of the fleets during
the last summer's expedition, had behaved with fidelity, courage, and
conduct. The lords irritated at this declaration, and disappointed in
their resentment against Russel, desired a free conference between the
committees of both houses. The earl of Rochester told the commons, he
was commanded by the house of lords to inform them that their lordships
looked upon the late vote and proceeding of the lower house, in
returning their papers, to be irregular and unparliamentary, as they had
not communicated to their lordships the lights they had received,
and the reason upon which their vote was founded. A paper to the same
purport was delivered to colonel Granville, who promised to present it to
the commons, and make a faithful report of what his lordship had said.
Thus the conference ended, and the inquiry was discontinued.

THE COMMONS ADDRESS THE KINO.

The lower house seemed to be as much exasperated against the earl of
Nottingham as the lords were incensed at Russel. A motion was made that
his majesty should be advised to appoint such commissioners of the board
of admiralty as were of known experience in maritime affairs. Although
this was overruled, they voted an address to the king, praying, that
for the future, all orders for the engagement of the fleet might pass
through the hands of the said commissioners; a protest by implication
against the conduct of the secretary. The consideration of ways and
means was the next object that engrossed the attention of the lower
house. They resolved that a rate of four shillings in the pound, for one
year, should be charged upon all lands according to their yearly value;
as also upon all personal estates, and upon all offices and employments
of profit, other than military offices in the army and navy. The act
founded on this resolution empowered the king to borrow money on the
credit of it, at seven per cent. They further enabled him to raise one
million on the general credit of the exchequer, by granting annuities.
They laid several new duties on a variety of imports. They renewed the
last quarterly poll, providing that in case it should not produce three
hundred thousand pounds, the deficiencies might be made up by borrowing
on the general credit of the exchequer. They continued the impositions
on wine, vinegar, tobacco, and sugar, for five years; and those on
East-India goods for four years. They laid a new imposition of eight per
cent, on the capit