House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 12 November 1694

Lunæ, 12 die Novembris;

Sexto Gulielmi et Mariæ; annoque Domini 1694.

Prayers.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from his Majesty by Sir Fleetwood Shepheard, Gentleman-Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend his Majesty, in the House of Peers, immediately.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

And, being returned;

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reported That his Majesty had been pleased to make a gracious Speech to both Houses: And that, to prevent his Mistake in Reporting thereof, he had desired and obtained a Copy: Which he read to the House; and is as followeth; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I AM glad to meet you here, when, I can say, our Affairs are in a better Posture, both by Sea and Land, than when we parted last.

The Enemy has not been in a Condition to oppose our Fleet in these Seas; and our sending so great a Force into the Mediterranean has disappointed their Designs, and leave us a Prospect of further Success.

With respect to the War by Land, I think, I may say, That this Year a Stop has been put to the Progress of the French Arms.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I have had so much Experience of your good Affection to me, and of your Zeal for the Publick, that I cannot doubt of your Assistance at this Time: I do, therefore, earnestly recommend to you to provide such Supplies as may enable me to prosecute the War with Vigour; which is the only Means to procure Peace to Christendom, with the Safety and Honour of England.

I must likewise put you in mind, That the Act of Tonage and Poundage expires at Christmas: And I hope you will think fit to continue that Revenue to the Crown; which is the more necessary at this Time, in regard the several Branches of the Revenue are under great Anticipations for extraordinary Expences of the War, and subject to many Demands upon other Accounts.

I cannot but mention to you again the Debt for the Transport-Ships employed in the Reducing of Ireland; which is a Case of Compassion, and deserves Relief.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I should be glad you would take into your Consideration the preparing some good Bill for the Encouragement of our Seamen: You cannot but be sensible how much a Law of this Nature would tend to the Advancement of Trade, and of the Naval Strength of the Kingdom; which is our great Interest, and ought to be our principal Care.

Ease of Jurors.

A Bill for the Ease of Jurors who serve at the Assizes for England and Wales was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Grand Committees.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Religion do sit every Tuesday, in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee of Grievances do sit every Thursday, in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Trade do sit every Saturday, in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Courts of Justice do sit every Friday, in the Afternoon, in the House.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That a Committee of Privileges and Elections be appointed, of Mr. Mansell, Sir Tho. Pope Blount, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Mr. Harley, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Mr. Vincent, Sir William Honywood, Mr. Trelawney, Lord Pawlet, Mr. Neale, Mr. Clarke, Sir John Moreton, Sir Gilbert Clarke, Sir Jon. Jennings, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Price, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Hutchinson, Sir Wm. Cooper, Lord Marquis Winton, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Newport, Sir John Guise, Mr. Mayne, Sir Walter Young, Sir Roger Puleston, Mr. Kinaston, Sir Joseph Herne, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Etterick, Sir Orlando Gee, Mr. Culliford, Sir Isaac Rebow, Mr. Travers, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Boyle, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Wilf. Lawson, Mr. Beake, Mr. Pooley, Mr. Foot Onslow, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Colston, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Osborne, Sir Edward Windham, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Courtney, Sir Edward Seymour, Sir Wm. Forester, Mr. Foley, Mr. Perry, Mr. How, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Leveson, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Stanley, Sir Fra. Winnington, Mr. St. John, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Hobby, Mr. Campion, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. Mitton, Sir John Wynn, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Papillion, Mr. Burrington, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Parkhurst, Mr. Smith, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Fra. Massam, Sir Eliab Harvey, Lord Fairfax, Colonel Earle, Mr. Gray, Sir Fra. Blake, Mr. Wharton, Sir Sam. Barnadiston, Sir Robert Rich, Colonel Titus, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Dolben: And they are to meet on Monday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber; and to sit every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, in the Afternoon, in the Place above-mentioned: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to take into their Consideration all such Matters as shall or may come in Question, touching Returns, Elections and Privileges; and to proceed upon Double Returns in the first Place; and to report their Proceedings, with their Opinion therein, to the House from time to time: And all Persons that will question Returns, are to do it in Fourteen Days next; and so within Fourteen Days after any new Return shall be brought in: And the Committee is to have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records, for their Information: And all Members who are returned for Two or more Places are to make their Elections by this Day Three Weeks, for which of the Places they will serve, provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place: And if any thing shall come in Question, touching the Return, Election, or Matter of Privilege, of any Member, he is to withdraw during the Time the Matter is in Debate.

Chipenham Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Chipenham in the County of Wilts, in the room of Thomas Talmash Esquire, deceased.

Stafford Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Stafford, in the room of Jonathan Cope Esquire, deceased.

Bewdwyn Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Great Bedwyn in the County of Wilts, in the room of Antony Lord Viscount Falkland, deceased.

Bewdley Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Bewdley in the County of Worcester, in the room of Henry Herbert Esquire, now Lord Herbert of Cherbery, called up to the House of Lords.

Leverpoole Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Leverpoole in the County of Lancaster, in the room of Richard Lord Colchester, now Earl Rivers.

Colchester Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Colchester, in the room of Samuel Reynolds Esquire, deceased.

Norwich Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Norwich, in the room of Hugh Brockenham Esquire, deceased.

Carlisle Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Carlisle, in the room of William Lowther Esquire, deceased.

The King's Speech to be considered.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, at Ten a Clock, take into Consideration his Majesty's gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament.

Cardigan Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Cardigan, in the room of Sir Carbery Price Baronet, deceased.

Stockbridge Writ.

A Motion being made, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make our a new Writ, for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton, in the room of Richard Whitehead Esquire, deceased;

Resolved, That the Consideration of the said Motion be adjourned until To-morrow Sevennight.

Call of the House.

Ordered, That the House be called over To-morrow Sevennight, at Ten a Clock: And that all such Members who shall not then attend their Service in this House, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Printing the Votes.

Ordered, That the Votes of this House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker: And that no Person do presume to print the same, but such as shall be appointed by Mr. Speaker.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Ten a Clock.