14:

The Commons refolve, and affure the King, in an ad- Ann. C. drefs, That they would stand by, and fupport his Majesty 1700-1, and his Government, and take fuch effectual measures, as might beft conduce to the intereft and fafety of England, the preservation of the Proteftant Religion, and the peace of Europe.

Having perufed the treaty between England and the States-General, of March 3, 1677, and all the renewals. thereof, they refolve to addrefs his Majefty to enter into fuch negotiation, in concert with the States-General, and other Potentates, as might moft effectually conduce to the mutual fafety of thefe Kingdoms, and the States-General, and the preservation of the peace of Europe; and giving him affurances of fupport and affiftance, in performance of the treaty above-mentioned.

Secretary Vernon communicates to the Commons a letter from the Earl of Melfort to his brother, the Earl of Perth, which had been intercepted.

Disputes happen between the two Houses of Convocation, concerning the Archbishop's power to adjourn the Lower Houfe; which are carried afterwards to a very great height.

Upon occafion of the Earl of Melfort's letter, a proclamation is iffued out, for putting the laws in execution. against Papists, and reputed Papifts, and all other difaffected perfons.

17.

20.

21.

25.

26.

Another proclamation is published, for discovery and Mar. 6. apprehending of Pirates, offering a pardon to all that should voluntarily furrender themselves, except Henry Avery.

The refolutions of the Commons, appointed to confider of the Succeffion, and further limitation of the Crown, are reported, and agreed to by the Commons; the tenth of which was, That the Princefs Sophia, Duchefs-Dowager of Hanover, be declared the next in fucceffion to the Crown of England, in the Proteftant Line, after his Majefty, and the Princefs [Anne] and the heirs of their bodies, refpectively; and that the further limitation of the Crown be to the Princefs Sophia, and the Heirs of her body, being Protestants.

At this, thofe Popish Princes who were defcended from the Blood-Royal of England are offended, particularly the ..Duchefs of Savoy (daughter of Henrietta, Duchefs of Orleans, which was the youngest daughter of King Charles I, and confequently the nigheft in blood, after the King and the Princess Anne) enters a proteftation against altering the Succeffion.

12.

Ann. C.

An act for renewing the bills of credit, commonly called 1700-1. Exchequer bills, receives the Royal affent.

13.

20.

21.

20, 22.

1701.

27.

April 1.

2.

14.

The English and Dutch Minifters deliver propofals to the French Ambaffador at the Hague, requiring his Matter, To withdraw all his troops out of the Spanish Netherlands; to give up to the exclufive care of King William, the Cities of Neuport and Oftend, for his particular fecurity; and to allow a fufficient Barrier to the States-General; to which the French King returns no other anfwer, than that he was ready to renew and confirm the treaty of Refwick.

The Lords having confidered the fecond Partition-treaty, prefent an addrefs to King William, fhewing the ill confequence thereof to the peace and fafety of Europe; and finding, that the inftructions for it had never been confidered in any of his Majefty's Councils; they befeech him, that for the future he would be pleafed to require and admit, in all matters of importance, the advice of his natural-born fubjects: And they advife him, in future treaties with the French King, to proceed with fuch caution, as might carry a real fecurity.

The Commons alfo addrefs his Majefty, laying before him the ill confequences of the treaty of Partition.

The Upper Houfe of Convocation cenfures Dr. Davenant's Eflays upon the balance of power; as the LowerHoufe had, two days before, J. Teland's Chriflianity mat myfterious.

A proclamation is iffued out, for apprehending John Glover, and others, for offering bribes to procure the election of Burgeffes to ferve in Parliament.

Thomas, Earl of Pembroke, is appointed Firft Commiffioner of the Admiralty, in the room of John, Earl of Bridgewater, deceafed.

Henry Bayle, Efq; Chancellor and Under-Treasurer of the Exchequer, is fworn of the Privy-Council; and Thomas Pelham, Efq; made one of the Lords of the Treasury.

The Commons refolve, That William, Earl of Portland, by negotiating and concluding the treaty of Partition, was guilty, and fhould be impeached of high crimes and mifdemeanors And they order him to be impeached.

The Commons defire, that the King would carry on the negotiations in concert with the States General, and take fuch meafures as might moft conduce to their fecurity.

Philip, King of Spain, is crowned.

John, Lord Somers, hearing, that the Houfe of Commons was upon a debate concerning him, he defired to be ad

mitted and heard; and he accordingly was: But, after he Ann. C. withdrew, they refolved, That by advifing the treaty of 1701. Partition of the Spanish Monarchy, in 1698, whereby large territories of the King of Spain's Dominions were to be delivered up to France, he was guilty of a high crime and mifdemeanor, and ordered him to be impeached ; as alfo Edward, Earl of Orford, and Charles, Lord Hallifax.

King William having received a letter from Philip, King of Spain, notifying his acceffion to the Throne, he fends him an answer, wherein he acknowledged him King of Spain, as the States-General had done before.

The Commons being fenfible, they had not ftrength enough in the Houfe of Lords to get the impeached Lords condemned, they take a fhorter way, and addrefs his Majefty to remove fohn, Lord Somers, Edward, Earl of Orford, and Charles, Lord Hallifax, from his prefence and Council, for ever; as alfo William, Earl of Portland, who tranfacted those treaties.

The Lords, on the other hand, fend a counter-address; wherein they befought his Majefty, not to pafs any cenfure upon the Peers, abovementioned, until they were tried upon the impeachments, and judgment given, according to the ufage of Parliament, and the laws of the land.

17.

23.

King William fends a meffage to the Commons, defiring May 8. them to give the States-General their immediate affiftance: Whereupon, the Commons refolve effectually to affift his Majefty to fupport his Allies, in maintaining the liberty of Europe; and would immediately provide fuccours for the States-General, according to the treaty of the 3d of March, 1677.

Captain William Kidd, and other pirates, are tried and 8, and convicted of piracy, and hanged the 23d following. Some Members of the Houfe of Commons tamper with Kiud, before his execution, in order to get him to accufe the Earl of Orford, and the Lords Somers and Hallifax.

A petition is prefented to the Houfe of Commons, from the Juftices of Peace, Grand-jury, &c. at the QuarterSeffions held at Maidstone in Kent; wherein, the petitioners, after expreffing their concern at the dangerous eftate of Kingdom, and of all Europe; recommend union to ta and defire that their loyal addreffes may be turn d inc of fupply, to the end his Majefty may be enated fully to affift his Allies, before it is too late

9.

Ann. C.

The Commons refolve, That this petition was fcanda1701. lous, infolent, and feditious, tending to deftroy the conftitution of Parliaments, and to fubvert the established Government of thefe Realms. And order thofe Gentlemen who brought it to be taken into cuftody: Accordingly they are committed to the Gate-house.

.

9.

Soon after their commitment, a pamphlet is published, figned Legion; wherein, among other things, it is afferted, That if the Houfe of Commons, in breach of the laws and liberties of the people do betray the truft repofed in them, and act negligently, or arbitrarily, and illegally, it is the undoubted right of the people of England to call them to an account for the fame, and by convention, affembly, or force, may proceed against them, as traytors and betrayers of their country.

Articles of impeachment are carried up to the House of Lords against Edward Earl of Orford; wherein he is charged, with procuring a Commiffion for Captain Kidd, to commit piracies and depredations, in order to fhare the plunder with him; with advifing the figning of the Partition-treaty, &c.

14. Articles of impeachment are alfo carried up against the Lord Somers; wherein he is charged with advifing the Partition-treaty, and affixing the Great Seal to it, without the knowledge of the other Lords Juftices, or the advice of the Privy-Council; that he procured the Commiffion for Captain Kidd the pirate, and was to have fome benefit and advantage from it, &c.

June 1.

12.

John Earl of Marlborough is appointed General of the foot, and Commander in chief of his Majefty's forces in Holland.

The Lords and Commons have feveral debates and conferences, about their refpective rights of fixing the time and place for the trial of the impeached Lords, &c.

His Majefty gives the Royal affent to the following acts: 1. For the further limitation of the Crown, and better fecuring the rights and liberties of the fubject. 2. For preventing the inconveniencies that may happen by privilege of Parliament. 3. For the better fettling and preferving the library kept in the Houfe at Westminster, called Cotton-House, in the name and family of the Cottons, for the benefit of the public, c.

The House of Lords prefs the bringing of the impeached Lords to their trials; and the Commons, on their part, evade and put it off, under pretence, "That a Committee of

"both

"both Houses was not nominated, to confider of the moft Ann. C. "proper ways and methods of proceeding on impeach- 1701. "ments according to the ufage of Parliaments in fuch "cafes ;" as they had often required.

Taking alfo exception at fome words ufed by the Lord Haverfbam at a free Conference, they immediately withdraw from the Conference, and refufe to renew it, until they had received reparation, by their Lordships doing juftice upon John Lord Haverfham, for the indignity he had offered to the Houfe of Commons.

Articles are carried up to the House of Lords against 14. Charles Lord Hallifax; wherein he was charged with holding feveral offices in the Exchequer, that were inconfiftent, and defigned as checks upon each other; with advising the Partition-treaty, &c.

The Commons having in vain attempted to keep off the trials of the impeached Lords by affected delays, but in reality because they could prove nothing material against them; the Lords proceed to the trial of the Lord Somers in Westminster-Hall: And, the Commons not appearing against him, he was acquitted, and the impeachment difmiffed. Whereupon the Commons publish a remonftrance.

Edward, Earl of Orford, is alfo acquitted, and his impeachment difmiffed. The Commons had ordered, That none of their Members fhould prefume to appear at his trial.

17.

20.

23.

The Lords order the charge against the Lord Haversham, 24. and the impeachments againit the Earl of Portland, the Lord Hallifax, and the Duke of Leeds to be difmiffed, for want of profecution by the Commons.

The Royal affent is given to thefe acts: 1. For granting to his Majefty an aid for defraying the expence of the Navy, guards and garrifons, for one year. 2. For granting to his Majefty feveral duties upon low wines, or fpirits of the firft extraction; and for continuing feveral additional duties upon coffee, tea, chocolate, fpices, and pictures; and certain im pofitions upon hawkers, pedlars, and petty chapmen, and the duty of 15 7. per cent. upon muflins; and for improving the duties upon japanned and lacquered goods, and for continuing the coinage-duty. 3. For appropriating 3700 l. out of certain branches of excife, for public uses, and for making a provifion for his Majefty's houfhold, and family, &c. Then the Parliament is prorogued till the 7th of August. John, Earl of Marlborough, is appointed Ambaffador and Plenipotentiary for the negotiations at the Hague; and Ed

ward.

28.