The courtiers now objected, that frequent elections would render the free-holders proud and insolent, encourage faction among the electors, and entail a continual expense upon the member, as he would find himself obliged, during the whole time of the sitting, to behave like a candidate, conscious how soon the time of election would revolve.

In spite of the ministerial interest in the upper house, the bill passed, and contained a proviso that the present parliament should not continue any longer than the month of January next ensuing.

The court renewed its efforts against it in the house of commons, where nevertheless it was carried, with some alterations which the lords approved.

But all these endeavours were frustrated by the prerogative of the king, who, by refusing his assent, prevented its being enacted into a law.
It was at the instigation of the ministry that the commons brought in a bill for continuing and explaining certain temporary laws then expiring or expired.

Among these was an act for restraining the liberty of the press, which owed its original to the reign of Charles II., and had been revived in the first year of the succeeding reign.