great deal of time, if they waited till sir Robert | as I am able, I will endeavour to secure the could conceive how that was possible. A tem- peace of the nation, until the meeting of the porary offer of the government being made to Convention in January next; for the election his bighness, one proposed that it should be, whereof I will forthwith issue Letters, accordnot for a month only, but for a whole year; ing to your desire. I will also take care to to whom it was answered, that the Convention apply the Public Revenue to the most proper ought only to consider of that. Others moved uses that the present affairs require; and likethat the Association, that had been signed by wise endeavour to put Ireland into such a the lords, might likewise be subscribed by this condition, as that the Protestant Religion, and assembly; but it was carried, that the said English Interest may be maintained in that association should be left upon the table, and kingdom. And I further assure you, That as every one be at liberty to sign it or not. I came hither for the preservation of the Protestant Religion, and the Laws and Liberties of these kingdoms, so I shall always be ready to expose myself to any hazard for the defence of the same." And in the afternoon, his highness was pleased to return the same Answer to the Commons.

Their Address to the Prince.] After these previous debates, they resolved upon Heads for an Address to be made to his highness, and appointed persons to draw up and prepare the same; and, in the afternoon, it was done accordingly, and read and approved in this form:

MEETING OF THE CONVENTION.

Sir William Drake.
St. Albans,

George Churchill,
Samuel Grimston.
Aldborough, (Suffolk)
Sir Henry Johnson,
Sir William Johnson.
Aldborough, (Yorkshire)
Christopher Tancred,
Sir Michael Wentworth.
Allerton, North,
Robinson,

Arundel,
William Morley,
William Garraway,
Ashburton,
Sir Walter Young,
Edward Reynel.
Aylsbury,
Thomas Lee,
Richard Beak.
Bambury,

Sir Robert Dashwood.
Barnstaple,

"We who have served as members of parliaments during the reign of the late king List of the Members of the Convention.] Charles II. together with the court of alder- January 22, 1688-9. This day the Convention men, and members of the common-council of net at Westminster, agreeably to the Letters the city of London, assembled at your high-issued by the Prince of Orange, at the desire ness's desire, in this extraordinary conjuncture, of the lords, commons, and citizens of London. do, with an unanimous consent, tender to your The following is a List of its Members: highness our humble and hearty Thanks, for Abington, your coming into this kingdom, and exposing Thomas Medlicott. your person to so great hazards, for the pre- Edmund Waller, Agmondesham, servation of our Religion, Laws, and Liberties, and rescuing us from the miseries of Popery and Slavery and desire your highness, (for the pursuance of these ends, and for the preservation of the peace of the nation) will take upon you the Adininistration of Public Affairs, both civil and military, and the disposal of the Public Revenues. We do also desire, that your highness will take into your particular consideration, the present condition of Ireland; and endeavour, by the most speedy and effectual means to prevent the dangers threat-William ning that kingdom. All which, we desire your highness to undertake and execute, until the Meeting of the intended Convention, the 22d day of January next." Then, for the chusing of members for the said Convention, they proposed the same which has been mentioned in the Lords Address; and so concluded in these words, "This we humbly offer to your highness, as our best advice, in this exigency of affairs, for attaining the ends of your highness's Declaration; and as the best means tending to such an Establishment, as that our Religion, Laws and Liberties, may not be in danger of being again subverted."

The Prince's Answer.] His highness having appointed to receive the Address the next morning, he was then attended by a body of them; and the Address was presented and read by Mr. Powle to his highness; who was pleased to declare, That it being a matter of weight, he would consider thereof, and give his Answer the next day. Accordingly, on Friday morning, Dec. 28, his highness first gave the following Answer at St. James's to the lords spiritual and temporal: "My lords; I have considered of your Advice; and, as far

Thomas Lascels.
Andover,
Francis Powlet,
John Pollen.
Anglesea,
Visc. Bulkley.
Appleby,
Sir John Lowther,
Henry Wharton.

Richard Lee,
Sir A. Chichester.
Bath City,

Sir William Basset,
Visc. Fitzharding.
Beaumaris,

Sir William Williams.
Bedfordshire,
Edward Russel,
William Duncomb.
Bedford Town,
Thomas Hillersden,
Thomas Christie.

"It was upon the appointed time, the longed-for 22d day of January, that the Grand Convention met; not only with the expectations of the British dominions, but of all the neighbouring kingdoms and nations. Being divided into two houses, as usual in parliament, (of whose rules they were strictly observant) they immediately proceeded to the choice of their Speakers. In the house of peers, the marquis of Halifax carried it against the earl of Danby; and in the lower house, Mr. Powle was unanimously chosen; though it was expected that sir Ed. Seymour, who had so early joined the Prince at Exeter, would have stood in competition with him. Both houses had their clerks and several officers, as in a regular parliament." Echard.

Southampton County,
Lord Pawlet,
Lord Wiltshire.

Southampton Town,
Sir Richard Bret,
Sir Benj. Newland.
Southwark,
Sir Peter Rich,
John Arnold.
Staffordshire,

Sir Walter Baggot,
John Gray.
Stafford Town,-
Philip Foley,
John Chetwynd.

Stamford,
William Hyde,
Charles Bertie,
Steyning,
Sir John Morton,
Sir John Fagg.
Stockbridge,
Richard Whitehead,
Essex St. John.
Sudbury,
Sir John Poley,
Philip Gurdon.
Suffolk,
Sir John Cordel,
Sir John Rous
Surry County,
Sir Richard Onslow,
George Evelyn.
Sussex,

Sir John Pelham,
Sir William Thomas.
Tamworth,

Henry Sidney,
Sir Henry Gough.
Tavistock,
Sir Francis Drake,
Robert Russel.
Taunton,

Sir W. Portman,
John Sandford.
Tewkesbury,
Sir Francis Russel,
Richard Dowdeswell.
Thetford,
William Harbord,
Sir Francis Guybon.
Thirsk,
Richard Staines,
Thomas Frankland.
Tiverton,
Samuel Foot,
William Coleman.
Toiness,
Sir John Fowell,
Richard Mallock.
Tregony,
Charles Boscawen,
Hugh Fortescue.

Truro,
John Manley,
Henry Vincent.

Wallingford,
Thomas Tipping,
William Jennings.
Warwickshire,

Sir Richard Newdigate,
Sir Richard Verney.

Warwick Town,
William Colemore,«
Lord Digby,

Wareham,
George Reeves,
Thomas Erle.
Wells,

Thomas Wyndham,
Edward Berkeley.
Wendover,
John Hampden,
Richard Hampden.
Wenlock,
William Forrester,
George Weld.
Weubly,
John Birch.
James Morgan.
Westbury,
Peregrme Bertie,
Richard Lewis.
West Low,
Piercy Kirk,
James Kendall.

Westminster,

Sir William Pulteney,
Philip Howard.
Westmoreland,
Henry Wharton,
Sir John Lowther.
Weymouth,
Michael Harvey,
Henry Henninge.
Whitchurch,
Lord Russell,
Henry Wallop.
Winchelsea,
Richard Austin,
Samuel Western.
Winchester,
Lord Pawlet,
Francis Morley.
Windsor,

Sir Christopher Wren.
Henry Powle.

Wilton,

Thomas Penruddock,
Thomas Wyndham.
Wiltshire,

Thomas Mompesson,
Lord Cornbury.
Woodstock,
Sir John Doyley,
Sir Thomas Littleton.
Woolon Basset,
Henry St. John,
John Wildman.

Wygan,

Sir Edw. Chisnal,
William Banks.
Worcestershire,
Sir John Rushout,
Thomas Foley.
Worcester City,
John Somers,
William Bromley.
Yarmouth, (Norfolk)
George England,
Lord Huntington.
Yarmouth, (Hants)
Richard Norton,
Henry Slingsby.

Yorkshire,
Sir John Key,

Lord Fairfax,

York City,
Lord Dumblain,

Edward Thompson.

SPEAKER.-Henry Powle.

Mr. Powle chosen Speaker.] The earl of Wiltshire put the house in mind that the first business to be done was to chuse a Speaker, and that there was an honourable person in his eye, whom he conceived very well experi- enced in methods of parliament, and every way qualified for that place. He then proposed the right hon. Heury Powle, esq. who being approved by a general call, to the Chair, was conducted to and placed in the same by the earl of Wiltshire, and sir Vere Fane, knight of the Bath; where being seated, he spake to the following effect: "Gentlemen, I know very well that excuses from this place, are looked upon only as formalities; but I am so sensible of my own defects, and so desirous that this house may not receive any prejudice by them, that I most earnestly intreat you, that, among so many honourable and experienced members as arc here met this day, you would make choice of one that is better able to perform the duty of this place.”—But his Excuse not being allowed, the mace was called for and placed upon the table; after which, the house proceeded to the choice of their officers.

The Prince of Orange's Letter to both Houses.] And then Mr. Jephson, secretary to the Prince of Orange, presented to the Speaker a Letter from is highness, which the Speaker read to the house as follows:

"My lords and gentlemen; I have endeavoured to the utmost of my power to perform what was desired from me in order to the public peace and safety; and I do not know that any thing hath been omitted which might tend to the preservation of them, since the administration of affairs was put into my hands. It now lieth upon you to lay the foundation of a firm security for your Religion, your Laws and your Liberties. I do not doubt, but that by such a full and free representative of the nation, as is now met, the ends of my Declaration will be attained: and since it hath pleased God hitherto to bless my good intentions with so great success, I trust in him, that he will complete his own work, by sending a spirit of peace and union to influence your counsels, that no interruption may be given to a happy and lasting Settlement.-The dangerous condition of the Protestants in Ireland requiring a large and speedy succour, and the present state of things abroad, oblige me to tell you, that next to the danger of unreasonable divisions among ourselves, nothing can be so fatal as too great a delay in your consultations. The States, by whom I have been enabled to rescue this nation, may suddenly feel the ill effects of it, both by being too long deprived of the service of their troops, which are now here, and of your early assistance against a powerful enemy, who hath declared a war against them. And as England is by treaty

already engaged to help them upon such exigencies, so I am confident, that their chearful concurrence to preserve this kingdom with so much hazard to themselves, will meet with all the returns of friendship and assistance, which may be expected from you as Protestants and Englishmen, whenever their condition will require it. Given at St. Jaines's the 22d of Jan. 1688-9."

Debate thereon.] Mr. Garroway. All England is sensible of the great deliverance that we have had from Popery and Slavery by this generous Expedition of the prince of Orange. I need not urge arguments to give him Thanks; and, in the mean time, till we can proceed to a Settlement of the Nation, and till the lords and commons shall make farther application to him, desire that he will be pleased to take the Administration of the Government upon

him.'

Mr. Hampden. I do concur in the motion. As the Prince's Letter requires haste, so I would have no time lost in considering it, so as things may not be precipitated which require due deliberation. Be pleased, in the mean time, to thank the prince, for the great action he has done in delivering the nation from Popery and Slavery; and, in the same words, to desire him to continue the Administration of the Government, till the lords and commons shall make farther application to him.

Col. Birch. That Thanks should be returned to the Prince, for his Deliverance of us, &c.' I would not have it so; but, that God has done it by his means.' I could never have believed, some months since, what God, by his hand, hath wrought for this kingdom. Several other motions were made for an Addition to the question.

Sir Tho. Lee. Nothing will save your time more than to let two or three gentlemen withdraw, and pen you an Address, upon the debate of the house.

Mr. John Howe. I think it as proper for us to say, by whose means we were brought into Popery and Slavery, as by whom we were delivered out.

Address of both Houses to the Prince.] The lords sent a Message, with an Address much of the same nature with that above debated, for the concurrence of the house; which was agreed to as follows:

posal of the public revenue, for the preservation of our religion, rights, laws, liberties, and properties, and of the peace of the nation. And that your highness will take into your particular care the present condition of Ireland; and endeavour, by the most speedy and effectual means, to prevent the dangers threatening that kingdom. All which we make our request to your highness to undertake and exercise, till further application shall be made by us; which shall be expedited with all convenient speed; and shall also use our utmost endeavours to give dispatch to the matters recommended to us by your highness's letter."

The Prince's Answer.] The Prince's Answer was as follows:

My lords and gentlemen; I am glad that what I have done hath pleased you; and since you desire me to continue the Administration of Affairs, I am willing to accept it. I must recommend to you the consideration of affairs abroad; which maketh it fit for you to expedite your business, not only for making a Settlement at home upon a good foundation, but for the safety of all Europe."

Debate on filling up the Vacancies of the House.] Sir Henry Capel. This assembly has been chosen with freedom. There has not been a better election a great while, without force of the lord lieutenants. You have done a great deal in one day, but this is not enough; so consider the wordAdministration;' it is but a small trust you repose in the prince; it will roll, and be uncertain. The prince has told you who has helped him to come over hither, the Protestants. I have seen quick bills for Money pass here, to fight against Protestants: I hope we shall now fight with them. His troops are wanted in Holland. I hope you will not neglect a day to consider them: The Protestants abroad are uneasy till they hear how we proceed. I have observed that we have not had above 160 formerly, at giving great sums; whereas, now we have no king, we are a full house. Therefore, pray take the State of the Nation into consideration as soon as you please.

Šir Tho. Clarges. The matter before you is of the greatest weight; therefore I hope you will proceed with prudence and wariness. Whole counties, as yet, have no members: and, that there may be no imputations upon us, and that all exceptions may be taken away, I would have this great affair debated in a full house.

"We, the lords spiritual and temporal and commons assembled at Westminster,being highly sensible of the great Deliverance of this kingdom from Popery and arbitrary Power, and that our preservation is (next under God) owing to Mr. Hampden. It is proper to resolve upon your highness, do return our most humble filling the Vacancies of the house. I would not Thanks and Acknowledgments to your high-preclude the motions for it; but it is the order ness, as the glorious instrument of so great a blessing to us. We do further acknowledge the great care your highness has been pleased to take in the administration of the public affairs of the kingdom to this time. And we do most humbly desire your highness, that you will take upon you the administration of public affairs, both civil and military; and the disVOL. V.

of the house, on a Vacancy, to send your Letter for filling up that vacancy. If you apply to the proper officer, he must have a seal; but now he has none, so cannot execute your order. Make a general rule for filling the Vacancies here, that, upon such a motion, application may be inade to the Prince for his Letter to fill up that vacancy.

D