House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 19 October 1689

Sabbati, 19 die Octobris; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

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 immediately, in the House of Peers.

Accordingly Mr. Speaker, and the House, went to attend his Majesty: And, being returned,

The King's Speech.

Mr. Speaker acquaints the House, That his Majesty was pleased to make a Speech; and that he had obtained a Copy thereof: Which he read in the Chair; and is as followeth:

My Lords and Gentlemen,

THOUGH the last Sitting continued so long, that, perhaps, it might have been more agreeable to you, in relation to your private Concerns, not to have met again so soon; yet, the Interest of the Publick lays an indispensible Obligation upon Me, to call you together at this time. In your last Meeting, you gave Me so many Testimonies of your Affection, as well as Confidence in Me, that I do not . . all question, but in this I shall receive fresh Proofs of both.

I esteem it one of the greatest Misfortunes can befall Me, that, in the Beginning of My Reign, I am forced to ask such large Supplies: Though I have this Satisfaction, that they are desired for no other Purposes but the carrying on those Wars, into which I entered with your Advice, and Assurance of your Assistance: Nor can I doubt of the Blessing of God upon an Undertaking, wherein I did not engage out of a vain Ambition, but from the Necessity of opposing those, who have so visibly discovered their Designs of destroying our Religion and Liberties.

It is well known, how far I have exposed Myself, to rescue this Nation from the Dangers that threatened, not only your Liberty, but the Protestant Religion in general; of which the Church of England is one of the greatest Supports; and for the Defence whereof I am ready again to venture My Life.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

That which I have to ask of you at present, is, That . . . . you think fit to give towards the Charges of the War, for this next Year, may be done without Delay: And there is one Reason, which more particularly obliges Me to press you to a speedy Determination in this Matter; because, this next Month, there is appointed, at the Hague, a General Meeting of the Ministers of all the Princes and States concerned in this War against France, in order to concert the Measures for the next Campaign: And, till I know your Intentions, I shall not only be uncertain Myself, what Resolutions to take; but our Allies will be under the same Doubts, unless they see Me supported by your Assistance: Besides, If I know not in time, what you will do, I cannot make such Provisions as will be requisite; but shall be exposed to the same Inconveniencies the next Year, which are the Cause, that the Preparations for This were neither so effectual, nor expeditious, as was necessary. The Charge will, also, be considerably lessened by giving time to provide Things in their proper Season, and without Confusion. I have no other Aim in This, but to be in a Condition to attack our Enemies in so vigorous a Manner, as, by the Help of God, in a little time, may bring us to a lasting and honourable Peace; by which My Subjects may be freed from the extraordinary Expences of a lingering War: And, that I can have no greater Satisfaction, than in contributing to their Ease, I hope I have already given Proof. That you may be satisfied how the Money has been laid out, which you have already given, I have directed the Accounts to be laid before you, when you think fit to call for them.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I have one Thing more to recommend to you; which is, the Dispatch of a Bill of Indemnity; that the Minds of My good Subjects being quieted, we may all unanimously concur to promote the Welfare and Honour of the Kingdom.

Thanks for Speech.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That the humble Thanks of this House be returned to his Majesty, by such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, and Mr. Leveson Gower, for his gracious Speech this Day to both Houses.

Lancaster Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do grant his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to issue out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Lancaster, in the room of Curwin Rawlinson, Esquire, deceased.

Members take Oaths.

Several Members returned, took the Oaths, repeated and subscribed the Declaration, according to the Statutes for that Purpose.

The House invited to dine with the Lord Mayor.

The House being informed, that the Sheriffs of the City of London were at the Door, desiring to speak with them;

They were called in: And, being come in to the Bar, they said, That the Lord Mayor, and Citizens of the City of London, do humbly pray, that The House will do them the Honour to dine with them on the Lord Mayor's Day, being Tuesday-come-sevennight.

And then they withdrew.

Resolved, That the Sheriffs of the City of London be called in; and acquainted, That the House doth accept of their Invitation, and gives them Thanks for it.

And then they came in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them with the said Resolution; and gave them the Thanks of the House accordingly.

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