House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 20 March 1690

Die Jovis, 20 Die Martii

Parliamentum inceptum & tentum apud Civitatem Westmonaster', Die Jovis, 20 Die Martii, Anno Regni Regis & Reginæ Gulielmi & Mariæ, Dei Gratia, Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Fidei Defenforum, Secundo; Annoque Domini 1689.

Parliament meets.

ON which Day, being the First Day of the Meeting of this Parliament, about Ten of the Clock, the Right honourable William Earl of Devonshire, Lord Steward of their Majesties Household, came into the Inner Court of Wards: And the Clerk of the Crown presenting a List of such Members as were returned to serve in this present Parliament; and the Clerk of the House of Commons attending, according to the Duty of his Place; the Lord Steward did himself, in Person, administer the Oaths appointed by the Statute made in the First Year of their now Majesties Reign, intituled, An Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes concerning the Assembling and Sitting of this present Parliament, to several of the Members of the House of Commons; and afterwards made a Commission, or Deputation, under his Hand and Seal, to several of those so sworn, to administer the Oaths to the rest of the Members of the House of Commons: And then departed. And the Members, which were so commissionated, divided themselves into several Places, being attended by Mr. Joddrell, the Clerk of the House of Commons, and Mr. Needler, the Clerk Assistant, and other Clerks assigned for that Service; and, according to the Power given them by the said Commission, did administer the Oaths to all other Members who then appeared: Which being done, the Members repaired to their Seats in the House of Commons: After which,

Message to attend the King.

A Message was delivered from the King, by Sir Tho. Duppa, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod; viz.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

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

Sir J. Trevor chosen Speaker.

And accordingly the House went up to attend his Majesty; who, was pleased by the Right honourable Sir Robert Atkins, Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, Speaker of the House of Lords, to command the Commons to return to their House, and choose their Speaker; and present him to his Majesty To-morrow Morning.

And the House being returned;

Sir John Lowther, Vice Chamberlain to his Majesty, humbly proposed to the House, That he conceived Sir John Trevor, both for his great Experience in Parliamentary Affairs, and Knowledge in the Laws, was every way qualified for that Employment: And accordingly he was, upon the Question put, allowed of, and chosen for the Speaker; and immediately conducted to the Chair by Sir John Lowther and Sir Henry Goodrick: Where he acknowledged the great Honour the House had done him; withal saying, That he feared they had done themselves a great Prejudice in making Choice of him; and therefore he desired their Leave to disable himself before the Royal Throne, that they might thereby have Opportunity of making a better Choice.

Then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.

Lord Steward's Deputation.

WILLIAM Earl of Devonshire, Baron Cavendish of Hadwick, Great Steward of their Majesties Houshold, One of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, and Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter, To All to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting. Know ye, That I, the said Lord Steward, by virtue of my said Office of Lord Steward, have constituted, named, and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, name, and appoint, Rich. Earl of Ranelagh, Edw. Russell, Sir Scroop How, Sir John Trevor, Sir Jo. Ernly, Sir John Bolles, John Greenevile, John Beamont, Sir Bourchier Wray, Tho. Done, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Rich. Hampden, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Charles Duncomb, Sir Edw. Windham, John Dutton Colt, Esquire, Sir Orlando Gee, Chr. Musgrave, Sir Jo. Lowther, William Jepson, Tho. Lewes, Sir John Cotton, Phil. Bickerstaffe, Sir Tho. Fowle, or any Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, or One of them, my Deputies and Deputy, in my place and stead, to tender and minister the Oaths mentioned in the Statute made in the First Year of their now Majesties Reign, intituled, An Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes concerning the Assembling and Sitting of this present Parliament, according to the Direction of the said Statute, and of all and every other Statute and Statutes directing the taking the said Oaths before me, to all and every Person which is or shall be elected or appointed a Knight, Citizen, or Burgess, or Baron of any of the Five Ports, for the Parliament summoned to begin and to be holden this Twentieth Day of March Instant; and to take and receive the Oaths of every of the said Person and Persons, which is or shall be elected or appointed Knight, Citizen, Burgess or Baron for any of the said Five Ports as aforesaid, for the said Parliament, begun and holden on the said Twentieth Day of March aforesaid; giving them, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, and One of them, full Power and Authority to execute and perform the same; ratifying and confirming all and whatsoever my said Deputies, or any Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, or One of them, shall do and perform in this Behalf, in as ample, perfect, and full Manner, as if I myself had personally been present, and done the same. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal. Given the Twentieth Day of March, in the Second Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord and Lady William and Mary, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King and Queen, Defenders of the Faith, &c. Annoq. Dom. 16 89/90;.

Devonshire. L. S.