Saturday, October 19.
When the King, in his Speech, which was read by the Speaker,
(after thanking them "for the Testimonies of their Affection as
well as Confidence in him, at their last meeting)" esteemed it (he
said) "one of the greatest Misfortunes that could befall him, to be
forced, in the beginning of his Reign, to ask such large Supplies:
Though he had this Satisfaction, that they were desired for no other.
Purposes, but the carrying on those Wars into which he entered
with their Advice, and Assurance of their Assistance; and wherein he
did not engage out of a vain Ambition, but from the Necessity of
opposing those who had so visibly discovered their designs of destroying their Religion and Liberties. That which he asked was,
That what they thought fit to give towards the Charges of the
War, for the next year, might be done without delay: As, the next
Month, there was appointed at the Hague a general Meeting of the
Ministers of all the Princes and States concerned in the War against
France, in order to concert the Measures for the next Campaign:
And, till he knew their Intentions, he should not only be uncertain himself what Resolutions to take; but their Allies would
be under the same doubts; and he should be exposed to the same
Inconveniences the next year, which were the cause that the Preparations for this were neither so effectual, nor expeditious, as was
necessary: That the Charge would also be considerably lessened, by
giving time to provide things in their proper Season, and without
Confusion. And that they might be satisfied how the Money already
given had been laid out, he had directed the Accounts to be laid
before them." He concluded with "recommending to them the
dispatch of a Bill of Indemnity (fn. 1) ."
[After this, the Sheriffs of London, being called in, invited the
House, in the Name of the Lord Mayor and Citizens of London, to
dine with them on the 29th instant, the Lord Mayor's Day; which
the House accepted, and gave them thanks for. And on
Monday, October 21.
His Majesty, (by the Lord Chief Baron Atkins, Speaker of the
House of Lords (fn. 2) ,) prorogued the Parliament till
Wednesday, October 23.
When his Majesty, in the House of Lords, spoke to this Effect;
"That, having spoken so lately to them, he need not say any thing
now; matters not having been altered since that time: And therefore referred to what he said last to both Houses, and desired that
speedy Resolutions might be taken."]
The Compiler was absent till