WILLIAM III, and direction, but the payment of all the great and efficient services of the country. 1689-1702. Annual assembly of parliament rendered requisite. Securities against military power. Unlawful to keep forces in time of peace, without consent of parliament. 7. Triennial Bill. The country had experienced the mischievous consequences which had arisen from the "Long Parliament" of Charles II., and to provide against their recurrence, a bill was introduced for" triennial parliaments," in 1689, but it was lost by a prorogation; a similar measure passed by both Houses, in 1693, but to which the king refused his assent'; but, in 1694, this important measure became a statute, by which it was enacted, that a parliament should be held once in three years at least; that no parliament should continue longer than three years at farthest, to be accounted from the first day of the first session'; but by 1 George I. Stat. 2, c. 38, parliaments are to last for seven years, unless sooner dissolved. The annual assembly of parliament is however rendered necessary, in the first place, by the strict appropriation of the revenue according to votes of supply; and, secondly, by passing the Mutiny Bill, under which the army is held together, and subjected to military discipline, for a short time, seldom or never exceeding twelve months. These are the two effectual securities against military power; that no pay can be issued to the troops without a previous authorization by the commons in a committee of supply, and by both Houses in an act of appropriation; and that no officer or soldier can be punished for disobedience, nor any court martial held, without the annual re-enactment of the Mutiny Bill3. Thus it is strictly true, that, if the king were not to summon parliament every year, his army would cease to have a In the reign of George III., the ancient revenue of the crown was resigned, and a clear annual income was voted by parliament for the civil list of the king, being for the support of his majesty's household, and also for defraying the expenses of certain civil servants, and was divided into certain classes, and an auditor appointed, but the principle of the civil government of the country being defrayed by the sovereign remained in force. In the reign of William IV., and also under Victoria, the civil list was released from all charges for civil services, and was confined entirely to such charges as related to the dignity, ease, and personal comfort of the sovereign. 15 Parl. Hist. 754. 2 Stat. 6 William and Mary, c. 2. 1689-1702. legal existence; and the refusal of either House to concur in WILLIAM III. the Mutiny Bill would at once wrest the sword out of his grasp. By the Bill of Rights, it is declared unlawful to keep any forces, in time of peace, without consent of parliament,— and this consent, by an invariable and wholesome usage, is given only from year to year. 8. The Basis of the English Constitution. The principles embodied in the " Acts of Settlement and Bill of Rights," are the basis of the English Constitution, and from which England has acquired her present power, opulence, and glory, united with that species of well-regulated liberty, which is unconnected with licentiousness, and unspotted by crime--and, in conclusion, adopting the language of Bolingbroke, Let the illustrious and royal House, that hath been called to the government of these kingdoms, govern them till time shall be no more. But let the spirit, as well as the letter of the constitution, they are entrusted to preserve, be, as it ought to be, and as we promise ourselves, it will be, the sole rule of their government, and the sole support of their power; and whatever happens in the course of human contingencies, whatever be the fate of particular persons, of houses, or families, let the liberties of Great Britain be immortal. The principles embodied in the "Acts of Settle ment and Bill of foundations of sperity and Rights," are the English pro liberty. |