was seconded by Mr. Hungerford, sir Thomas | safely arrived in the Sound, which, by the Hanmer, Mr. Herne, and Mr. Lawson; but blessing of Almighty God, will secure these the other party called for the question; and the kingdoms against any immediate danger of an said Resolution being read a second time, was Invasion. agreed to by a majority of 153 against 132.* April 16. Mr. Boscawen having acquainted the House with his majesty's desire, that they would adjourn till the 6th of May, the House accordingly adjourned to that day. The King's Speech respecting a Reduction of the Land Forces, an Act of Grace, &c.] May 6. The King went to the House of Lords, and the Commons attending, his majesty commanded the Lord Chancellor to read the following Speech to both Houses: "My Lords and Gentlemen ; "It is with great satisfaction that, after this short recess, I can acquaint you with the certain advice I have received, that my fleet is "By this time there was almost a total change in the ministry. The earl of Sunderland was appointed secretary of state, as was also Mr. Joseph Addison: Mr. Stanhope was made first commissioner of the treasury, and chancellor of the exchequer: lord Torrington, Mr. Wallop, Mr. Baillie of Jerwiswood, and Mr. Micklethwaite were the other commissioners of the treasury; sir William St. Quintin, Mr. Methuen, and Mr. Edgecombe, being removed, Mr. Craggs was declared secretary at war; Mr. Charles Stanhope, coadjutor to Mr. Lowndes, secretary to the treasury; and Mr. Joseph Micklethwaite, secretary to Mr. Stanhope, as chancellor and under treasurer of the exchequer. The earl of Orford resigned his place of first commissioner of the admiralty, which was given to the earl of Berkley. The rest of the commmissioners of the admiralty were, Mr. Aylmer, sir George Byng, Mr. Cockburne, and Mr. Chetwynd. The duke of Bolton was appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland, and his place of lord chamberlain of the household, was bestowed on the duke of Newcastle. The duke of Devonshire resigned his place of president of the council." Tindal. "It was remarked by observers at that time that in the comparison the gentlemen who left their places were not succeeded by gentlemen as well qualified for them. Mr. Addison was allowed to be an excellent writer and poet; but no body thought he was so well acquainted with affairs of state as Paul Methuen, esq. who had from his youth been accustomed to such transactions: neither did any one think that sir Thomas Micklethwaite, was as fit for the treasury board as William St. Quintin; or John Cockburn, esq. for that of the admiralty, as George Dodington, esq. but the comparison was much more unequal still between general Stanhope and R. Walpole, esq. as first lord commissioner of the treasury, and chancellor of the exchequer : As to James Craggs, esq. who was made secretary at war in the room of William Pulteney, esq. those that made comparisons had nothing to say." Oldmixon, "I have, by these means, an opportunity, which is very acceptable to me, of making a considerable reduction in our Land-Forces, having established it as a rule with myself, to consult the ease of my people in every thing, so far as is consistent with their safety. And, for my own part, as I shall always place my greatness in the prosperity of my subjects, so shall always desire that my power may be founded in their affections. It is upon these considerations, that I have given orders for the immediate reducing of 10,000 men. I an Act of "That nothing may be wanting in me to quiet the minds of all my subjects, I have like wise given directions to prepare Grace; and however it may be received by those who are obstinately bent on the ruin of their country, I promise myself, that it wil raise a due sense of gratitude in all such as have been artfully misled into treasonable practices, against my person and government, and preserve them from standing in need of the like mercy for the future, when such an instance of clemency may not be so expedient for the public welfare, as it would be agreeable to iny own inclinations. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I thank you for your readiness to support me in the present juncture of affairs, and for the Supplies which you have given; and do promise you, that they shall be employed for the uses to which you designed them. "I shall order such faithful accounts to be laid before you the next session, as will make it appear, there was no other view in asking any particular Supply, than to prevent a much greater expence, which the nation must have unavoidably incurred without it. "I must recommend to you, as I did at the beginning of the session, to take all proper methods for reducing the public debts, with a just regard to parliamentary credit. My Lords and Gentlemen; "The year being so far advanced, I hope you will go through the public business with all possible dispatch and unanimity, it being my intention to meet you early the next winter, that the sitting of parliament may be brought into the more usual and convenient season." The Lords' Address of Thanks.] The king being withdrawn, the Lords voted an Address of Thanks, which was presented next day, as follows: "Most Gracious Sovereign; "We your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal in parliament assembled, beg leave to return your majesty our most humble thanks for your majesty's most gracious Speech from the throne, and for your majesty's having taken effectual care to prevent all immediate danger of an Invasion upon these your kingdoms, by sending your fleet so early into the Sound: and w cannot but acknowledge, with the greatest satisfaction, your majesty's most tender regard to the case of your people, in giving orders, as soon as it was consistent with the public safety, for reducing so considerable a number of the land forces. "We also give your majesty our most humble thanks, for your having communicated to your parliament, your intention to pass an Act of Grace, which we hope will have all the good effects your majesty so reasonably and justly expects from it. "And we take this occasion to assure your majesty, that we will, with the utmost zeal and duty, defend and support your majesty's sacred person and government, against all your enemies both at home and abroad. The King's Answer.] His majesty's Answer thereto, was as follows: one up. lic, with the governors and directors of companies, by which some private advantages were generally made: but that, in his opinion, such bargains ought to be made at the bar of the House, by the representatives of all the Commons of Great Britain; and if any advantages could be made, the public ought to have the benefit of them. Mr. Lechmere reported the Address to his The Commons' Address of Thanks.] May 7. majesty, as follows: "Most Gracious Sovereign; "We your majesty's most dutiful. and loyal subjects, the Commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled, crave leave to approach your sacred person, with hearts full of gratitude to your majesty for the many gracious declarations you have been pleased to make to us from the throne. 66 Our duty to your majesty, and our concern when the nation was threatened with a despefor the security of your kingdoms, at a time rate Invasion, obliged us to make provision for keeping up such a body of Land Forces, as might shew that we were in a posture of defence: but your majesty having grounds to hope, on the arrival of your Fleet in the Sound, that, by the blessing of God, a check will be put to that design, we must for ever acknowledge, that the early directions you have been pleased to give for reducing such a body of those Land Forces, is the most acceptable pledge you could give your people of your tenderness for them; and that your majesty has nothing so much at heart as their present and future welfare, and is such an instance of your great wisdom and goodness, as must for ever endear your majesty to all your subjects. "We are bound to express our just satisfaction in your gracious intentions of mercy, as being highly conducive to the tranquillity of the kingdom, and a convincing proof of your majesty's desire to reign in the affections of all your subjects. Mr. Lechmere, in his speech for this Address, animadverted upon such of the members as had lately resigned their places, as if they intended to distress the king's affairs. Mr. Walpole thought fit, in his own vindication, to say, That persons who had accepted places in the government, had often been reflected on for carrying on designs, and acting contrary to the interest of their country; but that he had never heard a man found fault with, for laying down one of the most profitable places in the kingdom: that, for his own part, if he would have complied with some measures, it had not been in the power of any of the "We have so often experienced the happy present ministers to remove him; but that he effects of the confidence we have reposed in had reasons for resigning his employments, your majesty, that we can never entertain any with which he had acquainted his majesty, and doubt of the due application of any Supplies might perhaps, in a proper time, declare them granted by us; and do receive, in the most duto the House. In the mean while the tenour tiful and affectionate manner, your majesty's of his conduct should shew, that he never in- promise to lay the Accounts of such application tended to make the king uneasy, or to embar-before us, as a great instance of your justice to rass his affairs and concluded with moving, the nation. That the bill, 'For redeeming the Duty on 'Houses,' &c. might be read a second time. Upon this Mr. Secretary Stanhope represented, That several things in that bill wanted to be amended and rectified, and therefore he moved, that the second reading of it might be put off to the next day se'nnight; which was ordered accordingly. He likewise made use of that opportunity to take notice to the House, That he understood it had been the common practice of those concerned in the administration of the treasury, to make bargains for the pubVOL. VII. "We are truly sensible how much the case and prosperity of your subjects depends on the accomplishing that great and necessary work, of reducing the public Debts, and are resolved to carry it on in the most effectual manner, with just regard to parliamentary credit. "We are likewise resolved, by the dispatch and unanimity of our proceedings, to convince the world, that we are inviolably engaged in duty and affection to your most sacred person and government, on the support of which the welfare and happiness of these kingdoms, under God, entirely depend.” 2 G Mr. Shippen moves for re-committing the Address.] After the reading the above Address, Thanks to the king for his Speech, who returned the following Answer: "Gentlemen ; Mr. Shippen moved to have it re-committed; "It is with great pleasure that I find the and that an Amendment might be made to directions I have given, to make a Reduction in that part of it which relates to the Army, the Army, and my intentions to grant an Act which he proposed to be as follows, viz. And of Grace, are so much to the satisfaction of my your loyal Commons have no doubt but your faithful Commons. I thank you for the hearty majesty will be graciously pleased to make a assurances you give me of your affections to my further reduction of the Army, and to conti-person and government; and shall always 'nue only such a number of forces as hath make such an use of the confidence you repose 'been usually thought, in a time of peace, to in me, as may be most for the advantage of my be sufficient for the security of this kingdom.' people." To support his motion, he represented the danger of a standing army; urging, That in Cromwell's time, a force much less than what will remain in Great Britain after the reduction proposed, had overturned the monarchy, abolished episcopacy, put down the House of Peers, and driven the Commons from their seats. He was seconded by Mr. Bromley, and backed by Mr. Herne and general Ross; but they were opposed by Mr. Secretary Stanhope, Mr. Robert Walpole, and also by Mr. Pulteney, who declared, That before the discovery of the late Swedish Conspiracy, while he had the honour to serve his majesty as Secretary at War, he had received such directions as shewed his majesty's intentions, at that time, to reduce still a greater number of forces, than was now proposed; and therefore he did not doubt but his majesty would do it as soon as the safety of his kingdoms would admit of it. He added, That, in his opinion, the nation had no reason to fear any thing from an army, who, for near thirty years past, had given signal proofs of their firm adherence to the Protestant interest, and of their zeal to maintain the liberties of their country; and that if there was any danger at present, it was only from foreign counsels. At length the question being put upon Mr. Shippen's motion, it was carried in the negative by a majority of 188 against 80. Papers relating to the 6,000 Dutch Troops in Scotland.] May 8. Mr. Pulteney acquainted the House, That he was apprehensive of some Mismanagements and Imbezzlements of the public money, in relation to the 6,000 Dutch troops, and the service in North Britain. Upon this it was resolved to present two Addresses to his majesty; one for an Account of the money given for the payment of the 6,000 Dutch troops, taken into his majesty's service during the late Rebellion, with the charge of the transportation of the said troops forwards and backwards, distinguishing each particular under its respective head; the other for an Account of the distribution of the extraordinaries and contingencies issued out for the service performed in North Britain during the late Re bellion. The King's Answer to the Address of Thanks.] May 9. The House presented their Address of Debate on Sir W. Wyndham's Motion for Dr. Snape to preach before the House.] May 13. A warm debate arose on a very singular occasion. Sir Wm. Wyndham having moved, That Dr. Snape be desired to preach before the House at St. Margaret's, Westminster, upon the 29th of May; he was seconded by Mr. Shippen, and backed by all the members who had lately resigned their employments. Mr. Horatio Walpole, who spoke first after Mr. Shippen, said, That it was unusual, on such occasions, to put the negative on any man, whom a member of that House had thought fit to name; and that Dr. Snape was not only a person of merit and great learning, but had likewise the honour to be one of his majesty's chaplains. Mr. Robert Walpole said, That he knew Dr. Snape to be a very learned, and a very honest man that he had not only entrusted him with the education of his own children, but also recommended the sons of the duke of Devonshire and lord Townshend to his care; and therefore he could not but think, that he might be trusted with preaching a Sermon before that assembly. Mr. Lechmere opposed them, and said, That he could not but wonder, that a member who had been one of the managers against Dr. Sacheverel, should now speak in behalf of a divine who had asserted the same notions of the other had been prosecuted; and who had passive obedience and non-resistance, for which lately attacked a strenuous and worthy cham Pion of the Revolution and Protestant succes sion. Mr. Aislabie answered, That he gave his vote learned and honest man: And as for having writ to Dr. Snape because he looked upon him as a ten against the bishop of Bangor's [Dr. Hoadley] Sermon, he did not think it a sufficient reason to put upon him a negative, which would be prejudging of a controversy that did not properly belong to their cognizance. Lord Guernsey also spoke in behalf of Dr. Snape. Mr. Hungerford said, That if the court had bishop fine sport; but that the king having not interposed, the doctor might have shewn the ordered his ministers to disband part of the army, they had, by mistake, disbanded the cos vocation. Sir William Wyndham's motion being thus strongly supported, and Mr. Lechmere being backed only by sir Joseph Jekyll, Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Treby, and a few more, the question was put and carried in the affirmative, by 141 voices against 131: and sir William Wyndham and Mr. Shippen were ordered to acquaint Dr. Snape with the desire of the House. * * "As the change in the ministry had caused a division among the Whigs, some adhering to those that were in, and others to those that were out of place, an opposition was formed by those last in conjunction with the Tories, on several occasions. This evidently appeared when sir William Wyndham (who had been discharged) moved, that Dr. Snape should be appointed to preach on the Restoration of king Charles. The doctor was one of the king's chaplains, and master of Eaton-school, but was of high-church principles, and had lately attacked the bishop of Bangor. The controversy mentioned in this debate between the bishop of Bangor and Dr. Snape, was occasioned in this manner: Dr. Benjamin Hoadley, famous for his steady adherence at all times to the principles of the Revolution, (for which he had been recommended to the throne by the House of Commons, and advanced to the see of Bangor) had lately published, A Preservative against 'the Principles and Practices of the Nonjurors;' and soon after preached a sermon before the king, which was printed under the title of, The Nature of the Kingdom of Christ.' To this sermon Dr. Snape published an Answer; 2nd, presently after, the lower house of Convocation (as they had before done with regard to Dr. Samuel Clarke's Scripture-Doctrine) entered upon the subject, both of the bishop of Bangor's Sermon, and of his Preservative. They appointed a committee of six of their members, to examine them, and made their report to the House. The Committee sat and drew up a Representation, in which both the Preservative and Sermon were censured, as tending, 1. To subvert all government and 'discipline in the church of Christ, and to re'duce his kingdom to a state of anarchy and 'confusion. And 2. To impugn and impeach 'the regal supremacy in causes ecclesiastical, and the authority of the legislature, to inforce ' obedience in matters of religion by civil sanc'tions.' This charge was supported by passages taken out of the Preservative and Sermon, and the whole drawn up in the form of a Report, to be laid before the Convocation. But the government, out of regard to the interest of the constitution, in church and state, thought proper to put a stop to these proceedings, by a prorogation to the 22d of November. As this was industriously represented to be the effect of the bishop's solicitation, and an argument of his fear, be publicly declared before the world, that the prorogation was ordered, not only without his seeking, but without so much as his knowledge or even suspicion of any such design, till it was resolved. It must be observed, that the Proposals of the South Sea Company and of the Bank of England, for the Reduction of the National Debts.] May 20. The Commons having resolved themselves into a Committee of the whole House, to consider farther of ways and means for raising the Supply, granted to his majesty, Mr. Secretary Stanhope laid before them the respective Proposals of the South Sea Company, and of the Bank of England, which were read, as follows: To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain in Parliament assembled: The Governor and Company of Merchants of Great Britain, trading to the South Seas, and other parts of America, and for encouraging the Fishery, having under their consideration, how they may be most serviceable to his Majesty and his Government, and to shew their zeal and readiness to concur in the great and honourable design of reducing the National Debts, in such manner as may be consistent with, and for the support of, Parliamentary credit, do humbly propose, 1. That they will be content, and do submit, that their present capital stock of 10,000,000l. be increased to the sum of 12,000,000l. either by subscription or otherwise, as by their general court shall be thought most expedient. "2. That the 2,000,000l. so to be advanced, shall be paid into his majesty's exchequer, by four equal payments, the last whereof to be on or before the 24th of December next, and shall be employed towards redeeming the principal and interest charged on the four Lottery Acts of 1711 and 1712, and the Annuities of 37. per cent. payable for the Bankers debt, contracted in the reign of king Charles 2, and not otherwise. "3. That the present annual sums of 600,000l. and 8,000l. payable to the company, be continued to them, for and in respect of their said 10,000,000/., until the 24th day of June 1718: and that for the 2,000,000l. to be advanced as aforesaid, there shall be allowed to the company an annuity after the rate of 57. per cent. per annum, from the respective times of payment thereof into the exchequer, until the said 24th of June 1718. representation was never approved of by the lower-house, so as to be made the act of it: Though many have been led to think it was, by the artifice made use of in the title-page to the printed copy of it. The prorogation of the Convocation did not put an end to the controversy. For several of the members, since they could not attack the bishop, as a public assembly, resolved to take up the cause in a private capacity. Dr. Sherlock, who was one of the committee who drew up the report, seconded Dr. Snape, and these two were followed by many others, insomuch that the tracts published on this occasion, on both sides, are said to be about seventy." Tindal. "4. That from and after the said 24th of of August 1742, and a year's notice, as it stands June 1718, there be payable to the company, confirmed to them by several acts of parlia by weekly payments, as the funds shall pro- ment. duce, an annual sum of 600,000l. being after the rate of 61. per cent. per annum, for the whole 12,000,000l. together with their present allowance of 8,000l. per annum, to continue until redeemed by parliament, as herein after is mentioned. "That they are content to accept an annuity of 88,175l. 7s. 10d. being after the rate of 51. per cent. per annum, on the principal sum of 1,775,0277. 17s. 10d., in lieu of the present annuity of 106,5017. 13s. 5d. payable to the said governor and company out of the duties on houses, to commence from the 25th day of March 1718, subject to redemption by parhiament, on twelve months notice, after the 25th day of March 1723, and repayment of the prin cipal and all arrears of the said annuity. "As to the Exchequer-bills, issued by virtue of several acts of parliament, and now standing out for 456,125l. principal money, or thereabouts. "5. That the present duties and revenues chargeable with the payment of the present annual sum of 600,000l. and 8,000l. together with such duties and revenues as shall be redeemed by the said 2,000,000l. to be advanced as aforesaid, shall be continued and made the fund for, and chargeable with, the payment of the several annuities which, pursuant to this proposition, shall become due or payable to the company, and with all arrears thereof, "The said governor and company are conincurred and to be incurred; and that the tent to accept an annuity, after the rate of 51. surplus of all the said duties and revenues, per cent. per annum, for the sum of 2,000,000%. after such payment to the company as afore-part thereof to commence from the 29th day of said, shall be applied and appropriated for and towards paying and discharging some other of the present national debts. "6. That the suis unpaid, charged on the general mortgage, 1710, which is part of the company's present funds, be paid out of the Aggregate Fund, to arise out of the savings of the several funds which shall be redeemed or reduced this session. "7. That all transfers of the company's present and increased capital stock, shall be free and exempt from any further duties, than the transfers are at present subject to by parliament; and that their present and increased capital and stock in trade, be exempt from all taxes and impositions whatsoever. "8. The company do submit, that the said annual sum of 600,000l. for the said 12,000,000l. and the said annual sum of 8,000l. may be redeemable by parliament, upon a year's notice to be given by authority of parliament, on any of the four usual quarterly feast days, in the year, after the 24th of June 1725: and upon payment to the said governor and company of the said capital sum of 12,000,000l. and all arrears of the said annual sums of 600,000l. and 8,000l. September 1717, subject to redemption by parliament, on twelve months notice, after the 29th day of September 1720, and repayment of the said 2,000,000l. and all arrears of the annuity attending the same. "And to continue the circulating, and exchanging for money, at demand, the remainder of the said bills, at the present allowance of 37. per cent. per annum. And are also content, that the interest now payable on such bills, may be reduced to 1d. per cent. per diem, from and after the 29th day of September 1717; and that the said interest may cease on any of the said bills, during the time that such bills may lie in the exchequer, or in the hands of any public officers, provided that the exchequer-bills hereby proposed to be circulated and exchanged for money, or any of them, be not redeemable, but upon 12 months notice after the 29th day of September 1724, and repayment of the principal and interest, and all arrears of the said allowance of 51. per cent. per annum ; and that the allowances of 45,000!. per annum, and 8,000l. per annum, payable to the said governor and company, by several acts of parliament, for making exchequer-bills specie, until the same should be reduced to "By order of the general court of the afore-1,900,000l. be continued to them until the 25th said Governor and Company, May the 10th, day of March 1718. 1717. JOHN URY, Secretary." "That no more exchequer-bills, or bills of like nature, be issued without consent of the bank, until such redemption be made. "The said governor and company are willing to advance the sum of 2,500,000l. to the public, or such part thereof as may be wanted, in order to redeem the public funds, at such time and times, before the 25th of March 1718, and in such proportions as shall be found necessary at an interest of 51. per cent. per annum, redeemable by parliament. "Provided that the five sevenths excise, house money, and duties of the aggregate fund, be settled to answer all these payments, with preference to all others, and that the corporation of the bank do continue with all its |