he security of
the nation; he said they had very little encouragement to grant supplies
when they found themselves frustrated of all their labour and expense
for these several months; and when the whole kingdom saw that supplies
served for no other use but to gratify the warice of some insatiable
ministers. Mr. Fletcher expatiated upon the good consequences that
would arise from the act which he had proposed. The chancellor
answered, that such an act was laying a scheme for a commonwealth,
and tending to innovate the constitution of a monarchy. The ministry
proposed a state of a vote, whether they should first give a reading to
Fletcher's act or to the act of subsidy. The country party moved that
the question might be, "Overtures for subsidies, or overtures for
liberty." Fletcher withdrew his act, rather than people should pervert
the meaning of laudable designs. The house resounded with the cry
of "Liberty or Subsidy." Bitter invectives were uttered against the
ministry. One member said it was now plain the nation was to expect no
other return for their expense and toil than that of being loaded with
a subsidy, and being obliged to bend their necks under the yoke of
slavery, which was prepared for them from that throne; another observed,
that as their liberties were suppressed, so the privileges of parliament
were like to be torn from them; but that he would venture his life in
defence of his birthright, and rather die a free man than live a slave.
When the vote was demanded, and declined by the commissioner, the earl
of Roxburgh declared, that if there was no other way of obtaining so
natural and undeniable a privilege of parliament, they would demand
it with their swords in their hands. The commissioner, foreseeing this
spirit of freedom and contradiction, ordered the foot-guard to be in
readiness, and placed a strong guard upon the eastern gate of the city.
Notwithstanding these precautions, he ran the risk of being torn to
pieces; and, in this apprehension, ordered the chancellor to inform the
house that the parliament should proceed upon overtures for liberty at
their next sitting. This promise allayed the ferment which had begun
to rise. Next day the members prepared an overture, implying, that the
elective members should be chosen for every seat at the Michaelmas head
courts; that a parliament should be held once in two years at least;
that the short adjournments _de die in diem_ should be made by the
parliaments