House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 16 November 1685

Lunæ, 16 die Novembris, 1685.

Prayers.

Committee of Privileges.

ORDERED, That the Committee of Elections and Privileges do sit on Wednesday next, and so forward: And that this Order be affixed on the Posts in the Lobby, to the Intent that Parties concerned may take notice thereof.

Ordered, That all other Committees be revived; and do sit in the Places formerly appointed.

Address against Catholic Officers.

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the Committee appointed to prepare an humble Address to his Majesty, That the Committee had accordingly prepared an Address: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was again twice read; and is as followeth;

Most Gracious Sovereign,

WE Your Majesty's most Loyal and Faithful Subjects the Commons, in Parliament assembled, do, in the first Place, as in Duty bound, return Your Majesty our most humble and hearty Thanks for Your great Care and Conduct in the Suppression of the late Rebellion, which threatened the Overthrow of this Government both in Church and State, and the utter Extirpation of our Religion by Law established; which is most dear unto us; and which Your Majesty has been graciously . . . . . to give us repeated Assurances You will always defend and support: Which, with all grateful Hearts, we shall ever acknowledge.

We further crave Leave to acquaint Your Majesty, That we have, with all Duty and Readiness, taken into our Consideration Your Majesty's Gracious Speech to us: And as to that Part of it relating to the Officers in the Army, not qualified for their Employments, according to an Act of Parliament made in the Twenty-fifth Year of the Reign of Your Majesty's Royal Brother of blessed Memory, intituled, An Act for preventing Dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants, we do, out of our bounden Duty, humbly represent unto Your Majesty, That those Officers cannot by Law be capable of their Employments; and that the Incapacities they bring upon themselves thereby, can no ways be taken off, but by an Act of Parliament: Therefore, out of that great Deference and Duty we owe unto Your Majesty, who has been graciously pleased to take . . . . of their Services to You, we are preparing a Bill to pass both Houses for Your Royal Assent, to indemnify them from the Penalties they have now incurred. And because the Continuance of them in their Employments may be taken to be a Dispensing with that Law, without Act of Parliament (the Consequence of which is of the greatest Concern to the Rights of all Your Majesty's Dutiful and Loyal Subjects, and to all the Laws made for Security of their Religion); we therefore, the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of Your Majesty's House of Commons, do most humbly beseech Your Majesty, that You would be graciously pleased to give such Directions therein, that no Apprehensions or Jealousies may remain in the Hearts of Your Majesty's good and faithful Subjects.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Address.

A Motion being made, That the Concurrence of the Lords be desired to the said Address;

A Debate arose in the House thereupon:

And the Question being put, That the Concurrence of the Lords be desired to the said Address:

The House divide.

The Yeas go forth.

And so it passed in the Negative.

Ordered, That such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, do wait on his Majesty, to know his Royal Pleasure, When this House may attend him.

Supply.

The House then, according to their Order of Saturday last, resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed further upon his Majesty's Supply.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Mr. Solicitor General took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the Committee of the whole House, That the Committee, having taken into their Consideration the Matters to them referred, had agreed upon a Resolution: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was again twice read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That a Supply of Seven hundred thousand Pounds be given to his Majesty, and no more.

An Amendment being proposed to be made to the said Resolve; viz. That these Words, "and no more," be left out of the said Resolve; and that instead thereof, these Words, "not exceeding the Sum," be inserted;

Resolved, That the said Words, "and no more," be left out of the said Resolve.

Resolved, That instead of those Words so left out, be inserted these Words, "not exceeding the Sum."

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House doth agree with the Committee, with the said Amendments, That a Supply, not exceeding the Sum of Seven hundred thousand Pounds, be given to his Majesty.

Ways and Means.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Ways and Means to raise his Majesty's Supply.

Militia.

Resolved, That this House will, on Wednesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Heads for a Bill to render the Militia more useful.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Ten of the Clock.