BOOK II. in which sentiment the house seemed unanimously 1695. to concur; and the people at large, being satisfied with the provisions made by the triennial act for a speedy dissolution, disapproved the unseasonable suggestion of a legal scruple, which might be attended with such dangerous consequences. In the course of public business, soon after Christmas, a petition was presented from the inhabitants of Royston, complaining of oppressive usage from the officers and soldiers of colonel Hastings's regiment quartered there, in exacting subsistence-money, &c. by a sort of coercion little short of military execution. The house, inflamed with this intelligence, set on foot an enquiry into the conduct of the colonels of regiments and army-agents, several of whom were committed to custody in consequence of a representation to the king, and Hastings was cashiered: also a proclamation issued against all such illegal and criminal practices. This enquiry led to other investigations of a still more interesting nature; and it appeared that several of the leading members of the house had been guilty of receiving bribes to facilitate the passing of certain bills. A bill called the Orphans' Bill, brought into the house by the corporation of London, after several years fruitless solicitation, it was remarked, had passed in the course of the last session without difficulty. 1695. the House mons ex On appointing a committee to examine the BOOK II. chamberlain's books, the copy of an order was found for paying Sir John Trevor, the SPEAKER of the HOUSE of COMMONS, one thousand guineas so soon as the said bill should be passed, with an intimation from Barrat the city solicitor that unless the said sum was given the bill would not pass. On receiving the report, the speaker was reduced to the unparalleled mortification of putting the question, "that sir John Trevor, Speaker of speaker of this house, in receiving a gratuity of Comof one thousand guineas from the city of London, pelled the after passing the Orphans' Bill, is guilty of a high crime and misdemeanour.” This being carried in the affirmative, the speaker thought it expedient to abdicate the chair, and was immediately expelled by an unanimous vote of the house, and Paul Foley, esq. chosen speaker in his room. Mr. Hungerford, chairman of the committee on the Orphans' Bill, having also been proved guilty of corruption, was in like manner expelled the house. House. tion of the the East pany. But the investigations of the house did not Investiga terminate here. The same committee being affairs of empowered to examine the books and accounts India Com of the East India Company, it appeared on inspection, that whereas the sum issued for special or secret service did not in the year 1688 amount to more than 12841. and in the two 1095. tions of the BOOK II. following years to more than 20961. and 30567.in the last year 1693 it rose to 167,000l. Sir Tho mas Cooke, a member of the house, having been governor of the company during the last year, was called upon to declare in what manner this money had been expended. Cooke, refusing to answer, was committed to the Tower; and a bill of pains and penalties brought in, obliging him to discover how the sum mentioned in the report of the committee had been distributed. This bill was vehemently opposed by the duke of Leeds in the house of lords, as contrary to law and equity; and furnishing a precedent of a Malversa- most dangerous nature. The warmth of the lord president only tended to create farther suspicion, especially as his grace was loud and earnest in the protestations of his own innocence, although no accusation had been exhibited against him. The bill ultimately passed, with a clause indemnifying Cooke from any offence committed by him in the distribution of the money in question on which Cooke delivered in a statement of the various sums paid by him to various persons: amongst the rest, 40,000l. to sir Basil Firebrace for favors and services done to the company. Sir Basil, being examined as to the nature of the services he had performed for the company, fell into great confusion and loss of memory-complained of illness, and Duke of 1695. requested that the examination might be deferred BOOK II. -said he had done the company service by his solicitations; but knew not of any money or stock given to any person whatsoever for procuring a new charter. On his re-examination he could now recollect that, in consequence of a treaty with Mr. Bates, whom he thought able to do service in passing the charter, he had given him two notes for 5500 guineas-that Bates had acquaintance with several great lords, particularly the LORD PRESIDENT, to whom he, i. e. Firebrace, had free access after the notes were given; and found him easy and willing to grant the company his assistance respecting the renewal of the charter. Sir Basil farther said, that, having at the first intimated to Bates that a present of 20001. or 3000l. might be made for the service required; Bates replied that more than this had been offered by the other side. Sir Basil at last consented to give 5000 guineas: on which Bates said, “ this was nothing to HIM: he ought not to be employed for nothing"-on which an addition of 500 guineas was made to the 5000: and finally, that, about a week ago, Bates desired to return the 5000 guineas, saying it might make a noise -the 500 still remaining in his hands. Bates, being summoned, deposed, that Firebrace had applied to him for his interest, saying, that the company would be very grateful for it-that he did 1695. BOOK I. accordingly use his interest with the lord president, who said he would do what service he could, agreeably to the opinion he had delivered in public, viz. that the charter ought to be confirmed that he did receive the notes in question -that he told the lord president of it, and would have passed them upon him; but his grace refused them-that counter-notes were given, making the payment of the money wholly dependent on the renewal of the charter-that the money, when paid, was lodged in the hands of a foreign domestic of the lord president, monsieur Robart, where it had remained till he had returned the present to sir Basil, from the apprehension of the noise it might make-and that the whole was to be applied to his own private use. This account was corroborated by the lord president in a vindicatory speech delivered in his place as a lord of parliament; when, his grace receiving notice that the commons were proceeding to a vote of impeachment against him, abruptly broke off, and, presenting himself at the door of the lower house, caused the house to be informed, that he desired to be heard in his own defence. He was accordingly admitted, and complimented with a chair within the bar, and leave to be covered. Then rising with his hat off, he "thanked them for the favor they had granted, and expressed his impatience to justify himself from whatever might ap |
