House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 22 October 1669

Die Veneris, 22 Octobris, 1669. 21 Car. II

Prayers.

Publick Accounts.

SIR Thomas Tompkins acquaints the House, that, in Obedience to their Order, he had attended the Commissioners of Accounts; and that they would wait on the House on Monday next.

Repairing Churches.

A Bill for Building and Repairing Churches was read; and laid aside.

Privilege- Unlicensed Publication.

Richard Chiswell, Bookseller, being sent for, to attend the House to give an Account of the Printing and Publishing the Book called The Grand Question, and, attending at the Door; was called in: And, being demanded by Mr. Speaker, whether he caused the Book to be printed; and by whose Direction; and what Licence he had for doing it; and whether he had any Money, or what Reward he had, for printing the said Book; the said Richard Chiswell did confess, that he caused the Book to be printed; and that he had no formal Licence for it; but it was sent to him by a Privy Counsellor, the Lord Hollis, with Direction and Order to print it; and that he had no Hire or Reward in Money, but only the Benefit of the Copy for doing it: That there were about Two hundred and Fifty of the Books delivered out, before any Seizure was made; and those which were undisposed, were, by Command, delivered into the Custody of Mr. Secretary Trevor.

Ordered, That Mr. Attorney General be desired, by Mr. Speaker, to draw up and prefer an Indictment in the King's Bench, against the said Richard Chiswell, for his Offence in causing the said Book to be printed, and published, without Licence.

The House being informed, that the said Book was printed by one John Darby a Printer;

Ordered, That the said John Darby be summoned to attend the House, to give an Account of his printing the said Book.

Adjournment.

Resolved, That the House be adjourned till Monday Morning next.