Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/256

 240 THE WENTWORTH TAPERS.

adjourn themselves, wch sure the house might do ; therefore he was for adjournment. Then Lord Sunderland rise up in a passion and said he was amazed lords shou'd so call out for the question and not give themselves time to look into their books ; nobody likewise had more respect for the Queen then he, but anything that was done irregular cou'd never be imputed to the crown, but the ministery, and 'twas of dan- gerous consequence to let such advise pass without any exa- mination, for who know what designes a ministery had to carry on ; if this was suffer'd to pass into a precedent, when- ever they found a majority in one house and not in t'other 'twas but for them to advise to have a command to have that house adjourn'd for a week, a month or for the time that wou'd serve their turn. I had forgot to tell you my Lord Steward had said before Lord Sunderland spoke that they might now adjourn according to her majestie's desire, and after when they met again examine if this was any prejudice to their preveledges, wch my Lord Sunderland set forth as a very trifling expedient. Lord Steward was nettled at him for his reflection upon the ministry, and said in obedience to her majesty's commands he wou'd not answere that lord now, wch wou'd be to run into a debate, but he wou'd take another time. Then Lord Godolphin spoke and was of the same mind as Lord Sunderland, still insisting upon the irregularity of adjourning one house and not th'other. Lord Treasurer answered him, and said he and other lords insisted upon a matter that cou'd not be known to them in that house, for, first, neither house ought to take notice what the other house is a doing, nor cou'd they search their records, and 'twas more then any body prove that the same message was not sent to the house of Commons. Lord Cooper and Lord Jernsey spoke against the adjourn, but nothing remarkable but what had been spoke of before. Lord Chomondley [spoke] for the adjournment in a manner remarkable enough, he told the house that he was lett into noe secreet of either, noding his head to this side and that side, saying neither of this side nor that side, so he was an impartial man, and in pure respect to her majesty shou'd be for complying with her

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