ng of grievances; and that every subject under any accusation,
either by impeachment or otherwise, had a right to be brought to a
speedy trial. A complaint being likewise made that the lords had denied
the commons justice in the matter of the late impeachments, a furious
debate ensued; and it was carried by a very small majority that justice
had not been denied. In some points, however, they succeeded: in the
case of a controverted election at Maidstone, between Thomas Blisse and
Thomas Culpepper, the house resolved, That the latter had been not only
guilty of corrupt, scandalous, and indirect practices, in endeavouring
to procure himself to be elected a burgess, but likewise being one of
the instruments in promoting and presenting the scandalous, insolent,
and seditious petition, commonly called the Kentish petition, to the
last house of commons, was guilty of promoting a scandalous, villainous,
and groundless reflection upon that house, by aspersing the members with
receiving French money, or being in the interest of France; for which
offence he was ordered to be committed to Newgate, and to be prosecuted
by his majesty's attorney-general. They also resolved, That to assert
that the house of commons is not the only representative of the commons
of England, tends to the subversion of the rights and privileges of the
house of commons, and the fundamental constitution of the government of
this kingdom; that to assert that the house of commons have no power
of commitment, but of their own members, tends to the subversion of the
constitution of the house of commons; that to print or publish any books
or libels reflecting upon the proceedings of the house of commons, or
any member thereof, for or relating to his service therein, is a
high violation of the rights and privileges of the house of commons.
Notwithstanding these transactions, they did not neglect the vigorous
prosecution of the war. They addressed his majesty to interpose with his
allies that they might increase their quotas of land forces, to be
put on board the fleet in proportion to the numbers his majesty should
embark. When they had settled the sums appropriated to the several uses
of the war, they presented a second address desiring he would provide
for the half-pay officers in the first place, in the recruits and levies
to be made. The king assured them it was always his intention to provide
for those officers. He went to the house of peers and gave the royal