His Majesties Most Gracious Speech to Both Houses of Parliament..

1688. A Call to Allow "Willing and Able" Protestants to Hold Public Office William III [1650-1702], King of England. His Majesties Most Gracious Speech to Both Houses of Parliament, On Saturday the Sixteenth of March, 1688. London: Printed by Charles Bill, and Thomas Newcomb, 1688 [i.e. 1689]. 4 pp. Folio (10-3/4" x 6-3/4"). Disbound bifolium pamphlet. Light toning, leaves nearly separated, faint dampstain to bottom margin. $650. * Only edition, one of two issues. A request by William III that Parliament might "leave Room for the Admission of all Protestants that are willing and able to Serve" in public office while continuing to "sufficiently Provide against Papists." This ultimately resulted in the Act of Toleration, which allowed certain groups of nonconformist Protestants freedom of worship but continued to exclude dissenters and Roman Catholics from public office. English Short-Title Catalogue R507163.