A Collection of the Parliamentary Debates in England from the Year M, DC, LXVIII. to the Present Time (Volume 19) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1742. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... The next speech we shall give upon this question, was that made by the Earl of Hallifax, which was to this effect, viz. My Lords, Unfit as I am to offer my thoughts to your EwUf'. Lordships, I shall undertake the task with plea-ch. sure, whenever my duty calls me to it. I was 'in hopes, however, that I should have had no c occasion of troubling your Lordships to day: I 'was in hopes, that this bill, calculated for the independency of Parliament, after having re ceived the unanimous sanction of the house of Commons, would not have met with an harder fate within these walls. I must confess, I am . in the greatest difficulty, my Lords, how to re'concile the opposition it finds, with the warm zeal for the freedom of Parliament, and the ten der regard to the constitution of it, which your 'Lordships have shewn upon so many other oc'casions. I am still more at a loss, my Lords, 'when I consider the weakness of argument, ancl shadow of reason, upon which such an opposi tion is founded. Every friend to the Revolution must be zea ous for fully obtaining those noble ends proposed 'by it; but this, my Lords, can never be, tijl the independency of Parliament is secured. To gain this essential point must be the wish of every c honest heart; and tho' many difficulties may 4 occur, before the great scheme be complete, yet every step we take against the undue influence of power, still farther removes from us that fatal danger, by which this country may one day fall. We have less to fear, my Lords, from a foreign power abroad, than from a ministerial power at home. This the house of Commons is sensible of; and fearing they have not sufficient Bb 4 security 'security for the independency of their members, desire your Lordships concurrence, to strengthen ...