Page:The Wentworth Papers 1715-1739.djvu/269

 London, /tf/z/m/j 18, 171 2. Dear Brother,

Yesterday there was a world of people at Westminster

expecting what the Queen wou'd say to the houses of P.

My Lord Keeper brought her Message in writing and read it, 'twas the same as that to the house of Commons, wch you see in the votes, only the affair of the Scotch Peers was more to the house of Lords. She told them 'twas a matter of im- portance and desired there advise and that they wou'd take it into consideration, whether her prerogative shou'd be perticu- larly bound as to them. My Lord Clarendon moved that an Address might be made to express their concern that her Majesty's indisposition continued, wch prevented them the honour of her presence, and to give her thanks for her great condescention in assuring them they shou'd know the terms of the Peace before 'twas concluded. Lord Winchelsea seconded the motion. Lord Scarborough he rise to speak only to order, he approved of the motion that had been made and seconded, but 'twas irregular to have any motion made till the Queen's speech had been read by the clerk. Lord Clarendon beg the pardon of the house if he had made his motion out of order, for he own'd he was not well acquainted with the order of the house. Lord Abington rise up to justifie the regularity, for this was not a speech spoke by the Queen, but a Message sent to the house by the Lord Keeper, and that when the Queen did make a speech, it was not read by the clerk till reported to the house again by the keeper, and so read as is reported ; but there was more respect to be paid any thing that came so immediately from the Queen under the sign manual. Lord Keeper made the same distinction as Lord Abington, but said if any lord desired to hear it again he was ready to read it again. Then Lord Clarendon made his motion and was seconded as before, wch was agreed to readily. Then Lord Treasurer spoke that the other parts of the Queen's Message shou'd be taken into consideration and thought it absolutely necessary that some things shou'd be done to satisfie so great a part of the Nation, and wish't

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