y presented an address in a very spirited strain, declaring, that
notwithstanding the blood and treasure of which the nation had been
drained, the commons of England would not be diverted from their firm
resolutions of obtaining by war a safe and honourable peace. They
therefore renewed their assurances that they would support his majesty
against all his enemies at home and abroad. The house of lords delivered
another to the same purpose, declaring that they would never be wanting
or backward on their parts in what might be necessary to his majesty's
honour, the good of his kingdoms, and the quiet of Christendom. The
commons, in the first transports of their zeal, ordered two seditious
pamphlets to be burned by the hands of the common hangman. They
deliberated upon the estimates, and granted above six millions for
the service of the ensuing-year. They resolved that a supply should
be granted for making good the deficiency of parliamentary funds, and
appropriated several duties for this purpose.

RESOLUTIONS TOUCHING THE COIN, &c.

With respect to the coin they brought in a bill repealing an act for
taking off the obligation and encouragement of coining guineas for a
certain time, and for importing and coining guineas and half guineas, as
the extravagant price of those coins which occasioned this act was now
fallen. They passed a second bill for remedying the ill state of the
coin; and a third, explaining an act in the preceding session for laying
duties on low wines and spirits of the first extraction. In order
to raise the supplies of the year, they resolved to tax all persons
according to the true value of their real and personal estates, their
stock upon land and in trade, their income by offices, pensions, and
professions. A duty of one penny per week for one year was laid upon all
persons not receiving alms. A further imposition of one farthing in the
pound per week was fixed upon all servants receiving four pounds per
annum as wages, and upwards to eight pounds a-year inclusive. Those who
received from eight to sixteen pounds were taxed at one halfpenny per
pound. An aid of three shillings in the pound for one year was laid upon
all lands, tenements, and hereditaments, according to their true value.
Without specifying the particulars of those impositions, we shall only
observe that, in the general charge, the commons did not exempt one
member of the commonwealth that could be supposed able to bear any part