The second parliament of Charles II: An intermediate session - begins 25/7/1667

An Intermediate Session.

A Prorogation.

In obedience to the King's Proclamation, but contrary to usual Custom, the Parliament met on the 25th of July, making a sort of an intermediate Session, and of a very short Continuance. The Commons immediately enter'd upon the Debate of the new-rais'd Army, which they resolv'd to break as soon as might be, and spoke so clearly and freely in that matter, that the Court resolv'd to give them some little Interruption, either to mollify the warmest Opposers, or to make way for new Measures. For this end a Message was sent from the Chancellor to the Speaker of the Commons, 'to let them know, That his Majesty, conceiving the House might not be full at their first Meeting, he had deferr'd his coming to acquaint them with what he had to say, till Monday the 29th of this Month; and that the House should be adjourn'd till that Day.' But before the Message came to them, they had pass'd a Resolution, 'That his Majesty should be humbly desired, that, as soon as the Peace was concluded, the new-rais'd Forces might be disbanded. Upon the appointed Day, his Majesty came to the House of Peers with the usual Ceremonies, where he made a short Speech to the two Houses, 'excusing the Trouble of extraordinary Attendance, and telling them the Occasions of their Meeting were now less urgent; and therefore he could again dismiss them to the day formerly prefix'd, and should take an Oportunity, in the mean while, to do some things, which he hoped would not be unwelcome to them:' And accordingly he prorogu'd them to the 10th of October.'