House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 6 December 1698

Martis, 6 die Decembris;

10° Gulielmi Tertii.

THE Members who had taken the Oaths being repaired to their Seats in the House of Commons;

Message to attend the King.

A Message was delivered from the King, by Sir David Mitchell, Gentleman-Usher of the Black Rod:

Gentlemen,

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

And, accordingly, the House went up to attend his Majesty: Who was pleased, by the Right Honourable the Lord Chancellor of the Great Seal, to command the Commons to return to their House, and choose their Speaker; and present him to his Majesty upon Friday Morning next.

Sir T. Littleton chosen Speaker.

And, the House being returned;

The Lord Marquis of Hartington humbly moved, That Sir Thomas Littleton might be Speaker, as being a Person of known Ability and Experience, and every way qualified to discharge that Trust.

Whereupon, after some Debate;

And after Sir Thomas Littleton had stood up, in his Place, and desired to be excused;

The Clerk, by Command of the House, put the Question, That Sir Thomas Littleton do take the Chair, as Speaker.

And the House divided.

And the Clerk declared the Numbers; and that the Yeas had it:

Whereupon, the Lord Marquis of Hartington, and Lord Spencer, conducted him to the Chair: Where, he acknowleged the great Honour they had done him; and returned his Thanks for the same; and desired their Leave, That, notwithstanding the Vote that had passed for him, he might be excused, in respect of the Indisposition he lay under of the Stone; and that there were many others that were more capable of serving them:

But the House cried No. no, no.

And then he desired, That he might have their Leave to disable himself to his Majesty:

To which the House cried No, no, no.

Upon which, he again thanked them for the Honour they had done him in such their Choice.

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