House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 24 October 1704

Anno 3 Annæ Reginæ.

DIE Martis, 24° die Octobris, Anno Regni Serenissimæ Dominæ Annæ, Dei Gratia, Angliæ, Scotiæ, Franciæ, et Hib'niæ Reginæ, Fidei Defensoris, &c. Tertio, in quem diem præsens (fn. 1) hæc Tertia Sessio Parliament. prorogat. fuerat, in Superiori Parliamenti Domo apud Westmonaster. convenere Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales, quorum Nomina subscribuntur, et præsentes fuerunt:

REGINA.

PRAYERS.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure.

The House was resumed.

Queen present:

Her Majesty, being seated on Her Royal Throne, adorned with Her Crown and Regal Ornaments, attended with Her Officers of State, the Peers being also in their Robes, commanded the Deputy Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to let the Commons know, "It is Her Majesty's Pleasure, that they attend Her presently, in the House of Peers."

Who being come, with their Speaker; Her Majesty was pleased to say as follows:

Her Speech.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"The great and remarkable Success, with which GOD has blessed our Arms in this Summer, has stirred up Our good Subjects, in all Parts of the Kingdom, to express their unanimous Joy and Satisfaction; and I assure Myself, you are all come disposed to do every Thing, that is necessary, for the effectual Prosecution of the War; nothing being more obvious, than that a timely Improvement of our present Advantages will enable us to procure a lasting Foundation of Security for England, and a firm Support for the Liberty of Europe. This is My Aim: I have no Interest, nor ever will have, but to promote the Good and Happiness of all My Subjects.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I must desire such Supplies of you, as may be requisite for carrying on the next Year's Service, both by Sea and Land, and for punctually performing our Treaties with all our Allies; the rather, for that some of them have just Pretensions depending ever since the last War; and I need not put you in Mind, of what Importance it is to preserve the Public Credit both Abroad and at Home.

"I believe, you will find some Charges necessary next Year, which were not mentioned in the last Sessions; and some extraordinary Expences incurred since, which were not then provided for.

"I assure you, that all the Supplies you give, with what I am able to spare from My own Expences, shall be carefully applied to the best Advantage for the Public Service: And I earnestly recommend to you a speedy Dispatch, as that which, under the good Providence of GOD, we must chiefly depend upon, to disappoint the earliest Designs of Our Enemies.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I cannot but tell you, how essential it is, for attaining these great Ends Abroad, of which we have so hopeful a Prospect, that we should be entirely united at Home.

"It is plain, our Enemies have no Encouragement left, but what arises from their Hopes of our Divisions: Tis therefore your Concern, not to give the least Countenance to those Hopes.

"My Inclinations are, to be kind and indulgent to you all. I hope, you will do nothing to endanger the Loss of this Opportunity, which GOD has put into our Hands, of securing ourselves, and all Europe; and that there will be no Contention among you, but who shall most promote the Public Welfare.

"Such a Temper as this, in all your Proceedings, cannot fail of securing your Reputation both at Home and Abroad.

"This would make Me a happy Queen; whose utmost Endeavours shall never be wanting, to make you a happy and flourishing People."

Then Her Majesty was pleased to withdraw; and the Commons went to their House.

Poor's Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for preventing the Poor's being defrauded, and Redress of several other Abuses."

Bp. of St. Asaph takes the Oaths.

This Day William Lord Bishop of St. Asaph took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.

Bp. of St. Asaph to preach the 5th of November.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph be, and he is hereby, desired to preach before this House, in the Abbey Church at Westminster, on the Fifth Day of November next.

Committee of Privileges.

Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Customs and Orders of the House, and the Privileges of Parliament, and of the Peers of this Kingdom and Lords of Parliament.

Their Lordships, or any Seven of them; to meet on Monday next, at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House of Peers, and every Monday after; and to adjourn as they please.

Committee for the Journal.

Lords Sub-committees appointed to consider of the Orders and Customs of the House, and Privileges of the Peers of this Kingdom and Lords of Parliament; and to peruse and perfect the Journal of the last Session, and this Session of Parliament.

Their Lordships, or any Three of them; to meet when, where, and as often as, they please.

Then, Her Majesty's Speech being read;

Committee to draw an Address.

Lords Committees were appointed, to draw an Address of humble Thanks, to be presented to Her Majesty, for Her most Gracious Speech; and to congratulate Her Majesty upon the great and glorious Success of the Arms of Her Majesty and Her Allies, under the Command of the Duke of Marlborough; (videlicet,)

Their Lordships, or any Five of them; to meet presently, in the Prince's Lodgings near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, vicesimum quintum diem instantis Octobris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.