House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 20 October 1696

Martis, 20 die Octobris;

Octavo Gulielmi Tertii, 1696.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from his Majesty, by Sir Fleetwood Shepheard, Gentleman-Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend him, immediately, in the House of Peers.

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

And, being returned;

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reported, That his Majesty had been pleased to make a most gracious Speech to both Houses: And that, by reason of the great Noise, and Lowness of his Majesty's Speech, to prevent Mistakes, he had desired, and obtained, a Copy thereof: Which he read to the House: And is as followeth; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I HAVE called you together as soon as was possible; and I think it a great Happiness that this Year has passed without any Disadvantage abroad, or Disorder at home, considering our great Disappointment in the Funds given at your last Meeting, and the Difficulties which have arisen upon the Re-coining of the Money.

This is so convincing a Proof of the good Disposition of my Army, and of the steady Affections of my People, that I cannot but take Notice of it with great Satisfaction.

Our Enemies have not been without Hopes, that such a Conjuncture might have proved fatal to us: But as they have failed in those Expectations; so I am fully persuaded, that your unanimous Proceedings, in this Session, will make them for ever despair of an Advantage from any Disagreement among ourselves.

It must be confessed, That the Business which you have before you will be very great; because of the Necessity of supplying former Deficiencies, as well as making Provision for the next Year's Service.

And, upon this Occasion, it is fit for me to acquaint you, That some Overtures have been made, in order to the entering upon a Negociation for a general Peace: But I am sure we shall all agree in Opinion, That the only Way of treating with France is, with our Swords in our Hands; and that we can have no Reason to expect a safe and honourable Peace, but by shewing ourselves prepared to make a vigorous and effectual War:

In order to which, I do very earnestly recommend to you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, That you would consider of raising the necessary Supplies, as well for maintaining the Honour of Parliaments, in making good the Funds already granted, as for carrying on the War the next Year; which I think ought not to be less than what was intended to be raised for that Purpose the last Session: I must also put you in mind of the Civil List; which cannot be supported without your Help: And the miserable Condition of the French Protestants does oblige me to mention them to you again.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

It may deserve your Consideration, whether there do not still remain some Inconveniencies relating to the Coin, which ought to be remedied: And I hope you will find out the best Expedients for the Recovery of Credit; which is absolutely necessary, not only with respect to the War, but for carrying on of Trade.

I am of Opinion, That there is not One good Englishman who is not intirely convinced, how much does depend upon this Session: And therefore I cannot but hope for your Unanimity and Dispatch in your Resolutions; which, at this Time, are more necessary than ever for the Safety and Honour of England.

Vesting Interest of Judgments, &c.

A Bill to vest the Interest in Judgments, and other Securities assigned, in the Assignees, was read the 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 Privileges and Elections be appointed, of Mr. Wharton, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Clarke, Lord Pawlet, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Brotherton, Lord Ranelagh, Sir Rowland Gwynn, Mr. Norris, Mr. Smith, Colonel Granville, Sir John Austin, Sir Math. Andrews, Sir Wm. Hustler, Sir Tho. Dyke, Sir Richard Atkins, Lord Marquis Winton, Mr. Jeffries, Mr. Done, Sir Eliab Harcey, Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. Ja. Bertie, Mr. Harvey, Sir Marm. Wivell, Mr. Gwynn, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Mr. Kendall, Mr. Robert Bertie, Doctor Barbon, Sir Richard Temple, Mr. Neale, Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Pagett, Sir Benj. Newland, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Mr. Egerton, Sir Edward Seymour, Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Papillon, Mr. Newport, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Sherrard, Sir Fra. Windham, Sir Wm. Williams, Sir John Parsons, Mr. Venables, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Austin, Sir Walter Yonge, Lord Marquis Hartington, Mr. Onslow, Sir Jos. Herne, Sir Fra. Masham, Lord Cutts, Mr. Phil. Foley, Mr. Henley, Mr. Mason, Lord Spencer, Sir Fra. Winington, Mr. Peregrine Berty, Mr. Moore, Mr. Harley, Mr. Molyneux, Mr. Gery, Sir Roger Puleston, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Whitaker: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet upon Wednesday next, in the Afternoon, at Three a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber; and to sit every Friday, Monday, and Wednesday, in the Afternoon: And they are to take into their 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 14 Days next; and so within 14 Days after any 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 Elections 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: And that all Members returned upon Double Returns do withdraw till their Returns are determined.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the Committee, That they do admit but Two Counsel of a Side to be heard in any Cause before them.

Gatton 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 Gatton, in the County of Surrey, in the room of Sir John Thompson Baronet, called up to the House of Lords.

Winchelsea 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 Baron to serve in this present Parliament for the Port of Winchelsea, in the County of Sussex, in the room of Robert Austen Esquire, deceased.

Quinborough 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 Quinborough, in the County of Kent, in the room of Caleb Banks Esquire, deceased.

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 Town of Cambridge, in the room of John Pepys Esquire, deceased.

Westmoreland 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 to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Westmoreland, in the room of Sir John Lowther, Baronet, called up to the House of Lords.

Aldborough 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 Aldborough, in the County of York, in the room of Sir Michael Wentworth, Knight, deceased.

Lescard 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 Lescard, in the County of Cornwall, in the room of Sir Bourchier Wray, Knight of the Bath, deceased.

Ipswich 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 Ipswich, in the County of Suffolk, in the room of Sir John Barker, Baronet, deceased.

Tavistock 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 Tavistock, in the County of Devon, in the room of Ambrose Mannaton, Esquire, deceased.

Resolution and Address to support the King.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House will support his Majesty, and his Government, against all his Enemies, both at home and abroad: And that they will effectually assist him in the Prosecution and carrying on the present War against France.

Resolved, That an humble Address be prepared, to be presented to his Majesty, pursuant to the said Resolution.

And it is referred to Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Lord Coningsby, Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Attorney-General, Lord Marquis Winchester, Mr. Wharton, Sir HenryGoodrick, Lord Ranelagh, Sir Thomas Littleton; or any Five of them; to prepare the same: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Standard of Coin.

Resolved, That this House will not alter the Standard of Gold or Silver, in Fineness, Weight, or Denomination.

Making good the Public Funds.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House will make good all Parliamentary Funds, since his Majesty's Accession to the Crown, that have been made Credits for Loans from the Subject.

Printing the Votes.

Ordered, That the Votes of this House be printed: And that Mr. Speaker do peruse the same, and appoint the Printing thereof: And that no other Person do presume to print the same.

The King's Speech to be considered.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Thursday Morning next, take into Consideration his Majesty's most gracious Speech.

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