Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

and never come to an end of what has been moved. One says, in the Saxon time, the people were much puzzled. One king made one law, and another king another.' Another drives at a new Magna Charta. The former Parliaments cared not which way they run, so Pensions were paid. The management of the Militia was an abominable thing. Many speak, in coffee-houses and better places, of fine things for you to do, that you may do nothing but spend your health, and be in confusion. Take care of over-loading your horse, not to undertake too many things. I would go only to things obvious and apparent, and not into particulars too much.

Lord Falkland. We must not only change hands, but things; not only take care that we have a king and prince over us, but for the future, that he may not govern ill. Some, perhaps, are dissatisfied with the power, some with the army. It is for the people's sake we do all, that posterity may never be in danger of Popery and Arbitrary Power.

Mr. Sacheverell. Since God hath put this opportunity into our hands, all the world will laugh at us, if we make a half settlement. As the case stands, no man can tell that what he has is his own. Unless you look backward how men have been imprisoned, fined, severely dealt with; the same may happen to other gentlemen. We must look a great way backward. I cannot find three laws, from 20 years upwards, that deserve to be continued. In the great joy of the king's return, the parliament overshot themselves so much, and to redress a few Grievances they got so much Money, that they could live without you; pensions were agreed for so much in the hundred for all they gave; Warrants of Commitments, Arins taken from persons, &c. They were ill-affected to the government, because they endeavoured to chuse persons they liked not. You may look back a great way; but secure this house, that parliaments be duly chosen, and not kicked out at pleasure; which never could have been done, without such an extravagant Revenue that they might never stand in need of parliaments. Secure the Right of Elections, and the Legislative Power.

more it makes way for the Popish interest. Popery is the fear of the nation, and all that have voted against Popery may fear Popery. But now we begin to forget it. Formerly it was thought impossible that Popery should come in, and that the Tests would keep it out. But how can we bring to pass all these Proposals, before he is king? We cannot; and when he is king, perhaps he will not pass these into laws. To stand talking, and making laws, and in the mean time have no government at all! they hope better things from our actions abroad, and a better foundation of the Protestant interest. The Prince's Declaration is the cause of your coming hither, that the kingdom may be established, and the laws and government secured from being subverted again. If we stand talking here, we shall do as strange things as those who prevailed by arms in the late times; and, not coming to a Settlement, it ended in their own destruction, and never came into any settled government; so the authority of the king swept away all at last. We lately had a bill of Exclusion; it was talked of so long, that both parties suffered, one formerly, the other since. A law you cannot make till you have a king. The thing you go upon is not practicable. One gentleman is of opinion

to take away all laws since this king came to 'the crown;' another to make a new Magna Charta ;' If you sit till all these motions are considered, we may think to make our peace with king James as well as we can, and go home.

Mr. Garroway. I would not draw this debate out at length; somewhat must be done : a great many things have been named by several persons to be redressed. I hope we do not go about to sit here till all be done. All we can do for the present is, to represent to the Prince that these things may be done, and, under some short Heads, to present the Prince with what you would have done to give security to the government; and let an Oath be administered to him; and in a few days you may come to your end.

Mr. Seymour. We shall suffer by our doing more than by reason of not doing at all. Will you think fit to leave the dispensing power unMr. Pollexfen. First make a Settlement of questioned in Westminster-Hall? Though the the Laws, that they may be asserted, and those clock do not strike twelve at once, must it not must all be consulted by lords and commons, strike at all? Will you do nothing, because and then settle the crown. Every man sees you cannot do all? Will you let men go in the the nature of this proposition; if this be to same practices they have formerly? Will you confound you, it is a dreadful proposition: I establish the Crown, and not secure youram as much for amendment of the govern-selves? What care I for what is done abroad, ment as any man, and for repressing the exorbitances of it; but the way you are in will not settle the government, but restore king James again. If but a noise of this goes beyond sea, that you are making laws to bind your prince, Sir Thomas Lee. I find there is a difference it will tend to confusion. The greatest enemy in the committee, how to word the question. you have cannot advise better. One kingdom I know not how to propose words to reach so ne already, and this is in confusion. Some every man's sense. If you put it so general, of the Clergy are for one thing, some for ano-how our Liberties have been invaded, perhaps ther; I think they scarce know what they a few days will state it. There was an opiwould have: and the more we divide, the nion, formerly, of the long robe that must be

if we must be slaves in England, in this or in that man's power? If people are drunk and rude below, as was complained of, must that stop proceedings in parliament ?

exploded, That the king may raise what Army he pleases, if he pay them.' That is the support of slavery, when there is other support to the king than the people's affections to their prince.

Col. Birch. I am as much afraid of losing time as any body: whereas disorders of the Army in Ireland are spoken of, they will be still worse, unless provision be made to keep us from Slavery and Popery. I differ from what gentlemen say, as to the time it will take you up. I think it will not take you a day's time, when you have filled the Vacancy of the Throne. Prepare what you would have repealed, and present it. As to the Fast moved for, I know not what we should fast for. I will not call to-morrow Sunday, (January 30.) for I do not find it called so in books: I would sit to-morrow, and I hope to make an end tomorrow. There is a Tax called Hearth-money; take that away, and the Prince will have ten times more safety than in all his Army; and that may be in one line.

but unless you preserve your government, your papers cannot protect you. Without your sword, how will you be secured from the dangers from Ireland, and the mutiny of the Army? All may be lost, whilst you are consi dering.

Sir Rd. Temple. We here represent all the nation. Place the government in some person, and then provide for the rest.

Sir Christ. Musgrave. In justification of your Vote yesterday, to declare your Grievances, you are to declare wherein king James 2. has broken the laws, and whom you have put by the government. You must have wheels, before you can put the cart upon them. In the first place, put the question, "That you will proceed in asserting the Rights and Liberties of the nation; and that you will appoint a Committee to bring in general Heads, of such things as are absolutely necessary for securing the Laws and Liberties of the nation." A Committee was appointed accordingly.

Thanks voted to the Clergy, Army, and Navy.} Mr. Hampden, jon.* You are, by order, to The commons resolved, nem. con. "That the consider the State of the Nation. Though you Thanks of this house be given to the Clergy of have voted, that king James has abdicated the the Church of England, who have preached crown, you have not done all; we are still free, and written against Popery, and refused to and not tied by Oaths. The time presses read, in their Churches, the late king's Declahard, on many accounts; and to rise without ration for Toleration, in opposition to the predoing more than filling the Throne that is va-tended Dispensing Power, claimed in the reign cant, is not for the safety of the people. It is Decessary to declare the Constitution and Rule of the government. In the late Convention, Resolved, nem. con. "That the Thanks of there was a Vote passed, That the Govern- this house be given to the Officers, Soldiers, ment was in king, lords, and commons.' I and Mariners, in the Army and Fleet, for havmove that the Journal may be inspected. ing testified their steady adherence to the ProYou have voted, That king James has vio-testant Religion, and being instrumental in lated the Constitution of the nation,' call the chief governor what you will.

[ocr errors]

Mr. Harbord. You have an infallible security for the administration of the government: all the Revenue is in your own hands, which fell with the last king, and you may keep that back. Can he whom you place on the throne support the government without the Revenue? Can he do good or harm without it? It is reasonable that you should be redressed by laws;

"Grandson of him who had pleaded the cause of England in the point of Ship-money, with king Charles 1. His father was a very eminent man, and zealous in the Exclusion. He was a young man of great parts, and one of the learnedest gentlemen I have ever known, for he was a critic both in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. He was a man of great heat and vivacity, but too unequal in his temper." Barnet.

He was tried at the court of King's Bench in 1683, for a conspiracy to disturb the peace of the realm, and fined 40,000l. the most extravagant fine that had been ever set for a misdemeanor in that court. He was afterwards, on king James's accession, tried for high treason at the Old Bailey, for the same offence, and condemned, but his life was saved. He afterwards cut his own throat.

[ocr errors]

of the late king James 2. and have opposed the late illegal Ecclesiastical Commission."

delivering this kingdom from Popery and Slavery; and also to all such who have appeared in arms for that purpose."

Proceedings in the H. of Lords on the Vote of Vacancy.] On receiving the Vote from the commons declaring the Throne vacant, the house of lords resolved into a committee of the whole house, of which the earl of Danby was chairman. The first motion that was made, was, 'Not to agree with the Commons, Thac the Throne was vacant,' but only first to suppose it, for the present, leaving it to be farther examined afterwards, in order to cut short several other questions, by determining this first,

Whether the Throne being vacant, it ought to be filled up by a Regent or a King? This question was debated with great learning, much skill, and no little warmth: among the orators, the earl of Nottingham brought many arguments from the English history to support his opinion for a Regency with the regal power, leaving the title and dignity on king James; adding a fresh instance from Portugal, where Don Pedro had only the title of a Regent conferred upon him, while his deposed brother was alive. This Speech is said to have had so great an influence upon the house, that it would have been followed by the majority, had it not been strenuously opposed by the marquis of Halifax and the earl of Danby, who by their

day their lordships agreed to communicate their Resolutions to the house of commons; but before they rose, the marquisses of Hallifax and Winchester, the earls of Danby and Devonshire, the lord Delamere and others, to the number of 40, entered their Protestations against the Vote of the day before, namely, That the Throne was not vacant.'*

great skill laid open the inextricable difficulties | ried in the negative by five voices. The next attending that proposal. So that the question being put to the vote, 51 were for a king, and 49 only for a regent; namely, the dukes of Somerset, Ormond, Southampton, Grafton, Beaufort and Northumberland; the earls of Kent, Pembroke, Clarendon, Rochester, Craven, Westmoreland, Scarsdale, Chesterfield, Litchfield, Yarmouth and Lindsey; viscount Weymouth, the lords Coventry, Brook, Leigh, A tumultuous Petition set on foot.] Feb. 1. Ferras, Maynard, Chandois, Jermin, Arundel While these matters were warmly debated in of Trevise, Dartmouth, Godolphin, Griffin, the Convention and the town, and all men still and five more; the archbishop of York, the in suspense which way they would be deterbishops of Norwich, Winchester, Ely, St. mined, this day some zealous persons set on Asaph, Bath and Wells, Peterborough, Chi- foot the following Petition, and endeavoured chester, Rochester, St. Davids, Oxford, Glou- to get it subscribed by the multitude indiffecester and Lincoln. The earls of Huntingdon rently, going to all public places to solicit and Mulgrave did not appear in the house; men's hands: "To the lords spiritual and and the lord Churchill likewise kept at home temporal assembled in the grand Convention, upon some indisposition. The archbishop of the humble Petition of great numbers of citiCanterbury was also absent; and indeed the zens, and other inhabitants of the cities of prejudices conceived against a deposing power, London and Westminster. Whereas, we are as an art and act of Popery, had made so in a deep sense of the danger of delays, and great an impression upon the minds of the perplexed debates about settling the Governclergy, that no bishops came into the opinion ment, at this time vacant, by reason whereof of filling up the Throne, except the bishops the necessary ends of government cannot be of London and Bristol. However, the party duly administered, we humbly desire that his for a king was soon after strengthened by four most illustrious highness the Prince of Orange, dukes who came over to them, viz. the dukes and his royal consort the Princess, may be of Ormond, Southampton, Grafton and Nor- speedily settled on the Throne, by whose couthumberland. On the next day, Jan. 30, the rage, conduct and reputation, this nation and lords proceeded farther upon the Grand Vote the Protestant Religion may be defended from of the other house, and put this question, our enemies at home and abroad; and that Whether or no there was an Original Con- Ireland, now in a bleeding and deplorable contract between king and people? Which Ques-dition, may be rescued from its miseries, and tion occasioned many warm disputes; not a these kingdoms settled on a lasting foundation few maintaining, that kings held their crowns in Peace and Liberty."-Whereupon, his highby divine right; which others vehemently de-ness the Prince being informed of the ill connied, asserting, That all power originally belonged to the community, and to the king only by mutual compact. Thereupon the house being divided, 53 were for the last position, and 46 only for the negative; by which it appeared, that the party that were for a Regency began to lose ground. The next Question was, Whether king James had broke that Original Contract? but this being so manifest, it was soon carried in the affirmative. On the next day, their lordships took into consideration the word Abdicated;' and concluded that 'Deserted' was more proper. They next examined the word Vacant' and put this Question, Whether king James having broke that Original Contract between him and his people, and deserted the government, whether the throne was thereby vacant?' This question was debated with more heat and contention than any of the former, and upon a division, one party, who maintained it as a maxim of our law, That the king never dies,' and therefore, that the Throne can never be vacant,' carried the negative of the question by 11 voices. From this, some peers presently inferred, that the crown 6 was devolved upon the next heir; and moved that the Prince and Princess of Orange should be declared king and queen, which was also car

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

sequences and scandal of this way of proceeding, caused the following Order to be made and published to suppress it: "By the LordMayor, &c. Whereas his highness the Prince of Orange has been pleased to signify to me this day, that divers persons (pretending themselves to be citizens of London) in a tumultuous and disorderly manner have lately disturbed the present Convention of the lords and commons at Westminster, upon pretence of petitioning; it being regular and usual for the citizens of this city, that are under the apprehension of any Grievance, to make their application to myself, and the Court of Aldermen therefore, with the advice of my brethren, the aldermen of this city, these are to require you, that you command within your ward, that they forbear any tumultuous disturbance, or assembly, as they will answer the contrary at their utmost peril."*

Feb. 2. Their lordships sent a Message to the commons, to acquaint them, That they had considered of their Vote of the 28th of January last, to which they concurred, with these two Amendments; first, instead of the word Abdicated,' they would have Deserted' be put in; and next, these words, And that the Throne is thereby vacant,' to be left out. * Echard.

[ocr errors]

Debate in the Commons on the Lord's Amend- | ment of the Word 'Abdicated.'] Sir Rd. Temple. You have considered the word abdicated' as the only proper word. As for deserted,' I appeal whether it is a proper conclusion to the premises. The lords have left out the whole conclusion in the matter. They have agreed 'that king James has subverted the Constitution of the government, has violated the original contract, and has withdrawn himself, &c. Consider whether this be a proper conclusion. By doing these acts, he has most plainly, abdicated the government;' by the premises plainly, by subverting the constitution, he will govern by an arbitrary power, though sworn to rule according to original contract. The hour he does it, it is a renunciation of the government. Hottoman, and all approved authors, call this Abdicating the Government.' Henry 6. upon fear of the earl of Warwick, went out of the kingdom, and left it; and, that, by all the Judges, was judged ⚫a Demise.' I desire you will not agree with

the lords.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Mr. Hampden. The dispute with the lords is about a word changed. It is your word now, the word of the house, and I was ever of opinion the most proper word. Forsaken, forfeited,' and other words, were mentioned here; but, I think, abdicating' was in request among the Romans. When a parent abdicated' his child, he gave him no maintenance : : though the child never forsook the father, yet if he deserved it, he was abdicated.' If you say such things have been done as violating the original contract, &c. is not SelfAbdication' more than desertion? If it comes to be disputed, you will then see the value of the word. Should you say, king James has deserted, is gone from Rochester, and may come again, for doing a thing, justly to be abdicated, the question is, whether you will retain or change your word; agree or not agree with the lords.

[ocr errors]

Sir Tho. Clarges. This is a great business before you; all tends to the settlement of the nation. Union is so necessary at this time, that I hope we shall agree with the lords in the Amendments. Desertion' seems more proper than Abdication,' which is not so needful nor proper. As for precedents, it must be voluntary. That of Charles 5 and the queen of Sweden, tant-amount to that of Alphonso king of Portugal; his government was destructive to his people. Edw. 2. committed all manner of irregularities and oppressions, by the advice of wicked counsellors, to subvert all the laws of the nation. In Riley's Collections of Records, the parliament at Bristol, upon report that the king had forsaken the kingdom, (decessit regno as the words of the Record are, had left the kingdom,) by unanimous consent, elected the duke of Aquitain Custos regni. Therefore I move to agree with the lords in the word Desertion.'

Mr. Finch. I would agree with the lords, for those very reasons offered against it. The

departure of Edw. 4. out of the kingdom was judged a Demise.' If you say king James deserted the kingdom, the question is still entire; whether he did abdicate' or 'desert,' is not material. There is good reason why you should agree with the lords; and I take 'desert' to be the more proper word: I am sure it is most proper to agree with the lords. But whether deserted' or 6 abdicated,' I would not differ with the lords; for the consequence is entire to you, and you may agree.

Sir Rd. Temple. I am mis-recited, and therefore desire to be rectified. I did not say 'that king James deserted the kingdom,' but the government. His renunciation is by something done by fact, not by solemn instrument.

Lord Falkland. If this Vote be grounded merely upon the king's leaving the kingdom, he may come again, and resume the government. But Abdication' relates to breaking your laws; and though the lords stand by the premises, yet they desert the conclusion, in leaving out the Throne vacant.' I would therefore not agree with the lords.

[ocr errors]

Mr. Dolben. The precedent I cited the other day, and inferred my opinion upon was, that Edw. 4.'s withdrawing himself from the kingdom and the government, was a demise, and it was so judged by the opinion of all the Judges; and from all considerations together, you pronounced it an Abdication' in king James. But barely a Demise,' and 'a withdrawing,' without the consideration of all the breaches he had made in the government, the house did not call it, but the word Abdication.' I would agree with the lords if I could agree with ourselves, and our own senses, first. The lords have so far concurred with your Vote, That king James has broken the original contract betwixt the king and people.' The premises must agree with the conclusion; ours is the more proper inference, and we must stand by it.

Sir Robert Sawyer. Authors that write of Abdication' say, to desert' is 'to abdicate." All that the lords mean by Abdication,' you mean by Desertion.'

[ocr errors]

Sir Rob. Howard. Desertion' is a Latin word, and Abdication' is another. If there be no more intended by the lords than the word, then the king has only deserted the government, and the Throne is not vacant; and the king may have the help of a Regency. They are both Latin words alike, and both English: Abdication' arises from vacated.' If it be not so, the lords have made room for their last Amendment, That the Throne is not vacated.'

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

Mr. Tipping. The lords are of opinion that the throne is full, but they tell you not who is in the throne. I am sorry to hear of a great number that would bring the king back again; how pernicious that would be to all good Protestants, you may easily judge. I am sure it will be of ill consequence to join the Prince of Orange with him in the throne. But I believe

Feb. 4.-Mr. Hampden reported the following Reasons, from the committee, why they cannot agree with the lords Amendments of their Vote of the 28th of January." To the first Amendment proposed by the lords to be

the true reason of this disagreeing with your Vote is the delay that the house has made, that they proceeded not to fill the Vacancy of the Throne. If you had proceeded speedily to fill the throne, possibly you would have had another Answer. Put the question of disagree-made to the Vote of the Commons, of the 28th ing with the Lords, and then declare, that you will supply the Vacancy of the Throne.' Sir Tho. Littleton. The lords cannot expect that we, who have said the Throne is vacant, should not intend to fill it up: the best way is, to go on and fill it up, and put all out of doubt. The question being put, "That the house do agree with the lords in these two Amendments," it passed severally in the negative,

nem. con.

Sir Rd. Temple. No doubt but you can maintain your Reasons for your Vote, at a Conference. If the Throne be full, what do we here? I move you to prepare Reasons, &c. for the Lords at a Conference.

A Committee was appointed accordingly.*

*« Thus ended this busy week. The next day was Sunday; and both houses took advantage of it; not to rest from their labours, but to gain time to strengthen their respective cabals, and further their several purposes. The opposing lords, who had now the ascendant in the house, had still a Regency in view, as their main point, and subordinately cast their eyes on the two princesses. Against a Regency, the two great rivals, Halifax and Danby, as we have seen, co-operated; but, at the same time, laboured separately; the former for the Prince, and the latter for his consort. The earl of Danby,' says Burnet,' sent one over to the Princess, and gave her an account of the present state of that debate; and desired to know her own sense of the matter; for, if she desired it, he did not doubt but he should be able to carry it for setting her alone on the Throne. She made him a very sharp answer; she said, she was the Prince's wife, and would never be other than what she should be in conjunction with him, and under him; and that she would take it extremely unkindly, if any, under a pretence of their care of her, would set up a divided interest between her and the Prince. And, not content with this, she sent both lord Danby's Letter, and her Answer, to the Prince. Her sending it thus to him was the most effectual discouragement possible to any attempt for the future to create a misunderstanding or jealousy between them.' He adds, the Prince bore this with his usual phlegm: for he did not expostulate with the earl of Danby upon it, but continued still to employ and to trust him.'—And again, During all these Debates, and the great heat with which they were managed, the Prince's own behaviour was very mysterious. He staid at St. James's; he went little abroad; access to him was not very easy; he heard all that was said to him, but seldom made any answers; he did not affect to be affable or popular; nor would he take any pains to gain any one per

[ocr errors]

6

of Jan. instead of the word abdicated,' to insert the word 'deserted,' the commons do not agree; because the word 'descrted' doth not fully express the conclusion necessarily inferred from the premises, to which your lordships have agreed; for your lordships have agreed, That king James 2nd bath endeavoured to subvert the constitution of the kingdom, by breaking the Original Contract between king and people, and hath violated the fundamental laws, and withdrawn himself out of the kingdom. Now, the word 'deserted' respects only the withdrawing, but the word 'abdicated' respects the whole; for which purpose the commons made choice of it.-The commons do not agree to the second Amendment, to leave out the words, And that the Throne is thereby vacant.' 1. Because they conceive, that, as they may well infer from so much of their own Vote as your lordships have agreed unto, That king James the 2nd has abdicated the government, and that the Throne is thereby vacant; so that if they should admit your lordships Amendment, That he hath only deserted the government; yet even thence it would follow that the Throne is vacant as to king James the 2nd deserting the government, being in true construction deserting the Throne, 2. The commons conceive they need not prove unto your lordships, that as to any other person, the Throne is also vacant; your lordships (as they conceive) have already admitted it, by your addressing to the Prince of Orange the 25th of Dec. last, to take upon him the administration of public affairs, both civil and military; and to take into his care the kingdom of Ireland, till the meeting of this Convention. In pursuance of such Letters, and by your lordships renewing the same Address to his highness, (as to public affairs, and the kingdom of Ireland) since you met, and by appointing days of public thanksgivings to be observed throughout the whole kingdom, all which the commons conceive do imply that it was your lordships opinion, that the Throne was vacant, and to sig

son over to his party; he said, he came over, being invited, to save the nation; he had now brought together a free and true representative of the kingdom; he left it therefore to them to do what they thought best for the good of the kingdom; and, when things were once settled, he should be well satisfied to go back to Holland again. Those who did not know him well, and who imagined that a crown had charms which human nature was not strong enough to resist, looked on all this as an affectation, and as a disguised threatening, which imported that he would leave the nation to perish unless his method of settling it was followed.'" Ralph.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »