Henry Boyle. Dennis Glynn. Thomas Mansel. Cardigan County, Lewis Price. Cardigan Town, Henry Lloyd. Carlisle, Philip Howard, James Lowther. Caermarthen County, Griffith Rice. Caermarthen Town, Richard Vaughan. Caernarvon County, Chester County, Chipping Wycombe, Fleetwood Dormer, Charles Godfrey. Christ's Church, Clithero, Coventry, George Fletcher. Sir Richard Middleton. Derby Town, John Harpur, Devizes, Sir Francis Child, Sir Nathaniel Napier, Durham County, Durham City, Sir Henry Seymour, Edmunds Bury, Sir Francis Marsham, Sir James Rushoot, Exeter, Sir Henry Seymour, Sir R. Mostyn. Flint Town, John Williams, Gatton, Sir Thomas Mansel. Gloucestershire, Sir William Seawen. Grantham, Sir William Ellis, William Coatsworth, Hertfordshire, Hertford Town, Sir Robert Hillyard, Higham Ferrers, Sir William Drake, Huntingdon Town, Sir Philip Boteler, John Boteler. Sir Francis Windham, Ipswich, Robert Roll, Sir Thomas Hales, Will. Maisters, Sir William St. Quintin Christopher Stockdale. Lancaster Town, Leicester Town, Leskard, Thomas Dobson, Sir John Molesworth, Lewes, Lincolnshire, Lincoln City, Sir Robert Clayton, John Burridge, John Paice. Lymington, Thomas Dore, Paul Burrard. Lynn-Regis, Sir John Turner, Sir Charles Turner. Maidstone, Sir Robert Marsham, Sir Charles Hedges, Sir William Strickland, Marlborough, Robert Yard, John Jeffreys. Sir John Etheridge, Mawes, (St.) Sir Joseph Tredenham, Melcomb Regis, Middlesex, Milbourn-Port, Sir Thomas Travel, John Hunt. Minehead, Michael, (St.) Montgomeryshire, Newcastle under Line, Newport, (Hants) Newton, (Lancashire) Nottinghamshire, Sir Edmund Bacon, Sir Robert Jenkinson. Oxford City, Oxford University, Sir William Phippard, Preston, Thomas Harvey. Retford, Rutland County, Rye, Sir John Parsons, Sir Henry Furness, Sarum, New, Sarum Old, Sir Charles Hotham, Southampton Town, Sir Jervis Elwys, Lord Dysert, Sir Samuel Barnardiston. Sir Richard Onslow, Sir William Thomas, Taunton, Sir Francis Warre, Richard Dowdeswell, Sir John Woodhouse, Thirsk, Sir Thomas Frankland, Sir Christ, Musgrave, Tregony, Truro, Thomas Erle, George Pitt. Wells, William Coward, William Forrester, Sir Henry Duttoncolt, Westmoreland, Sir Richard Sandford. Weymouth, Charles Churchill, Whitchurch, John Shrimpton, Richard Woolastone. Winchelsea, Robert Austin, John Hayes. Winchester, George Bridges. Lord Fitzharding, Sir Henry Ashurst, Sir Alexander Rigby, Sir John Packington, Yorkshire, Lord Fairfax, Sir William Robinson, ting up the pretended Prince of Wales for king of England, is not only the highest indiguity offered to me and the nation, but does so nearly concern every man, who has a regard for the Protestant Religion, or the present and future quiet and happiness of his country, that I need not press you to lay it seriously to heart, and to consider what further effectual means may be used, for securing the Succession of the Crown in the Protestant line, and extinguishing the hopes of all Pretenders, and their open and secret abettors.-By the French king's placing bis Grandson on the throne of Spain, he is in a condition to oppress the rest of Europe, unless speedy and effectual measures be taken. Under this pretence, he is become the real Master of the whole Spanish Monarchy; he has made it to be intirely depending on France, and disposes of it, as of his own dominions, and by that means he has surrounded his neighbours in such a manner, that, though the name of peace may be said to continue, yet they are put to the expence and inconveniencies of war.-This must affect England in the nearest and most sensible manner, in respect to our trade, which will soon become precarious in all the variable branches of it; in respect to our peace and safety at home, which we cannot hope should long continue; and in respect to that part, which England ought to take in the preservation of the liberty of Europe. In order to obviate the general calamity, with which the rest of Christendom is threatened by this exorbitant power of France, I have concluded several Alliances, according to the encouragement given me by both houses of parliament, which I will direct shall be laid before you, and which, I doubt not, you will enable me to make good.-There are some other Treaties still depending, that shall be likewise communicated to you as soon as they are perfected.-It is fit I should tell you, the eyes of all Europe are upon this Parliament; all matters are at a stand, till your resolutions are known; and therefore no time ought to be lost.-You have yet an opportunity, by God's blessing, to secure to you and your posterity the quiet enjoyment of your Religion and Liberties, if you are not wanting to yourselves, but will exert the antient vigour of the English nation; but I tell you plainly, my opinion is, if you do not lay hold on this occasion, you have no reason to hope for another.-In order to do your part, it will be necessary to have a great strength at sea, and to provide for the security of our ships in harbour; and also that there be such a force at land, as is expected in proportion to the forces of our Allies. * "The lord Sommers is supposed to have as--Gentlemen of the House of Commons; I do sisted in framing this Speech, which was so acceptable to the well-wishers to the Revolution, and their friends abroad, that it was printed with decorations in English, Dutch, and French, and hung up in frames in almost every house in England and Holland, as his majesty's last legacy to his own and all Protestant people." Tindal. Lord Pawlet, Speaker to this Parliament, ROBERT HARLEY. Mr. Harley chosen Speaker.] Dec. 30. The New Parliament being met, the King came to the House of Peers, and sent for the Commons, to whom the Lord-Keeper signified his majesty's pleasure, that they should forthwith proceed to the choice of a Speaker, and present him the next morning. The competition for that office lay between Mr. Robert Harley, and sir Thomas Littleton. The king and council inclined to sir Thomas; but Mr. Harley was elected by a majority of 14 voices. The King's last Speech in Parliament.] Dec. 31. His majesty opened the Session with the following Speech to both Houses: "My Lords and Gentlemen; I promise myself you are met together full of that just sense of the common danger of Europe, and the resentment of the late proceedings of the French king, which has been so fully and universally expressed in the loyal and seasonable Addresses of my people.-The owning and set Vor, V. recommend these matters to you with that concern and earnestness, which their importance requires. At the same time I cannot but press you to take care of the public credit, which cannot be preserved but by keeping sacred that maxim, that they shall never be losers, who trust to a Parliamentary security.-It is always with regret, when I do ask aids of my 4 Q people; but you will observe, that I desire nothing, which relates to any personal expence of mine; I am only pressing you to do all you can for your own safety and honour, at so critical and dangerous a time; and am willing, that what is given, should be wholly appropriated to the purposes for which it is intended. -And, since am speaking on this head, I think it proper to put you in mind, that, during the late war, I ordered the accounts to be laid yearly before the Parliament, and also gave my assent to several bills for taking the public accounts, that my subjects might have the satisfaction, how the money given for the war was applied; and I am willing that matter may be put in any further way of examination, that it may appear, whether there were any misapplications and mismanagements; or whether the debt, that remains upon us, has really arisen from the shortness of the supplies, or the deficiency of the funds.-1 have already told you, how necessary dispatch will be for carrying on that great public business, whereon our safety, and all that is valuable to us depends. I hope, what time can be spared, will be employed about those other very desirable things, which I have so often recommended from the throne; I mean, the forming some good bills for employing the poor, for encouraging trade, and the further suppressing of vice.-My Lords and Gentlemen; I hope you are come together determined to avoid all manner of disputes and differences; and resolved to act with a general and hearty concurrence for promoting the common cause, which alone can make this a happy session.-I should think it as great a blessing as could befall England, if I could observe you as much inclined to lay aside those unhappy fatal animosities, which divide and weaken you, as I am disposed to make all my subjects safe and easy as to any, even the highest offences, committed against me.-Let me conjure you to disappoint the only hopes of our enemies by your unanimity. I have shewn, and will always shew, how desirous I am to be the common father of all my people. Do you, in like manner, lay aside parties and divisions. Let there be no other distinction heard of amongst us for the future, but of those, who are for the Protestant Religion, and the present establishment, and of those, who mean a Popish Prince, and a French government.-I will only add this; if you do in good earnest desire to see England hold the balance of Europe, and to be indeed at the head of the Protcstant interest, it will appear by your right improving the present opportunity." which we return your majesty our most humble and hearty thanks: And though the several particulars, which your majesty was pleased to recommend to us, are of the highest importance, and that we will lose no time in proceeding to the consideration of them, with great duty to your majesty; yet we cannot defer expressing our just resentments of the proceedings of the French king, in owning and setting up the pretended prince of Wales for king of England and other your majesty's realms and dominions, which we take to be the highest indignity that can be offered to your sacred majesty and this kingdom; and we do assure your majesty, we are so sensible thereof, that we are resolved to assist your majesty to the utmost of our power, in defending your sacred person and government from all attempts whatsoever that shall be made, either from your open or secret enemies: And, that no enemies to our religion and country may ever hope to prosper in their attempts against us, when, to our great unhappiness, it shall please God to deprive us of your majesty's protection; we do further declare our resolution, to assist and defend, to the utmost of our power, against the pretended prince of Wales and all other pretenders whatsoever, every person and persons, who have right to succeed to the crown of these realms, by virtue of the two acts of parliament, intituled, The King's Answer.] His majesty made this Answer: "My lords; I heartily thank you for your very seasonable Address, and for all your kind expressions of duty to me in it. I recommend to you, to take into your speedy consideration, the other matters mentioned in my Speech, and doubt not but that your resolutions will be for the honour and safety of the kingdom.” The Commons' Address.] Jan. 5. The com mons presented their Address as follows: "Most gracious sovereign, We your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of England in parliament assembled, do return our most humble and hearty Thanks to your majesty, for your most gracious Speech from the throne; and humbly crave leave to assure your majesty, that this house will support and defend your majesty's lawful and rightful Title to the crown of these realms, against the pretended prince of Wales, and all his open and secret Abettors and Adherents, and all other your majesty's enemies whatsoever. And we will enable your majesty to shew your just "We your majesty's most dutiful and loyal resentment of the affront and indignity offered subjects, the lords spiritual and temporal in to your majesty and this nation, by the French parliament assembled, did hear, with all imagin-king, in taking upon him to declare the preable satisfaction, your majesty's most gracious tended prince of Wales king of England, ScotSpeech to both your houses of parliament; for land and Ireland: And we are firmly and The Lords Address concerning the Pretender being owned in France.] January 1, 1701-2. The lords presented the following Address to his majesty: their open and secret abettors." And the next day they further resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his majesty, that he would he graciously pleased to take care, that it be an Article in the several Treaties of Alliance between his majesty and other potentates, That no peace shall be made with France, until his majesty and the nation have unanimously resolved to maintain and support | Succession of the Crown in the Protestant line, the Succession to the imperial crown of this and extinguishing the hopes of the pretended realm, and the dominions and territories there-prince of Wales, and all other pretenders, and unto belonging in the Protestant line, as the same is settled by an Act declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and settling the Succession of the Crown; and farther provided for, by an Act of the last parliament, entitled, An Act for the farther Limitation of the Crown, and better securing the Rights and Liberties of the subject. And for the better effecting the same, we will, to the utmost of our power, en-reparation for the great indignity offered by the able your majesty to make good all those Alliances your majesty has made, or shall make, pursuant to the Addresses and Advice of your most dutiful and loyal commons of the last parliament, for the preserving the Liberties of Europe and reducing the exorbitant power of France." The King's Answer.] To which his majesty gave this Answer: "Gentlemen, I give you my hearty Thanks for this Address, which I look upon as a good omen for the session. The unanimity with which it passed, adds greatly to the satisfaction I receive from it; so good a step at your first entrance upon business, cannot but raise the hopes of all who wish well to England and to the common cause. I can desire no more of you than to proceed as you have begun; and I depend upon it: For, when I consider how chearfully and universally you concurred in this Address, I cannot doubt but every one of you will sincerely endeavour to make it effectual in all the parts of it." State of Affairs laid before the Commons.] Jan 6. To bring the house of commons into more effectual measures for espousing and supporting the cause of a new War, the king commanded Mr. Secretary Vernon to lay before them the copies of the Treaties of the Grand Alliance, viz." 1. The Treaty between himself, king of Denmark, and the States General, June 15, 1701. 2. The Secret Articles of that Treaty. 3. The Treaty between the emperor, his majesty, and the States General, Sept. 7, 1701. 4. A Convention between his majesty, the king of Sweden, and the States General, Sept. 26, 1701. 5. The Treaty between his majesty and the States General, Nov. 11, 1701." French king, in owning and declaring the Pretended Prince of Wales king of England, Scotland, and Ireland: They agreed at the same time, That the proportion of Land-Forces to act in conjunction with the forces of the Allies, for making good the Alliances, be 40,000 men, and 40,000 more for Sea-service." These were the numbers the king by the Alliances was obliged to furnish, and all was consented to in every particular. The pretended Prince of Wales is attainted.] The commons began a Bill for the Attainder of the pretended prince of Wales, to which, though it could not be opposed, much less stopped, many shewed a coldness, and absented themselves on the days, on which it was ordered to be read. It was sent up to the lords, and passed that house on the 20th of Feb. with an addition of an attainder of the queen, who acted as queen regent for him. This was much opposed; for no evidence could be brought to prove the allegation; but the fact was so notorious, that it passed, and the Bill was sent down again to the commons. It was excepted to there as not regular, since but one precedent in king Henry 8's time was brought for it; and in that the commons had added some names, by a clause in a Bill of Attainder sent down to them by the lords; and, as this was a single precedent, so it seemed to be a hard one. For, attainders by bill being the greatest rigours of the law, the stretching of that ought to be avoided. It was therefore thought more proper to attaint her by a bill apart than by a clause in another bill, to which the lords agreed, and so the Bill against the pretended prince of Wales passed. The lords also passed a new bill attainting the queen, but that was let sleep in the house of commons. An Act for abjuring the pretended Prince of Wales.] The maiter, that occasioned the longest and warmest debates in both houses, was an Act for abjuring the pretended prince of Wales, and for swearing to the king, by the ti A Supply voted.] All which were so well approved, that the house immediately resolved, "That a Supply be granted to his majesty; and that whoever should advance or lend to his majesty's exchequer the sum of 600,000l. for the service of the Fleet, should be repaid the same with interest at 6 per cent. out of the first Aidstle of rightful' and lawful' king, and his to be granted this session: and that whosoever should advance the further sum of 50,000l. for the subsistence of the Guards and Garrisons, should be repaid in like manner.” A Bill for the Security of his Majesty's Person brought in.] Jan. 9. But what gave the greatest vigour to a war abroad and unity at home, was, that this day they resolved unanimously, "That leave be given to bring in a Bill, for securing of his majesty's person, and the heirs, according to the act of settlement. This was begun in the house of lords, and the first design was, that the Oath should be voluntary, it being only to be tendered to all persons, and their subcription or refusal to be recorded, without any other penalty. This was vehemently opposed by all the Tory party, at the head of whom the earl of Nottingham set himself. About twenty lords persisted in their opposition to this bill, those, who were |