House of Lords Journal Volume 14: 19 October 1689

DIE Sabbati, 19 die Octobris.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

Sir R. Atkins Chief Baron, Speaker.

The Earl of Shrewsbury, Principal Secretary of State, acquainted the House, from His Majesty, "That His Majesty hath granted a Commission under the Great Seal of Engl'd, to Sir Robert Atkins Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, to supply the Place of Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper, as Speaker of this House."

Hereupon the Commission was read, the Tenor whereof followeth:

His Commission.

"William R.

"William and Mary, by the Grace of GOD, King and Queen of Engl'd, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defenders of the Faith, &c. To our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir Robert Atkins Knight of the Order of the Bath, and Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer, Greeting: Know ye, that We, trusting in your approved Fidelity, Wisdom, and Discretion, and to the End such Matters and Business as to the Place and Room usually supplied by the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of Engl'd, in Our Upper House of Parliament, may be in all Things executed as appertaineth, in the said House of this present Parliament, now holden at Westm. amongst the Lords Spiritual and Temporal there assembled, as by the said Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper hath been accustomed; We have named and appointed, and by these Prsents do constitute, name, and authorize you, from Day to Day, and from Time to Time hereafter, during Our Pleasure, to use, occupy, and supply the said Room and Place of the said Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper, in Our said House of Parliament, amongst the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal there assembled, and then and there to do and execute all such Things as the said Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal should or might in that Behalf do if he were there personally present, using and supplying the same Room: Wherefore We will and command you the said Sir Robert Atkins, to attend and execute the Premises with Effect; and these Our Letters Patents shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge for the same in every Behalf. In Witness whereof, We have cause these Our Letters to be made Patents.

"Witness Ourselves, at Westminster, the Nineteenth Day of October, in the First Year of Our Reign.

"Per ipsum Regem, propria Manu signat.

"Barker."

Sir Robert Atkins was called up by the House, to take his Place upon the Woolsack; and the House appointed the Mace should be laid upon the Woolsack, and carried before him.

PRAYERS.

King present.

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

Who being come, His Majesty made the Speech following:

King's Speech.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"Though the last Sitting continued so long, that perhaps it might have been more agreeable to you, in relation to your Private Concerns, not to have met again so soon; yet the Interest of the Public lays an indispensable Obligation upon Me to call you together at this Time.

"In your last Meeting, you gave Me so many Testimonies of your Affection, as well as Confidence in Me, that I do not at all question but in this I shall receive fresh Supplies of both.

"I esteem it One of the greatest Misfortunes can befal Me, that, in the Beginning of My Reign, I am forced to ask such large Supplies; though I have this Satisfaction, that they are desired for no other Purposes but the carrying on those Wars in which I entered with your Advice and Assurance of your Assistance; nor can I doubt of the Blessing of GOD upon all Undertakings, wherein I did not engage out of a vain Ambition, but from the Necessity of opposing those who have so visibly discovered their Designs of destroying our Religion and Liberties.

"It is well known how far I have exposed Myself to rescue this Nation from the Dangers that threaten it; not only your Liberty, but the Protestant Religion in general, of which the Church of England is One of the greatest Supports, and for the Defence whereof I am ready again to venture My Life.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"That which I have to ask of you at present is, that what you think fit to give towards the Charges of the War, for this next Year, may be done without Delay; and there is One Reason which more particularly obliges Me to press you to a speedy Determination in this Matter, because this next Month there is appointed, at The Hague, a general Meeting of the Ministers of all the Princes and States concerned in this War against France, in order to concert the Measures for the next Campaign: And till I know your Intentions, I shall not only be uncertain of Myself what Resolutions to take; but our Allies will be under the same Doubts, unless they seem supported by your Assistance. Besides, if I know not in Time what you will do, I cannot make such Provisions as will be requisite; but shall be exposed to the same Inconveniencies the next Year, which were the Cause that the Preparations for this were neither so effectual or expeditions as were necessary. The Charge will also be considerably lessened, by giving Time to provide Things in their proper Season and without Confusion.

"I have no other Aim in this, but to be in a Condition to attack our Enemies in so vigorous a Manner, as, by the Help of GOD, in a little Time, may bring us to a lasting and honourable Peace, by which My Subjects may be freed from the extraordinary Expence of a lingering War; and that I can have no greater Satisfaction than in contributing to their Ease, I hope I have already given Proof.

"That you may be satisfied how the Money has been laid out which you have already given, I have directed the Accompts to be laid before you, whenever you think fit to call for them.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I have One Thing more to recommend to you; which is, the Dispatch of a Bill of Indemnity, that, the Minds of My good Subjects being quieted, we may all unanimously concur to promote the Welfare and Honour of the Kingdom."

Which being ended, His Majesty retired; and the Commons went to their House.

Bishops take the Oaths.

This Day Nathaniell Lord Bishop of Durham, and Symon Lord Bishop of Chichester took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, in Pursuance of the Statute.

L. Griffin surrenders himself.

The Speaker acquainted the House, "That the Lord Griffin had rendered himself to One of the Secretaries of State, and attended at the Door."

The House directed he should be called in.

And his Lordship appearing, the Earl of Nottingham, One of the Secretaries of State, acquainted the House, "That the Lord Griffin taking Notice of the Proclamation issued out against him by His Majesty, upon the Address of this House, commanding him to render himself to One of the Secretaries of State; his Lordship hath rendered himself to him, and hath given Security to him for his Appearance before this House this Day."

Which he having done, the Security he entered into was delivered up to him.

And the Lord Griffin being told by the Speaker, "That he knew what he had to do, before his Sitting in this House."

desires Time to consider of the Oaths.

His Lordship desired Time to consider of taking the Oaths, for he was not prepared for it.

Thanks to the King, for His Speech.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lords with White Staves do attend His Majesty, with the humble Thanks of this House, for His most Gracious Speech made this Day to both Houses of Parliament; and to desire His Majesty to give Order for the Printing and Publishing thereof.

House to be called.

ORDERED, That this House be called on Monday the 28th of October Instant, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon.

Lords invited to dine in the City.

The House being informed, "That Mr. Recorder and the Sheriffs of the City of London and Midd. were at the Door," they were called in.

And Mr. Recorder said, "That the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London did pray their Lordships to do the City the Honour to dine with them the 29th Day of this Instant October."

And then withdrew.

Lords Answer.

Then, being called in again, the Speaker, by Directions of the House, told them, "That the Lords do accept of the Invitation; and will be there at the Day."

Tunstal versus Smith, in Error.

ORDERED, That the Writ of Error between Barnaby Tunstall Plaintiff, and Thomas Smith Defendant, shall be argued on Monday next, the 21th of October Instant.

Adjourn.

Robertus Atkins, Miles de Balneo, Capitalis Baro de Scaccario, Orator Procerum, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Lunæ, videlicet, 21^um diem instantis Octobris, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.