House of Lords Journal Volume 14: 21 March 1690

Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 14, 1685-1691. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1767-1830.

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'House of Lords Journal Volume 14: 21 March 1690', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 14, 1685-1691, (London, 1767-1830) pp. 431-434. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol14/pp431-434 [accessed 16 April 2024]

In this section

DIE Veneris, 21 die Martii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

Dux Cumberland.
L. President.
Dux Norfolk.
Dux Somerset.
Dux South'ton.
Dux Grafton.
Dux Ormond.
Marq. Halyfax.
L. Steward.
L. Chamberlain.
Comes Oxon.
Comes Shrewsbury.
Comes Kent.
Comes Bedford.
Comes Pembrooke.
Comes Suffolke.
Comes North'ton.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Manchester.
Comes Mulgrave.
Comes Rivers.
Comes Stamford.
Comes Kingston.
Comes Carnarvon.
Comes Bath.
Comes Craven.
Comes Feversham.
Comes Macclesfeld.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Nottingham.
Comes Fauconberg.
Comes Monmouth.
Comes Marlborough.
Comes Torrington.
Vicecomes Newport.
Vicecomes Weymouth.
Vicecomes Sidney.
Vicecomes Lumley.		 Bp. London.
Bp. of Durham.
Bp. of Winton.
Bp. of Landaff.
Bp. of Rochester.
Bp. of Sarum.
Bp. of Chester.
Bp. of Worcester.
Bp. of Chichester.		 Ds. Delawar.
Ds. (fn. 1) Morley.
Ds. Grey & Ruthin.
Ds. Wharton.
Ds. Howard de Effin.
Ds. North.
Ds. Chandos.
Ds. Sidney.
Ds. Lovelace.
Ds. Maynard.
Ds. Coventry.
Ds. Herbert.
Ds. Jermyn.
Ds. Byron.
Ds. Clifford.
Ds. Lucas.
Ds. Granville.
Ds. Cornwallis.
Ds. Delamer.
Ds. Crewe.
Ds. Keveton.
Ds. Ossulston.
Ds. Godolphin.
Ds. Ashburnham.

PRAYERS.

Lords take the Oaths.

These Lords following took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, pursuant to the Statutes in that Behalf made:

George Duke of Cumberland.
Awbrey Earl of Oxon.
William Earl of Craven.
Lewis Earl of Feversham.
John Earl of Marlborough.
Arthur Earl of Torrington.
William Lord Bishop of Landaffe.
Thomas Lord Morley.
Charles Lord Cornwallis.
William Lord Byron.
Henry Lord Delamer.
Sidney Lord Godolphin.

Poor Laws, for making more effectual, Bill.

Hodie 1a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the better Explanation and making effectual the Statutes made for Relief of the Poor."

Committee of Privileges.

Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Customs and Orders of this House, and the Privileges of Parliament, and of the Peers of this Kingdom and Lords of Parliament.

Dux Cumberland.
L. President.
Dux Norfolke.
Dux Somerset.
Dux South'ton.
Dux Grafton.
Dux Ormond.
Marq. Halyfax.
L. Steward.
L. Chamberlain.
Comes Oxon.
Comes Shrewsbury.
Comes Kent.
Comes Bedford.
Comes Pembrook.
Comes Suffolk.
Comes North'ton.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Manchester.
Comes Mulgrave.
Comes Rivers.
Comes Stamford.
Comes Kingston.
Comes Carnarvon.
Comes Bath.
Comes Craven.
Comes Feversham.
Comes Macclesfeld.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Nottingham.
Comes Fauconberg.
Comes Monmouth.
Comes Marlborough.
Comes Torrington.
Vicecomes Newport.
Vicecomes Weymouth.
Vicecomes Sidney.
Vicecomes Lumley.		 L. Bp. of London.
L. Bp. of Durham.
L. Bp. of Landaffe.
L. Bp. of Rochester.
L. Bp. of Sarum.
L. Bp. of Chester.
L. Bp. of Worcester.
L. Bp. of Chichester.		 L. Delawar.
L. Morley.
L. Grey.
L. Wharton.
L. Howard Eff.
L. North.
L. Chandos.
L. Sidney.
L. Lovelace.
L. Maynard.
L. Coventry.
L. Herbert.
L. Jermyn.
L. (fn. 2) Byron.
L. Colepeper.
L. Clifford.
L. Lucas.
L. Granville.
L. Cornwallis.
L. Delamer.
L. Crewe.
L. Keveton.
L. Ossulston.
L. Godolphin.
L. Ashburnham.

Their Lordships, or any Seven of them; to meet on Monday next, at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House of Peers; and every Monday afterwards, at the said Time; and to adjourn as they please.

Committee for the Journal.

Lords Sub-committees appointed to consider of the Orders and Customs of the House, and Privileges of the Peers of this Kingdom and Lords of Parliament, and to peruse and perfect the Journal of the last Parliament, and also the Journal of this Parliament.

Dux Norfolke.
Comes Kent.
Comes Suffolk.
Comes Mulgrave.
Comes Rivers.
Comes Stamford.
Comes Kingston.
Comes Craven.
Comes Macclesfeld.
Comes Rochester.
Vicecomes Newport.
Vicecomes Weymouth.		 L. Bp. of Durham.
L. Bp. of Worcester.		 L. Grey of Ruthin.
L. Howard of Eff.
L. North.
L. Chandos.
L. Sidney.
L. Maynard.
L. Coventry.
L. Herbert.
L. Jermyn.
L. Byron.
L. Colepeper.
L. Granville.
L. Cornwallis.
L. Crewe.
L. Ashburnham.

Their Lordships, or any Three of them; to meet on Saturday next, at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon, in, or any where near, the House of Peers; and afterwards, when, where, and as often as, they please.

Committee for Petitions.

Lords Committees appointed by the House to receive and consider of Petitions, and afterwards to make Report thereof to the House.

Duke of Cumberland.
L. President.
Duke of Norfolke.
Duke of Somerset.
Duke of South'ton.
Duke of Grafton.
Duke of Ormond.
Marq. of Halyfax.
L. Steward.
L. Chamberlain.
Comes Oxon.
Comes Shrewsbury.
Comes Kent.
Comes Bedford.
Comes Pembrooke.
Comes Suffolke.
Comes North'ton.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Manchester.
Comes Mulgrave.
Comes Rivers.
Comes Stamford.
Comes Kingston.
Comes Carnarvon.
Comes Bath.
Comes Craven.
Comes Feversham.
Comes Macclesfeld.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Nottingham.
Comes Fauconberg.
Comes Monmouth.
Comes Marlborough.
Comes Torrington.
Vicecomes Newport.
Vicecomes Weymouth.
Vicecomes Sidney.
Vicecomes Lumley.		 Bp. of London.
Bp. of Durham.
Bp. of Landaff.
Bp. of Rochester.
Bp. of Sarum.
Bp. of Chester.
Bp. of Worcester.
Bp. of Chichester.		 L. Delawar.
L. Morley.
L. Grey de R.
L. Wharton.
L. Howard de Eff.
L. North.
L. Chandos.
L. Sidney.
L. Lovelace.
L. Maynard.
L. Coventry.
L. Herbert.
L. Jermyn.
L. Byron.
L. Colepeper.
L. Clifford.
L. Lucas.
L. Granville.
L. Cornwallis.
L. Delamer.
L. Crewe.
L. Keveton.
L. Ossulston.
L. Godolphin.
L. Ashburnham.

Their Lordships, or any Five of them; to meet on Tuesday next, and every Tuesday after, in the Painted Chamber, near the House of Peers, at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon; and to adjourn as they please.

House to be called, and Orders to be read.

ORDERED, That this House shall be called over on Monday come Sevennight, and the Roll of Orders then read.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, to robe themselves.

The House was resumed.

King present.

His Majesty, being in His Royal Throne, adorned with His Regal Robes and Crown, the Peers also being in their Robes, commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to signify His Majesty's Pleasure to the Commons, "That they presently attend Him."

And the House of Commons being come, presented Sir John Trevor Knight, to be their Speaker.

Sir J. Trevor, Speaker of H. C. presented.

Then Sir John Trevor acquainted His Majesty, "That the Choice had fallen upon him. He declared his Weakness, and Unfitness for so important a Service; and humbly beseeched His Majesty, to command the Commons to make a better Choice."

The Speaker, taking Directions from His Majesty, spake as followeth:

Approved of.

"You Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"His Majesty doth well approve of the Choice you have made of your Speaker; and I must now direct my Speech to the Gentleman.

"SIR,

"His Majesty commends your Modesty and Prudence in disabling yourself for the Service you are chosen to; but he is well satisfied in your great Experience and Ability, and therefore doth not allow of your Excuse: But His Majesty lays his Command upon you, chearfully to undertake the Place and Office of Speaker of the House of Commons."

Speaker's Speech.

Then Mr. Speaker returned His Majesty Thanks, for His gracious Approbation and Acceptance of His Service; and humbly prayed, in the Name of the Commons, "That His Majesty would be graciously pleased to allow and confirm all their ancient Rights and Privileges; and particularly, that they might have Liberty and Freedom of Speech in all their Debates; that their Persons, their Estates, and Servants, be free from Arrests and Troubles; that they might have Access to His Royal Person, as Occasion should require; that His Majesty would have a gracious Opinion of all their Actions; that he himself, if he should at any Time mistake, might have His Majesty's favourable Interpretation, and gracious Pardon;" and concluded, "that His Majesty's gracious Allowance of their Petitions would encourage them to proceed chearfully in their Duties; and, with GOD ALMIGHTY'S Blessing, there could be no Reason to doubt of the happy Conclusion of this Session, in doing all Things necessary for the Security and Support of His Majesty and the Church, the healing of our Differences, and settling the Nation."

The Speaker of the Lords House, taking further Directions from His Majesty, said,

"Mr. Speaker,

"His Majesty is graciously pleased to grant the Requests you have made, both for yourself, and for the whole House of Commons."

After this, His Majesty was pleased to make the following Speech:

King's Speech considered.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I am resolved to leave nothing unattempted on My Part, which may contribute to the Peace and Profperity of this Nation. And finding My Presence in Ireland will be absolutely necessary for the more speedy reducing of that Kingdom, I continue My Resolution of going thither as soon as may be. And I have now called you together for your Assistance to enable Me to prosecute that War with Speed and Vigour, in which I assure Myself of your chearful Concurrence, being a Work so necessary for your own Safeties.

"In order to this, I desire you will forthwith make a Settlement of the Revenue; and I cannot doubt but you will therein have as much Regard for the Honour and Dignity of the Monarchy in My Hands as has been lately shewed to others; and I have so great a Confidence in you, that, if no quicker or more convenient Way may be found for the raising of ready Money (without which the Service cannot be performed), I shall be very well content, for the present, to have it made such a Fund of Credit as may be useful to yourselves as well as Me in this Conjuncture; not having the least Apprehensions but that you will provide for the taking off all such Anticipations as it shall happen to fall under.

"It is sufficiently known how earnestly I have endeavoured to extinguish (or at least compose) all Differences amongst My Subjects; and, to that End, how often I have recommended an Act of Indemnity to the last Parliament: But, since that Part of it which related to the preventing of private Suits is already enacted, and because Debates of that Nature must take up more of your Time than can now be spared, from the Dispatch of those other Things which are absolutely necessary for our common Safety; I intend to send you an Act of Grace, with Exceptions of some few Persons only, but such as may be sufficient to shew My great Dislike of their Crimes, and, at the same Time, My Readiness to extend Protection to all My other Subjects, who will thereby see that they can recommend themselves to Me by no other Methods than what the Laws prescribe, which shall always be the only Rules of My Government.

"A further Reason which induceth Me to send you this Act at this Time is, because I am desirous to leave no Colour of Excuse to any of My Subjects for the Raising of Disturbances in the Government, and especially in the Time of my Absence; and I say this, both to inform you, and to let some ill-affected Men see that I am not unacquainted how busy they are in their present Endeavours to alter it.

"Amongst other Encouragements, which I find they give themselves, One of the Ways by which they hope to compass their Designs is, by creating Differences and Disagreements in your Councils, which, I hope, you will be very careful to prevent; for, be assured, that our greatest Enemies can have no better Instruments for their Purposes than those who shall any Way endeavour to disturb or delay your speedy and unanimous proceeding upon these necessary Matters.

"I must recommend also to your Consideration an Union with Scotland. I do not mean it should now be entered upon; but, they having proposed this to Me some Time since, and the Parliament there having nominated Commissioners for that Purpose, I should be glad that Commissioners might also be nominated here to treat with them, and to see if such Terms could be agreed on as might be for the Benefit of both Nations, so as to be ready to be presented to you in some future Session.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I have thought it most convenient to leave the Administration of the Government in the Hands of the Queen during My Absence; and if it shall be judged necessary to have an Act of Parliament for the better Confirmation of it to Her, I desire you will let such an one be prepared, to be presented to Me.

"I have this only to add, that the Season of the Year, and My Journey into Ireland, will admit but of a very short Session; so that I must recommend to you the making such Dispatch, that we may not be engaged in Debates when our Enemies shall be in the Field: For the Success of the War, and the more thrifty Management of it, will both principally depend upon your speedy Resolutions.

"And I hope it will not be long before we shall meet again, to perfect what the Time will not now allow to be done."

After this, His Majesty withdrew; and the Commons, with their Speaker, went to their House.

The House proceeded in other Business.

Then the King's Speech was ordered to be read.

The King's Speech read.

ORDERED, That His Majesty's most gracious Speech, made this Day to both Houses of Parliament, shall be, and is hereby, appointed to be taken into Consideration on Monday next, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon.

Thanks of the House for it.

ORDERED, That the Lords with White Staves do attend His Majesty with the humble Thanks of this House, for His Majesty's most gracious Speech made this Day to both Houses of Parliament; and to desire Him to give Order for printing and publishing thereof.

E. of Mulgrave's Waterman pressed.

Complaint being made, "That a Waterman belonging to the Right Honourable the Earl of Mulgrave, a Peer of this Realm, is pressed, and detained from his Service, with his Lordship's Coat and Badge on; which is conceived to be a Breach of the Privileges of this House:"

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That it be, and is hereby, referred to the Lords Committees for Privileges; who are to consider thereof, and report their Opinion thereupon to this House.

Adjourn.

Robertus Atkins, Miles de Balneo, Capitalis Baro de Scaccario, Orator Procerum, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Sabbati, videlicet, 22um diem Martii instantis, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Hitherto examined by us, this 17th of April, 1690,

J. Bridgewater.
Tho. Menev.
North & Grey.
Herbert.

Footnotes

  • 1. Origin. Morley.
  • 2. Origin. Bryan.
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