A A ucsou 1 — ~= — T. = -n .■ 30 1 = O THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE HISTORY and PROCEEDINGS O F T H E Houfe of Commons F R O M T H E RESTORATION T O T H E PRESENTTIME. CONTAINING The moft remarkable M o t i on s, Speeches, Resolves, Reports and Conferences to be met with in that Interval : AS ALSO The moft exa£t Estimates of the Charge of Government; State of the Public Revenue ; the Rife and Growth of the National Debt, Expence of the War, Proceed- ings on Ways and Means, Speeches and Messages from the Throne, Addresses and Remonstrances, alfo the Numbers Pro and Con upon every Divifion, i^c. Many of which Curious Particulars were never before printed. CoUeded from the beft Authorities, Compared with the Journals of the House j And illuftrated vv^ith a great Variety of Historic a l and Explanatory Notes. Together with a large APPENDIX, CONTA»INING Exaft Lists of every Parliament, the Names of the Speakers, their feveral Posts under the Govern- ment •, and other valuable, Supplemental Pieces, VOL. VII. L N D N: Printed for Richard Chandler, and fold at the Ship without Tcrnple-Bary and at York and Scarhorougb. 1742. I n l- i ': , ifL '' ^ X4^<. J 30! K4- .' W ~ » ... il THE CONTENTS O F T H E Second Volume. The Acceflion of King George II. THE Parliament meet ^ June ^'^^ 1727 on account of the Death of King George I. The Speech of King George IL to the Parliament^ on that Occafion, Sir Paul Methuen mmjes for an Addrefi of Condo- lence^ Congratulation^ and Thanks, The Commons rejolve to grant a Supply for the Sup- port of the Kjng's Haujhold, The Jddrefs, The Kjng's Anfwer thereto. Sir Robert JValpole's Motion for fettling on the King the entire Revenues of the Civil Lift j with the Debate thereon. The above Motion agreed to, and a Bill ordered there- upon, which pafjes the Houfe^ Paae ib. 4 5 II Vol. II, ^^'. k. }■ *%»< •^i' '* y .X... •- II The CONTENTS. tfege kitg*s Mejagi for JettHng a Dnvry bn the ^een % 100,000 1. per Annum, voted for that Purpofe^ and a Bill ordered accordingly, which pajjis the Houffy ib, ^e King's Speech at putting an End to the Sejfisn. 1 2 The Parliament iJAjfolvd, ij, The Firft Seffion of the Firft Parliament of King George 11. TtiU Parliament meet, January 23, 1727-28, and Mr Arthur Onjlow chofen Speaker, \^ The King's Speech at opening the Firjl SeJfion\ ib. The Commons Addrefs of Thanks, ^ ig The King's Anfuoer thereto, 20 Debate on the Number of Land- Forces^ 21 Mr Horatio IValpole's Motion for keeping up 12,000 Heffian Forces for the Year 1728 j which after Debate, is agreed to, 22 An Addrefs for an Account of the Diftribution of 250,000 i. charg'd for Secret Service, in the Ac- count of the Difpofal of the Money granted for the Tear 1727, if). 'fhe Committee of Supply refolve to raife 1,750,000 1. on the Coal- Duty ; ivith the Debate thereon, 2^ Petition of the City of London for Relief with Re- gard to the Coal-Duty, which is rejeiled, ib. The King's Anfwer to the Commons Addrefs for an Account of 250,000 1. charged for Secret Service, 24 The Comjnons, in a grand Committee, confider of the State of the National Debt, with the Debate thereon, 24 The Refolutions of the Commitee thereupon, 26 Which, being reported to the Houfe, occafion a fecund Debate. ib. The Refoltttioni of the Committee agreed to by the Houje ; and a Committee appointed to draw up a Retrefentation of the State of the National Debt, r^^initing Fund, and the Public k Credit, 27 Debtlie concerning the Omiffion of an Article tf 300,000 1. in the Account of the Pubhck Debts, ib. Several Accounts from th€ Ex/hequer prefented to the Hai'fh lb. 'The CONTENTS. ^he above Reprefentation reportfd^ and prffented t» the King, 28 JfJis Maje/iy's Anfwer thereto. 29 The King's Mejage for a Vote of Credit, which, after Debate, is agreed to, and an Addrefs pre- fented to his Mojejiy on that Qccafton-^ ib. Uhe King's Anfwer thereto, 30 Mr W Pulteneys Motion for an Account of Grants of Timber from the Crown, from December 25, 17 15, to June I, 1727, ih, The King*s Speech at putting an End to the Br (I $(f fion, ib. Tne Parliament prorogued^ 3 1 The Second Seffion of the Firft Parliament of King George II. Page THE King's Speech at opening the Second Sef fion, January 21, 1728-9, 32 Sir George Oxenden's Motion fcr an Addrefi tf Thanks ; with the Debate thereon, 34 An Addrefs refolved on and prefentedy 35 flis Majejiy's Anfwer thereto, 37 EJiimate of the Charge of 1 2,000 Heffian Fbrcesfor the Tear 1729 prefented, 38 Debate concerning the Number of Land- Forces, ib, Mr Pulteney's Motion for railing the Supplies for the current Year, without creating ft new Debt on any of the Funds, 4Q Motion for an Addrefs to the King, to know what Succours he had demanded from his Allies, during the late Hofiilities, 4 1 Debate on the Hejfian Troops for the Year J729, ib, An Addrefs that the Foreign droops in Britijh Ffff may he cloathed with Britijh Cloth, 4^ Motion far an Account ofivhat Loffes the South- Sea Company have fuflained by the Spaniards, ib,. petition of the Briti/h Merchants trading fo America, relating to the Depredations of the Spaniards, r. which are referred to a Committee of the wf^^k Houfe, 4 1 Motion for taking off the Duty on Soap and Candles, ib, b % Mnm f »« m ir The CONTENTS. Motion for an Account of 60^000 1. charged for Se- cret Service in the Account of the Dijlribution of the Money granted for the Service of the Year 1728, 4 J J Bill again]} Bribery at Ele^ions^ ordered to be brought iny ib. J Petition of the Portuguefe, Spanijh and Italian Merchants relating to the Depredations of the Spa- niards, which is referred to a Committee of the whole Houfe^ 44 The Refoktion of the Houfe relating to the American Traders Petitions, ib, Jn Addrefs thereupon prefented to the King, with his Maje/iy's Anfwer thereto, ib. ^e Lords, at a Conference with the Commons, de- fire their Concurrence -with a Refolution relating to Gibraltar and Minorca, 45 j!n Addref for a Copy of a Letter from King George I. to the King of Spain, relating to the giving up of Gibraltar, which is accordingly laid before the Houfe^ • ib. The Commons, after Debate, agree to the above Re- folution of the Lords, ib. Jhe Bribery- Bill twice read, and committed, 45 His Majeftfs Anfwer to the above Refolution of both Houfes, 46 Ihe King's Anfwer to the Addrefs of the 'Houfe for an Account ^60,000 1. charged for Secret Service for the Year 1728, ib. The Bribery- Bill pafs'd and fent up to the Lords, ib. Ihe Refolut'tons of the Houfe relating to the Portu- guefe, Spamjh, and Lallan Merchants Petitions, complaining of ihe Spanifh Depredations, ib. Addrefs I'o ihe King thereon, with his Majeflfs An- fiver thereto^ 47 Accounts relating to the Civil Lid Revenue laid before the Houfe, ib, Mr Scrope's Motion for granting to the King 115,000 1. on Account of Arrears in the Civil Lijl Revenues^ 48 The above Motion, after Debate, agreed to by the Houfe, 49 Debate concerning feme Amendments made to the Bri- bery- Bill by the Lords ; which, after Debate, are agreed to^ and the Bill pafs'd, ib. King's The C O N T E N T S. JGng*s Speech at putting an End to the Second SeJ/ionf 5a The Parliament prorogued, ib. The Third Seflion of the FIrft Parliament of King George II. THE King's Speech at opening the Third Sef- * fiony January 13, 1729-30, 5 1 The Commons Addrefs of Thanh, 53 The King's Jnjiuer thereto^ 55 Debate concerning the Number of Land- Forces, ib. Debate concerning a Bill to prohibit any Perfons in Great Britain from lending Money to any Foreign Prince, without Licence from the King, 58 ISng's Speech at putting an End to the Third SeJJion, 68 The Parliament prorogued, 69 The Fourth Seflion of the Firft Parliament of King George II. Page THE King's Speech at opening the Fourth Sef fion, January 21, 1730-31. 69 Motion for an Addrefs of Thanks, with the Debate thereon. 7 1 The Addrefs refolv' don and prefented, 76 The King's Anfiver thereto 77 A Bill brought in to prevent Penftoners from fitting in the Houfe of Commons. 78 Debate concerning the continuing 12,000 Hejfian Forces in Britijh Pay, for the Year 173 1. ibu A Petition from fever al Briftol- Merchants trading to America, complaining of the Spanijh Depredations which is referred to a Committee of the whole Houfe. 80 Debate concerning the Subfidy to the Duke oj JVolfen- buttel. ib. Petitions againfl the Proceedings at Law being in Latin, which is referred to a Committee. 8 1 The Penfion-BtU pafd the Houfe of Commons, but reje£ied by the Lords, ib. A Petition from the Sugar Colonies in America, which is referred to a Committee. ib. A vi The C O N T E N T S. F^C A Petiiion of the Liverpool Merchants, complaimng of the Depredations of the Spaniards in the iVeJl- Indies, which is referred to a Committee of the whole Houfe. ib. Motion for appointing a Committee to inquire ^ any Members of the tbufe had Penftonsfrom the Crown, ib. Motion for a Bill to prevent the Tronjlation of Bi- /hops. 82 The Englijh Law-Bill twice read, and ordered ta be printed. ib. And pajfes into a Law. 83 The Commons^ in a Grand Committee^ confider of the Petitions of the Brijlol and Liverpool- Mer- f bants, relating to the Sparrift) Depredations j and refolve to addrefs his Majefy on that Affair. ib. Debate concerning that Addrefs. 84 A Bill ordered to be brought in for Relief of the Su- gar-Colonies in America. ib, Petiiion of the Agent for Majfachufefs-Bay, and Conne^icut, againji the fail Bill, which paffes the Commons, but is dropd in the Houfe of Lords, ib. Motion for an Addrefs to the IQng (0 difcharge the 12,000 Hefftan Forces. ib. Addrefs to the King for the State of the 7rade of the Colonies in America y to he laid before the Houfe next Seffton, by the Board of Trade. ib. Motion for a farther Addrefs on that SubjeSf. 85 The King's Anfiver to the above Addrefs. ib. Motion for an Addrefs relating to the Exports and Imports of the American Colonies. ib. King's Speech at putting an End to the Pourth Seffion. ib. The Parliament prorogued., -86 The Fifth Seffion of the Firft Parliament of King George II. Page THE King's Speech at opening the Fifth Seffton, January 13, 1731 32. 87 Debate on the Lord Hervefs Motion for an Addrefs of Thanks 89 The Addrefs refolv'd on and prefented, 102 The King's Anfwer therm, J 03 Ths 137 The C O N T E N T S. vu The Penfion-Bill brought into the Houfe and read the Firjl Time. 103 Debate on the Number of Land' Forces. ib» Mr ff^illiam Pulteney moves for an Account of what • Savings had been made by Vacancies in the Army, with the Debate thereon, I26 *rhe Refolutiom of the Committee relating to the Land- Forces being reported, occaftons a frejh De- bate. 129 A Bill brought in for fe curing the Trade of the Sugar- Coknies in America., which upon Mr Perry's Mo- tion is ordered to be printed. 133 Mr Winninglon mmes., that the Reprefentations fint over from the Colonies to the Board of Trade., be laid before the Houfe., with the Debate thereon. 134 Mr Wyndham moves for appointing a Committee t» in^£f and fettle the Fees of the Houfe, with the Debate t Iyer eon. A Petition of Sir Jhomas Lombe for a Renewal of his Patent., relating to hi: Silk-Engine, with the De- bate thereon. 14O Fourteen Thoufand Pounds granted to Sir Thomas Lovibe, as an Encouragement for his Invention of a Silk' Engine. 145 Debate on a Motion for granting 25,348 1. 1 s. for Out'Penfioners of Cheljea-Hojpitnl. ib. The Jeveral Proceedings relating to the Sale of the late Earl of Derwentwater's Eflats, order'' d to be laid before the Houfe. i^j Petitions from Penfilvania, Mafjachuffets-Bay, and Virginia., againft the Sugar Colony Bill. 154 Petition from the Proprietors of the Charitable Cor- poration., complaining of the Mijmanagement of their Directors., l^c, ib. Sir Thomas Robififen's Motion for referring the above Petition to a Committee of Secrecy, 155 Sir Robert Sutton's, Mr Dennis Bond's, and Sir Archibald Grant's Defence, as Managers of the Charitable Corporation, 157 The above Petition referr'd to a Comrnittee of 21 Members : But a Motion being made for the fame being a Committee of Setrecy, it pajfes in the Ne- Sative^ iz% f*/)V^ m The C O N T E N T S. papers rehting to the Sugar-Cohnies prefented from . the Board of Trade ^ 158 Accounts prejented relating to the Salt- Duty, ib. Sir Robert JVa^ole's Motion for reading the Penfion- Bill the third Time^ with the Debate thereon^ ib» Petition from New Tork^ Rhode-IJland^ Providence^ New Jerfey\ and South Carolinay againji the Su- gar-Colony Bill, 159 Sir Robert IValpoies Motion for reviving the Salt- Duty^ with the Debate thereon, ib. The /aid Motion agreed to, and a Bill ordered to be brought in purfuant thereto, 208 The Papers, l^c. relating to the Sale of the Earl of Derwentwater's Eftate laid before the Houfe, ib. The Penfwn-Bill read a Tnird 7ime, and fent to the Lords, ib. Names of the Committee appointed to inquire into the Mifmanagement of the Charitable Corporation, ib. An Addrefs for Papers relating to the Sugar Colonies, 209 Debate on the Second Reading of the Sugar-Colony Bill, ib. The Papers^ l^c. relating to the Earl of Derwent- water^s EJiate referred to a Committee, ib. The Sugar -Colony 'Bill committed, i\C) The Salt Bill read a Firfi Time, and ordered a Se- cond Reading, ib. Debate concerning the expelling Mr Robin fon, a Mem- ber of the Houfe, who^ together with John Thompfon, had fled beyond Seas on account of the Charitable Corporation, 22Q A Bill ordered for the Appearance of George Robinfon, and 'John Thompfon^ ii\ Debate on the Second Reading of the Sak-^Bill, ib. A Bill for fecuring the Freedom of Parliajnents read the Firfi Tune, 234 Ihe Houfe, in a Grand Committee, proceed farther on the Salt -Bill, on which arifes a Debate con- cerning feveral additional Claufes, and other Amendments to the f aid BilU 235 The Bill relating to George Robinfon and John Thompfon pafs'd and jent to the Lords, 236 The Sugar-Colony Bill read the Third Time, pafs'd, and Jent to the Lords ^ where it is lojl, ib. The CONTENTS. i,c Ps?e The SaU-Bill read the Third Time and pafs'd, 236 . Lord Gage prejents a Report from the Committee, re- lating to the Earl of Derwentwater's Eftate^ ivhich is ordered to be printed^ ib. The Bill for fecuring the Freedom of Parliaments y reai the Third Time, and thrown out, ib. Sfoiion for appointing a Commit (ee to inquire if any Member fate contrary to Law, ib. The Report relating to the fraudulent Sale of the Earl of Derwentwater's Eflate taken into Conn dera- tion, with the Refolutions thereupon, with regard to Matthew Jfhite and William Smith the Pur- chafers, 237 A Bill ordered for making void the faid Sale, ib. The Houfe refolve, that a Commijfioner of the for- feited Efiates, fufferirig the Secretary to fgn the Name of an abfent Commijfioner, is guilty of a Breach of Trufl, 238 Debate concerning an abfent Commijfioner fuffering the Secretary to ftgn for him, ib. Dennis Bond, Efq; and Serj, Birch, two of the faid Commijfioner s, thereupon expeltd the Houfe, ib. Sir John Eyles, another of the faid Commijfioners, voted guilty of an Irregularity only, and order' d to be reprimanded by Mr Speaker, ib. The Speaker's Reprimand to Sir John Eyles, 2 39 Sir John Eyles' s Reply, 240 The Thanks of the floufe given to Lord Gage for his Management in the Affair of Lord Derwentiua- ter's Eflate, ib. farther Debate concerning George Robinfon and John Thompfon, in the Affair of the Charitable. Corpo- ration, ib. The faid George Robinfon expelTd the Houfe, ib. Twenty Two Thoufand Six Hundred Ninety Four Pounds feven Shillings and Sixpence grant e-! to the King of Denmark for making good the Agio, or Difference of his Subfidy, Anno 1727, 241 The Bill for making void the Sale of the Earl of Derwentwater's Eflate, read the fir fl Time, 242 Petition of William Smith and Matthew White a- gainjl it, ib. Vol. II. b Mouon The CONTENTS. Page Amotion that the Witneffes to be examined at the Se- cond Reading of the faid Bill^ he examined upon Onth^ which pajjes in the Negative, 2jif2 7he Beport from the Committee on the charitable Cor* poration ifrder'd to be printed^ 244 7he Bill for vacating the Sale of Lord Derwentwa- ter^s Eftate^ read a Second Time and committed, ib. Sir Robert Sutton, and Sir Archibald Grant expeWd the Houfe, on account of the Charitable Corporation^ ib. Motion to refolve, that Sir Robert Sutton, Sir Ar- chibald Grant, Dennis Bond, IVilliam Burroughs ^ George Jackfon, Benjamin Robinfon, IVilliam Squire, George Robinfon, John Thompfon, Richard Wooley, and Thomas Warren having been guilty of a Breach oj Trufi, and other fradulent Practi- ces in the Management of the Charitable Corpora- tion, ought to make ajuji Satis fa^ion to the Suf- ferers, with the Debate thereon, ib. The above Motion agreed to, and two Bills pafd in Purfuance of thofe Refolutions, 247 Mr Sandys reports from the Committee on the Cha- ■ ritable Corporation^ that Signor Belloni had wrote to them from Rome, that John 'thompfon was de- tained Prifoner there, ' ib. Signor Belloni'' s Letter order* d to be tranflated, 248 The Commons refolve that the faid Letter is an info- lent Lilel, with which Refolution the Lords concur : They likeivife order d the fame to be burnt by the Common Hangjnan, 249, 50 Jn Addrefs for a farther Reprefentation of the State of the American Colonies, to be laid before the Houfe in the next Self on ; Alfo for an Account of what Injlru^ions had been given to the feveral Governors of thofe Colonies, relating to the taking any Prefents from the Inhabitants, l^c. \h. The Lioyal Affent given to the Bills relating to the Earl of Jyenuentwater's Ellate, Charitable Cor- poration, iffc. ib« The King's Speech at putting an End to the Fifth Seffton^ ib. The Parliament prorogued, 25 1 The The C O N T E N T S. kl The Sixth SefTion of the Firft Parliament of King Gforge IT. Page THE King's Speech at opening the Sixth Sef- fion, 25 1 Mr Henry Bromley' i Motion for an Addrefi of Thanks^ with the Debate thereon^ is 3 ^he Addrefs, 259 The King's Anfuoir thereto^ 260 Mr Sandys's Motion for bringing up the fame Fen- /ton- Bill, which was pajs'd laji SeJJion by the Coni' mons, and rejected by the Lords ^ 261 Mr U^inningto7i' s Objeilion to that Manner of intro- ducing the Penfwn Bill, with the Debate thereon, 262 A Precedent, relating to the bringing up a Bill, here- upon read by Mr Speaker, 266 Mr Sandys drops his Motion for bringing up the Penfion-Bill ; and infiead thereof a Bill to the fame Effedi is ordered to be brought in, 267 Debate, in the Grand Committee, concerning the Number of Laud-Forces, \hi Ihe Refolutions of the faid Committee being reported, are, after a farther Debate, agreed to by the Houfe, in z Lord Morpeth moves for an Addrefs to the King, to reduce the Land- Forces on the firjl Opportunity j with the Debate thereon, ib. Motion for raifing the Supply for the current Tear, without creating a new Debt on any of the Funds, 274 Sir Wilfrid Lawm's Motion for an Addrefs to the King, to know zvhat Satisfaction had been made by the Spaniards to the Britijh Merchants^ which, after Debate^ is agreed to, ib. The Kings t^njwer thereto, 279 Mr I'Vimiington moves. That no Sugar, Panecls, Syrups, or Molofes, Rum, or Spirits, ex.cptfrcm the Briti/h Colonies in America, be imported into Ireland, but from Great Britain only, ivith the Debate thereon, 281 Six Refolutions relating to the Sugar -Cohiy Trade, and a Bill ordefd in Purjuance thereof 284. b 7 tkr kii The CONTENTS. The Penfion-Bill pafjes the Commons, and is again loli in the Houje of Lords^ 285 Sir Robert JValpok's Motion for iffuing 500,000 1. •out of the Slinking- Fund for the Service of the The fjid Motion^ after Debate, agreed to in the Committee j and one Shilling in the Pound only •voted for the Land lax, 297 A Motion being made for agreeing with the Com- mittee in the above Refohition relating to the Sin}- i?!g-Fund, it occaficns a fre/Jj Debate^ ib. Debate toncernirfg a Call of the Hsufein Expe^atioti . of the Excife -Scheme being brought in, 304 The Call of the Houfe put off to the iph of March, and the Sheriffs ordered to write-to the Men^bers to attendy 308 Mr Sandys moves to re/olve, that fuch Members who fljould abjent themfelves without Leave, be declared Deferters of their Truji ; with the De- bate thereon, 309 Debate concerning a Petition from Rhode-Ifland and Providence agavift the Sugar -Colony Bill, ib. Mr Sandys moves for appointing a Committee to fearch Precedents relating to Petitions agaiti/l Bills for impoftng Duties, 314 Mr H. IValpole moves for laying a Duty of ^^. per Gallon on all Foreign Brandies, Jor encouraging the Mant)fa5lure and Export of home-made Spirits, with the Debate thereon, 315 Obfervations on Dunkirk's being mentioned as a Port in the Cowfe of the above Debate, 316 Mr H. Walpole's Motion agreed to, and a Bill order'' d to encourage the Trade of home-made Spirits, which pafes into a Law, 31^ The Com?nons, in a Grand Committee, conftder of proper Methods for fe curing and improving the Du- ties on Wine and Tobacco, ib. Sir Robert IValpole prcpofes the Excife- Scheme for that Purpofe^ which occafions a great Debate, ib. Sir y. Barnard's Motion, that the Commi[fioners of the Cufloms might be called in ; which being agreed to, they are examined as to the Amgunt of the Fronds in the Tsbaccs-TradCf 336 Fsinr The CONTENTS. xiii Four Refolutions of the Committee of the whole Houfe^ in Purfuance of Sir Robert WalpoWs Motion re- lating ta the Excife-Scheme, 253 A Motion being made for agreeing with the Commit- tee in the Firji of the above Refolutions, it occafions a frefh Debate^ 354 'the above Refolutions being agreed to, a Bill is or- dered in Purfuance thereof 369 Debate on a Motion for impowering the Commifftoners of the Land-tax to appoint 'the Receivers thereof, ib. *Ihe Excife-Bill read the firfl Time, and, after De- bate, ordered a Second Reading, 370 Motion for Printing it, ib. Ihe City of London petition againfi the faid Bill, ib. Sir John Barnard* s Motion for allowing Council in Favour of that Petition, with the Debate thereon, 37 1 Ihe faid Petition ordered to lye on the Table ; as are ■ likewife Petitions from Nottingham and Coventry, to the fame Purpofe, 373 Sir Robert JValpoWs Motion for putting off, for two Months, the fecond Reading of the Excife-Bill, luhich^ after Debate, is agreed to, ib. Complaint made to the Houfe by feveral Members, who had voted for the Excife-Bill, of their being infulted by the Populace, ib. Several Orders made thereupon, 374. The Houfe refolve^ that a Committee of Twenty-one Members be appointed to inquire into the Frauds of the Cufioms, ib. ^he Names of the faid Committee, ib. A Petition from the Dealers in Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate againfi the Excife-Laws, relating to thofe Comtnoaities, ib. Motion for an Account of the Money raifed on the EJlates of the South -Sea Directors in the Tear 1720, 375 Debate on a Bill to prevent the infamous Pra^ice of Stock- Jobbing, ib. The faid Bill paffes the Houfe, but is afterwards drop'd on Account of the Alterations made therein, by the l.ords, 393 Urd XIY The CONTENTS. Lord Tyrconnel's Motion for a Lottery of 1,000,000 1. pr Relief of the Sufferers by the Charitable Cor- poration ; zvith the Debate thereon. A Lottery of 500,000 ]. voted for that Purpofe^ 7he King': Speech at putting an End to the Sixth SeJ/ion, Page 393 400 ib. ERRATA. ' ' ■ PAge 43, Line 42, after Veace of Europe, aa/^, which was agreed to. Page 240, in the Side-Note^ for, the AfFair of the Charitable Corporation, read, the Affair of Lord Dervventwater's Eftate. Page 279, in the Side-Note^ aftery America, read, be imported into Ireland, but, &c. Page 309, foKy July, read February. 1. ■■ ^- '.X- V 'J '. ■;.•>■' ■.< . • » ■,•••'. . SPEECHES AND DEBATES I N T H E Houfe of Commons, DURING The Sixth and Laft Seffion of the Sixth Parliament of Great-Britain, P O N the Death of his Majefty King J,^^eUunS;i7z7, GEORGE I, the Parliament, though onoccarionofthc' , 1 1 r T 1 Ueath of King prorogued to the 27th or June, met on the Geo.-gei. and the 15 th, being the very next Day after the ^"iV'^"^ Arrival of the Exprefs with the News ; in purfuance of the Aft of the 4th and 5 th of Queen Anne, Chap. 8, by which it is en- afted as follows, viz. ' That this prefent Parliament, or any * other Parliament hereafter fummoned by her Majefty, her * Heirs, and Succeffors, (hall not be determined or diffolved by * the Death or Demife of her faid Majefty, or of her Heirs * and Succeffors i but fuch Parliament Ihall continue, and im- V L. iL A ' mediately ( ) Anno I. Geo. II. lyzy. The Speech of Kiii>; George 11. to t!.e Parliameat, ?t hi. Acctfiionto tJiC CiuwQ. * mediately meet, fit, and aft, notwithftar.ding fuch Death or * Demife, during the Time of fix Months, unJefs the fame * fhall be fooner prorogued, or diffolved, by fuch Perfon who * fhall be next Heir to the Crown of this Realm inSucceffion.' The Parliament being met accordingly was prorogued b)' Com- miffion from his Majefty King George the Second, till the 27th of June, on which Day his Majefty came to the Houfe of Peers, and being feated on the Throne with the ufual So- lemnity, and the Commons being fent for and attending, his Majefty made the following Speech to both Houfes. My Lords and Gentlemen, " "T Am periuaded that you all Ihare with me in my Grief " X and Affliftion for the Death of my late Royal Father, " which, as it brings upon me the immediate Care and " Weight of the Government, adds very much to my Con- *' cem, left I fhould not be as fuccefsful in my Endeavours, " as I am, above all Things, defirous to make you a great *' and happy People. " I heartily wifti, that this firft folemn Declaration of my " Mind in Parliament, could fufficiently exprefs the Senti- " ments of my Heart, and give you a perfeft and juft Senfe " of my fixed Refolution, by all poflible Means, to m.erit *' the Love and Affedion of my People, which I fhall al- •' ways look upon as the beft Support and Security of my *' Crown. *' And as the Religion, Liberty, Property, and a due Exe- " cution of the Laws, are the moft valuable BlefTings of a " free People, and the peculiar Privileges of tins Nation, " it fhall be my conllant Care to preferve the Conftitution " of this Kingdom, as it is now happily eftabliihed in Church *• and State, inviolable in all its Parts ; and to fecure to all " my Subjefts the full Enjoyment of their Religious and Civil « Rights. " 1 fee with great Pleafure the happy EfFedls of that Vigour *' and Refolution, which was exerted in the laft Scffion of *• Parliament, for the Defence of the Rights and PofTelFions *' of this Nation, and for maintaining the IVanquility and ** Balance of Power in Europe. The ftrid Union and Har- " mcny, which has hitherto fubfifted among the Allies of " the Treaty of Hanover, has cliiefly contributed to the *' near Profpeft of a General Peace ; 1 have therctbre given ♦' all my Allies the ftrongeft AfTurances of purfuing the fame *< Meafures, and of making good the Engagements entered " into by the Crown of Great Britain. " The Chearfulnefs with which the Supplies ncceffary for *' carrying on this great Work were raifed, making it but " juit tlyui the pubiick Expence Hiould be Icilbncd, as foon " as ( 3 ) ** as tlie Circumftances of Affairs will permit j I have already Anno i. Geo. in " given Orders for fending back fome of the Regiments y_ ^J I^ Jl ^ j *' brought from Ireland, and will proceed to reduce my " Forces, bofh by Sea and Land, as foon as it can be done *' without Prejudice to the common Caufe, and confiftent ** with the Intereit of my Kingdom. Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons, " You know very well, that the Graijt of the greateft ** Part of the Civil Lift Revenues is now determined, and ** that it is neceffary for you to make a new Provifion for ** the Support of me and my Family. I am confident it is " needlefs for me, in any particular Manner, to recommend ** to your Care the Confideration of what fo nearly and per- ** fonally concerns me ; and I am perfuaded, that the Ex- " perience of pall Times, and a due Regard to the Honour " and Dignity of the Crown, will prevail upon you to give " me this fidi Proof of your Zeal and Affeftion, in a Man- *' ner anfwerable to the Necefiities of my Government. My Lords and Gentlemen, " I recommend it to you to give all poffible Difpatch to " fuch Bufmefs as (hall neceffarily be brought before you ; " the Seafon of the Year, and the Circumftances of Time " requiring your Prefence in the Country, and making it " improper to carry this Seffion into any great Length." Tlie Commons being retum'd to their Houfe, Mr Speaker reported his Majefty's Speech to both Houfes. Hereupon s-r p. Methuen Sir Paul Methuen mov'd, * That an humble Addrefs be dreis ofCmdv- prefented to his Majefty, to condole upon the Death of his lioa^'auri^i^^ikr late Royal Father ; to congratulate his Majefty on his liappy Accefiion to the Throne ; and to return his Majefty the Thanks of this Houfe for his moft gracious Speech:' This Motion being feconded by Sir Robert Walpole, and voted Nem. Con. a Committee was appointed to draw up an Ad- drefs upon the faid Refolution. Sir Robert Walpole, being one of the faid Committee, immediately drew up an Ad- drefs ; which, on the 29th, was reported, and unanimoufty agreed to. yune 29. A Motion being made, that a Supply be grant- The Commonj ed to his Majefty, for the better Support of his Ma- ui'ppfy/forYhs jefty's Houlhold, and of the Honour and Dignity of the Kl^l^^siUuili'^M. Crown ; it was unanimoufly refolved to confider of that Motion the next Day in a Grand Committee ; which was done accordingly ; and therein it was leiblv'd, Ntm. Con. CQ grant facii a Supply to his Majelly. June 30. The Commons prefented their Ad4refs to Iiis Majefty as follows. A 2 Moil Anno I. Ceo. 11. 1717. The Addrefi ( 4 ) Moft Gracious Sovereign, * XTT'E your Majefty's moil dutiful and loyal Subjefts, ' VV ' the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament af- ' fembled, from a grateful Senfe and Remembrance of the * many Bleffrngs we enjoyed under the Government of our * late moft Gracious Sovereign, beg Leave, in the moft duti- * ful Manner, to condole with your Majefty upon the Death * of your late Royal f'ather ; a Lofs to this Nation which * your Majefty alone could poffibly repair. * Your immediate Succeffion baniftied all our Grief ; and * the uninterrupted Continuance of the Bleffings we had long * enjoyed obliges us, with Duty and Gratitude, to acknovv- * ledge the jull Senfe we have of our prefent and future Hap- * pinefs ; and to befecch your Majefty to accept the fincere * Congratulations of your faithful Commons, upon your Ma- * jefty's happy Acceflion to the Throne of your Royal An- ' ceftors. * Your Majefty's moft Gracious Speech from the Throne * requires a more than ordinary Return of Duty and Thank- * fulnefs, for that tender and paternal Care, which you have * been pleafed to exprefs for our Religion, Laws, and Liber- * ties, and for thofe ample Aflurances your Majefty has given * us, inviolably to preferve the Conftitution of thefe King- * doms, as it is now happily cftabliftied in Church and * State ; and to fecure to all your Subjefts the full Enjoy- * ment of their Religious and Civil Rights : And as thefe * Bleflings are the moft valuable and dear to a free People, * and the peculiar Privileges of this Nation ; we cannot * enough admire your Majefty's Goodnefs, and exprefs our * Satisfaftion, in this folemn Declaration of your Majefty's * Refolution, to make the Good of your People your chief * and conftant Care. * We congratulate your Majefty upon the Preliminary * Articles being llgned ; and we fee, with great Pleafure, the * Beginning of your Majefty's Reign attended with the hap- * py Prefages of a General Peace. The early AflTurances * given by your Majefty to your Allies, of purfuing the fame * Meafures as your late Royal Father had taken, and of * making good the feveral Engagements entered into by the * Crown of Great Britain ; as they ftrengthen and cement ' that ftrift Union and Harmony which has hitherto fubfifted * among the Allies of the Treaty of Hanover, fo they confirm * to us the Hopes and near Profpcft of a general Tranquili- * ty, upon Terms honourable, fafe, and advantageous to your ' Majefty, and all your Allies. * 1 he Regard and Concern which we had, and always ' ilmll have, for the Defence of the Riglits and Pofleftions ' of this Nation, for vindicating the Honour of our Sovereign, * and is) * and for maintaining the due Balance of Power in Europe, A»no. i. Geo. h. * engaged us with Chearfulnefs, during the laft Seffion of il ^'^1 . * Parliament, to grant the Supplies neceffa^y for the carrying ** * on this great Work. And no greater Encouragement can ' poflibly be given to us, than to fee your Majelty fo early * beginning to lefien the publick Expences, and refolving * to reduce your Forces both by Sea and Land, as foon as it ' * can be done without Prejudice to the Common Caufe, and * confillent with the Intereft and Safety of this Nation. * Thefe many and great Inftances of your Majefty's Good- * nefs and Concern for the Happinefs and Welfare of your * People call upon us for the highell Returns of Duty, Zeal, * and AfFedlion to your Majefty's Perfon and Government : * And as we are fully convinced that our own Intereft and * Prefervation are infeparable from your Majefty's, we beg * Leave to aflfure your Majefty, that we will, with our Lives * and Fortunes, maintain and fupport your Majefty's un- * doubted Right and Title to the Imperial Crown of this * Realm, and all other your Majefty's Dominions, againll * all Attempts whatfoever. * And when we refled on your ? lajefty's Royal Virtues, * which promife us all the Bleftings that can flow from a * Mind truly Great ; when we conlider the diftinguiftied * Charader of the Queen, your Royal Confort, and the ad- * ditional Happinefs that defcends to your People from hep * many Princely Qualities, and remember your numerous and ' hopeful IlTue, the lafting Pledge and Security of our happy * Eftablilhment ; that your Majefty's Crown may fit with * Eafe and Glory on your Head, we think ourfelves indifpen- * fibly obliged to affure your Majefty, that we will provide * fuch a Revenue for the Occafions of your Majefty's Civil * Government, as may be fufiicient to fupport tiie Honour * and Dignity of the Crown in its proper and full Luftre. To this Addrefs the King return'd the following Anfwer. Gentlemen, *' TReturn you my Thanks for your dutiful and loyal Ad- The Kind's An- " A drefs. The Refolutions of the Commons of Great '"^"^^ 'hci'Jto. " Britain are, every wliere, fo highly regarded, that I can- *' not but receive, with the greateft Satisfaction, this unani- *' mous Declaration of your Fidelity, Zeal, and Affection; *' and I will endeavour, by a fteady Care and Concern for *' the Intereft and Welfare of my People, to anfwer the Ex- " peftation you have conceived of my Government. yu/y I. Mr Farrer reported the Refolution of the Grand Committee, for gr;uuing a Supply to his Majefty, for the better ( 6 ) Annoi. Ceo. II. better Support of his Majefty's Houfliold, and of the Honour . ^^ -^'^1 J and Dignitj'of the Crown, which was agreed to, Nem. Con. Sir R. waipoie's yu/y 3. The Commons, in a Committee of the whole SJ°the Kinf S"^ Houfe, confider'd of the Supply granted to his Majelty, and entire Reyienues Sir Robert Walpole reprefer'.ed, * That tlie annual Sum of oftheCivil Lift. , ^, ^1 /- I I 11 T^- r i_ 700,000 1. granted to and lettled on the hue Kmg, for the Support of his Houiliold and of the Honour and Dignity of the Crown, falling (hort every Year, they had been obliged to make it up another Way ; and that his prefent Majeity's neceffary Expences being like to increafe, by reafon of the Largenefs of his Family, and of fettling a Houfhold for his Royal Confort, he therefore moved, I'hat tiie entire Reve- nues of the Civil Lift, which produced about 1 00,000 1. per Annum, above the faid yearly Sum of 700,000!. might be fettled on his Majefty during his Life.' This Motion being feconded, Mr Shippen flood up and fpoke as follows. Mr Speaker, Mr shippen's * I agree with the honourable Member who fpoke firft, occafior '***' t'^^"'" ^°^^'''^ Walpole\ That on his Majefty's happy Accefhon to the Throne, there ought to be no other Contention a- mongll us, than who fhould moll contribute to his Service, than who (hould exprefs their Duty and Loyalty in the moft refjjeftful and the moft: extenfive Manner. But then I hope he will agree with me, that this is to be done with fome Re- gard to thufe we reprefent : That this is to be done, confi.lent with tiie Truft repofed in us ; confiftent with tliat Frugality which this Houfe is bound to ufe, whenever the Crown is plea- fed to call upon it, to exercife itsgreat Power of giving Money. ' Now, notwithftanding what has been urged, I think, we Ihall fj fir depart from this Rule of Frugality, as we exceed the Revenue granted to his late Majefty, whether that Ex- ceeding (hall amount yearly to 93,000 1. as computed at the highcft by that honourable Member, or to above 1 30,000 1. as I h.ave feen it more truly computed by another. For I re- member very well, that the yearly Sum of 700,000 1, tho' now thought too little, was not obtained for his late Majefty, without a long andfolcnn Debate ; \See Vol. I. p. 21.] and it v.as allow'd by every one that contended for it, to be an ample Royal Revenue. Nor was it ask'd inconfiderately, and on a fudden ; it was ask'd on mature Deliberation, after the Queen's Civil Lift Branches were found deficient ; it was ask'd after many Computations had been made of every Charge requifite to fupport the Honour and Dignity of the Crown, and to maintain the prefent Royal Family ; \\ .as ask'd, after duly weighing what Provifion would be fufficient to anfwer all the ordinary and extraordinary Occahons of the Civil Government ; what would be fuffici- ent to anfwer all proper Augmentations of Salaries, all rea- fonable ( 7 ) fonable and cliarltable Penfions, all fecret Services at Home *""<» '-^Cso- «• and Abroad, neceffary to carry on ajuft and v\ ife Adminiftra- tion : It was ask'd by that honourable Member himfelf and others, who were entring into great Employments, who were going to tafte of the Royal Bounty, and who therefore could not poffibly be fufpefted to have any Defign of cramping his Majefty, by a too contracted and narrow Revenue. ' Nor does the late Alteration in the Royal Family call for any Increafe ofExpence. For if the Eilablilhment for the Queen Ihoild be enlarged, whofe diftinguiihed Charafter and many Princely Virtues, taken Notice of in your Addrels, . intitle her to all Degrees of Grandeur, which any former Queen Confor*. ever enjoy 'd ; I fay, if her IVIajefty's Efta- blilhment Ihouid be enlarg'd, I prefume the Eftablilhment for Prince Frederick will be much inferior to that fettled on his prefent Majefty when Prince of Wales. Beiides, our ar- dent Wilhes for his Majefty's conftant Refidence in thefe Kingdoms, and his Royal Intentions of making us a great and happy People, give us Hopes, that many perfonal, many par- ticular Expences in the late Reign, efpecially thofe for frequent Journies to Hanover, will be difcontinu'd, and entirely ceafe. ' Nor is it any Objeftion to the Reafoning of that Time, when the 700,000 1. was granted to the late King, or to the Computations then made, that this Sum is faid to have been found by the Experience of paft Times, to be not anfwer- able to the Neceffities of the Civil Government. * For this Experience could not be found in the Queen's Reign, becaufe her Civil LilV Branches feldom amounted to 600,000 1. commonly to about 550,000!. and fometimes to very little above 500,000 1. as appears by Accounts former- ly laid before this Houfe ; and I will not fuppofe thofe Ac- counts which were brought from the Treafury to be other- wife than true, in regard to my honourable Friend 1 ask Pardon, I fhould have faid, the honourable Member, for there is no Friendship betwixt us. But he muft give me Leave to obferve. That when he afferts her Civil Lift Branches amounted to above 700,000 1. yearly, he can only mean the grofs, and not the neat Produce, which is a very uncandid and fallacious Way of Arguing. ' Tho' her Revenues were fo low, yet Ihe called upon her Parliament but once in a Reign of above thirteen Years, to pay the Debts contradted in her Civil Government ; and it is a Juftice due to the Memory of that excellent Princefs, to remind Gentlemen of the unparalell'd Inftances of her Piety and Generofity, which occafion'd thofe Debts, She gave the Firft Fruits and Tenths, arifing now, as the honourable Member, who made this Motion, fays, to 19,0001. a Year, for the Augmentation of the Maintenance of the Poor Clergy : She gave 1717- ( 8 ) Aonoi. Geo. II. gavc 5000 I. a Year out of the Poll-Office to the Duke of Marlborough : She fuifer'd 700 1, a Week to be likewife charged on the Poll-Office for the publick Service, and by that Conceffion lofl a vatl Sum, the addicional Duty then producing only 8000 I. a Year : She gave feveral hundred thoufand Founds for building the Cafile of Blenheim : She al- low'd Prince Charles of Denmark 4000 1, a Year : She fullain- ed great Lofies by the Tin Contract: She f pported the poor Palatines: She gave 1 00,000 1. to the Ufes of the War. Thefe, with many other Royal Bounties which efcape my prefent Remembrance, were the Reafons that brought her vxnder a Neceffity of asking for 500,000!. Bat fhe was fo fen- fibleofthe Inconvenience, and fo de'Lermin'd never to apply to her Parliament again in the like Manner, that Ihe order'd a conliderable Redudlion to be made of her Civil Govern- ment Evpences. I have feen a Scheme of this Reduction, as it was a(EluaIly fettled a little before her Death, and in- tended to commence t!ie Lady-Day fallowing. 'Twould be tedious to go through all the particular Articles of it, and I will only name three or four. The Cofferer' s-Office Pay- ments were reduced from 85,000!. to 75,000!. The Al- lowances for Foreign Minillers, from 75,000!, to 30,000 1. Penfions and Bounties from upwards of 87,490!. to 60,000 1. Secret Services from 27,000 1. to 20,000 1. a Sum furprizing- ly fmall, when con)par''d with the late Disburfements on that Head. In ihort, the whole yearly Expences were defigned to be reduc'd to 459,941 !. and that would have been done without Eclipfmg the Glory of t!^,e Crown, which, fome Gen- tlemen fo roundly affirm, cannot now be maintain'd under al- moil a double Appointment. ' From hence it appears plainly, that this Argument of the Experience of pad Times can have no Reference to the Queen's Reign. It mult therefore be apply'd, tho' put in the Plural Number, to the late Adminiftration only ; and I confefs, if the fame Management was to be continu'd, if the fame Minillers were to be again employ'd, a Million a Year would not be fufficient to carry on the exorbitant E.v-. pences, fo often, and fojullly complain'd of in this Houfe. For it is notorious, it is frefh in all our Memories, that befidea the yearly 700,000 1. there have been many occafional Taxes, many exceffivc Sums railed, and they have been all funk in that bottomlefs Gulf of Secret Sen'ice. Firll, the memorable 250,000!. was rais'd, in Defiance of the ancient Parliamen- tary Methods, to fecure us from the Apprehenfions of 2 Svv edifh Invafion, [5^^ Vol. I. p. 116] Then the two In- furance-Offices were erefted in as irregular a Manner, by a Bill brought into this Houfe, at the latter End of a Seffion, wid after the Committee of Supply had been clofed, upon the honourable i-i?- ( 9 ) honourable Member's Return into Power i and thofe Bub- Anno i. nee. u. b!es paid near 300,000 1. for their Charters; [See Voh. i. p. 215.] Then a new Scene of AfEiirs opening in Sweden chang'd our Enmity into an Alliance, and there was a Sublidy of 72,000!. implicitly granted to make good fome fecret Bargain and Engagement with that Crown ; \$ee Vol. I. p. 253.] At the lame Time near 24,000!. were given for burning two Merchant-Ships arrived from infedled Places ; \See Vol. I. p. 255.] but tho' the Goods, as well as the Ships were paid for by this Houfe, that they might, withoiat In- jury to the Owners, be deliroy'd for the publick Safety, yet molt of tliem were privately convey'd into Counties adjacent to the Port where the Ships lay, and fold there. Then foon after a Sum of 500,000 1. was demanded and granted for the Payment of the Civil Lift Debts ; on which Occafion his late Majefty declared in his Meffage, ' That He was relolved * tocaufe a Retrenchment to be made of his Expences for the * future : ' {See Vol. I. p. 257.] But notwithftanding that Re- folution, in lefs than four Years, the Neceffities of the Go- vernment having render'd the promifed Retrenchment im- prafticable, there was a new Demancl, and a new Grant of 500,000!. more, to difcharge new Incumbrances, \See Vol. I. /• 339-] I might mention too the Spanilh Ships which were taken in the famous Mediterranean Sea-fight, and, as we have Reafon to believe, fold for a confider?b!e Sum of Money. Nor is it poffible to forget the 125,000!. \SeeNo\.. 1.^.385.] which we could only be told, the lall Seffion, in a general unexplained Article, was fecretly difpos'd of, for the publick Utility, for the Confervation of the Peace of Europe, ard for the Security of the Commerce and Navigation of Great Britain. ' After all thefe and other extraordinary Supplies, I am in- formed there yet remains a Debt in the Civil Government of above 600,000 1. If fo, fuiely there muftbave been a mofi egre- gious Negleft of Duty, to fay no v/orfe ; there mull have been a Itrange Spirit of Extravagimce lomewhcre, or fuch immenfe Sums could never have been {o foon, fo infenf bly, fquander'd away. And it is am.azinT, tliat this Extravagance ihould happen under the Conduft of Perfons prctcnclir.g to furpafs al! tl'.eir Predeceflbrs, in the ICnov. ledge and Care of the Publick E.e- venue : Bat we are not to wonder that the World h?s been free in its Cenfure-s, hncc none of thefe Sums have been ac- counted for, fince t'ley hr.ve been cmpk)yM in Ser\'iceo not fit tobeown'd. None but thofe who were in the Secret, and who had the Difporal of them, cxi\ refute the Reflexions that lire made without Doors, not only on the Minifrry, but even on both Houfes of Parliament, 1 mull: fay no more But J heartily v.illi, that Time, the