wards the preservation of the peace of Europe. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I will order the proper officers to lay before you the estimates for the service of the current year. I desire such supplies only, as you shall find absolutely necessary for preserving the peace of the kingdom, and for the security of my people; and those, I hope, may be raised without laying any additional charge or burden on my subjects. London as possible. If he should pass through the city or the park, any thing of that kind would be more excuseable, though it is what he desires entirely to avoid." Coxe's Walpole, Correspondence, vol. 2, p. 293. The Letter to the King alluded to in the above, was as follows: "Sire, Hanover, Nov. 30, 1723. "I hope your Majesty will be graciously pleased to pardon the liberty I take, in presuming to lay before you my unbiassed thoughts, on the subject of your Majesty's journey to England. I have chosen to reduce them into writing, for no other reason, but because I thought I could state them clearer that way, than by word of mouth. I beg leave to assure your Majesty, that I have no other view in doing it, than to set this matter in the clearest light for your Majesty's determination, submitting it entirely to your Majesty, as I am in duty bound, to help forward and facilitate whatever resolution your Majesty in your great wisdom, shall think proper to take upon this and upon all other occasions. "The parliament stands prorogued at present to the 19th of November, O. S. which is the 30th, N. S. and your Majesty has already given farther directions to have it prorogued to the 17th, O. S. which is the 28th of December, N. S. The next full moon is on the last day of November, O. S. which is the 11th of December, N. S. and as the moon rises but three quarters of an hour later one night than another, this moon will give light for seven or eight nights after, sufficient to prevent any danger of running on the coasts of England. Should your Majesty, therefore, set out from Hanover about the 14th or 15th of December, N. S. you may propose to embark about the 17th or 18th, which is the 6th or 7th, O. S. and, having the benefit of this moon, may hope to land in England a week or ten days before the time to which the parliament will then stand prorogued. By which means, before that prorogation expires, a proclamation may be published for proroguing it farther to about the 10th of January, O. S. which is the 21st, N. S. giving notice that it shall meet to do business at that time, which will be at a proper and convenient distance after the Christmas holidays, and your servants will have full time enough to concert the measures necessary for the conduct of the sessions. The time of the parliament's meeting thus early, being once settled and known, will give almost the same satisfaction " I must, in a particular manner, recommend to your care the public debts of the kingdom, as the most national concern you can possibly take into your consideration. I am persuaded it must be a very great satisfaction to all my faithful subjects, to see the sinking fund improved and augmented, and the debt of the nation thereby put into a method of being so much the sooner gradually reduced and paid and spirit to the nation, as if it were actually assembled; and Mr. Walpole, having already assured your Majesty, that he can find means for continuing the payments of the army and fleet till after the holidays, no inconvenience to the public service can possibly ensue. "But should your Majesty let slip this moon, and wait for the next of the 10th of January, N. S. which is the last of December, O. S. notice cannot be given at next prorogation, of the parliament being to meet the 10th, to do business; because, even supposing your Majesty should have the quickest passage possible, your Majesty cannot be in London till the 3rd or 4th of January, which is the 14th or 15th, N.S. and the parliament being prorogued to the 10th, O. S. it will be impossible to open the parliament at the time appointed; but your Majesty must inevitably prorogue it at least for a fortnight longer, which will delay the opening of the parliament to the latter end of January, or beginning of February. But yet the parliament, requiring three weeks notice at least, cannot be brought together till some time in February; and it not being certain, whether the payments abovementioned, can be continued thus long, there will be evident danger of involving the public service in such difficulties, as may very much affect public credit, and occasion the greatest uneasiness throughout the nation. "But should it farther happen, that the frosts should set in about that time in Holland, which may naturally be apprehended, no one is able to foresee how long your Majesty's passage may be delayed, nor what the consequence of such a delay may be. The public supplies (which are granted only from Christmas to Christmas) being exhausted, every branch of the public service must be at a stand: the parliament must meet late, and probably in ill temper, and the session must unavoidably be protracted to the iniddle of the summer months. After having thus stated to your Majesty, with the greatest deference and submission, the inconveniences which, it appears to me, may occur from possible accidents and delays, I once more beg leave to assure your Majesty, that though I have taken the liberty to give my opinion, yet whatever resolution your Ma-' jesty shall take, I shall most cheerfully, and with the utmost readiness and submission, do all in my power towards rendering it practicable and easy; having no other view or desire than that of conducting your Majesty's affairs on all occasions, in such manner as may be most to your own service and satisfaction.", off: It would be a work truly worthy of a British parliament, to begin this commendable undertaking, and to make such a progress therein, as, with a strict regard to public faith and private property, may pave the way to this great and desirable end. 66 My Lords and Gentlemen, "In the present happy situation of our af fairs, I have nothing more to recommend to you, than that you would make use of the opportunity, which your own good conduct has put into your hands, in considering of such farther laws, as may be wanting for the ease and encouragement of trade and navigation, for the employment of the poor, and for the exciting and encouraging a spirit of industry in the nation. "I am fully satisfied, that the trade and wealth of my people are the happy effects of the liberties they enjoy, and that the grandeur of the crown consists in their prosperity; and I am as fully persuaded, that all, who wish well to their country, must agree with me, that it is the vainest of all delusions to imagine, that the religion, laws, and liberties of this kingdom, can ever be secured, but by supporting the present establishment, and maintaining the succession in the Protestant line. Let us therefore heartily join in every thing, that may tend to promote our mutual happiness, and to extinguish the hopes of those, who long have been, and still are restless in their endeavours to subject this nation to the whole train of miseries, that are inseparable from Popery and arbitrary power." The Lords' Address of Thanks.] The King being withdrawn, the Lords resolved to present an Address of Thanks to his Majesty, which being drawn up, and agreed to, was, the next day, presented to his Majesty, as follows: "Most Gracious Sovereign; "We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, humbly return your Majesty the Thanks of this House for your Majesty's most gracious Speech from the throne; and for your gracious acceptance of our sincere endeavours for your service during the last session. We cannot in justice but acknowledge, that the prosperous and flourishing condition, and the present tranquillity of the kingdom, are the natural effects of your Majesty's wise and steady government. Your Majesty's powerful influence in all your foreign negotiations, towards the preservation of the general peace, gives us very great satisfaction. We beseech your Majesty to believe nothing can be dearer to us, than your honour; and that we cannot think any thing of greater importance than the enabling your Majesty to maintain the tranquillity of Europe. "We humbly beg leave, with hearts full of duty and gratitude, to acknowledge your Majesty's paternal care and tenderness, in desiring the case of your people, from all unnecessary burdens, and your inexpressible goodness in declaring from the throne your full satisfaction, that the trade and wealth of your people are happy effects of the liberties they enjoy; and that the grandeur of your crown consists in the prosperity of your subjects. We beg your Majesty to believe, that nothing shall be ever wanting on our part, that can tend to the increase of your Majesty's happiness and glory; and that we are firmly and unanimously resolved, with our lives and fortunes, to maintain our present happy establishment, as the only solid foundation, upon which we can hope for the quiet enjoyment of our religion, laws and liberties." The King's Answer.] His Majesty's Answer was as follows: "My Lords; "I give you my hearty thanks. for this dutiful and loyal Address. Your affectionate concern for my honour and happiness is very acceptable to me. Be assured it shall be my constant care to preserve the rights and liberties of my people." Commons being returned to their House, the The Commons' Address of Thanks.] The lord Finch moved, and being seconded it was resolved, nem. con. That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, which was unanimously agreed to, and on the 11th, presented by the whole House, as follows: "Most Gracious Sovereign; "Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Great Britain in parlia Majesty upon your safe and happy return into ment assembled, beg leave to congratulate your these kingdoms; and most humbly desire your Majesty to accept the unfeigned thanks of this House, for your Majesty's most gracious speech from the throne. As your Majesty is pleased to found the grandeur of your crown in the security of the liberties of your people, and your glory in promoting their prosperity; so they, in return, must be excited, by all the ties of duty and gratitude, to build their happiness upon the firm and unshaken principles of loyalty and affection to your Majesty's most sacred person and government. "It is the greatest satisfaction to your Majesty's faithful Commons to find, that the loyalty of their resolutions and the justice of their proceedings, in the last session of parliament, have been attended with all the happy consequences they expected from them; and now have been rewarded with your Majesty's royal approbation. "We beg leave to assure your Majesty, that we shall readily and chearfully raise all such supplies, as shall be necessary to support the honour of your Majesty's government, and secure the tranquillity of these kingdoms. "We are highly sensible of your Majesty's goodness to all your people, in recommending, particularly at this time, to our consideration the public debts of the kingdom; which are so heavy a load, and so much a national concern, that we should be wanting to ourselves, if we did not assure your Majesty, that we will use our utmost endeavours to improve and augment the sinking fund, and thereby put the national debt into a method of being gradually reduced and paid, without any violation of public faith, or infringement of private property: And as your Majesty is pleased to encourage our attempting so great and noble a design; so we are fully persuaded, that the wisdom and steadiness of your Majesty's government will enable us to perfect this great undertaking. "We assure your Majesty, that we know of no other safety, under God, for our trade and wealth, liberty and property, religious and civil rights, but the security of your Majesty's sacred person and government, and the succession in your royal House; which we will always support and maintain against. any traiterous attempt whatsoever; being truly sensible of the blessings we enjoy under your Majesty's most gracious and happy government, which has hitherto preserved us from all those miseries, experience, has taught us, are inseparable from Popery and arbitrary power." The King's Answer.] To this Address his Majesty returned the following Answer: "Gentlemen; "I return you my hearty thanks for this dutiful and loyal Address: The wisdom and resolution of this parliament have principally contributed to our present happy situation; and the perseverance of my faithful Commons, with the same zeal and unanimity, in the dispatch of the public business, will be the surest means of improving this favourable opportu nity to the best advantage, for the honour and interest of the kingdom.” provided for guards and garrisons in Great Britain, and for Jersey and Guernsey, for the year 1724, including 1815 invalids, be 18264 men, commission and non-commission officers included. 2. That a sum not exceeding 655,6681. 8s. 7d. be granted for defraying the charge of the said 18264 men, for the year 1724." Jan. 23. The above Resolutions, being reported, were agreed to by the House. Resolutions respecting the Public Debts.] February 13. Mr. Farrer, according to order, reported from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of that part of his Majesty's Speech, which relates to the National Debt, the following Resolutions: 1. "That, towards lessening the public debts and incumbrances, the annuities payable after the rate of 51. per centum per annum, and charged on the general fund by a clause in the Act of Parliament, of the fifth year of his Majesty's reign, intituled, An act for granting to his Majesty an aid, by a land tax, to be raised in Great Britain, for the service of the year 1719, other than, and except, such of them as have been subscribed into the capital stock of the South-Sea Company, be redeemed, aud paid off, at Lady-day 1724. 2." That all the principal, and interest after the rate of 57. per centum per annum, payable for or on the several standing orders made, or to be made, for, on in respect of, the blanktickets only in the Lottery for 1,400,000l. granted for the service of the year 1714, which shall remain due, and in arrear, at Lady-day 1724, other than, and except, so much thereof as has been subscribed into the capital stock of the South Sea Company, be then paid off, and discharged. 3. "That so much of the monies arisen, or arise, at or before Lady-day 1724, of or for the surpluses, excesses, or overplus-monies, commonly called the sinking fund, and then remaining in the Exchequer, as will be necessary to redeem, and pay off, the said annuities principal and interest; and also to redeem the two annuities, which, by the act, of the ninth year of his Majesty's reign, intituled, An Act for redeeming certain annuities, payable by the cashier of the Bank of England at the rate of five pounds per cent. per ann.' were enacted to be redeemed at Lady-day 1724; shall be issued, applied, and disposed of, for completing such redemptions and payments, as aforesaid, in the first place; and, subject thereto, to the same uses as they are now appropriated to by any former act or acts of Parliament. Debate in the Commons concerning the Number of Land-Forces.] January 22. The Com-to mons in a Committee of the whole House on the Supply, read the Estimates of the Charge of the Guards, Garrisons, and Land-Forces, and Mr. Treby moved for keeping up the same number of troops for the year 1724, as were maintained the year before. This occasioned a warm debate which lasted five hours. Mr. Treby was supported by Mr. R. Walpole, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Doddington, Mr. Yonge, Mr. Thomas Broderick, lord Finch, serjeant Miller, Mr. St. John Broderick, Mr. Docminique, and Mr. Pulteney. But sir Wilfrid Lawson, who was supported by lord Morpeth, Mr. Bromley, sir Thomas Haumer, Mr. Sloper, Mr. Shippen, hon. Mr. Verney, Mr. Hungerford, sir Joseph Jekyll, Mr. Jefferies, Mr. Walter Plummer, and Mr. Hutcheson, insisted, That the additional troops raised the last year should be disbanded, because there was, at this time, no apparent occasion for so great a number of forces. But the question being put upon the motion, it was carried in the affirmative by 240 votes against 100; and resolved, 1. "That the number of effective men to be . 4. That, towards lessening the Public Debts and incumbrances, the principal sum of 1,775,027l. 17s. 10 d. now owing to the governor and Company of the Bank of England, in lieu of certain Exchequer-Bills, formerly by them delivered up, and cancelled; and which, by an Act of Parliament, of the third year of his Majesty's reign, intituled, An Act for redeeming several funds of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, pursuant to former provisoes of redemption; and for securing to them several new funds or allowances, redeemable by Parliament; and for obliging them to advance further sums, not exceeding 2,500,000l. at five pounds per centum, as shall be found necessary to be em'ployed in lessening the national debts and incumbrances; and for continuing certain provisions formerly made for the expences of his Majesty's civil government; and for pay'ment of annuities formerly purchased at the rate of five pounds per cent.; and for other c purposes in this act mentioned;' was to be attended with an annuity of 88,751l. 7s. 104d. being after the rate of 51. per cent. per ann.; and to be redeemable by parliament upon a year's notice; be paid off, and redeemed at the feast of the Nativity of St. John Baptist, which shall be in the year of our Lord 1725, ac cording to the proviso or power of redemption contained in the same act, for that purpose." 'The said Resolutions, being severally read a second time, were agreed unto by the House, and a Bill was ordered to be brought in, pursuant to the three first of the said Resolutions. Order of the Commons respecting Protections. Feb. 18. The Commons took into consideration, the Lists of Protections laid before the House by the secondaries of the two compters of London, and the under-sheriff of the County of Middlesex. And the Standing Order of the House of the 31st of January 1718 was read accordingly, and is as followeth, viz. "Ordered nem. con. That all Protections and Written Certificates of the Members of this House be de'clared void in law, and be forthwith withdrawn and called in; and that none be grant'ed for the future; and that if any shall be · granted by any member, such member shall 'make satisfaction to the party injured, and 'shall be liable to the censure of this House.' Upon which it was ordered, nem. con. "That the said Standing Order be reprinted and published by setting up the same in the Lobby at the House door, at Westminster-Hall gate, and at the several courts in Westminster Hall, and at the inns of court and inns of chaucery, and at the Royal-Exchange, and at the two Compters in London; and that the knights and commissioners of the shires do send copies thereof to the sheriffs of their respective counties, and the citizens to their respective cities, and the burgesses and commissioners of the boroughs to their respective boroughs." Petition from the Sufferers by the Bahama Project.] Feb. 21. Sir John Guise presented to the Commons a Petition of sir Gustavus Hume, and George Pratt, esq. and several other persons who were Sufferers by becoming Adventurers in the Project for carrying on a trade to the Bahama Islands, setting forth, "That in or about the month of June 1720, a very large Subscription for money was set on foot and carried on, under a pretence of promoting a very beneficial trade to the Bahama Islands, and likewise for a sale of the said Islands, among such persons as should be induced to become sharers or adventurers in the said project; and that a very considerable sum of money of about 60,000l. had been subscribed and actually paid into the hands of some persons who were at the head of the said project, and did undertake to manage and promote the several interests of the Petitioners; and that from the commencement of the said Subscription to this time, frequent and repeated applications have been made to the persons who have had the direction and management of the said Project; but no manner of satisfaction can be obtained by the Petitioners, who apprehend that without the interposition of this House they shall not be able to recover the sums of money they were induced to subscribe and pay in; and praying, The House will take the premises into consideration, and grant them such relief as to them shall seem meet." ing of this Petition, a motion being made, That The said Petition rejected.] After the readthe, said Petition be referred to the consideration of a Committee, many members were inclined to the affirmative. Mr. R. Walpole did, thereupon, represent, That this Petition seened intended to open again the wounds of the year 1720, which the Parliament, with great wisdom, had endeavoured to heal; that if they countenanced such a Petition, they would soon have a load of petitions of the same nature brought upon them ; and that the law being open, the Petitioners ought to seek their relief there, where many had already found it. To this The Lord Morpeth replied, That the rejecting of this Petition would sound very ill without doors, and look as if they screened their own members; some of whom were known to have been the principal managers of the Bahania project: But Mr. Walpole's reasons carried such weight, that the question being put upon the' motion, it passed in the negative." Order of the Lords respecting Protections.] February 25. The order of the day being read for taking into consideration the several Lists of Certificates of written Protections, delivered ters in London, the under-sheriff of Middlesex, at the bar by the Secondaries of the two Comp entered in their respective offices; the standing and the high-bailiff of Westminster, which are Order of the House of the 15th of April, 1712, in relation to certain written Protections, being. read, the following Order and Declaration was made, viz. "That all the said written Protections are null and void; and all other Protections, which shall be, at any time hereafter, given contrary to the said standing Order, shall be taken to be null and void; and that no sheriff, under-sheriff, deputy-sheriff, secondary, or other officer, whose duty it is to issue any legal process, or to execute the same, or cause the same to be exeecuted, shall receive or allow, or have any regard to, or make any entry in his office, of any written Protection, which is or shall be signed, or pretended to be signed, by any Lord of this House; but that nothing herein contained shall be understood in any sort to derogate from the ancient privilege of the Lords of Parliament, with respect to their menial servants, and those of their family, as also those employed necessarily and properly about their estates, as well as their persons, or to expose to arrests those, who are really servants to them, as aforesaid." 1 Then it being moved, That the same be made a standing Order; ordered, That on Saturday next the House will take the said motion into consideration: Accordingly on the 29th of February the House proceeded to take into consideration the above-mentioned motion; and the same being read, was ordered to be entered on the Roll of the standing Orders of the House, and to be forthwith printed and published, and affixed on the doors belonging to the House, and Westminster-hall. Petition respecting Foreign Gold.] March 3. A Petition of several merchants and other traders in and about the city of London, was presented to the House of Commons, and read, setting forth: "That great quantities of Foreign Gold and English Broad Pieces are offered in payment to the Petitioners in the common course of trade, and on inland bills of exchange, which if they refuse to take they are prevented receiving their just debts; that when the Petitioners have received such gold they cannot pay away the same for customs, excise, or any other taxes, which is a very great difficulty and hardship upon them, and a great obstruction of trade, and the due circulation of money, and therefore praying, That English Broad Pieces, and all foreign gold may be prohibited passing in payment, or else may be taken for customs, excise, and all other branches of the public revenue, or that the House will afford them such other relief as shall seem meet.' "'* This Petition was backed by the following Paper, which was delivered to the members, viz. "REASONS humbly offered, to prohibit English Broad Pieces and all Foreign Gold from passing in Payment, unless they are taken in all the Public Revenues. 1. "Many persons that import foreign gold pick out the lightest pieces to pass in payment, and sell the heaviest by weight; which are frequently coined into guineas, and the light pieces are imposed upon the manufacturers and other traders, and when they have been forced to take such gold, the same is again imposed upon others, and such as will not comply therewith are kept out of their money, which produceth many difficulties and quarrels The said Petition was ordered to be taken into consideration on the 10th instant. Debate in the Lords on the Mutiny Bill.] March 16. The Lords being in a Grand Committee on the bill,For punishing Mutiny and Desertion,' there arose a debate, upon the motion made by Lord Trevor, for leaving out of the number of the Land Forces to be continued, the 4,000 amongst the people, and is a great obstruction to trade, and the due circulation of money. 2. "Those who have money to pay on any part of the King's revenue, and particularly on bills of exchange to the Excise-office, or Custom-house, are put to very great difficulties to procure money to answer the demands of the government, for though they are obliged to receive such gold, none of the public officers belonging to the crown will receive it again, so that the traders are not only under great difficulties, but the payments on the revenues are daily postponed, which is a great loss to the public. 3. "Foreign gold, and particularly moidores, are easily counterfeited, and some are done so exactly, that few can distinguish the bad from the good, and English Broad Pieces are often clipt. Such gold passing in payment is a great dainage to the nation. 4. "In order to prevent these great inconveniencies it is humbly proposed, That English Broad Pieces and all foreign Gold whatsoever, may be prohibited passing in payment, and then they will be quickly coined into guineas, which will make such an alteration in the circulation of money, that trade in general will quickly feel the good effects thereof. 5. The objection that some persons may make to the foregoing proposals is, That it will discourage the importation of foreign gold, but that is only a vulgar error, for if the balance of trade is in our favour, there will be no less quantity of gold imported, which as it comes in will naturally go to the Mint to be coined, which has always been the usual channel, till of late years they have found this new method of picking out the lightest pieces and imposing them upon the subjects, and melting the heaviest, or selling them by weight. 6." But if it is thought that the foregoing reasons are not sufficient, but that it is an adVantage to the nation that Broad Pieces and humbly proposed that such gold shall be taken foreign gold should pass in payment; then it is for customs, excise, and all payments whatsoever that are made to the government: for it seems unreasonable that any coined money should pass in payment between subject and subject, but what will be taken in all the public revenues. "And if it be supposed that the currency of foreign gold in the way of trade promotes the importation thereof, the extending its currency to all the public offices must much more promote such importation." |