The most remarkable public News is
the Reception the House of Commons
gave to the Mutiny-desertion Bill, as
it is called. And what will be the only
Circumstance, perhaps, that will make
it agreeable to a person of your loy-
al principles, is, that few, I believe,
will venture to communicate it.
Take it then in Substance, as
follows, from one, who was an Ear-
witness to some of the Debates on
that Occasion.

This Bill put it into the
Power of the Duke, not only to ar-
rest any officer for taking a Day’s
pleasure out of Town without Leave
asked &and obtained, but also to order
him at any Time (whether Mem-
ber of Parliament or not) to his
respective Regiment; &and at the same
Time to appoint any persons, whom
he pleased to name (as being Com-
mander in Chief) to examine into
the Procedure of a Court-martial,
&and to try a man anew, though before
acquitted by the said Court. These were the 1470 (1470)
the principal Articles, which hinder-
ed it to pass.

The speaker himself was hardly a-
ble to preserve his usual Temper.
Some of his Expressions were, — “that
“it was the most insolent &and barefaced
“Attempt, that ever was made, to de-
“stroy British spirit &and policy, &and to con-
“fine our Liberties within the narrow
“Limits of a German Government.

“I repeated it again (said he) a Ger-
“man Government.

“While I have the Honour to
“fill this Chair, I will contend for
“the privileges of the House. None u-
“pon the Throne shall, with my Con-
“sent, ever stretch the prerogatives
“of it to such a Length; nor do I
“think, any Minister, that is not stu-
“pidly ignorant or monstrously wicked,
“will exert his Influence to favour
“such an Inclination, till he has as
“much power, at least, in this House,
“as he has, I am afraid, already got
“in the other.”

In short, the Court, though the most nu-
merous, were obliged to give it up. The
Duke, who had arrested an officer, a
Member of Parliament, was ashamed
of his Conduct, and, not daring to own it, begged 1471 (1471)
begged another Officer to take
the Matter upon him.

The House found, that, to try a
man twice over, was a piece of Ty-
ranny &and arbitrary power; &and that they
had a Right in themselves, indis-
pensible of the Crown, to command
the Attendance of their own Mem-
bers.