Lunæ, 18 die Februarii;
°1 Willielmi & Mariæ, Anno Domini 1688-9.
Prayers.
Answer to Address.
MR. Hamden acquaints the House, That, according
to their Order, his Majesty, having been attended
by such Members of the House as are of the Privy
Council, with the Thanks of the House for their Majesty's gracious Answer, upon presenting the Declaration
of both Houses in the Banqueting House, His Majesty
was pleased to say, "That he was very glad that what
he had done had given Satisfaction to the House; and
did assure them, that he should be always ready to do
what was for the good of the Kingdom."
Message to attend the King.
A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Tho. Duppa,
Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod;
Mr. Speaker,
The King commands this honourable House to attend
him immediately, in the House of Peers.
And accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House, went
up to attend his Majesty.
The House being returned;
The King's Speech reported.
Mr. Speaker acquaints the House, that his Majesty
was pleased to speak to the Purpose following:
My Lords and Gentlemen,
I HAVE lately told you how sensible I am of your
Kindness, and how much I value the confidence you
have reposed in me.
And I am come hither to assure you, That I shall never
do any thing that may justly lessen your good Opinion
of Me.
I think it necessary to acquaint you, That the Condition of our Allies abroad, and particularly that of Holland, is such, that, unless some speedy Care be taken of
them, they will run a greater Hazard than you would
have them exposed to.
You yourselves must be sensible, That the Posture of
Affairs here require your serious Consideration; and that
a good Settlement at Home is necessary, not only for
our own Peace, but for the Support of the Protestant
Interest both Here and Abroad:
And, particularly, the State of Ireland is such, That
the Dangers are grown too great to be obviated by any
slow Methods.
I must leave it to you to consider of the most effectual
Ways of preventing the Inconveniencies which may arise
by Delays; and to judge what Forms may be most proper
to bring those things to pass, for the Good of the Nation,
which I am confident are in all your Minds; and which
I, on My Part, shall always be ready to promote.
Thanks for Speech.
Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That the humble
Thanks of this House be returned to his Majesty, by
such Members thereof, as are of his Majesty's most
Honourable Privy Council, for his gracious Speech this
Day made to both Houses.
King's Speech to be considered.
Resolved, That this House will To-morrow Morning,
at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of
the whole House, to take into Consideration his Majesty's gracious Speech this Day made to both Houses.
Leave of Absence.
Ordered, That Sir Wm. Cook of Norfolke, have Leave
to go into the Country, for his Health.
And then the House adjourned till To-morrow
Morning, Nine of the Clock.