House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 23 May 1677

Mercurii, 23 die Maii , 1677.

Prayers.

King appoints to be attended.

MR. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That His Majesty had commanded them to attend Him forthwith at the Banqueting House at Whitehall.

And accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House, went to attend his Majesty.

Mr. Speaker reports, That he had attended his Majesty: And, that to prevent Mistakes, his Majesty had set down in Writing what he was pleased to impart to the House: Which Mr. Speaker read; and is as followeth;

Gentlemen,

The King's Speech.

I SENT for you hither, that I might prevent those Mistakes and Distrusts, which I find some are ready to make, as if I had called you together only to get Money from you for other Uses than you would have it employed.

I do assure you, upon the Word of a King, that you shall not repent any Trust you repose in Me, for the Safety of My Kingdoms; and I desire you to believe, I would not break My Credit with you.

But as I have already told you, that it will not be possible for Me to speak or act those Things, which should answer the Ends of your several Addresses, without exposing My Kingdoms to much greater Dangers; so I declare to you again, that I will neither hazard My own Safety nor yours, until I be in a better Condition than I am able to put Myself, both to defend My Subjects, and offend My Enemies.

I do further assure you, that I have not lost one Day since your last Meeting, in doing all I can for your Defence; and I tell you plainly, it shall be your Fault, and not Mine, if our Securities be not sufficiently provided for.

Addresses thereon.

Resolved, &c. That this House do now resolve into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Subject Matter of his Majesty's Speech.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir John Trevor took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir John Trevor reports from the said Committee of the whole House, That they had agreed Two Votes or Resolves, to be reported to the House: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where they were again twice read; and with an Amendment made to the last of the said Resolves, by adding thereto these Words, "and, when such Alliances are made, giving his Majesty Assurances of speedy and chearful Supplies from time to time, for the supporting and maintaining those Alliances," were, upon the Question, severally agreed to: Which Votes, so amended, are as followeth; viz.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to the King, That his Majesty would be pleased to enter into a League, offensive and defensive, with the States General of the United Provinces; and to make such other Alliances with such other of the Confederates as his Majesty shall think fit, against the Growth and Power of the French King; and for the Preservation of the Spanish Netherlands.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to draw up the Address, with Reasons why this House cannot comply with his Majesty's Speech, until such Alliances be entered into; and further shewing the Necessity of the speedy making of such Alliances; and, when such Alliances are made, giving his Majesty Assurances of speedy and chearful Supplies, from time to time, for the supporting and maintaining those Alliances.

And it is referred to Sir Tho. Meres, Mr. Powle, Col. Byrch, Mr. Secretary Coventry, Sir Hen. Capell, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir John Berkenhead, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Sawyer, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Finch, Sir Robert Howard, Sir Edward Baynton, Sir John Trevor, Lord Cavendish, Sir John Rolls, Sir Nico. Cary, Sir Phil. Warwick, Mr. Eyres, Sir Wm. Coventrey, Mr. Vaughan, Sir John Ernle, Mr. Secretary Williamson, Sir Eliab Harvey, Mr. Sacheverell, Sir John Hotham, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Robert Carr, Mr. Boscowen, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Tho. Proby, Mr. Williams, Sir Tho. Clergis, Col. Titus, Sir Francis Rolls, Sir Robert Thomas, Sir Henry Ford, or any Five of them, to prepare and bring in the said Address: And they are to meet at Seven of the Clock this Evening, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Ordered, That the Report of the said Address be made on Friday Morning next, the first Business.

Petersfield Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Election of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Petersfield in the County of Southampton, in the room of Arthur Bold Esquire, deceased.

Warwick Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Election of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Warwick in the County of Warwick, in the room of Fulk Greevile Esquire, now called up to the House of Lords.

And then the House adjourned till Friday Morning next, at Nine of the Clock.