Journal of the House of Lords Volume 38, 1787-1790. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1767-1830.
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'House of Lords Journal Volume 38: November 1787 27', in Journal of the House of Lords Volume 38, 1787-1790( London, 1767-1830), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol38/pp3-7 [accessed 22 December 2024].
'House of Lords Journal Volume 38: November 1787 27', in Journal of the House of Lords Volume 38, 1787-1790( London, 1767-1830), British History Online, accessed December 22, 2024, https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol38/pp3-7.
"House of Lords Journal Volume 38: November 1787 27". Journal of the House of Lords Volume 38, 1787-1790. (London, 1767-1830), , British History Online. Web. 22 December 2024. https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol38/pp3-7.
In this section
November 1787 27
JOURNALS OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
Anno 28o Georgii Tertii.
DIE Martis, 27o Novembris 1787.
DIE Martis, 27o Novembris 1787, Annoque Regni Serenissimi Domini Nostri Georgii Tertii, Dei Gratiâ, Magnæ Britanniæ, Franciæ, & Hiberniæ Regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c. Vicesimo Octavo, in quem Diem hæc Quinta Sessio Parliamenti, per separalia Adjournamenta et Prorogationes, continuata fuerat, in Superiori Domo Parliamenti Magnæ Britanniæ apud Westmonaster, convenere Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales, quorum Nomina subscribuntur, & præsentes fuerunt:
REX.
Georgius Princeps Walliæ.
PRAYERS.
The House was adjourned during Pleasure to robe.
The House was resumed.
D. York introduced.
His Royal Highness Frederick Bishop of Osnabruck being by Letters Patent, dated the 29th of November 1785, in the 25th Year of His present Majesty, created Duke of York and of Albany, was this Day in his Robes introduced, being preceded by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter King at Arms, the Earl Marshal of England, and the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain of England, and attended by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, the Lord Steward, and the Duke of Richmond, (also in their Robes,) His Royal Highness standing, presented his Letters Patent to the Lord Chancellor at the Woolsack, who delivered them to the Clerk; and the same were read at the Table; his Writ of Summons was also read as follows; (videlicet)
George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth: To Our most dearly beloved Son Frederick Bishop of Osnabruck, Duke of York and of Albany, Greeting: Whereas by reason of certain arduous and urgent Affairs concerning Us, the State and Defence of Our Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Church, We did lately, with the Advice and Consent of Our Council, ordain Our present Parliament to be holden at Our City of Westminster, on the Eighteenth Day of May last past, which Parliament hath been from that Time, by several Adjournments and Prorogations, adjourned, prorogued, and continued, to and until the Second Day of December now next coming, at Our City aforesaid, to be then there held: We strictly enjoining command you, under the Faith and Allegiance by which you are bound to Us, that considering the Difficulty of the said Affairs and Dangers impending, all Excuses being laid aside, you be personally present at the said Day and Place with Us and with the Prelates, Nobles, and Peers of Our said Kingdom, to treat of the aforesaid Affairs, and to give your Advice; and this you may in nowise omit, as you tender Us and Our Honour, and the Safety and Defence of the said Kingdom, and Church, and the Dispatch of the said Affairs.
Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Twenty-ninth Day of November in the Twenty-fifth Year of Our Reign.
"Yorke."
Then His Royal Highness was placed in the Chair on the Left Hand of the Chair of State on the Throne.
King present:
His Majesty being seated on the Throne, adorned with His Crown and Regal Ornaments, and attended by His Officers of State, (the Lords being in their Robes,) commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, to let the Commons know, "It is His Majesty's Pleasure they attend Him immediately in this House."
Who being come with their Speaker;
His Majesty was pleased to say,
His Majesty's Speech.
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
At the Close of the last Session I informed you of the Concern with which I observed the Disputes unhappily subsisting in the Republic of the United Provinces.
Their Situation soon afterwards became more critical and alarming; and the Danger which threatened their Constitution and Independence, seemed likely in its Consequences to affect the Security and Interests of My Dominions.
No Endeavours were wanting on My Part to contribute by My good Offices to the Restoration of Tranquillity, and the Maintenance of the lawful Government; and I also thought it necessary to explain My Intention of counteracting all forcible Interference on the Part of France, in the internal Affairs of the Republic: Under these Circumstances, the King of Prussia having taken Measures to enforce his Demand of Satisfaction for the Insult offered to the Princess of Orange, the Party which had usurped the Government of Holland applied to the Most Christian King for Assistance, who notified to Me His Intention of granting their Request.
In Conformity to the Principles which I had before explained, I did not hesitate, on receiving this Notification, to declare that I could not remain a quiet Spectator of the armed Interference of France, and I gave immediate Orders for augmenting My Forces both by Sea and Land.
In the Course of these Transactions I also thought proper to conclude a Treaty with the Landgrave of Hesse Cassell, by which I secured the Assistance of a considerable Body of Troops in case My Service should require it.
In the mean Time, the rapid Success of the Prussian Troops under the Conduct of the Duke of Brunswick, while it was the Means of obtaining the Reparation demanded by the King of Prussia, enabled the Provinces to deliver themselves from the Oppression under which they laboured, and to re-establish their lawful Government.
All Subjects of Contest being thus removed, an amicable Explanation took place between Me and the Most Christian King, and Declarations have been exchanged by Our respective Ministers, by which We have agreed mutually to disarm, and to place Our Naval Establishments on the same Footing as in the Beginning of the present Year.
It gives Me the greatest Satisfaction that the important Events which I have communicated to you have taken place without disturbing My Subjects in the Enjoyment of the Blessings of Peace, and I have great Pleasure in acquainting you, that I continue to receive from all Foreign Powers the fullest Assurances of their pacific and friendly Disposition towards this Country. I must at the same Time regret, that the Tranquillity of one Part of Europe is unhappily interrupted by the War which has broken out between Russia and the Porte.
A Convention has been agreed upon between Me and the Most Christian King, explanatory of the 13th Article of the last Treaty of Peace, and calculated to prevent Jealousies and Disputes between Our respective Subjects in the East Indies. I have ordered Copies of the several Treaties to which I have referred, and of the Declaration and Counter Declaration exchanged at Versailles to be laid before you.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
I have ordered the Estimates for the ensuing Year to be laid before you, together with an Account of the extraordinary Expences which the Situation of Affairs rendered necessary.
I have the fullest Reliance in your Zeal and Public Spirit, that you will make due Provision for the several Branches of the Public Service.
I am always desirous of confining those Expences within the narrowest Limits, which a prudent Regard to the public Safety will permit; but I must at the same Time recommend to your particular Attention, to consider of the proper Means for maintaining My distant Possessions in an adequate Posture of Defence.
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
The flourishing State of the Commerce and Revenues of this Country cannot fail to encourage you in the Pursuit of such Measures as may confirm and improve so favourable a Situation.
These Circumstances must also render you peculiarly anxious for the Continuation of public Tranquillity which it is My constant Object to preserve.
"I am at the same Time persuaded you will agree with Me in thinking, that nothing can more effectually tend to secure so invaluable a Blessing than the Zeal and Unanimity which were shewn by all Ranks of My Subjects on the late Occasion, and which manifest their Readiness to exert themselves, whenever the Honour of My Crown, and the Interests of My Dominions may require it."
Then His Majesty was pleased to retire;
And the Commons withdrew.
The House was adjourned during Pleasure to unrobe.
The House was resumed.
Bill pro formâ read.
Hodie 1a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for better regulating Select Vestries."
D. York takes the Oaths.
His Royal Highness the Duke of York and Albany came to the Table, and took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration; and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.
L. Heathfield introduced:
Sir George Augustus Eliott of Gibraltar, being by Letters Patent, bearing Date the 6th Day of July 1787, in the 27th Year of His present Majesty, created Baron Heathfield, was (in his Robes) introduced between the Lord Southampton and the Lord Rodney, (also in their Robes,) the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter King at Arms, the Earl Marshal, and the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain preceding; his Lordship on his Knee presented his Patent to the Lord Chancellor at the Woolsack, who delivered it to the Clerk; and the same was read at the Table; his Writ of Summons was also read as follows; (videlicet)
George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth: To Our right trusty and wellbeloved Counsellor George Augustus Eliott of Gibraltar, Chevalier, Greeting: Whereas by reason of certain arduous and urgent Affairs concerning Us, the State and Defence of Our Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Church, We did lately, with the Advice and Consent of Our Council, ordain Our present Parliament to be holden at Our City of Westminster, on the Eighteenth Day of May, in the Twenty-fourth Year of Our Reign; which Parliament hath been from that Time, by several Adjournments and Prorogations adjourned, prorogued, and continued to and until the Thirty-first Day of July now next coming at Our City aforesaid, to be then there held: We strictly enjoining command you, under the Faith and Allegiance by which you are bound to Us, that considering the Difficulty of the said Affairs and Dangers impending, all Excuses being laid aside, you be personally present at the said Day and Place with Us, and with the Prelates, Nobles, and Peers of Our said Kingdom, to treat of the aforesaid Affairs, and to give your Advice; and this you may in nowise omit, as you tender Us and Our Honour, and the Safety and Defence of the said Kingdom, and Church, and the Dispatch of the said Affairs.
Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Sixth Day of July, in the Twenty-seventh Year of Our Reign.
"Yorke."
Then his Lordship took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration; and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes; and was afterwards placed on the lower End of the Barons Bench.
Pedigree delivered.
Garter King at Arms delivered in at the Table his Lordship's Pedigree, pursuant to the Standing Order.
D. Gloucester takes the Oaths.
This Day his Royal Highness William Henry Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration; and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.
M Townshend introduced:
George Viscount Townshend being by Letters Patent, bearing Date the 31st Day of October 1787, in the 28th Year of His present Majesty, created Marquis Townshend, was (in his Robes) introduced between the Marquis of Buckingham and the Marquis of Lansdown, (also in their Robes,) the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter King at Arms, the Earl Marshal, and the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain preceding; his Lordship on his Knee presented his Patent to the Lord Chancellor at the Woolsack, who delivered it to the Clerk; and the same was read at the Table; his Writ of Summons was also read as follows; (videlicet)
George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth: To Our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor George Marquis Townshend, Greeting: Whereas by reason of certain arduous and urgent Affairs concerning Us, the State and Defence of Our Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Church, We did lately, with the Advice and Consent of Our Council, ordain Our present Parliament to be holden at Our City of Westminster on the Eighteenth Day of May, in the Twenty-fourth Year of Our Reign; which Parliament hath been from that Time, by several Adjournments and Prorogations adjourned, prorogued, and continued, to and until Thursday the Fifteenth Day of November next, at Our City aforesaid, to be then there held: We strictly enjoining command you, under the Faith and Allegiance by which you are bound to Us, that considering the Difficulty of the said Affairs and Dangers impending, all Excuses being laid aside, you be personally present at the said Day and Place with Us, and with the Prelates, Nobles, and Peers of Our said Kingdom, to treat of the aforesaid Affairs, and to give your Advice; and this you may in nowise omit as you tender Us and Our Honour, and the Safety and Defence of the said Kingdom, and Church, and the Dispatch of the said Affairs.
Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Thirty-first Day of October, in the Twenty-eighth Year of Our Reign.
"Yorke."
Then his Lordship took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration; and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes; and was afterwards placed on the upper End of the Earls Bench.
Pedigree delivered.
Garter King at Arms delivered in at the Table his Lordship's Pedigree, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Bp. Carlisle takes the Oaths.
This Day John Bishop of Carlisle took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration; and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.
His Majesty's Speech reported:
The Lord Chancellor reported His Majesty's Speech; and the same being read by the Clerk:
Order of Address thereon.
Ordered, Nemine Dissentiente, That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty,
To return His Majesty our Thanks for His most Gracious Speech from the Throne.
To acknowledge with heartfelt Gratitude His Majesty's constant Regard to the Interests of His People, which could not be more fully manifested than by His Attention to the Disputes lately subsisting in the Republic of the United Provinces.
That the Danger with which their Constitution and Independence were threatened, could not but affect in its probable Consequences the Security and Interests of His Majesty's Kingdoms.
Humbly to express our highest Approbation of His Majesty's just and wise Determination to counteract all forcible Interference on the Part of France in the internal Affairs of the Republic; and to acknowledge in the fullest Manner the Propriety and Necessity of the Declaration made by His Majesty in Conformity to these Principles, when the Intention of the Most Christian King to assist the Party which had usurped the Government of Holland was notified to His Majesty; and heartily to applaud the wise and vigorous Steps taken by His Majesty for the Augmentation of His Forces by Sea and Land; Measures which while they prepared the Country for any Emergency which might arise, were the most likely to prolong the Blessings of Peace.
That we learn with particular Satisfaction the rapid Success of the Prussian Troops under the auspicious Conduct of his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick, which has obtained for his Prussian Majesty the just Reparation which he demanded, and enabled the Provinces to deliver themselves from the Oppression under which they laboured, as well as to re-establish their antient and lawful Government.
That the important Events which have taken place without disturbing His Majesty's Subjects in the Enjoyment of the Blessings of Peace, afford Matter of cordial Congratulation to His Majesty; and that we are happy to see His Majesty enabled to enter into an Agreement with the Most Christian King for disarming and placing the Naval Establishments of the Two Countries upon the same Footing as in the Beginning of the present Year.
To return our humble Thanks to His Majesty for ordering the several Treaties and Conventions to be laid before this House; and to assure Him that we shall see with Satisfaction any Arrangement calculated to prevent Jealousies and Disputes between His Majesty's Subjects and those of the Most Christian King in the East Indies.
That His Majesty may depend upon our Concurrence in such Measures as it may seem expedient to adopt in consequence of the other Engagements entered into by His Majesty, as well as such as may be necessary for placing His Majesty's distant Possessions in an adequate Posture of Defence.
That the flourishing State of the Commerce and Revenues afford us the highest Satisfaction, and cannot fail to stimulate us to use our utmost Endeavours to confirm and improve such important Advantages, as well as to concur with His Majesty's paternal Wishes for the Continuation of the Public Tranquillity.
That we lament that Hostilities should have broken out in any Part of Europe; but that we receive with Satisfaction the Information that His Majesty continues to be assured of the pacific Disposition of all Foreign Powers towards this Country.
"That we reflect with Pleasure on the Zeal and Unanimity shewn by all Ranks of His Majesty's Subjects on the late Occasion, as it must give more Weight to the Assurances we now humbly offer to His Majesty, that with every Wish to cultivate the Blessings of Peace, we shall be always ready to exert ourselves to the utmost when the Honour of His Majesty's Crown and the Interests of His People may require it."
Then the Lords following were appointed a Committee to prepare an Address, pursuant to the said Order; (videlicet)
Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet immediately in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.
The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Committee withdrew to prepare the Address.
After some Time, the House was resumed:
Address reported and agreed to.
And the Earl of Harrington reported from the Committee an Address drawn by them as follows; (videlicet)
Most Gracious Sovereign,
We Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, beg Leave to return Your Majesty our humble Thanks for Your most gracious Speech from the Throne.
We acknowledge with heartfelt Gratitude Your Majesty's constant Regard to the Interests of Your People, which could not be more fully manifested than by Your Attention to the Disputes lately subsisting in the Republic of the United Provinces.
The Danger with which their Constitution and Independence were threatened, could not but affect in its probable Consequences the Security and Interests of Your Majesty's Kingdoms.
We beg Leave, therefore, humbly to express our highest Approbation of Your Majesty's just and wise Determination to counteract all forcible Interference on the Part of France in the internal Affairs of the Republic; and we acknowledge in the fullest Manner the Propriety and Necessity of the Declaration made by Your Majesty in Conformity to these Principles, when the Intention of the Most Christian King, to assist the Party which had usurped the Government of Holland was notified to Your Majesty; and we cannot but heartily applaud the wise and vigorous Steps taken by Your Majesty for the Augmentation of Your Forces by Sea and Land; Measures, which while they prepared the Country for any Emergency which might arise, were the most likely to prolong the Blessings of Peace.
We learn with particular Satisfaction the rapid Success of the Prussian Troops under the auspicious Conduct of His Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick, which has obtained for his Prussian Majesty the just Reparation which he demanded, and enabled the Provinces to deliver themselves from the Oppression under which they laboured, as well as to re-establish their antient and lawful Government.
The important Events which have taken place without disturbing Your Majesty's Subjects in the Enjoyment of the Blessings of Peace, afford Matter of cordial Congratulation to Your Majesty, and we are happy to see Your Majesty enabled to enter into an Agreement with the Most Christian King, for disarming and placing the Naval Establishments of the Two Countries upon the same Footing as in the Beginning of the present Year.
We beg Leave to return our humble Thanks to Your Majesty for ordering the several Treaties and Conventions to be laid before this House, and to assure Your Majesty, that we shall see with Satisfaction any Arrangement calculated to prevent Jealousies and Disputes between Your Majesty's Subjects and those of the Most Christian King in the East Indies.
Your Majesty may depend upon our Concurrence in such Measures as it may seem expedient to adopt in consequence of the other Engagements entered into by Your Majesty, as well as such as may be necessary for placing Your Majesty's distant Possessions in an adequate Posture of Defence.
The flourishing State of the Commerce and Revenues afford us the highest Satisfaction, and cannot fail to stimulate us to use our utmost Endeavours to confirm and improve such important Advantages, as well as to concur with Your Majesty's paternal Wishes for the Continuation of the Public Tranquillity. We lament that Hostilities should have broken out in any Part of Europe; but we receive with Satisfaction the Information that Your Majesty continues to be assured of the pacific Disposition of all Foreign Powers towards this Country.
"We reflect with Pleasure on the Zeal and Unanimity shewn by all Ranks of Your Majesty's Subjects on the late Occasion, as it must give more Weight to the Assurances we now humbly offer to Your Majesty, that with every Wish to cultivate the Blessings of Peace, we shall be always ready to exert ourselves to the utmost, when the Honour of Your Majesty's Crown and the Interests of Your People may require it."
Which Address, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House.
Ordered, That the said Address be presented to His Majesty by the whole House.
Ordered, That the Lords with White Staves do wait on His Majesty, humbly to know what Time His Majesty will please to appoint to be attended therewith.
Committee of Privileges appointed.
Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Orders and Customs of this House and Privileges of Parliament, and of the Peers of Great Britain, and Lords of Parliament:
Their Lordships, or any Seven of them, to meet on Monday next, at Ten o'Clock, in the House of Peers, and every Monday after; and to adjourn as they please.
Committee for the Journals.
Lords Sub-Committees appointed to consider of the Orders and Customs of this House, and of the Privileges of the Peers of Great Britain and Lords of Parliament; and to peruse and perfect the Journals of this and former Sessions of Parliament:
Their Lordships, or any Three of them, to meet when, where, and as often as they please.
Stoppages in the Streets, Order to prevent.
The House taking Notice, "That there is such an Interruption by Hackney Coaches, Carts and Drays, in the Streets and Passages leading to this House, that the Lords and others are frequently hindered from coming thereto:"
It is thereupon Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the High Steward of the City of Westminster, or his Deputy, together with the Justices of the Peace of the said City, shall, by their strict Care and Directions to the Constables and other Officers within their Jurisdiction, take special Order, That no empty Hackney Coaches be suffered to make any Stay between Whitehall and the End of Abingdon Street in Westminster, from Twelve of the Clock at Noon until Five of the Clock in the Afternoon of the same Day, during the Sitting of this Parliament; and that no Carriages, Drays or Carts be permitted to stop in the Streets and Passages between the End of Market Lane in Pall Mall, and the End of Abingdon Street, between the Hours aforesaid; or to pass through the Old Palace Yard from One of the Clock in the Afternoon, until One Hour after the Rising of this House, during the Sitting of this Parliament; and that all Carriages, Drays or Carts hereby permitted to pass through the said Streets and Passages, be obliged to go one after another, in the Manner following; (that is to say,) All Carriages, Drays, or Carts, going towards Westminster, to keep on the Side of the Street or Passage next to Saint James's Park; and all those going the contrary Way, to keep on the other Side of the Street; and upon no Account whatsoever to presume to go Two or more a-breast, during the Sitting of this Parliament; and herein special Care is to be taken by the said Deputy Steward, Justices of the Peace, Constables, and all other Officers herein concerned, as the contrary will be answered to this House: And it is further Ordered, That the High Bailiff of the City of Westminster; and the Justices of the Peace for the City and Liberty thereof, or some of them residing in Westminster, be served with the Order of this House made this Day, for the Purposes aforesaid.
Adjourn.
Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, vicesimum octavum instantis Novembris, horâ undecimâ Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.