House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 9 November 1685

Luno, 9 die Novembris, 1685. 1 Jac. IIdi.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from his Majesty, by Sir Thomas Duppa, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this honourable House to attend Him, immediately, in the House of Peers.

And accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up.

The House being returned;

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reports to the House, That, to prevent Mistakes, he had obtained a Copy of his Majesty's gracious Speech to both Houses: Which he read to the House; and is as followeth; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

AFTER the Storm that seemed to be coming upon us when we parted last, I am glad to meet you all again in so great Peace and Quietness; God Almighty be praised, by whose Blessing that Rebellion was suppressed: But when we reflect, what an inconsiderable Number of Men began it, and how long they carried . . on without any Opposition, I hope every-body will be convinced, that the Militia, which hath hitherto been so much depended on, is not sufficient for such Occasions; and that there is nothing but a good Force of well disciplined Troops in constant Pay, that can defend us from such, as, either at Home or Abroad, are disposed to disturb us: And in truth, My Concern for the Peace and Quiet of My Subjects, as well as for the Safety of the Government, made Me think it necessary to increase the Number to the Proportion I have done: This I owed as well to the Honour as the Security of the Nation; whose Reputation was so infinitely exposed to all our Neighbours, by having so evidently lain open to this late wretched Attempt, that it is not to be repaired without keeping such a Body of Men on foot, that none may ever have the Thought again of finding us so miserably unprovided.

It is for the Support of this great Charge, which is now more than double to what it was, that I ask your Assistance in giving Me a Supply answerable to the Expence it brings along with it: And I cannot doubt, but what I have begun so much for the Honour and Defence of the Government, will be continued by you with all the Cheerfulness that is requisite for a Work of so great Importance.

Let no Man take Exception, that there are some Officers in the Army, not qualified, according to the late Tests, for their Employments: The Gentlemen, I must tell you, are most of them well known to Me: And, having formerly served with Me in several Occasions, and always approved the Loyalty of their Principles by their Practice, I think fit now to be employed under Me: And I will deal plainly with you, that, after having had the Benefit of their Service in such Time of Need and Danger, I will neither expose them to Disgrace, nor Myself to Want of them, if there should be another Rebellion to make them necessary for Me.

I am afraid some Men may be so wicked to hope and expect that a Difference may happen between you and Me upon this Occasion: But when you consider, what Advantages have arisen to us in a few Months, by the good Understanding we have hitherto had; what wonderful Effects it hath already produced in the Change of the whole Scene of Affairs Abroad, so much more to the Honour of this Nation, and the Figure it ought to make in the World; and that nothing can hinder a further Progress in this Way, to all our Satisfactions, but Fears and Jealousies amongst ourselves: I will not apprehend, that such a Misfortune can befal us, as a Division, or but a Coldness, between Me and you; nor that any thing can shake you in your Steadiness and Loyalty to Me; who by God's Blessing, will ever make you Returns of all Kindness and Protection, with a Resolution to venture even My own Life in the Defence of the true Interest of this Kingdom.

Speech to be considered.

A Motion being made, That the House do immediately resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of his Majesty's gracious Speech;

Resolved, That this House will, on Thursday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, take into Consideration his Majesty's gracious Speech.

Writs to be issued.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the University of Oxon, in the room of Sir Leoline Jenkins, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for Election of a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Wilts, in the room of the Lord Bruce, now Earl of Aylesbury, who is called up to the House of Lords.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Bristoll, in the room of Sir John Churchill, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Penryn in the County of Cornwall, in the room of Henry Fenshaw Esquire, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Maidstone in the County of Kent, in the room of Sir John Tufton, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Ludlow in the County of Salop, in the room of Sir Edward Herbert, now Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Essex, in the room of Sir William Maynard, deceased.

And then the House adjourned till Thursday Morning next, Nine of the Clock.