House of Lords Journal Volume 35: July 1779

July 1779

DIE Jovis, 1^o Julii 1779.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Militia augmenting Bill.

The Earl of Chesterfield (according to Order) reported the Amendments made by the Committee of the whole House, to the Bill, intituled, "An Act for augmenting the Militia."

The said Amendments were read by the Clerk, as follow; (videlicet)

Pr. 1. L. 17. After ("augmented") insert ("And whereas by an Act, passed in the last Session of Parliament, intituled, "An Act to amend and render more effectual the Laws relating to the raising and training the Militia within that Part of Great Britain called England; and to establish certain Regulations with respect to Officers serving in the Corps of Fencible Men directed to be raised in that Part of Great Britain called Scotland, and certain other Corps therein mentioned," it is enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for any of His Majesty's Lieutenants to authorize the Acceptance of any Number of Volunteers in any Regiment or Battalion of Militia, and to appoint Officers to command such Volunteers, provided the Number of such Volunteers does not exceed the Compliment of any one Company in any such Regiment or Battalion: And whereas it may be expedient further to extend the Provisions of the said Act with respect to the raising Volunteer Companies in the Militia Forces of this Kingdom")

L. 23. Leave out from ("Act") to the End of the Clause.

Pr. 4. L. 34. After ("to") leave out ("recommend" and insert ("appoint"); and in the same Line, after ("Officers") leave out ("for His Majesty's Approbation.")

L. 35. After ("accordingly") insert ("and shall certify to His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors, the Names and Ranks of such Officers, within One Month after they shall be so appointed; and in case His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors, shall within One Month after such Certificate laid before His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors, signify his or their Disapprobation of any Person to be such Officer in the Militia, His Majesty's Lieutenant shall not grant a Commission to such Person, but shall grant Commissions to such Persons so appointed, who shall not be disapproved of by His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors, as aforesaid")

L. 45. After ("Kingdom") insert Clauses (A) and (B)

And be it hereby further enacted, That in case any Three or more such Companies of Volunteers shall be raised in any County, Riding or Place, it shall and may be lawful for His Majesty's Lieutenant, to form the same into Battalions or Regiments, according to the Regulations contained in an Act, passed in the Second Year of His Majesty's Reign, intituled, "An Act to explain, amend and reduce into one Act of Parliament, the several Laws now in being relating to the raising and training the Militia within that Part of Great Britain called England."

And be it enacted, That when any such Companies of Volunteers shall be added to any Regiment, such Addition shall not make it necessary to separate such Regiment into Two Battalions, but such Regiment shall remain and continue One Regiment."

Pr. 5. L. 10. After ("additional") leave out ("Numbers") and insert ("Volunteer Companies")

L. 17. After ("Act") insert Clause (C)

And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That all Volunteer Companies which shall be raised in pursuance of this Act, shall be reduced and dissolved whenever the Militia of the Counties, Ridings and Places, in which such Companies shall be raised, shall be disembodied, or at such other Time as His Majesty shall signify his Pleasure to reduce such Companies."

And the Five first Amendments being again read, were agreed to by the House.

Then Clause (A) being again read, was disagreed to by the House.

Then Clause (B) being again read, was agreed to by the House.

Then the next Amendment being again read, was agreed to by the House.

Then Clause (C) being again read, was agreed to with the following Amendment; (videlicet)

Leave out ("other Time") and insert ("earlier Period")

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, secundum diem instantis Julii, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Veneris, 2^o Julii 1779.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Militia augmenting Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for augmenting the Militia."

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

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with Amendments to it.

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

To return the said Bill, and acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the same, with some Amendments, to which their Lordships desire their Concurrence.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Sabbati, tertium diem instantis Julii, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Sabbati, 3^o Julii 1779.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Messages from H. C. to return Militia augmenting Bill;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Grey Cooper, and others:

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for augmenting the Militia;" and to acquaint this House, That they have agreed to their Lordships Amendments made thereto.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure to robe.

The House was resumed.

and Sleagill Enclosure Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Serjeant Adair, and others:

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open Wastes and Commons lying in the Manor of Sleagill, in the County of Westmorland;" and to acquaint this House, That they have agreed to their Lordships Amendment made thereto.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure.

The House was resumed.

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 that they attend him immediately in this House:"

Who being come, with their Speaker;

The Deputy Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of the Bills to be passed, severally, as follow; (videlicet)

Bills passed:

1. An Act for removing certain Difficulties with respect to the more speedy and effectual Manning of His Majesty's Navy, for a limited Time."

"2. An Act for augmenting the Militia."

To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced, severally, by the Clerk Assistant, in these Words; (videlicet)

Le Roy le veult.

3. An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open Wastes and Commons lying in the Manor of Sleagill, in the County of Westmorland."

To this Bill the Royal Assent was pronounced, by the Clerk Assistant, in these Words; (videlicet)

"Soit fait comme il est desiré."

Then His Majesty was pleased to speak as follows; (videlicet)

My Lords and Gentlemen,

His Majesty's Speech.

The many great and essential Services you have rendered to Me, and to your Country, during the Course of your long Attendance in Parliament, demand My most cordial Thanks.

I have seen, with entire Approbation, the Zeal you have manifested for the Support and Prosecution of the just and necessary War in which I am engaged; nor am I less sensible of your Attention to the present State of My Kingdom of Ireland: My paternal Affection for all My People, makes me sincerely anxious for the Happiness and Prosperity of every Part of my Dominions.

Hitherto the Events of War have afforded the Court of France no Reason to Triumph on the Consequences of their Injustice and Breach of Public Faith; and I trust, that by a spirited and prosperous Exertion of the Force you have put into My Hands, that ambitious Power may be brought to wish that they had not, without Provocation or Cause of Complaint, insulted the Honour, and invaded the Rights of My Crown.

I have already acquainted you with the hostile Step which has been lately taken by the Court of Spain. Whatever Colour may be attempted to be put upon that unjust Proceeding, I am conscious that I have nothing to reproach Myself with: It has been followed by the clearest Demonstrations of the Loyalty and Affection of My Parliament to My Person and Government, for which I repeat to you My warmest Thanks; and I consider it as a happy Omen of the Success of My Arms, that the Increase of Difficulties serves only to augment the Courage and Constancy of the Nation, and to animate and unite My People in the Defence of their Country, and of every Thing that is dear to them.

The advanced Season of the Year requires that I should afford you some Recess from Public Business; and I do it with the less Reluctance, as, by the Powers vested in Me by Law, I can have the Aid of your Advice and Assistance within Fourteen Days, should any Emergency make it necessary for me to convene you before the usual Time.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

The various and extensive Operations of the War have unavoidably occasioned uncommon Expence, and brought additional Burthens on My faithful and beloved People, which I most sincerely regret: I cannot sufficiently thank you for the Confidence you have reposed in me, and for the Cheerfulness and Public Spirit with which the large Supplies for the current Year have been granted.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

It is impossible to speak of the Continuance of the Rebellion in North America without the deepest concern; but We have given such unquestionable Proofs of Our sincere Disposition to put an End to those Troubles, that I must still hope that the malignant Designs of the Enemies of Great Britain cannot long prevail against the evident Interests of those unhappy Provinces, and that they will not blindly persist in preserring an unnatural and dangerous Connection with a foreign Power, to Peace and Re-union with their Mother Country."

Then the Lord Chancellor, having received Directions from His Majesty, said,

My Lords and Gentlemen,

Parliament prorogued.

It is His Majesty's Royal Will and Pleasure, That this Parliament be prorogued to Thursday the Fifth Day of August next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Fifth Day of August next."