The Earl of Warwick, on the Habeas Corpus Sir Benjamin Rudyard, on the State of Religion Mr. Waller, on the Supply - in his own Defence Lord Digby, on frequent Parliaments on the Earl of Stafford's Impeachment Secretary Thurloe's Vindication of the Bill to tax the Royalists 143 Richard Cromwell, on meeting the Parliament Sir Charles Sedley, on the Taxes. Sir Richard Steele, on Annual Parliaments Sir Robert Walpole, on the Bill to limit the Number of Peers Lord Bathurst's Speech in favour of the preceding Duke of Wharton, on the Mutiny Bill - Sir W. Wyndham, against the Address in Defence of the Ministry 347 - 416 Mr. Campbell, on excluding Officers of Government from Par- Mr. Sandys, in Reply - Earl of Chesterfield, on the Marriage of the Princess Royal on the Play-House Bill - Duke of Newcastle, on the Army Regulation Bill - Mr. Pitt (afterwards Lord Chatham,) on the Prince's Marriage 394 - Duke of Bedford, on the Address Reply by Mr. Fox (afterwards Lord Holland) - 479 Parliamentary Speeches. KING CHARLES 1. Came to the crown in 1625, and was beheaded in 1648. The following is his speech from the throne on meeting his first parliament. It contains nothing very remarkable, but may serve as a specimen of the style that was in use at the time. The chief subject of the speech is the war with Spain, in which the country was then engaged. There is also an allusion to the plague, which at that time prevailed in London. King Charles the First's Speech at opening the Session. My lords spiritual and temporal, and you gentlemen of the house of commons, in this parliament assembled : I may thank God, that the business to be treated on at this time is of such a nature, that it needs no eloquence to set it forth; for I am neither able to do it, nor doth it stand with iny nature to spend much time in words. It is no new business, being already happily begun by my father of blessed memory, who is with God, therefore it needeth no narrative I hope in God you will go on to maintain it, as freely as you advised my father to do it. It is true, he may seem to some to have been slack. to VOL. I. 1 begin so just and so glorious a work; but it was his wisdom that made him loth to begin a work, until he might find a means to maintain it. But after that he saw how much he was abused in the confidence he had with other states, and was confirmed by your advice to run the course we are in, with your engagement to maintain it, I need not press to prove how willingly he took your advice; for, the preparations that are made are better able to declare it, than I to speak it. The assistance of those in Germany, the fleet that is ready for action, with the rest of the preparations, which I have only followed my father in, do sufficiently prove, that he entered (not superficially, but really and heartily,) into this action. My lords and gentlemen, I hope that you do remember, that you were pleased to employ me to advise my father to break off those two treaties that were on foot, so that I cannot say that I came hither a free unengaged man. It is true, I came into this business willingly and freely, like a young man, and consequently rashly; but it was by your interest, your engagement: so that though it were done like a young man, yet I cannot repent me of it, and I think none can blame me for it, knowing the love and fidelity you have (ever) borne to your kings; having myself, likewise, some little experience of your affections. I pray you remember, that this being my first action, and begun by your advice and intreaty, what a great dishonour it were (both) to you and me, if this action, so begun, should fail of the assistance you are able to give me. Yet knowing the constancy of your love both to me and the business, I needed not to have said this, but only to show what care and sense I have of your honours and mine own,' I must intreat you likewise to consider of the times we are in, how that I must adventure your lives (which I should be loth to do) should I continue you here long; and you must venture the business, if you be slow in your resolutions. resolutions. Wherefore I hope you will take |