any time insulted or attacked by any prince or state whatsoever, in any part of your Majesty's dominions or territories, not belonging to the crown of Great Britain, in resentment of such measures as your Majesty has taken for preserving and maintaining the trade and safety of this kingdom, and of your Majesty's having entered into the said defensive alliance for that purpose; we are fully determined, in vindication of your Majesty's honour, to exert ourselves to the utmost in defending and protecting such dominions from any such insults and attacks." The King's Answer.] His Majesty's Answer was as follows: (6 My Lords; "I thank you kindly for this most seasonahle and loyal Address; the true concern you shew for your country is no less acceptable to me, than the regard you express for my honour.. The assurances you give me in relation to my territories abroad, will, I am persuaded, contribute very much to the preserving the public peace of Europe; and you may depend upon my making no other use of that confidence, which is so firmly established between us, than to maintain and promote the welfare of this kingdom." Petition of R. Hampden, Esq. for a Bill to impower the Lords of the Treasury to compound with him for the Debt he owed to the Crown.] March 2. A Petition of Richard Hampden, esq. member for Wendover, was presented to the House, and read, praying, That leave might be given to bring in a Bill, "To impower the Lords' Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury to compound with the Petitioner, for the Debt due from him to the crown." Sir Robert Walpole having acquainted the House, that the Petitioner had applied to the King, and that his Majesty had commanded him to acquaint the House, that his Majesty gave his consent, that the House might do therein as they thought fit; the said Petition was thereupon referred to the consideration of a Committee of the whole House, on the 11th instant. Petition of Sir T. Lowther, for purchasing the Reversion, in Fee, of his Estate held by Grant from the Crown.] A Petition of sir Tho. Lowther, bart. was presented to the House and read; setting forth, "That the site of the dissolved monastery of Furneis in Lancashire and lands thereto belonging were formerly the estate of the Preston family. That in 1674, this estate was enjoyed by sir Thomas Preston, a Papist, who, to prevent its descending to the Petitioner's grandfather, conveyed the same to trustees for superstitious uses. That the Petitioner and his ancestors have been at considerable charges, in maintaining their own and in recovering the crown's title to the said estate: That the Petitioner now enjoys the said estate by a lease, for 31 years, of which 22 are yet to come; and praying, That as this estate was the family estate, of which they were deVOL. VIII. prived for the adherence of the Petitioner's grandfather to the Protestant religion; and in regard of the great expence the Petitioner's family have been at in recovering and maintaining the right of the crown, That leave might be given to bring in a Bill to enable his Majesty to grant the Inheritance of the said Estate to the Petitioner, upon his paying such consideration as, according to the nature of the case, should be reasonable." Hereupon sir Robert Walpole having informed the House that his Majesty gave his consent to the bringing in such a Bill as was desired by the Petition; a Bill was ordered to be brought in accordingly. A Petition of Sir Orlando Bridgman to the same purpose.] March 7. A Petition of sir Orlando Bridgman, bart. was presented to the House and read; praying, "That leave may chase the reversion in fee of Bowood Park in be given to bring in a Bill to enable him to purWiltshire, which had been granted for a term of years to his grandfather sir Orlando Bridgman, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, by king Charles 2. on payment of such consideration for the same, as shall be set by his Majesty's surveyor general." Sir Robert Walpole having thereupon acquainted the House, that his Majesty gave his consent to the bringing in such a Bill, as was desired by the Petition, the said Bill was ordered to be brought in accordingly. Upon occasion of sir Orlando Bridgman and sir Thomas Lowther's Petitions, Mr. Hungerford represented, That through the generosity and bounty of his Majesty's royal predecessors, the ancient demesne of the crown had been so curtailed and diminished, that little was left of it; that therefore it was high time to think of some means or other to recover, at least, so much of it as reverted to the crown, by the determination of former grants; that 'twas well known how apt the best of princes are to yield to the importunities of courtiers, even to the detriment of their own families and successors; and therefore he moved, "That the House would receive no more Petitions for enabling of the crown." He was seconded by Mr. Freehis Majesty to sell the reversion of lands held man; and nobody opposing that motion, it passed into a resolution. Debate on Mr. Hampden's Petition.] March 11. The Commons went into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Petition of Richard Hampden, esq. After the reading of which sir William Yonge, who had brought it in, spoke in his behalf, but was opposed by sir Thomas Hanmer, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Shippen, Mr. Hungerford, and others; who made just reflections on the crime of mismanaging and imbezzelling public money. This charge was much aggravated by what Sir John Eyles, Sub-Governor of the South Sea Company, declared, That it appeared by the balanced accounts of Mr. Hawes, one of the late Directors, that Mr. Hampden was so 2 L far from being a sufferer in the South Sea Project, that he was rather upwards of 9,000l. gainer. Hereupon Mr. Arthur Onslow said, That out of regard to his ancient family, and, in particular, in consideration of his great grandfather, who made a most noble and courageous stand against arbitrary power in opposing Ship Money, and fell the first victim in the glorious cause of liberty, he was for having something done for his rela'tions: To which Mr. Shippen replied, That he would not enter upon the merits of the great grandfather; but this he was sure of, that his great grandson had wasted more Ship Money than ever himself saved to the nation, or king Charles 1 intended to raise. Other members spoke against the granting Mr. Hampden's Petition, because it would be a dangerous precedent; and 'twas to be feared, that several others in the like circumstances might expect the same favour. Upon this Sir Robert Walpole declared, That he would never give his vote in favour of any body that embezzled public money: but took notice, that they could not come to any determination in this affair, before they had looked into some papers, particularly the state of Mr. Hampden's final account. Hereupon Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and then the further consideration of Mr. Hampden's Petition was put off to the 16th instant. March 23. The Commons went into a Committee of the whole House, to consider farther of the Petitions of Richard Hampden, esq. his wife, and his brother, which occasioned a very high debate. After the reading of several Papers, bart, and backed by Mr. William-Peer Williams; but Mr. Clayton represented, That, if this affair went through the usual tedious course of extents in the Exchequer, great part of Mr. Hampden's estate would be consumed in law expences, so that the crown would never get 2007. a year out of it: And therefore be proposed that the said estate should be divided into two equal parts, one of which should be allotted as a provision for his wife and family; and the other half immediately sold off, towards satisfying the debt due from him to the crown. Many members shewed their approbation of this proposal: but the majority were for sir William Yonge's motion; and the Speaker having resumed the chair, a Bill was ordered to be brought in accordingly; which afterwards passed into a law. The King's Message for an Additional Number of Seamen.] March 24. Mr. Methuen acquainted the Commons, That he had a Message from his Majesty to the House, signed by his Majesty, and he delivered the same to Mr. Speaker, who read it as follows: "His Majesty having nothing more at heart, than an earnest desire to secure to his own subjects the full and free enjoyment of their trade and navigation, and in the best manner, to prevent and frustrate such designs as have been formed against the particular interest of has found it necessary, not only to augment this nation, and the general peace of Europe, his Maritime force, but to concert such other measures, as may most effectually conduce to these desirable ends; and as these services will require some extraordinary Expence, his Ma Debate thereon.] After the reading of this Message, Sir William Yonge took notice, That Mr.jesty hopes he shall be enabled, by the assistance of Parliament, to increase the number of Hampden's deficiency had, in some measure, Seamen already voted and granted for the ser. been occasioned by a general calamity; that vice of this year, and to enter into, and make he had already done all that lay in his power good, such engagements as the circumstances to make it up; that however, since neither his wife nor his brother, had any ways been accesand exigency of affairs may require." sary to his misfortunes, it were unreasonable and unjust to involve them in his offence and its punishment; that his real and patrimonial estate amounted to about 2,2001. per annum, one full half of which was settled for a jointure to his wife, who brought him near 11,000l. in marriage, besides an annuity of 2001. per ann. during her life, for her separate use, all which settlements ought to be secured to her; that either Mr. Richard Hampden, or his brother may have issue male; and in consideration of the signal services, at divers times, performed by their illustrious ancestors, some provision should be made for their posterity.out of the family estate: And therefore he moved, That Bill be brought in, " Forvesting the real and personal estates of Richard Hampden, esq. in Trustees for making some provision for his wife and family, and for the better securing the debt due from him to the crown." This motion was seconded by sir John Ho Mr. Shippen took notice, That this Message had all the air of another sent to them about the beginning of April, 1717, importing in substance, That his Majesty being desirous, not only to secure his kingdom against the present danger from Sweden, but likewise to prevent the like apprehensions for the future, had thought it necessary early to concert 'measures with other princes and states; and as this might require some expence, his Ma 'jesty hoped, that the Commons, by their, as'sistance at this juncture, would enable him to 'make good such engagements as might ease his people of all future charge and apprehensions upon that account.' That he remem bered, so unexpected and so unprecedented a Message was received with great surprize, and *See vol. 7. pp. 435, 440, * occasioned very high and long debates in that House; that he himself represented and urged the unparliamentariness of asking and granting Supplies, without an Estimate of the expence; and had the honour to be then supported by a great many worthy gentlemen, and by some in particular, who seemed now to be of another opinion. That after much opposition, it was at last carried, by a majority of four voices only, to grant his Majesty a Supply, which was afterwards fixed at 250,000l. But that they could never know how that money had been laid out; and therefore he moved, "That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, that he would be graciously pleased to direct the proper officers to lay before the House an Account of the Disposition of the 250,000l. granted to his Majesty, on the 13th of April, 1717, to enable his Majesty to concert such measures with foreign princes and States, as might prevent any charge or apprehensions from the designs of Sweden." This motion was seconded by Mr. Snell; but the previous question being put, that the question be now put upon the said motion, it was carried in the negative. March 25. The Commons proceeded to take into consideration his Majesty's most gracious Message of the day before, which being read again by Mr. Speaker, Sir William Yonge opened the debate, and having shewed the necessity of an extraordinary Supply, moved, "That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, that he will be pleased to make such an addition to the number of Seamen already voted, and to concert such other measures, as his Majesty shall in his great wisdom think will best conduce to the security of the trade and navigation of this kingdom, and to the preservation of the peace of Europe; and to assure his Majesty, that this House will effectually provide for, and make good, all such expences and engagements as shall be made for obtaining these great and desirable ends." This motion was seconded by Mr. Henry Pelham, but was opposed by sir Wilfrid Law son, Mr. Shippen, Mr. Snell, Mr. William Pulteney, sir William Wyndham, sir Joseph Jekyll, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Daniel Pulteney, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Sandys, Mr. Lutwyche, and sir John Rushout. Sir William Yonge's motion being on the other hand supported by sir Robert Walpole, Mr. Edward Thompson, Mr. Onslow, lord Finch, sir William Strickland, Mr. Doddington, and Mr. Thomas Lewis, member for Southampton; the question was put upon sir W. Yonge's motion, which was carried in the affirmative, by 270 votes against 89, and then it was resolved, That the said Resolution, by way of Address, be presented to his Majesty by the whole House; which being done accordingly the next day, his Majesty was pleased to return the following Answer: *See vol. 7, pp. 435, 440. "Gentlemen; "I return you my thanks for this loyal and affectionate Address; and you may be assured, I shall make no other use of the confidence you repose in me, but for preserving the general tranquillity, and in support of the trade, honour, and interest of my people." The Earl of Strafford complains of a Mes-" sage for an Additional Number of Seamen being 24th of March last, his Majesty having sent a sent to the Commons only.] April 20. On the Message to the House of Commons, importing, That he hoped he should be enabled by the 'assistance of his parliament, to increase the said Message not having been communicated ' number of Seamen already voted;' and the took notice of it; and upon his motion, this to the House of Peers, the earl of Strafford day being appointed for taking the said Mesed to shew, That the same was unprecedented, sage into consideration, his lordship endeavourand struck at the ancient privileges of the House of Peers, who are the grand standing council of the sovereign; the hereditary guardians of the liberties and properties of the people, and next the king, the principal part of the legislature, and who therefore have a right to be consulted in all matters of public concern. Concluding, That an Address be presented to his Majesty, to know who advised his Majestynot Peers, as was sent to the House of Commons. to send the same Message to the House of Lord Trevor moves to adjourn the Consideration thereof for a Month.] Hereupon the Lord Trevor moved, That the farther consideration of that matter be adjourned for a Month; and was seconded by the duke of Devonshire: To this Lord Lechmere replied, That the subject of this debate was of so great consequence to his Majesty's service; to the honour of that assembly; to the ancient constitution of parlia ment; and to the prosperity of the kingdom, that it ought not to be postponed at all, much less for such a length of time, as amounted to a laying it entirely aside. That it must be for the service of the crown, upon all occasions, to have the advice of both Houses of Parliament; and as the Message in question was only sent to the Commons, and there had not yet been any communication with their lordships upon it, though it contained matters of the highest importance, it tended to undermine the very foundation of the House of Peers, and of the ancient constitution of the kingdom. That the rights of the people of England were, in some measure, invaded, whenever they were deprived of the assistance of that House of Parliament, without whom no aid can be given to the crown, nor any taxes laid on the subjects: And therefore if this debate should be adjourned to so long a day, it might be inferred from such a dilatory proceeding, that their lordships were not as jealous of their own privileges, and of the rights and properties of the people, and as much deta mined to support and defend them, as any of | their predecessors: That it was the undoubted, and inherent right of the House of Peers, to alter and amend all Money-Bills which came. from the Commons; and though in some late instances, the Commons had disputed that right; yet the Lords had never failed to assert it. That, according to ancient usage, all demands of supply should come from the throne in the House of Peers, and therefore all other methods are unparliamentary, new and dangerous to the constitution. All which assertions his lordship corroborated by several precedents upon record, which, at his desire, were ordered to be read. Lord Lechmere was answered by the Lords Onslow and Townshend: but they were replied to by Lord Bathurst, who toook notice, That the appellation of Parliament being given to the Commons separately from the Lords, was entirely unprecedented; that this was so far from being the language of former times, that though of late the Commons took upon them to begin all Money Bills, yet there was a time when they were so inconsiderable, as to apply to the Lords, to desire them to provide money for the public service; that if the Lords suffered themselves to be overlooked in this manner, they might come, at last, to be voted useless, as they had formerly been: And therefore lest any mistake of this kind should be attended with such ill consequence, his lordship was of opinion, that proper notice should be taken of it immediately, instead of deferring the farther consideration of it for a month. Hereupon The Earl of Scarborough stood up, and said, That he did not deny, that the peers have a right to be advised with, in all matters of importance, and to give their consent to Money Bills but, that in the case before them, it seemed needless to send the Message to their House, because their lordships had implicitly given their consent to the augmenting the number of Seamen, in their Address of Thanks to his Majesty, wherein the said angmentation was hinted at that indeed formerly the Commons applied to the Lords to provide money for the public service; because, at that time, none else had any money to give, most of the lands being then in their hands; whereas since the reigns of Henry 7 and Henry 8 the case is very much altered; and that therefore they ought not to consider how things were formerly, but how they are at present, and so act as they find them. Protest on Lord Trevor's Motion being agreed to.] At last, the question being put upon the lord Trevor's motion, it was carried in the affirmative, by 59 against 31. ment, and to the prosperity of the kingdom, that it ought not to have been postponed at all, much less for such a length of time; It must be for the service and support of the crown to have the advice of both Houses of Parliament upon all occasions; and as the Message taken notice of was only sent to the House of Commons, there has hitherto been no communication with this House thereupon, though it contains matters of the highest importance; and we conceive, that it tends to undermine the very foundation of this House, when the lower House is alone advised with upon any matter which concerns the interest of the whole kingdom. 2. As this House has always been esteemed the hereditary and perpetual guardians of the liberties and properties of the people, they ought not to be excluded from giving their advice in all matters of public concern ; and the rights of the people of England are, as we apprehend, invaded, whenever they are deprived of the assistance of this House of Parliament, without whom no aids can be given to the crown, nor no taxes imposed on the people; therefore as we conceive, this Message being sent to the House of Commons only, tends to subvert those rights: We think this debate should not have been adjourned, lest any inference should be drawn from this dilatory proceeding, that this House is not as jealous of their rights and privileges at this time, and as much determined to support them, as any of their ancestors have formerly been. 3." Since it cannot be doubted, that it is an inherent and fundamental right in this House to alter and amend all Money Bills which come from the Commons, we cannot but apprehend also, that demands of supply should come from the throne in this House of Parliament, according to ancient usage; and we conceive, all other methods of demanding supplies are new, and must be dangerous to the constitution. 4. Because there is an expression in the Message which we apprehend to be entirely unprecedented, and never before used in any Message to the House of Commons, the appellation of Parliament being given to them separately from this House; and therefore, lest any mistake of this kind should be attended with such ill consequences as to encourage evil ministers hereafter to a total neglect of this House, we conceive, that proper notice should have been taken of it immediately, without deferring the further consideration thereof for a month. (Signed), Scarsdale, Aberdeen, Strafford, Coventry, Gower, Ashburnham, Boyle, Compton, Exeter, Craven, Bruce, Litch field, Montjoy, Lechmere, Warrington, Bathurst, Uxbridge, Foley.". May 18. The order of the day being read far taking into farther consideration that part of the printed Votes of the House of Commons, of the 24th of March 1725, purporting to be a Message to that House from his Majesty, under be his royal sign manual: And the same read by the clerk, after debate it was ordered, That the farther consideration of that part of the said printed Votes be adjourned to this day fortnight. Then the House being moved, "That an Address be presented to his Majesty, representing the fatal consequences which must happen to this kingdom, when any advice shall be given to the crown, whereby the council and assistance of this House shall not be asked, at the same time that the council and assistance of the House of Commons shall be asked, in matters which concern the peace and safety of this kingdom, and most earnestly to beseech his Majesty, that he will, for the future, discourage all such councils as shall tend, in so unwarrantable and dangerous a manner, to the destruction of the rights of this House." After debate, the question was put, Whether such an Address shall be presented to his Majesty? It was resolved in the negative. "Dissentient', Lechmere, Montjoy." A Bill to prevent Bribery at Elections passes the Commons, but is thrown out in the Lords.] April 27. Upon a motion made by sir John Rushout, and seconded by sir Thomas Coke and Mr. Arthur Onslow, a Bill was ordered to be brought in, For the more effectual preventing Bribery and Corruption in the election of Members to serve in Parliament,' April 29. The said Bill was read the first time. May 18. The said Bill being read a second time in the Lords, it being proposed, that the House be put into a Committee on the said Bill to-morrow; the same was objected to. After debate, the question was put, Whether this House shall be put into a Committee on the said Bill to-morrow? It was resolved in the Negative. "Dissentient' Warrington, Lechmere, Montjoy, Gower, Foley, Batburst." Mr. John Ward expelled for Forgery.] May 13th. The House of Commons being informed, that Mr. Harcourt, secondary of the crown side of the court of King's-bench, attended at the door; he was called in; and, at the Bar, presented to the House a copy of the Record of the Proceedings upon the Information in the Court of King's-bench against John Ward, esq.* a member of this House. *"Like Doctors thus, when much dispute has past, "We find our tenets just the same at last: "Both fairly owning, Riches, in effect, "No grace of Heav'n or token of th' Elect; "Gir'n to the foo!, the mad, the vain, the evil, "To Ward, to Waters, Chartres, and the Devil." "John Ward of Hackney, esq. member of Parliament, being prosecuted by the Duchess of Buckingham, and convicted of forgery, was first expelled the House, and then stood on the pillory on the 17th of March, 1727. He was suspected of joining in a conveyance with Sir John Blunt, to secrete 50,0004, of that Direc Ordered, that the said copy of the Record of the said Proceedings be taken into consideration upon Monday. Also, that John Ward, esq., a member of this House, do attend in his place, upon Monday next. May 16. The order for taking into consideration the copy of the Record of the Proceedings upon the Information in the Court of King's-bench against John Ward, esq. a member of this House; and also for the said Mr. Ward's attending in his place; being read: and the said Mr. Ward not attending in his place, pursuant to the said order; Thomas Hollingshead, one of the messengers belonging to the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, was called in; and, being examined, gave the House an account of his leaving copies of the said Orders at the said Mr. Ward's house in London, and at his house at Hackney; and that, upon inquiry after the said Mr. Ward, he was informed, that the said Mr. Ward was gone from his said houses; and that he could get no farther account of him. Then the said copy of the Record of the said Proceedings in the Court of King's-bench was read; and it appearing to the House by the said Record, that John Ward, esq. a member of this House, upon an Information in the Court of King's-bench exhibited against him, by the name of John Ward, of Hackney, in the county of Middlesex, esq. bath, this present_Easter Term, been convicted of the crime of Forgery. Resolved nem. con. That the said John Ward esq. be expelled this House. The King's Speech at the Close of the Session.] May 24. The King came to the House of Peers, with the usual state, and the Commons being sent for up and attending, his Majesty gave the royal assent to several public and private Bills. After which, the Lord Chancellor read his Majesty's Speech to both Houses, as follows: My Lords and Gentlemen ; "I cannot in justice to you put an end to this session, without returning you my hearty thanks for the many instances you have given tors estate forfeited to the South Sea Company by act of parliament. The Company recovered the 50,000l. against Ward; but he set up prior conveyances of his real estate to his brother and son, and concealed all his personal, which was computed to be 150,000l. These conveyances being also set aside by a bill in Chancery, Ward was imprisoned, and hazarded the forfeiture of his life, by not giving in his effects till the last day, which was that of his examination. During his confinement, his amusement was to give poison to dogs and cats, and see them expire by slower or quicker torments. To sum up the worth of this gentleman, at the several æras of his life: at his standing in the pillory, he was worth above 200,000l.; at his commitment to prison, he was worth 150,000l.; but has been since so far diminished in his reputation, as to be thought & worse man by fifty or sixty thousand!" Pope. |