House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 22 November 1695

Parliamentum incept. & ten. apud Civitat. Westmonast. Die Veneris, 22 Die Novembr. Anno Regni Gulielmi Tertii, Dei Gratia, Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ, Regis, Fidei Defensor. &c. Septimo; Annoque Domini 1695.

Parliament meets.

On which Day, being the First Day of the Meeting of this Parliament, about Ten of the Clock, the Right Noble the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Steward of his Majesty's Houshold, came into the Room adjoining to the 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 the Regin of his now Majesty and the late Queen Mary, 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. Jodrell, 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 Fleetwood Shepherd, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod:

Gentlemen,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend him immediately in the House of Peers.

And, accordingly, the House went up to attend His Majesty: Who was pleased, by the Right Honourable Sir John Somers, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, 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;

Paul Foley, Esq. chosen Speaker.

Mr. Secretary Trumball humbly moved, That Paul Foley Esquire might be Speaker; he being a Person of known Ability and Experience, and every way qualified to discharge that Trust:

And being seconded by the Earl of Ranelagh therein;

Mr. Foley was unanimously called upon, and conducted to the Chair by the Right Honourable Sir Henry Goodrick, and others: Where he acknowledged the great Honour done him, in calling him a Second time to that Chair; and returned his humble Thanks for the same; but withal desired, The House would please to excuse him, and proceed to name some other more able to serve them: Which the House would not do.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Nine a Clock.

Lord Steward's Deputation.

WILLIAM Duke of Devonshire, Steward of his Majesty's 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, have constituted, named, and appointed, and by these Presents do constitute, name, and appoint, Cha. Lord Marquis of Winchester, Wm. Lord Paulet, Charles Mountague, John Smith, Goodwin Wharton, Anth. Lord Ashly, John Gray, John Granvile, Paul Foley, Sir Harry Hobart, Sir Tho. Mompesson, Sir Edw. Abney, Andrew Newport, Rob. Harly, Matthew Harvey, Tho. Foley junior, John Dutton Colt, James Morgan, Sir Matth. Andrewes, Tho. Lewes, Rob. Henley, Sam. Travers, Sir Tho. Day, Sir Sam. Bernadiston, Wm. Coward Serjeant at Law, Cha. Lord Spencer, Philip Sidney, Edw. Clarke, Tho. Done, Robert Moncton, Mountagu Drake, Henneag Mountague, Chr. Mountague, Esquire, Sir Hen. Goodrick, or any Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, or One of them, my Deputies, and Deputy, in my place and stead, to tender and administer the Oaths mentioned in the Statute, made in the First Year of the Reign of his now Majesty and the late Queen Mary, 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, at Westminster this Two-and-twentieth of November; and to take and receive the Oaths of every the said Person and Persons, which is, or shall be, elected or appointed Knight, Citizen, Burgess, or Baron of any of the said Five Ports, as aforesaid, for the said Parliament begun and holden on this Two-andtwentieth of November aforesaid; giving them, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, or 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 been personally present, and done the same: In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal. Given under my Hand and Seal, this Two-and-twentieth Day of November, in the Seventh Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord William the Third, by the Grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Annoq. Domini 1695.

Devonshire. (L. S.)