House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 31 October 1673

Veneris, 31 die Octobris, 1673.

Prayers.

Privilege.

INFORMATION being given of a Breach of Privilege, committed against Col. Kirkby a Member of this House, by one John Haslock, in arresting and detaining in Prison Joseph Jepherson his menial Servant.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant for Discharge of the said Joseph Jepherson.

Suffolke Election.

A Petition of Sir Lionell Talmach Baronet, was read, complaining of a Double Return made for the County of Suffolke, in Prejudice of the Petitioner's Right, who was duly chosen and returned to serve as Knight of the Shire for that County.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges, to examine the Matter of the Petition; and to report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Petition for a Fast.

A Motion being made for a Petition to be presented to his Majesty, to appoint a General Day of Fasting and Humiliation throughout the Nation;

And the Form of a Petition to that Purpose being tendered, and read; and the Matter debated;

Resolved, &c. That this House do address to his Majesty for a Fast to be observed.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to consider the Matter of the Petition; and to prepare and bring in a Petition to be presented to his Majesty for a Fast to be observed throughout the Nation; viz. Sir Thom. Clergis, Sir Charles Herbord, Sir Thom. Meeres, Lord Cornbury, Sir John Mallett, Sir Charles Wheeler, Mr. Hugh Boscowen, Mr. Cheney, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir John Pettus, Mr. Milward, Mr. Garraway, Mr. Powle, Mr. Sacheverell, Sir Philip Warwick, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir John Otway, Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hotham, Sir Thom. Littleton, Mr. Rigby, Sir John Birkenhead, or any Five . . them: And they are to meet at * * * in the Speaker's Chamber.

The King's Speech considered.

The House then, according to former Order, proceeded upon the Debate of his Majesty's Speech: Which being again read, That Part of it relating to Matter of Supply;

Resolved, &c. That this House do resolve into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Matter of his Majesty's Speech.

The House then accordingly resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Matter of his Majesty's Speech.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir Charles Harbord took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Charles Harbord reports from the Committee of the whole House, a Vote and Resolve of the Committee to be presented to the House: Which was delivered in at the Clerk's Table: And the same being twice read;

The Question being put, To agree with the Committee;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

A Supply refused.

Resolved, That this House, considering the present Condition of the Nation, will not take into any further Debate or Consideration, any Aid, or Supply, or Charge upon the Subject, before the Times of Payment of the Eighteen Months Assessment granted by a late Act of Parliament, intituled, An Act for raising the Sum of Twelve hundred Thirty-eight thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Pounds, for Supply of his Majesty's extraordinary Occasions, be expired; unless it shall appear, that the Obstinacy of the Dutch shall render it necessary; nor before this Kingdom be effectually secured from the Dangers of Popery and Popish Councils and Counsellors; and the other present Grievances be redressed.

Address against the Duke's Marriage.

Mr. Powle reports from the Committee, appointed to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, concerning the Match between his Royal Highness and the Princess of Modena, an Address agreed by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Which being twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed to, is as followeth; viz.

WE Your Majesty's most humble and loyal Subjects, the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, being full of an Assurance of Your Majesty's gracious Intentions, to provide for the Establishment of Religion, and the Preservation of Your People in Peace and Security; and foreseeing the dangerous Consequences, which may follow the Marriage of his Royal Highness the Duke of Yorke with the Princess of Modena, or any other Person of the Popish Religion; do hold ourselves bound in Conscience and Duty to represent the same to Your Sacred Majesty; (not doubting but those constant Testimonies, that we have given Your Majesty of our true and loyal Affections to Your Sacred Person, will easily gain a Belief, that these our humble Desires proceed from Hearts still full of the same Affections towards Your Sacred Majesty, and with Intentions to establish Your Royal Government upon those true Supports of the Protestant Religion, and the Hearts of Your People;) with all Humility, desiring Your Majesty to take the same into Your Princely Consideration; and to relieve Your Subjects from those Fears and Apprehensions which at present they lie under, from the Progress has been made in that Treaty.

We do therefore humbly beseech Your Majesty to consider, That if this Marriage do proceed, it will be a Means to disquiet the Minds of Your Protestant Subjects at home, and to fill them with endless Jealousies and Discontents; and will bring Your Majesty into such Alliances abroad, as may prove highly prejudicial, if not destructive, to the Interest of the very Protestant Religion itself.

That we find, by sad Experience, that such Marriages have increased and encouraged Popery in this Kingdom; and given Opportunity to Priests and Jesuits to propagate their Opinions; and seduced great Numbers of Your Protestant Subjects.

And we do already observe, how much that Party are animated with the Hopes of this Match, which were lately discouraged by Your Majesty's gracious Concessions in the last Meeting of this Parliament.

That we greatly fear this may be an Occasion to lessen the Affections of the People to his Royal Highness, who is so nearly related to the Crown; and whose Honour and Esteem we desire may be always intirely preserved.

That, for another Age, at least, this Kingdom will be under continual Apprehensions of the Growth of Popery, and the Danger of the Protestant Religion.

Lastly, we consider, That this Princess, having so near a Relation and Kindred to many eminent Persons of the Court of Rome, may give them great Opportunities to promote their Designs; and carry on their Practices amongst us; and by the same Means penetrate into Your Majesty's most secret Councils, and more easily discover the State of the whole Kingdom.

And, finding, that by the Opinions of very many learned Men it is generally admitted, That such Treaties and Contracts by Proxy are dissolvable; of which there are several Instances to be produced; we do in all Humbleness, beseech Your Majesty to put a Stop to the Consummation of this intended Marriage: And this we do the more importunately desire, because we have not, as yet, the Happiness to see any Issue of Your Majesty's, that may succeed in the Government of these Kingdoms: Which Blessing we most heartily pray Almighty God in his due Time to bestow upon Your Majesty and these Kingdoms, to the unspeakable Joy and Comfort of all Your loyal Subjects; who desire nothing more than to continue under the Reigns of Your Majesty, and Your Royal Posterity for ever.

Resolved, &c. That the Address of this House, concerning the Match between his Royal Highness and the Princess of Modena, be presented to his Majesty.

Resolved, &c. That such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, be desired to attend his Majesty, to know his Pleasure when he will be attended therewith.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow in the Afternoon, Two of the Clock.