The debate at large, between the House of Lords and House of Commons, at the free conference, held in the Painted Chamber, in the session of the convention, anno 1688 relating to the word, abdicated and the vacancy of the throne in the Common's vote.

Mr. S—l.

My Lords, it seems very strange to us, that this Question should be asked us, when we come to shew, That your Lordships Reasons for leaving out this part of our Vote are not satisfactory, neither do answer the Reasons we gave for our not agreeing to your Lordships Amendmonts: And it is much stranger that we should be asked, Whether this Vacancy extend to the Heirs, when

you will not tell us, whether it be Va∣cant as to King James himself.

You put it upon us to say, the Exe∣cution or Exercise of the Government is ceased; but you will not say the Throne is vacant, so much as to him: And if it be not, what have we to do, or consider, or debate, of any conse∣quence, whether it will infer an Election or not?

We desire of your Lordships that which we think is very proper; first, to know whether the Throne be vacant at all: If it be, then our Proposition in the conclusion of our Vote is true, That the Throne is thereby vacant.

My Lords, I think we come here very much in vain, till this Point be setl'd; What Satisfaction can it be to your Lord∣ships, or Us, or the Nation, to know that such things as are mentioned in the Votes have been done by King James, and that he has deserted (as you say) the Government, if he still retain a Right to it, and your Lordships

will not declare he hath no Right, but amuse the Kingdom with the doubtful words of the Exercise (as to him) Cea∣siug. If that be all you mean, what need the Question be asked, how far it is va∣cant, for it should seem it is not vacant at all.