Anno Jac. II. pleased to make a most Gracious Speech to both Houses of

1685.

The King's
Speech to both
Houfes.

Parliament.

After which, the Houfe of Commons returned to their own House, and Mr. Speaker reported His Majefty's Speech to the Houfe, which being read at the Clerk's Table, is as followeth.

'My Lords and Gentlemen,

A

FTER the Storm that feemed to be coming upon us when we parted laft, I am glad to meet you all again in fo great Peace and Quietnefs; God Almighty be praised, by whofe Bleffing that Rebellion was fuppreffed: But when I reflect what an inconfiderable number of Men begun it, and how long they carried it on without any Oppofition, I hope every body will be convinced, that the Militia, which have hitherto been fo much depended on, is not fufficient for fuch Occafions, and that there is nothing but a good Force of well-difciplined Troops in constant · Pay that can defend us, from fuch as either at home or abroad are difpofed to disturb us. And in truth, my Concern for the Peace and Quiet of my Subjects, as well as for the Safety of the Government, made me think it neceffary to increase the number to the proportion I have done : That I owed as well to the Honour as the Security of the Nation, whofe Reputation was fo infinitely expofed to all our Neighbours, by having lain open to this late wretched Attempt, that it is not to be repaired without keeping fuch a Body of Men on foot, that none may ever have a thought of finding us again fo miferably unprovided. It is for the Support of this great Charge, which is now more than double to what it was, that I ask your Affiftance in giving me a Supply anfwerable to the Expences it brings along 'with it; and I cannot doubt but what I have done fo much to the Honour and Defence of the Government, will be continued by you with all chearfulness and readiness that is requifite for a Work of fo great Importance. Let no Man take exception, that there are fome Officers in the Army not qualified according to the late Teft for their Employment: The Gentlemen, I muft tell you, are most of them well known to me, and, having formerly ferved me on feveral Occafions, and always approved the Loyalty of 'their Principles by their Practices, I think them now fit to be employed under me, and will deal plainly with you, that, after having had the Benefit of their Services in fuch time of need and danger, I will neither expofe them to difgrace, nor my felf to the want of them, if there fhould be another Rebellion to make them neceffary to

me.

• I am

I am afraid fome Men may be fo wicked to hope and Anno 1 Jac. II. expect that a difference may happen between you and me

x upon this Occafion, but when you confider what Advantages have rifen to us in a few Months by the good Under' ftanding we have hitherto had, what wonderful Effects it hath already produced in the change of the whole Scene of Affairs abroad, fo much more to the Honour of the * Nation, and the Figure it ought to make in the World, and that nothing can hinder a further Progrefs in this way · to all our Satisfactions, but Fears and Jealoufies amongít our felves; I will not apprehend that fuch a Misfortune can befall us as a Divifion, or but a Coldness between You and Us; nor that any thing can fhake you in your Steadinefs and Loyalty to me, who by God's Bleffing will ever make you all returns of Kindnefs and Protection, with a • Refolution to venture even my own Life in the Defence of the true Intereft of this Kingdom.'

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The Earl of Middleton, a Member of the House of Commons, and one of His Majefty's Principal Secretaries of State, moved, that the Houfe would immediately return their Thanks to His Majefty for his moft Gracious Speech, and also proceed to the Confideration of answering the Ends therein mentioned.

After fome Debate, it was refolved, That the Houfe refolve it self into a Committee of the whole House on Thurfday Morning next at Ten of the Clock, to take into Confideration His Majesty's Speech: And the Houfe adjourned till Thursday the 12th Inftant, Ten o'Clock in the Morning. The 12th, the House refolved it self into a Committee of the whole Houfe to take into Confideration His Majesty's Speech.

Mr. Sollicitor in the Chair.

The King's Speech was read.

1685.

The Lord Middleton moved to have it confidered by Pa- Debates thereon. ragraphs.

Some other Force than the Militia is neceffary to be Sir William found'; and moved a Supply for the Army.

Clifton.

We have lately had an unfortunate Proof how little we Lord Preston.

are to depend upon the Militia, and therefore fure we must all approve of His Majefty's increafing the Forces to what they are. France is formidable, now Holland's Forces are greatly increased, and we must be ftrong in proportion, for prefervation of our felves and Flanders, and toward that the good Harmony betwixt the King and this Houfe hath greatly contributed. It has had two other great Effects abroad:

Anno y Jac. II, 1685.

Lord Ranelagh.

Sir T. Clarges.

1. The French King's Army laft Spring was marching towards Germany, Crequi was far advanced; but when the King of France heard the Kindness of this Houfe to the King, and the Defeat of Monmouth, he recalled them.

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2. The French and Spaniard had alfo a difference about Huy and Fontarabia: The French advanced their Troops and recalled them on this News.

This is the noble effect of the Harmony between the King and this Houfe, who have (I hope) brought the fame Heart and Loyalty they had the laft time here.

Hence we may conclude, thefe Levies made by the King are juft, reasonable, and neceffary. And fo let us vote a Supply, to anfwer His Majefty's prefent Occafions.'

The Question is, whether a Supply or not. I do not intend to arraign the Militia, but feeing a Soldier is a Trade, and muft (as all other Trades are) be learned, "I'll fhew you where the Militia has failed, viz. At Chatham, and in June laft, when the late Duke of Monmouth landed, and had but 83 Men, and 300 l. in Money; who in fpight of the Militia, nay, in fpight of fuch other Force as the King could fpare hence, brought it so far as he did.

If the King of France had landed then, what would have become of us? I fay, the Militia is not infignificant, but an additional Force is neceffary, and fo a Supply that is anfwerable to it.'

If it fhall appear to you, that the King's Revenue he hath already, be fufficient to fupply all his Occafions, what then need we give him more?

'Tis moved we should proceed by Paragraph.

To come first to the Militia, who (let me tell you) did confiderable Service in the late Rebellion, and if a great Nobleman of this Kingdom had been supplied and affifted, it had foon been quelled.

A Confidence betwixt the King and his People is abfolutely needful, let it come whence it will, our Happiness confifts in it.

His Majefty, on his firft entrance on the Crown, told us, he had been mifreprefented, and that he would preferve the Government in Church and State now established by Law, and to maintain us in all our juft Rights and Privileges.

Over-joyed at this, we run haftily in to him, we gave four Millions (reckoning what we added to him for Life was worth) at once.

The prefent Revenue is 1,900,000l. or two Millions yearly; the Charge of the Government (admitting this Army kept up) is but 1,300,000l. yearly: And pray let us not forget that there was a Bill of Exclufion debated in this House; I was here, and thewed my self against it; the

Arguments

Arguments for it were, that we should, in cafe of a Popifh Anno 1 Jac. I. Succeffor, have a Popifli Army. 1685.

You fee the Act of the Teft already broken, but pray remember what the late Lord Chancellor told you when the late King (of Bleffed Memory) past that Act; (the Words were to this effect:) By this Act you are provided against Popery, that no Papift can poffibly creep into any Employment. I am afflicted greatly at this Breach on our Liberties, and feeing fo great difference betwixt this Speech and thofe heretofore made, cannot but believe this was by fome others Advice.

This ftruck at here, is our All; and I wonder there have been any Men fo defperate, as to take any Employment not qualified for it, and would have therefore the Queftion put, That a ftanding Army is deftructive to the Country."

The number of the ftanding Forces is about 14 or 15000 Sir J. Ernley. Men, and they were about half so many before, and I conceive we are not fafe without thefe Forces to aid and help the Militia. I am not for laying the Militia afide, but Ì say, there is a neceffity for a ftanding Force.

Half the Charge of thofe Forces is about 3000001. yearly, the whole, being 600000 1. yearly, I conceive is all we need to give for it; of that there remains 20000ol, unreceived of the 400000l. given laft; fo that 200000 1. may go towards it, and the reft may be fupplied by a Tax on fuch Commodities, as, for balancing of Trade, may better be charged than not. I am for a Supply."

I ftand up for, and would not have the Militia reflected Sir Hugh Chol on, it was very useful in the late Rebellion of Monmouth, mondely. it kept him from Bristol and Exeter, and is as good as any Army we can raise against any at home. I am for the

Militia.'

I fee juft caufe for a Supply, and would give it, and Mr. Coventry. to reward the Officers not qualified, or take them off fome

other way.'

I dread a ftanding Army, but am for a Supply.'

Mr. Aubrey. Kings in old time used to fend not only an account of Mr. Wogan. their Revenues, but of the Charge they were going to be at, to the Parliament, when they demanded Aids. Henry the Vth had but 56000l. and Queen Elizabeth had 160000 and odd pounds yearly. I am for a Bill for making the Militia ufeful, and would know if we give Money, that it be not for fetting up a ftanding Army.'

I am for good Guards, the Kingdom guarded by Law; Sir William we are now in perfect Peace; the King is both feared and Twilden. loved; an Army little needed; Men juftly afraid: That which made the last Rebellion as it was, the Man that headed

Anno 1 Jac. II. it, was a Favourite of the Faction, and though he had got 1685. fuch a number, he was beaten by 1800 Men only. I am against an Army??

Mr. Seymour.

Sir T. Clarges. Sir T. Meers.

This laft Rebellion has contributed to our future Peace, and thofe engaged in it have fung their Penitential Pfalm, ånd their Punishment is rejoiced at by all good Perfons. I do not commend the Militia, yet it is not to be rejected, but to be new modelled; and for my part, I had rather double to thefe, (meaning for keeping up the Militia) from whom I fear nothing, than half fo much to thofe, of whom I must ever be afraid; and fay what you will, 'tis a standing Army.

pay

The laft Force preferved the Peace, and was fufficient to do it in the late King's time, and is now; all the profit and fecurity of this Nation is in our Ships, and had there been the leaft Ship in the Channel, it would have difappointed him.

Supporting an Army, is maintaining fo many idle Perfons to lord it over the rest of the Subjects.

The King declared, no Soldiers fhould quarter in Private Houses, but that they did; that they fhould pay for all things they took, but they paid nothing for almost all they took.

And for Officers employed not taking the Tefts, is dif penfing with all the Laws at once; and if thefe Men be good and kind, we know not whether it proceeds from their Generofity or Principles, for we must remember, 'tis Trea fon for any Man to be reconciled to the Church of Rome, for the Pope by Law is declared Enemy to this Kingdom.

A Supply given as moved for, is a kind of an establishing an Army by Act of Parliament, and when they have got the Power into their Hands, we then are to derive it from their Courtefy; and therfore I would have the Queftion be,

That the Safety of the Kingdom doth not confift with a ftanding Force, and this, it may be, will disappoint those Perfons that make it their Business this way to make themselves useful.'

•Then moved for an Addrefs.'

I am firft for a Supply, that hinders not an Addrefs; His Majefty in his Speech only fays, that the Militia is not fufficient.

The late long Parliament always owned fome Force neceffary, we are not to name the number, the King is best Judge of that, a great Soldier, and a good Prince.

For I hear the number is 14 or 15000, and I am for a Supply, and never faw but Money was always one part of the Bufinefs of every Parliament.

The re