave repofed
'* in me ; and for the Afiurances you. have given me of your
^' Support and Affiftance in Vindication of my Ifoqour, and
'' in the Maintenance and Defence of the undoubted Righte
** and Privileges of this Nation, fp ppenly and notorioui^
*^ invaded and attacked.
** Tho' Siege of Gibraltar proves, beyond all Difpute, the
^* End and Pefign of the Engagements entered into by die
^' Emperor and die King of Spain ; but the Preparations I
** had made for the Defence of that Place, and the Bra-
** very, of my Troops, will, I doubt not, convince theia
'' of the Rafhnefs and FoUy of that Un&rtaking. How-
** ever, the Love of Peace has hitherto prevailed upoh me^
'' evdi under this high Provocation, to fuipend, in ibme
^ Meafure, my Refentments ; and inilead of having imme^
^* diate Recourfe to Anm, «nd demanding of my Allies
^ that Aifiihnce which they are engaged em ready to give
^ m^, I have concurred widi the moft Chriflian King and
** the States General, in making fuch Overtures of Accom^
^* modadon, as muft convince aU the World of the Upright-
*' nefs of our Intentions, and of our fincere Difpofition to
** Peace ; and demonfbate to whofe Ambition and Thirft of
♦* Power the Calamides of a War are to be imputed, if
<^ thefe juit and reafonaUe Pn^fitions are reje&ed. In
^ the mean Time^ I have the Pleafure to acquaint you,
^* that the Crown of Sweden has acceded to the Treaty <i
** Hanover, and that the Convendon between me, his mdft
<' Chriftian Majefty, and the King of Denmaik, is actually
*' figned.
Gendemcn of the Houfe of Commons,
^* The Vigour and Chearfijlnefs you have ihewn, in raifing
♦* fo effeftuaBy, and upon fuch eafy Teims, the neceflary
** Supjdies for the Service of the current Year, are not only
<' Inftances of your Zeal and Afib£don to me, but demons
«< fhrate the eilabliihed Credit, Power, and Sti%ngth of dii9
♦* Kiagdom.
My Lords and Gendemen,
*^ It would have been a great Sads£i£don to me, if before
** your Separation I had been able to fpeak to you more po-
^* iitively, and with greater Certainty, upon the preien(
** Fofture and State of Ai&irs ; But as you have now
- ,, dilpatch'd
Digitized by ^OOQIC
17*7.
. ( 398 )
AiuMris. CeM. w difpatch*d the Publick Bufinefs, and aa the Scafon of ik
'7*7. ^ y^^ requires your going into your refpe^ve Conntriq
'' I choofe rather to put an End to this Seffion, than
•* keep you any longer together unneceflarily. The Provi
*' fions you have made, and the perfed Union and Hanna
'* toy between me and my Allies, will, I hope, enable me, b|
^* the Divine Affifbhce, either to withftand and defeat t^S
*' Defigns of our Enemies, if their Conduct fhall bring npot
** us the Neceffity of a War ; or to improve the Ble^igs of
" Peace, if Peace can, with Jullic^ Honour, and Security,
« be obtained.'^ *
Then the Lord Chancellor, by the King's Command
prorogued the Parliament to die 27th of June : On the 3d
of the fame Month, his Majefly fet out to vifit his German
dominions f and on the 14th, an Exprefs arrivM at St.
James's, with Advice, that his Majefty was taken ill fudden-
ty cki the Road^ and died at Ofnabrug on the nth, in the
68th Year oi his Age, and the 1 3th of his Reign : He was
fucceeded in the Throne by his only Son and Heir, his
Royal Highne&, George Prince of Wales.
Thel^uUuBent
prorogued.
The Death of
KingCeorsel.
^e End if the FiRst Votu me.
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Jus Parliamentarium :
OR, THE
ANCIENT POWER,
JURISDICTION
RIGHTS and LIBERTIES,
o P
PARLIAMENT,
REVIVED and ASSERTED.
By WILLIAM TETTT, Efq;
Kflqter of the Records in the Tower of
LONDON.
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I N D E X
O F T H E
NAMES of the feycral SPEAKERS
in the iMrf^otume,
A.
tMAt John, jp« 33, 40, 4^ 69, li^, ix4»
' ii7» »30» m» U4> '37» 'S5» ^73- >74»
]^^, i84» igi' 202^ 212, 213, 234, 2}6.
Aldworth Charles, ' ^
AjiftU John, —————— 42*
Barker Sir William,
^ Archer Andxcwi
8.
Barnard John. .■
JBarrington Joim'-Shttte,-
Bladen Martin, 133, 15$
362,38}.
Bloodil Sa Monta29e» —
Bootte Tioxna-s
69»
J^^ 394*
■ ' 31, 120.
■ — 3^7' 394-
'291,358,396.
123, I93> iS4%
»74» i75» i^4» »87> 29i»
M i9i.
.^.^ . .^-. --—^3^6.
Bofcawwi Hugh, 23. 28, 32, 33, 36^ 59, 101, iQ^* "7»
BroderickLord Vifcount^ -176, 291, 367*
Brodcricfc St. John, r— ■] ■ ■ ^- 3»2' 3^7' 394-
Broderick Thomas, 191, ^34, 235, 243, ^51* 270, 297,
5*99» 30}' i^7* 3*«' 384^ 394- ,
Bromlqr William, 1, 4, 13, ZU 33, 69* 90, 125, 128,
Uif 1S$» 2*0, 22s. 287, 291, 292, 299, 301, 302j 322,
366.
BtDwdow Sir John ; fee Tyrconncl Lord Vifcounti
Buobqry Sir mnryi ^' '■ ' ^7^'
Batler James,' . ■ ■ ^ ' - 253*
CseiarCharks^iv«"
Vot,X
a
"P'Uii <u 'M'
»3
-^-r3i> 33-
y Google
INDEX.
CtopbeD tirlamci, «. jC
Campbell Oaueli 14$.
CMnpicm Henry, ■■■ ■ ■ 5, 9,
* Ckrey Walter^ j 345.
Carpenter Lord, 173. zz6.
Camr Laoreikoe, ^ 159, 143, 192, 247.
Cartwrighc Henry, ^— — — — 192.
Caftlecomer Lord Vifcoont. i— 1 47* 1 92.
CafWall Sir George, 119. 174,237.
CavendifiiLord James, ■ ' ■ 247,
Chetwynd John, 192, 307,
Chctwynd Walter, ■ 69, 307.
Chifwdl Richard, -> 269.
Clayton William, 229, 232, 259, 307, 368.
Coke Sir Thomas, ■■ — — — ■ r-371.
Compbn Spencer, — — — 17, 1 19, 120, 260, 279, 345.
Conduit John, ' ./ ' ^ m 3^7, 388.
Coningsby Lord Vifcount, ? — 26, 33$ 37, 42, 69.
Conyers John, 1 ■ 4.
Copi Sir John, 105, 275, 501.
Comwal Vcltcrs, ■ 327.
Coventry William, < 155.
Cowper Spencer, ■ i6i, 184,227, 287.
Craggt James, 69, 117, 119, 137, 144, 154, 172, 174,
^7S> "77» 178* ^79» '^» '85, 187, 191, 192, 195, 202,
210, 221, 223, 227, 228, 229.
Croft Sir Thomas, —————— 69, 173, 185, 257.
Crowky John, ■ 1 ■ 291.
D.
DalrympleSir David, 31, 87, 155, 184.
Danvers Jofeph,. ■ ■ 594.
Davers Sir Robert, ■ in,
Docminiqac Pad, ; ■ : 249, 250, 3M.
Doddington George, 286, 291,321,335, 34S« 363. 370,
377» S7^ 3^7t 39^f 394> 39^-
E.
Bdg^combeRh:hard^ ^92,
Erie LjiuteMMt-Gifural,^ 136, icc.
Eversficld Charles. ■ / ^ jnj
Bytes Sir John, 248, 256, 296, 297. 366.*
F
. f?"*' W'IB««,— III, lio, 176, 324, "fie 357^ 394-
Finc^ Honmnble John, ^ ^^'^ f^t
3«3.T^.**^''' '*' *^' *•*' "*' '^ ^** H»>J!44
y Google
•^ INDEX.
Fitz-Willums Lord, ■ 390. 39'-
Foley Thomas, ■ 27, 33. 363.
Freeman Ralph, 36, loi, iii, 174, 176, 15$, i84t 190,
196, 251, 267, 268, 297, 327, 366, 370.
Friend Dr. John,-— —»— -—295, 302, 343, 363, 383.
G.
Gage Lord Vifcount,^ ■ ■ 29}, 296, 315, 316, 394.
Gore William, .■■ , ^ ^ m, 39^,
Gower Honourable Thomas, * ■■ 345,
Gould Sir Nathaniel, i rS, 125, 249, 257, 269, 297, 298.
Graham Honourable James^ — ■ ■ 192.
Grimfton William,"' ^ ■ ■ ■ 1 1 7.
Gucmfcy Lord, 21, 36,68, (^, 105, 117, 130, 193.
Guife Sir John, . ■ 322.
Gybbon Philips, — : 343, 345.
H.
Hampden Richard, 2?, 29, 32, 36, 59, 69, 79, loi,
10c, 120, 137, X45, 155,184,192,202, 210,36s, 377.
Hsftitoer Sir Thomas, 21, 69, 125, 167, I73> 190, 192,
291, 322, 343, 366, 377, 378, 388.
Heathcoie Sir Gilbert, 14, 117, 118, 177, 184, 192,
269, 338.
Harley Edward, > ■ ■ 18, 27, 33, 177.
Heath Thomas, > ' ^^ 232.
Hedges John, — 345,
Hertford Earl of, -*- ■ 9, 59, 200, 287*
Hemejofeph, 117, 120. 125, 128, 184, ^oi,^202, 211,
Heyfham Robert, — 69. 1 79, 184, 250, 268, 270, 356.
Hinchinbroke Lord Viicount, 11, 184, 188, 223, 228,
X48, 249. '
Hobarc Sir John, j ' " ■ 368.
Hopkins John, ■ m i 32, 394.
Hopton Richard, ■ ■ ■ ■■ i 192.
Hotham Sir Charles,' . 161,175, ^® ^» ^ ? ^ *
Howe John,' ■ \. ■ 394, 396.
linngerfbrd John, 13, 22, 26,29, 31, 33, 69, 101, 109,
III, 113^116,. 117, 120, 125, 130, 131,134,138, 139,
141, 146, 147,177, 184, 201, 2Q2,2i2, 214, 225, 23a,
246, 247, 249, 250, 259, 287, 295, 296, 297, 298, 301^
306, 322, 327, 337, 356, 366, 370, 377, 3^3» 384* 39«»
395? 396. ^
HQtchdbn ArchibaU, 28, 69, 117, i20> 131, 161, I74»
I75» *76» I77.'226, 229, 237, 240, 256, 271, 278, 285,
^7j ^9'» 29«» «97» 30«> V^ 322* 396- . «. .
. - * ? Jcffcr4C^
ed by Google
INDEX.
Jdferies Edward-Winnington, 69, 162, 19^1 227, 247,
268, 28c, 287, 29% 500, 362.
JckyUSirJofcph, 27, 29, 33, 69, i;o. 134, 13S,142,
155, i6i, 172. i73» >77> '^4' *9>» '92» *'4» **>> 223,
224, 225, 226, 227, 229, 232, 240, 244, 247, 249, 250,
2; I. 251, 255, 258, 259, 267* 287, 296, 297, 300, 301,
J02, 306, 3^7, 3®8, 3^6, 322. 327, 357. 358, 363* 370»
Jcffop Wiliianiy ■■ n 248,257.
K. - . .
Kctrieby Abel, " ■ ■ - ' - — «^ 1 3q3.
LawfonGilfrid, - p 117, 1^5, 224, 225,308,
Lawfon Sir Wilfrid, 184, 202, 209, 270, 287, 295, 297,
307* 324. 33'^/370»394- • , ,
Lechmere Nicholas, 22, 30, 5O1 59, 68,. 69, loo, 112^1
113, 126, 130, 137, 138, 142, 145, 160, 17J, 174,-178,
l'84, 191, 192, 202, 211, 228, %\Oi 241, 242, 244, 250,
251.253,255.256.
Lewis ThomaS| 1 ■ — 370, 387.
Lowndes William, 131, 175, 250, 251, 256, 25?, 259,
^96.
Lowther Sir William, ■ ■ ■ 1 ^ i . i^x.
^ Lowther James, i 1 ■. ' ' 52.
• Lumley Lord, 'i , ■ ■ ■ . 1 , — ■ ■ , n^^
Lumlcy G<», Henry, ■ ■ ' 28, iii, 177.
Lutwyche Thomas/ 192^ 296,301, 309, 3^i5»S45t370t
S94-
Ly ddal Thomaf, 1 ■ . 29, 68, 70.
M.
Mcthncn Pan!, 135, 190, 202, 21 1« 2J8, 239, 245,^
292, f97, 33'4» 342; 369, 386^ 389. 3^1-
Ml Icr Edmmid, 307, 322, 357^ 343.
Milher James, '"" *' ■ 222^ d24) 252, 247^ 257.
Moiefworih I^ord Vitount,69, 119,177, 1^5,214^ 220%
223, 227, 228, 232, 23f, at^o, 247, 2481 250, 253, 254,
257-
Molineux SamoeU «■" ^ >■■ ■ <t ■ '■■ ■ 69*
Mordaunt Lieutenant-General K^viy^ ■ 119.
Mortton MatthtW'Ducif, 1 i^r ■■m.t 1 i^tz^ 209.
Moore Arth«r, ■■ ■ r u ■ ^jr, 256, 2f fi^ 265
Morpeth Lord VifcoaWt -471,291, 3*2^ .327, 3t?t 34f
J»4i39f- ; Nevilc
I •- . Digitized by VjOOQIC
I^N^^ D U.^X^
< Nevae OrtfJ ""i; '""" *■"■? ^ ^U t%u «4fc a J*i
Northcy Sir Edward, < iMi<ri nm ,iii>i ,30^ 119,
« Ogletkoripe James^- ■ '■■ ' ■■ t, |Qt, 3 jy;
OaA^w Sir Kldiardy » im.i.fc.ii mm |Ihh ^iwh .iwi ■ i^
OidW Thomas^ i ■ .^ < 4, 29, 109.
. OftOow Arthur, ^93, t^^t 3<^f IStft 34Ji HSr 3^»
$70f 37i> 376,3S5» 3.88, 39i» 396-, \ ;
OtigHtOn Sir Adtrtphtw, ■■ ■ im">i " 'n' »■ a 50?
Oxcftdan Sir Geor^, ' i^i 3S4f^57> 544t S45'
. X^kiDg^on Sir J<ihn, .m im ■ if" 1 nimi f » 1 aegi spgy
Paget Lordy ' " " •« i*» > >*^ * ff 09*
PiUncr Thomas, -^ t9^> 25*» «9»»'3®6i 345^ 394» 39**
Paqiet£wrfWtlHaip^ »ot^ 276, 345, 344.
, PeUiam H^ Hemy^ 2« 5i it<9t »f9»'»*7t *^«» ^9*» 3<^^»
321, 326, 334i 340. 353f 357f 362, sjo, 383, 384, 396- ■
P^ngclly Sir Tiwwnas, 2035, 212, 2*7^ E3O1 ijo^ a97>
336» 3381 343. 3451358. 363*^ *
Pitt Thomas, . 202,269,214, 221, 223, 224*
Plumcr Wakcr, 202, 214, ^24, 2^7* 267, i^zz^ 327,
3381 345*
Pulteney Daniel, 3S8f 36»>370f 394-
fokcney WiUiam, 5, 14, 59, n*^ »4J» 128, 129, .133,
I35> i37» 219, 249, 258, 259» tf^f 7fi%t 286, 287, 29r,
297, 299, 3^p 303. 3"» 355t 339> 340, 358, %^3> 370,
577> S9h 3«4» 3851 387^ 389f i9^ 39^.
'. . t \ ^ c R* ; ,
Raymond Sir Robert, T3, 33, 69, 95, 2271 229, 2S©i
»%t 300. 303» y^-
Rich Sir Robert, ■ ' 264-
Rofe GwwTtf/ Charles, 13, 14, t6, 29, 31, 36, 69^ 12^,
t47, T48, 185; 23 1 i «4?i 246, 247, 24?, 249, 278.
' Rufeottt5ir jQhn,— **t97, 299i 3«>7> 345i 37©^ 37»-
- - _ . »
Sandys Samuel, 291, 29^ 301, 3071 337» 345f 37^, 3^4*
39»» 394-
Scropc John, — ' ' — ; — ■393-
gkippta Wittia»r^> »^> «3» 3*»3^4^'6«,«^,7«»i J6,
117, .r*o, 125, 128^ 129, 137, I4»f *54k >55» *«»» ^85,
^ 190, 19?, 1931 200, 20t, xt9, ^5i«^7t«33t 2+»t *^3t
2581,
y Google
IN D E X.
25*t «67i »6«f «*6> 29«f «97t 299i joi, 302, 503, 306.
I*^3*«f J»r» 353#S6«» 366f J07, 369, 370, 377, 383,
S^? 3»7v 39«»^94t 396» ^
Sloper WiUuin^ 224, 22^» 2299 1321 £4.69 247, 250, 251,
as»f *Vo^*87f *96» «97f 3^.
^miUi John, 69, III, 119,110^ 122, i24» 131, 137, 155,
^73i »75» ^4t *^ *^*» 212^ 225, 2^7, 287, 29 H 302.
8siitk Thomat, .'- 86.
^ 8seU Johii, 311, 09, 86, 161, 184, 192, 193, 327, 345,
370.
StaBkape ?hiUp Lord, ■ 3 8, 69, 259, 291 .
. gtafihopc Chark^ zsst^l^^
Stanh^yt Cc/, WiUiam, 190.
Stanhope G#xr. Jaine9, 14, 18921, 22,24^ 26, 28, 33, 36,
39,47,62,69,101, 109,111,115, 116,117,118, 119,
I20, I2i,i23»i27, 1 18, 130^133,137, 144.
St Aabin Sir John, ■»■ 391.
• Stanwix <j#«. Tfaointg> ■ 1 75.
. Stede Sir Richard, 69,85,101, 173, 175, 202, 224,240,
240.
StrangewiMrs Thomas, — --.— ^ — ^ ' 192, 301.
Strickland Sir Williain, 146, 147, ijo, 335, 345^ 370,
385i388t39if39^-
Saccon SirR<«)ciy, ■ 1 ■ 1 , ■, 351.
Talbot Charles, ' ■ ■» ■ » 1 301, 302, 394, 596.
Tench Sir Fifticr, , 133.
Thompfpn Edward, — ^ 315, 325, 336, 345, 370.
Thomlon Sir William, 69, loi, 119, 137, 177, 192,
292, 295, 306.
Trcby George, 1 30, 1 73, 190, 216, 259, 268, 291, 321,
3^7:
Trefufis Samuel,
-—t 244,
Trelawney Edward,' ■ , , ■■ ^88.
Trcnchard John, 249, 297, 298, 301, 515.
Trevanian John, — — ' ' , -i 69.
Tuffnell SaipHcl, -^— 101, 139,142, 144, 146, 202, 2x0-
Tomer Sir Charles, ■ ■■ -69, 396.
Tyrconnell Lord Vircovnt,€9f lor, 105, 109, 1I4, 214,
- V.
Vcmey Hqn. Jphn, f :' ■ " 3»«» 357t 385-
Vernon gdwctid., ■ 1 ■ 291 , ^96.
Vernofi T^om^s, ■ .i i 1 1 ■ '.i 24c,
y Google
INDEX.
Wade G^.George»' I73> »75f 3^71 3«3-
Ward John, 13, 1 8, 29, 51, 53, 69, 117, 192, 251, 270.
Ward Sir John, z^o.
WalpoleRobcrt,4, II, i4t«S>^6,2f,23,2r4,25,26,32t
33i56, 37t38f39t40t42>i"> 112, ii3»ii4,ii9, 120.
125, 126, 128, 129, i3>j«33t «37f H^t i54» i55t 161.
172, i73f >74» «75f »76| >77» «79i »8o, 184, 185, 187,
191, 192. 194, 202, 2Mi» 213, 221, 223, 225, 226, 229,
232f 233. M2» 2|3, 244, 247,248, 251^253, 254, 255,'
258, aS9t 267, 268, 278, 287, 291, 292, .295, 296; 297,
301, 302, 306, 3<?7f 3o8» 3»fiO*^ 322f 337f 338t 34o.
34^358,363,565,366, 367f 57«» 377' 379» 3841 S^St
388,391;
Walpolc Horatio, 4, 117,120, 129, \\t^iSU i84,i9>»
192, 202,209, 224, 225, 227, 244, 247, 248, 249, 250,
253, 255, 259, 268, 270, 295,297, 300, 307, 359, j77,
379.384f385- ' ^ . ^
Wcarg Sir Clement, — 336, 318, 342,345.
Well Richard,— —291,296, 315,336, 33^, 345-
Weftcrn Thomas, 190*
WhitlockeSir William, — — ", i3f 15,69.
Williami, William Pccrc, \ — '" — 36S*
Windfor Hon. Dixie, - 247.
Winnington Thomas, ■ 394.
WorfleyCharles, — 187,
Wortley Edward-Montague, C9, 394, 396.^
.Wykes William, ' ■ 4f 69, loi, 202.
Wyndham Sir William, 5, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21, 22, 29,
3*f 33»4«. >29i«54? >73, »75» i79» >8j, 192, 215, 22c,
225, 242, 251, 253, 254, 286, 301, ;o6, 308, 336, 370,
377f 383, 384, 385, 389, 391, 394, 396.
Y.
Yonge William, 69, 124, 147, 173, 192, 268, 270, 286,
287, 292, 295, 297, 300, 301, 305, 321, 327, 332, 336,
337,338, 340f366, 368, 370,383, 385» 1^7* ^'P^^9\
394, 395- .,.
York Philip, 214, 221, 227, 329, 270, 300, 30i,33$»
342*3941396.
'^:!
y Google
y Google
AD D END A to the fafVolume.
Mr Hutchefori^ SPEECH
Agaihit RfiPEALlNcthe
TRIENNIAL ACT-
Mr Speakej^j
?' C^not content myfcl/in die great QuefUon how before Anntfi. Gt^. l
you, to deliver my Opinion barely by voting in it j for y^^ J?'^
think it of that Importance to the Nation, to deferve and
need the mofl thoroa|ii Examination. I heartily wiAi it
might have had a much longer Time of Confideration, than
I perceive Gentlemen are difpofed to give it j but fince we
are entered on the Debate of it, I fhall endeavour to expreTs
my Thoughts about it with great Plainnefs and Freedom.
^ My prefent Opmion, Sir, according to the beft judg-
ment I am able to form, is. That if we ihould give our
Confent to the Faffing of the Sill before us into a Law, We \
Aould be guilty of the moft notorious Breach of the Truft
rcpofed in us, by thofe who fent us hither, and ihould make
a very dangerous Step towards the Undermining of that
Conftitution, which our Anceftors have been fo careful td
preferve, and thought no Expence, either of Blood or Trea-
fure, too much for tliat Purpofe, and under which we do >
yet enjoy thofe Privileges, and Advantages, which no other
Nation in the World can at this Day boafl of.
* This is the Light in which the Bill yet appears to me a
and therefore if I <£d believe what fome GentJemen do^ That
it would be conducive to feveral good £nds, yet that would
not be fufficient to gain my Confent thereto ; for I cannot
think thofe Ends, however defirable> equivalent to fuch a
Price, as that of giving up, or even of making a dangerous
Advance towards the giving up entirely, the Britifh Confti-
tution. Much lefs would I give my Confent to fuch a Law,
when I am of Opinion, That it would be fo far from con-
tributing to the Ends pretended to be aimed at thereby^
that it would have the direft contrary EIFcdl : And if we
a are
Digitized by ^OOQIC
are^sot to do Evil that Qood may come of it, fixrdjr we
maft not do Evil, only to bring Miichief upon oorfielves.
\ Thefe are my Reafois 9f^n& the Bill, Tiiat cor Coo-
fent to it would be a Bieach of Tnift, and a dangettN»
Breach upon our Conftitation ; and that, if it were not lit-
ble to this Objedion, That yet it wodd ferve to Parpofe
dire^y contrary to thofe preluded to he aimed a^ by Geo*
tkmen who are for the Bill ; I fliali endeavour to cjfj^b^
myklf in thefe Points.
* Give me Leave therefore to mention, what appears tt>
me to have been the anpicQt QonUti^tion of P^liament, and
alfo how the (ame has been, and (lands changed at this
Time, with Relation to the Matter which is now the Si^
jt&. of our Debate. I believe it will, nay, it mn& be
agreed. That before the Reigo of Henry VUI. there was
no Bngie Inflance of a Prorogation of Parliament : That
. Parliaments had only one Seffion, and thofe generally vciy
ihort ones, none of which ever lafted a Year : That to prcr
vent the Mifchief of long Intervals of Parliament, it ym
enaaed in the fourth Yiear of Edwaid III. That Parliamtirts
fhould be holden annually, and^ this was confirmed by fiibfe-
qoent A£b of Parliament : And thete^n^ I may venture to
affirm. That by the ancient ConfBtution, Parliaments weie
to be hdden frequently, and to be of the Continuance only
of one Seflion, and that there was no Right or Power in. die
Crown to prorogue the fame : I fay, Uiis I can affinq. on
the fame Foundation, and with as fboQg Reafbn, as I can
affirm. That the eldeil Son, after the Death of his Fathei^
fhall inherit, as Heir at Law, the Lands in Fee-Simi^e ; or
that the youngeH; Son fhall inherit, where the Cuftom ctf
Borough-Engliih prevails ; or that all the Sons fhaU equaBy
inherit the Lands of Gavel-Kind ; or, indeed, as I can
affirm of any Part of the common Law, or the particoW
Ufages of the Kingdom ; for thefi^ are fupported ooly by
conftuit Pradice and Prefcription inunemonal; and dicy
ndther need nor can have a longer Support than this ; ibr
furely of all Laws, thofo mull be allowed to carry withi tl^m
the ftrongefl Evidence of Juflice, wJhich haye been ab^
fubiliittcd to, without any Change or Alteration.
* The Application is obvious to the Poipt in Debate,,!
mean as far as the Reign of Henry VIII. And if at ^
Time this was tha Conftiti^tion of Pkriiafnent, it wQ;
not be eafy to (hew how the fame has been fince lepl^
changed ; but I fhall fpeak to this more fulbr, aih^ I hiive
anfwered an Objef^ion which has been made. It haa be^
fdd, * That it is no Proof that the Crown had no FowRT
* to prorogue Parliaments, and to continue th^ faai^ f$fS9e
I mtnt for feveral Seffions, although there wore no bftnoes
* thentf
Digitized by ^OOQIC:^
ADDENDA to the f iitsT Volume. 3
' diercof uBtil the Rcig^ of Hcniy VIII.' * If this
ObjedioH has any Weight, it will equally hold againU any
other Part of the common Law, which hath hitherto re-
mained unconteded: For may not the younger Sons, in
this Way of Reafening, fay, That although there be no
Inflance, that any of them have hitherto claimed to inherit,
equally with the Eldeft, the Lands in Fee-Simple, that ytt
this is no Proof againft their Right of making fuch a Claim,
and having it determined for them. And if fuch a Cafe
fliould be brought into Weftminiler-Hafl, it is evident, that
there is no A£k of Parliament which fetdes the Poifit, nor
any preceding Refolution, becaufe the Matter was never in
quei£[on before ; and yet furelf no Gentleman will affirm^
that the Judges woukl be at Liberty to determine this as a
aew Cafe, whatever Equity they might conceive in the Pre-
tentions of the younger S(Nis, but would be ibridUy tied to
adjudge according to the conHant and uninterrupted Uiage.
And had the Lords and Commons, when the firft Attempt
of proroguing was made upon them, infifted. That the
Crown had no fuch Power, and the pinion of the Judges
had beeo^equired therein, it was impoffible that they could
have determined otherwife, than according to the conibnC
tJfage, or that they would have adjudged fuch an original
Power in the Crown, which had never been exerted, m>m
the earlieft Mention which our Records, or Hiitory, make
6f Parliaments, to that very Day j or thut they could have
conceived it poffible, that the Crown could have had fuch a
Power, and yet never have afierted it in one fingle Inftance,
in the Cburfe of fo many hundred Years.
* If the Fa£b I h^e mentioned are, as they appear to
jne to be, undeniably true, the Inference I thence mahe is
next to a Demonfbation 1 and I may venture to add. That
there is no Part of our I^ws built on a more folid Founda-
tion, and fupported with fbronger Reafons $ .Reafons which
aiuft eternally have the greateft Weight, and make the
deeped Impr^ion, on the Mkids of a People, who have any
Senfe of Liberty : And, Thanks be to God ! we are yet a
Free Nadoa. For without the Frequency of Parliaments,
the Opportunity (^ Redrefling thofc Grievances would be
loft, which nK>re or lefs have happened in all Reigns, from
the Influence and Adminiftratum of evil Counfellors, and
wicked Minifters, who will always prefer their own private
Interefts and finifter Views, to the Honour of their Prince,
and Welfare of their Country : And it is to the Dread which
fuch impious Monfters have iways had, and I hope will ever
have, of the juft Vengeance of a Parliament, that we hi-
therto owe the Prefervation of our Liberties ; for, had the
Times of being called to an Account in Parliament been at
a 2 any
Digitized by LjOOQIC
4 ADDENDJiotheFifLst Volume.
any confideriable Dlilance, the Attempts of bdd and damg
Men would have had no Curb ; and indeed it is but one Step
more, and that not difficult, from a long to themitire Difu&
of Parliaments^ and refdving the Government into an ab-
folote Monarchy ; but I will urge this Pbint no farther, be-
cauie I believe it will be generally allowed ; and that, what-
ever might be the private Opinion of any particular Peribn,
no Briton will be yet fo hardy, as to declare himfelf againft
the Neceffity of frequent Parliaments.
* I wiih Gentlemen would as generally concur, that die
other Part which I have mentioned, and I think have made
appear, to have been our ancient Cbnftitution, were as ab-
folutely necefiary to' the Prefervation of our Liberties ; I
mean Parliaments of one Seflion, not only frequent, but
frequent New Parliaments. The Thing indeed appears very
evident to me ; fo evident, that in my poor Opinion, our
Liberties would not be more, nay, not fo precarious under
an abfolute Monarch, as with a Houfe of Commons who
had Right to fit either for many Years together, or
without any Limitation of Time : For Uis certain, that a
Prince, who had flood only on the Bottom of his 4lvn abib-
lute Authority, affifled with a few Minifters and fome Troops,
would ftill think himfelf pretty much upon his good Beha-
viour towards the united Body of his People ; and woold^
probably, be cautious of exerting his Power in fuch a Man-r
ner, as to give a jufl Provocation to a general Revolt, and
letting up another in his Stead $ but a Prince, with a Par-
liament at his Devotion, would be infinitely more terrible,
and, with much greater Security, might give a Loofe to
every Extravagancy of fewer ; for when the Reprefentatives
of the People, who are chofen by them to be the Guar^
dians of their Liberties, can be prevailed on, for little Ad-*
vantages to themfelves, to betray their Truft, and come into
all the Meafures of a defigning Miniflry, ^tis then, indeed,
that the Liberties of a People are in the mofl imminent
Danger ; and furely, there is great Reafon to apprehend,
that a Houfe of Commons might foon become very obfe-
quious to a Minifter, if they were to fit for a long Pe-
riod, or without Limitation, and that there were no near
Day in View of a new Eledion, when the Condud of
Gentlemen in this Place, would be inquired into, in their
refpcdive Countries.
* 1 believe it will not be denied. That 'tis very poflible
for a Miniitry, by Penfions and Imployments to fome, and
by the Expe^tions raifed ia others, and by the Corruption
of Eleftors, and returning Officers, to obtain a very great
Majority, entirely and blindly at their Devotion, even at
the very BrSt Meeting of a Parliament, and that by a Cbm^
mittCQ
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ADDENDA to the First Volume. j
mittec of Elcdlions and other proper Helps, their Party may Anno a.^Gpo. i.
4daily increafe ; and that fjch a Parliament may be fo far '
from protedling the Liberties of their Country, or from be-
ing a Terror to Evil Minifters, as to become themfelves the
Tools of Oppreffion in the Hand of fuch a Miniftry, and by
their Authority, to confecrate the worft of AfUons, to de-
clare every honell Patriot, who has the Courage to attempt
to ftem the Tide of Wickednefs, and to ftand up for the
Liberties of his Country, to be its greatefl Enemy ; and
thofe who are ready to give it up, to be the only true Friends
of our Conftitution ; and if ttis ftiould ever happen to be
our Cafe, I beg Gentlemen to confider. Whether a greater
Curfe could fall on any People than to have fuch a Parlia-
ment as This entailed upon them.
* I remember very well, what an Outcry was raifed
againft the laft Parliament, on Sufpicion only, that a Re-
peal of the Triennial ASt was intended, and the Arguments
againft it without Doors, were then the very fame with
thofe which are now urged againft it within : What an In-
confiftency muft it then appear, to fee thofe very Gentle-
men, who were then the moft zealous Oppofers of fuch an
Attempt, become now the moft violent Advocates for ifc ?
And will it not alfo in ibme Meafure aifeft their Integrity,
publickly to own, that the Arguments they pretended to be
then influenced by, had not the leaft Weight with them ;
and that the Thing in itfelf was very defirable, when there
ihould be a good Miniftry and Parliament in Being, and
pernicious only in the then Situation of Affairs ? It was not
certainly from this Confideration, that the late Miniftry and
Parliament were diverted from the Attempt : They, doubt-
lefs, had 2k very good Opinion of themfelves, and were con-
firmed therein by the Voice of a great. Majority of the
Peoj^e, and which, by a mdft ftrange and unaccountable
Witchcraft, ftill continues in their Favour ; if I may de-
pend upon what feveral who have argued for the Bill feem
to have agreed to. «
* I muft beg Gentlemen tq confider, that the Mifchicf
I have mentioned, will be no ways prevented by the prefent
Pofture of our Affairs-; for tho' we may have now a good
Miniftry and Parliament, their Continuance, notwithftanding
the intended Law, will ftill depend on the Pleafure of the
Prince; for I do not perceive that any Gentleman will
move for a Claufe, to continue the Miniftry for Lif> ; or
that the Parliament ftiall not be diflblved without their
own Confents ; and if, by ill Advice to his Majefty, a
Change ftiould happen, may it not fo fall out, that a long
Continuance of a new Miniftry and Parliament, may be
pf infinite Prejudice to the Nation : Surely, therefore, it
will
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6 ADDENDA to thi First Volums.
Aaao X. G«ft. t will bc Wifdom» in tke making of this, or mny odier
'^' Law, not to coniider fome little prefent Convemency, bit
the general and obvious Tendency of the £une. I tliot-
foce think that I am yet warranted to Jay, and IkaU &f
it, 'till I am conTinced that I have miilaken die Mfttta>
That freqoent new Parliaments was the ancient Confti-
tudon i that until the Reign of Henry Vltl. there was 110
ftrongq- Evidence for any Part of the common Law, than
there was for this Part of our Conftitodon ; and that the
fame was built, and ilands upon as foUd a Foundation as
any Law ever did, or can do, being abfolutdy necefiafy
and eflential to the Liberties of a free People.
* It is true, Henry VIII, in the 21ft Year of his Rdjp^
prorogued the Parlian^ent, which was the £rft Inftance of thk
Kind, and fucceeding Princes have, more or le(s, condnned
the fame Pradice ; but I can in no wife agree, to what
ibme Gentlemen would thence infer. That the Crown had
always a Right to do ib 1 for I think I have made the
contrary very cvidendy appear 1 and that undl the 21ft of
Henry VIII, qo Part of our common Law was better c&b-
bliihed than this ancient Ei^ifh Condicution of frequent
new Parliaments 1 but it is remarkable, that this havii^
been the firft Inftance of a Prorogation, it was thought coAr
venient to drengthen the farther Continuance of that Parlia-
ment by Adjournment alfo : If the Crown, before the Timt
I have mentioned, had not the Power of condnuing th«
fame Parliament by Prorc^dons, it will not be eafy 119
ihew, how they have come legally by it iince : Sore I am^
that there is no A& of Parliament which vefts any fucb
Power in the Crown, and Prefiiiption immemorial is «ot
fo much as pretended to. The Short of the Matter leems
to me then no more than this ; A Very ^bitrary Prince, th«
better to krye the Ends he h«l th^ in View, bold^ in^
vades the Liberties of liii Peof^, and ufurps a new PRfO-
gadve, unheard of before 1 that Parliament tamely fiiboiita
thereto, either out of Fear, or for bafer R^ai^His ; pethAps*
they were pleafed wkh a bnger Continuance, a^d, the agree-
able Profped^ of iharing in the Advantages of ^ws« whidi
they were afterwards to make, ImeaQ,dieI>ifibltttionof Ab*
bies ; and although thereby the Foundatio^i of our hapgy
Reformation was laid, yet that is eatirel^r owin|^ to anO^r
Caufe, and in no wife to the pioqs Intendolls :ei^roftkat
Prince, or of that Parliament. This new IVerQg^oW^
at firil ufed with moch Caudon, ^d- thereby d^ ,£)td.
Tendency thereof was not fb foon ^difcovertd $ ajfid^wlieil
the PoiTeffion of this Power beqam<q ftrengthened 1%^^
Crown by a Condnnance of Time, ^n4 the Acquiefosncfe
pf the Nation, it was mu^h more -dilicult tQ ff$:iii^
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jtDDENDA to the First Volume. 7,
tiie Innovation^ than it was at firfl to Kave prevented the
iaime ; and it has been, I prefame, thought more prudent
Co continue our Acquiefcence, whilil the Inconveniences
'vviere in 9oy Meafure fupportable* rather than to endeavour
to retrieve this moft valuable Part of our ancient Cbnflitu-
tian by Force of Arms ; although this Remedy hath been
xdbrted to frequently, and on much flighter Occalionsin my
Opinion, ^
* But I cannot fee, that from a Power fo aiTumed, and
fo continued, it will follow, either that the ancient Confti-
tution was {p« or that it ought to be fo at this Day ; and
I muft bcf, that whatever Ailments can be brought to
iupport that Do£lrine, will equally juftify the Exercife of
any other Part of Arbitrary Power ; for upon the ilarting
up of any new Prerogative, 'tis but faying, that the Crown
lud always a Right to it, although it was never claimed or
e^rcifed before 5 and there may be Parliaments complaifant
enough to acquiefce therein, which perhaps might be afham-
edy by a new exprefs Law, barefaced and unmafked, to
five up the Liberties of their Country 5 and I do not fee,
ut that this would be as good a Comxnencement for any
IVBW Prerogative, as the Yov/ti of Proroguing at firft had.
I^t Gentlemen coniider what the ancient Laws of England
were, in the Matter of Impriibnments, and what the Practice
was for ibmje Time before the Adl ofHabeat Corpus. I hope
there is nQ Briton, fo abandoned to the Notions of Slavery,
a$ to affirm, that it ever was by the Laws of England, in
the Power of the Prince to iso^rifon any of his Subjefls dur-
ing his Will zxjA Pleafiire, and without any Reafons affign-
ed : They were to be imprifoned only* when legally charg-
ed with Crimes, and were either to be tried for the fame.
Of released from their Imprilbnment» in a reafonable Time ;
and as to this, the A£l; o£ Haieui Corpus wa$ not introdudtive
of a new Law, but dedaiative only of the old ; this is
fo eflential to the Being of a free People, that it mull be
agreed, that our Law w«s always thus i I am fure, without
it, our Condition would di&r little from the Slavery of
Turky ; for the Bow-String itfelf, a fpeedy Death, is Mer-
cy, when compared to a Imgering Confinement. And ytt
it is certain, that before the A^ of Habeas Corpus^ the
good Sul^je^ of England were fom^times thus arbitrarily
zxA ilk^ally in^rifoned, to oratify the Avarice, Ambition,
Malice, or Revengeof evil CouttfeUors and wicked Mini-
Hers ; and the Advocates fior Prerogative did as Hrl^lly iniifl:
on the Legality of this Power, as they did on any other,
which was claimed by the Crown. I cannot indeed tell
laum long this Power of arbitrary Imprifoning had been ex-
ercifed.
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8 ADDENDA to the FiRsr Volumk.
ercifed, but I am apt to believe it may vye for Antiquity,
with the Powct of Proroguing Parliaments.
* I muft alfo pat Gentlemen in mind of the Prerogatives
claimed and exercifed by King James ll. to diipenfe with
the Laws, to conmiand oaf Bifhops and Clergy to read in
their Churches his ille^ Proclaftiaticms^ arid to fufpemi
and imprifon them for difobeying, with many others of the
like Kind, which arc recited by the Qaim of Rights ; ani
it is certain, that had we not been refcued by the Revolu-
tion, all thefe arid many riiore, had been good Prerogatives
at this . Day, and might have been all of them fupporterf
with as good Argunlents, as any tan be ufed for the Power
of Proroguing ift the Reign of Hewy VIJI. and fome of
them with as good, nay, with the very ^ame Arguments
as are ufed for the Legality of the Power at this very Time.
I hope therefore we fhall be very cautious of admitdi^
fuch Arguments, as tend naturally to fupport all Extrava-
gancies of Power whatfoeVcr, and to let in Upon us aA Inun-
dation of Oppreffions.
* In the late Reigns, and in particular by the long pen-
tionary Parliaments in the Reign of Charles II. the Na-
tion became very fenfible of the mifchievous Confi^G(aenpes^
which had already happened, and the more fotal which
might ftill refult, from the dangerous Breach which had
been made in our ancient Conftitution : It was now evident
tb the meanell Capacity, That a defigning Prince, who,
with the Affiftance of a wicked Mini&y, fhould be able,
after feveral Trials, at lall to procure a Parliament to hi^
Purpofe, would have the Liberties of his People entirely in
his Power, and might govern them at Pleafure ; from
which State of Slavery it was evident, that nothing lefi^
^than a Revolution could refcue«them ; and if they failed in
that Experiment, that then their Chains would be riveted
for ever. Under this melancholy Profpedt^of Afiairs the
Nation gtoaned, and Qomplaints were heard in every Cor-
ner of our Streets ; and even the very Penfioners in that Par-
liament were not arrived to fuch a Pitch of Impiety, as ta
take Pleafure in the Drudgery they had engaged in, but
adled with Relu^lancy and Remorfe, and as we have been
very lately told in this Place, betrayed the Caufe &ey had
fo wickedly efpoufed, and frequently gave Notice to the
Friends of England, of the Attempts which were ^o be
made on the Liberties of their Country. This penfionaiy
Parliament was at laft diffolved, but on what Views, and
by what Advicfe, I will not pretend to fay. Certain it is,
that that Prince never had it afterwards in his Power, in
^ parliamentary Way, todeftroy the- Liberties of thePeopfe.
The Refumption of Charters was then put in Pra^iiee, w«*
many
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AUDEKBA h iii Fitst Votvili: ^
siany odi«r ExpcdioftSy towards the EflabliihiiieRt of an
s^£b2ate Monarchy, which had been long in View : But t^r
the Death of that Prince, and the onikilftil Condua of his
next SucceiiMr» an Bad waa pat to tfaofe D^figns for that
Time, the People having unanimoiiily aj^licd the only Re-
jMdy^ fiidi Cafcs; and this broughtabout the late happjr
RevolotiMi.
* I Have been often furprised, idien I reflcdcd how
wanldng we were to oarfelves upon that Turn, in not ve-
trievingand fecoHngfor ever, by the Claim of Rights oiiran<»
cient (^iftitation of frequent new Piarliaments,. which, 'v^ my
poor pinion, was much merevaluable than all that we daim*
•d befidcs ; but we obtained this in Part^ by the A£k pafied
in the 6th Year of the Reign of King William, and which
the Bill before us is intended to repeal ; for by that A61, we
are to have new Pariiaments, at leaft once in three Years i
and men this is liich a Securi^ to the Britifh Liberties, that
all the ObjeAions againft triennial Eledions are but very
Trifles, when con^ared with that : Therefore I am not a
litde furpriaed, when I hear Gentlemen lay. That the Tri-
ennial A& k a new Conftitntion, and that the Repeal intend-
ed thereof, will be but reftoring the King in Part tp his
Prerogative, and letting the Conftitodon a little nearer to
what it anciently was ; furely there is nothing farther from
the Truth of the Fa£Jt : The ancient Con^tution was» at
leail, annual new Parliaments, and this was l»okeinnpon,
and that Breach afterwards continued in the Manner which
I have already fet forth ; and by this Ad we have no ne^
Privilege granted, but cmly reftored in Part to thofe which
we always had a Right to. But were it in Reality a new
Grant : Shall we give it up only to enlarge the Prerogatives
of the Crown } May we not, in the fame Way of reafoo-
ingy give up the Habeas Corpus Aft, and all the other Pri-
vileges and Immunities, which have been obtained to the
People from the Crown, from the Date of Magna Cbarta
to this very Ds^ t This furely has not been the good old
Way of reafoning in this Place, and I preiiime, it will meet
with due Di^bouragement at this Time. I hope we ihall,
on this and ^l other Occaflons, acquit ourfelves like Bri*
' tons, and not give up, in Complaij^tice to any Mim^,
the fmalleft, much l^fs the greatefl and moil valuable Pn-
vilege of thoie we reprefent; and that we fhall have the
utmoft Caution in making any Step, that may have the
leaft Tendency towards that Slavery, from which, at the
Rifque of a Revolution, and the immenfe Expenfe of Blood
and Treafure, we have fb lately refined onrfdves. I hospc
yet to live to fee die Day, when our preient gracious So-
veriegn King George I, vwll have the Glory to compleat
b the
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I7i6.
lO JDDENDA t0 thi Fust Volvme:
Anno 1 Ceo. L tlie efttiit reftoring of our andent Conftitadon, to wUck Hit
Predeceflbr King William III» hadi made fach a confide-
nble Advance; and that inftoul of triemiialy we ihall have
annual new Parliaments. Then indeed the Britifh Liber-
ties will be fbonded on a Rock, which the Machinations
of the firft Miniftries will never be able to prevail againfts
and the Crown will be frequently and £uthfully informed of
the Sentiments of the People, and be thereby enabled to
preferve with them that Confidence and good Correfpon-
dence^ fo abfolntely neceflary for the Hs^pineis of both :
To this I may add, that the Inconveniencies from triem&al
Ele^ons, will thoreby be much more efiefioally redreffed .
and cured than ever they will be, by paffing the Bill before
us into a Law. Upon the whole therefore, I ihall take
Leave to a£rm, Tl^t we have at prefent an undifputable
Right to triennial new Parliaments, and a very juft Qaim^
for I know of no Law that has deprived as thereof, to an*
nual ElefUons.
* But I have fomething to urge, as to the Breach of our
Truft in the pa^g of thb Law ; it is agreed on all Sld»»
that what^er the ancient Conftitution might be, yet we
were chofen when the Law for triennial Parliaxnenu was^
as it ftill is, in Force ; and that we were, and could be
cholen only for the Term of three Years, if his Majefty
fhould think fit to continue us fo long ; therefore to con-
tinue ourfelves for a longer Term, would be a manifeft
deceiving of thofe who chofe us, who expeOed, and could
not but exped, at the End of three Years to have the
Opportunity of a new Choice, and to alter where they found
themfelves mifiaken. It would sdfo be a very great Injo-
ftice to many thoufands of others, who have a Right to
offer their Service to their Country, and who, for the Ho-
nour of the Nation, I am willing to hope, are in all Rie-
fpe^ts equally qualified for the S^vice with us, who haire at
prefent the Honour to fill thoie Seats.
' If this Bill were to enlarge only the Continuance of fu-
ture Parliaments, I fhould give my Negative to it for the
Reafotis I have already mentioned, ai3 yet in that Cafe
the Ekdors would have a fair Warning fi^r what Time th^
were to chufe, and thofe elcifted, , would be truly and pro-
perly the Reprefentatives of the People ; which I conceire
cannot be faid with Truth of the prefent Parliament, if
they fhould be continued beyond the three Years : This, to
me, is an infuperable Obje^lion againfl this Part of the
Bill ; for if we may add four Years to our prefent Term,
may we not add forty, may we not make ourfelves perpe-
tual ; or even extinguiih Parliaments themfelves ? Nav, What
is it which we jnay not do, or after this S^, what is it
which
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ADDENDA fa tie First Volvme. m
wKich the People of Great Britain may not apprehend that
we will do f Can we do any Tiling much worfe, than to
fubvert one of the three Bilates of the Realm, and to fub-
fiitute a new one in the Pkce thereof, and infte^ of a
Hoofe of Commons by the Choice of the People, as it al-
iKrays has been, and ever ought to be, to eftablifh a new
Kind of Houfe of Commons, and *till now unheard of, by
A^ of Parliament ?
* The great Partiality which all Parties in their Turns
liave (hewn in the Determination of Elections, has been too
long the general Complaint, and one of the greateft Ble-
mimes on the Juftice and Condud of the Houfe of C<mi-
snons ; and *tis certainly a crying Wickednefs, and a moft
dangerous Pradlice ; therefore I am willing to hope that
we fhall not, by giving our Conf6)t mito the Bill before
us. Out-do all that ever was done of this Kind by former
Parliaments. They have chofen only thli^ or forty Mem*
bers for fome particular Places, which is a trilling Peccadillo
to what is now attempted, I mean the chuiing of five hun-
dred £fty eight at once, for the whole Nati(Hi.
^ It has been faid by fome who have fpoke in the De*
bate, * That we are chofen with full Power to confent to
* fuch Laws as we fhall judge for the Benefit of the Na-
' tion ; that there are no Reflri^Uons or Limitations in
* our Powers i and that therefore we may pafs fuch new
' Laws, or repeal fuch old ones, and the Triennial A^
* as well as any other, as we fhall think expedient i and
* that by a Repeal of the Triemiial A^, we fhall, after
^ the three Years, flill continue to be the Reprefentatives of
* the People by Virtue of their former Chdce, without
^ any new Ele^ion for that Purpofe.* This appears to me
to be a plain begging of the Queftion, and a very fallacious
Way of reafoning. I conftitute a Perfbn my Attorney, with
very large and general Powers for the Term of three Years,
and, no doubt, what he fhall do purfuant to thofe Powers,
during that Term, fhall bind me, but what he fhall after*
wards do is void ; and it cannot \» faid, that by the ge-
neral Words of doing all A^ and A6b in my Name, that
he is enabled tp add four Years more to the Continuance
of his Power. I know there are great Difparities between
fuch Powers, and thofe given by the Feople to their Repre-
fentatives in Parlianaent : But yet I think, that to the Pur-
pofe that I intend it, the Parallel will hold. I will readily
agree, that the Powers given by the People to their Repre-
fentatives are very large, but I can by no Means go the
Length of fome Gentlemen, to think them abfolutely unli-
mit^, or that fuch ill Ufe may not be made of this Power*
^ to amount to a Forfeiture thereof.
b 2 < Our
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I& ADDENDA i9 thi Fmir VoLtmt.
* Oor HiAoriM are full of Inftancet* and we haft % very
late OM, that Ktiigg tkemfelves may be guilty of iiich an
Abufe c^ their Power, as to forfeit the £iune» and f^ve the
Peofjle a Right to a new Choice, and it wiU not, it cannot
be &id» that the immediate Creatnret of the Peof^, who
have no Pretence to Power, but by Delegation from them,
me more abfekifeely their Maflers, or more independent than
the Crown itfelf : Pray confider, whether we can be gaihy
of a greater Provocaibn to thofe we reprefent, than to de-
prive them for any Time of being repnefeoted by their own
Choice, and to change the ancient third Eftau of the Na-
tion, into a new invcMd one, unknown to former Ages ;
and whether they wOl think a litde S^philfay, and a few
Finefles of Afgnmems, a ftifficient Reparation for an Injoiy
of fo high a Nature^
< But I have a much Wronger Oljedion es^nft this Part
of due BiU, and cannot help being yet of Opinion, That if
It lbo«U eo throi^h all the Forms of an Aa of Parliament,
pafi» both rlottfes, and have the Royal AiTent, that it will
ftill remain a dead Letter, and not obtain the Force of a
Law ; for I am warranted by one of onr greateft LaM^yers
(o afinn, ^ That an Ad of Parliament may be void in it<
* fblf ; * and if diere are any Cafes out of the Reach of the
Le^Aature, tiiis now before as muli be admitted to be one ;
what can be more againft common Senfe and Reafon, than
to be a Felo Je fi^ to deflroy that Conftttudon, or any ef-
fimcial Part thereof, upon which our Exigence in our politi-
cal C^tpKicy depends. I am alio fapported in this by the
Aathortty of learned Divines ; I ihall mention but one, and
I ^peak it for his Honour, the prefeat Bifliop of Bimgor,
who has «fian(^wevab]y made it evident, * Ti^t all People
< have natural Rights, and that a b^ People have l^al
* ones, which they nuy juiUy maintain, and which no le-
* giOatlve Auchoriqr whatsoever can deprive diem of.^ And
can a free Pieople have a more vaiaaUe Rkht, than that
of being fauly and^fivqueady reprefented in Fariiament, 1^
Perioas of their own diebftng ? Tius lurdy is a Right as
vahiable as Liber^ itielf, being abibluteTy neceflary to the
SubfiAance and Continuance thereof.
' For the Sake of tboTe Gentlemen who feem fo very fond
of the ununited Power of Parliaments, and by which onfy
they can fupport the Validity of fuck a Law, as the BiU be-
fore us is iRcetided to introduce, I (hall mention Ibme Caies,
to which they tbemfelves will agree, that this unlimited
Power doth not, cannot extend. As ^r Inllance, Suppofe,
inftead of the ^dX before us, we Aiould pafs a Law, as was
done, in the Rejga of Richaid II. the worft Prince that ever
fat upon the Englifh Throne, That the Power of both
Houfes
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JDDENDjt u thi First Volume. 13
licmies fliould he vefted in twelve |;reat Lords ! or, as was aqbo %, gm.
done in the Reign of Henry VIII. the firft Prorogucr of ^^^JT^'i.
Parliament^ That the King*s Proclamation^ with, the Con-
ient of the Privy-Council, fhould have the Force of Law :
Or, as in 1641, That the Parliament fhould not be diilblved.
or prorogued without their own Confents : Such Laws as
thefey through Of^effion and Violence, have been for fome
Time fubmitced to ; but furely no Gentleman will fay, that
th^ ever were, or ihould they be now re-ena£ted, that they
would be legally in ibrce ; forifib, the Parliament of 1 641,
is ftiU in beingp for I never heard that they gave their Con-
lents to their bwn Diflblution.
* I will fuppofe one Cafe more, which has never happen-
ed, and God forbid it ever fhould ! That an Aa of Parlia^
nent fhould pafs to veft the whole legiflative Authority in
the fingle Perfbn of the Prince, to doatli him with an abfo-
Inte d^torial Power, to extinguifh for the future^ both
Hbiifes of Parliament, and all oSter Rights and Privileges
of the People, and to put all Things hereafter intirely into
the Power, and to be difpofed of at the Will and Pleafure
of the Prince. I am fure no true Briton will ever fay, that
fach an AA of Parliament as this would have the leaft Va*
lidity of Force, or be any wife binding on the People : I am
fiire it would not, but inHead thereof would, in due Time
cxpofe the Authoss of it to the Vengeance of aQ injured Na-
tion ; which I think is a full Proof of what I have affirmed.
That the Powers given by the People to their Reprefenta-
tives, are not abfoTutdy unlimited ; nor the Power of the
Parliament itfelf fb omnipotent, as fome are willing to fup-
pofe it : I therefore hope no one will endeavour to fupport
this Bill by fuch Arguments as will equally fupport the Cafes
I have mentioned, and lead us into the moft dangerous and
onwananted Paths ; and on this Qccafion I fhall take leave
t» put Gentlemen in Mind, that France, Denmark, and
Sweden were formerly free Nations ; and what their prefent
Situation is, and how they have been reduced thereto, is too
well known to need to be repeated.
* I have been often much furprized at the Boldnefs of the
Koman Clergy, in introducing the Dodtrine of Ti^nfubfbnr
tiation 1 how they could have hoped to prevail with their
good Sutjeds the Laity, to believe fo monfl*rous an Abfur-
dity, and did not rather dread that it would flagger their
Obedience, and occafion a general Revolt. But our Hiflo-
ries inform us. That this was done in an Age of the groflbfl
Ignorance, and of the greateft Corruption of Manners : A
prc^r Seafon for fuch an Undertaking ! Accordingly the
Popifh Clergy laid hold thereof, well knowing, that if they
fiicceedcd in this> their Empire was fccnred, and implicit
Faith,
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14 ADDEND J i9 tie First Volumb.
Faid^ withoat Rcfenrey would be thereby for erer eftafaliflii
ed ; it beioe evident. That if this prodigtpos Canjic^ wa^ once
fwtUowed (fewn, it was impofiible afterwards that any Tiiii^ ^
1
could ftick. I cannot fuppofe, nay» it were monfl'roiis to
fappofe, that our prefent virtnoas and anovrapt Minifhy, 1
can» by the paffing of this Bill, have any Defign in View I
puallel to that of the Romifli Clergy, to plain diereby the I
Way to fome other Laws, which may be thought neoeihfy
to the full EftabUfhment of their Power. Na certainly ;
they are too well fatiafied of the Uprightnefe of their Con-
dud, to ftaad in need of any indireft Sipports, and too pe-
netrating, to think they coidd obtain them in a Parliament,
where the Majoriqr are fo entirely ind^)endent of them,
and who, in the pment and former P^uiiaments, have ap-
proved thmfdves Champions for the liberties of thor
Country : Befides, the praent is fo far from being an Age
of the groiTeft Ignorance, that never was Learning at lb
high a Pitch, nor Mm arrived to {o noUe a Way of Free^
Thinking, that our Motto may juflly be, N0hainu jurare
in veria Magifri : We fcom the mufty Sayings of Anti-
quity, and wul in nothing be {»nnM down by the Dictates
of the Learned of this or of any other Age ; therefore *tis
impoffiUe to fuppofe any fuch Defign in the Bill before us,
«nd yet I am veiy fbrry it hath been attempted, and hope
it will never pais, for the Reafons I have already mention-
ed ; and alfo, left it fhould give too great a Handle to Peo-
ple without Doors, to entertain untoward Jealoufies and
Surmifes, who may be apt to fay. That thoTe who oan com-
pliment a Miniftry with fuch a Law, can never afterwards
refufe them any Thing.
* I fhall, on this Ckcafion, put Gentlemen in ftflhd of the
great Debt with which the Nation is incumbered 8 a Bur-
then which is almoft become infnpportaUe, and ready to
crufii us into Ruin i and yet, to our great Misfortune, in-
Head of diroiniihing, it is daily increafing. I have long (^
ferved the Bital Methods by which this Mifchief was brought
upon us : I was indeed in great Hopes, that the putting an
eternal Stop to the farther Increafe of our Debt, and the
fettling the moft proper Meafures for the lefTening thereof,
in fuch Proportions as in a reafonable Time might entirely
difcharge'the fame- V70uld have^been the very ftrft Work
of the prefent Parliament^ as it was the moft valuable for
the Intcreft of the Nation ; but Vm forry to fee it has hi-
therto given Way to fb many other Confiderations, which,
how important foever they may be thought, I will be bold
to fay, when compared to this, are but like the tyMng of
Mint and Ci^mmin^ to tjie ^weightier Things of the £unv^
Sufely fomeihing muft, and very foon too, be done in this
Mattery
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JDDSNDJ to the First Volume. 15
Matter ; for I am perAiaded no Man can be fa wicked, as aiuio2.^Cm.
p entertain a Thought of declaring the Naticm Bankrupt,
Ind paying off this Debt with a Spunge, to the ntter Ruin
>f Thoufands of Families ; and as little can I fappofe any
D^dan fo ftnpid as to fleep fecurely, whilft the Liberties of k»
Country, and ther^y his own, and the Property of every
(ingle Perfon in the Nation, is in the moft precarious Si-
tuation ; for, ihottld we, loaded as we are, be engaged in
a new War with any iiowerful £ttemy, muft we not either
iubmit ta all the unreakmable Impofitions of fuch an Enemy,
or find fome extraordinary Means to fupport fuch an expen-
five War ? Will it not therefore be our Wifdom to put our
A£airs, as foon as poffible, on fuch a Foot, as to make the
Seomd Part of the Dilemma pra^icable, without referring
to fo black an Injuftice as that I have hinted at, either of
Ipong^g out all our pad Debts, or at leaft of borrowing
the Funds for the Ufe of the Publick, during the Continu*
ance of fuch a War ? This furdy is a Subjed of fuch Im*
pojtance, that it will juftify the Speaking of it, either iea-
ibnably or not ; nay, I think it never ou^t to be out of
our Minds, till fomething very efiedual be done therein 1
bat I mention it chiefly at this Time, to divert Gentlemen
fraok paffing the Bill before us, and continuing the prefent
Parli^ent beyond the Term of three Years ; Idl what (hall
be afterwaids done in fo great and fo good a Work by
this Parliament, if continued, may be liable to Objedion,
from the Doubts which the Nation may have of the Legality
of fuch a' Parliament ; ^md for the fame Pnrpofe I fhall ob-
lerve, that we feem pinnioned down for a long Tra^ of
Years, and indeed for ever, in the Methods we pnx^^ in,
to a Land-Tax of two Shillings in the Pound, and to the
Malt, to fupport inch a Fleet, and fuch Guards and Gar-
rifotts, as in the profoundeft Peace, Iprefume, will be always
efieemed neceflaxy. The ancient Revenues of the Crown,
applicable to thefe Purpofes, have long fmce been mortgaged
and fold away, and if our prefent unhappy Divifions, ihould
for fome Time require a greater Force, for the Quiet and
Security of the Nation, even in Times of Peace, *tis eafy
to compute how much higher the aforeiaid Taxes will rife.
* Let Gentlemen ferioufly confider, whether it will not
greatly increafe the Uneaiineis of the People, under fuch
&avy Burthens, if they think they are laid upon them by
Reprefentatives whom they never chofe. For my own Part^
I dread the Confequence of fuch a Law, as that which we
are now about, and doubt it cannot be long fupported in any
other Manner, than thofe extraordinary Laws were for fome
Time, which I have already mentioned ; and I am perfuad-
ed, 'tis bx from the Dcfign of any in this Houfe, that this
Law,
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i6 JDDtNDJHthi FiUt VbLOiar.
Law» if it pofs, ihoald bt fupported in that Way { aadtt
make a Stuidiiig Army ncctffiuy only to 6xpgatt a Sla»diii|
Farinment i fer to me they feem to be Sift^ Twiaa^ whkk
can only Ihe, and maft & together.
< I have wm gitren my feveral Reafont againft thu Wi,
ivhich appear to me fb ftron^ at would engage my Nep-
tHre to it, were k even in %Bie Mcafore condnciTC to tkc
Ends which are pretended { but much ntore when I am
thoroughly convinced, that it Is ib frr from promoting dnfe
Ends, that if ever it pais into a Law it will have a TendoKf
dire^ly contrary.
* It has been faid, ^ That three Years is too fliort a
* Tiflse xotSMi any Thing of great Moment for the Service
■ and Benefit of the Nation : That the Firft Scffions Is m*
* rally fpent and wafted away in the Determination of Ike*
* tions ; in the Second ((Mnething is done ; bnt tba( the kt
* Seffions is nfually as much bil as the firft, GentlemeM
* Minds running fo much on the enfuing Eledion, as tethiak
* of nothing elfe ; and the Fear alib of diibbliging their Bkcf
' tors, on fo near a View of a -new Choice, becomes a very
' great Byafs to their Condoift in Parliament, to the Pr^
< dice of the Publick Service i fo that In this fiiort Tera
< of Three Years, there is little more than die Work of
* one Year done.*
* I am not a Kjttle farprized, that (ueh Aflertiont as thcfe
ihould be made ufe of as Arguments againft Triennial Par-
liaments ; becaufe it feems to me to be fr^fJUuio cmOrt
faSum^ as was (kid by a very great Man of Dr Sachevard*8
Speech. It is evident, that the Bufinefs of Ae Poblidtwas
carried on for (bme Hundreds of Years by annual Farlla-
ments only, and our Hiftories for that Time do not aoqaaint
us with any Complaints made of the Shortaefe of dieir Da«
ration : And is^ it not moft notorious, that there never were
fuch great Things done by any Parliament, as by thofe
which have been holden'fince the Triennial Ad? Was ever
a War fb long and fo fuocefsfnlly can-led on before, and in
which this Nation bore fo great a Propottion of Ezpcnce ?
Were ever Sums fo amazingly great, given by any Parlia-
ment or Parliaments be^e» in the like Conipais of Tim^
as has been done by thefe Triennial Parliaments \ I affirm,
there has been, more given by them for the Supply of a
£ngle Year, than was given in the whole Heign cSf any of
the Predecekbrs of the Tate King William III. and that the
Expence of the Publick Service, fince the Revdniion, has
amounted to more than it did from the firft Fonndatioa ef
the Engliih Monarchy down to that Time ; and I will ven-
ture to add, that they were fuch Supplies, as coutd have
been raifed only by Parliaments of a ihort Contkuumce i i»
•to
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Jt>t)M}ibA tp /;&/ First Volume. 17
'tis not fappofabfey that the Nation would have remained aadox. oeo. 1.
4aiec nndet &ch h^vy Taxes, had the fani6 been impofed y^H^
by a long Penfionary Parliament, fuch as that of King
Charles 11, but, when they were convinced of the abfolute
Neceifity of fuCh Supplies, from the concurring Sentiments
of frequent new Parfiaments, they were by this, and,, by,
this Method- oidy, could have been difpofed to the chearful
Payment of the fame ; when this is ferioufly coniider'd, I
am perfuaded that no Gentleman will fay. That Triennial
Parliament! are incapable of doing great Things, when it
is true beyond the Poffibility of Contradidion, that they
have adually done much greater Things than were evec^
done by Parliaments before : Let us but compute what was
done by the long penfionary Parliament of King Charles XL
and what hl&s been done in a like Number of Years by
' Trienfiial Parliaments, and then the Preference will be eafily
determined : And furely Arguments from Matters of Fa6t
and long Experience^ ought to be of much greater Weight
than tht>fe, which depend only on conjc^ral and ill
grounded Surmifes, ana a fencifW Way of R«ifoning.
^ I will agree that much Time is (pent, not only in the
firft but in the fecond Year, in the D^rmination of Elec-
tions ; bnt if thefe were all, without Diftin6lion, left to i\^e
Committee appointed for that, it would not make fo great
a Parr of the Bnfinefs of the Houfe, as it bas of late Yeard
done : And if the Right of Election for the feveral Cities
and Boroughs were unalterably fixed, and not changed from
Time to Time, with refpcd to the Petitioners and fittings
Members, the Work, even of the Committee, would be
greatly leffened : And I muft fay. That whenever Gentle-
men are in Earneft difpofed to cure this E^il, it may ht .
done to the Honour and Reputation of future Parliaments^
^nd to the faving Nine Parts in Ten of that Time, which
lias of late Years been confumed in the Buiinefs of Efedions';
and therefore, furely this Inconvenience can be no Objeftioii
againft Triennial Parliaments, which it not owing to that,
but to very diSerent Caufes ; and which tannot poffibly be'
iured by the Repeal of the triennial A£i j but may be done,.
if notcntttely».yet in a greiat Meaiore, by proper Pi-ovi-.
fions for that Porpofe.
* As to the Inconveniencies ft^eiled to the Thi^d Sei&-
ons of Parliament, from the near Approach of a hew Choice I
ic will bemnchthe&meagainft the Second SefCons, in which
fomething of Bufinefs is admitted to be done ; for I fee but
little Dif&rence between the Influence which the Profpedb of
a new Choice will have at the Eikl of one, or at the End of
tw6 Years* The OHcAion therefore, as to' this Purpofe, \%
altogethcx, trifling r bnt I will agree, that it has its Weight,
•'■'-'• • * ' c if
Digitized by ^OOQ IC
i8 ADDS ND J t0 tie tiKsrVotvutt
if It be urged for die loi^ Continauice } iaai greftt«r ftSI, H
it be urged for the PerpetnatiDg the preiimt Parliaoieac t
for then indeed Gentlemen would be fteei from a8 Anxieljp
about a future tieHion^ and would be under no Reftraints^
lior have any Byafs on their Minds from the Sentiiheiits of
thcie who chofe them ; but furely it ought not to be thus,
rior is this^a Compliment fit to be made td the fileAors of
Gr^t Britain^ and is far from being a fiiitablo Itetttm for
the Honour they have ionc us ; and *tis monil^roos to fim-
pofe, that we &ould r^der ourfelves diiagreeabk to the
People, by a £iithful Difcharge of our l>ttty, and doing that
which is beft for the Intereft of the Nation.
* Surely we onrfelves^ in the firil Part of this oihr Firft
Seffioos, notwithftanding all the Time fpelit in the Deter-
mination <^ Eleiflions, have been able to find Time to give
aU the neceilary Supplies for the Service ef the Nation ; bat
perhaps we have made ibme Difcoverles in this Am mtknown
to former ones ; we have a Glimpfe of tomt Li|dit unde-
icribed before, ytt it will ftill be true> that this Xight has
^ru^g np bat very lately among us. And althon^ this
Confideration cannot weaken the real Strength of the Argii*
ment, yet it lays it under the Imputation of Novelty, uid
will be a full Juftification of the tn^egrity, if not of the
Sagacity,, of diole who iWll perfevere m their Oppofition to
the Bill.
' As to the Failure in th6 Trienriia) Aft, ot anfwering
the Expeftatiohs of the Nation'^ it has been only affisrted ia
general Terms, and I cannot eafily gueTs at what is partial-
krly meant i for it has certainly anfwered aQ the &ids
which, from the Preamble of the A^ we ean apprehend
to have been expefted by the Nfakcrs theitot or wmok iof-
deed, in the Nature of the Things could We been txptSt-
td frcmi it i for furely the Grievance whith had been felt,
df a very long Parliament, is thereby redfefled> and the
Cbnllitution of nequent new l^arliaments, in p^ retnevedl^
and brought nearer to what it ahciently ami originally was.
* As to the Increafe of Bribery ani Corruption 'in &ec-
tfohs, fiiice the Triainkl Aft, it is impose it can be owiiq;
16 thkt Law, or that It would be any wife diminimd l^ a
Repeal thereof; and in Faft, the Increale of lBlr|beiy and
Corruption in Eleftaons may have hsf^ti £oce that Iaw»
2nd yet be no wi^e a Cotaiequence tbmof $ ^tis conirBiy tc^
cominoh Senfe io imagine, that tfabie wbo. would piwchaie
their Seats in Parliament^ wouh^ give more jfbr a Triennial
than for a Septennial One, or for a C6ntin«ance duimg JMc ;
or that fuch Eleftors, who will fell tKeir Voices, l^ve not
Arithmetick enough to proportion theit l^kes, to the t'imes
they choole their Kepre&ntalives for ; 'Aextfort this Objec-
ti^
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4 J) DEftD 4 f9 the F*RST VoirUME. 19
Jtion /9g;aj|]fi.du? Trienni^ Aft is certainly very frivolous, ijo- Annoi Geo. i.
Ipis fpjx},ft]iijng nmch ^ther be intended, ^than I believe ajiy « ^J7'^ _^
Briton l^s y^ the Cow^e tp /peak; o.^it^ J mean, unlefs if'^
b^ in^endea^ befcte thp Expiratipn of th.^ feven Years to
^d 9 ferther Tfam by ^mo^er A^» and fo on : Then indexed
there is an eSeQiifal $tpp pmt to all fyti^e Bribery anJ Cpr-
rv^oa in ^leftions^ aivl tUta, laft £le£|tioa whicl^ the People
Jh^d, lyas to be the 1^ they ever ivereto have.
* This ht}J^ to jpay Mind a \tiy fcandalous Paraplilct,
wluch pune oiit a Utjtle before theEIeflion of theprefent
Ptrli^nient. J jthi^k the Title of it i^, EngUfl^ Mvice ta the
jFriihofderf of ^ngha^ : This Author takes great Fains to
divert thf ?eople of England from choofirg a certain Party
,of Men, whom ^ .vnjujftly paints in very black Colours ;
.and, 9m>ngft Qthc;^« there h an E.^refTion to thi^ E^efl :
* Pon't gwc yjW^ Vote for one of ihefe People, whatever
/ ^y m^cf pffer yoi^ for depend upon it, if there fhodld be
* ^ Ma^JQrlty of them in Parliammt» it i^ the Lfl Vote you
* will ever have the Opportunity to give/ I aia perfuade^,
'tis far jfrom the J^tenj^pns of any Gentleman liere, to con-
trjbiitip to .the Credit |wd Reput^ion of that Author, by
S'viag/evjen 9 tSolovir.pf P/obabilitj^ to the Truth of any of
s Pi:e4i^QBS ; ^d .this J .hope will alfo have foine Weight
jto.prevjpnt^Bejpeal of jl;he Triennial A^ i fmce that will
J^d.^e AirffTihe S^ rbold Step towards the fuiiilling of
t&xis .wick^ Pjpljiep^ i and the mkxrg ufe of the Argument
f, have.bce^iCBifoirourji^ to explode, will noc a Httle height
ten ihe jSufJ^dOQ ; it ^ing evidently of no Force, in any •
ether Vi^f bat4(hM of parrying the Matter to the Length
jjvblch .^ Aui^Qr r^ -^T^ ^^ d . B ^i farely Gentle men need
lu>tthusim9t4t)C»it;, either for che Caufe or the Cure of
^b^y a^lCoiTwptiQn i^n EJeftipAJ.
* ,.CHi the4atpii^p{>)r Keirolation, by which our Religion
Iui4 l^ipcrties W|5t^' wcfervcd, we were unavoidably engage
^ in, a xei^ esjpenjGive War^ ^xA had \i been carried on
by SujjpMes .withj^.tjic Year, ,a,s it is evident it m^ght have \
Ibeep, OHT-Wv ^ P^^ T^xee woi^ld.have ended together ;
and .we ib^uU h^veil^een tihen able^ when juHly provoked
d^ei^tp, to begin xji^ jfipcqnd X^ar, as we were to under-
take ^4iri- Sut, nnhapjpily &r J^gUnd, this Method wns
npt Diwlfi^ bnt M^(l^ .^OTpf tie Nation was hy Piece-
^e^^jqp^(e4.to^c;> .^nd.o^eerable fuxel)' will their Name^
bP! tp ,Iatell: Poftcy^ty, who- at iirfl began or have been fince,
the,, chief Supp9«-t^ of this accariSl Pra£lice, by svhicii
one third Fart at leaft of the grea^ums given, have been
loft to the Serv^ie- of .the Nation, whic;h now remains load-
ed .wi^b a X)eht of fifty J^illions ; befides, at leaft the Sum
of .^yen^ MiIUops» >,vrhich has been a£lually raifed and
V c 2 ' . paid/
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f 0 J DDE ND A to the FiksT Volume.
paid. From h^nce it followed, that by the great Burdens
- on our Trade, a new Spring of Cbnonerce more fecore and
beneficial having arifefi, I mean the publick Funds, ahnoft
the whole numerous Body *of oar' wealdiy Englifh Mer-
chants, who were formeriy the Glory of our own, and the
Envy of other Nations, have thrown all their Money into
this new Channel, and have l^t the mcient Trade, from
which only the W^Ith of the Nation tan arife, to be carrkd
on by Men of fhuli Fortunes, who, trading only upon Crniit,
are little more than Pa6brs for the ManuBiAures of Eng-
land, who by this unnatural Tranfmi^ration, are now be-
come the Merchants of the Kingdom i and under thefb
Difadvantages a great Part of our Trade, whicft was for-
' merly carried on with Vigour by oar own, is now hiMetL
into the Hands of foreign wealthy Merchants, and I am
afraid irreparably loft to us ; the ine^tAfc ConfequencJc of
which hath be^ Ruin to thou&nds and thoufands of Bri-
tifli Families, And it is as evident; that by the long Con-
tinuance of th^ Land and Malt-Tax^s, and the high Pric^
of all Things, by the Addition of new Ejcdfes, the greater
tsLtt of the middling Gentry of the ICingdom are Mlf un-
done ; and evfen our greateit Coi^n^ontrs, ahd the Nobility
them^lves, have very fenfibly felt diefc PrefTures upon the
l^blick ; and If the Diftrels, more Or Iffs, has become aknoft
univerfaj, no Wonder if it has plaSnoi the Wsy to Brtbei^
and Corruption, and difpofed thofe who had the Opportu*
nities of doing it, to partake of the general Plunder, an4
to repair their Own at the Expcnce of the pubHck Lo^.
* The Funds, as I am informed, prbduc^ above thrco
fi^llions yearly^ towards the Intend^, Jtod £nking of iatae
Part of the Principal of our Debt t This great adt&tiot»l
llcvenue, though the, Property of private Terfons, is en-
tirely under the "Managcwient of th^ ttfiite of the Qown,
and thereby a Dependence vaftly greater, on a Miniftry, har
been created, than ever wjfe before, or' could otherwif<;
have been; and what Influence this'h^on oar Eledion$
throughout the whole Kingdom, the' Afts of F^rBamcnt
wliich have been made to prevent the fame, fbfficiently
proclaim : We have noW an Army of Qvil' Officers, as dan-
gerous as any Military Force, entirely it the Devotion of
a Miniftry ; and althong}! we may rttfi hO ^sf^ue from this,
in the Hands where his Majefty has '|iow* plifced *thc A^ni-
fiiilrad6n, yet we have formerly been; ^rid thay again' be
in ?enl frotn this adventitious PoW, of Bic total la&dt
our ConflitUtioft. ' *. ' - ^
* The fhort'of the Cafe feems t6 trie. to be. That feme
IJi^iriiffers ha^^e by their Cbnduft gon^ a g?eat Way to beg-
gar tht N.aion ; and others hive corrupted thofe who have
been'
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AD t) END A to the First Volume. "^^
been (b undone : And in diis happy Situation of ItCen and 'tMMx
Things, the publick Money has been employcJd tb comtpt
Sle&ors, and Returning Officers^ and thereby have filfcd
fbme Parliaments with the Creatures of a Miniftry, and ma-
ny have likewiie expended vaft Sums of their own, i^en
liicy faw it neceiTary, to get or fecure a Place; and 1^
tlus Means thefe Parliaments have been iilled with great
IMumbers of mercenary Troops, whi^fe Names were fcarce
known in the Countries where they were chofen, and with-
out any Family Interefts of their own, or the Affiftance of
thofe who had ; and if there has been any Bribery on the
Parts of thofe who have oppofed fuch Men, as ^haps
there may, it has been occauoned by the vile Arts which
iiave been put in PradUce againft them : I think I may truly.
Affirm, that Bribery ani Corruption, in Elections, have not
followed as any Confequeifcc of the Triennial A£^, but
from C^ufes widely different ; and that the Foundation
thereof was at firft laid, and has been fince improved and
carried on by wicked and deiigning Minifters. As to the
Core of this Evil, I am afraid It cannot be thoroughly
effeded whilft the Nation labours under the prefent heavy
Ijoad of Debt ; and for thi?, and many other Reafons, it
does not a little concern us, to make all the Progrcis we
polEbly can in fo great and fo good a Work,, as is the J^iif-
charge thereof.
' As to thd Heats and Animofities, which are likewiie
charged to the Account of the Triennial A^, and the Bur-
den and Grievance of frequent expenfive Ele£iions, I (hall .
readily ^ree. That the Frequency of Flexions, is direftly
intended and defigned by the Triennial A^ to prevent the
xnifchievous Confequence of long continued Parliaments :
Butfureiy no onl will fay » That this, fimply and aibftrafi*
cdly, is a Burden- or Grievance j and as to the great Ex-
pence in Elections, and the violent Heats and Animoiio
ties about them, thev are not in tte lead owing to the
Triennial Aft, as I nave afready ihewn: And Iprefume
no Gentleman would defire to extingui(h the ancient Eng-
lilh Hbfj^tality, for which the Nation has been fo long
ftmed ; por can any Man imagine it more poflible to cure
all Heats and Animofities in Elei^ons, than to prevent •
Contentions about them, which the laudable Ambitk>h of
ftrving the Nation hath formerly kept up, and I hope it
will do fo again, without the Help of any other Motives ;
but befidesy I am perfuaded, that Coistentions arifins from,
to worthy a Principle, and the' old Engliih HoQ)itality,
wiU do no Harm: It is ilrange thiit any one 6entlemai\
^«an ^ncy, that thepaffing the Bill before us into a L^w,
wpuld cod our Heats^ and iettk- us all in Tzanqviiity ; it
feew
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11 ^DDSNDJ t$ iht FfftflT VtLvifE.
^^;J?^ ^ ten Id me to be ralriibtffd kx the imA oomntj Fv-
ipckii^ tDU(wnptheFhiir« anl tt>fin op theMe^^
ibe tktiaaift IMbntteocs i fiv it is jmofiUe to coQoeiir>
dttC ibe Efeaw* of Gnat JBiitiiiv oTwbalever fvtj v
DeaDnioatiaB tbe)r nuf be» viU not be Ui|bly locmfoi
Wfiid&a Ltwiftdiif ; i^d if they fhoaU nninndlaBy msi
thor BdbDttBMts ifiioft tbofi^ wbe wicboot their ChojiGe
biise made tbonfidm the JKqvffoititKrcs of the Pieqplp ;
i l^suK Geockoen tt> jok%q» wbedier this voidd nocbp
an AAunofity Af a msdi more dufcvoitf CQii%«eiioe> tba^
AiX which me ise niftftiMiinp Ip exttfl^uUh br tbii BilL
* It «i aUb oiBcdy That xhefe irogiuiit FJfftiups area
gxMt 'EacoaK^genient t^ the Idleoefi and Oebaodbenr si
tbe meaneft and loiveft of tW People; CH|)ortiimties goj^jr |k>
gnttify the Oqmkennefs and fawrincU ^ the Mpbu I
am fonj that tbeae iic any Byreflc^ to jgive FowuJaiwi
iM-thisOmflainti bat /nxetj xhe Evil jvoceed^ ifyu^ the
Ayne CaoiS^ and auift he 4cmd in »e Ame Wij wil^
ihofeothen which J haveabteady taki» J^otice qC to b33iQS
lieen oUcAtd to the Triennial Aft* <Aod I :^tyftfyH> thfci
jMw, onJy to i)brenrcv what juietty i^tbcits ave giy«p jcp
4fae Ele£br8 of Gfeat^Huin. It »as with Coneem diat^
Jieaid them hte^ treated in this MauK^ in aiKHber Fb^:<^
but coqid never JhaneMieiQedjt poffiUe tp haye b^ird, a^y
Thing like it hinted within thde Wdls. JJowiw and
aeanfeewrtborauybe* 4dbey aieitinthi&PaopkQf4Gseat
Britaii^ andweareoneoftheTbrneEftatesaftheJlealiv
by a Power derived and .dd^ted -tovsk them* .Aodamp
we then only the ftcpreientuuvei of a lewd, drnnken^ i)p-
banched J4ob ? 3V> paint 4)iK the Commona cof Gwa^ Bp-
tain» in fueh contengptible CrioonH is fni;^ doing.gKat
Diihononrtoeotiatveii^andia eqiud]|y nnnateml aw ui^nft
to them. J think we rqpm&ntallthe Qwunans cf Gicat
Butaov and iiiiely amouft^them there aiemany tboo&nds
every Way as-well joalwd to £11 jAe& Seat^ as we who
have now the Honour to ido it : And eyenasto tboiectfan
inferior JUnk, it aoufi be owned, that .they ate a .bfa;v3e
and a g^dlanc People ; and when we compete them with
diolie 0f aiher Coootsies, we bav^e /Reaibn to be in JBUp-
tuies with Qor .own ha|^ ConftiuKioiu which has «aade
&ch a DiAorenee between them and other Men : Xbey aie
bred vp frook their Cradles Aidth d^ Impreffions of ji*
ber^, ^ have iheir ^Pitfertles fenced in and .ftcoied h^
taw ', and by their R^prnfentatures in JParl^ent> thty
hfufc Ae Hommr to dam, leven in the t^^giflative Autho*
rii^i and 'tis this pM^ jfm People the Spirit Ji^ K^e^
folutmn of the ancient RomaiVi by which our Nation h9s
Qbtaiaod iutdjggpfppnA m S9i^ Cbarafier inihp Wor^. .
'It
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ADDSNDJ tQ tii First VoLVMS. . ti
* le is thus we ought to defonbt the Feopk of Gical
HiitSdn, and we ibdl then oniy do them the Joilice they
deictve : Jtol if» on ilie Contnuy, we ibew an Inelinatkm
to depieaate their Value, and feem to be afhamed of thofe
we xeprefent, will it not, e^iedaUy if we p^ the ffiU
QOw be&ce us, pre the Arongeft JealottQr, that we intend
to iqwefent them no more, but to fet up for the future^
a Tiunl fiftate ettirdy independent of them. And this
JeafedV will be Aill encreafed, by what has been with too
great Freedom difcooried of without Doors, That Peojile
moft be governed by their Fears, and furely fo they mail,
if this Bill pais ; for I «hink it will be fcarce poffible af-
terwards to govern them by Love. Unhappy Britain f to
liave bfoogbt forth Children £> unnatural, as to treat thee
ttins i For whatever may have been put in France in for-
ner Times, the Do^ne of Slavery was never fo openly
«»owed before : What, govern a free People by their Fears !
nMift*itMis Eiqpreifion f and oertainly a formed Detoi cor-
reQioiiding thereto, is an A& of Tr^cheiy, as toul and
black as a Briton can be guilty of : An h^h Crime and
Mifdemeanor it certainly is ; I will not callit high Trea^
ioD, becanfe I know no Law of the Land which has yet
declared itib.
* The Argument which I ihall next take Notice of, is
that which feems to me to be mentioned as the chief In-
dooement in the Preamble of the Bill, and which has
been chiefly infiAed upon by the Gentlemen who have
Spoken for it s * Becaule of the Bangor from the general
* t>ifcontente, and great Difii&ftion of the People, Ivhich
\ ioaic Gentlemen are apprehefive, w«re a Parliament now
' to be called wooki i»oduce a Miyodty of very di&rent
' SeMinents from thofe who now console it : Others,
^ who think better of the Inclinations olf the People, be^
* iievfb that this widoed Work eooU not be accompliihe4
* without the Hd|p of foretfa Moneys to bribe and corrupt
' the fiefioit of Great Britain ; but iqion the whole, are
* of Opinion, that the Thing would b^ eflEe^ed, and that
^ ftftead of die preftnt exceUent Hoofe of Commons, fb
* devoted to the true Intereft of their Oountry, and to th«
* Support of his Majc%, and t|ie Pxoteftant Socceffion. we
' ttioM greatly rifque the having fuch a P^uUament at
* wodd be reaOy to call la the PcetendtTy and to deliver
* ly thdr CAtttry to Pcgiery and arfaitraiy Powera and
* thciefore thofewho are apJaft the Bill, are chaiged with
* coamfmrii^ to tUs Defioi, althoi^ they are cSaritablir
f keKeved no wife «o intend the Thing.' And diis I think
is die fttU la^p^rt of what has beei^ iaiiby Qmtkmitn en
tiiisHead of (he Argument
At
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24 ADDENDA to th First VoLvyLtr.
' As to the Danger which fome Gentlemen imagine of an
ill Parliament, were it now to be chofen/fitnn the Hdip of
French Monejr, it is, hi my Opinion, a Reproach to tlie pie-
ilnt Minlilry, to nncy that they woold be out-done, or oot-
wlited by Praftce m this, or in any other Way ; and I diink
that the defesiting of foch an Attempt, in the only Cafe in
which a Miniftry might miblameably apply the publick Mo^
ifey, in the Buiineis of Eledion : I wifli it nerer had been,
or may be done on any other Occafion. Bat why do G(ni>
tlemen believe, that the Regent of France will meddle in
our Elections ? Sui^y not long fince, he had a much better
Opportunity to have diftreffed us, had he been fo difpoied.
On other Occafions we hear, I mean without Doors, of the
good Underftanding between his Majcfty and that Prince ;
that the Pretender will very foon be oUiged to travel beyond
the Alps ; and this certainly is highly probable, if the Re-
gent have any Expeftations of being himfelf one Day King
of France. I fhall fay no more of this, and believe, thofe
who made the Objeflion, fcarce expedted that any one would
have taken fo much Notice of it.
« As to the Danger of an ill Parliament, from the great
Difaffedtion of the People ; this, I confefs, is a moft extra-
ordmary and forprizing Argument, and fuch as I never
thought I ihould have heard in this Place : For it is an open
Declaration and Acknowledgement, that the People 6f Great
Britain are not truly reprefcnted at this Time : that the prc-
fcnt Houfe of Commons are the Supporters of the liberties
and true Intereft of the People, which the People themfelves
are endeavouring to deftroy, and would efiedually do ib by
a new Choice ; and therefore they are to be treated like in-
difcreet Children, and not to have their Frowardnefs humour^
ed at the Price of their undoing. This indeed is tdling die
People of Great Britain, in the j^ineft Terms, That as
they are not at prefent truly reprcfented by thofe whoni they'
did choofc, fo for the future, they -fliall be reprefented with-
out any Choice at all. If thii be the Way to ingiatiate*
with the People, what is it which can give them a iSfguft f
No, certainly this muft make it abfcJutefy nieceflary to go-*
vem them bv their Fears, and to take fuch Meafures as'
are proper for that Purik>fe ; a Defign fo black, that I
cannot fuppofe it has yet entered into the Heart of any
Briton.,
• It is an^azing to hear this vtry Suggefftion, in i^ Opr-
ilion fer difbmt from the ^ruth, not only on the prdent, bo(f
on other Occafions, fo frequendy made u^ of as an Argu-
ment ; for were it really true, can it be zvy Service 16 th^
Publick to be making daily sind hotirty Proelamationf theate-
of? For can thli4>e A proper and a Hkely MtaHs to^ffafengdf*
\ .
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ADDS if DA to the f ikst VdLt7»iE. zj*
t»i tiie Hands of iris Majefty, and \^ &itlifal Sabjeds, or Aiiiio^i.^.t:
to weaken thdfc of the Pretender, and his foreign and do- ' '^
mei^ck Friends, to ptablilh to all the World, (tor what is
faid in this Place can be a Secret no where), that the Difaf-
feaion to his Majcftjr is very general, and the Ptoy of the
Pretender fo confiderable in the Nation, as to rir4ue another
Rebellion in his Favour, if they had the Opportunity of
ail^mbling together in Numbers on a new Ele6Uon, or any
other Ojyortdnity equally propitious to their Purpofe ; and
if this did not happen^ that fUll there would be Danger,
that the Majority on a new Eledion^ would be in the In^
tereft of the Pretender; and that this would not be leis,
perhaps nught be more &ta], even than a Rcbdt^ion. A
%ill found^ on fuch Suhnifes as thefe, and fupported widi
fuch Arguments, is iiighly dangerous^ and if it pafTes into a
law, its Title ought to be. An Aft For the moft effeOual
Encouragement of ^he Pretender und his Allieiy to iwvade
this Kingdom i in my Confdence I believe it fo, and fa it
will be R>und if thb Bill fhould pafs into a Law.
' I believe it will be admitted, that from the firft Efb-
blHhhient of the Succeflion, until it happily took Place, a
vaft Majority of People expreffed the greateft Zeal for it,
and Satisfaftidn in it ; that from the Death of the Queen
to the Arrival of his Majdly, the Nation was never known
to be in a greater Calm. That the Parliament then in be-
ing, nnanimouily fttded the Civil Jyift for the Support of
the Dignity of the Crown, and compleatcd what was want-
ing for the Supplies of the Year ; and what^er Faults
they might have been guilty of before, there Was nothing
now \i^nting in the expreffit^ of their Ddty ; and it has
been furmifed^ that fome Peribns' whofe Zeal for his Maje- .
fty cannot be fufpefted, wfcre not a little apprehenfive.
That that Parliament, and the Party of which their Majori-
ty was compoied, would^ to make an^ends for their pall
Conduft, go too great Lengths in their Complaifance to the
Qrown ; and that for this very Reafon, it was dangerous for
the Nation that his Majefty fhould ever meet them ; but
whatever the Reafons were^ certain it is that his Majefly faw
them not. The Joy on his Majcfty's Arrival was as great
and nniverfal, as was ever known in Britain ; and from. ^
hence I think I may fairly conclude^ that if there be fuch a
DifafFedlion as is fuggefled, iince it was not before, it mud
have happened fince )us Majefty's Arrival ; and if this can
be imagined poffiUe, it mufl be then agreed^ that fuch a
general Difii^dion is an EfFed too confiderable to be pro^
duccd without any, or by a very flight Caufc ; his Majefty
furely can be no wife the Caufe of fo furprizing a Change,
as is {armilcd, in the Incb'nation of his People 5 therefore*
t ■ d if
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a& AfiDStflXJ iQ the Ftfar V^^^i^ii.
Ao«« t Cm. l if ^icff be fach a QiiaSe&iqn^ k po be^ <m4x ta ilie Miiii^
^^^,^ flo^ and iHodoccd fioin fomethu^rcdlly ill» or wKkbiiap*
preitfiided lo be fOp in tkeif Condu/^ lam pieriiuufec^ tlikt
tbcj tbonlelves bavc too moch Modefiy. not ^ a^e^ tbat
*tis much mofe rcafooable to (oppofe at lyfaftftyQa. t^ tbrn,^
than to the ^crfoa of the King; aad I doqbt pot b«t this
Houie will always difttt^iih, at th^ ha^re kitbedp 4qiM^
between the Sovtreig;^ and the ACniftert of S^ttu
* Bot. in Jnflice to the pceient Mini|h}i|, we WiSk oopi*
dode* that the Diiaffbftioft to them is ooqafioaed onlj bj
imaginajy, aad not by any real Erils done by dlurna i asd.
we have ^eat Eeaibi^ to hope, thatl^ th^ wift; afd ji^
d«nt Mamgieoicnt, they will be abk in a vesy little Tioiei to
midaceive a mtftaMn and deluded Peo]^e^ aad thercAg[ vvgm
thoie Mk&iouif which, for the prelirat,, they appyefaqpc^ to
be loft to them. And if th^ fhoold f^ in tl^s, I a^ ^i^
foadedt from theif ^great Zw, (ox the Qs^ietof the Kinfr
and Wel&re of their Country^ from thor known JDi^ter^
eflednefry their generous Contempt of Adva^tag^ to tkeoi*
ifeltety and from thataodenthcvoickllomailVirtae, which
fo vifibiy appears in every Part of their Coodud,^ that th^
thcmfUves would become fiqppliant to his Majefiy^ far la*
faerty to retire from the Burthen of their Truft^ amd to re-
SSt the (ame.in fuch Uwds, as might put an End to the
i&fiedioDS which are now complained pf. And I am tl^
more confinned in this QpinioB, becaufe I myielf have heard
fome of the greateft Men now in Power, befbrci they were
iby expre& themfelves in (ucK a f;fanner« as left nie no ixxmi
to douot of the Sinceri^ of fach a Difpofitioii.
* There is yei^one Part of the C^jedipn whidi I have
not touched upon, the Danger which is ^pfrelieudcd of an
Invailon from Abroad^ and the Infurredion at Home, (hould
a new Parliament be called s^ Uiis Time, and this» I think,
is the only Thing which I have heard nKntioaed, which has
the Colour of an Argument for a longer Continuance of the
prefent Parliament ; out I believe, when it is a little exa-
. nuned, it will appear to have the Colour onlf , and to be
nf9x CsT frateres nihil. I think I have alreacfy made it evi*
dent, that there is no fuch Diiafie^on to his M^efty, or his
Koyal Family, as is fuggefted, and if there be not, then the
Danger of any Invafion or Infurreftion pn that SuppofitioB,
falls entirely to the Ground. But ev«i admitting the Difef-
feOion to be as it is fuggefled, *tis ftiU agreed, that the whole
Nation is not diia&6ted, but only fome Part thereof; vod
that therefore the Meeting together, on the Oa;tjBon of Elec-
tions, which are not muSc all on the fame Day, would con-
fift of mixt Multitudes of well and of iU aflfeded Perfons, fo
that the fbrmejr might balance the latter.
f But
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AnMt.Geo.1.
jf 5 D jB VJiJi u ithi ^i%slt tTottfMl. zy
• Bat aiSmiffifig that iiot tmlir the J>iMkQion is, bot diit .^ ^ ^
the DalliJffi of a new P^iament at this Time, would be, di Jl^f^
the feme have been itprefented, yet thJs wiU not prove tiiat ^"^^^'^
theiic^s any Neeefihy at diis Time for the {aQng the Bfll,
iK^di is the Snbjed df our prefent Debate. I do moft rc^*
^y agree, Aat if this l^arBamcnt were to e9q>ire in a y^y
ifliort Time, and that the publick Meeting of the l^eople
DTbuId reaily be of fuch a dangerous Coiifecpience in the pre*
^t Jutiduie, as has been mentioned ; that then abfoliite
Neceflity, which ah^ys has been, and ever will be, a Juffi*
£cation of ejrtraordinary Steps, would eijually jufHfy ^le
Prolongation for a Time of the prefent Parliament, in the '
Hifanner now propo&d ; and no doubt but that the next fuc:-'
ceeding Parliament, eonven^ in the ufual lej^ Manner,
would approve and confirm what fliOuld be done in this, on
ib preffing an Occalion. fiut furely it will no wife follow,
becaufe diis might be done in a Cafe of abfolute Neceffity,
^lat therefore it may or ought to be done, whra there is no
"Neceffity at aO. And it is evident, that the^ is no inune- -
diate Neceflity for the pafling'of this Law, iince, notwith- ^
Handmg the Length of the firL his Majefty' may ftill have
two Smons more of this very Parliament ; and wSl it not
1>e time enough to pafi ft'ch a Law in the laft Seflion, if it
ikmld then appear as neteflary as it is now pretoided to be ?
Awl therefore admitting tvtty Thing which has been alledg-
^d, there is not the <}d£)ur 6f a Neceflity for fuch a L^w
at prefent ; and riiis gives me ftrong Suspicion, that there is
.a Snake in the Crrals, and that we have not yet been ac-
ijaainted With the true Reafon of fo unprecedented an At*
tenmt. Certainty h*6 Gentleman can be afraid of what eve-
ry Gentleman muft wi0i. that before the End of another
Year, our Ferment will fubfide, and the Nation be reflored.
to a perifeft Calm, which would entinely take away all Pre<^
tences of doing what is now endeavoured r' Or, diat the una-
nimous Voice of the !BIe£tors of Great Britain, againft fiich
d Law, would, before another SeSon, be found too ilron|;
to be refifted by their Reprefentatives, and that Gentlemen,
upon a more mature Confideration, might come to thmk
vtry ditferently of this Matter from what they at prefent
ma^ ; and that therefore this great Maiter-piece moft he
ihiick oflF at one tteat, and that noyj tr never muft be the
Word : Or may not othe^ without Doors be apt to fufpeS,
that this Law is reMIy intended to encourage the Pretender
to invade, and his fccret Friends .to flicw themfelves in pub-
Kck, by fo6thing them up in the Hopes and Belief of the
jGreatneTs of their Numbers ; and by leading them into
that Snare, have an Opportunity of difcovering and cmfliing
them as diorougUy in England, as we have lately done
d ai ia
Digitized by ^OOQlC
in Soodmd ; and tkeieby fecnre for ever the Peace and
TnuMioility of die wliole Kingdom ? For it is impoffible to
iniagine» that fach £ncoara|eaient would be given to the
Pretender ot his Friends, as leems to be done by the Pream-
Ue of this Bin, and the Debate of this Day, if thofe who
were for the BIB were not entirely iatisficd, ^ a new Re-
bellion, if it (hoold happen, would be attended only with
the G)nfeqoences I have ju^ now mentioned. How r^ht a
pefign of this Kind may be in Politicks, I wiU not pretend
to detennine, bat will venture to aiErro, that it is entirely
inconMent with the Chriftian Religion,, and the Pnndples
of Humanity, common to aP Mankmd.
* Bat befides, I think an Experimoit of this &'nd mnch
too dangat>os to be txM | for when the Fire is occe kind-
led, no hQman Wifdom can tell how much it may con-
fume. And although we h^ve happily fuppre^d the late
unnatural 'Rebellion, yet I am perfuaded, no wife Man can
wiih,'to ferve any End whatever, to fee the Nation esqtoied
again to the Rifque of fuch another Attempt, although it
Ihould be as ill concerted at Home, and ^ litde fupported
fromAhroad, as the lafl feems to have been. Such Motives
astheie, therefore, can (brely prevail with no Body, and
yet I am not able to guefs at thofe which ihould : And
where no vifible Reafon does appear, for fo violent and need-
lefs a Precipitation, there muft, aqd will be great Variety of
Conjectures at thofe which are not ieen.
' Another Argument feems to have great Weight with
Oentlemen for ^e paiHng of this Bill ; ' That it will en-
* courage foreign Princes and States to enter into Alliances
' with us, when they fee a certain fixed Adminifbation,
* on which they may depend j for that at prefent they look
' upon us to be in the Nature of a Triennial Government, a
* new Parliament beine ufclally attended with a new Mi*-
* • niflry, and a new Miniftiy with new Meafures.*
* I believe that this is the firft, and I hope it will be the
lad Time that ever an Argument of fuch a Nature was adr
vanced, or wo^ld have been endured in an Englifh or Bri-
tifh Parliament, , We have hitherto been able to form great
Alliances, and to do great Things, on the Foot of our an?
cient Conilitution ; and are we now funk to a Condition
fo defpicable low, as to be obliged to model it to the <^*
nius or Humour of any of our Neighbours ? Can a Briton
hear this with Patience ? Abfolute Monarchy, and defpotic
Power, have no doubt, in feme .Conjedlures, the Advan?
tage of our Form of ,dovemmenf ; but fhall we for th^
iSake thereof, give np (ie moft valuable Conftitution upon
parth, fo adapted to the Spirit of our People, and fa
well fqitcd, in the general Circumftances of Life, for th^
• Wclftre
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4BPMHDA to the Fm^T Volttme. ^9
Welfare and Ha^incis of a fi«e Nation, and by which we
^ve hitherto ihone forth with a diftingaifhii^ Lufture,
from all other Countries in the World ? But as to the
Argument itfelf, why do Gentlemen imagin^> that trien-
liial Parliaments neceflkrily infer a triennm Coverament I
$ar^y the executive Power is intirely in the Prince, there
$ht l^xws of the Land have placed it, and there I hope
it will for ever remain : The Power of Peace, War, and
Alliance?, are the undoubted Prerogatives of the CrdWn,
imd no Parliament, I hope, will ever pretend to diipute
tht fame. The Stability therefore of our Government, ais
Ijt relates to foreign Nations, depends intirely on the Prince ;
and I i)dieve our ancient AUks never had, nor had Rea-
ibns to' have, a greater Reliance on any Sritifh Monarch',
tbxti on his pre&it Majefly, who fo worthily $ lis th«
Throne ; and I hope ths^ Rdiance will never be transfer-
ed from him to any Minifby, fuf^rted by any Parliament
whatever; which, J think, would be of the moil dangeroiis
Confequence to the Royal Dignity, the liberties of the
JPeople, anfl to the true Interefb of all opr fincere foreign
Friends. But I am alfo at a Lofs to find out any neceC-
Jary Connexion between a new Parliament and a new
Mini^, were there an)& Weight in that Ot>feQi(9i ; for,
are not the publick Employments in the Djfpofal of
the King, and whild they are executed t;o his Satis^idion^
ivill be continued in the- fame Hands ? And when they ar^
not, k is unfit they fhould. And whatever Changes his
Adajefty may at any Time happen to make, I am perfuad-
ed they will be always fuch as will be moft for his own
Service, and the Welfare of the Kingdom. Attd I muft de^
dare the fame Opinion as to Employments, as I have
done with I^elation to Seats in Parliament : That there ar^
^eat Numbers in Britain, eveiy way as well qualiged for
them as the prefect Poflefibrs ; and how great foever my
jEfteem may be for the prefent Miniftiy, I cannot carry
iny Compliment fo isa as to think, that the Nation would
be undone if they were laid afide. But if by the Pafling
of this Law the prefent Miniflry fhould be efiFedually efta-r
Ibliihed,, which is more than any Man can pretend tp pro-
phefy, what Encouragement could this in reality give to
the Forming of Foreign Alliances ; when . hy the fame
Law it is fully infinuat^, and plainly admitted in the pre*
fent Debate, that the AlFeftions of a very great Part of
the People are loft to this very Miniftry ; for my own
Part, I think it is doing them the greateft Wrpng, ^
furniKhiiig^ Foreign Princes and States with the ilron^ Ar-
guments againft their entering into' any Alliance with us.
for i^ i» not their being fuppotted by a MpjoriQr of thi$
Houie
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JO MOD M NDJ n ijh Ft tt¥ Vditrm.
Hotffeduicwn bt aqrfoMteiltja lawiagtaitiit, irtlii
Miefwl thit a H^otitf of tlie NatioA aie in vtty differett
< FHe hnftiMd and lifty ti^t Gentlcteeti iif Brdteh,
iMbtte^ €oafitedl» were thejr yi ManilMMn, bear bat
a ftialt mportioa to tfce Nombert Jn tlib Nation ; bat
mkm dKy it mktuik thtk Wal!»» clM^i^ nAtk xitt Aufba-
i4ty of the Twdk^ Md an thaaghc €o f|>e«k tiidr 8lmft,
*tb t)iea inieeC tbat tbey wffi kava cfte AH W^^kt trf
tlie ComnoM of Givac Brkite. It it«MMem, that tie
frefem MMiftiy and Fi^aaient w^ft h. Being wbea tke
Me RcbtflioB brokoDat, and tkft iMWMritjdbuidi^ dl oHiifir
«i«t)er Meaftro^ fix tbtmftiad Daldi Ttoops werfe thoag^t
iiMAif t^a^aids tbe {i^>pt«Stig tfaeredf ; ^ey bad b6t ter-
vMf beea «itberwkb fent fat» nor wMM ^y Britito have
ibmd to bav« {itta fedi AMiot ; ^i4ilit |tidgiMnft iben
tomft diat, alid odier States and M^^ foto Irbilt bene^
«f tbe Sitnadcn of oar Affidr^ d^edaltf when by dds
Law we pMdaim akrad, tbat otrr Pfeib and Aliiniioiflties
^ tun t6otibii^, and tbat Ibete hft tM «r^ daf^gerois
2>i^p«^ttons towarAi ft iie# RebdHloa ; and if thii be ^
Oneoaragemtnt to entef into, aAd depend upon fntt AS-
ttiees, f kndW net what ^m be a pMpcr DHcoaragentent.
< t am the^ote in ffbpei that thft IKH wiS not pa6 r
iaitid df Ach e)tt»feOidinary Jnd annattual Ptojefts as
tkrie, there are others ^^at defei^ve oar Attention. I
think it woald be a Deign worthy «f a Sridit Parliament
a^ eoRoeit aiid eaecoie nie moft proper nfeutn^ lor tbe
beaiing M>ofoarBrei»ehes» ahdanidng earMbids l^the
odriflioii In^ortA and Saftf^ of tbe Nation. Tbe fii^ Step
iMrfutely noeeffary towards this great Woift^ kdim tbmt
16 be, tbe fbi^ftiaj^ afi piift Party -K^arrdb, and extingnifih
fn| "for ^ <httire tbofe b^iis Naineb df Difth&ba;
which have been ^long, aftdfetaJb^ylrept up. And
I will v«0tare to tij^tkit ^tbis Expedient te^Nvkitfs Uhani^
mit^, ii mut^ liK>i^ ChrMiaiR, fets dang^rodSf aad^ "dioiig^
mcxAt, yet mach more pt«(^bte, th^ ^e Bxtb]»tidii
at tottd Sepprefioa iif fcSAer ^ the cbrtendihg F^ities,
which the attthiiikitt^ iParioibi*s 6f both feem t6 be too
fendt)f.
« I would n6t hkv6 Gentlwncn dSfcodraged, fti endea*
vom-iftg wbait I retommendy fibm any t^^cidties wMch
Ihey may coafceite thchein ; for ibrdy there was a Time,
and Tiot long fihce, when tbis Hcflfed Wbffe to^Id ndt bave
mifrarried ; I hope \l is^U pradicaUe, or elfe the Nation
j^Hi he Ibon undone ; for, wearefcrc, that a Kin^m di-
vided agaittft hfetf wiH be Brbtight tb Dcfblation. Bat as
to the Eoffibiliry ^f the Thing, Jet tnc pot CJcntfemen hi
mind
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I7l6.
iftbdoflkematHMUaodAiiinofiiliei^ wludvwesieift^ aiw^ a. jpeo. i<
and fondM^ b^r the OMxanq^td Violeaces aa4 Crueltm
of a long and hloody Civil War & yet tkcfd wow tU app^
ed in the v^ Bcginiiifig of th^Reigxi of King CWks II.
afttr lua iUltpracioo; tkc £liA(}r> of that Tim« Mi^ (bifU
£cte»tljr kiiQWi^ I ae«d aot cepeat tlie Mctfure^ whicK
woe ihea taken : Cectain it is^ the Nation c&jc^^ 4 CaJn^
fiir many Years, our Trade itvmShed, owt Weidth i«creaf-
ed, and wc were both, in the literal and aUegorical Seoitp
aLand flowing %ith Millc asfj Honey » and thb I k^
viU be agaiaour Ca^e. I woidd alfi) recommend the Pay*
neat ^our paUkk JDebti, or at lealb of putting them ina
Way of being difcharged in {bme reaionable Time ; Sat
'till this isdooe,. we are, in my Opinion, in a Scat;^ of the
g^sateftlafecunty ; for what Foreign Prince or Stat^^ will .
qthcr court tke Friendflup, or dread the Enmity of a bank-
rspt People ) For tl^gh particular Perfoiis are really ricb«
the Nation, whilft loaded with a Debt of fifty Millions^
laoadDubted^ Tery poor ; and is it not a meUncholly CoU'*
fideaataoi^ that when the Indiyidnak are very wealthy, that
^A the Nation fhonhl be "vexy weak ; this is indeed a Pa-
radox; b«t greater ftill, that Men can be b infatuated,
aa io flecplecnve onder a Govemoieaty which can fcarce be
laid to.be in a Condition of givh^ them Protedkm, and
that too w^en it is in their own Power to Redrefs the.Evil.
< Before I fit down, I innft obierve, that this Bill is
brooeht in l^ no Order of this Hoofe, nor has arofe on
any Motion in it, but is a Prefent fent us by the Houfe of
Peers. I do not &y, that their Lordfhips have not a Right
to fend us this, or any other Bill they pleafe, a Money Bill
excepted ; but fince it chiefly, if not wholly, relates to our
own, and the Ri|^ and Privileges of diofe we reprefent,
it would moro naturally^ in my C^inion, have had its Com-
mencement here ; and this Confideration inclines me to be-
lieve, that it had not been eafy to have foupd one among
us, who would have been willing to have made himfelf re-
markable by being the firH Mover of fo extraordinary a
Law» fo likely to ai%uft a vail Majori^ of the People. But
there are other Reafons affigned, and |$retty freely talj^d of
without Doors, for beginning this Bill in the Houfe of Lords,
that thereby Time would be got, and proper Arguments ap-
plied, to convince Gentlemen of the Neccflity of this Law,
who, when it was firft fpoke of, feemed to be very much
prejudiced againft it ; anld 'tis faid, that there has been
great Pains mken for that Purpofe, and not vvrithout Suc-
cefs. But *tis faid, that the main Reafon againfl beginning
it here, was to take ofl'that Byafs, which was apprehended
might be upon the Minds of Gentlemen, f/om the Doubt-
fulnefs
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3< JDJXENDJioibe Fntsr V^lvmsj
faloefr of its Fate in anotker Place ; for thoi^ die liOtds
have, we have not an Inheritance in oof Seats, bntd^end
for a Continoance of them in fatnie PariiapDents, on the
good Opinion of the Eledors of Great Britain ; pnd to de-
prive them of the Right of freqaent Eledions, wliidi chef
are now endtlad to by Law, cannot be (bppofed a pro-
per Recommendation to their Favour ; and it was therdbre
convenient to remove this ftombling Blook out of the Way^
that the Advocates for the Bill might argue and vote with
greater AflTurance. Bat Ihofc the Refolutions of this Day
will folly make appear, how falfe and gronndleis theCe and
fach like Suggeftions are, and that we cannot be deten;ed
firom a faithhid Difcharge of the Tmft rqpofed in us, or
infloenced againft it, by any Motives or ConEderations what-
foever ; and that thofe Gentlemen porticalarly, who have fat
long in Parliament^ and on all Occaiions have fo wordily
diitingnifhed themfelves, by being the greateft Advocates
for the Rights and Liberties of the People, will at this
Time fliew the World, that they continoe fond and fieady
to the Principles they have always profefled, I therefore
hope, that a Law which even the worft Miniiby, in the
worft of Parliaments, never had the Wickednc^fs tcratten^
will not adaally be elbblifoed under the beft Adminiilea-
don, and in the beft Parliament with which this Nation
was ever blefied.*
y Google
jfDDENDA H th First Votrwi. ^3
Mr Hampden^ SPEECH
In D E p B N c E of die
PEERAGE-BIEL-
[Set Page 202.]
Mr Speaker, ,
AS,a Member of this Houfe, I confider mykU ai
the TraHee of thofe wlunn I reprcfent ; engaged in
Hoiionr to< guard thofe important Tru& that are repo&d in
me, as well as to defend the Privileges of the Home I be*
long to. By this Rule I meaiiire my Duty, that whatever
new Law is contrary to, or deftru^ve of, thofe Tnxib, I
am bound to oppofe it : bat that whaiever new Law is agpee-
8d>le to them, coniidered in their natural Intentand Mewng^
and confiftent with the Dignity and Privily of- our Honiei
I am at Liberty to vote for it j nay, I am indeed obliged to
do fo, if it be found • for the Good of the whole Comma-»
nity, or to have any Tendency towards making the future
Condition of thofe I reprefent, and thofe with whom I fit,
better and happier.
* I make no Exception hefe, even of thofe Laws wWch
more nearly touch the prijKipal. Branches of our Conftitu^
tion, provided they touch not the Vitals and Bfientials 0/
it. . Every new Law is certainly an Alteration of the Con-
ftitution in fome Senfe, as it gives or takes away ibme Power
br PrivHege not enjoyed, or enjoyed before, by the Crown.
But thcfe new Laws added, or old ones abd£&ed, every
Day, do. not affed the Vitab of the Confutation. The
King is ftill the Executor of the Laws, tho' thofe Alteratkms
make a daily Change in his executive Power ; but in the
OUe before us, becaufe the Bill propos'd4s eiqpcdiy declared
to be defigned to alter the prefent Condition of the Houfe
of Lords, and becaufe that Houfe is one of the States of
the Realm ; this feems to have affeaed fome Memben, as if
it were fomething more efiential to our Conititotion than the
Alteration of the King's Poww, with his own Confent, in
any other new Law. But as the Effence of the CoaaitiMion
^onAfts not in having the Number of Lords unbounded, any
c more
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14 JJ>PJINP4 to (if Piair yo%Tt^%.
•i.Qn^L aioge than the Number of the Commons ; the f imttttym of
J^ J dio Mapl PoiMT^ witJi Re^poft to this, is no more an Al-
temtidQ of the Conititatioii in its ^(entials, than die Alter
iralkii of many odier old Laws^ or Coftomi. The Kill's
P^ywer of adding new Lords in infimhmt is indeed hj ^
^ittttt of this Bill Aopt and cut off. But there ftiU remaSi^
A Hooie of Lords, and 'm the Crown the Plrerogathre €^
inatdng new Lords upon all Extin£Uons and Failures that
maj be. And tUs brag no more than the turning an un-
limited Power into a limited, or an Alteration of the Exer-
cife of one ^ the Powers of the Crown, it cannot poffiUy
be iaid to difturb or aflfed^ our Conftitutioa in its efleotial
l^arts.
The Defign of the IfiUin ihort is this, ^ That, on the
f Part of ScbtUmd, in lieu of iSixteen Elediye Peers, Twen-
*ty^ ihall have Heireditaiy Seats in Pariiament, to be
^ mM ap> upon wsf ExtinAioii, out of the Peers of Scot-;
f Und ; and that ori the Part of Bi^land not more than Six
^ n«rs nunr be added by the King, to the prefent Nnmbcr \
^ and all fVlorts to be fimlkd by the Crown, out of the
* aatoral bom Svhjeas ^ Qrcat Britain.' ' This is the
Deiga of the Bill : And the only Point of Moment i^
Whedier lids Altmtioa be of that Nature as that it can be
hnnoifable and becoming us, as Mem^)ers of the Hoofe of
(jommpm, tt> coacer in it.
< la the £rftPkut of this Defign which relates to Scothmd,
the inor^a^ the Number of Scotch Pteers, by the AddidoA
of Nine, is the reaibnaUe Conftquence of the Increaie of
gngjiifc Lords iinoe the Union, in ii^ich it was always de*
figned that fome Proportion (hpuld be kept between the
t^rds of each Part of the Kingdom. Nor can we, in the
mhole^ dimk this Proporcienioo^great. ' The changing their
befibn into Hereditary Satctffiod, is to acxommodate their
Qmdidon to the CiMiitidon of thefe Peers with whom they
itt. Befides, by this Means the Heads of die Npbkfl Fami*
lies in Scbd^nd may £t in Parliament; an^ they particularly
ffho hatee Icnrmer Claims by Patents may be ialleA thither,
to prevent the £ual Conftquences of a repeated Refuial of
thofe Cbims, which is umverfafly in that Country looked
iipon as an open Breach of the Union.
' I bayt lu|afd feveral of the Scots Peers dedare in the
ftraegeft Terms po^ble, that they would never have iub^
mitted to fit by way of Ele^on, but in Hopes of meeting
with fnch a favourable Opportunity of altering it i and tiut
all (heir Acquaintancey and their Principals themfelves,
knew their Senthnents upon this Subjedl. And H fuch an
AltemtSoo, fapp<^og it ftJr the better, as it makes the Scots
Lords m^h more independent a|)on ^ouxts and MiniHers,
ought
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m^ not CQf be made wkhout die es^i^ Ccmtrot of tkeir A]im6. ceo.!
Piindpftls, who I^e ^ prcfent PJlffemtl Right- to be Ekftors \^j^J-
and Ekacd, I woold only proplBfe thca; that it is im-
Mffibte to come to foch si Coafent, be^^nfe the Algmnenc
being tatei lh>m Perfonal lllghe, will mdce the ej^fvrfs Con-
fcnt of wcry indil^&al Peer necefey; and hot Only the
Confent of a Majority : That tiie Peers not nominated at
firft hat^ ftill a Chance of bebg Hereditaiy Peers of Parlitf-
mfiiSiX t^ any Failure ; whieh is certainly a nK>re hononi^
fl^k Condition thmi their prelbnt : And that the Uni6n itffif;
of M^ich this is only a Orciun^^^ce^ was efiedled b)^ eleded
Peribns altering; in the moft effential and impcM-tant Ponits^
the Condition and St$te of thdr Etef^lors; without any Coll-,
ient of thi^Si obtained or fought after^ or fuppofed. If
thetefoie there is an Union, notwithftanding that the Prln^^
pals of th^ Scots Commons we^e never i^ much as ftipfideS
to give* any Confent ; there may be an Alteratidn of tkf
Cirdumftmices of thattJnfon, without any fuch ConcMtion.
And they who iafift A> zealoofly iq)on this Atgoment, flUidiikl
firft declare that there is and can be no Union, before ^h^
declare it impoiible in Juftice to mend any foth Circum-
Aance belonging to it; For if this be impoffible, the Union
is none at all ; btit if the Union be good and right, or to' be
itiaintatned, then this Alteration is not impoffible in'Jallice
and Equity. I might add, that tho' fome other Articled of
the Union are declared Fundamental and Eilentfal, yet no-
thing of this Sort is declared^ in the A6I of Partiamenti
eonceming the Elcdion of the Scots Peers.
* The great Point to us, I think, is the determinitig tbe
Number of Piaers in the Houfe of Lords for the Future, and
the limiting the Crown in the Prerogative of making I^rdsl
How this can aficft the Fublidc, of wl^ich we are the Guar-
dians ; or the feveral Branch^ of the Legiitature, for all
which we ought to havsft a Concern ; ot our Houfe in par*
iicular in its Dignity or Power of doing Good : Th^ are
what properly lie before ud. #
< As a Member of the Houfe of Cdmrilons^ I iim obl^ed
not only to have a great Concern for that Part of tiieLe-
giilature in particular, but the Whole and every Part of it i
that no One Part encroaches tipon Another to the Detri-
ment of the Whole ; that the Ballance be as ftfi6ily and is
nicely pref«v'd as poffible i that no One of the Stat^ be
brought into Cbntempt or DifaiHlity i and that our o^
Hou& in particular^ or thofe we rcprefent, do not fuifcr itt
any Inftance, 1^ the Lofs of any Good, Or by the Acceffion
of any Evil.
* With a View tb thefe Points, I OHrfider what- will be
the Effea, if ^is BilLpalIe»; and li^af wSl be Ae Coiife-
e z ^ucnce*
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^ ADDENDA u tht Fust Volume- ,
queict, if diis, or ibmethif^ like it, does not pa&. As to
I die Crown it klf, rappofing the Bill to pufi,' there will in-
dtcd be a Power retrained in the Ezeiciie of it. But what
Power? Why truly the Power of making Lords apon aU
Offffry^i in all Eventt, and fiur all Po^pofes imaginable :
And diis Power lod^ inevery King ibr ever* This BUi
ChcKfere retrains a rower almolt too vaft to be e^iceived >
carried already to a great EaiceA ; proceeding in every Re^
to greater ; and ftiU to go ob» as long as fuch a Govern*
Bent, with fach a H04i& of loidt as moft be in tin^, can
keep up any Dignity ; I m^ht have iaid, can preferve any
Being. It reftrains a Power which muft of Necefiity » in the
aatoral Courfe of many Reisas, defiioy all the Honour and
Digiaty of the States, which I am concerned and obliged
to preferve. And b^es this, as a Commoner, can it pof-
fiJUy be difiigreeable to me; that a Power in the Crown
ihonld be leftnuned, which is at leaft as liaUe to be abuied,
as to be well ufcd ; perhaps more fo, if we confides what
litn, vefted with Power and Paffions and Imperfections, too
generally ihew themielves to be.
* If we como now to the Houfe of Lords it ieif ; this
Bill, if it pafles into a Law, will confine the Number of
Peers in it to what it is at preient, with the Additions be-
fare mentioned. What evil Conicquences, or ill Effisds, this
can have in the Houie it felf, in Comparifon of the Con-
trary, will the better af^>ear, if yi>u will give me Leave to
make a Supposition, which is very allowable in Argument,
tho* I fear it would never be verified in Pradice. Suppofe
therefore that the prefent, and all fucceeding Kings, ihonld
take an abfolute Refolution not to add to the Number of
Peers, but to keep them e}ca£Uy what they are, only by
tiling up the Failures in Families which may happen. Let
ae aft: you, is there a Man, is there a Member'of the Houfe
of Commons, who, abftraded from private and roftle^ Am-
bition and Impatience of waiting, would not rather com-
mend fuch a Refolution, as Wiidom and Regard to the Pub-
lick ; than condemn k as Weaknefs or FoUy ? And yet,
with refpe£t to any accidental evil Confequences, this would
put the Houfe of Lords exa£dy into the fame State, in
whkhf ti^e preient Bitf would leave it. The Increafe or
Dfscreafe of the Influence of a Court in that Houfe ; the
Management of a Miniftry, and ike Efinsds of that Manage-
xnent ; nay, and the Formidablenefs of that noble Body it
ielf ; would, in all Refpedis, ftan^ exa^y where they will
BOW ftand if this Bill pafles into a Law. And yet no one,
I prefume, would tax fuch a Refolution, either with Weak-
B^s or evil Defign 5 bccaufe it is evident that, by th|s
Meai9^ i»nf WjQ^ 4t/ica$ of forcing through the Houie of
, ■ J ' Lords
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JPDENIXJjo tbi Fjkar Volume* 57
lidDrds what is agreeable to a Court, tho* n^er fo bad in it aioo 6. oed. l
&i£^ or of hindei'ing what is difagFceable, tho' never fo good | ^^^^
in it felfy is entirely cut o£ It is our Intereft, ^d the In-
terefi of the Publ^k, that the Confultations of that Houie
fiu>ul(i be free ; which they could not be (aid to be, at a
7ime when the Crown poured in a Number of Lords to
canry a Queftion in Danger. And by this Bill one Way, at
Icafl, to that Freedom is laid opeit and made fecure for ever.
* With refpcft to Our Selves in this Afl^ : One Thing
the Commons, as the Guardians of Liberty, have to wifh
£or, is, that the Lords fhould be as little under the Influence
of a Court, as fUch a Body can be fui:»pofed to be. Now I
^Mfould a(k. Is it a fmall Number, or a great Number, in
that Houfe, which can render it moil liable to this great
Evil ? I am confident, it will be granted that it is the Small-
nefi of their Numbers which does it Nor have we evei;
lieard of io many and fo conflant CompUan^s with Courts,
as in thofe Times when they were not half the Number of
what they are now. This Evil is prevented l^ the great
Number which is ftill to \^ left ; and without doubt wul be
conftantly kept full : A Number a little too large, I hope,
fon the PuHe of a Court, confidering how great an Occa-
iion there is jfor Money in other Places, fuppoiing the Con^^
dud of Men to be influenced hy fo bad and fo bafe a Mo-
tive. Where therefore can we flop betto*, than where wc
Aould applaud our Kings for fl(^ping themfelves; when
there is a Number (as nearly as fuch Things can be calcu-
lated) great enough to take off the Superftiity of Dignity
and Power in that Houfe ; great enough to be a Bar againfl
the mofl fatal Managements of bad Miniflers, by the fole
Influence df Pofls and Profits ; and yet not great enough to
create any Danger to the Whole, in any other Refpe^, if
it be flop'd at once effedually. I appeal to you, if any
Commoner can ever wiih or hope for the Good of the Pub-
lick, to fee a Number of Lords exceeding Two Hundred
and Thirty Five ; nay, whether we ever wifticd to fee fuch
a Number as there is at prefent ; or ever thought any other-
wife of the Additions made in late Years, than as of forne*
thing not very wife or politick. And if fo, I hardly think
we can juflly diflent, upon any very plain Reafon, from the
Confinement of that Number now ddigned.
* Another Wifli I have, as a Commoner, is, that there
may not be a perpetual Incentive to the Ambition of our
Members, to leave their Seats with us ; as has been of late
obferved ; which I have always thought to reflect a Dif-
honour and Ignominy upon our felves. Nor fhould there be
wanti^, at the fame Time, as many Opportunities as can
le^iibn^ly be thought fufficient, for the rewarding of the
Merits
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fB JDBEKDA t$ thi Fi&sr Volums.
Merits of Conmenen. Thii BOl, if it fOSa, wffl, at hi
as can be judged, v«y moch contribote to thefe two Points.
I do not mean, it will perfe^y pat a Stop to AppUoidont
and Solicitations i becaafe there can be no fuch Thing h<^
ed for, whilft there is fach a Tiling as a Honie of LmvIs.
Bat as, on one Hand, nuuiy cannot be called up together ;
and, on the odier, there will be ibme few Vacancies gene-
rally in Expedadon y One* cannot think of a better Medions
t^ thisy at once for the j^icoaragement of good Somites
hi Commoners^ and fc^ the nakmg them more coment »id
cafy, in applying themfelves to the Bofinefi of the Hoaie/
and lefs refUefs and impatient to be called oat of it. ^ And
this you will eafily agree in^ that^ after the P^ng of thk
Bill, when a Comoaoner (hall b^ catted u^ for the fatsre^
he will be called op to an H(»oar much more valuable and
diflingaifhing, than he is, in the prefent Condiden of that
Honfe. I hare often thought that the Dignity and Reps*
tation of our Houfe has lunk^ in Pr(^oirdon to the f^ak
Levies, if I may fo fay, made out of it ; or to our M^srabers
Tolantarily preffing and thronging into the other. And I
think here is a Remedy as eie^d as can bfc cucpedVed.
* But there is another Way of confkieriilg this Queftionj
and that is, by fuppofing this Bill nbt to pafe ^ and this Powei*
in the Crown to continue infinite and unlimited, as it now
is ; and by weighing the Confequences upon this Suppofi^
don in future Ages $ to which I hope w6 all mead to tranA
mit our Conftitudon, Unhurt in its cflendal Parts.
* Sappofing this, I fay, the Crown wiH indeed rea^dn
pofiefied of a Prerogative : But a Prerogative, the ExcrdA^
of which win come to refleS Shame upon itfelf, as well as
upon thofe who win ftiU partake of the Benefit of ii The
Crown win have a Power, which will, I fuppofc, be from
Time to Time exerctfed ; nay, which ma ft be fuppofed tet
be excrcifed to a great Extent, whenever any Minify fhaU
have any Defigns to carry forward by it. The Power of
the Crown will be untouched indeed ; but the true Dignity
and Glory of the Crown will be far from being untoached.
It wiU be a Power, the Benefit of which at laf! no Man
of Honour will either feek after, or accept i and (b muft be
excrcifed, whenever there arifes a real or foppoM Necef^
fity, upon Men of a different Chafafter.
* The Houfe of Lords, fuppofing the fexercife of the
Royal Prerogative to remain unlimited by the reje^ing diis
Bill ; which too probably will be die laft, as it is the firft
iii the Sort : The Houfe of Lords, I fay, what wiU it be-
come in Time > Who would not envy our Poftcrity the
Sight of double or treWe the prefent Number of Peers? Or,
who would not applaud the Figure our Conftitotion moft
make.
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I7I9.
fnajccy at fiich a Time ; if it can be then called Our CaniU- ^^^.^.i'^l-
^tttion I w]ien it is impoilible to fuj^fe tliat Mpn of Worth
and Virtue will be prevailed upon to help to fill that Houfe ;
and whep yet it muft be {apjpokd that others will do it^ to
anfwer the particular Oc^onsofa Court, and their ch¥B
l^eceflities, or Ends, at the fasne Time f We cannot haye
|i meaner Idea of a Houie of Parliament, than this gives
ut I nor a mdre de^fUve one to the Nature of our Con-
^tution ; nor a more fatal one to the whole Community.
iVnd aa we ought equally to guard agaii^ the formidable^
and the ignominious Eftate of that Houfe ; as well as the;
Plihonour ai%d.Iniury of the whok Conftitution ; I think
we cannot wifh to fee the Number of Peers to go on and in- <
^xtak, AS they muft do.
* But if you fay, the ISfatnre of Things will ftop Hm
Evil without a Law for this Purpofe : I wifh it were foj in
Jprobability ; becaufe then I am fure this Bill would be prav-
id reaf<Miable l^ this very Argument. For if it be reaibi^
aUe that this Increafe of Numbers fliould ftop ; you mu4
^ther find out that Point at which fuch an Evil will ftop
jtfelf, wycb is beyon4 the Wit of Man to do ; or yo«
muft conoir to ftop it the firft Opportunity you have, at
fuch a Nttflidi^r as might he thought tolerably reafbnabl^
as far as tuck a Matter can be calculated. And again^ if
it be reaibnable that this Increafe fliould ftop ibmewhere ;
certamly there can be no Argument againft ftopping it now,
^nleft it be this, that the Number of Peers propoied is too
jitde ; nay, that it is remarkably very much too litck $
£[>r there is no ftanding upon Niceties in fuch a Cafe. Bat
no One, I believe, will hy that the Numbers of Peers
propofed is too litde. Hitherto the Complaints have be^n
on the omtcary Part 1 and: no One could fay this, who ttuC
not, by the fame Breath, condemn our Princes, fhould they
all refdve never to aument the Number. But indeed it
is fo far from being lik2y that this Increafe will ever ftop
ofitfelf, in the Courfe and Nature of Thm^ ; that the Con*
trarynmft'be certain, as kn^ as it is certain that there will
^ too olten, in all Ages and dll Reigns, Dtigas to be carried
on which will call for a fndden Increafe of this Number ;
and always Men in the World capable of accepting a Od^
for the Benefit of fuch Deftgns. And this I think a voj
deplorable Conftderation, fuppoiing this Bill not to pa6.
*^ As to our Houfe, and its Members ; and the Intent
of the Commons as fuch ; befides that it is our ftri£l In- *
tereft and Duty to preferve the whole, by the due Balance
of its feveral Parts ; Ifliallonly fay, upon Suppofttion of
^e Number of Lords continual Increafe upon the rejedmg
^is Bifi;, that neitha our Freedom in oar Ele&ioQs or our
Votes,
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40 40DBNBA i0ihi First VoLtriiE.
Votes» nor oar Honour in being at any Time called up to
the Hoofe of Peers, can be iaid to be lb great and {o vah-
iJble, as it wiD othcrtvife be. In tke Affiur of our Ele^iom
befere we fit, and oar Proceedings whilft we fit^ the in-
creafing Namber of Peers, n^ch maft be vaft in Time,
will have a great WkBif and not a very good one ; pa--
li^M indeed in a finaOer Proportion in our Days, bat in
a more &tal Manner in Procefs of Time ; in thofe fbtore
Timet, to which we ofoght to extend oar Qmcem, if we
have any true Regard for our Country. It will be a
faaXi Comfort to the Commoners of Great Britain, e-
ven if they have a Mind to keq> op too remaikaye a Di-
itinAion between themfdves and the Peers, to think that
the Number of Peers increafing ( as it muft do without this
BiO ) does itfdf make the Peers contemptiUe and mean in
their own Houfe and in feme other RefpeSs ; whilft this
Tery Number, fb perpediaUy increafing, muft itielf, as I
apprehend^ give them a much greater Power and Influence
withoot their own Doors, and within ours, than they could
otherwiie have. For, even fiijmofing them, in Time, to
be many of them Perfons but otindi^ent Fortunes in the
World, or the like ; yet by tl^ir great Numbers^ being
dtfperibd every where in every Corner of the Land, and hav*
ing numerous Dependents, Relations, Acqusuntances and
Dependents, this very immenfe Number muft be a Weight,
and a vtry great one. Their Influomre in Eledions of the
Commoners muft be vaft ; and their Influence afterwards, in
the Houfe of Commons, muft be proportionable, after the
Eledion ; in carrying, Votes, in forwarding or hindring any
Law ; and the like.
* There is another Evil for which the Commons of Great
Britain have always ufed to wifli to fee fome Remedy ;
and that is, the jBcreening of evil Minifters and evil Coun-
fellors from the Cenfures and ImjDeachmeots of our Houfe.
What mwre natural Way for a Court to do this, efpedally
fince a late Experiment, than to croud into the Houfe of
Lords a Number of Peers upon fuck a great Occaflon ? Sup-
pofing diis Bill not to pais, this Evil remains without a Re-
siiedy : And it is an Evil which ought to affcft every Mem-
ber of the I^mfe of .Commons, in a very peculiar Man-
ner.
* It has been alledged that upon fixing thus the Nam-
ber of Peers, they will think thcmfelves the niore powerfU j
and many of them living in a very Expenfive Manner, and
perhaps the more fo after this, that the Fate of our Laws
may come to depend upon fach as have made themfelves
poor, and Confequently Slaves to a Court. This \$ a Speca*
lation, I confefs, whi^h may poiiibly prove true in Fa£^ if
you
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JDDEUDA to /ij^ First VoLukB 41
you can fuppofe any Perfon to rcfolvc to make himfelf
poor merely U>t the Pieafure of being a Slave ; or that there
will be one Peer more or Jefs expenfive on this fole Ac-
count. But fuppofing this to be poffible and probable both 1
X ftill fay, it is better to run the Rii^ue of this which is un-^
Certain, and to have the Fate of your Laws depend upon
foine who fhall voluntarily make themfelves indigent ; than
to have the^ Fate of your Laws, or of any publick Dcfigns,
depend upon a Number of Perfons at any Time to be called
up, as a King or a Minifb-y fhall think fit : Which is not
the poflible uncertain Confequence of not paffing this Law, .
but the certain and unavoidable one iii Times to come. And
to prevent an uncertain Evil, I can never perfuade my felf to
ran into a certain one.
* It may be laid perhaps, that our Liberties have hitherto
fubfiHed under the Exercife of tins unlimited Power of the
Crown ; ahd therefore may fHll go on, and continue in a.
very good Eibte, without any Limitation to it. But this
Way of arguing is very unhappy, becaufe it is equally good
againft making any new Laws ; and efpedally againfl pre-
venting any probable. Dangers to the Publick ; which is the
Stat Bufinefs of a Parliament to do i and of much greater,
portance, than to wait 'till they become perhaps too big
to be remedied. We have not been ruined, therefore we
need not take Care to prevent Ruin, is but a very weak
Way of Reafoning j and worfe than weak, where the Whole
is concerned. The Attempt has once, in a very remark-
able Manner, been made ; and there were few, I believe,
who did not think it a fatal Precedent, fuppofing it to have
been made even for a good Caqfe and a praife-worthy End.
What has been done may be done ; what has been done in
a great Degree may be done in a greater ftill. What might
have ruined us once, may ruin us another Time. To pre-
vent that Danger which might have come heretofore, and
may come hereafter, in one certain Method at leaft, is one
End which will be anfwered by this Bill.
' But it may be faid, that all the Evils ari^ng from the
Crown's making a great Number of Lords at one Time, to
carry any one great Point, may be prevented in another
Way, either by enacting, -That Lords fhall not vote in the
Houfe till a Year or two after they are created ; or by con-
fining the Crown to a very fmall Number eVery Year. It
moSi be owned, that this might poffibly remedy thofe Evils
particularly ; but it is not at all certain that this would do it
effedually, fuppofing Courts to lay their own Defigns long
before-hand, and to have any Skill, as fome have had, in
the Choice of proper Perfons. We Commons fhonld re-
member, I think particularly, that there was a Time when
f the
Digitized by ^OOQIC
42 ADD END J to the First Votuiit.
the Power of the Crown was imlimited as to onr onlti
Houie i and could ^e to new Boroughs the Privily of
fendii^ lytoabers. And was it not a. great Evil, that Coons
could choofe fuch Borou^ Jbr this Foq^fCy as they knew
wou*d cany on their Defigns, 'and eled fuch as they Ihould
nominate \ We reckon it a Happineis that this Evi], which
threaten^ the Freedom of our own Houibi, is now cured hy
the Confinement of our Numbers. And ihaB we envy the
other Houie the dune Freedom, equally good for the Pub-
lick, which cannot be procured io cf&duall)r, as by the
iiune Confinement upon which we reckon our own to fub-
fift S efpecially, ooofidering that the Method propoied inflead
of this, muft by Degrees make an Increafe of Lords vafily
difproporiionate to the Commons ; and^ by calling up rii^
Gommooers, miift make that Houfe, of which we are to
jealous pecidiarly on the Account of Property, I will not
&y> to leprefent Property, but what is. more, to poflefs al-
inoft all the Fiopsrty in the Nation.
* Let OS be as jealous of Miniflers as we ought ; that is»
as jealous as they give us Occafion to be. But let not that
Jcalonfy drive us out of the Temper, with which ^tiy
Thing pnopofed to us demands to be oonfidered ; nor divert
us from balancing the Good and Evil on both Sides s. and
determining our ielves by that Balance. I leave my felf
open to new Light; bi^, *tiil thai comes, I will be ib
free as to add, ' Let it not be faid by our Poflerity (j^f it
' be, I fbar it will be kid with no very kind Refledlions
* upon us their Fore-Others) that there was a Time in Gicat
' Britain, when there was a King upon the Throne who
' had the Goodnef^ to uncommon^ as to be ready to recede
* from his Prerogative, in order to put our Coniiitution
' upon a Foot of greater Certainty and greater Freedom 2
* and that there was a Uoufe of Commons not difpoied to
* make Ufe of a Conjundure, which the Nation has little
* Reafon to hope ever, to (be again as long .it continues in
' Being.*
Mr
y Google
ADDEND^ t9 the Fjust Vjdwtme. 4J
Mr Hutcheforis SPEECH
la tihe D£BATE ccncchung the
Number of Land-Force? for the Year 1 7 1 8L
iSit fmgi 155.]
Mr Speaker;
THE fijrft Footfteps I £nd of a Standing Army in Eng-
land, fiflce the Roonans left the Ifland, were in Richarid
the Second's Time, wha rais*d Four Thoufand Archers 19
Cheihire, and fuffer'd them to [dunder» live upon free Q^«
ter, beat» wound, ravifh and IdJl wherever they went 1 and
afterwards he call'd a t^arlian^ent, •encompafs'd them with
his Archers, ford* d them to give up the whole Power of
Parliaments, and make it Treafon to endeavdur to repeal
any of the arbitrary Conftkutsons then made : But being
^erwards oblijsed to go to Ireland to fupprefs a Rebellion
there, the People took Advantage of it, and dethroned him.
* The Nation had fuch a Specimen in this Reign of a
Standing Army, that I don*t £nd any King from his Tim«
to that of Charles the Firft, who attoapted to keep up any
Foroes in Time of Peace, except the Yeomen of the Guaro,
who were conftituted by Henry the Seventh. And tho*
there were feveral Armies raisM in that Time for French,
Scotch, Iriih, and other foreien and domeftick Wars ; yet
they were conftantly difband :a as fbon as the Occafion was
over. And in all the Wars of York and Lancafler, what-
ever Party prevaird, we don't find they ever attempted to
keep up a Standing Army. Such was the Virtae of thoie
Times,, that they would rather nm the Hazard of forfeiting
their Heads and Eftates to the Rage of the oppofite farty^
than certainly enflave their Country, thougjk they themfelves
were to be the Tyrants.
fa 'Not
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44 JDDB ND^J t9 the Fmsr VotttMS.
' Nor woo]^ the^ fofier oor Kings to keep op an Arn^
in Irelindy tho' there were freqaent Rebellions there, and
by that Means their Sotjeftion very precarious $ as well
knowing they would ibon be in Englaixl if called for. In
the firfl three Hondred Years diat the EngHfh had Poffi^ffion
of that Country, there were no Armies there bat in the
Times of War. The firft Force that was eftablifhM, was
in the 14th of Edward the Toortfay when one Hdndred and
twenty Ardiers on Horfeback, Forty Horfemen, and Forty
Pages, were eilaUiihM by Parliament there ; which fix Years
after were reduced to Eighty Archers and Twenty Spearmen
on Horfeback. Afterwards, in Henry the Eighth's Time^
in the Year I535» the Army in Ireland was three Hun-
dred ; and in 1 543, they were increafed to three Hundred
and Eighty Hoife, and iixteen -Hundred Foot, which was
the Efbbliflunent then. I fpeak this of Times of Peace ;
for when the Iriih were in R^llion, which was very fre-
quent, the Armies were much more confiderable. In Queen
Mary's Days the Staiidiiig Forces were about twelve Hun-
dred. In moft of Queen Elizabeth's Time the Iriih were
in open Rebellion ; but when they were all fupprefs^d, the
Army eftabllfhM was between fifteen Hundred and two
Thoufand ; about which Number they continued till the
Army raised by Lord Strafford, in the 15th of C^iarles the
FirfL ^
' pur thrice happy Situation AtftniB us from the Ne-
ceffity of a Standing Arm/, which the Indifcrction of
fome of our Neighbouring Nations have permitted, to the
Deftruftion of their Liberty. Befides, lying open to con-
tinual Invafion, they can never enjoy Quiet and Security,
nor take a found Sleep, but Hercules like with Clubs in
their Hands. So that the Halcyon Days which we for the
moft Part enjoy, muft be folely attributed to our Tutelar
God Neptune, who with a Guard of winged Couriers fo
firongly intrenches us, that we may be faid to be meMa in-
fuperalilis unda^ and not unfitly compared to the Earth,
Vhich ftands fixed and immoveable, and i^ever to be ihaken,
but by an internal Convulfion. And yet we have much *
Talk of a Standing Army which is to be in Time of Peace,
but no Body can tell us what they are to do : We know
their ufual Commifiion is to kill and flay, but where now
is the Enemy ? Many talk of this with as much Certainty^j
as if they were already eftabliflied, and are pleafed to af-
firm it ncceilary to have a vail Body of Forces continued
on Foot. Whereas the firft Projeft we find for a Standing
Army, in the Year 1629, required only three thoufand
Foot in conftant Pay, whkh were to bi-idle the Imperti-
nence pf Parliaments, and to over-run the Nation, to make
EdiOs
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ADDEND A to the First Volume. 45
Edi^ to be Laws, to force upon the People vaft Numbers of Anno 4^^Geo. t
Excifes ; and, in fhort, to overturn the whole Frame ^f ^ * *^*
this noble Britiih Government. '
* I wonder whofe Advocates thofe Men arfe, who talk
fo warmly of this Matter ; for I am fatisfy'd none of thpfe
brave britons, who have fought honourably for their Coun-
try, ever meant, when the Service was over, to be a Charge,
Burden and Terror at home ; nor to disfranchife us of two
of our Native Liberties, Freedom from Martial Laws, and
Billeting of Soldiers ; alid thereby direftly to take away
from themfelves, as well as from their Fellow-Subjcdls,
one Half of the Benefit of the Petition of Right, and in
Confcquence the other Half too, the Fredom of their Per-
ibns and Eftates. Neither can it be fuppofed a gratifying
of his Majefly, to eftablifh greater Forces than have been
iifual in former Reigns in Times of Peace. His Majefty
lias fhewed and expreiTed fo much Tendernefs and Concern
for the Liberties and Eafe of his Subjeds, ancl even, when
the Neceflity of the State feemed to require it, was fo very
cautious in the Ufe of that Power invefled in him by the
Paiiiament, with refpe^ to the raifmg of Forces for the
Defence of the Kingdom ^d the Suppreifing of the late Re-
bellion, that every Body admired his' wonderful Refolution,
In trullihg his Royal Life and Crown to fo inconfiderable
a Number of Troops, in the mod dangerous Jundlure which
threatened both. How then can it be imagined that His
Majefly inclines to continue a Burden upon his Subje£ls,
which he was fo loath to impofe when the greatefl Exigences
of State called for it ? But there are fome Gentlemen, who
a few Years lince were the pretended Patriots of their Coun-
tnr, who had nothing in their Mouths but the facredName
of Liberty, who in the late Reigns could hardly afford the
Monarch the Prerogative that was due to him, and which
was abfolutely neceflary to put in Motion this Machine
of our Government, and to make the Springs and Wheels
of it a6l naturally and perform their Fundion ; I fay, thefe
Gentlemen, that in fome former Reigns could not with Pa-
tience hear of the King's ordinary Guards, can now dif-
courfe familiarly of thirty thoufand Men to be maintained
in Time of Peace. But let them not deceive themfelves, for
fuppoiing they vainly think to make their Court this Way,
yet they would quickly find themfelves out-flattered by the
Party they fear, who have been long the Darling of Ar-
l)itrary Power, and whofe Principles as well as PradUce^
teach them to be Enemies to all the legal Rights andjuil:
Liberties of their Native Cbuntry ; ai5 fo thefe wretched
Bunglers would be made ufe of only to bring together the
Materialli
y Google
46 ADDEND J /^ tht Piut Voimu^.
Materiab of Tyiaonjr, and then mafi give Place to mum
expert Architeds to finifh the Bailding.
* And tho* we are fecure ^m anjr Attempts of tfaii
Kiod during the Reign of a Prince, who preferves us fiom
a Captivity that would be equal to what Mofes redeemed
the People of Ifrael from ; a rrince whofe Life is fi> neceC>
fiury to the Prefervation of Europe, that both Proteftant and
Popiih Princes have forgot their ancknt Maximi, and laid
tilde dieir innate Animofitiei, and nude it their common
Intereft to chufe him their Arbitrator : A Prince in whom
we know no Vice, but what has been efteemed a Viitue in
othen, his ui^eferved Qemency to his Enemies. I iSj^r^
was this moft excellent Prince to be immortal, we oi^^
in Prudence to abandon all Thoughts of Self PreTervatioii,
and whdly to rely on his Care and Cond^d. Or had
we as certain a Profped of the Nation's being petpetuaUy
biefled with Monarchs, that fhall inherit his Royal Vir«
tues as well as Kingdoms/ as we have in the next imme*
diate Heir, his Royal Highnefi the Prince of Wales, there
were no gre^t Occaiion or NeceiJIcy of appearing anxious for
the future Wel&'e of our Coun^, more than for the
preTent : But iince no Virtue nor Pitch of Glory wUl ex-
empt thefe Princes from paying the common Debt to Na*
tore ; we ought not to intruft any Power with them which
we do not think ^per to he continued to their Succeflbcs.
And doiAdefs ms Majeily will not rqeret this, or any
Thing elTe that can reafonably be required, in order to com*
pleat that Deliverance, and rlappinefs of his People, fo bx
advanced by his wonderful Condud. For to fet ^s within
View of the promifed Land, with a ne plus ultra, is die
greateft of all human Infelicities ; and fuch I fliall always
take our Cafe to be, wbilft a Standing Array maft be kept
op to pcey upon our Entrafls, and which muft in the Hands
of an iU Prince ( which we have had the Misfortune fre*
qneotly to meet with ) infalliMy deiboy our Con^tution.
* And this is fo evident and important a Truth, that no
Legiflator ever founded a free Government, but avoided
this Charibdis, as a Rock againd which his Commonwealth
muft certainly be (hipwrack'd, as the Ifraelites, Athenians,
Corinthians, Achaians, Lacedemonians, Tbebans, Saxnnites
and Romans ; none of which Nations, whilft they kept
their Liberty, were ever known to n^aintain any Soldier in
conftant Pay within their Cities, or ever fufier'd any of their
gubje^ to make War their Profefiion ; well knowing that
the Sword and Soverdenty always march Hand in iXaod i
and therefore they trained their pwn Citizens, and Territo-
ries about them, perpetually in Arms ; and their whde
Qommonwealchs, by this Means, became fo many fbrmM
Militia's :
Digitized by VjOOQIC
jfDDENDJ ta the First Votuiff . 47
MXtia^s : A general ExcrcKe of the beft of their Feople in
t)ie Ufe of Arms, was the only Bulwark of their Liberties ;
this was reckon^ the fareft Way to prderve them both at
Home and Abroad, the People being {ecar'd thereby at
vitVL againft the Domeftick Affronts of any of their own Ci*
% tlzens, as asainft the Foreign Invufions of ambitious and
unnriy Neighbours. Their Arms were never lodged in the
Hands of any who had not an Intereft in prel'erving the pub*
lick Peace, who fought pro arts & ficis, and thought
themfdves fufficiently paid by repelling Invaders, that they
might widi Fieedom return to their own Afiairs. In thofei
Days there was no Difierence between the Citizen, the Sol-
dier, and the Hufbandman ; for all promifcuonily todc Arms
when the publick Safety required it, and afterwrards laid
them down with more Alacrity than they took them up :
So that we find among the Romans, the beft and braved of
their Generals came from the Plough, contentedly letummg
when the Work was over, and never demanding their Tn-
imiphs, till they had laid down their Commands, and re*
diac'd diemfelves to the State of private Men. Nor do we
find this fimioas Commonwealth ever permitted a Depoiition
of their Arms in any other Hands, till their Empire in-
creafing, Necefiity conftrain'd them to ereft a conftant Stipen-
diary Soldiery Abroad in Fore^ Parts, either for the hold-
ing or winning of Provinces. Then Luxury increaling with
Dominion, the ftrid Rule and Difcipline of Freedom foon
abated, and Forces were kept up at Home, which foon
prov'd of foch dangerous Confeqnence, that the People
were forc'd to make a Law to employ them at a convenient
Diftance ; which was, that if any General marchM over
the River Rubicon, he (hould be declared a publick Enemy.
And in the Pafiage of that River, this following Infcription
was eredled ; Imperatvr five Milesy five Tyntnnus armatus
^mfqiiis fiftito ; vexillum armaque deponitOy nee citra hune
amnem trajicitb. And this made Oefar, when he had pre-
fum'd to pais this Riverj to think of nothing, but the
preffing on to the total Oppreffion of that glorious Empire.
• Nor did any Nation deviate from thefe Rules but they loft
their Liberty ; and of this Kind there are infinite Examples.
• The Storv of Denmark- is fo very well known, and fo
well related by an excellent Author ILord Mo/e/worth]
that it would be Impertinence in me to repeat it ; only
this I will obferve, tfiat if the King had not had an Army
at his Command, the Nobles had never delivered up their
Government.
• Our Countryman Oliver Cromwell turned out the Par-
liament under which he (erv'd ; and this he effedled by the
Affitance of an Army.
* Some
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48 JDDENDA totht First YbLviin.
Aaiie4. Geo. L ■ ' Somc People obje^ that the RepoHicks of Venice and
'^'^' Holland are Inftances to difprove my Aflertion, who both
keep great Armies^ and yet iiave not loft their Liberty. To
this I anfwer^ that neither keep any Standing Forces within
the Seats of their Government, that is; within the City of
Venice, or the great Towns of the United Provinces ; bat
they defend thefe by their own Burghers, and quarter their
Mercenaries in their conquered Countries, viz. the Vene-
tians in Greece, and the Continent of Italy, and the Dutch
in Flanders. And the Situation of thefe States makes their
Armies, fo pofted, not dangerous to them ; for the Vene-
tians cannot be attacked without a Fleet, nor the Dutch
be ever conquerM by their own Forces, their Cbuntry being
fo full of ftrong Towns, fortify'd both by Art and Nature,
and defended by their own Citizen^, that it would be a
fruitless Attempt for their own Armies to invade them ; for
if they fliould march againft any of their Cities^ 'tis but
ihutting up their Gates, and the I>e£gn is fpoiPd.
* I would not here be miftaken, as if I advanced any Argu-
ment againft the Quartering of Guards in and about die City
of London i for thefe being appointed for the Defence and
Guard of the King and Royal Family, are obliged to bepofted
in all fuch Places wherever the Court refides. Neither do I
objed againft the maintaining of a competent Number of
Troops, fuch as have been allowed our former Kings to be kept
in Pay in Times of Peace : But that an Army of thirrtr Thou-
fand Men fhould now in a profound Peace be kept ftanding,
is what no honeft Man or Lover of his Cbuntry will venture
to affirm. And to return the laft Objedion, tho' we fhould
admit, that an Army might be confiftent with Freedom in a
Commonwealth, yet it is otherwife in a free Monarchy ;
for in the former, 'tis wholly in the Diipofal of the People,
who nominate, appoint, difcard, and punifh the Generals
and Officers as they think fit, and 'tis certain Death to make
any Attempt upon their Liberties ; whereas in the latter,
the King is perpetual General, may model the Army as he
pleafes, and it will be call'd High-Treafon to oppofe him.
* This Subjcd is fo felf-evident, that I am almoft afhamM
to prove it ; for if we look through the World, we fhall
find in no Country, Liberty and an Army fland together ;
fo that to know whether a People are Free or Slaves, it is
neceflary only to afk, Whether there it an Army kq>t a-
mongft them ? This Truth is fo obvious, that the moft bare-
faced Advocates for an Army do not dire6Uy deny it, but
qualify the Matter by telling us, that a Number not ex-
ceeding twenty or thirty Thoufand are a Handful to fb po-
pulous a Nation as thia. Now I think that Number may
bring
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4
ADDi: Ni>A fotie^iKsr VoLufcfB. 49
bring as certain Ruin upon os, as if they were 3s many Ann«4. cwi.
Millions, and I will give my Reafo^s for it.
* It's the Misfortune of all Countries^, that they foriie-
times lie under an unhappy Neceffity to defend themfelves
by Arms againft the Ambition of their Governors, and to
fight for Wat*s their own ; fdr if a Prince will rule us with
a Rckl of Iron, and invade our Laws and Liberties, and
neither be prevailM ppoli by our Miferies, Supplications, or
Tears, we have no Pbwer upon Earth to appeal to, and
therefore muH patiently fubmit to our Bondage, or Hand
upon our own Defence ; which if we are enabled to do,
wc fhall never be put upon it, but our Swords n\ay grow
rufty in bur Hand^ ; for that Nation is furefl to live in
Peace, that is moft capable of making War ; and a Man
that hath a Sword by his Side, ihall have lead Occafion to
make ufe of it. Now, I fay, if a King hath thirty Thou-
iknd Men beforehand with liis Subjeds, the People can make
no Effort to defend their Liberties, without the AlTiftance of
a foreign Power, which is a Remedy moft commonly ^s bad
as the Difeafe 5 and if we have not a Power within our
lelves to defend our Laws, we are no Government.
* For England being a fmall Country, few ftrong Towns
in it, and thofe in the King*s Hands, the Nobility difarm^d
by the Deftruftion of Tenures, and the Militia not to be
rais'd but by the King's Command, there can be no Force
levied in any Part of England, but muft be dellroy'd in its
Infancy by a few Regiments ; for what will twenty or thir-
?Tlioufand naked unarmM Men flgnify againfl as many
roops of fliercenary Soldiers ? What if they fhould come
into the Field, and fay. You mufl chufe theie and thefe Men
your Reprefentativcs, Where is. your Choice ? What if they
^ould fsLy^ Pkriiaments are feditious and fadUous AfTemblies,
and therefore ough^ to be aboliih'd j What is become of
your Freedom ? If they fhould cncompafs this Houfe, and
threaten if they do not furrender up their Government, they
will put them to the Sword ; What is become of your Con-
ftitution ? Thefe Things may be under a tyrannical Prince,
and have been done in feveral Parts of the World. What
is it that caufeth the Tyranny of the Turks at this Day,
but Servants in Arms ? What is it that preferv'd the glori-
ous Commonwealth of Rome, but Swords, in the Hands of
its Citizens ? * ^
* I will add here, that moft Nations were cnflav'd by
fmall Armies : Oliver Qromwel l^ft behind him but twenty
fcven Thoufand Men ; and the Duke of Monmouth, who
was the Darling of the People, was fupprefs'd with two
Thoufand ; nay, Cafar feiz'd Rome it felf with five Thou-
fand, and fought the Battle of Pharfalia, where the .Fate
g of
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AAM4.-CM. I. of tht World was decided, with twenty-two Tkoofiuid 2
y^- > And rooft of the Revolatiotu of the Roman and Ottoman
Empires fince were causM by the Pretorian Bands^ and the
Coort Janezaries ; the former of which neTi^- exceeded
E^ht, nor the latter twelve Hioaland Men. And if no
ereater Numbers could make fuch Difhirbances laghofc vaft
Empires, what will double or triple the Force oa with bs ?
And they themfehres confefs it, when they ar^ue for an
Andy ; tor they tell us, we may be furpnzM widi ten or
fifteen Thou&nd Men from France, and having no regular
t^orce to oppofe them, they will over-run the Kingdom.
Now, if fo fmall a Force can oppofe the King, the Militia,
with the Uni^^d Power of the Nobility, Gentry and Com-
mons, what would an equal Power io ^gainft the People,
when fupported by the Royal Authority and a never Ruling
Intereft that will attend it, exc^t when it a^ for the pub-
lick Good ? .
* We are told, this Army is not defignM to be made a
part of our Conftitution, but to be kept only £>r a little
Time, till the Circumftuioes of Euiopc, and of this Nation
in particular, will better permit as to be without them. Bat
I would know of thefe Gendemet), when they think that
Time win be, if it b not now I We are at preGsnt not onily
at Peace with all our Neighboun, but are al& ty*d in die
firmed Alliance with Franci, formerly our moft formidable
Enemy : Shall we have Ms to fear trom the Pretoider to
the Crown and his Friends at any Time hereafter, than at
this prefent Time \ Or, are we appithenfive, left France will
keep Treaties with us no lonm than is coniiftent with her
own Intereft \ Or, that Qie wiS be more capable of offending
us juft after the late tedious and confumptive War, than
many Years hereafter when flie has bad a£reathtng-Time
to repair the Calamities Aie, has fufier'd In^ it^ No ; we
can never dilband our Army with fo mudi dafety as at this
Time ; and this is well known by thofe Advocates for them,
who are fatlsfyM that a Continuatioa of them now, is a^
Eftablilhment of them for ever : For whilft the Circum-
Hances of Europe ftand in the prefent Poffiute, the Argument
will be equal to continue them; if the State of Europe
ihould alter to the Advantage of Stance, the Reafon will
ff row ftronger, and we (hall be told, we muft increafe our
Number. But if there Ihould 6e ftich a Turn of ASairs in
the Worlds that we were no longer in Appwhenfion of the
French Power,, they may be kept up without our Afliftance j
nay, the very Difcontcnts they may create, ihall be made
an Argument for the continuiiM^of them. But if they ihould
be kept from oppreffing the People, in a little Time they
would grow habitual Co us, and almoft become a Part of our
Conftitution,
i» • -
I
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jtBL^BUDJ to thi FiKsT VoLUMi. jr
OH^ution, and tjr Degree* wc fliaU be brought to believe Aiuio 4. Geo. i,
Aem not only not dangerous, bujt neceflarjr : For t^ty Body , '^'^
fees, but fijw underfland : And thofe few will never be able ^^^^
to perfuade the Multitude that there is an^ Danger in thofe
Men they have liv'd quiedy with for fomc Years, efpecially
when the difbanding them will (as they will be made be^
Hcve) coft ^hem more Money out of their own Podcets than
to maintain a Militia.
^ < But we are told, that we need be in no Apprehenfion
of Slavery, wWlft we keep the Power of the Purfe in our
own Htods ; which is very true ; but they do not tell us[»
that he has the Power of raifing Money, to whom no one
dar^ tefufe it. For *tis as certain that an Army will raife
Money^ as that Money will raife an Army ; but if this
Courfe fhould be thouzht tbo defperate, *tis only fhntting up
tte Exchequer, a^d SfobBging a few Tsdly- J^bers, who
have bought them for Fifty fer Cent. Diicount ; and there
win be near three Millions a Year rei&dy cut and dryM for
them : And whoever doubts whether fuch a Method as dm
is pra^cable, let hhn look back to die Reign of Charles
the Second.
< But when all other Arguments M, they odl to their
Afiftance the old Tyrant Neceffity, and tell us the Power
of France is fo great, and Treades are of fo little Force
with that prefidious Nadon^ that let the Confequence of an
Army be what it will, we cannot be without one ; and if
we muft be Slaves, wellad better be £> to a Proteftant Prince
than a PopUh one, and the worft of all Popi& ones, one
imder the pire^on of France. Now I am of Opinion, that '
the putting an Ejdthet upon Tyranny is falfe Heraldry ; for
Prpteilant ^d Popifh are both alike ; and if I muft be a
Slave, it is very indifferent to me who is my Mailer ; and
therefore I fhall never confent to be rul*d by an Army,
which is the worft that die mofi barbarous Conqueft can
impofe upon me ; which notwithfbnding we have litde
Reafon to fear, whilft we keep the Seas well guarded. '^
* It is certain there is no Country fo fituated for Naval
Power as Great Britain. The Sea is our Element, our Sea-
men have as much hardy Bravery, and our Ships are as
numerous, ^nd built of as good Materials as an^ in the
World : Such a Force wdl apply*d and managed, is able to
five Laws to the Unive'rfe ; siid if we keep a competent
SLTt of it well amiM in Times of Peace, it is the moft ridi-
culous Tlung in Nature, to believe any prince will have
Thoughts of inv^ng us, unlefi he propofcs to be fupcrior
to us in Naval Power. For the Preparations neccf&ry for
fuch ^n Undertaking will alarm all Europe, give both to «s
and our Confedei^tes Tiijie to arm, an#*put our felves in a
, w g^ 2 P^te
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P JDDMNl^Jjt^ tin FitST VOLUMB.^
fM^ 4. Gee. L Poftune of Defence. And whoever confiders^ that the Prince
*"^' of Orani^ with ^ Hundred Ships brought but foorteco
Thoufiind Men^ and the miglit)r Spaniih Annado, then the
Terror of the Wot)d> imbark^d bat eighteen Thoufand,
will be aflur'dy that no Invafion can be To fuddoi upcm 0%
but we fliafl have Time to get ready our whole Fleet, brii^
ibme Forces from Ireland, and prepare our own Militia u
there (hall be Occaiion for it ; efpecially in Times of Peaces
when we (hall have the lib^tyof all the Ports of Fiance,
and ihall or may have IntelUgence from every one of them.
* But they tiell us fuch a Wind may happen as may be
favourable to our Enemy, and keep us within our Ports;
which, I ia^» as France lies to England, is almoft impoffi-
ble: For it we lie about Falmouth, or the Land's-End,
no -Fleet from Brcft or the Ocejani can efcape us without a
Miracle i and if the Defign be to invade us from any Port
in the Channel, a very few Ships, which may iafely lie at
ilnchor^ will certainly prevent it. Nor is it to be con-
ceived, that the Frendi will be at a vail Expence for the
Condngency of fucb a critical Wind, or will fend an Army
into a Country where their Retreat is certainly cut off, wlioi
the failiag of apy Part of their JOefign will^ bring a new
War upon (hem.
* And here I mud confefs, that the Mifai^Iication of onr
Naval Force, which is our known Strength, for thcfe feveral
Years pad, is the (Irongefi, as it is the moil nfual Argu-
ment againil me ; which unriddles a My fiery I did not un-
derhand before, tho^ I never was fo foollfh as to believe all
the Errors of that Kind were the Effedb of Chance or Ig-
norance, or that lofit^ fo many Opi)ortunities of deflrdying
ihe French Fleet had not fome extraordinary, tho* occult
Cau(e ; and yet notwithfl^diog the reftlefs Attempts of our
.Enemies, and the paltry Politicks, and even Trcachiery of
fome preceedingMinifter^, this Fleet triumphantly defended
us, fo that our Enemies in many Years War could not get
an Opportunity of invading bur Country.'
* It is objeded, that the Officers of our Fleet may be
corrupted, or that a Storm may arife, which may deftroy
it all at once, and therefore we ought to have two String
to our Bow. By which I perceive all their Fears lie one
^Way, and that, they do not care, if they precipitate us into
inevitable Ruin at Home, tq prevent a diilant Poffibility of
it from France. But I think this Phantom too may be laid
by a well- trained Militia, and then all their Bugbears will
vanifh. This Word can be no fooner out, but there's a
. Volly of Small Shot let fly at me : What ? muft we truft
our Safety tqan uiidifciplinM Mob, who n6ver dream'd of
£ghpng when they undertook the Service ; who are not
jimr d
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ADDENDA t^ the First Voxojms. $3
inur'd to the Fatigue of a Camp, or ever faw the Face of Anno 4. Geo i.
«m Eoeisy X. And then they magnify mercenary Troops ; as lij*'*
if there tvas an intrinfick Virtue ih a red Coat, or that a ^^
Raggamufgn from Robbing a Hehrooft, in two Campaigns,
couJd be cudgell'd into a Hero. Tho' I muft confeis the
Conduft of the Advocates for a Standing Army induftrioufly
enervating' this Force, . does in fome Meafure jjiftify their
ObjedUoni: For the deteftable Policies of the Reigns of
King Charles the Secbnd and his immediate SuccefTor, were
with the utmoft Art and Application to difarm the P^ple,
and make the Militia ufelefs, to countenance a Standing^
Army in order to bring in Popeiy and Slavery ; and if any
Methods were proposed to make it more Serviceable, the
Court would never fufier them to be debated ; and fuch
Officers as were more zealous in Exerdiing their Companies
than others, were reprimanded, as defigning to raife a Re-
bellion. This Conau£l was exaftly imitated in the latter
Part of Queen Anne*s Reign, when the Militia of England
ivas negleSed and difcountenanc'd, and that of Scotland at-*
tempted to be reduc'd to the Standard in England, by which
Means that Force would have been rendered entirely ufelefs
in that Part of the Kingdom, the firil Scene where the Ene-
my was to a£t the dedgned bloody Tragedy ; and when the
Army itfelf was daily more and more reform'd and modelPd
to their Purpofe of bringing in the Pretender.
' And now it feems fome Men in this Reign are taking
the Advantage of this traiterous Neglect and infamous Po«
liticks, of thofe we juft now m'ention'd. But why may not
a Militia be made ufeful ? Why mav not the Nobility,
Gentry, and Freeholders of England be trufted with the
Defence of their own Lives, Eftates, and Liberties, without
having Guardians and Keepers affign'd them ? And why may
they not defend thefe with as much Vigour and Courage as
Mercenaries who have nothing to lofe, nor any other Tie to
engage their Fidelity, than the inconfiderable Sixpence x
Day, which they may have from the Conqueror ?
* Why may not a competent Number of Firelocks be
kept in every Parifh for the young Men to e^cerdfe with on
Holy-days, and Rewards ofFer'd to the moil expert, to ftir
op their Emulation ?
^ Why may not a Third Part of the Militia be kept by
Tam$ in conllant Exercife ?
* Why may not a Man be lifted in the MiKtia, till he be
difcharged by his Mafter. as well as in the Army, till he be
difchargcd by his Captain ? And why may not the fame
Horfe be always fent forth, onleTs it can be made appear,
he is dead or maimed I
* Why
y Google
54 J DOS NDJ u the Fust t^owia.
< Why nuy not iht private Soldlen of the Army^ ivhen
tbqraiv <U|p^fc<li&tIie feveral Partsof theKi^^ he
fiat to the fditU ^ And wh^ may not the inferior QfEcers
of the Army in ibaie Pn^rtion obmmaiid them f
* I iay, thefe and other like Thinn may be done, and
ibme of tlMcm are done in our own Plantatioiis, and the
lilandt of Jerfy and Guemfey ; as alfo in-Pobod, Sudtzero
land, and the Comnry of the Grifons, which aire Natmns
mock le& confidcraUe than England^ have as ftmnicktife
Neighboon, no Seas nor Fleet to defoid them, nothing tmt
a h£litia to depend opoD» and yet no one du^ attack
them. And we have ten as great Performances done for*
merly by the Apprentices of tondon, and in the War hf
the Vaudoia in Savoy, the MJqaeleu in Catalonia, and tfaie
Militia in Ireland, as can be paralleled in Rifbry. And
b it wonld be with as, if the Court would give dieir hearty
Afliftance in pnMnotiDg this Defign ; if the King would ap»
pear in Perion at the Head of them, and give Rewards
and Honoors to fuch as deferve them,' we flioold quick-
ly iee the yoong Nobility and Gentry appear magnificent*
ly in Arms ana Eqttipaj;e, ihew a generous EmulaUon iik
OBtvying one another m military £«erciies, and place a
noUe Ambition ih making them(elves ferviceable to theilr
Country.
< They objed, that fuch a Militia as this is a Standing
Army, and will be as dangerous, and mach more charge-
aUe. lanfwer,
^ That there can be no Dai^er from an Army, where
the Nobility and Gentry of England are the Commanders^
and the Body of it made up of the Freeholders, their Sons
and Servants ; unleis we can conceive that the Nobility and
Gentry will join in an unnatural Defign to mal» void their
own Titles to their Eftates and Liberties i and if they could
entertain io ridiculous aPropofition, they would never be
obeyed by the Soldiers, who will have a RefpeCl to ihdk
that fend them forth and pay them, and to whom they muft
return again when their Time is expired. For if I lend a
Man, I will as forely chafe one^ho will fight for me, as
a mercenary Officer will chufe one that iliau fight for me :
And the Governments of King Charles the Second, ^xA
King James, are Witne^ to the I'ruth of this, who de*
baudied the MiHtia more than ever I hope to fee it again,
and yet durft never rely upon them to afiSl their arbitnuy
DeAgns I as we may retneaiber at the Duke of Monmouth^s
Invafions their Officers durft notlmi^ them near his Army
for fear of a Revolt. Nay, the Fenfioner-Parliament them*
ielves turned fhort upon the Court, when they expe^ed to
give them the finishing Strdce to our Ruin.
! To
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ADPENDAt^ the First Voujutl 55
* To the lafl Part of the Objeaion, That this Militia
will be more chargeable than an Army ; lanfwer. That
fince no Man propoies wholly to lay thm afide» if we add
the extraordinary Bxpence of maintaining twenty dionfand
Men to the ordiiviry Charge of the Militia, it is much more
than fufficient to make the htter ufefal. Bat if this Objec-
tion were true, it ought not to enter into Conq>etition with
the Prefervation of our Laws and Liberties ; for it is better
tQ give a third Part of my Eftate^ if it wei^ neceflaiy^ than to
have all taken fsom me^
' And tho' it ihoald be granted, * that a Militia is not tt
ferviceable as an Army Isept in conHant l^ifciplme, yet I
believe thefe Gentlemen themselves wiU confefi, fizty thoo-
&k1 of them trained as before, are as good as twenqr thou*
(and of their ftanding T^t)ops, which is the Queftion ; for
h is impoffible to have them both ufed at the fame Time,
they being as incompatible as broad and dipt Money,
never current together ; and therefore the Kingdom m^
depend wholly upon a Militia, or elfe it will not depend
upon them at all.
' And this by the Way may filence that Obje^on, th^
we muft keep our Army *till the Militia be difeiplined :;
for that will never be done whilH the Court has an Axxsxf ;
and the fame Obje^on will be made feven Years hence
as now ; to that even a finall Army can be of no Ufe to us,
but to make our Fleet necledied, to hinder die Militia
from being trained, and enuave us at Home ; for they are
too few to defend us againft an Invafion, and too many
for the People to oppofe.
\* My Lord Bacon in feveral Pkces bears his Teftimony
againft a Standing Army, and jparticularly he tdb us, that
a mercenary Army is fitted to mvade a Country, but a Mi-
litia to defend it; becanfethe firfthave Bflatesto get, and
the latter to protcd.
' I believe no Author ever treated of a Free Govern-
£ent, that did not exprefs his Abhorrence of an Army:i
r, as my Lord Bacon fays, whoever does ofe thm,
tho* he may fpread his Feathers for a Time, he will mew
them foon after.
* Perhajw it will be feid, that the Artillery of the WoiH
is changed fince (bme of thofe wrote, and War is l^econie
snore a Myilery, and therefore more Experience is necet
iary to make good Soldiers. But wherein does this Myftery
coaiift ? Not in exerdfing a Company, and ob^mg a few
Words of Command ; thefe are Myfteries that the dulleft
Noddle will comprehend in a few Weeks. Nay, I have
heard that the lioAenx Exercife is much flioiter and eafiet
than the A^Qient. Jut the great Improvements in War, are
in
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56 ADDENDA to tbi First Volome.
in regohr Encampoients, Fortificatioii, Gunnery, (kUfal
Eoginemng, ice. Thefe are Arts not to be learned withoot
much Labour and Experience, and are as much ^uned in
the Clofet as in the Field ; and I fuppofe, no Man will
fiiy, that the keeping Standing Forces is neceflary to make
a good Engineer.
* As to adual Experience in War, that is not eflential
either to a Standing Army or Militia, as fuch ; but the
Ibrmer may be without it, and the latter gain it according
as they have Ch>portanities of A^on. *Tis,true at pre-
sent the Army hath been trained up in long Wars, and
liath gained great Knowledge : But thefe Men will not be
loft when they s^e difbanded, they wiU be ftill in the King-
dom ; ani if the Parliament does give them a Gratuity fuit-
aUe to the Service they have done their Country, they
will be rea^y to refume their Arms whenever Occafioo
.offers,
* I conclude this Subjefl of the Militia with this Obfer-
vation, that a Standing Army in Peace will grow more cf-
ieminate by living d^olutely in Quarters, than . a MiU^
that for the moft Part will be exercifed with hard Labour :
So that upon the whole Matter, a Standing Anny in Peace
will be worfe than a Militia, and in War a Militia will (bon
become a difciplined Army.
* But I defire to know of thefe Gentlemen, how comes
an Army neccflary to our Prefervation now, and never fincc
the Conqueft before in Times of Peace ? Did ever the pre-
vailing Party in the Wars of York and Lancafter, as I ob-
ferved before, attempt to keep up a Standing Anny to fup-
port themfelvcs ? No : they had more Senfe than to facri-
ficc their own Liberty, and more Honour than to enilave
'their Country, the more ea/ily to carry on their own Fac-
tion. Were not the Spaniards as powerful, as good Soldiers,
and as much our EnanieS as the French lately were ?, AVas
not Flanders as near us as France ? And the Popifh,Intercft
in Qijcen Elizabcth^sTime as ftrong as the Jacobite" is now.?
And ytt that moft excellent Priiicefs never dreamed of a
Standing Army ; but thought her fureft Empire was to reign
in the Hearts of her Subje^, which the following Story
fufficiently teftifies. When the Duke of Alanfon came over
to England, and for fome Time had admired the Riches
of the City, the Condu^lof her Government, and the Mag-
nificence of her Court ; he alked her amidft fb much Splen-
dor, where were her Guards ? Which Qweftion ftie refolved
a few Days after, when Ihe took him in her Coach through
the City, and pointing to the People { who received her m
Crowds, with Acclamations ) * Thefe, faid fhe, niy Lord,
. • are my Guards i thefe have theii* Hanils; their' Hearts,
* and
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ADDENDA te'^ht Pm^r Volcmb; 57
* and their Ptirfes always 'teaajr*af my Commdnd. And
diefe were Guards indeed, wh6 defended her thhwg^ a
long and fuccefsful Reign 6f forty four Years, agaiiift ^
Ac MichiHiations of Rome, the Power of Spain, a difputed
Titfc, and the perpetual* COnfpiracies of her own Popift
Subjeds ; a, Security the Roman Emperors could notboaft
of with their i^re^an Bands, * and their Eaftern and Wefteni
Armies. • /
* Were not the French as powerful in Charles the 8e^
cond and King James's Time^ as they are now, after the
long, and deftrulftlre Wkn wherelin they have been finclfi
engaged f And yet we then thought a much lefs Artny than
is now contend^ for, a moft infopportable Grievance ; ih-
fomuch that in Charles tjie Second^'s R^ign, the Grand' Jit^'
ryprefented-diem, and the Penfioner-Parliament Voted them
to be a N6fance ; fent Sir J. WilHamfon to the Tower, -for
faying, * '^lie King might keep Guards for the Defence of
' ho Perfbn,* and addrefled to have them difbanded. And
now, which is i^-ange to think, fome Gentlemen would
malo^ their Court, by doing what the worft of Pailiaments
could not think of without Horror and Confufion. -
* They fay, the Kingt)f France was in League with our
late Kings, fo Fi^ce is with us ; and they would have
broke it then, if they had thought it fafe, and for their in-"
tered as much as npw. But they add, we have mbrediir^
afieded Perfqns to join with tlim j which I muft deny^
for I believe his prefent Majefty hath dcfervedly as much
Intereft as any pf his Prodeceffors ; and if during the btter
Part of the Ikte Reign, when the Intereft of the Pretender
was fo nnxch advanced by the Miniftry itfelf, and the
Friends %q his, M^jelly's Succeffion affronted and diicon-
raged ; if duHng ^e late formidable Rebellion, which vw
railed to dethrone and m'urder his Ms^efty, and the whole
Roy^ Family, and to overturn the prefent Religion, Laws,
and Liberties of which he is the Defender and Pr^ftoi- ;
I (ay, if ^t fuch dangerous Times he had fo many Friends,
there can be no doubt 6ut in Times of Peace, when the
People reap the Fruits of that ConduA he hath ihewn in
theii* Defence, he will be the moil beloved and glorious '
Prince that ever filled the Englifh Throne.
« I will affert farther. That the moll likely Way of bring-
ing in die Pretender, is maintaining a Standing Army to
keep him out.
' For the King*s Safety ftands upon a Rock, whilft it de-
pends upon the Tolid Foundation of the Affections of his
People, which is never to be fhaken 'till it is as evident as the
Sun is in the Firmament, that there, is a new formed De-
fign to overthrow our hnws and Liberties, which I think
h we
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58 ADDENDA to the First Volvmb^
wc htvt no Iteafon to fear, when I refleft on the wift
ProvifioM his Majefty has made againft any fatnre AttempCs
of that Kind : But if we keep, a Standing Army, all de-
pends upon the uncertain and capricious Humours of the
Soldiery^ which in all Ages have produced more and tio-
knt fudden Revolutions, than ever have been known in any
unarmed Governments : Vi>v there is fuch a Chain of De-
pendance amongfl them, that if Two or Three of the chief
Office (hould be difoUiged, or have Intreagues with Jaco-
bite Miilrelfi» ; or if a King of France could once again
buy hjs Penfioners into the Court or Army, or ofier a
better Market to fome that are in already, we (hall have
another Rehearfal Revolution, and the People be only idle
Spfdators of their own Ruin.
' Ai^ vyhofoever coniiders the G)mpofition of an Army,
and doubts this, let Imn look back to the Roman £mpire,
where he will find out of Twenty Six Emperm, Sixteen
dcpofed and murdered by their own Armies. - Nay, half
the Hifiory of the World is made up of Examples of
this Kind : But we need not go any farther than our own
Country, where we have twice kept Armies in Time of
Peace, and both Times they turned out their own MaAeis.
The firft under Cromwel, expelled that Parliament under
which they had fought too fuccefsfully for many Years ;
afterwards under General Monk, they deftroyed the Go-
vernment they befpre fet up, and reftored King Charles the
Second ^ -and he afterwards diibanded them, leS Jtliey fhould
have con^ired to exclude him again. The other Infiance
is freih i» tscty one's Memory, how King James's Army
joined with the Prince of Orange, afterwards our rightful
and lawful ICing.
* And what could have been expend .othe^ife ^m
Men, who call themfelves Soldiers of Fortune ? who having
no other Profeilibn or Subftance to depend upon, are forced
to fUr up the Ambition of Princes, and enjg;age them in per-
petual Quarrels, that they may fhare of the Spoik they
make I Such ^en, like fome Sort of ravenous Fifh, fare beh
in a Storm ^ and therefore we may reafonably fuf^ie they
will be better pleafed with a tyrannical Government, fuch
as was that of the late King James, than the naild and gra-
cious Adminidration of his prefent Majefty.
* But farther, there is a Crifis in all Affairs, which when
once loft can never be retrived. Several Accidents concur
to make the DHbanding the Army prafticable now, which
may not happen ggain : We have a loyal and uncorrupted*
Parliament, and we have a Prince, whofe Inclinations as
well as Circumflances will oblige him to comply with the
reafonable Dciircs of his People, But let us not flatter our-
felvcs.
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ADDENDA to M/ Fust Volume 59
iidvesy diis will be always foj for if the Army fliould be Aniio6.Gto.i.
cxMitinued, they may in Time be accotmted Part of the Pre- , JT'gL
rogative, and then it will be thought as great a Violation
to attempe the Dilbanding them, as of the Guards, in King^
Charles the Second's Time ; it will be interpreted a Defign
to dethrone the Kling^ and be made an Argument for the
keeping them up. .
« But there arc other Reifons yet : The Publick Ne-
ceffities call upon us to contrail our Charge, that w:e may,
be the fooner out of Debt, and in a Condition to make a
new War if there is a Neceffity for it : And 'tis, not the
keying great Armies on foot that will enable us to dq fb,
bat patting onrfelves in a Capacity to pay them. We ihould
put ourielves into fuch Circumilancesy that our Enemies may
dread a new Quarrel, which can be no otherways done, but
by leilening our Ea^e^JTs, and paying off* the publidc £n«
gagements as faft as we are able. For Money is the Sinews
of War ; but the Sinews once weakened, the Body is in a
tottering Condition. A Standing Army muil be ft^, and
when once without Pay, muft live upon free Quarter ; for
there is no Reafon that Men raifed for the Service of their
Country, ihould ilarve in it.
' In this Difcourfe, I purpoiely omit (peaking of the
leiTer Inconveniencies attending a Standing Army, fuch as
frequent Quarrels, Murders and Robberies ; the quartering
upon puUick, and fometimes private Houfes ; the influenc-
ing Eledions of Parliament by an artificial Diftribution
of Quarters; the rendering fo many Men ufelefs to La-
bour ; with a greater Deftru^lion of them, by taking them
from a laborious Way of living tQ a loofe idle Life ; and
befldesthis, the Infolence and Debaucheries tiiat are com-
mitted in all the Towns they«come in, to the Ruin of Mul->
titu^ of Women, Difhonour of their Families, and ill ex*
ample to others ; and a numerous Train of Mifchie^ be-
iides, ahnofl endlefs to enumerate.
* If the Parliament give the bell King a Standing Army,
the worft King fhall hereafter claim and have it.
* The Advocates for a Standing Anny tell us, 'that
tho' the Words^ < By being annexed to the Crown, and {o
* becoming a Prerogative, could not be parted with, which
^ was the Caufe of the long Continuanqe of that Mifchief,
* after it was known and felt to be fo i yet all this is cur'd
* by middng the A61 temporary, and fettling a Standing Ar-
* my only for a certain Number of Years.'
< To this I anfwer, that fucceeding Princes, if they find
an Army, will keep it, and will not trouble themfelves whe-
ther the Law be temporary or perpetual. A plain Inftance
WC have of this in the Cufbms ; for tho' Tunn^ge and Poun-
h z dage,
. - , * Digitized by Google
9 ADD END Jt to thi FiiLST Vdwrie^
AaM6.^i. dage, tad tke other ImpofitioBs, are ASabfidyaiidfiDeGiftf
^*^ and tho Kmg*« Aniwer to the Bill thanks, tke Suhjeas for
dieir good Will ; and tW Parliaments have alwajpi us'd fu^
Caotions and Limitations in thefe Graats as might preyent
any Claim, and heretoforer limiced. them to a ihort Time,
a0 for a Year or two ; and if they were condnoed loiter,
they have directed a certain Space of Ceflktioa or Interaif/*
fioni that Ui the Ri^.of the Subyeft might be the more
evident ; at other Times, they have heea^gnmted apon Oc*
cafionofWar for a certaia Number of Yean, withProvifo,
that if the War were ended in the mean Time» then Uie
Grant ibould ceafe, and of Coarfe they have beea icquefier-
ed into the Hands of fome Sobje^ for the goarding <^ the
Seas. Notwithftandiag all this, tho' the P^rtiamcnt fi> care-
lully mnted their Grants, yet King Chailes the Firft took
the Siibiidy,, without any Gnau at ail iot fizteen Years to-
gethtt ; tho* feveral Parliaments in the mean Tine forbad
the Payment of it, and voted all tho& to be poblick Bne^
nemies that did not refide it The like did has Son, the late
King James, 'till his P^tiameat gave it him : And in his
firft Speech to them he demands it as his own, by die
Name of, * My Revenue ; * and why then fhall not another
Prince come and fay the (ame, * Give me my Army,' if he
ever have a Parliament to aflc ? To limit a Prince with Laws,
where there is an Army> is to bind Sao^fbn with his
Locks on.
* In all Ages and Parts of the World, a. Standing Army
has been the never failing Inftrument of eaflavii^ a Na-
tjon.
* The very .Reputation of a Force to back them, will
-make all Court Propo&ls ^Q)eak big, tho' ever fo contrary
to the Intereft of the Nation ; For thereis.no debating no:
difputing againft Legions. It will tempt Atm to do many
Things they durft iK>t otherways think of : What is much
out of pur Reach, is rarely the Objed of oar Thoughts :
But the Facility of Escecntion is generally the £rft Motive to
an Attempt. Now *tis abundantly the Intereft of Cbart
Flatterers to live under ^ corrupt Reign : Then Bribes and
Confifcations fill their Coffers. No Man's Wife or Daogh^
ter is free from their Luft, or Eftate from their Avarice.
They extort Prefents from the Nobility, Goods from the
Tradefmen, and Labour from the Poor. In fhort, all is
their own. And 'tis to be feared, thefe Gentlemen, un-
lefs they have more Virtue than ufually falls to their Shm^e,
will put Princes upon fuch Councils as promote their own
Advantage. They will tell them, how mean it is to be
aw'd by a few Country Gentlemen, when ^all the Kings of
Europe bcfides are got out of Pupilage, as Lewis the Ele-
venth
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JJ>DSNDA to tbf FiitsT VoLVMt. 6i
vfiitll called it. They will fill-their Heads with a thonikiid Anno 4. Geo. i.
tiifliag Jealoiifies of Mon&en^ Commonwealthsy and fach y_^l!^J^
like Biu^>ears : And it hath been difficult even for the
ymSA ofPrinces to free diemfelves from this Sort of Cattle.
Noting but the Fear of Pumfluaenty and the being made a
Sact^ceio the Peoples joft Revenge, can make fuchMen,
honeft. But if they have an Array to proted them^ under
a tyranoioad Prince, all thefe Confiderations will be laid
afide, and all Arguments will be anfwered in a Word,
Tile King has an Army» which will cut off all Reply.
Tke King has an Army will be a confuting Anfwer to eve-
ry ThkM;; but a better Army, which. Thanks be to God,
aiid the kte Kii^ William^, we once found at the happy Re*'
vekakm* Bat ae we are not to live upon Miracles, fo we
are not . to tempt Dangers.
* I have ^'d the longer upon this Point, ist Ifaewing
how inconfiflent an Army, under a bad Prince I always
mean^ is with the Freedom of ParBameats, becaufe they
being die Keepers of our Britifli Liberties can ill perform '
that QfEee when they have parted with their Power into
otho: Hands. They are the laft Reibrt of the Sutjea for '
theRedrels of theirGrievantes : But how ihall they rdieve o-
thersfrom the Of^preffion'and Infolences or the Soldiery, when
p<;rhaps they Audi be fubjedl to the like themfelves ? The
rroje^rai are aware of this terriUe Inconvenience, and
therefore they have this Expedient, That it ihall be the
King's Acmy, but the Parliament ihall have the Paying of
them ; whereby they fhall in all future Times be as much
the Parliament's humble Servants, as the Parliament their
proper Mafiers.
* Much at one I bdieve : For the Long Parliament had
not filch a King and Parliament Aimy as this, but an Ar-
my that was aU their own ; their Creatures, rai&d, Med,
commiffioned, and paid wholly by themfelves, and not in
Partnerfiup, and that had manfully fought all their Battles :
And y^t^ upon the firft DiAafte they were pleafed to take,
th^ diibef^ their own Mafters, and with an high Hatfd
forced tnem to banifli eleven of their principal Members,
Denzil Holies, Sir Philip Stapylton, Glyn and fuch other
great Men. Sir Phi% Stapylton dyed in his Banifhment.
At another Time they would not fufier near an hundred
M^nbers to enter into the Houfe, whom they thought not
well af&ded to the Bufinefs then it Hand : And at the fame
Time evilly intreated and imprifoned about forty Numbers?
This they called Purging the Houfe. After they had thus
handled them at feveral Times, in Conclufion, the Officers
came and r^rimanded the Houfe, bid them take away
their Fool's Bauble, the Mace, viol^tly pulled the Speaker
out
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62 ADDENDA utbi FirsT Volvms.
A1UM4. om. L oot of the Chair, drove oot the Kiendbeis, and lodced up
yTi ^ the Doors, and (b Good Night to the Parliament. The
Wifdom of that Parliament was faid jCo bereiy great hf
their own Party, bat it was Nonfenfe for them to thid^
diat an Army does not know its own Strength : For with-
out dear booght Experience, any Body may ^low before-
hand, what will be the natural Confequences of a Standing
Army, in the Cafe above foppoied of a bad Prkice, whkh
may poffibly happen in feme fotnre Ages, tho* indeed we
have a kmg and glorious Profped of a better Fate ta tfaefo
Kingdoms. It mU be the 0>nqiieft of the Nation in die
filented, ihorteft and fiveft Way. They will be able to dif-
poie of Men*s Lives and l^bites' at W^l and Pkafiue ; and
what can a foreign Conqueror do mom ! If after th^the
Subjefb live and poflefs any Thing, it wiU be becanfo
they let them » and how long that ihall be, no Body
knows.
* Nay, in many RefpeQs an authorized Standing Army
'may prove far worie than a foreign Invafion, and a Con-
quell fhmi abroad : For there we h^e a Chance for it, bat
this woul(i( be a Conqueft in cold Blood, which might not
be refided. And thus we fhould lofe the ii^eparaUe Rights
of the Conquered, which is to refcde and deliver themfelves,
and to throw off the Yoke as foon as they can.,
* It woqld likewlfe be a great Aggravation of their Nfi-
fery to be enflaved at their own Coft and Charges : Befides
the bitter Refentments of Unkindneis and Breach of Truft,
if it be done by thofe who ought to proted us, and povtde
better for 'us, at leaft fiiould not leave us in a worfe Con-
dition than they found us. But above all, if we contribute
to this Thraldom by cfur Folly, Flattery and little fclf-feek-
ing : If the Deilru6tion of our Pofterity be of ourfdves,
that ReHe6Hon hereafter, when we con)e to forefee the bad
Cdnfeqaences that are yet hid from the Advocates for a
5kanding Army, will have a Sting in it ; and it will not
then be enough to fay. Who would have thought it ?
• Governments have their Infancy, their Meridian, and
their Decay. But the Deftru6lion of ours is more to oe ap-
prehended from ourfelves than from a foreign Enemy.
^ That nnlefs we have an Army to lye Lieger, we are
liable to be over-run by a foreign enemy e'er we are aware,
is a Thought that could hot poffibly efcape our Forefathers,
yet we cannot learn that ever they put it in Praftice, which<
is a great^Sign they did not 'like it. No, we are well af^
fured, that they would not have' fuffered a Standing Atmy
to .defend the Nation, if they would have done it gratis.
* But what fignify the Proceedings of former ^ges to us?
fay fome-Gentlcme?, the World » flrangcly sUtetcd, and
the
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\ADDENBJtothe First Voluwe. 63
^ Power of France is become fo fonni(kble> that it ^' can
never be oppofed in the Elizabeth Way. They HtU keep
up a great Army, and how fliall we defend oorfdyes againft
themr, if they think ^t to break Treaties with as, and af-
M the Pretender toinvade *us» without an Army of twenty
or thirty thouiand difcipliiied Troops I
"^ fittt that we may for ever lay this Gobblin, we willadn
mit por Fleets to be, kidnapped by an unlucky WIxkI,
wliilfi the French land twen^ thousand Men in our Couur
try. Tho' in Gratitude. fi}f this, Conceffion^ I hc^e n^y
Adverfaries will grant that their Fleet cannot get back
again without our meeting with them, fince the feme Wind
that carries them home will carry us out, or if they will
not be fo good natured as to allow this, I will und^take
ioT thm^ for we live sa an Undertriung Age, that they
will'agree we ihall intercept their Supplies. ;: Tlnan :the Cafe. ^
is thus, that twenty thoufand Men, of which few can be
Horfe, are-liunded in Eta^nd without any human Pofli-
bility of being fupfdy'd from abroad.
' I fay, this Army ihallinever march twenty Miles into,
the Country, for they;C«iiK>t"putthemfelves in a marching
Poftttre in Id's th&a a Fortnight of three Weeks ;' and by
that Time we may have an hundred thoufand MUitia drawn .
down upon them, whereof ten thoufand (hall be Horfe, and
as many Dragoons as we pleafe : And if this Militia does
nothii^ elfe but drive theii^ountry, cat.off their Fora-
gers aM Straglers, po&i& Jii^nfelvescof the Defiles, and
intercut P^ovifions, their Army muft be^deftroyed in. a-
iinallTime, Neither will donveftick Enemies, the Favour-
ers of the Pretender, be aMe^in the mean Time to give
us much Difturbance ; for by ihe prudent Care the prefent
Government has ^ready taken; and *tid hqped will take for
the future, thefe Malecontents xan never be in a Condition ,
to make any Head, or contribute^ the leaft AMance to a
foreign Enemy. ^
* ' Of this Kind I could give n^any Inflances out of Hi-
ftOTy i but I will give you a late one out of Ireland.
* Firft, I think it will be readily agreed, that there are
ten Men in England for : one in. Ireland.
< Secondly, That King \ViUiam had more £ng1i(h and
Scots to join with him in Ireland than there, are Malecon-
tents in Ei^land.
Thirdly, That our Militia have as much Courage as the
Irifh: And yet, tho* we had eight thoufand Horfe, and a-
bove thirty thoufand Foot in Ireland, and a great Part of
of the Country in our Poifeffion, we were nK>re than four
Years in conquerinj;; the reft, and almoft a Miracle we did
it then. And I believe no Man will deny, if we could
not
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64 i ADJ>ENDA to tit FttLST Volvm*:
MC hate fiippfyM ottr Ann7 fiom Ea^soid, bac they hid
I all theie pcriihed ; fndi is dw Advantage of fightaog opcm
one's own Doagkil.
< And to (hew what IVortmcot die Ffcnch woold he
like «o neet with in Enghmd, I wdl pot you in mkd of
the Piirbeck InTa£k», which wat ib private^ that it was
ieen only by an old Man and a fiby : And yet dio* the
Country thought the Government a^nft them, we 1^ a-
bove forty theaiand Voknti^'in Arms in two or three
Days time* who came thither on their own Accord to give
them the Meeting ; and if thqr had been there, I doubt
not Would ha¥e given a good Accowit of them.' Our
Court, when it was over« ibewed tkm Diflike of !^ and
qneftiooed the Sheriff of Dorfttlhire abont it. ' And tho*
we have forgot it, yet I beheve tlm French ^11 remember
Purbeck ; for it flie^ed the true Sfint and Genius tf the
£ngli(h Nation.
* But the PoUcy \)f France having now aflumed a ^oite
dififcrent Face fince the Dtsath of Lewis their kte King,
whofe afpiring Temper gave-fc^ much Uncafiiefs to all
Europe* all Arguments and PMtences fot a Standing^'Ar-
my^ that are drawn from any Views of a Breach vwth
that Kingdom, are intirdy cut o&^by tkia orie Omfide-
ration.
* Indeed, moft of the Reafims thefe Gendcmen advance
to enforce their D^gn, (and whi<^ without this addkional
Confuiadon, we have already fofficiently repelled ) as they
wepe chieHy made ufc of by the fame Set of Men, in the
Reign of the late King Wffliam, when ^e Nation with
one Voice^ as it were, declared for the difljanding of the
Army after the Peace; fo the Qrcumftances of thofe Times
added a great deal of Wei^t to the feme, and the Dif-
pute on both Sides was then m^maged with lb much
Strengdi of Argument, as wdl as* Wit and Art, that it was
not an cafy Matter for the beft Judgment to decide the
Cafe juftly, foas neither the Saf«^ of the Nation, or the
Liberties and Eafe of the People fiom^ heavy Taxes mieht
fi^r by it. ^ \ ^
* And yet, notwithftanding aM 'the feeming b^kndng
Difficulties that were then bbvibas from the rediiciog toe
Forces, die Wifdom of the King and his Parfiamene thought
fit to over-rule the Matter, and to give their Determina-
tion on the other Side. So that alldwing the Projcaore Ar-
guments to carry with them the feme Force and Energy
now that the feme had then, yet they ought in good Man-
ners to yield up the Caufe, becaofe after the moft obftinate,
nice, and fubtile Controverty and Debate by the wifcft
Heads
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,«7»7r
ADDENDA ta ihi Fust VottiirfE. 6j
Heads of the Nation, die moft inipartkl Dediion of a Par- Amo 4.^0*0. i.
liament has given their Authority ajjamft them.
^ But mU any Man precead to affirm, that an Argu-
ment relating to the Policy of a Cominoriwcalthj is at all
Times fupported wUh equal Reafpti and Keceflity ? What
AbfLirdities and Contradidion^ micfi needs be the Confe-
^uences of fuch a ndiculous Ailertion ?
• Jt may be averred with the like Parity of Rcafon, that
Oj^r Monarch s ought always to keep Garrifons in moH of
^ the Cities, Towns and C^le* of England^ becaufe William
the Conqueror found it abfoluely neceiTary to do fo, for
the fecuiing of his new-gained Kingdom. No i there is
nothiDg within the Compafs of State Policy that is not as
changeable as the Weather and the Seafons of the Vear,
afld t^*ofe Alterations are as neceffary to the Prefervation of
the politicaj Oeco^iomy, at thcfe are 10 the Eddy Natural :
y^nd there is nothing unalterable in the Nature of a Govern-
,mcnt, )aut that which is its Very EiTence, the fundamental
Laws of ips GanfUtution, which i^aimot be changed or re-
inoved wit/iout the Overthrow and Deftrudion of the whole
Building.
' Now as to the p^irtlcular Point in Debate* We are to
jconfider the French Aiiairs and QrcumfUnces in a quite dif-
ferent Light, at prefent^ from the Apf^aJ^'ance^ thefe had in
the Kiei^n laft mentioned.
* It u true. King William did not a titlJe contribute by
his heroick Courage and Conduft^ to humble the Pride of
^hat common Enemy of Europe^ who aimed at no iefs than
am umverfal Conqueft; but the vicarious Confederate Ar-
my in the laft War, had brought him even to the Brink
of Ruin, and would certainly have flifabled that State from
even a PofiibiUty of raifing its Head, or of giving any An-
noyance to his Neighbours, had not oi^r Minlftrx of the
late Reign been too eafily cimjm vented and bribed by
prench Policy and French Goldj co make a moH inglorious
and dishonourable Peace with that Nation,
' However, the difmal Effe£ts of the late War fat fo hea-
vy upon them, that thefe were a Clog and Hinderance to
ail that King*s ambitious Projcds and Defigns, who was
content to hold what he had preferred from a raging, nn*
fortunate and deArudive War, withoi^t running thr Ha-
ftard of any future Attempti.
' But beftdes the mifcrable State of that Kingdom, oc-
cafioncd by the War, we are prefented with an entire new
Profped of their Affairs fince that King's Death 1 and they
have their Hands too fuill at Home, to be meddling wich
their Neighbours. Every Body knows what domeftick
JQ|gU^i^^gu|^eIi the^ |iave ^s^^ th«pfelm at g^cnt^
• ■ i ■ " * py
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66 JDDSNDJ i$ ibi Fitir VotvMt;
by which they are brewii^ a great deal of MUcluef to the
whole Kingdom, and which maft neceffiuily dctenniiie ki
ahe Deftruaion of one of the Parttet. The A^r of iSbt
?ucce$on' to the Crown of France, about which ficat
Tart of that Kingdon^ is already divided againft the other,
may prbdiice ail much Noife, Wars and Boodihcd as iSA
Jately that of Spain : And Great Britain bein^ likdjr lo
}iave a coniiderable Share, feme Time or other, m deciding
the foriher as weU as it had in the latter, which waa ihe
Ground of the hoe War, it is the Intereft of both King-
donis to carry fiur with us. But it being fiipuljited as one
of the' g^nd Conditions and Articles o^ the Peace that
Thdip j(h6uld renounce his Pretentions to thc!^rendi Crown,
and'he'thaving accordingly foleninly done ib, it h evident
whom we are to fide with, if the Matter ihootd come CO
be diipated. And this is the Foundation of the tripartite
.AUiahce, p&nfiye and Ofcfenfive, lately coQcloded between
Great Britain, FiS&nce; and HoUand, Which makes lb great
a Noift in th6 World, andby which we f^mto be iafidf
libly quieted and fecured from afl Fean of any Difturbance
from abroad.
VBut Wittt Gentli^en, when all their other Aigumeiits
are rfcAitei^, betake thetnftlv'es to their \^ Refuge, which
they are prefuaded can never fiul them, smd that is the Dif-
c^ents and PifaffefHon , of the Pretender*s Par^, wto
only )vait a frelh £)ppor;itiiity by raifing a new Rebellion
Xo rdl6re their Kftigy'and revenge their Lite bad Succeflcs.
'' * I can a^ute t)ieie Gfentlemch, that thb' I argue aeaioft
a Standing Army, and rho* the Jacobites jnay perhaps be of
the fame Opinion, 'yet I am no Friend to the Pretender, but
believe myfelf as firmly attached to the Profdlant Succeffion,
and the fntereft of the prefent Government, and am as
great an Admirer' of his Majefty*s ConduA and Perfonal
Virtues, as any of them 1^1. But neverthelefs, i hope no
^Man will dlfcover hixtafetf fo void of good Senie, as to
imagine xhat it i$ Tre^on to entertain any Notion m com-
mon With that Party. And notwithfUnding they may vain-
ly apprehend, that Tome Advantage will ilccrue fco their
Intereil by dilbanding the Army, this does not In the ieaft
"^me me to the Opim'on of the otheic Side.
' feeHdes, I do not doubt but even thelfe Malecontents
will make greater . Ufe of the Army, fdppofing it impo^Ue
to draw them oiF to Bieir Side, by reprefentii^ in lb Co-
lours their Behaviour in thoie Parts wheie they are plac^
in Hopes to gain Numbers to their Difafieai6o. And diis
h tlienxore certain, if we coiifider that dieir firft Mani-
-fefto's were full of the Grievances d ih Army, even bc-
f9rc any Amy waj m Being j Such a pitvailing Addrcfi
did
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JDp^^DJia iif,FtK9T VoiuME. .67
^^t^ think' lh9 Ai|;amcfit id ^the Rdeotments of Eag-
Itfiunen. Kor do we nod they liive been more filent upon
this Siiljea, iince tho Bebellion Jias^b^ten fuppreff^d. What
NoUe bsLve, we imxi ii thejUoe ^jc Oxford ? And 9/^
Mhcr little Pifordiers of ijie^ Soldiegr^ in the fcveral Parts
of the Kingdon ? And this 'lub not been without it^ ESe^ ;
fior many, whb were sood Sn^'e^ to his M^>fty» have
t9ilked wannly on this HesuiCpeing jealous of dicir Liber-
tiesy who othervvife would not have wavered in their Re-
{p€& to the preient Goverao^ent. How far therefore the
J^avooiers of the Pretender im^y carry their Siiccefs, by iri-
fifttng on the farther Effe^ of an Army, eAablliheci by
Xaw, whb cenainly canno^ opmmit fewer Outrages, is not ^
difficidt to inagine,
* In ihort, the whole Mfinigement of this Projed of a
Standing Anw is ridiculous ; but the fata] Confeqaences
of It lequ^ deeper Thought.: pQr when we have fooled
«Miit ourfclvcs into the Bondaj^e of a Standing Army, how
Ihmll we ever g^ out of it agpi ? Not as the Nation freed
themfdves from ;the Court of Wards. We cannot buy it
eC for two veiy good Reafons : -No Mooi^y will be taken
lor it 2 and w^ (hall have nothing to give which is not
tbeirs already ; oor £ftates» Lives and Liberties will be aU
at tlieir Comnmd* > '
« The Prince of Onti]^e> Peclaration is dire^ty again^
a Standing Army, as a Means to aiGft all arbitrary Dj>
fi^s, anothereby enflave"^ the Nation ; directly againft' '^1
wicked Attempu'of ConqueS, and all dffpotick , Govern*
mepty 'ti5 iiill of Liberty and Property in every Fart*. And
his prefent Majefty, who is endowed with the (ame ge^ief-
011S wi heroick 'temper, has given undeniable Pf oofs of the
lame gracious Inclinations i we may reafonably fuppofe that
the \mtSt of Kings, in ConjnnfUon with the beft of Par-
liaments, will, in this important Affair, difcover the fame
Seatunents with our gbripus Deliverer, to whom we prin-
cipally owe our prefent Happinefs. That Declaration was
fo highly valued, and fo wholly relyed upon by the Parlia-
ment then, that it is incorporated into our Laws, as the
only kedreis of our paft Grievances and Oppreflions, and
' the bdS Foundation of our future Happinefs : And with in-
tire Confidence that his Majefty King William would con-
tuiue.toaftin Purfuance of that Declaration, the Parlia-
t^at refolved that he fhould be clewed and declared King ;
fo that it is to be accounted the Pa^a Conventa of the Go-
vernment.
• Here I know fome will &y, that the Army condemned
by the Declaration, was the late King James's Army kept
up 'in Time of Peace without Confent of Parliament ;
^,,' 12 " whereas
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4BM4.Get.L wheit:Lsthis Standing Aiffty B tolfe ItSpt 4]^ MKK ibflftr
iZ'iLi^ Qmfent. ;. ' 4
• True ir was fo, and therefore, ft ^s^ Riot and unlaw-
ful Aflembljr every Hotir it flood ; and having no Law ftr
it* it migkt have been prefented or indiftcd ; to no Parpolfe
indeed ; But a* an Invallion upon the Subject, il miglit Ite
refilled and pull'd down as a Nufancc, whenever the Nadoti
found themlelv^ able. BtJt fappofc this Army had beeb
made Part of the Cotiftitntioii, and had obtained an Afl 6f
parliament for it, what then had been become of os ? They
were Aids and Ififtraments of Arbitrary Government bcfene,
but then they had been legal Inftrument5, and had efiflavM
us by Authority. In ftiortp we cotiJd not have relieved oitf-
fdves from them, not any one ehc in our Behalf^ beeaufe
pur own kil and Deed would hav« always been gpod a-
gainft us.
What I have faid againft Standing Amies, I would be
undcrilood of fuch as arc the InClrunients of Tyranny, and
^cir Country's Ruin, and therefore I need make no A^
logy to gur own, which next unto God, have by their Bra-
' yery and Condud preferv'd our Liberties and the Protefenc
Religion thro' Europe, and have fo lately delivered thefe
Nations from the unnatural Defigns and Attempts of tbjcir
Fel]oW'Subje£ts to dethrone his prefent mofi gracicxis Ma-
jeAy, who i% the Guardian of our Laws and Priyileges, and
|D introduce Arbitrary Power. For if in future Reigns any
Ddigns fhould be leveird againft our Laws, we may be
ftflur'd thefe Men would be difcarded, and others promoted
^ their Roomsj who are fit for fuch Arbitrary Pur]^ofcs,
* Nor do I think it reafonablc that out Army Ihould be
ruinM by that Tranquility and Peace, which, by their Cou-
rage and Fidelity, they hai^e procured ibr their Country i
and I doubt not but tiie Generofity and Gratitude of tie
Parliament will give them a Donative e^ual to tiieir Com-
sniffions, which Will amouht to no eikti^di^a^ 'Smn, at
leaftt it will be ^n eify Compdfition'fdr tWe Charge of' fce^
ing them.
* But if *lhere are arfy iGcndcmen wko think wc ckn no
ptherwi^ exprefs oar Gratitude^ l^'by iighing aild fealiilg
pur Pofterity's Ruin, 1 hpf^^ wc ihal! dfffappoin^ thi^lr Ex-
pcAations, and not giye "die World occafion to tfeH fe-fooISh
i, Story of us. They Icnow vexy well, anAipijrIjas mtthing
In it fo charming that could kdndre the Natlo^ tb 'i&& hm,
but upon fomc pfcffing Neccfflty, and tot to \iiep fliem up
perpetually ; nor can the Service performed b^ ever'fe great,
as not to be requited under ihch a Rethrn.
• To C9iiclude : The Honour and Safety of the Nation
' \% the com'meiidable DeiG^ ; aiid fb ^ as any $id^ is ftr
that.
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ADDENDA to tbi Fimt Volume. 69
that, it k certainly in the Right, finoe all Countries midb AiiM4*Geo.i.
have fome Forec to defend them againft foreign Invafions ^ *^^-
and domeftick Tumults ; for as it was their own Good and
Security which occafion'd Men firft to quit the State of Na«
tore, and to aflbciate themfelves into Governments ; fo the
Raifing and Regulation of their Forces muft be dircdked and
accommodated to the fame Ends. An liland is beft fituated
for Prefervation, as having need of litde other Force either
to infeft foreign Coafts, or to protea its own, befides a nu*
merous Fleet, which it need never want. But if it be
likewife a Government for Incrcafe, fuch as ours, its Sitoa-
tion naturally leading to Trade and planting of Colonies 5
and if it has the noble Amintion of holding the Balance
ftoddy between other Governments, of fuccouiing the JA^
fbeis'd, and grudging liberty to none, then it muft be al-
ways provided with a confideraUe Land-Force. Of thii
there is no Difpute. Then the only Queftion is. Whether
it be iafer to truft Arms continually in the Hands of idle
and needy Perfims ; or only, when there is Occafion fiir i^
in the Hands of fober and induftcious Freemen. That
the latter can never be dangerous to our Liberty and Pro-
perty at.Home^ and wiU be infinitely aioie dfeauaUy
^unft an Enemy attacking, or mvaded by us, I thmkl
Imve fuflSdendy proved both by Reafbn and Experience.
Bat that the former may hereafter prove of the worft Con*
fequence, is a Truth equally undeniable, and therefore I
^oft declare I am for 1 9,000 Men only.'
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