and the duke of Savoy, establishing a free Trade for his majesty's subjects at Villa Franca, a port of his upon the Mediterranean, and through the dominions of that prince, and thereby opening a passage towards a rich part of Italy and part of Germany, which will be of very great advantage, for the vending of cloth and other our home commodities, and bringing back silk and other materials for manufactures here. Another, between his maj. and the king of Denmark, whereby those impositions which were lately laid upon our trade there are taken off, and as great privileges are granted to our merchants as ever they had in former times, or as the subjects of any other

League upon a Treaty of Commerce with the crown of Spain, whereby there is (not only) a cession, and giving up to his maj. of all their pretensions to Jamaica, and other the islands and countries in the West Indies, in the possession of his maj. or his subjects; but withal, free liberty is given for his majesty's subjects to enter their ports, for victuals and water, and safety of harbour; and return, if storms

fairs for which you are so called; and important they are.- -You cannot be ignorant of the great forces, both for land and sea service, which our neighbours of France and the Low Countries have raised, and have now in actual pay; nor of the great preparations which they continue to make, in levying of men, building of ships, filling their magazines and stores with immense quantities of all sorts of warlike provisions. Since the beginning of the last Dutch War, the French have increased the number and greatness of their ships so much, that their | strength by sea is thrice as much as it was before; and since the end of it, the Dutch have been very diligent also in augmenting their fleets. In this conjuncture, whilst our neigh-prince or state do now enjoy. And another bours arm so potently, even common prudence requires that his maj. should make some suitable preparations, that he may at least keep pace with his neighbours (if not outgo them) in the number and strength of his shipping; for, this being an island, both our safety and our trade, our being and our well-being, depend upon our force at sea.-His majesty, therefore, of his princely care for the good of his people, hath given order for the fitting out of 50 sailor other accidents bring them thither: priof his greatest ships against the spring (besides vileges which were never before granted by those which are to be for security of our mer- them, either to the English or any others. Not chants in the Mediterranean); as foreseeing to mention the Leagues formerly made with that, if he should not have a considerable fleet Sweden and Portugal, and the advantages whilst his neighbours have such forces both at which we enjoy thereby; nor those Treaties land and sea, temptation might be given, even now depending between his maj. and France, to those who now seem not to intend it, to give or his maj. and the States of the United Prous an affront, at least, if not to do us a mis- vinces, touching Commerce, wherein his maj. chief.-To which may be added, that his maj. will have a singular regard to the honour of by the Leagues which he hath made for the the nation, and also to the trade of it, which common peace of Christendom and the good of was never greater than now it is. In a word, his kingdoms, is obliged to a certain number of almost all the princes of Europe do seek his forces, in case of infraction thereot, as also for majesty's friendship, as acknowledging they the assistance of some of his neighbours in case cannot secure, much less improve, their present of invasion: and his majesty would be in a very condition without it. His majesty is confident ill condition to perform his part in the Leagues, that you will not be content to see him depriv if, whilst the clouds are gathering so thick ed of all the advantages which he might procure about us, he should, in hopes that the wind hereby to his own kingdoms, nay even to all would disperse them, omit to provide against Christendom, in the repose and quiet of it; the storm.-My Lords and Gentlemen; hav- that you will not be content abroad to see ing named the Leagues made by his majesty, your neighbours strengthening themselves in I think it necessary to put you in mind, that, shipping so much more than they were before, since the close of the last war, his majesty hath and at home to see the government struggling made several Leagues, to his own great honour, every year with difficulties, and not able to and of infinite advantage to the nation: one, keep up our navies equal with theirs. He known by the name of the Triple Alliance, finds, by his Accompts, that from 1660, to the wherein his majesty, the crown of Sweden, and late war, the ordinary Charge of the Fleet, the States of the United Provinces, are engag- communibus annis, came to about 500,000l. ed to preserve the Treaty at Aix la Chapelle, a year, and it cannot be supported with less: concerning a Peace between the two then If that particular alone takes up so much, add warring princes; which League produced that to it the other constant Charges of the governeffect, that it quenched the fire which was ment, and the Revenue (although the Com ready to have set all Christendom on a flame; missioners of the Treasury have managed it and, beside other great benefits by it which she with all imaginable thrift) will in no degree still enjoys, gave opportunity to transmit those suffice to take off the debts due upon interest, forces against the Infidels, which would, other-much less give him a fund for the setting out wise, have been embrued in Christian blood.Another, between his majesty and the said States, for a mutual assistance, with a certain number of men and ships, in case of invasion by any others. Another, between his majesty

this Fleet, which, by estimate thereof, cannot cost less than 800,000/ His maj. in his most gracious Speech, hath expressed the great sense he hath of your zeal and affection for him: and as he will ever retain a grateful memory of

contempt in prosecuting his suit at law against sir Andrew King, after the Vote of this house, whereby it was declared, That the comunitment of the said Mr. Jekell was in order to the preservation of the king, and peace of the kingdom." And further, they ordered Mr. Burton, counsel for Mr. Jekell, and Mr. Ogden his attorney, to be likewise sent for in custody of the serjeant at arms, for their contempt in

fore-mentioned Vote: but were afterwards on their submission discharged.

your former readiness to supply him in all his exigencies, so he doth with particular thanks acknowledge your frank and cheerful gift of the new Duty upon Wines, at your last meeting: but the same is like to fall very short in value of what it was conceived to be worth; and should it have answered expectation, yet far too short to ease or help him upon these occasions. And therefore, such a Supply as may enable him to take off his debts upon in-moving and acting for Mr. Jekell, after the terest, and set out this Fleet against the next spring, is that which he desires from you, and recommends it to you as that which concerns the honour and support of the government, and the welfare and safety of yourselves and the whole kingdom. My Lords and Gentlemen; You may perceive, by what his maj. hath already said, that he holds it requisite that an end be put to this meeting before Christmas: It is so, not only in reference to the preparation for his Fleet, which must be in a readiness in the spring, but also to the season of the year: it is a time when you would be willing to be in your countries, and your neighbours would be glad to see you there, and partake of your hospitality and charity; and you thereby endear yourselves unto them, and keep up that interest and power amongst them which is necessary for the service of your king and country. And a recess at that time (leaving your business unfinished till your return) cannot be either convenient for you, or suitable to the condition of his majesty's affairs, which requires your speedy, as well as affectionate consideration."

Proceedings relative to the Assault upon sir John Coventry.] While the house of commons was in a committee on Ways and Means, a motion was made, That towards the Supply, every one that resorts to any of the Play-houses who sits in the box, shall pay 1s. every one who sits in the pit, shall pay 6d. and every other person, 3d.:" the house disagreed. This motion was opposed by the courtiers, who gave for a reason, That the Players were the king's servants, and a part of his pleasure.' To this sir John Coventry, by way of reply, asked, If the king's pleasure lay among the men or women Players? This was reported at court, where it was so highly resented, that a resolution was taken to set a mark on sir John, to deter others from taking the like liberties for the future. Accordingly, the house adjourning till after Christmas, ou the very night of the adjournment, 25 of the duke of Monmouth's troop, and some few foot, lay in wait from ten at night till two in the morning, by Suffolk-street, and as he returned from the tavern where he supped, to his own house, they threw him down, and, with a knife, cut the end of his nose almost off; but company coming made them fearful to finish it; so they made off. Sir Tho. Sands, lieutenant of the troop, commanded the party; and Obrian, the earl of Inchequin's son, was a principal actor. The court hereupon sometimes thought to carry it with an high hand, to question sir John for his words, and maintain the action. Sometimes again they flagged in their counsels. One while the king commanded sir Thomas Clarges and sir Wm. Pulteney to release Wroth and Lake, who were two of the actors, and taken; but, the night before the house met, surrendered them again.*

Several Money Bills in Agitation.] This Speech produced a Vote from the house, "That his majesty should be supplied proportionably to his present occasions." Accordingly, they went upon ways and means of all sorts, and in a short time began to form three several Money Bills; the first was for raising 800,000l. by way of Subsidies upon real and personal estates: the second was an additional Excise upon Beer, Ale, &c. for six years; and the last was for laying Impositions on Proceedings at Law, which was to continue nine years. While these things were in agitation, sir Samuel Sterling, the late lord mayor, sir Joseph Sheldon, sir Andrew King, and others of the lieutenancy, having committed Mr. Hayes, and Mr. Jekell, for attempting to bribe the Jan. 9. The house being called over, acmagistrates in case of the act against Conven- cording to former order, upon calling the name ticles; the matter was brought before the of sir John Coventry, information being given house of commons, and being debated, it was of an Assault made upon him, on the same thus resolved; "That this house doth give ap-night of that day the house did rise before probation to what was done by the late lord mayor, sir Samuel Sterling, and the lieutenancy of London, in committing Mr. Hayes and Mr. Jekell; and that it was done in order to the preservation of the king, and peace of the kingdom." Notwithstanding this Vote, Mr. Jekell soon after ventured to sue sir Andrew King at law; of which information being given to the commons, they fell into a heat, and resolved, "That Mr. Jekell be sent for in the custody of the serjeant at arms, to answer his

Christmas, by a number of about 15 persons armed, horse and foot, who did assassinate and wound the said sir John Coventry; and that he continues still so ill of his wounds, that he is not in a condition to attend; resolved, That the matter of Breach of Privilege committed, and assault made, upon sir John Coventry, a member of this house, be taken into consideration' the first business to-morrow morning.

Ralph, vol. 1. p. 193.

in this business, because they would have timed it better: would have the people think you act freely and speak freely on my word, they think not so now: will say nothing of the nature of the thing: former precedents will not reach us: we must have the people have a good opinion of us (I would they had!): if this bill pass not, we know now to make it (with respect spoken): the other bills will pass this.

sador of the people, should be thus marked, is much more horrible. These actions have sometimes wrought reformation; sometimes good effects, and sometimes ill, as the government is affected: we got the Petition of Right by discreet handling the business: the business of the Five Members was so ill handled, that great disorder happened: God brings light out of darkness: must give his No to this question. Mr. Attorney Finch. The security of your It was at length resolved, "That a Bill be satisfaction is not the question; what then brought in for banishment of sir Tho. Sandys, should be the reason of this addition? He Ch. Obrian, esq. Simon Parry and Miles Reeves, thinks you are satisfying the nation in our re- actors in assaulting and wounding sir John sentment: this satisfaction is a higher satisfac- Coventry, if they do not render themselves to tion than ever was known: 11 Hen. iv, "Any justice by a day; and that no other business man assaulting a Menber going or coming to be proceeded in, whilst the Bill is passing."parliament, if he render not himself to the On the 11th and 12th the Bill was read a first King's Bench in such a time, they would pro- and second time.-Ordered, That it be referred ceed to fine; and if he do come, and be found to the committee formerly appointed to bring guilty by inquest, by examination, or otherwise, in the Bill for the banishing sir Tho. Sandys, he shall pay his double damages found by the and others, &c. to prepare and bring in a inquest, or be taxed by the discretion of the Clause against to-morrow morning, for preventjudges, and make fine and ransom at the king's ing mischiefs of the like nature for the future. will." Lord Cromwell, 28 Hen. vi, was as- Jan. 13. The house went into a grand comsaulted in the palace-yard; the offender im-mittee on the Bill to prevent Malicious Maimprisoned in the Tower for a year: we go about ing and Wounding. Mr. Coleman in the to do more than ever was, or attempted to be, Chair. done before we put, by this vote, a stand to the government: no man can think this question can pass, and all other things stand still: why you should, for an imaginary opinion of the people, set a stop to all things, he knows not.

Mr. Vaughan. Persons argue for giving the king money, and yet would hinder it: you must, in nature, have a father, before you can have a son: if we act not with the same liberty and freedom as our ancestors, we trust as a person would an arbitrator that his adversary has a power upon the people will tell us that we serve the king, not by law, but contrary to law.

Col. Titus. This has been a thing without precedent, and hopes you will prevent it for the future from being so: would not have you revenged upon yourselves. Whatever urgent accidents shall happen, not to be relieved until this Bill pass.

Mr. Hen. Coventry. Should be an unnatural man to his relation, and undutiful to the house, if he did not resent this; and would rather have all his wounds than hinder the prosecution: it is objected, 'that men may put clogs into a Bill that it shall not pass, and by consequence all business stands; which he cannot well answer: would have it that this bill shall have a preference to all other bills; and, when it is ready, be read before all bills: would not have the nation believe that any persons that have a share in the government do in any wise countenance this business.

Col. Birch thinks you cannot do too much in this business: for the same reasons that many are against it, he is for it: nothing can be a greater mischief than a division upon this question; and he looks upon these bills of Supply to have their fate accordingly cannot believe that any in the government had a share VOL. IV.

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Mr. Attorney Finch. It is against the thing to make it felony: that former law of Hen. iv + gave such a terror that the thing was never done since: laws that look like the products and effects of passion, may not meet with the same passion, at the lords: why not forfeiture of goods, and imprisonment for life? Sir Hen. Spelman tells us of the penalty of cutting off hands and legs, leaving nothing but a living trunk; lex justior nulla, &c. the first fate of that law was upon him that made it.

Mr. Vaughan. The statute of queen Mary says, She holds herself safer in the hearts of her subjects than in the severity of law?' would have distinction of offences a hurt a surgeon may cure; dismembering he cannot. You ought to adapt it to this particular case, which gives the occasion of it.

Sir Tho. Lee would not have it go less than to an abjuration of the realm: would have the penalty changed, but the thing continued: were you a perpetual legislature, it were another case: would have those preserved that sent us hither, that we represent: agrees to abjuration.

Sir Wm. Coventry. If foreigners shall do it by being hired, what is the penalty for them to be abjured the realm? We are now more acquainted with them, than when the former statute was made.

Sir Rob. Howard. You will set up men to swear premeditation, and make felony, for every disturbance in the street; the reason of the thing is only applicable to your member; and he would fix it there.

*This was in regard to the Clause ordered the day before, and which probably occasioned the title of the Bill to be altered as above. + Cutting out of tongues.

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