House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 3 December 1697

JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE of COMMONS.

Veneris, 3 die Decembris;

Nono Gulielmi Tertii, 1697.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from his Majesty, by Sir Fleetwood Shepherd, 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, and 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:

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The War which I entered into, by the Advice of my People, is, by the Blessing of God, and their zealous and affectionate Assistance, brought to the End we all proposed, an honourable Peace; which I was willing to conclude, not so much to ease myself from any Trouble or Hazard, as to free the Kingdom from the continuing Burden of an expensive War.

I am heartily sorry my subjects will not at first find all that Relief from the Peace, which I could wish, and they may expect: But the Funds, intended for the last Year's Service, have fallen short of answering the Sums for which they were given; so that there remain considerable Deficiencies to be provided for.

There is a Debt upon Account of the Fleet, and the Army.

The Revenues of the Crown have been anticipated, by my Consent, for publick Uses; so that I am wholly destitute of Means to support the Civil List: And I can never distrust you will suffer this to turn to my Disadvantage; but will provide for me during my Life, in such a manner as may be for my Honour, and for the Honour of the Government.

Our Naval Force being increased to near double what it was at my Accession to the Crown, the Charge of maintaining it will be proportionably augmented: And it is certainly necessary, for the Interest and Reputation of England, to have always a great Strength at Sea.

The Circumstances of Affairs Abroad are such, that I think myself obliged to tell you my Opinion, that, for the present, England cannot be safe without a Land-Force: And I hope we shall not give those that mean us ill, the Opportunity of effecting That, under the Notion of a Peace, which they could not bring to pass by a War.

I doubt not but you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, will take these Particulars into your Consideration, in such a manner, as to provide the necessary Supplies; which I do very earnestly recommend to you.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

That which I most delight to think of, and am best pleased to own, is, that I have all the Proofs of my People's Affection that a Prince can desire: And I take this Occasion to give them the most solemn Assurance, that as I never had, so I never will, nor can, have any Interest separate from theirs.

I esteem it one of the greatest Advantages of the Peace; that I shall now have Leisure to rectify such Corruptions, or Abuses, as may have crept into any Part of the Administration during the War; and effectually to discourage Profaneness and Immorality: And I shall employ my Thoughts in promoting Trade, and advancing the Happiness, and flourishing Estate of the Kingdom.

I shall conclude with telling you, That as I have, with the Hazard of every thing, rescued your Religion, Laws, and Liberties, when they were in the extremest Danger, so I shall place the Glory of my Reign in preserving them intire, and leaving them so to Posterity.

Vesting Interest in Judgments.

A Bill to vest the Interest in Judgments, and other Securities assigned, in the Assignees, was read the First time; and ordered to 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. Norris, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir William Williams, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Robert Cotton, Colonel Wharton, Mr. Boyle, Sir Nathaniell Nappier, Mr. Gwyn, Sir Godfrey Copley, Mr. Rowney, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Thornhagh, Lord Coningsby, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Ashby, Mr. Owen, Mr. Dolben, Mr. Duke, Mr. Manley, Mr. Vernon, Sir Fra. Molineux, Mr. Morris, Mr. Cowper, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Edward Seymour, Sir Walter Yonge, Sir Marm. Wivell, Sir William St. Quintin, Sir Tho. Skipwith, Mr. Conyers, Mr. White, Sir Joseph Tily, Mr. Brereton, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Portman, Mr. Jeffryes, Mr. Colt, Sir Henry Colt, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Mr. Papillon, Colonel Granville, Mr. Ash, Mr. Tho. Foley senior, Mr. Arnold, Sir Cha. Turner, Dr. Oxenden, Mr. Burrard, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Pocklington, Sir John Philipps, Mr. Cox, Mr. Morgan, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Phil. Foley, Mr. Monson, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Robert Clayton, Mr. Tho. Foley junior, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bulkly, Mr. Paget, Lord Wm. Pawlet, Sir Wm. Lowther, Lord Ranelagh, Mr. Mawdit, Mr. Pelham, Sir Sam. Barnardiston, Mr. Newport, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Sir John Bolles, Sir Thomas Hussey, Mr. Lowther, Colonel Perry, Lord Russell, Lord Lisbon, Mr. Farrer, Sir Fra. Winnington, Mr. Ellson, Mr. York, Colonel Crawford, 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 Fourteen Days next; and so within Fourteen 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.

Eye Writ.

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

Buckingham Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough and Parish of Buckingham, in the room of Sir Richard Temple Knight of the Bath, and Baronet, deceased.

Chester 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 Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Chester, in the room of Roger Whitley Esquire, deceased.

Huntingdon 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 Huntingdon in the County of Huntingdon, in the room of Richard Mountague Esquire, deceased.

Dover Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for electing a Baron to serve in this present Parliament for the Port of Dover, in the room of James Chadwick 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 electing a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Cambridge, in the room of Edward Russell Esquire, now Earl Orford, called up to the House of Lords.

Grantham Writ.

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

Hindon Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Hindon in the County of Wilts, in the room of Sir Charles Morley Knight, deceased.

Bridport Writ.

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

Aldborough Writ.

A Motion being made, that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Aldborough in the County of York, in the room of Sir Michaell Wentworth Baronet, deceased;

Ordered, That the further Consideration of the said Motion be adjourned until this Day Fortnight.

Hertford Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for electing a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Hertford, in the room of Sir Thomas Pope Blount Baronet, deceased.

Address on the King's Speech.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, assuring him, That as this House hath effectually enabled him to carry on the War, so they will be ready to assist and support him in the time of Peace.

And it is referred to Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Thomas Littleton, Mr. Norris, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Harley, Lord Coningsby, Sir Wm. Trumball, Sir Fra. Windham, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir Wm. Williams, Sir Edward Ernly, Mr. Boyle, Mr. Edward Harley, Sir Edward Seymour, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Mr. Vernon, Lord Ranelagh, Lord Fitzharding, Sir Henry Hobart, Sir Chr. Musgrove, Mr. Attorney General, Sir Walter Yonge, Mr. Smith, Mr. Cooper, Colonel Granville, Mr. Waller, or any Five of them, to prepare the said Address: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers.

The King's Speech to be considered.

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

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.

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