House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 23 December 1698

Veneris, 23 die Decembris;

10° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Malden Election.

APETITION of William Fitch Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That at the late Election of Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Malden, in the County of Essex, Sir Eliab Harvey, Irby Mountagu, and the Petitioner stood Candidates; and the Majority of legal Voters were for the Petitioner, who ought to have been returned One of the Burgesses for the said Borough; but, by illegal and undue Practices, the Bailiffs of the said Borough were prevailed upon to return Mr. Mountagu, instead of the Petitioner, to his Wrong: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections. And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Clithero Election.

A Petition of Ambrose Pudsey Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That at the Election of Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Clithero, in the County of Lancaster, the Petitioner was duly elected by the Majority of legal Voters, and ought to have been returned with Christopher Lister Esquire; but the Bailiffs of the said Borough have returned Thomas Stringer Esquire, in Wrong to the Petitioner: And praying the House to take the Premises into Consideration.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter; and report it, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Order against Gaming.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the High Constables of the City of Westminster, That the Constables in waiting do take care there be no Gaming, or other Disorders, in Westminster-hall, during the Sitting of Parliament; and that there be no Annoyance by Chairmen, or otherwise, thereabouts.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do take care the Footmen be removed from off the Stairs in the Passage to the House, to prevent any Annoyance by them.

Privilege of Witnesses.

Mr. William Woollaston and John Leicester attending, according to Order;

They were called in, to the Bar: Where they were examined . . . . . the Arrest of the said Mr. Woollaston.

And then they withdrew.

It appearing to this House, That the said John Leicester, a Marshal's-court-man, did arrest the said Mr. Woollaston, as he was going from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to which he was summoned;

Resolved, That the said John Leicester is guilty of a Breach of Privilege of this House.

Ordered, That the said John Leicester be, for the said Breach of Privilege, taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Seaford Writ.

Mr. Speaker acquainted the House, That he had received a Letter from Sir William Thomas, who is very ill of the Gout, That he, being elected a Knight for the County of Sussex; and also a Com-Baron for the Port of Seaford; makes his Election to serve for the County of Sussex.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for electing a Com-Baron to serve in this present Parliament for the said Port of Seaford.

Prizes taken.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of Prizes do lay before this House an Account of what Ships have been taken since the War; how disposed of; and how the Proceed of such Ships, and Goods, have been applied.

Suppressing Vice and Immorality.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, or Bills, for the more effectual discouraging and suppressing Profaneness, and all manner of Vice and Immorality: And that Sir John Philips, Sir Richard Cocks, Mr. Perry, and Mr. Boscawen, do prepare the said Bill, or Bills.

Disbanding the Army.

A Bill for the speedy and effectual Disbanding the Forces in England and Ireland was, according to Order, read a Second time.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday come Sevennight, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Call of the House.

Ordered, That this House be called over upon Tuesday come Sevennight: And that such Members as shall not then attend be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Preventing Export of Corn, &c.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Sevennight, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider the Bill to prohibit the Exportation of Corn, Meal, and Bread, for One Year.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Sevennight, Eight a Clock in the Morning.