House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 11 February 1607

Mercurii, 11o Februarii, 1606

Committees.

SUNDRY Committees, sleeping upon the last Adjournment, revived; and appointed, on several Days, to assemble, and proceed according to former Direction.

Ditto.

Ordered, upon Motion, that the Adjournment of every Committee, amongst themselves, should be published the next Day in the House.

Privilege - Persons committed for arresting a Member.

Robert Bateman, an Attorney, and Clerk in Mr. Broker's Office, One of the Protonotharies of the Court of Common Pleas, being formerly complained of for a Contempt, in arresting Mr. Richard James, One of the Members of the said House, was now brought to the Bar, and examined by Mr. Speaker, whether he knew Mr. James to be a Member of the House.

He answered, that, after the Arrest made, he knew it: But, upon further Examination, it appeared, that he caused him to be carried by the Serjeant to the House of Mr. Turfitt, One of the Secondaries of the Counter, in Colman-street; and, after Supper, knowing him to be a Member, did advisedly cause him to be sent to the Prison of the Counter, and there detained; so as the Contempt was thereby aggravated.

Peter Hutchins, the Serjeant that arrested him, was convented at the same Time, and charged with the like Degree of Contempt.

The House, upon this their Examination, resolving to inflict Punishment upon them, according to the Quality of their Offence, directed Mr. Speaker to make two Questions:

1. Q. Whether they were to be committed to the Serjeant of the House : - Upon Question, Resolved.

2. Whether to be continued Prisoners for a Month: - Resolved also.

And Ordered, that they should not be delivered, but by the Privity and Allowance of the House.

During the Time of this Deliberation and Question by the House, the Offenders were retired without the Door; and then were called in again to the Bar, and there kneeling, Mr. Speaker pronounced their Judgment, according to former Resolution.

Soham Manor.

B.1a. For Confirmation of Letters Patents made to Sir Roger Aston, &c. being twice read, and committed, was delivered in, as agreed on by the Committees to sleep; and a new Bill to be framed, and preferred.