“Thus by the especial grace and favour of the Kings and Queens of _England_, the College of Physicians have been freed from bearing and providing arms: and though some particular member may of late have been summoned upon that account by the Lieutenancy, yet upon producing his Majesty’s patent and asserting his Sovereign’s natural right in dispensing with a Corporation of men from bearing and providing arms, which was an inherent prerogative in the Crown; and therefore an Act of Parliament was made in 13 _Car._ 2. 6. positively declaring, That the sole and supreme power, government, command and disposition of all the Militia, and of all forces by sea and land, &c. is, and by the laws of _England_ ever was, the undoubted right of his Majesty and his royal predecessors, they were freed from any further trouble. An instance of which we lately had in the case of Dr. _Newell_, then candidate of the College of Physicians; who, anno 1680, was summoned to appear before the Lieutenancy of _London_ for not bearing and providing arms. Upon which summons, attending with the Patent 15 _Car. Secundi Regis nunc_.” The Lieutenancy on debate desired a copy of the exempting part of the patent, that they might consult with their counsel. On the next committee-day they told him they were satisfied that the words of the Patent were sufficient to exempt the members of the College from bearing and providing arms, and desired that a list of them might be given in under the College Seal, which was accordingly done. Sir _Francis Pemberton_, Sir _Edmund Saunders_, and Mr. _Holt_, lawyers of whose celebrity it is unnecessary to speak, being consulted on the same point, answered. Sir _F. P._ I conceive his Majesty may, by his Patent, excuse the College from finding arms if he think fit. Sir _E. S._ The Patent doth discharge the Physicians from bearing or providing of arms, notwithstanding the Militia Act. Mr. _H._ I conceive by the Patent all the members of the College are exempted from being at any charge towards the Militia.