House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 21 December 1704

DIE Jovis, 21 Decembris.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

State of the Nation, with regard to Scotland.

The Earl of Sunderland reported from the Lords Committees (appointed to draw an Address to be presented to Her Majesty, upon the Heads agreed to the Sixteenth Instant, upon Consideration of the State of the Nation in reference to Scotland) the Address following.

Which was read, and agreed to by the House; (videlicet,)

Address for the Northern Garrisons to be repaired; the Militia in the Northern Counties to be disciplined; Forces to be sent there; and Papist &c. to be disarmed.

"We, Your Majesty's most loyal and obedient Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, having taken into our Consideration divers Acts of Parliament lately passed in Scotland, and duly weighed the many dangerous and pernicious Effects which are likely to follow from thence, as well in respect to the Trade as to the present and future Peace and Quiet of this Kingdom, have thought ourselves indispensably obliged, in Duty to Your Majesty and our Country, to proceed, in the most serious and deliberate Manner, to consider of the best Expedients for preventing and avoiding such great Evils.

"And as, in order to this End, we are with all Diligence preparing Bills, which, in due Time, being offered to Your Majesty, in a Parliamentary Way, for Your Royal Approbation, we hope may prove of good Effect; so we think ourselves at present bound to represent to Your Majesty, as our humble Opinion, That it is highly requisite, for the Safety of this Your Kingdom, that speedy and effectual Orders should be given, for putting the Town of Newcastle into a Condition of Defence, and for securing the Port of Tinmouth: as also for repairing and strengthening the Fortifications of Berwick, Carlisle, and Hull.

"We do likewise beseech Your Majesty, to cause the Militia of the Four Northern Counties to be disciplined, and to order the necessary Care to be taken for providing them with Arms and Ammunition, that they may be in a Readiness for Service upon Occasion: And we do further humbly advise Your Majesty, that a competent Number of Your Regular Troops may be ordered to be kept upon the Northern Borders of England, and in the North Parts of Ireland.

"We do also humbly offer to Your Majesty our Opinion, That, in the present Juncture of Affairs, it is requisite Your Majesty should be pleased to direct the Laws to be effectually put in Execution against all Papists, and reputed Papists, and all Persons refusing or neglecting to take the Oaths to Your Majesty, in respect to their Arms and Horses; and to order a particular Account of what is done, in Execution of Your Commands, to be laid before Your Majesty in Council, without Delay, to the End it may appear what Persons have done their Duty therein."

ORDERED, That the whole House do attend Her Majesty with the said Address.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lords with White Staves do attend Her Majesty, humbly to know what Time Her Majesty will please to appoint, for this House to attend Her Majesty, with their Address.

L. Howard Esc Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to vest the Estate of Charles Lord Howard, Baron of Escrick, in Trustees, to sell the same, for Payment of his Debts."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Richard Holford and Mr. Pitt:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Message from thence, to return Bowman's Nat. Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Francis Masham and others:

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for naturalizing of Henry Bowman;" and to acquaint this House, that they have agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Curtis versus Allen.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House will hear the Cause wherein Richard Curtis is Appellant, and Thomas Allen Respondent, on Wednesday the Tenth Day of January next, at Eleven a Clock.

Bridget versus Dibble.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House will hear the Errors argued, upon the Writ of Error wherein James Bridger is Plaintiff, and John Dibble Defendant, on Thursday the Eleventh Day of January next, at Eleven a Clock.

African Co. versus Gardiner, in Error.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House will hear the Errors argued, upon the Writ of Error wherein the Royal Affrican Company is Plaintiff, and William Gardiner Defendant, on Friday the Thirteenth Day of January next, at Eleven a Clock.

Gallery in the House to be taken down.

The House being moved, "That that Part of the Gallery which is now put up, may be pulled down:"

And Debate thereupon;

The Question was put, "Whether this House shall be now adjourned?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, vicesimum secundum diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.