The lords here present, together with divers other peers of the realm, taking notice that by your late Proclamation, your maj. had declared an intention of calling a parliament at Oxford; and observing from history and records, how unfortunate many assemblies have been, when called at a place remote from the capital city; as particularly the congress in Hen. ii's time at Clarendon ; three several parliaments at Oxford in Hen. iii's, and at Coventry in Hen, vi's time; with divers others which have proved very fatal to those kings, and have been followed with great mischief on the whole kingdom: And considering the present posture of affairs, the many jealousies and discontents which are amongst the people, we have great cause to apprehend, that the consequences of a parliament now at Oxford may be as fatal to your maj. and the nation, as those others mentioned have been to the then reigning kings. And therefore we do conceive, that we cannot answer it to God, to your majesty, or to the people, if we, being peers of the realm, should not on so important an occasion humbly offer our Advice to your majesty; that, if possible, your maj. may be prevailed with to alter this (as we apprehend) unseasonable resolution. The Grounds and Reasons of our opinion are contained in this our Petition, which we humbly present to your majesty."-The Petition itself consisted of a recapitulation of the misfortunes attending the untimely prorogations, dissolutions, and discontinuations of parliaments of late, at a time when his majesty's person, and the whole nation, was in imminent danger from the papists: "And now at last his maj. had been prevailed to call another parliament at Oxford, where neither lords nor commons could be in safety, but would be daily exposed to the sword of the papists, and their adherents, of whom too many had crept into his majesty's guards: The liberty of speaking according to their consciences would be thereby destroyed, and the validity of their acts and proceedings left disputable: the straitness of the place no ways admitted of such a concourse of persons, as now followed every parliament; and the Witnesses which were necessary to give Evidence upon the Commons Impeachment, were unable to bear the charges of such a journey, and unwilling to trust themselves under the protection of a parliament, that was itself evidently under the power of guards and soldiers. In conclusion, they prayed that the parliament might, as usually, sit at Westminster, where they might consult and act with safety and freedom." This Petition was subscribed by 16 lords, viz. Monmouth, Kent, Huntington, Bedford, Salisbury, Clare, Stamford, Essex, Shaftsbury, Mordant, Evers, Paget, Grey, Herbert, Howard, and Delamer. The king gave no answer that we find, but frowned upon the deliverers of this Petition, and persisted in his resolution of holding the parliament at Oxford: whither the king repaired with a great train, March 14, as likewise the members to attend him.-Those for the city of VOL. IV. A LIST OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, IN KING CHARLES THE SECOND'S FIFTH AND LAST PARLIAMENT, WHICH MET AT OXFORD, MARCH 21, 1680-1. Those marked thus are doubtful. Abington, St. Albans, John Corrance. William Garraway, Sir Richard Ingolsby, Visc. Fitzharding. Michael Wharton, Sir DuncombeColchester, Sir Thomas Meleverer, Bossing, Charles Bodvile Roberts, Sir Peter Colliton. Boston, Sir Anthony Irby, Brecon Town, Sir Richard Hart, Bridgenorth, Sir Thomas Whitmore, Thomas Wharton, Sir George Hungerford, Sir Levinus Bennet, Carlisle, Sir Christ. Musgrave. Caernarvon County, Caernarvon Town, Chester County, William Williams, Christ Church, Sir Thomas Stringer, Cockermouth, Sir Richard Graham, Sir Nathan Naper, Sir John Trevor. Derby Town, Devizes, Sir Walter Ernley, Sir William Courtney, Samuel Sandys, jun. Sir Philip Shippon, Durham City, Edmunds Bury, John Lemot Honeywood, Sir James Rushout. Exeter, Sir Thomas Carew, Thomas Walker. Eye, Sir Robert Reeve, Sir John Hanmer. Gation, Sir Nicholas Carew, Glamorgan, Sir Edward Mansel. Grantham, Sir Philip Parker, Sir Robert Parker, Thomas Mann. Charles Godolphin, Herford Town, Higham, Sir Rice Rudd. John Thynne, Sir R. Grobham How. Sir Walter Young, Horsham, Huntingdon Town, Hythe, Sir Edward Deering, Ilchester, Kellington, Kent, Sir Michael Wharton, Sir Hugh Pyper. Lord Sherrard,. Sir Jonathan Trelawney, Lestwithiel, Sir John Carew, Walter Kendal. Lewes, Richard Bridger, Thomas Pelhamn. Lincolnshire, Sir Robert Carr, Lord Castleton. Lincoln City, Sir Thomas Hussey, Sir Thomas Meres. Litchfield, Daniel Finch, Michael Bidulph. Liverpool, Ruishee Wentworth, John Dubois. London, Sir Robert Clayton, Malden, Sir Thomas Darcy, Sir William Estcourt, Sir Watkinson Paylet, Marlow, Mawes, (St.) Sir Joseph Tredenham, Henry Seymour, jun. Middlesex, Sir William Roberts, Monmouthshire, Morpeth, Sir Richard Rothwell, Newport, (Cornwall) Nottingham Town, Richard Slater, Pembrokeshire, Sir John Norton, Sir William Jones, Plimpton, Sir George Treby, Pool, Henry Trenchard, Pontefract, Sir Patience Ward, Radnor County, Sir Edward Nevill, John Banks. Sir Francis Clark. Rumney, Paul Barret, Sir Charles Sedley. Rutlandshire, Sir John Davy, Sir James Oxenden, Francis Thompson, Edward Montagu, Sir Matthew Andrews. Robert Fagg, Somersetshire, Sir William Portman. Southampton County, Southampton Town, Sir Walter Baggot, Sir James Morton, Henry Whitehead, Sir Jervas Elwys, Sir W. Spring, Sir Samuel Barnadiston. Surry County, Sussex, Sir William Thomas, Sir John Fagg. Tamworth, (doub. ret.) Sir Thomas Thynne, John Swynfen. John Swynfen, Sir W. Ascough, Henry Ashhurst, John Woolryche, Weobly, John Booth, John Birch. Westbury, William Trenchard, West Low, Jonathan Trelawney, John Trelawney. Westminster Thomas Herbert, Wiltshire, Sir Walter St. John, Wooton Basset, Earl of Ancram, Worcestershire, Worcester City, Sir Francis Winnington, Henry Herbert. Yarmouth, (Norfolk) Yarmouth, (Hants) York City, Sir Henry Hewley, Sir Henry Thompson. but whosoever shall calmly consider what offers I have formerly made, and what assurances I renewed to the last parl.: how I recommended nothing so much to them, as the Alliances I bad made for preservation of the general peace in Christendom, and the further examination of the Popish Plot, and how I desired their advice and assistance concerning the preservation of Tangier; and shall then reflect upon the strange, unsuitable returns made to such propositions, by men that were called together to consult; perhaps, may wonder more, that I had patience so long, than that at last I grew weary of their proceedings.-I have thought it necessary to say thus much to you, that I may not have any new occasion given me to remember more of the late Miscarriages: it is as much my interest, and it shall be as much my care as yours, to preserve the Liberty of the Subject; because the crown can never be safe when that is in danger: and I would have you likewise be convinced, that neither your liberties nor properties can subsist long, when the just rights and prerogatives of the crown are invaded, or the honour of the government brought low, and into disreputation.—I let you see, by my calling this parliament so soon, that no irregularities in parliament shall make me out of love with them; and by this means, offer you another opportunity of providing for our security here, by giving that counte nance and protection to our neighbours and allies, which you cannot but know they expect from us, and extremely stand in need of at this instant; and at the same time give one evidence more, that I have not neglected my part, to give that general satisfaction and security which, by the blessing of God, may be attained, if you, on your parts, bring suitable dispositions towards it: and that the just care you ought to have of Religion, be not so managed and improved into unnecessary fears, as may be made a pretence for changing the foundation of the government. I hope the example of the ill success of former heats, will dispose you to a better temper, and not so much inveigh against what is past, as to consider what is best to be done in the present conjuncture. The farther prosecution of the Plot; the Trial of the Lords in the Tower; the providing a more speedy Conviction of Recusants; and, if it be practicable, the ridding ourselves quite of that party, that have any considerable authority or interest amongst them, are things, though of the highest importance, that hardly need to be recommended to you, they are so obvious to every man's consideration, and so necessary for our security. But I must needs desire you, not to lay so much weight upon any one expedient against Popery, as to determine that all others are ineffectual: and, among all your cares for Religion, remember, that without the safety and dignity of the Monarchy, neither Religion nor Property can be preserved. What I have formerly, and so often declared touching the Succession, I cannot depart from. But to re move all reasonable fears that may arise from the possibility of a Popish Successor's coming to the crown; if ineans can be found, that in such a case the administration of the government may remain in Protestants hands, I shall be ready to hearken to any such expedient, by which the Religion might be preserved, and the Monarchy not destroyed. I must therefore earnestly recommend to you, to provide for the Religion and Government together, with regard to one another, because they support each other: and let us be united at home, that we may recover the esteem and consideration we used to have abroad. I conclude with this one advice to you, That the Tules and measures of all your Votes may be the known and established laws of the land; which neither can, nor ought to be departed from, nor changed, but by act of parliament: and I may the more reasonably require, That you make the laws of the land your rule, because I am resolved they shall be mine." William Williams, Esq. chosen Speaker.] Upon finishing this Speech, the lord-chancellor, by his majesty's command, directed the commons to return to their house, and to chuse a Speaker. Which they accordingly did, unanimously electing W. Williams, esq. who had been Speaker in the last Parliament. When the commons presented him to his majesty, on the 22d, he made this Speech to the king: "May it please your majesty, The knights, citizens and burgesses in parliament assembled, with duty and loyalty agreeable to themselves and the persons whom they represent, have in obedience to your royal pleasure, for the disposing of themselves in that great assembly for your majesty's service, considered of a Speaker: and, to manifest to your majesty, and the world, That they are not inclinable to changes, have with one voice elected me their Speaker, having had the honour to serve your maj. and the commons in that trust, in the last parliament. With all humility I presume again, by their commands, to stand before your majesty, to receive your pleasure, with a head and heart full of loyalty to your sacred person; armed with a settled resolution, never to depart from your well-known, ancient and established government." Though the king was not pleased with the Speech, he thought fit by the lord-chancellor to approve of the election, in the usual form. Upon which the new Speaker made this farther Speech: "Most gracious sovereign, natural allegiance commands loyalty to your maj. from every subject. Your singular grace and favour to me, in the last parliament, continued by the honour I have in this, add more than dutifulness and obedience to my loyalty. I am set in the first station of your commons for trust and quality; an high and slippery place! It requires a steady head, and a well-poised body in him that will stand firm there. Uprightness is the safe posture, and best policy, and shall be mine in this place, guarded, with this opinion, That your ma jesty's service in this trust, is one and the same with the service of your commons, and that they are no more to be divided than your crown and sceptre. They truly serve the crown and country, which shall be my care and industry, who make the safety of your sacred person, the defence and security of the Protestant religion, the support of your majesty's government, the maintenance of the laws, and preservation of the ancient constitutions of parliament, one and the same undivided interest, one and the same safety, one and the same inseparable security for yourself and people. These are the desires of all good men, but must be the effects of good councils. For the enabling of your majesty's Great Coun cil now in parliament assembled, to compleat this blessed establishment, with all humility I address to your majesty, in the name and on the behalf of the commons in parliament; 1. That we and our servants may be free in our persons and estates, from arrests, and other disturbances. 2. That in our debates, liberty and freedom of speech be allowed us. 3. That, as occasion shall require, your maj. will vouchsafe us access to your royal person. I take leave to join this humble Petition for myself, That nothing by me, in weakness, or through inadvertency, said or done, may turn to the prejudice of the commons: and that my behaviour and proceedings may receive a benign and favourable interpretation with your gracious majesty." Upon this, the Lord Chancellor, by com mand from his majesty, made this return to the Speaker: "Mr. Speaker, All your Petitions are fully and freely granted by his majesty, in as large and ample a manner, as ever any house of commons yet enjoyed them: the king is very sure, the wisdom of this house of commons will make as prudent an use of them, as any of your ancestors ever did. Your own particular Petition is grateful to the king too; because he knows you will be as careful to avoid mistakes, as his majesty is ready to forgive them. And now, Mr. Speaker, these preliminaries being thus over, the king desires you would hasten to the rest that are necessary to be dispatched, before we can enter into business; that so we may husband time, which is now more necessary than ever; and he hopes that this parliament will come to a very happy and prosperous conclusion: and that it may do so, God Almighty direct and prosper all your consultations." Though the Speaker had not the good fortune to please the king, on this occasion; he was ordered the Thanks of the house, and desired to print his Speech. Debate on printing the Votes.] March 24, Sir John Hotham. What I am about to move concerns us all. The last parliament, when you were moved to print your Votes, it was for the security of the nation, and you found it so; it prevented ill representations of us to the world by false copies of our Votes, and none doubted your honour in the care of it; |