wrongs or injuries committed during the late Rebellion, may likewise be recalled.-That col. R. Talbot, who hath notoriously assumed to himself the title of Agent of the Roman Catholics in Ireland, be immediately dismissed out of all command, either civil or military, and forbid an access to your majesty's court.That your maj. would be pleased, from time to time, out of your princely wisdom, to give such farther orders and directions to your lord lieutenant, or other chief governor of Ireland for the time being, as may best conduce to the encouragement of the English Planters, and Protestant interest there, and the suppression of the insolencies and disorders of the Irish Papists. These our humble Desires we present to your majesty, as the best means to preserve the peace and safety of that your kingdom, which hath been so much of late endangered by the practices of the said Irish Papists, and, particularly, of the said Rd. and Peter Talbot; and we doubt not but your maj. will find the happy effects thereof, to the great satisfaction and security of your majesty's person and government, which, of all earthly things, is most dear to us, your majesty's most loyal and obedient subjects."

The Commons Address on Grievances in England. Mr. Powle also reported the following Address to the King, about Grievances in England; which was also agreed to:

"We your majesty's most loyal subjects, the commons in this present parliament assembled, conceiving ourselves bound in necessary duty to your majesty, and in discharge of the trust reposed in us, truly to inform your maj. of the estate of this your kingdom; and, though we are abundantly satisfied, that it hath always been your royal will and pleasure, that your subjects should be governed according to the laws and customs of this realm; yet finding, that, contrary to your majesty's gracious intentions, some Grievances and abuses are crept in; we crave leave humbly to represent to your majesty's knowledge, and to desire, That the imposition of 12d. per chaldron upon coals, for the providing of convoys, by virtue of an Order of Council, dated the 15th of May, 1672, may be recalled, and all bonds, taken by virtue thereof, cancelled.-That your majesty's Proclamation of the 4th of Dec. 1672, for prevention of disorders which may be cominitted by soldiers; and whereby the soldiers, now in your majesty's service, are, in a manner, exempted from the ordinary course of justice, may likewise be recalled. And whereas great complaints have been made, out of several parts of this kingdom, of divers abuses committed in quartering of soldiers, That your maj. would be pleased to give order to redress those abuses, and, in particular, that no soldiers be hereafter quartered upon any private houses; and that due satisfaction may be given to the innkeepers and victuallers where they lie, before they remove. And, since the continuance of soldiers in this realm will necessarily produce many inconveniences to your imajesty's

subjects, we do humbly present it, as our Petition and Advice, that, when this present war is ended, all the soldiers which have been raised since the last session of parliament may be disbanded.-That your maj. would likewise be pleased to consider of the irregularities and abuses of pressing soldiers, and to give order for the prevention thereof for the future. And although it hath been the course of former parliaments to desire redress in their Grievances, before they proceeded to give a Supply, yet we have so full assurance of your majesty's tenderness and compassion towards your people, that we humbly prostrate ourselves at your majesty's feet with these our Petitions; desiring your majesty to take them into your princely consideration, and to give such order for relief of the subjects, and the removing these pressures, as shall seem best to your royal wisdom *."

Resolved, "That the Addresses be presented to his majesty; and that those members of the council that are of the house, be desired to know his majesty's pleasure, when this house shall attend him with the Addresses concerning Grievances."

The King's Answer.] March 26. His majesty's Answer to the Address of Grievances, was reported by the Speaker:

"That he observed the Address did consist of many different parts; and therefore it could not be expected there should be a present Answer; but for the several particular things contained in it, he would, before the next meeting, take such care, that no mau should have reason to complain."

Ordered, "That the Thanks of this house be returned to his majesty, for the often accesses they have been admitted to his majesty's person, and for his most gracious Answer to the several Addresses of this house; and,

"It is worthy observation, that the grand points of the irregular Writs,' the War,' the Alliance with France; and the shutting up of the Exchequer instead of applying for the advice and assistance of parliament,' are not so much as mentioned in this Address: and that in the introduction to these articles are many tender expressions. Now, supposing it was necessary, for decency's sake, to presume, that the king was ignorant of measures transacted in his own name, and well disposed to govern as he ought, it could not be presumed that these measures had no author nor adviser; and that these abuses" and grievances had crept in by chance: notwithstanding which, instead of tracing the evil to its source, and making a wholesome example of the wicked ministers, who had so notoriously misled his majesty, and aggrieved and endan gered his people, they suffered An Act of Grace,' (which was so worded, as to contain an absolute pardon of every offence against the state before the 25th of March, 1673) to be brought in, and passed; which put them out of the reach of justice for ever." Ralph.

particularly, for his last gracious Message, and, for the care he hath declared he will take of the Protestant Religion."

Debate on printing the Addresses on Grievances.] March 29. Mr. Thomus moved to have the Addresses concerning Grievances, and the king's Answer, printed.

Sir John Mallet. Divers Grievances have been by soldiers since the Address, and it is fit the people should have notice of it.

Mr. Sec. Coventry. You will show your complaints to the king of Grievances, but not his Answer, for the king has not yet published any thing relating to it: you have no power to print it.

Sir Tho. Meres. Ile will not say you have power to print the king's Speech, but we have power to print our own Address; there are imany instances this parliament, and it may be of great use.

Mr. Sec. Coventry. By the act of printing, you cannot print.

Sir Tho Meres. Since that act, sir Edward Turner, late Speaker, has appointed things to be printed several times.

Sir Tho. Clarges will not dispute whether we have power or no; it is a kind of appeal to the people; but printing this will much heighten and increase the love of the people to the king: would have the privy counsellors of the house desire his maj. to cause them to be printed.

Mr. Harwood stands up to second the motion. Some inconveniences have lately been by soldiers: you have had a member lately rob bed (Mr. Wharton) by persons like soldiers, armed and horsed; his motion is no more than to keep the people quiet: thinks it a reasonable motion, and would have the king moved in it.

Sir R. Temple. You would not let your transactions be printed in news-books; you have decried this printing, begun in the Long Parliament, as of ill consequence; let these things, like appeals to the people, be avoided.

Sir Tho. Lee. The motion is far from an appeal to the people; this is only, that the king having given us a gracious Answer, you publish it. To what intent? It will be a means to prevent farther mischief; the people may address the king for remedy for the future.

we do no more appeal to the people by this than by publishing a law: it is to publish his (najesty's gracious favour to his people.

Mr. Cheney. For the ill consequence that hath been made of it, and may be of this, would not have it printed.

Sir Rob. Howard. The first motion is out of doors by the Act of printing: as for the next motion, printed things are always the best speakers to the people to what end should the people think you do this?

Mr. Swynfn. It has been debated long, and you cannot rise without a question: as he cannot think the Address improper, or the king's Answer such as you cannot rest upon as satisfactory, therefore he is clear for moving the king to have it printed: it is said this is but an Address of this house to the king.' Your usual course is, when your Grievances are not redressed, to have recourse to the lords for a law: in regard you have waved all other ways, and taken this, it is most reasonable to have it printed, that a countryman may have something to show.

Sir Tho. Lee. If you will adjourn now, adjourn the debate likewise to the next session, and let it be upon your books.

The House divided even upon the Question, 105 to 105: the Speaker had the casting voice, and gave it for adjourning.*

Adjournment.] March 29. p. m. Sir Tho. Meres reported, from the Conference had with the lords, upon the Amendments of this house, to the amendments and provisoes by them sent to the Bill for Ease of his majesty's subjects Dissenters from the Church of England; those Amendments which the lords insist on; of those sent from them; and those they do agree in; with the Amendments from this house which he read; and delivered in at the table.-The Lords insisting on their first Amendment, the question being put for candies, upon division of the house 75 were for candles, and 136 against candles. Those that were for candles, were for prolonging the debate, that the black rod night call them up to the house of lords before they had voted,

adhere;' and though divers motions were made for adjourning the debate till next ses sion, yet no question could be put, the black rod knocking at the door. After passing seve ral Bills, the king made the following short

My lords and gentlemen; I thank you very kindly for the Supply you have given me; and, that you may see how kindly I take it, I have given to my subjects a General Pardon, which I have made as large as ever was granted by any of my predecessors. What you have now left undone, I hope you will finish at your next meeting; and so you may adjourn your selves to the 20th day of Oct. next."-The house was then adjourned by his majesty's de

And jestingly said "He would have his reason for his judgment recorded, viz. because he was very hungry." Grey.

The Parliament prorogued.] Oct. 20, 1673. The parliament met according to adjournment, and immediately voted "That an Address be made to his majesty, by such members of the house as are of his majesty's privy council, to acquaint his majesty, that it is the humble desire of this house, that the intended Marriage of his royal highness with the princess of Modena be not consummated; and that he may not be married to any person but of the Protestant Religion."t-Upon which, the king immediately prorogued the parliament to the 27th.

* The king came to the house of lords, before the Bill for Ease of Dissenters, and some others, could be fixed, aud, besides the MoneyBill (which passed under the title of A Supply of his majesty's extraordinary Occasions') and the Popery Bill commonly called The Test Act,' passed 8 public Acts. "Thus ended," says Burnet, "this memorable Session. It was, indeed, much the best session of that Long Parliament. The Church Party showed a noble zeal for their religion; and the dissenters got great reputation by their silent deportinent."-In consequence of the Test Act, the duke of York himself, who was lord high admiral of England, and the lord treasurer Clifford, both laid down their places. The latter is said to have been so much disgusted at the king's passing that Bill, and some other condescensions, that he retired, and died in privacy and discontent, in Devonshire. Sir Tho. Os borne succeeded him as Treasurer, being created lord visc. Dumblain and Earl of Danby, &c.

"In the former session it was known, that the duke was treating a Marriage with the archduchess of Inspruck; but the empress happening to die at that time, the emperor himself married her, and yet no Address was nade to the king to hinder his marrying a Papist. His honour was not then engaged; so it had been seasonable and to good purpose, to have moved in it then: but now he was married by proxy, and lord Peterborough had brought the lady to Paris. Yet the house of commons resolved to make an Address to the king, to stop the princess of Modena's coming to England, till she should change her religion. Upon this, the duke moved the king to prorogue the parliament for a week, and a commission was ordered for it. The duke went to the house on that day, to press the calling up the commons, before they could have time to go on to business. Some peers were to be brought in the duke pressed lord Shaftesbury to put that off, and to prorogue the parliament. He said coldly to him, there was no haste:' but the commons made more haste; for they quickly came to a Vote for stopping the Marriage, and by this means they were engaged (having put such an affront on the duke) to proceed farther." Burnet.

MENT.

The King's Speech on opening the Session.] Oct. 29. The king opened the Session with the following Speech to both houses:

"My Lords and Gentlemen; I thought this day to have welcomed you with an honourable Peace; my preparations for the War and condescensions at the Treaty gave me great reason to believe so: but the Dutch have disappointed me in that expectation, and have treated my ambassadors at Cologne with the contempt of conquerors, and not as might be expected from men in their condition. They have other thoughts than peace. This obligeth me to move you again for a Supply, the safety and honour of the nation necessarily requiring it: it must be one proportionable to the occasion; and I must tell you besides, that if I have it not speedily, the mischief will be irreparable in my preparations for the next spring. The great experience I have had of you, gentlemen of the h. of commons, will not suffer me to believe, that the artifices of our enemies can possibly divert you from giving me this Supply, or that you can fail of adjusting the proportion of it.-I hope I need not use many words to persuade you that I am steady in maintaining all the professions and promises I have made you concerning Religion and Property; and I shall be very ready to give you fresh instances of my zeal for preserving the Established Religion and laws, as often as any occasion shall require.-In the last place, I am highly concerned to commend to your consideration and care the Debt I owe the Goldsmiths, in which very many other of my good subjects are involved. I heartily recommend their condition to you, and desire your assistance for their relief. There is more that I would have you informed of, which I leave to the Chancellor."*

The Lord Chancellor Shaftsbury's Speech.] Then the Lord Chancellor, going to his majesty, received directions from him, and made the Speech following:

"My lords; and you the knights, citizens, and burgesses of the house of commons; His maj. had reason to expect that he should have met you with the olive branch of Peace: his naval preparations, greater than in any former years, together with the land forces he had

"When the week of the prorogation was ended, the session was opened by a Speech of the king's: which had such various strains in it, that it was plain it was made by different persons. The duke told me, that lord Clarendon during his favour had penned all the king's Speeches; but that now, they were composed in the cabinet, one minister putting in one period, while another made another, so that all was not of a piece.' He told me, lord Arlington was almost dead with fear; but lord Shaftesbury reckoned himself gone at court, and acted more roundly." Burnet.

ready for any occasion, gave him assurance to obtain it before this time; and the rather, because his aims were not conquest, unless by obstinacy enforced: but his condescensions at the Treaty have been so great, that the very mediators have declared, they were not reasonably to be refused: he could not be king of Great Britain without securing the Dominion and Property of his own Seas; the first, by an Article clear, and not elusory, of the Flag; the other, by an Article that preserved the Right of the Fishing, but gave the Dutch permission, as tenants, under a small rent, to enjoy and continue that gainful trade upon his coasts. The king was obliged, for the security of a lasting peace, as also by the laws of gratitude and relation, to see the house of Orange settled, and the Lovesteine that Carthagenian partyt brought down; neither in this did the king insist beyond what was moderate and agreeable to their government, and what the prince's ancestors enjoyed amongst them. Besides these, there was necessary to the trade of England, that there should be a fair adjustment of commerce in the EastIndies, where the king's demands were reasonable, and according to the law of nations; and their practice of late years hath been exorbitant and oppressive, suitable only to their power and interest, and destructive, if continued, to our East India Company. These were all of any moment the king insisted on, as judging aright, that that peace, that was reasonable, just and fair to both parties, would be sacred and durable; and that by this means be should depress the interest and reputation of that Lovesteine party amongst them, who sucked in with their milk an inveterate hatred to England, and transmit it to their posterity as a distinguishing character, wherein they place their loyalty to their country. In return to this candid and fair proceeding on the king's part, his majesty assures you, he hath received nothing but the most scornful and contemptuous treatment imaginable; papers delivered in to the mediators owned by them to be stuffed with so unhandsome language that they were ashamed and refused to shew them; never agreeing to any article about the Flag, that was clear or plain; refusing any article of the Fishery, but such a one as might sell them the right of inheritance for an inconsiderable sum of money, though it be royalty so inherent in the crown of England, that I may say (with his majesty's pardon for the expression) he cannot sell it. The article of the prince of Orange, and the adjustment of the East India

*The party in Holland against a Stadtholder; so called from the Castle of Lovestein, where the father of the prince of Orange had imprisoned certain of the States, when he had entertained designs on the liberties of his country.

"This expresssion made the Chancellor as ridiculous as the other had made him odious." Burnet.

trade, had neither of them any better success; and, to make all of a piece, they have this last week sent a trumpeter, with an address to his majesty, being a deduction of their several offers of peace, as they call them, and their desires for it now; but it is, both in the perning and the timing of it, plainly an appeal to his majesty's people against himself. And the king hath commanded me to tell you, He is resolved to join issue with them, and print both their Address and bis Answer, that his people, and the world may see how notorious falshoods and slights they endeavour to put upon him. In a word, in England, and in all other places, and to all other persons of the world, they declare they offer all things to obtain a peace from the king of England; but to himself, his ministers, the mediators, or his plenipotentiaries, it may with confidence and truth be affirmed, that to this day, nay, even in this last address, they have offered nothing. They desire the king's subjects would believe they beg for peace; whilst their true request is, only to be permit ted to be once masters of the Seas, which they hope, if they can subsist at land, length of time may give them, and if once got, is never to be lost, nor can it be bought by any state or emperor at too great a rate; and what security their agreement with us in religion will afford, when they shall have the power, former instances may give demonstration of. Joint interests have often secured the peace of differing religions; but agreeing professions have hardly an example of preserving peace of different interests. This being the true and natural state of things, his maj. doth with great assurance throw himself into the arms of you his parliament, for a Supply suitable to the great affairs he is engaged in. When you consider we are an island, it is not riches nor greatness we contend for, yet those must attend the success; but it is our very beings are in question; we fight pro aris et focis in this war. We are no longer freemen, being islanders and neighbours, if they master us at sea. There is not so lawful or commendable a jealousy in the world, as an Englishman's of the growing greatness of any prince at sea. If you permit the sea, our British wife, to be ravished, an eternal mark of infamy will stick upon us therefore I am commanded earnestly to recommend to you, not only the proportion, but the time of the Supply; for, unless you think of it early, it will not be serviceable to the chief end, of setting out a fleet the next spring. As for the next part of the king's Speech, I can add nothing to what his majesty hath said; for, as to Religion and Property, his heart is with your heart, perfectly with your heart. He hath not yet learned to deny you any thing; and he believes your wisdom and moderation is such, he never shall: He asks of you to be at peace in him, as he is in you; and he shall never deceive you. There is one word more I am commanded to say, concerning the debt that is owing to the Goldsmiths;