House of Lords Journal Volume 20: 6 August 1715

Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 20, 1714-1717. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1767-1830.

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'House of Lords Journal Volume 20: 6 August 1715', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 20, 1714-1717, (London, 1767-1830) pp. 148-153. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol20/pp148-153 [accessed 28 April 2024]

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In this section

DIE Sabbati, 6 Augusti.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

Georgius Princeps Walliæ.

Epus. Winton.
Epus. Lich. & Cov.
Epus. Sarum.
Epus. Bangor.
Epus. Carliol.
Epus. Landav.
Epus. Hereford.
Epus. Menev.
Epus. Bristol.
Epus. Gloucestr.
Epus. Asaph.
Epus. Oxon.
Ds. Cowper, Cancellarius.
Comes Nottingham, Præses.
Dux Devon, Senescallus.
Dux Bolton, Camerarius.
Dux Somerset.
Dux Richmond.
Dux Grafton.
Dux Marlborough.
Dux Buckingham.
Dux Montagu.
Dux Montrose.
Dux Roxburgh.
Dux Kent.
Dux Ancaster, Magnus Camerarius.
March. Tweddale.
March. Annandale.
Comes Derby.
Comes Pembroke.
Comes Lincoln.
Comes Dorset.
Comes Salisbury.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Manchester.
Comes Sunderland.
Comes Clarendon.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Berkeley.
Comes Rochester.
Comes Portland.
Comes Scarbrough.
Comes Orford.
Comes Greenwich.
Comes Godolphin.
Comes Cholmondeley.
Comes Sutherland.
Comes Rothes.
Comes Buchan.
Comes Loudoun.
Comes Orkney.
Comes Bute.
Comes De Loraine.
Comes Play.
Comes Strafford.
Comes Carnarvon.
Comes Rockingham.
Comes Tankerville.
Comes Bristol.
Comes Clare.
Viscount Hereford.
Viscount Say & Seale.
Viscount Townshend.
Viscount Longueville.
Viscount Lonsdale.
Ds. Bergevenny.
Ds. Willoughby Er.
Ds. Delawar.
Ds. Fitzwalter.
Ds. Willoughby Br.
Ds. Compton.
Ds. Colepeper.
Ds. Berkeley.
Ds. Cornwallis.
Ds. Lumley.
Ds. Guilford.
Ds. Ashburnham.
Ds. Weston.
Ds. Haversham.
Ds. Sommers.
Ds. Rosse.
Ds. Belhaven.
Ds. Boyle.
Ds. Montjoy.
Ds. Mansel.
Ds. Foley.
Ds. Bathurst.
Ds. Saunderson.
Ds. Harborough.
Ds. Cobham.

PRAYERS.

Panton's Bill.

The Lord Delawar reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for explaining an Act made in the Ninth Year of the Reign of King William the Third, intituled, An Act for vesting Part of the Estate of Thomas Panton Esquire in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, and securing a Jointure to Mary his now Wife, and for other Purposes therein mentioned," was committed: "That they had found the Allegations of the said Bill to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents; and that the Committee had gone through the said Bill; and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Heneage's Bill.

The Earl of Clarendon reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act to enable George Heneage Esquire to sell the Rectory of North Willingbam, in the County of Lincoln, and some Lands there; and for settling a Rent Charge, of greater Value, in Lieu thereof, and for other Purposes therein mentioned," was committed: "That they had found the Allegations of the said Bill to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents; and that the Committee had made several Amendments to the Bill."

Which were read Twice, and, with Amendments to some of them, agreed to by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be engrossed.

Mixed or medley Broad Cloth, &c. Bill.

Hodie 2a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to make an Act of the Tenth Year of Her late Majesty, intituled, "An Act for regulating, improving, and encouraging, of the Woollen Manufacture of mixed or medley Broad Cloth, and for the better Payment of the Poor employed therein," more effectual for the Benefit of Trade in general; and also to render more effectual an Act of the Seventh Year of Her said Majesty's Reign, intituled, An Act for the better ascertaining the Lengths and Breadths of Woollen Cloth made in the County of York."

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House, on Thursday Morning next.

Panton's Bill:

Hodie 3a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for explaining an Act, made in the Ninth Year of the Reign of King William the Third, intituled, An Act for vesting Part of the Estate of Thomas Panton Esquire in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, and securing a Jointure to Mary his now Wife; and for other Purposes therein mentioned."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H.C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Gery and Mr. Orlebar:

To acquaint them, that the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Shere's Petition rejected.

A Petition of Bridget Shere, Wife of Jonathan Shere now a Prisoner in The Gatehouse, was presented to the House, and read; praying, "That the unwilling Contempt of her said Husband may not be extended to the Loss of his Life, and to the Undoing of the Petitioner and her poor Children; but that this House will look on him as an Object of their Pity; and, in Commiseration of his Illness and Circumstances, and the deplorable Condition of the Petitioner and her Children, this House will order her former Petition, and Affidavits to support the Allegations thereof, now to be read; and also imploring their Lordships Mercy may be extended to her said Husband and Family."

Ordered, That the said Petition be rejected.

Winche's Bill:

Hodie 3a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to enable Sir Richard Winche Baronet, and Humphrey Winche Esquire only Son and Heir Apparent of the said Sir Richard Winche, to settle a Jointure upon such Woman as the said Humphrey Winche shall marry."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Gery and Mr. Orlebar:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Security of His Majesty's Person, &c. Bill.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, in order to be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, An Act for the further Security of His Majesty's Person and Government; and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants; and for extinguishing the Hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, and his open and secret Abettors."

The House was resumed.

Message from H.C. with a Bill.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Mr. Farrer and others:

With a Bill, intituled, An Act for continuing several Laws therein mentioned, relating to Coals, Hemp, and Flax, Irish and Scotch Linen, and the Affize of Bread; and for giving Power to adjourn the Quarter Sessions for the County of Anglesea, for the Purposes therein mentioned;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Viscount Bolingbroke impeached.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Walpole and others, as follows; (videlicet,)

"My Lords;

The Commons assembled in Parliament, having received Information of divers traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House, Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, have commanded me to impeach the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke of High Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors: And I do here, in their Names, and in the Names of all the Commons of Great Britain, impeach Henry Viscount Bolingbroke of High Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

I am further commanded, by the House of Commons, to pray and demand of your Lordships, that the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke may be sequestered from Parliament, and forthwith committed to safe Custody."

He further presented Articles of Impeachment of High Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors, against the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, in Maintenance of the said Charge.

The said Articles were read, as follows:

"Articles of Impeachment of High Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors, against Henry Viscount Bolingbroke.

Articles of Impeachment.

"Whereas a Treaty of Alliance was made and concluded, on or about the Seventh Day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and One, between Leopold then Emperor of Germany, His late Majesty King William the Third of Ever-glorious Memory, and their High Mightinesses The States General of the United Provinces, for repelling the Greatness of the common Danger which threatened all Europe, from the Duke of Anjou's having taken Possession of the Monarchy of Spain; wherein it was, among other Things, agreed, "That, in case the said Confederates shall be forced to enter into a War, they shall communicate their Designs to one another, as well in relation to the Actions of the War, as all other Things wherein the common Cause is concerned; and that it shall not be permitted to either Party, when the War is once begun, to treat of Peace with the Enemy, unless jointly and by a Communication of Counsels:" And, in and by a defensive Treaty and Alliance, made and concluded in or about the Month of November One Thousand Seven Hundred and One, between His said late Majesty King William the Third and The States General, it was, among other Things, expressly agreed, "That, when the War is begun, the said Confederates shall act in Concert, according to the Seventh and Eighth Articles of the Treaty of the Third of March One Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-seven-eight, between England and Holland; and that no Peace nor Truce or Suspension of Arms shall be negotiated or made, but according to the Ninth and Tenth Articles of that Treaty; by which it was agreed, that when the Allies came once to open War, it shall be lawful for neither of them afterwards to come to any Cessation of Arms with him who shall be declared and proclaimed an Enemy, without it being done conjointly and with common Consent; and that no Negotiation of Peace shall be set on Foot by One of the Allies without the Concurrence of the other; and that each Ally shall continually, and from Time to Time, impart to the other every Thing that passes in the said Negotiation:" And, in and by a Treaty entered into and concluded in or about the Month of June One Thousand Seven Hundred and Three, between Her late Majesty Queen Anne of Ever-blessed Memory and The States General, it was, among other Things, agreed, "That all Treaties and Alliances then subsisting between them should be renewed and confirmed:" And whereas a long, bloody, and expensive War had been carried on, by Her late Majesty, in Conjunction with Her said Allies and other Confederate Princes, against France and Spain, as well in Resentment of the Indignity offered to these Kingdoms, by their having acknowledged the Pretender King of these Realms, as for obtaining a just Satisfaction to His Imperial Majesty, and for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion, and the Balance and Liberties of Europe; and, from the great Successes with which it had pleased AlMighty God to bless the Confederate Arms, they had just Reason to hope for an honourable, good, safe, and lasting Peace; and although the French King was encouraged, in or about the Month of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, to make Propositions of Peace to Her late Majesty, signed by Monsieur de Torcy His Secretary of State, which Her said Majesty having pleased to communicate to the Ministers of The States General; She did however graciously declare, by Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, then Henry St. John Esquire and One of Her Principal Secretaries of State, Her Sentiments to them, "that the said Propositions were too general;" and, at the same Time, the said Viscount did, in Her Majesty's Name, and by Her special Command, give them Her utmost and most solemn Assurances, "That, in making Peace, as in making War, She would act in perfect Concert with them;" (fn. 1) in which Sentiments The States concurring with Her Majesty's reciprocal Assurances of mutual Confidence, so necessary to prevent the Designs of the Enemy, were returned by them to Her Majesty: Nnotwithstanding which,

ARTICLE I.

"He the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, then being One of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, and of Her most Honourable Privy Council; but having entered into a most treacherous Confederacy with the Ministers and Emissaries of France, to frustrate the just Hopes and Expectations of Her Majesty and Her People, by disuniting the Confederacy at the most critical Juncture, when they were ready to reap the Fruits of so many Triumphs over the common Enemy; and most wickedly intending, as far as in him lay, to enable the French King, so exhausted and vanquished as He had been on all Occasions, to carry His Designs, by a Peace glorious to Him, and to the Ruin of the victorious Allies, and the Destruction of the Liberties of all Europe; and having no Regard to the solemn Treaties Her Majesty then stood engaged in, nor to the Honour or Safety of these Kingdoms; did, in or about the Months of July or August in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, maliciously and wickedly, form a most treacherous and pernicious Contrivance and Confederacy, with other evil-disposed Persons, then also of Her Majesty's Privy Council, to set on Foot a private, separate, dishonourable, and destructive Negotiation of Peace between Great Britain and France, without any Communication thereof to Her Majesty's Allies, according to their said several Treaties; and was not only wanting in his Duty and Trust to Her Majesty, by not opposing, and, as far as was in his Power, by not advising Her Majesty against going into any private separate Negotiation with France; but, in Execution of his Purposes aforesaid, he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke did advise Her late Majesty to send Mathew Prior Esquire directly to the Court of France, to make Propositions of Peace, without communicating the same to Her Majesty's Allies; and accordingly the said Mathew Prior, by the Advice and with the Privity of him the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke and other false and evil Counsellors, in or about the Months of July or August in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, was sent in a clandestine Manner from England to France, and did communicate the said Propositions of Peace to the Ministers of France; in which the particular Interests of Great Britain, as well as the common Interest of Europe, were shamefully betrayed; and, in Manifestation of his said Design to exclude Her Majesty's Allies from their just Share in the said Negotiation, an express Article was inserted in the said Propositions, by the Privity and Advice of him the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, "that the Secret should be inviolably kept, till allowed to be divulged by the mutual Consent of both Parties;" although the French King had, in the Propositions signed by Monsieur de Torcy, and transmitted in the Month of April preceding, offered to treat with the Plenipotentiaries of England and Holland alone, or jointly with those of the Allies, at the Choice of England; by which treacherous and dangerous Advice, he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke did not only contrive and set on Foot a Negotiation of Peace, more advantageous to France than ever France itself had asked; but thereby did put it into the Power of the common Enemy, to create incurable Jealousies and Discords between Her Majesty and Her faithful Allies, and to destroy that Confidence which had so long and so successfully been cultivated between them, and which was so necessary for their common Safety.

"ARTICLE II.

That the French King having, in or about the Months of August or September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, with the Privity, and by the Contrivance, of the said Viscount Bolingbroke and others, sent over Monsieur Mesnager into England, to carry on a separate and clandestine Negotiation of Peace; he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke did afterwards, in the said Month of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, or thereabouts, secretly and unlawfully, and without any Colour of Authority, meet, confer, and treat with, the said Sieur Mesnager, on the Negotiations of Peace between Great Britain and France; and therein did advise and promote the making a private and separate Treaty or Convention on the said Subject of Peace between the said Crowns, without any Communication thereof to Her Majesty's Allies; and the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke did afterwards, in Violation of his Oath and high Trust, falsely and treacherously advise Her late Majesty to sign Powers to several Persons, for concluding, on Her Behalf, a pernicious and destructive Treaty or Convention, on the said Subject of Peace with France; and, on or about the said Twenty-seventh of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, a dishonourable, destructive, and fatal Treaty or Convention was concluded and signed, by the said Sieur Mesnager on the Part of France, and by the Earl of Dartmouth and the said Viscount, being then Two of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State and of Her Privy Council, on the Part of Her Majesty, by Virtue only of a Warrant under Her Majesty's Sign Manual under the Signet, directed to themselves, but not countersigned, and without the least Knowledge or Participation of the Allies; in which Treaty, the immediate Interests of Great Britain are given up to France; and, the Duke of Anjou being therein admitted to remain King of Spain, the Balance of Power and the Liberties of Europe were thrown into the Hands of the House of Bourbon.

ARTICLE III.

That whereas Her late Majesty Queen Anne did, on or about the First of October One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, O. S. give Instructions to Thomas Earl of Strafford, Her Ambassador to The States General of the United Provinces, to communicate to them certain Propositions of Peace, which had been contrived and concerted between the said Sieur Mesnager and the said Viscount and others, intituled, "Preliminary Articles on the Part of France, to come to a general Peace, together with Her Majesty's Sentiments and Resolutions thereupon; and also Her Majesty's further and particular Resolutions concerning the Prosecution and carrying on the War against France and Spain, in case The States were desirous to carry on the said War:" And whereas, for several Years before, and till the said Month of October One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, there was open War between Her late Majesty and the French King; and, the said War continuing, for all the said Time and afterwards, the French King and His Subjects were Enemies to Her late Majesty; he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, being then One of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State and One of Her Majesty's Privy Council, and a Subject of Her said Majesty, not considering the Duty of his Allegiance, but having altogether withdrawn the cordial Love, and true and due Obedience, which every true and faithful Subject owed to Her said Majesty, and designing to give Aid and Succour and to adhere to the said French King against Her said Majesty; did, on or about the Second of October One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, during the said War, falsely, wickedly, maliciously, and traiterously, aid, help, assist, and adhere to, the said French King and His Subjects, Enemies to Her said late Majesty, against Her said late Majesty; and, in Execution and Performance of His said aiding, assisting, and adhering, he did, on or about the Second of October One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, falsely, maliciously, and traiterously, disclose and communicate Her Majesty's said Instructions to Her said Ambassador; and was privy to, and did advice, consent, or approve, that the same should be, and accordingly the same were, communicated and disclosed to the said Sieur Mesnager, a Subject of the said French King, and an Enemy to Her late Majesty: And, in further Execution and Performance of his said aiding, assisting, and adhering, he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke did, in and by a Letter, or Writing, by him wrote to Monsieur de Torcy, on or about the said Second Day of October One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, disclose, communicate, and notify, or did intend to notify, to Monsieur de Torcy, a Subject, Minister, and Secretary to the French King, and an Enemy to Her late Majesty, "That the said Sieur Mesnager was fully informed of Her Majesty's said Instructions to the Earl of Strafford;" thereby falsely, maliciously, and traiterously, informing and advising the said Monsieur de Torcy, from what Person, and by what Means, he might come to the Knowledge of Her Majesty's said Instructions, contrary to the Duty of his Allegiance, and the Laws and Statutes of this Realm.

ARTICLE IV.

That whereas Her late Majesty Queen Anne did, in or about the Month of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, in due Form of Law, under Her Great Seal, constitute the Right Reverend John Lord Bishop of Bristol and Thomas Earl of Strafford Her Plenipotentiaries, with full Powers and Instructions, to meet, treat, and conclude, with the Plenipotentiaries of Her Allies, and those whom the French King should on His Part depute for that Purpose, the Conditions of a good and general Peace; and whereas His Imperial Majesty, their High Mightinesses The States General of the United Provinces, and other Her Majesty's Allies, and the French King, having duly constituted and appointed Their several and respective Plenipotentiaries for the Purposes aforesaid, the Negotiations and Conferences for a general Peace were opened between them, at Utrecht, about the Months of January or February One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, and the same continued till the Fourth of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, and afterwards: And whereas, on the said Fourth Day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, there was open War between Her late Majesty and the French King, and the same having continued for several Years before, and at the same Time and afterwards the saidFrench King and His Subjects were during all the said Time Enemies to Her said Majesty and Her Subjects; he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, then being One of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State and of Her Privy Council, and a Subject of Her said Majesty, not considering the Duty of his Allegiance, but having withdrawn his Duty and Obedience from Her said Majesty, and conspiring and confederating with the Enemies of Her said Majesty, and the Subjects of the said French King, to give Him Aid and Succour against Her said Majesty, did, on or about the said Fourth Day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, falsely, wickedly, and traiterously, aid, comfort, assist, and adhere to, the said French King, against Her said Majesty; and, in Execution and Performance of His said aiding, assisting, and adhering, he the said Viscount did, on or about the said Fourth of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, falsely, maliciously, and traiterously, communicate and disclose Her said Majesty's then final Instructions to Her said Plenipotentiaries, relating to the said Negotiations of Peace; or was privy to, and did advise and consent and approve that the same should be, and accordingly the same were, communicated and disclosed to Abbot Gaultier, an Agent and Emissary of the said French King, and an Enemy of Her said Majesty; and, in further Execution and Performance of his said aiding, assisting, and adhering, he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke did, by a Letter, or Writing, wrote by himself, on or about the said Fourth of March, falsely, maliciously, and traiterously, disclose, communicate, and notify, or did intend thereby to communicate and notify, to Monsieur de Torcy, a Minister, Secretary of State, and Subject of the said French King, and an Enemy of Her said Majesty, "That the said Gaultier was informed of Her Majesty's said Instructions to Her said Plenipotentiaries;" thereby falsely and traiterously informing and advising the said Monsieur de Torcy by what Means, and from what Persons, he might have the Knowledge of Her Majesty's said Instructions, contrary to the Duty of His Allegiance, and the Laws and Statutes of this Realm.

ARTICLE V.

"That whereas The States General of the United Provinces were, in or about the Months of September or October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve, in Possession of the strong and important Town and Fortress of Tournay; and whereas the French King had, during the Course of the said private, separate, and traiterous Negotiation between him the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke and others, and the Ministers of France, signified His Consent to the Ministers of Great Britain, that the said Town and Fortress of Tournay should remain to the said States General as Part of Their Barrier: And whereas Her Majesty, in Her Instructions of December the Twenty-third One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, to Her Plenipotentiaries at Utrecht, had expressly directed them to insist with the Plenipotentiaries of France, in the general Congress, "That, towards forming a sufficient Barrier for The States General, Tournay should remain to their High Mightinesses;" and did afterwards declare Herself conformably thereto, in a Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on the Sixth of June One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve, in which She communicated to them the Terms whereon a Peace might be made: And whereas, for several Years before, and till the said Months of September and October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve, there was open War between Her late Majesty and the French King, and, the said War continuing, for all the said Time and afterwards, the said French King and His Subjects were Enemies to Her Majesty; he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, then being One of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State and of Her Privy Council, and a Subject of Her said Majesty, not considering the Duty of his Allegiance, but having altogether withdrawn the cordial Love and true and due Obedience which every true and faithful Subject owed to Her said Majesty, and designing to give Aid and Succour and to adhere to the said French King, against Her said Majesty, did, in or about the Months of September or October One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve, during the said War, falsely, maliciously, wickedly, and traiterously, aid, help, and assist, and adhere to, the French King, then an Enemy to Her late Majesty, against Her said Majesty; and, in Execution and Performance of the said aiding, assisting, and adhering, maliciously, falsely, and traiterously, did counsel and advise the said Enemy, in what Manner, and by what Methods, the said important Town and Fortress of Tournay, then in Possession of The States General, might be gained from them to the French King, contrary to the Duty of his Allegiance, and the Laws and Statutes of this Realm.

ARTICLE VI.

That whereas Her late Majesty Queen Anne, not only in Pursuance of the Treaties She stood engaged in to Her good Allies, and in particular to His Imperial Majesty, for the Recovery of the Monarchy of Spain to the House of Austria, thereby to preserve a due Balance of Power in Europe; but also from Her just Resentments against the Duke of Anjou, who then styled himself King of Spain, and who, in Defiance of Her Majesty's Title to the Crown, had acknowledged the Pretender as King of Great Britain; and, on these just Foundations, Her Majesty had, in Vindication of the Honour of the Crown, and in Justice to Her People, at a vast Expence of Blood and Treasure, and on the earnest and repeated Advices of Her Parliament, prosecuted a vigorous War against the said Duke of Anjou: And whereas, in the Years of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ten, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, and One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve, the said open, bloody, and expensive War was carried on, between Her said late Majesty Queen Anne and the said Duke of Anjou; and, during all the Time aforesaid, the said War did continue, and for all that Time the said Duke of Anjou and the Subjects of Spain adhering to him were Enemies of Her late Majesty; he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, then being One of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State and of Her Privy Council, and a Subject of Her said Majesty, not considering the Duty of his Allegiance, but having withdrawn his true Obedience from Her said late Majesty, did, at several Times, in the Years of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ten, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eleven, and One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twelve, falsely, maliciously, wickedly, and traiterously, aid, help, and assist, and adhere to, the said Duke of Anjou, then an Enemy to Her said late Majesty, against Her said Majesty; and, in Execution and Performance of his said aiding, helping, and assisting, and adhering, and in Confederacy and Combination with the then Enemies of Her late Majesty, and with divers other wicked and evil-disposed Persons, did, at several Times, in the Years aforesaid, advise and counsel the Enemies of Her late Majesty against Her said Majesty; and, in such counselling and advising, did concert with them, and did promote, the yielding and giving up Spain and The West Indies, or some Part thereof, to the said Duke of Anjou, then in Enmity with Her Majesty, against the Duty of his Allegiance, and the Laws and Statutes of this Realm.

"All which Crimes and Misdemeanors were committed and done by him the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, against our late Sovereign Lady the Queen, Her Crown and Dignity, the Peace and Interest of this Kingdom; and in Breach of the several Trusts reposed in him the said Viscount; and he the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke was One of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State; and One of Her Privy Council, during the Time that all and every the Crimes before set forth were done and committed: For which Matters and Things, the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the House of Commons, in Parliament assembled, do, in the Name of themselves and of all the Commons of Great Britain, impeach the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke of High Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors, in the said Articles contained.

"And the said Commons, by Protestation, saving to themselves the Liberty of exhibiting, at any Time hereafter, any other Accusations or Impeachments against the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, and also of replying to the Answers which the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke shall make to the Premises, or any of them, or to any Impeachment or Accusation that shall be by them exhibited, according to the Course and Proceedings of Parliament; do pray, that the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke be put to answer all and every the Premises; and that such Proceedings, Examinations, Trials, and Judgements, may be upon them, and every of them, had and used, as shall be agreeable to Law and Justice: And they do further pray and demand, that the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke may be sequestered from Parliament, and forthwith committed to safe Custody."

Viscount Bolingbroke to be attached.

Whereas Henry Viscount Bolingbroke, being impeached by the Commons of Great Britain of High Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors; and certain Articles, specifying the said High Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanors, being exhibited against him by the said Commons of Great Britain:

It is Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Henry Viscount Bolingbroke be forthwith attached by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, and brought to the Bar of this House, to answer to the said Articles.

To Sir William Oldes, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, his Deputy or Deputies, and every of them.

Message to H. C. to acquaint them with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Gery and Mr. Orlebar:

To acquaint them, that the Lords have ordered Henry Viscount Bolingbroke to be forthwith attached by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House, and brought to their Lordships Bar, to answer to the Articles exhibited against him by the House of Commons.

Security King's Person, &c. Bill.

Whereas this Day was appointed, for the House to be put into a Committee, to consider further of the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the further Security of His Majesty's Person and Government; and the Succession of the Crown in the Heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants; and for extinguishing the Hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, and his open and secret Abettors:"

It is Ordered, That this House shall be put into a Committee thereupon, on Monday Morning next; and that the Cause appointed to be heard that Day be put off to Tuesday, and the other Causes removed One Day in Course.

Wilkinson et al. in Custody, Petition withdrawn, not being signed.

A Petition of Richard Wilkinson and Ralph Hoskins, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, upon a Complaint of a Breach of the Lord Fitzwalter's Privilege, in disturbing his Lordship's Fishery, in the River of Burnham, in Essex, was presented to the House, and read.

But the same, not being signed by the Petitioners, was, by Leave of the House, withdrawn.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Lunæ, octavum diem instantis Augusti, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Footnotes