Bletchingly, Thomas Howard. Boroughbridge, John Manley.. Peregrine Bertie, Sir William Yorke. *William Stringer, Sir Thomas Day, Bridgenorth, Sir Edward Aton, Buckingham Toron, George Hungerford. Cambridge Town, Sir William Honeywood. Cardigan County, Caermarthen County, Cuermarthen Town, Caernarvon County, Chester County, *Sir Thomas Grosvenor. Christ's Church, Sir Joseph Herne, Corf-Castle, Sir John Lowther, Denbigh County, Sir Richard Middleton. Sir Edward Ernly, *Francis Courtney, Samuel Rolle. Dorchester, Nathaniel Bond, Nathaniel Napier. Dorsetshire, *Thomas Strangeways, *Thomas Freke. Dover, Sir Basil Dixwell, Durham County, Sir Robert Davers. Essex, Sir Francis Marsham, Charles Cornwallis, Flintshire, Flint Town, Grantham, Sir John Brownlow, Sir Edward Askew. Grimstead, John Conyers, *Sir Thomas Dyke. Guildford, Morgan Randell, Foot Onslow. Harwich, Sir Thomas Devall, Sir Thomas Middleton. Haslemere, George Woodroff, George Bridges. Hastings, John Pulteney, Robert Austin. Haverford West, William Wogan. Helston, Francis Godolphin, Charles Godolphin. Herefordshire, Sir Herbert Crofts, Sir Edward Harley, Hereford City, James Morgan, Paul Foley. Hertfordshire, Thomas Halsey, Sir Thomas Blunt. Hertford Town, Sir William Cowper, William Cowper.* Heydon. Lord Spencer, Sir William Trumbal. Heytesbury, Edward Ash, Higham, Thomas Andrews. Sir William Drake, Sir John Barker, . Charles Utting. Ives, (St.) John Mitchel, James Praed, Kellington, *Francis Gwyn, *Sir William Coryton. Kent, Philip Sidney, Sir Thomas Roberts. Kingston upon Hull, Lancaster Town, John Verney, Leicester Town, * Lord Castleton, William Norris, Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Samuel Dashwood, Ludlow, Lyme-Regis, Maidstone, * Sir John Banks, Craven Howard, Henry Wharton. Sir William Strickland, * Sir James Etheridge, Mawes, (St.) Melcomb Regis. * Sir Wm. Lukener, Sir John Wolstonholm, Milbourn-Port, * Sir Thomas Travel, * John Stamford, Newark upon Trent, Sir John Levison Gower. Newcastle upon Tine, Newport, (Cornwall) Thomas Brotherton. Norfolk County, Northampton Town, * Montagu lord Norris, Sir Edward Norris, Pembrokeshire, Pembroke Town, Sir William Brownlow. Sir Thomas Trevor, Sir Nathaniel Napier, Sir Will. Lowther, Preston, Sir Thomas Stanley, Queenborough, Richard Taylor. Sir Marmaduke Wyvill. Sir Cloudsley Shovel, Rumney. Sir William Twisden, Rutland County, Sir John Austin, Salop County, Hon. Rd. Lord Newport, *Edw. Kynaston. Salop Town, Sandwich, Sir Thomas Mompesson, Lord Irwyn, Sir Charles Hotham. Seaford, Henry Champion, Shaftsbury, Sir Edward Nicholas, Somersetshire, Southampton County, Southampton Town, Steyning, Sir John Fagg, Sir Edw. Hungerford. Sudbury, John Robinson, Sir Harvey Elwys, Sir Samuel Barnardiston. Sir Richard Onslow. Sussex, Sir John Pelham, Sir William Portman, * Sir John Wodchouse, Sir Godfrey Copley, Tiverton, *Edw. Seymour, * William Jennings, Warwick Town, *Francis Grevill, *Lord Digby, Wareham, Thomas Trenchard, Wells, * Edward Berkeley. Wenlock, William Forrester, Westminster, Weymouth, Sir John Hawles, Wiltshire, * James Bertie, * Sir Roger Bradshaw, Yarmouth, (Hants) Yorkshire, Sir John Kay, York City. Sir William Robinson, Speaker to this Parliament, PAUL FOLLY. Mr. Foley chosen Speaker.] Nov. 22. The parliament having met according to the writ of summons, and the king being seated on the shrone, the commons were sent for up, to whom My Lords and Gentlemen; It is with great satisfaction that I meet you here this day; being assured of a good disposition in my parliament, when I have had so full proofs of the affection of my people, by their behaviour during my absence, and at my.return.-I was engaged in the present War by the advice of my first parliament; who thought it necessary for the defence of our Religion, and for the preservation of the Liberties of Europe.-The last par liament, with great chearfulness, did assist me to carry it on; and I cannot doubt but that your concern for the common safety will oblige you to be unanimously zealous in the prosecution of it and I am glad that the advantages which we have had this year, give us a reasonable ground of hoping for further success hereafter. Upon this occasion, I cannot but take notice of the courage and bravery the English troops have shewn this last summer; which, I may say, has answered their highest character in any age and it will not be denied, that, without the concurrence of the valour and power of England, it were impossible to put a stop to the ambition and greatness of France. -Gentlemen of the House of Commons; I think it a great misfortune, that, from the beginning of my reign, I have been forced to ask so many and such large Aids of my people; and yet, I am confident, you will agree with me in opinion, that there will be at least as great Supplies equisite for carrying on the War by sea and land this year, as was granted in the last session; the rather, because our enemies are augmenting their troops; and the necessity of increasing our Shipping does plainly appear. The Funds which have been given, have proved very deficient: The condition of the Civil List is such, that it will not be possible for me to subsist, unless that matter be taken into your care: And compassion obliges me to mention the miserable circumstances of the French Protestants, who suffer for their religion and therefore, gentlemen, I most earnestly recom mend to you, to provide a Supply suitable to these several occasions. I must likewise take notice of a great difficulty we lie under at this time, by reason of the ill state of the Coin; the redress of which may perhaps prove a further charge to the nation: but this is a matter of so general concern, and of so great importance, that I have thought fit to leave it entirely to the consideration of my parliament.-I did recommend to the last parliament, the form ing some good Bill for the encouragement and increase of Seamen: I hope you will not let this session pass without doing some what in it; and that you will consider of such laws as may be proper for the advancement of Trade; and will have a particular regard to that of the East Indies, lest it should be lost to the nation: and, while the war makes it necessary to have an army abroad, I could wish some way might be thought of to raise the necessary recruits, without giving occasion of complaint.-My desire to meet my people in a new parliament, has made the opening of this session very late; which I hope you will have such regard to, as to make all possible dispatch of the great business before you; and will call to mind, that, by the long continuance of the last session, we did not only lose advantages, which we might have had at the beginning of the campaign, but gave the encmy such an opportunity as might have proved very fatal to us: and I am the more concerned to press this, because of the great preparations which the French make, to be early in the field this year.--My Lords; I have had such experience of your good affections; and I have such an entire satisfaction in the choice which my people have made of you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons; that I promise myself a happy conclusion of this session, unless you suffer yourselves to be misled into heats and divisions: which, being the only hope our enemies have now left, I make no doubt but you will entirely disappoint, by your prudence and love to your country." " Addresses of both Houses.] Both Houses, in their respective Addresses, with great zeal and unanimity, congratulated the glorious success of his majesty's arms abroad, and his safe return home; and likewise returned his majesty Thanks for the trust and confidence he reposed in their affections; assuring him, that they would support his majesty and his government against all his enemies foreign and domestic, and effectually assist him in the prosecution of the present war, in which he was engaged for the safety of England, and liberty of Europe. The Commons Address being pre-ented by the whole house, his majesty gave them this An swer: no person shall be indicted or attainted, but by the oaths of two lawful witnesses. That no person shall be prosecuted, unless the Indictment be found within three years after the offence committed. That all persons indicted shall have copies of the Jury two days before their trial; and shall have like process to compel their witnesses to appear before them, as is usually granted to witnesses against them." To this Bill the lords added the Clause they had always insisted upon; "That upon the Trial of any peer or peeress for treason or misprision, all the peers who have a right to sit and vote in parliament, shall be duly summoned 20 days at least before such Trial, and shall not vote without first taking the Oaths appointed by the Act 1 W. & Mary, and subscribing and repeating the Declaration mentioned in the Act made 30 Car. 2:" which Clause was agreed to by the commons." Nov. 30. The many Protections given to the servants of Parliament-men, and the taking men into custody upon complaints of the breach of those Protections, was really become a grievance to the subject; and therefore it was ordered, "That all Protections and written Certificates of the members of this house be declared void in law, and be forthwith withdrawn and called in, and that none be granted. for the future; and that if any should be granted by any member, such member shall be liable to the censure of this house; and that the privileges of their menial servants be observed according to law; and that, if any menial servant shall be arrested and detained contrary to privilege, he shal', upon complaint thereof, made to the Speaker, be discharged by order from him; and that no person shall be taken into custody upon complaint of any "It is remarkable, that, while this Bill was depending in the lower-house, the lord Ashley, afterwards earl of Shaftsbury, and author of the Characteristics, who was then a member of that house, and very zealous for the Bill, and particularly that part of it, which allows Council to a prisoner, had prepared a The King's Answer.] "Gentlemen, I heartily speech in its behalf, which those, to whom he thank you for the marks you give me of your shewed it, thought a very proper one on the affection: our interests are inseparable, and occasion. But, when he stood up to speak it there is nothing I wish so much as the happiness in the house of commons, the great audience of this country, where God has placed me." so intimidated him, that he lost all memory, Bill for regulating Trials in Cases of Treason.] and was unable to proceed. The house, after Nov. 26. The Bill for Regulating Trials in giving him a little time to recover his confuCases of Treason and Misprision of Treason,' sion, called loudly upon him to go on, when he which had been several times lost in the proceeded to this effect: "If, sir (addressing former parliaments, was again brought into the himself to the Speaker) who rise only to give house of commons, and in a short time read my opinion on the Bill now depending, am so three times there, and sent up to the lords for confounded, that I am unable to express the their concurrence, by which many hardships least of what I proposed to say; what must the upon the liberty of the subject were removed, condition of that man be, who without any or mitigated: for it was hereby enacted, "That assistance is pleading for his life, and under all persons indicted for High Treason, or Mis-apprehensions of being deprived of it?" This prision of it, shall have a copy of the indictment five days before their Trial, and shall be admitted to make their defence by councils learned in the law, not exceeding two. That sudden turn of wit, which by some was imagined to be premeditated, though it really was not, is said to be of service in promoting the Bill." Gen. Dict. Hist. and Crit. vol. ix. p. 179. breach of privileges of this house, Lefore the matter be first examined; which order was not to extend to any breach of privilege upon the person of any member of this house." The Supplies granted.] The next thing to be considered was the Supply for the year 1696. The demand was still very high, and there was a great arrear of deficiencies; however all was readily granted, amounting to 5,024,8537. and lodged on Funds that seemed to be very probable; viz. For the Navy For two Marine Regiments For the Army consisting of 87,440 men, horse, foot and dragoons For the Ordnance, &c. L. 2,500,000 16,972 2,007,881 500,000 £.5,021,853 Pursuant to that part of the king's Speech relating to the Civil List, and to the distressed condition of the French Protestants, the commions also settled a Fund for raising 500,000l. for the Civil List, and 15,000l. a year for the French Protestants. The Funds for raising the Supplies and Civil List were, 1. A land-tax of 4s. a pound. 2. Duties continued upon wine and vinegar, tobucco, East-India goods, and other merchandizes, from 1693 to 1701. 3. Additional duty upon ali French goods, wines 257, a tun, brandy 307, a tun, vinegar 15s. a tun, all other French goods 251. per cent. ad valorem, for the term of twenty-one years. 4. Duties upon lowwines, or spirits of the first extraction. 5. Duties continued upon salt, glass-wares, tobaccopipes, &c. Proceedings on the ill State of the Coin.] The lords were considering that part of the king's Speech that related to the Ill State of the Coin, and had drawn up an Address, to which, in a conference, they desired the concurrence of the commons, who chose rather to proceed in their own way, by appointing a Committee, who should have power to consider of a Fund to make good the deficiency of the clipt Money. And here the great question was, Whether it was necessary or expedient to recoin the SilverMoney? The Country-party held the negative; the Court-party the affirmative; and the arguments were weighed on both sides. The Reasons against calling in, and recoining the Money were, "That this was no fit juncture for it, while the nation was engaged in a burthensome and doubtful war, by which the kingdom had already greatly suffered, and of which it grew every day more sensible. That therefore the people, on whose good affection the government so much depended, should not be provoked by fresh Grievances, greater than any they had yet felt, as those would certainly be, that must arise from the calling in the SilverCoin. That if this was done, however things might be managed and accommodated at home, it were impossible to maintain the commerce or the war, abroad; for neither the merchant could be paid his bills of exchange, nor the soldier receive his subsistence. That this was to lay the ax to the root, and to dig up the foundation of the government. That if this design was prosecuted, trade must stand still for want of mutual payments; whence such disorder and confusion would certainly follow, as would discourage and dishearten the people in the highest measure, if not drive them to a perfect despair, as despair would to the most terrible extremities. That therefore the recoining the money at this time was by no means to be attempted without hazarding all." It was alledged by those of the contrary opinion, at the head of whom appeared Mr. Charles Montague, Chancellor of the Exchequer," That the mischief would be fatal, if a present remedy was not found out and applied. That by reason of the ill State of the Coin, the change abroad was infinitely to the nation's prejudice. That the supplies that were raised to maintain the Army would never attain their end, being so much diminished and devoured by the unequal change, and exorbitant Premiums before they reached the camp. That this was the unhappy cause that thegu neas advanced to 30s. and foreign gold in proportion: That therefore to the nation's great loss, not only the Dutch, but indeed all Europe sent that commodity to this market, and would continue to do so, till the nation should be impoverished and undone by plenty of gold. That we must exchange for their gold our goods, or our silver, till at last we should have only guineas to trade withal; which no body could think our neighbours would be so kind to receive back, at the value they were at here. That therefore this disease would every day take deeper root, infect the very vitals of the nation; and, if not remedied, would soon become incurable. That our enemies must be mightily intimidated by so great an action, and would sooner be induced to agree to honourable terms of peace, in case they saw us able to surmount this difficulty, by the retrieving the ill State of the Com, on which their hopes of the nation's speedy ruin so much depended, and that it would justly create a mighty esteem abroad, of the greatness and wisdom of the parliament of England, which was able to conquer such an obstinate and almost insuperable evil, in such a juncture of affairs."* * The sad state of the money appears from the printed report containing," An Essay for the amendment of the Silver Coins, London 1695." The author first computes all the silver money coined in the reigns of Elizabeth, James 1, and Charles 1. The silver sterling monies coined in the reign of Eliz. exclusive of some base Irish monies, amounted to The silver monies coined in the reign of James 1. are computed at |