June 1779 21-30
DIE Lunæ, 21o Junii 1779.
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes
fuerunt:
|
| Epus. Lincoln. |
Ds. Thurlow, Cancellarius.
Comes Gower, Præses.
Dux Rutland.
Comes Chesterfield.
Comes Abercorn.
Comes Loudoun.
Comes Ferrers.
Comes Harrington.
Viscount Hereford. |
Ds. Willoughby Par.
Ds. Ravensworth. |
PRAYERS.
King's Answer to Address.
The Lord Chancellor reported, "That the House
did on Friday last present their Address to His Majesty, to which His Majesty was pleased to return the
following most gracious Answer:"
My Lords,
I return you Thanks for this loyal and affectionate
Address. I have the strongest Reliance on your
Support; and I trust that the Spirit and Vigour of
My People, under the Divine Protection, will enable
Me to repel every hostile Attempt against My Dominions, the Honour of My Crown, and the Rights of
My Subjects."
Ordered, That His Majesty's Message, together
with the Address, and His Majesty's most gracious
Answer thereto, be forthwith printed and published.
Adjourn.
Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris,
vicesimum quintum diem instantis Junii, hora undecima
Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.
DIE Veneris, 25o Junii 1779.
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes
fuerunt:
|
Archiep. Cantuar.
Archiep. Ebor.
Epus. Lincoln.
Epus. Meneven.
Epus. Asaphen.
Epus. Wigorn. |
Dux Gloucester.
Ds. Thurlow, Cancellarius.
Comes Gower, Præses.
Comes Dartmouth. C. P. S.
Dux Richmond.
Dux Bolton.
Dux Devonshire.
Dux Queensberry.
Dux Ancaster, Magnus Camerarius.
Dux Portland.
Dux Manchester.
Dux Chandos.
Dux Northumberland.
March. Lothian.
March. Rockingham.
Comes Hertford, Camerarius.
Comes Derby.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Winchelsea.
Comes Chesterfield.
Comes Essex.
Comes Carlisle.
Comes Abingdon.
Comes Scarbrough.
Comes Coventry.
Comes Jersey.
Comes Poulet.
Comes Cholmondeley.
Comes Abercorn.
Comes Loudoun.
Comes Aberdeen.
Comes Oxford.
Comes Ferrers.
Comes Bristol.
Comes Kerr.
Comes Waldegrave.
Comes Ashburnham.
Comes Effingham.
Comes Fitzwilliam.
Comes Egremont.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Chatham.
Comes Ailesbury.
Comes Clarendon.
Viscount Hereford.
Viscount Weymouth.
Viscount Stormont.
Viscount Falmouth.
Viscount Dudley & Ward. |
Ds. Le Despencer.
Ds. Abergavenny.
Ds. De Ferrars.
Ds. Willoughby Br.
Ds. Willoughby Par.
Ds. Clifton.
Ds. Craven.
Ds. Onslow.
Ds. King.
Ds. Edgcumbe.
Ds. Ravensworth.
Ds. Walpole.
Ds. Wycombe.
Ds. Grosvenor.
Ds. Cardiff.
Ds. Amherst.
Ds. Rivers.
Ds. Foley. |
PRAYERS.
Militia augmenting Bill.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons,
by Sir Grey Cooper, and others:
With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for augmenting
the Militia;" to which they desire the Concurrence
of this House.
Navy Manning Bill.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons,
by Sir Grey Cooper, and others:
With a Bill, intituled, "An Act for removing certain Difficulties with respect to the more speedy and
effectual Manning of His Majesty's Navy, for a
limited Time;" to which they desire the Concurrence
of this House.
The said Two Bills were, severally, read the First
Time.
Ordered, That the said Bills be printed.
Moved "to adjourn till To-morrow."
Accordingly;
Adjourn.
Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Sabbati,
vicesimum sextum diem instantis Junii, hora undecima
Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.
DIE Sabbati, 26o Junii 1779.
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes
fuerunt:
|
Archiep. Cantuar.
Archiep. Ebor.
Epus. Lincoln. |
Ds. Thurlow, Cancellarius.
Comes Dartmouth, C. P. S.
Dux Bolton.
Comes Chesterfield.
Comes Sandwich.
Comes Essex.
Comes Abercorn.
Comes Loudoun.
Viscount Stormont. |
Ds. Le Despencer.
Ds. De Ferrars.
Ds. Willoughby Br.
Ds. Montfort.
Ds. Amherst. |
PRAYERS.
Militia augmenting Bill.
Hodie 2a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for
augmenting the Militia."
Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a
Committee of the whole House.
Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee
upon the said Bill on Monday next.
Navy Manning Bill.
Hodie 2a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act
for removing certain Difficulties with respect to the
more speedy and effectual Manning of His Majesty's
Navy, for a limited Time."
Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.
Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee
upon the said Bill on Monday next.
Lords summoned.
Ordered, That the Lords be summoned to attend
the House on Monday next.
Adjourn.
Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Lunæ,
vicesimum octavum diem instantis Junii, hora undecima
Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.
DIE Lunæ, 28o Junii 1779.
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes
fuerunt:
|
Archiep. Cantuar.
Archiep. Ebor.
Epus. Lincoln.
Epus. Asaphen.
Epus. Wigorn.
Epus. Meneven. |
Dux Gloucester.
Dux Cumberland.
Ds. Thurlow, Cancellarius.
Comes Gower, Præses.
Comes Dartmouth. C. P. S.
Dux Richmond.
Dux Grafton.
Dux Beaufort.
Dux Bolton.
Dux Devonshire.
Dux Rutland.
Dux Queensberry.
Dux Ancaster, Magnus Camerarius.
Dux Portland.
Dux Manchester.
Dux Chandos.
Dux Dorset.
Dux Northumberland.
March. Lothian.
Comes Hertford, Camerarius.
Comes Derby.
Comes Pembroke.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Winchilsea.
Comes Chesterfield.
Comes Sandwich.
Comes Essex.
Comes Carlisle.
Comes Berkeley.
Comes Abingdon.
Comes Scarbrough.
Comes Coventry.
Comes Jersey.
Comes Poulet.
Comes Cholmondeley.
Comes Eglintoun.
Comes Abercorn.
Comes Loudoun.
Comes Oxford.
Comes Ferrers.
Comes Tankerville.
Comes Bristol.
Comes Kerr.
Comes Waldegrave.
Comes Ashburnham.
Comes Effingham.
Comes Fitzwilliam.
Comes Egremont.
Comes Fauconberg.
Comes Northington.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Chatham.
Comes Hillsborough.
Comes Clarendon.
Viscount Hereford.
Viscount Townshend.
Viscount Weymouth.
Viscount Stormont.
Viscount Falmouth.
Viscount Wentworth.
Viscount Dudley & Ward. |
Ds. Le Despencer.
Ds. Abergavenny.
Ds. De Ferrars.
Ds. Willoughby Br.
Ds. Willoughby Par.
Ds. Craven.
Ds. Onslow.
Ds. Cadogan.
Ds. Montfort.
Ds. Edgcumbe.
Ds. Fortescue.
Ds. Ravensworth.
Ds. Ponsonby.
Ds. Walpole.
Ds. Wycombe.
Ds. Amherst.
Ds. Rivers.
Ds. Foley. |
PRAYERS.
Militia augmenting Bill.
The Order of the Day being read for the House to
be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An
Act for augmenting the Militia;" and for the Lords
to be summoned;
Moved, "That the House be now put into a Committee upon the said Bill."
Which being objected to,
After long Debate,
The Question was put thereupon?
It was resolved in the Affirmative.
Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and
put into a Committee thereupon.
After some Time, the House was resumed:
And the Earl of Chesterfield reported from the Committee, "That they had been in Consideration of the
said Bill, and had made some Progress therein, and
desired that another Time may be appointed for the
House to be in a Committee again, to consider further of the said Bill."
Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee
again upon the said Bill To-morrow; and that the
Lords be summoned.
Navy Manning Bill.
The Order of the Day being read for the House to
be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An
Act for removing certain Difficulties with respect to
the more speedy and effectual Manning of His Majesty's Navy, for a limited Time;" and for the Lords
to be summoned;
The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put
into a Committee thereupon.
After some Time, the House was resumed:
And the Earl of Chesterfield reported from the Committee, "That they had gone through the Bill, and
directed him to report the same to the House, without
any Amendment."
Adjourn.
Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Martis,
vicesimum nonum diem instantis Junii, hora undecima
Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.
DIE Martis, 29o Junii 1779.
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes
fuerunt:
|
Archiep. Cantuar.
Archiep. Ebor.
Epus. Lincoln.
Epus. Wigorn.
Epus. Meneven. |
Dux Gloucester.
Ds. Thurlow, Cancellarius.
Comes Gower, Præses.
Comes Dartmouth, C. P. S.
Dux Richmond.
Dux Grafton.
Dux Beaufort.
Dux Bolton.
Dux Devonshire.
Dux Queensberry.
Dux Ancaster, Magnus Camerarius.
Dux Portland.
Dux Manchester.
Dux Chandos.
Dux Dorset.
Dux Northumberland.
Dux Montagu.
March. Lothian.
March. Rockingham.
Comes Hertford, Camerarius.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Winchilsea.
Comes Chesterfield.
Comes Sandwich.
Comes Essex.
Comes Carlisle.
Comes Abingdon.
Comes Plymouth.
Comes Coventry.
Comes Jersey.
Comes Poulet.
Comes Cholmondeley.
Comes Eglintoun.
Comes Abercorn.
Comes Loudoun.
Comes Oxford.
Comes Ferrers.
Comes Tankerville.
Comes Bristol.
Comes Kerr.
Comes Waldegrave.
Comes Ashburnham.
Comes Effingham.
Comes Fauconberg.
Comes Northington.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Hillsborough.
Comes Clarendon.
Viscount Hereford.
Viscount Townshend.
Viscount Weymouth.
Viscount Stormont.
Viscount Falmouth.
Viscount Wentworth.
Viscount Dudley & Ward. |
Ds. Le Despencer.
Ds. Abergavenny.
Ds. De Ferrars.
Ds. Willoughby Br.
Ds. Willoughby Par.
Ds. Cadogan.
Ds. Montfort.
Ds. Edgcumbe.
Ds. Sandys.
Ds. Fortescue.
Ds. Ravensworth.
Ds. Walpole.
Ds. Wycombe.
Ds. Sondes.
Ds. Grosvenor.
Ds. Cardiff.
Ds. Amherst.
Ds. Rivers.
Ds. Foley. |
PRAYERS.
Navy Manning Bill:
Moved, "That the Bill, intituled, "An Act for
removing certain Difficulties with respect to the more
speedy and effectual Manning of His Majesty's Navy,
for a limited Time," be now read the Third Time."
The said Bill was, accordingly, read the Third
Time.
Then the following Amendment was proposed to be
made to the said Bill:
Pr. 2. L. 10. After the word ("Nine") insert
("Provided nevertheless, that the Suspension of the
above mentioned Acts, so far as they relate to Persons
serving on Board of Ships and Vessels employed in
the Coal Trade, shall not continue longer than One
Calendar Month, to be computed from the Sixteenth
Day of June aforesaid.")
The Question was put, "Whether the said Proviso
shall stand Part of the Bill?"
It was resolved in the Affirmative.
Motion to re-commit the Bill negatived:
Then it was moved, "To re-commit the Bill."
Which being objected to,
After Debate,
The Question was put thereupon?
It was resolved in the Negative.
DISSENTIENT.
Protest thereupon:
Because the Re-committment of this Bill, which
was moved, but which the House has thought proper
to negative, appeared to us, to be absolutely necessary
for the Introduction of such Alterations as might (we
hope) have enabled the House to concur unanimously
in the Suspension of those Acts of Parliament which
stand in the Way of the extraordinary Supply of Men
wanted for equipping the Fleet in the present
Emergency. An Unanimity at this Time certainly
desirable; which we have shewn our Readiness to
produce, by offering to acquiesce in Measures of considerable Hardship and Oppression, on Account of the
deplorable Situation to which this Country is reduced;
although that Situation, so far from being imputable
to us, is to be ascribed solely to that obstinate Adherence to a System, of which we have constantly
foretold the Consequences we now so unhappily experience.
We wished, in the Committee, not to have suffered
the Day of the Commencement of this Bill to remain,
as it now stands, the Sixteenth of the present Month;
a Period antecedent, by Fourteen Days, to the passing
of this Bill; whereby it has a retrospective Operation,
and becomes an ex post facto Law, contrary to every
Principle of Justice, contrary to Parliamentary Faith,
and contrary to true Policy.
We wished to have accompanied this Alteration
in the Committee, with an Act of Indemnity for the
avowed Breach of the Laws now in being. We offered
to consent to this Indemnity in the fullest Manner that
could be wished, although the Proofs we repeatedly
called for, of the Extent of the Benefit, were refused:
Proofs which we did not require to be attended with
that Degree of Strictness which could render it difficult to produce them: Proofs which in common Cases
form an essential Part of the Grounds on which the
Infractor of Law is to be saved harmless, but which
in the present Instance we would have dispensed with
in favour of the Intention.
We wish by no Means to discourage future Ministers from extraordinary Exertions, when warranted
by sufficient necessity, but we think it due to the
Dignity of Parliament, as well as to the Safety of the
Constitution, on all Occasions, but more especially
where the Parliamentary Faith has been so deeply
pledged, to give to Acts of Indemnity all possible
Solemnity; that they may never come to be considered
as Acts of Right, but as Acts of the last Necessity;
recognizing upon the Face of them the Force of the
Law, and stating, as far as the Occasion will admit,
the Necessity of the Violation. A Precedent in Point
stands in the Statute Book, the Seventh of George the
Third, Chapter the Seventh.
And we can see no Reason why it has not been
precisely followed.
In direct Opposition to this Precedent, the present
Bill does not in the Title, Preamble, or in any Part,
directly mark its immediate Object; it no where directly recognizes the Power of the Law; it no where
states the Necessity, nor the obtainable Advantage
which can alone justify the Proceeding; both the
Violation itself, and the Indemnity it is to obtain,
come only incidentally and indirectly under the last
Clause. It has been hurried through Parliament in
a most uncommon Manner, and establishes a new,
dangerous and most alarming Precedent.
Such an Act of Indemnity as was proposed, would
have preserved the Principle, that Laws are sacred,
that nothing less than the Legislative Power itself can
protect those who infringe them, and that such Protection is given only in Cases of extreme Necessity.
The Objection, that a great Service already obtained,
by the Number of Men impressed since the Sixteenth
of this Month, would be lost, by their being to be
discharged, if the Act had no Retrospect to the Time
when they were seized, by no Means applies to the
Question of Re-commitment, which the House has
rejected. It appeared in Debate, that of the Number
of Men pressed on this Occasion, and which has not
even been computed to be very considerable, by far
the greater Part had only Admiralty Protections, and
were not protected by the Acts now proposed to be
suspended. And it was by no Means impossible but
that such Bounties or Encouragements might have
been suggested in the Committee, as would have in
duced the greater Part of those who had the Faith
of Parliament for their Security, to enter voluntarily
into the Service at this critical Conjuncture.
Every good Purpose, therefore, of this Bill, might
have been obtained, and probably a general Concurrence in its Support produced, by simply acquiescing
in a proper Security for the Observance of Law.
But when we see this Proposal refused, when we
see that Part of the Preamble pertinaciously adhered
to, which aims at establishing as a general Principle,
that whatever may be deemed an arduous and difficult
Conjuncture, makes it equally just and expedient to
infringe Law. When we see a proposed Amendment
for confining that Reasoning to the Case which gives
Rise to the Measure, namely, the present Conjuncture,
rejected; we cannot but see, with a jealous Eye, this
and every Opportunity taken of establishing some
Doctrine subversive of Liberty, and our happy free
Constitution.
At such a Time as this, when Ministers avow their
just Fears of foreign Invasion, which their Misconduct
has invited, to create fresh Jealousies in respect to
that Liberty which is alone worth contending for, which
is the best Support of His Majesty's Crown, and the
surest Foundation of that true Affection of His People,
on which His Majesty can alone rely for effectual and
general Resistance to a foreign Yoke, is a Degree of
Infatuation we cannot comprehend!"
Fortescue.
Manchester.
Bolton.
Ancaster & Kesteven.
Effingham.
Richmond.
De Ferrars.
Rockingham.
Scarbrough.
Portland.
Fitzwilliam.
Abergavenny.
Wycombe.
Cholmondeley.
Amendment negatived:
Then another Amendment was proposed to be made
to the said Bill, at the End of the last Clause but one.
("And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That when the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty shall grant any Protections from impressing,
the same shall be given gratis; and that no Fee shall
be received, taken or demanded, by any Person or
Persons whatsoever, for or on Account of the said
Protections.")
Which being objected to,
After Debate,
The Question was put, "Whether the said Clause
shall be inserted?"
It was resolved in the Negative.
Then the Question was put, "Whether this Bill,
with the Amendment, shall pass?"
It was resolved in the Affirmative.
DISSENTIENT.
Protest against Passing the Bill:
Because the Acquiescence of the Country in the
Mode of impressing Seamen (tolerated only because
the Necessity of the Measure is alledged by Persons of
great Experience in Naval Matters, and hitherto is
not disproved) has been, by positive Acts of the
Legislature, intercepted and determined, with respect
to the several Persons Objects of this Bill, who have
therefore not only all the Rights of this Kingdom in
common with their fellow Subjects, but the Security
of especial Acts of Parliament, made expressly to check
and curb that Acquiescence with respect to them.
2dly, Because the Protection given by such Acts,
in Confidence of which these Persons have engaged in
their respective Occupations, has, in my Opinion, the
Nature of a Contract, and is by every Rule of Equity
indissoluble, except by the voluntary Consent of the
Parties, or upon a Compensation satisfactory to, and
accepted by them, or in extreme Necessity, on the
Tender of such Advantages as the Wisdom of the
Legislature should direct, and its Justice should make
a complete, adequate and ample Equivalent for such
an Infringement of their Rights.
3dly, Because, at the very Time Protections thus
held out by Parliament to certain Persons as Invitations and Encouragements to undertake certain Services were boldly violated, the customary Exemptions
of certain Watermen, licenced by the Members of
this House, unauthorized (as I conceive) by any Law,
and unknown to any Court, though stated in the
House, by the same Noble Lord who has infringed
these Protections, to be constructively disclaimed by
a Vote of this House, were yet declared by him to
be from Deference and Respect held sacred.
4thly, Because the Bill, so far as it is an Act of
Indemnity, is inconsonant with Reason, contradicted
by Precedent and dangerous in Practice;
First, with respect to the Persons to be indemnified,
as it does not contain an honest Avowal of the Transgression, as it does not stake the Minister to an
intentional Violation of the Law for the Public Good,
to be subsequently approved, and justified on that
Ground by a Public Indemnity, but contents itself
with the Abatement of Suits and Actions:
And secondly and chiefly, with respect to the Constitution of the Kingdom, to which it offers no
Satisfaction for the Violation of the Law, as it acknowledges only by Construction and a Reference to
Dates, that it has been violated, as it attempts to
confound the just Ideas of prospective Legislation by
authorizing a Measure from a Day, which has already
long elapsed, and as it totally omits to state not only
that the Effect has been adequate to the Measure, and
that therefore the Measure has been salutary, but that
it has had any Effect whatever."
And for the Reasons contained in the Two last
Paragraphs of a Protest entered this Day."
Radnor.
For the First and Fourth Reasons,
Portland.
Abergavenny.
De Ferrars.
For the First, Third, and Fourth Reasons,
Richmond.
Message to H. C. with an Amendment to it.
A Message was ordered to be sent to the House of
Commons, by Mr. Holford and Mr. Hett:
To return the said Bill, and acquaint them, That the
Lords have agreed to the same, with one Amendment,
to which their Lordships desire their Concurrence."
Militia augmenting Bill.
The Order of the Day being read for the House to
be again put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled,
"An Act for augmenting the Militia;" and for the
Lords to be summoned;
The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put
into a Committee thereupon.
After some Time, the House was resumed:
And the Earl of Chesterfield reported from the Committee, "That they had been in Consideration of the
said Bill, and had made some Progress therein; and
desired, that another Time may be appointed for the
House to be in a Committee again, to consider further
of the said Bill."
Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee
again upon the said Bill To-morrow; and that the
Lords be summoned.
Adjourn.
Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii,
tricesimum diem instantis Junii, hora undecima Auroræ,
Dominis sic decernentibus.
DIE Mercurii 30o Junii 1779.
Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes
fuerunt:
|
Archiep. Cantuar.
Epus. Lincoln.
Epus. Wigorn. |
Dux Gloucester.
Ds. Thurlow, Cancellarius.
Comes Gower, Præses.
Dux Richmond.
Dux Grafton.
Dux Beaufort.
Dux Devonshire.
Dux Ancaster, Magnus Camerarius.
Dux Portland.
Dux Manchester.
Dux Chandos.
Dux Dorset.
Dux Northumberland.
March. Rockingham.
Comes Hertford, Camerarius.
Comes Pembroke.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Winchilsea.
Comes Chesterfield.
Comes Sandwich.
Comes Essex.
Comes Carlisle.
Comes Abingdon.
Comes Scarbrough.
Comes Coventry.
Comes Jersey.
Comes Poulet.
Comes Cholmondeley.
Comes Loudoun.
Comes Oxford.
Comes Ferrers.
Comes Waldegrave.
Comes Ashburnham.
Comes Effingham.
Comes Harrington.
Comes Fitzwilliam.
Comes Egremont.
Comes Fauconberg.
Comes Northington.
Comes Radnor.
Comes Chatham.
Comes Hillsborough.
Comes Mansfield.
Viscount Hereford.
Viscount Townshend.
Viscount Weymouth.
Viscount Stormont.
Viscount Falmouth.
Viscount Wentworth.
Viscount Dudley & Ward. |
Ds. Abergavenny.
Ds. De Ferrars.
Ds. Willoughby Br.
Ds. Willoughby Par.
Ds. Onslow.
Ds. Cadogan.
Ds. Montfort.
Ds. Edgcumbe.
Ds. Fortescue.
Ds. Ravensworth.
Ds. Walpole.
Ds. Wycombe.
Ds. Sondes.
Ds. Amherst.
Ds. Rivers.
Ds. Foley. |
PRAYERS.
Bills passed by Commission.
The Lord Chancellor acquainted the House, "That
His Majesty had been pleased to issue a Commission
to several Lords therein named, for declaring His
Royal Assent to several Acts agreed upon by both
Houses of Parliament."
The House was adjourned during Pleasure.
The House was resumed.
Then Three of the Lords Commissioners, being in their
Robes, and seated on a Form placed between the Throne
and the Woolsack, the Lord Chancellor in the Middle,
with the Archbishop of Canterbury on his Right Hand,
and the Lord Amherst on his Left; commanded the
Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to signify to the
Commons, "The Lords Commissioners desire their
immediate Attendance in this House, to hear the
Commission read."
Who being come, with their Speaker;
The Lord Chancellor said,
My Lords, and Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
His Majesty not thinking fit to be personally present
here at this Time, has been pleased to cause a Commission to be issued under the Great Seal, and thereby
given His Royal Assent to divers Acts, which have
been agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament, the
Titles whereof are particularly mentioned; and by the
said Commission hath commanded Us to declare and
notify His Royal Assent to the said several Acts, in the
Presence of you the Lords and Commons assembled
for that Purpose; which Commission you will now
hear read."
Then the said Commission was read by the Clerk, as
follows:
GEORGE R.
George the Third, by the Grace of God, of
Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of
Faith, and so forth: To Our Right Trusty and
Right Well-beloved the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and to Our Trusty and Well-beloved the
Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, and the Commissioners for Shires and Burghs of the House of Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, Greeting.
Whereas We have seen and perfectly understood
divers and sundry Acts agreed and accorded on by you
Our loving Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons in this Our present Parliament assembled, and endorsed by you as hath been
accustomed, the Titles and Names of which Acts
hereafter do particularly ensue, (that is to say) "An
Act for enabling His Majesty to raise the Sum of One
Million, for the Uses and Purposes therein mentioned." "An Act for granting to His Majesty a
certain Sum of Money out of the Sinking Fund; and
for applying certain Monies therein mentioned for
the Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred
and seventy-nine; and for further appropriating the
Supplies granted in this Session of Parliament."
An Act to explain, amend and render more effectual
the several Laws now in being, relative to the Militia
Forces of this Kingdom; and for making certain Provisions relative to the Fencible Men in that Part of Great
Britain called Scotland." "An Act for extending
the Provisions of an Act, made in the Twelfth Year
of the Reign of King George the First, intituled,
An Act to prevent frivolous and vexatious Arrests;"
and for other Purposes." "An Act to explain and
amend the Laws relating to the Transportation, Imprisonment and other Punishment of certain Offenders." "An Act to dissolve the Marriage of
Charles François Dumergue with Ann Catherine his
now Wife, and to enable him to marry again; and
for other Purposes." And albeit, the said Acts by
you Our said Subjects the Lords and Commons, in
this Our present Parliament assembled, are fully
agreed and consented unto, yet nevertheless the same
are not of Force and Effect in the Law, without Our
Royal Assent given and put to the said Acts: And
forasmuch as for divers Causes and Considerations
We cannot conveniently at this Time be present in
Our Royal Person, in the Higher House of Our said
Parliament, being the Place accustomed to give Our
Royal Assent to such Acts as have been agreed upon
by you Our said Subjects the Lords and Commons,
We have therefore caused these Our Letters Patent
to be made, and have signed the same, and by the
same do give and put Our Royal Assent to the said
Acts, and to all Articles, Clauses, and Provisions
therein contained, and have fully agreed and assented
to the said Acts; Willing that the said Acts, and
every Article, Clause, Sentence and Provision therein contained, from henceforth shall be of the same
Strength, Force and Effect, as if We had been
personally present in the said Higher House, and had
openly and publickly in the Presence of you all,
assented to the same: And We do by these Presents
declare and notify the same Our Royal Assent, as
well to you the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and
Commons aforesaid, as to all others whom it may
concern: Commanding also, by these Presents, Our
right trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor Edward
Lord Thurlow, Our Chancellor of Great Britain, to
seal these Our Letters Patent with Our Great Seal of
Great Britain; and also commanding the most
Reverend Father in God, Our right trusty and
Well-beloved Counsellor Frederick Archbishop of
Canterbury, Primate and Metropolitan of all England;
Our said Chancellor of Great Britain; Our right
trusty and right Well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors
Granville Earl Gower, President of Our Council;
William Earl of Dartmouth, Keeper of Our Privy
Seal; Our right trusty and right entirely beloved
Cousins and Counsellors Augustus Henry Duke of
Grafton, Thomas Duke of Leeds, Hugh Duke of
Northumberland, Master of Our Horse; Our right
trusty and right Well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors William Earl Talbot, Steward of Our Household; Francis Seymor Earl of Hertford, Chamberlain of Our Household; John Earl of Sandwich, First Commissioner of Our Admiralty; William
Henry Earl of Rochford, Hugh Earl of Marchmont,
John Earl of Ashburnham, Groom of Our Stole; Wills
Earl of Hillsborough, William Earl of Mansfield, Our
Chief Justice assigned to hold Pleas before Us; Our
right trusty and Well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors
George Viscount Townshend, Thomas Viscount Weymouth, One of Our Principal Secretaries of State; and
Our right trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor Jeffery
Lord Amherst, or any Three or more of them, to
declare and notify this Our Royal Assent, in Our
Absence in the said Higher House, in the Presence
of You the said Lords and the Commons of Our Parliament, there to be assembled for that Purpose; and
the Clerk of Our Parliaments to endorse the said Acts
with such Terms and Words, in Our Name, as is
requisite, and hath been accustomed for the same,
and also, to enrol these Our Letters Patent and the
said Acts, in the Parliament Roll; and these Our
Letters Patent shall be to every of them, a sufficient
Warrant in that Behalf: And finally, We do declare
and will, that after this Our Royal Assent given and
passed by these Presents, and declared and notified as
is aforesaid, then and immediately the said Acts shall
be taken, accepted, and admitted good, sufficient,
and perfect Acts of Parliament, and Laws, to all Intents, Constructions and Purposes, and to be put in
due Execution accordingly; the Continuance or Dissolution of this Our Parliament, or any other Use,
Custom, Thing or Things, to the contrary thereof
notwithstanding. In Witness whereof, We have
caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.
Witness Ourself, at Westminster, the Thirtieth
Day of June, in the Nineteenth Year of Our
Reign.
By the King Himself, signed with His own
Hand.
"Yorke."
Then the Lord Chancellor said,
In Obedience to His Majesty's Commands, and by
virtue of the Commission which has been now read,
We do declare and notify to you the Lords Spiritual
and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, That His Majesty hath given His Royal
Assent to the several Acts in the Commission mentioned; and the Clerks are required to pass the same,
in the usual Form and Words."
Then the Clerk Assistant, having received the Money
Bills from the Hands of the Speaker, brought them to the
Table, where the Deputy Clerk of the Crown read the
Titles of those, and the other Bills to be passed, severally,
as follow; (videlicet)
1. An Act for enabling His Majesty to raise the
Sum of One Million, for the Uses and Purposes
therein mentioned."
2. An Act for granting to His Majesty a certain
Sum of Money out of the Sinking Fund; and for
applying certain Monies therein mentioned for the
Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred and
seventy-nine; and for further appropriating the Supplies granted in this Session of Parliament."
To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced,
severally, by the Clerk Assistant, in these Words;
(videlicet)
"Le Roy remercie ses bons Sujets, accepte leur
Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."
3. An Act to explain, amend and render more
effectual the several Laws now in being, relative to the
Militia Forces of this Kingdom; and for making certain Provisions relative to the Fencible Men in that
Part of Great Britain called Scotland."
4. An Act for extending the Provisions of an Act,
made in the Twelfth Year of the Reign of King
George the First, intituled, "An Act to prevent
frivolous and vexatious Arrests;" and for other Purposes."
5. An Act to explain and amend the Laws relating
to the Transportation, Imprisonment and other Punishment of certain Offenders."
To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced,
severally, by the Clerk Assistant, in these Words;
(videlicet)
"Le Roy le veult."
6. An Act to dissolve the Marriage of Charles
François Dumergue with Ann Catherine his now Wife,
and to enable him to marry again; and for other
Purposes."
To this Bill the Royal Assent was pronounced by
the Clerk Assistant, in these Words; (videlicet)
"Soit fait comme il est desiré."
Then the Commons withdrew.
The House was adjourned during Pleasure.
The House was resumed.
Writs of Error delivered:
The Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice of the
Court of King's Bench, in the usual Manner, delivered
in at the Table Five Writs of Error:
In the First of which,
Russell against Hunter.
George Russell is Plaintiff,
and
Robert Hunter is Defendant;
In the Second,
Sir J. Hales against Pickett and Randall.
Sir John Hales Baronet is Plaintiff,
and
William Pickett and Philip Randall are Defendants;
In the Third,
Lever against Tappenden et al.
Richard Lever is Plaintiff,
and
John Tappenden and others are Defendants;
In the Fourth,
Rhind against Buckle.
Alexander Rhind is Plaintiff,
and
William Buckle is Defendant;
And in the last,
Mearns and French against Sir C. Raymond et al.
Archibald Mearns and George French are Plaintiffs,
and
Sir Charles Raymond Baronet and others are Defendants.
Message from H. C. to return Navy Manning Bill.
A Message was brought from the House of Commons,
by Mr. Welbore Ellis, and others:
To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for removing
certain Difficulties with respect to the more speedy
and effectual Manning of His Majesty's Navy, for a
limited Time;" and to acquaint this House, That
they have agreed to their Lordships Amendment made
thereto.
Graham et al. against Greig and Porterfield:
Upon reading the Petition and Appeal of Elizabeth,
Margaret and Herriot Graham, the Infant Children of
William Graham Younger of Gartmore Esquire, now
deceased, by Mrs. Margaret Porterfield, Daughter of
Doctor William Porterfield, Physician in Edinburgh, also
deceased, and of Robert Graham of Gartmore Esquire,
and others their Guardians; complaining of an Interlocutor of the Lords of Session in Scotland, of the 25th
of this instant June; and praying, "That the same may
be reversed, varied or altered, or that the Appellants
may have such other Relief in the Premises, as to this
House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, shall seem
meet; and that Alexander Greig and Margaret Porterfield may be required to answer the said Appeal:"
It is Ordered, That the said Alexander Greig and
Margaret Porterfield may have a Copy of the said Appeal, and do put in their Answer or respective Answers
thereunto in Writing, on or before Wednesday the 28th
Day of July next; and Service of this Order upon the
said Respondents, or upon any of their Counsel or
Agents in the Court of Session in Scotland, shall be
deemed good Service.
Spottiswoode to enter into Recognizance on said Appeal.
The House being moved, "That John Spottiswoode
of Sackville Street, Saint James's, Gentleman, may
be permitted to enter into a Recognizance for Elizabeth, Margaret and Herriot Graham, and others, on
Account of their Appeal depending in this House,
they residing in Scotland:"
It is Ordered, That the said John Spottiswoode may
enter into a Recognizance for the said Appellants, as
desired.
Militia augmenting Bill.
The Order of the Day being read for the House to
be again put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled,
An Act for augmenting the Militia;" and for the
Lords to be summoned:
The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put
into a Committee thereupon.
After some Time, the House was resumed:
And the Earl of Chesterfield reported from the Committee, "That they had gone through the Bill, and
made several Amendments thereto, which he was
ready to report, when the House will please to receive
the same."
Ordered, That the said Report be received Tomorrow.
Adjourn.
Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Jovis,
primum diem Julii jam prox. sequen. hora undecima
Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.