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number to be there likewise. And hereof we desire 'em not to fail.

Given at St. James's, the 23d of December, 1688.
W. H. Prince of Orange.

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, 538.)

182. The Lords Invite William to Undertake the Government

The first step toward the foundation of a free Parliament was taken when the Prince of Orange summoned the Commons to confer with him (No. 181). The next step was taken by the Lords. They met at Westminster on Dec. 25, 1688, and formally invited William to undertake the government of England until the first meeting of Parliament.

We, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, assembled in this conjuncture, do desire your Highness to take upon you the administration of the public affairs, both civil and military, and the disposal of the public revenue, for the preservation of our religion, rights, laws, liberties, and properties, and of the peace of the nation: And that your Highness will take into your particular care, the present condition of Ireland; and endeavor, by the most effectual means, to prevent the dangers threatening that kingdom. All which, we make our request to your Highness to undertake and exercise, till the meeting of the intended convention, the 22d of January next. In which, we doubt not, such proper methods will be taken, as will conduce to the establishment of these things upon such sure and legal foundations, that they may not be in danger of being again subverted.

Dated at the House of Lords, Westm. Dec. 25th, 1688.

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, 539.)

183. The Manner of Summoning Parliament

On Christmas Day, 1688, the Lords at Westminster drew up a second address containing suggestions as to the method for summoning and electing members of the Parliament to be held on the 22d of January, 1689.

We, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, assembled at Westminster in this extraordinary conjuncture, do humbly desire your Highness to cause letters to be written, subscribed by yourself, to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal (being Protestants;) and to the several counties, universities, cities,

boroughs, and cinque-ports of England, Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Twede. The letters for the counties, to be directed to the coroners of the respective counties or any one of them; and in default of the coroners, to the clerk of the Peace, of the respective counties: And the letters for the universities, to be directed to every Vice-Chancellor: And the letters to the several cities, boroughs, and cinque-ports, to be directed to the chief magistrate of each respective city, borough, and cinque-port; containing directions for the choosing, in all such counties, cities, universities, boroughs, and cinque-ports, within ten days after the receipt of the respective letters, such a number of persons to represent them, as are of right to be sent to Parliament: Of which elections, and the times and places thereof, the respective officers shall give notice, within the space of five days at the least. Notice of the intended elections for the counties, to be published in the churches, immediately after the time of divine service; and in all market-towns within the respective counties: And notice of the intended elections for the cities, universities, boroughs, and cinque-ports, to be published within the said respective places. The said letters, and the execution thereof, to be returned, by such officer and officers who shall execute the same, to the Clerk of the Crown in the Court of Chancery; so as the persons so to be chosen, may meet and sit at Westminster, on the two and twentieth day of January next.

Dated at the House of Lords, Westm. Dec. 25, 1688.

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, 539.)

184. Answer of the Prince to the Suggestions of the Lords

(Dec. 28, 1688)

In a brief but comprehensive address the Prince assured the Lords that he favourably regarded their suggestions concerning the method of calling Parliament together.

I have considered of your advice; and, as far as I am able, I will endeavour to secure the peace of the nation, until the imeeting of the convention in January next; for the election thereof, I will forthwith issue out letters, according to your desire. I will also take care to apply the public revenue to the most proper uses that the present affairs require: And likewise endeavour to put Ireland into such a condition, as that the Protestant religion, and the English interests, may be maintained in that Kingdom. And I further assure you, That as I came hither for the preservation of the Protestant

religion, and the laws and liberties of these kingdoms; so I shall always be ready to expose myself to any hazard, for the defense of the same.

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, 540.)

185. William of Orange to the Commons

(Dec. 26, 1688)

In accordance with the invitation of the Prince of Orange (No. 181) members of the Commons' House of the Parliaments held during the reign of Charles II., and the Lord Mayor and court of the City of London, as well as representatives of the Common Council of the City of London, gathered for the purpose of forming a Parliament. The Prince briefly addressed them, and authorized them to carry out the purpose of their meeting.

You gentlemen that have been members of the late Parliaments, I have desired you to meet me here, to advise the best manner how to persue the ends of my declaration, in calling a free Parliament, for the preservation of the Protestant religion, and the restoring the rights and liberties of the kingdom, and settling the same, that they may not be in danger of being again subverted.

And you the aldermen and members of the Common-Council of the City of London, I desire the same of you. And in regard your numbers are like to be great, you may, if you think fit, divide yourselves, and sit in several places.

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, 539.

186. The Commons Answer the Prince

(Dec. 26, 1688)

Upon receipt of the command (No. 185) the Commons unanimously consented to proceed with the organization of parliamentary government. They thanked the Prince for undertaking the care of the kingdom, and suggested methods for calling the Parliament together.

We who have served as members of the Parliaments during the reign of the late King Charles II. together with the Court of Aldermen, and members of the Common-Council of the City of London, assembled at Your Highness's desire (in this extraordinary conjuncture), do, with an unanimous consent, tender to your Highness our humble and hearty thanks, for your coming in this kingdom, and exposing your person to so great hazards, for the preservation of our religion, laws, and liberties, and rescuing us from the miseries of popery and slavery: And desire your Highness, that

(in pursuance of those ends, and for the preservation of the peace of the nation) your Highness will take upon you the administration of public affairs, both civil and military, and the disposal of the public revenue.

We do also desire, That your Highness will take into your particular care, the present condition of Ireland; and endeavour, by the most speedy and effectual means, to prevent the dangers threatening that kingdom.

All which, we desire your Highness to undertake and execute, until the meeting of the intended convention, the 22d day of January next...

[Suggestions as to summoning Parliament follow. They are almost identical with those of the Lords. No. 183.]

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, 539.)

187. The Prince's Address to Parliament

'On Tuesday, January 22, 1688-9, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, assembled at Westminster: the Lord Marquis of Halifax, executed the place of Speaker in the House of Lords, and the Commons chose Henry Powle, Esq., to be their speaker. After which this letter from the Prince of Orange was read in both Houses on the occasion of their meeting.'

I have endeavoured, to the utmost of my power, to perform what was desired from me, in order to the public peace and safety, and I do not know that any thing hath been omitted, which might tend to the preservation of them, since the administration of affairs was put into my hands. It now lieth upon you to lay the foundations of a firm security for your religion, your laws, and your liberties.

I do not doubt, but that by such a full and free representative of the nation, as is now met, the ends of my declaration will be attained: And since it hath pleased God hitherto to bless my good intentions with so good success; I trust in Him, that we will complete His own work, by sending a spirit of peace and union, to influence your counsels, that no interruption may be given to an happy and lasting settle

ment.

The dangerous condition of the Protestants in Ireland, require a large and speedy succour; and the present state of things abroad, oblige me to tell you, that next to the danger of unseasonable divisions amongst yourselves, nothing can be so fatal, as too great a delay in your consultations. The states, by whom I have been enabled to rescue this nation, may suddenly feel the ill effects of it, both by being too long

deprived of the service of their troops, which are now here, and of your early assistance against a powerful enemy, who hath declared war against them. And as England is by treaty already engaged to help them upon such exigencies, so I am confident that their cheerful concurrence to preserve this kingdom with so much hazard to themselves, will meet with all the returns of friendship and assistance, which may be expected from you as Protestants and Englishmen, whenever their condition shall require it.

(Kennett, ed. cit., III, 541.)

188. The Parliamentary Title of the Sovereigns of England

(Feb. 13, 1688)

The era of Kingship by Divine Right passed with the fugitive Stuart. Once again in England the principle of an elective Kingship was vindicated. The title of William and Mary plainly rested upon parliamentary action, and since 1688 the Sovereigns of England have had in the will of the people a sure foundation for their thrones. The determination of William to be the sole executive head of the nation, a determination that prohibited the co-sovereignty of Mary, is clearly shown in the act conferring the crown upon him.

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The said Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons assembled at Westminster, do Resolve:

That William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange be, and be declared King and Queen of England, France, and Ireland, and the dominions thereunto belonging, to hold the crown and royal dignity of the said kingdoms and Dominions, to them the said Prince and Princess during their lives, and the life of the survivor of them; and that the sole and full exercise of the royal power be only in, and executed by the said Prince of Orange, in the names of the Prince and Princess during their lives; And after their deceases, the said crown and royal dignity of the said kingdoms and dominions to the heirs of the body of the said Princes; And for default of such issue, to the Princess Anne of Denmark, and the heirs of her body; and for default of such issue, to the heirs of the body of the said Prince of Orange.

And the said Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, do pray the said Prince and Princess of Orange to accept the same accordingly.

REPLY OF THE KING

My Lords and Gentlemen:

This is certainly the greatest proof of the trust you have

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