House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 4 November 1692

Veneris, 4 die Novembris ; Gulielmi et Mariæ, 4° Annoque Domini 1692.

Prayers.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from his Majesty, by Sir Thomas Duppa, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this honourable House to attend his Majesty in the House of Peers, immediately.

Accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Peers, to attend his Majesty.

And being returned;

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reports, That his Majesty had been pleased to make a gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament: And, to prevent his Mistake in Reporting thereof, he had desired, and obtained a Copy: Which he read to the House; and is as follows; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I AM very glad to meet you again in Parliament, where I have an Opportunity of thanking you for the great Supplies you have given Me, for the Prosecution of this War: And I hope, by your Advice and Assistance, which has never failed me, to take such Measures as may be most proper for supporting our common Interest, against the excessive Power of France.

We have great Reason to rejoice in the happy Victory, which, by the Blessing of God, we obtained at Sea; and I wish I could tell you, that the Success at Land had been answerable to it: I am sure, my own Subjects had so remarkable a Part in both, that their Bravery and Courage must ever be remembered to their Honour.

The French are repairing their Losses at Sea with great Diligence; and do design to augment their Land Forces considerably, against the next Campaign: Which makes it absolutely necessary for our Safety, that, at least, as great a Force be maintained at Sea and Land, as we had the last Year: And therefore I must ask of you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, a Supply suitable to so great an Occasion.

I am very sensible how heavy this Charge is upon My People: And it extremely afflicts me, that it is not possible to be avoided, without exposing ourselves to inevitable Ruin and Destruction.

The Inconvenience of sending out of the Kingdom great Sums of Money, for the Payment of the Troops abroad, is indeed very considerable: And I so much wish it could be remedied, that, if you can suggest to Me any Methods for the Support of them, which may lessen this Inconvenience, I shall be ready to receive them with all the Satisfaction imaginable.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

None can desire more than I do, that a Descent should be made into France: And therefore, notwithstanding the Disappointment of that Design this last Summer, I intend to attempt it the next Year with a much more considerable Force: And, so soon as I shall be enabled, all possible Care and Application shall be used towards it.

And, upon this Occasion, I cannot omit taking notice of that signal Deliverance, which, by the good Providence of God, we received the last Spring, to the Disappointment and Confusion of our Enemies Designs and Expectations. This has sufficiently shewn us, how much we are exposed to the Attempts of France, while that King is in a Condition to make them: Let us therefore improve the Advantage we have at this time, of being joined with most of the Princes and States of Europe, against so dangerous an Enemy. In This surely all Men will agree, who have any Love for their Country, or any Zeal for our Religion. I cannot therefore doubt, but you will continue to support me in this War, against the declared Enemy of this Nation: and that you will give as speedy Dispatch to the Affairs before you, as the Nature and Importance of them will admit; that our Preparations may be timely and effectual, for the Preservation of All that is dear and valuable to us. I am sure I can have no Interest but what is yours: We have the same Religion to defend: And you cannot be more concerned for the Preservation of your Liberties and Properties, than I am, that you should always remain in the full Possession of them; for I have no Aim but to make you a happy People.

Hitherto I have never spared to expose My own Person for the Good and Welfare of this Nation: And I am so sensible of your good Affections to me, that I shall continue to do so, with great Chearfulness, upon all Occasions, wherein I may contribute to the Honour and Advantage of England.

Selling live Cattle.

A Bill for the better preventing Butchers selling live Cattle, was read a First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Grand Committees.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Religion do sit, every Tuesday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Grievances do sit, every Thursday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Trade do sit, every Saturday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Courts of Justice do sit, every Friday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That a Committee of Elections and Privileges be appointed of the Persons following; Mr. Serjeant Trenchard, Sir Jos. Jenkinson, Mr. Travers, Mr. Guy, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Wyndham, Mr. Biddulph, Mr. Lutterell, Sir Richard Temple, Mr. Gwyn, Sir Joseph Herne, Mr. Vincent, Mr. Etterick, Lord Ranelagh, Sir John Knatchbull, Sir William Ellis, Mr. Clerke, Sir William Yorke, Mr. Nicholls, Mr. Bertie, Lord Faulkland, Sir Bowcher Wray, Lord Elan, Sir Rich. Onslow, Colonel Godfrey, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. Harley, Mr. Waller, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Hawtrey, Sir Hen. Johnson, Sir William Forester, Mr. Hedger, Sir John Guise, Sir John Thompson, Lord Marquis Winchester, Sir Cha. Raleigh, Colonel Kirby, Colonel Perry, Mr. Mayne, Mr. Parker, Sir Wm. Honywood, Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Chadwicke, Sir Robert Clayton, Mr. Serjeant Blenco, Major Beake, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Major Vincent, Mr. Dolben, Colonel Cornwall, Mr. How, Sir Peter Colliton, Mr. Price, Sir Peter Rich, Lord Castleton, Mr. Paul Foley, Mr. Wharton, Mr. Parkhurst, Lord Pawlett, Mr. Tho. Foley, Sir John St. Auban, Mr. Bennett, Sir Step. Evans, Sir Hen. Ashurst, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Campion, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Brockman, Sir John Brownlow, Mr. Willmott: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet on Friday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: and on every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Places before mentioned; and to take into Consideration all such Matters as shall or may come in Question, touching Returns, Elections, and Privileges; and to proceed upon Double Returns, in the first Place; and to report their Proceedings, with their Opinions therein to the House, from time to time. And all Persons, that will question Returns, are to do it in Fourteen Days next; and so within Fourteen Days after every new Return shall be brought in. And the Committee is to have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records, for their Information. And all Members, who are returned for Two or more Places, are to make their Election by This-day-three-weeks, for which of the Places they will serve; provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place. And, if any thing shall come in question touching the Return, Election, or Matter of Privilege, of any Member, he is to withdraw, during the Time the Matter is in Debate.

Saltash Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Saltash in the County of Cornwall, in the room of Sir John Carew, Baronet, deceased.

Radnor Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Knight of the Shire to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Radnor, in the room of Richard Williams, Esquire, deceased.

Tewkesbury Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Tewksbury in the County of Gloucester, in the room of Sir Hen. Capell, Knight, called up to the House of Peers.

Cambridge Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the University of Cambridge, in the room of Sir Robert Sawyer, Knight, deceased.

Lanceston Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Dunhevot alias Lanceston in the County of Cornwall, in the room of Wm. Harbord, Esquire, deceased.

Grampound Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Grampound in the County of Cornwall, in the room of Walter Vincent, Esquire, deceased.

Morpeth Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Morpeth in the County of Northumberland, in the room of Charles Lord Morpeth, now Earl of Carlisle.

Colchester Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Colchester in the County of Essex, in the room of Edward Cary, Esquire, deceased.

Bridgwater Election.

A Petition of John Gardner, Merchant, was presented to the House, and read; complaining of an undue Return for the Borough of Bridgwater in the County of Somersett.

Ordered, That the Examination and Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges: And that they do report the Matter thereof, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Printing the Votes.

Ordered, That the Votes of this House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker: And that no Person do presume to print the same, but such as shall be licensed by Mr. Speaker.

Plympton Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Plympton in the County of Devon, in the room of Sir Geo. Treby, Knight, now Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

Call of the House.

Ordered, That the House be called over upon Monday-sevennight next: And that such Members, as shall not then attend the Service of the House, be sent for, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms.

And then the House adjourned till Thursday Morning, next, Ten a Clock.