House of Lords Journal Volume 26: November 1744

November 1744

Anno 18^o Georgii Secundi.

DIE Martis, 27^o Novembris, 1744.

DIE Martis, 27^o Novembris, 1744, Annoque Regni Serenissimi Domini Nostri Georgii Secundi, Dei Gratia, Magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, & Hib'niæ Regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c. Decimo-octavo, in quem Diem hæc Quarta Sessio Parliamenti, per separales Prorogationes, continuata fuerat, in Superiori Domo Parliamenti Magnæ Britanniæ apud Westmonaster. convenere, Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales, quorum Nomina subscribuntur, & præsentes fuerunt:

REX.

Fredericus Princeps Walliæ.

The King present:

His Majesty, being seated on the Throne, adorned with His Crown and Regal Ornaments, and attended with His Officers of State; the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cumberland (in their Robes) sitting in their respective Places; the Lords being also in their Robes; the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod received His Majesty's Commands, to let the Commons know, "It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that they attend Him immediately, in this House."

Who being come, with their Speaker;

His Majesty spake as follows:

His Majesty's Speech.

"My Lords, and Gentlemen,

"It is always a great Satisfaction to Me to meet You in Parliament; and it is particularly so in this Conjuncture, as the present Posture of Affairs Abroad requires your most serious Consideration. The Events of the last Summer have been so various, and some Things have fallen out during the Course of it so much to the Disadvantage of the common Cause, the Consequences whereof remain still undecided, that great Attention must be given to them, and proper Measures taken for preventing or removing the ill Effects of them.

"I have, in Pursuance of your repeated Advice, exerted My Endeavours for the Support of the House of Austria, and in the Prosecution of the just and necessary War in which we are engaged. The Queen of Hungary, though attacked and invaded by Powers from whom she had the least Reason to expect such a Conduct, has shewn the greatest Constancy and Resolution; and the King of Poland, pursuant to his Engagements with her, hath sent a very considerable Force to her Assistance. The King of Sardinia, with a Magnanimity and Firmness superior to the greatest Difficulties, has, with the Assistance of My Fleet, resisted the combined Forces of France and Spain sent against him; and, at last, happily defeated an Enterprize formed for his Destruction, and for the Reduction of Italy, as well as most of the Ports in The Mediterranean, under the Power of the House of Bourbon. Though our Success has not been answerable to our Wishes; yet the vast Expectations and Designs of our Enemies, built upon new Intrigues and Alliances, and an additional Strength, have not hitherto taken Place, and will, I hope, by the Blessing of God, and the mutual united Vigour of Great Britain and her Allies, be disappointed. In Conjunction with them, and with their effectual Assistance and your Support, I am determined to carry on the War in such a Manner as may be most conducive to that important End which is My sole Aim, a safe and honourable Peace; it being My firm Resolution, never to abandon My Allies, and to procure the utmost Security to the Religion, Liberties, and Commerce, of My Kingdoms.

"For this Purpose, I have always insisted, and am still endeavouring with My Allies, particularly My good Friends The States General of the United Provinces, to fix the certain Proportions of Forces and Expence to be furnished by each of the Confederates in the Prosecution of this just and necessary War.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I have ordered the Estimates for the Service of the ensuing Year to be prepared and laid before you, and desire you to grant Me such Supplies as shall be requisite for the Security and Welfare of the Nation, and for carrying on such Measures as it shall be necessary for Great Britain to pursue in the present extraordinary Crisis. I am deeply sensible of, and concerned for, the Burthens which lie upon My good Subjects; and you may be assured, that no Endeavours shall be wanting on My Part, to ease them in every Instance, where the Consequences of doing so may not endanger their own true Interests.

"My Lords, and Gentlemen,

"I have laid before you My Views and Intentions. Your Concurrence with Me, in a steady Pursuit of them, will best manifest your Zeal for the common Cause, lay the furest Foundation for the real Support of our Allies, and for the Security and Prosperity of your Country; and nothing can add so much to the Weight and Efficacy of your Resolutions as Unanimity and Dispatch."

The Speech being ended, His Majesty was pleased to retire; and the Commons withdrew.

PRAYERS.

Certificate of the Earl of Stair's Election.

This Day the Deputy Clerk of the Crown in Chancery delivered a Certificate of the Name of the Peer of Scotland, who, by virtue of His Majesty's Proclamation, is chosen to sit and vote in this House; which is as follows:

"May it please your Lordships,

"I do hereby certify, that, by Virtue of His Majesty's Proclamation, of the Ninth of August One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty-four, a Certificate under the Hands and Seals of Mr. Tho's Gibson and Mr. John Murray, Clerks of Session attending the Election after mentioned, in virtue of the Lord Register's Commission to them granted, has been delivered into the Crown Office in Chancery, whereby it appears, that the Right Honourable John Earl of Stair was unanimously elected and chosen, to sit and vote in the House of Peers in this present Parliament, in the room of Charles Earl of Lauderdale, deceased.

"Given under my Hand, this Twenty-seventh Day of November One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty-four.

"Stephen Bisse, Clerk of the Crown."

D. Chandos takes his Seat.

This Day Henry Duke of Chandos sat first in Parliament, after the Death of his Father James Duke of Chandos; having, at the Table, first taken the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also taken and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.

E. Granville introduced:

The House was informed, "That John Lord Carteret, now Earl Granville, was without, ready to be introduced; and that the Clerk or Keeper of the Records in the Chapel of The Rolls attended, with the Record of the Enrolment of the Patent, granted by His late Majesty King George the First, to the said Earl's Mother the late Countess Granville, dat. 1^o Die Januarii, 1^o Georgii 1^mi."

And his Lordship, being entitled to the Earldom by virtue of the Limitation in the said Patent, was (in his Robes) introduced, between the Earl of Winchilsea and the Earl of Pomfret (also in their Robes); the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter King at Arms, and the Deputy Earl Marshal of England, preceding.

The said Earl Granville, on his Knee, presented his Writ of Summons to the Lord Chancellor, at the Woolsack; who delivered it to the Clerk; and the Record of the Enrolment of the said Patent was then read, at the Table, by the Clerk of the Rolls.

After which, the said Writ of Summons was also read, as follows:

His Writ of Summons.

"George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. To Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor John Earl Granville, Greeting. Whereas, by reason of certain arduous and urgent Affairs, concerning Us, and the State and Defence of Our Kingdom of Great Britain and of the Church, We did lately, with the Advice and Consent of Our Council, ordain Our present Parliament to be held at Our City of Westminster, on the Twenty-fifth Day of June, in the Fifteenth Year of Our Reign; which Parliament hath been from that Time, by several Adjournments and Prorogations, adjourned, prorogued, and continued, to and until the Twenty-seventh Day of this Instant November, at Our City aforesaid, to be then there held; We, strictly enjoining, command you, under the Faith and Allegiance by which you are bound to Us, that, considering the Difficulty of the said Affairs and Dangers impending, all Excuses being laid aside, you be personally present, at the said Day and Place, with Us, and with the Prelates, Nobles, and Peers, of Our said Kingdom, to treat of the aforesaid Affairs, and to give your Advice; and this you may in no wise omit, as you tender Us and Our Honour, and the Safety and Defence of the said Kingdom and Church, and the Dispatch of the said Affairs.

"Witness Ourself, at Westminster, the Seventeenth Day of November, in the Eighteenth Year of Our Reign.

"Bisse."

Which done; the said Earl, at the Table, took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes; and was afterwards seated in his due Place.

Select Vestries regulating, Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for the better regulating Select Vestries."

The King's Speech reported.

The Lord Chancellor reported His Majesty's Speech.

And the same being read by the Clerk:

Order for an Address:

Ordered, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, "To return Him the Thanks of this House, for His most Gracious Speech from the Throne.

"To express our great Concern for those Events which have fallen out, during the last Summer, to the Disadvantage of the common Cause, and our Zeal for preventing or removing the ill Effects of them.

"To declare our Sense of the firm and magnanimous Conduct of the Queen of Hungary and the King of Sardinia; and our Satisfaction in the Disappointment of the Enterprize formed against the latter, and for the Reduction of Italy, which must have been attended with fatal Consequences to the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdom.

"To acknowledge His Majesty's great Wisdom and Goodness, in declaring to His Parliament, that He is determined to carry on the War, in Conjunction with His Allies, and with their effectual Assistance, in such a Manner as may be most conducive to a safe and honourable Peace, and to procure the utmost Security to our Religion, Liberties, and Commerce.

"To thank His Majesty for using His Endeavours with His Allies, particularly The States General, to adjust the certain Proportions of Forces and Expence to be borne by the respective Confederates in this War.

"To give His Majesty the strongest Assurances of our firm Resolution, vigorously to support Him in these His salutary Views and Intentions, and in carrying on such Measures as it shall be necessary for Great Britain to pursue in this critical Conjuncture; and that this House will, at the Hazard of their Lives and Fortunes, stand by and defend His Majesty, His Royal Family and Government, against the destructive Designs of France, and of any other Power that shall attempt to attack or disturb them."

Then the Lords following were appointed a Committee, to draw an Address, pursuant to the said Order; and report to the House:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them; to meet immediately, in the Prince's Lodgings; and to adjourn as they please.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure; and the Committee withdrew, to prepare the Address.

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Duke of Devonshire reported from the said Committee, "That they had prepared an Address, pursuant to the foregoing Order."

And the same, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House; and is as follows; (videlicet,)

Address.

"Most Gracious Sovereign,

"We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg Leave to return Your Majesty our humble Thanks, for Your most Gracious Speech from the Throne.

"Our Zeal for Your Majesty, the Love of our Country, and our anxious Regard for the Welfare and Liberties of Europe, have made us look with the utmost Concern on those Events which have fallen out during the last Summer, to the Disadvantage of the common Cause; and our Surprize is no less, when we consider the Part which has been taken by some Powers, so contrary to their own true and essential Interest. The Necessity of taking proper Measures to prevent or remove the ill Effects of these Events is apparent; and no Endeavours shall be wanting in us to obviate them.

"We have seen, with the utmost Satisfaction, not only Your Majesty's Magnanimity and Zeal in the Prosecution of the just and necessary War wherein we are engaged, but also the Constancy and Firmness shewn by the Queen of Hungary and the King of Sardinia, under the greatest Difficulties. The Disappointment of an Enterprize formed for the Destruction of the latter, as well as for reducing Italy under the Dominion of the House of Bourbon, is of great Importance to this Nation; since, if such a Design had succeeded, it must have been attended with fatal Consequences to the Trade and Navigation of Your Majesty's Subjects in The Mediterranean.

"We acknowledge, with the greatest Thankfulness, Your Majesty's Wisdom and Goodness, in declaring to Your Parliament, That You are determined to carry on the War, in Conjunction with Your Allies, and with their effectual Assistance, in such a Manner as may be most conducive to a safe and honourable Peace. In making this desireable End Your sole Aim, Your Majesty shews a just Sense of true Glory, and a tender Regard, not only for Your own Subjects, but extended to the rest of Europe.

"As Your Majesty's Resolution, never to abandon Your Allies, must be an additional Encouragement to them strictly to perform their Engagements with Your Majesty; so Your paternal Care, to procure the utmost Security to the Religion, Liberties, and Commerce of Your Kingdoms, cannot fail to excite, in the Hearts of all Your faithful Subjects, the warmest Affection and Duty to Your Sacred Person, and Zeal for Your Defence and Support.

"It is with real Satisfaction we receive Your Majesty's Declaration, that You are actually endeavouring with Your Allies, particularly The States General of the United Provinces, the ancient and natural Friends of this Nation, to adjust the Proportions of Forces and Expence to be borne by each of the Confederates in the War. Such a Concert will be the Basis of great Utility and Advantage to the common Cause.

"We are truly sensible of Your Majesty's Goodness, in laying before us these Your salutary Views and Intentions; and we do, with the greatest Zeal and Firmness, assure Your Majesty, that we are fully determined to support You in the steady Prosecution of them, and in carrying on such Measures as it shall be necessary for Great Britain to pursue in this critical Conjuncture.

"May the Divine Providence prosper Your Majesty's Counsels and Arms with Success, equal to the Justice of Your Cause! For our Part, we beg Leave to give Your Majesty the strongest Assurances, that we have the Honour and Safety of Your Majesty, the Security and true Interest of Your Kingdoms, and the happy Issue of this just and necessary War, entirely at Heart; and will, at the Hazard of our Lives and Fortunes, stand by and defend Your Majesty, Your Royal Family and Government, against the ambitious and destructive Designs of France, and of any other Power that shall attempt to attack or disturb them."

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to His Majesty by the whole House.

Ordered, That the Lords with White Staves do wait on His Majesty, humbly to know when He will be pleased to be attended therewith.

Committee Privileges.

Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Orders and Customs of the House, and the Privileges of Parliament, and of the Peers of Great Britain, and Lords of Parliament.

Their Lordships, or any Seven of them; to meet on Monday next, at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon, in the House of Peers, and every Monday after; and to adjourn as they please.

Committee for the Journal.

Lords Sub-committees appointed to consider of the Orders of the House, and the Privileges of the Peers of Great Britain and Lords of Parliament, and to peruse and perfect the Journal of this and the last Session of Parliament.

Their Lordships, or any Three of them; to meet when, where, and as often as, they please.

Stoppages in the Streets, Order to prevent:

The House taking Notice, "That there is such an Interruption, by Hackney Coaches, Carts, and Drays, in the Streets and Passages between Charing Cross and The Old Palace Yard in Westminster, that the Lords and others are frequently hindered from coming to this House, to the great Inconveniency of the Members of both Houses:"

It is thereupon Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the High Steward of the City of Westminster, or his Deputy, together with the Justices of the Peace for the said City, shall, by their Care and Directions to the Constables and other Officers within the said Limits, take special Order, that no empty Hackney Coaches be suffered to make any Stay, between Whitehall and The Old Palace Yard in Westminster, from Eleven of the Clock in the Forenoon until Five of the Clock in the Afternoon of the same Day, during the Sitting of this Parliament; and that no Carriages, Drays, or Carts, be permitted to pass through the said Streets and Passages, between Charing Cross and The Old Palace Yard, between the Hours aforesaid, during the Sitting of this Parliament; and herein special Care is to be taken, by the said Deputy Steward, Justices of the Peace, Constables, and all other Officers herein concerned, as the contrary will be answered to this House: And it is further Ordered, That the High Bailiff of the City of Westminster, and the Justices of the Peace for the City and Liberty thereof, or some of them, residing in Westminster, be served with the Order of this House, made this Day, for the Purposes aforesaid.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, vicesimum octavum diem instantis Novembris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Mercurii, 28^o Novembris.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

The King to be attended with the Address.

The Lord Steward acquainted the House, "That the Lords with White Staves had (according to Order) waited on His Majesty, humbly to know when He would be pleased to be attended with their Lordships Address; and that His Majesty had been pleased to appoint this Day, at Two o'Clock, at His Palace of St. James's."

Causes to be heard.

Ordered, That the Cause wherein Thomas Watson Writer to the Signet, as Trustee for George Hamilton, and others are Appellants, and Thomas Glass and others Respondents, be heard, by Counsel, at the Bar of this House, on this Day Sev'nnight, at Eleven of the Clock; and that the other Causes, appointed for hearing the last Session of Parliament, do come on to be heard on the Cause days next following in Course.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Martis, quartum diem Decembris jam prox sequen. hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.