House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 12 April 1671

Mercurii, 12 die Aprilis, 1671.

Prayers.

Wey Nevigation.

SIR John Brampston reports from the Committee, to which the Bill for settling the Navigation of the River Wey, was committed, that the Committee had many Meetings, and fully heard all Parties interested and concerned; had, by Agreement, concluded and brought in a Bill to the Satisfaction of all Parties: The Effect of which he opened, in his Place; together with some Provisoes also agreed: Which were delivered in at the Clerk's Table; and twice read; and, upon the Question, severally agreed.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill, with the Amendments and Provisoes, be ingrossed.

Duke of Yorke's Revenue.

Ordered, That the Bill, sent from the Lords, concerning the Post Office, which has been Three times read, and passed the House, with the Amendments, be returned to the Lords, by Sir Robert Carr.

Conference-Foreign Commodtiie Bill.

Sir Robert Carr reports from the Lords, That they had agreed to a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Bill for an Imposition on foreign Commodities.

Sir Robert Howard did open, and read to the House, the Message to be presented at the Conference with the Lords: Which was allowed by the House; and is as follows; viz.

"My Lords, The House of Commons have commanded us to acquaint your Lordships, that they desired this Conference, for the Preservation of a good Correspondence between both Houses, by representing to your Lordships the Mistake that had happened:"

"In order to which, they have commanded us to read to your Lordships the Message and Answer, as they are entered in their Journals."

"By these your Lordships may perceive, that, by the Message, Two distinct Conferences were desired: To one the Commons agreed: To the other they replied, They would send an Answer by Messengers of their own: So that there was no Conference denied."

"The Commons therefore conceive, that your Lordships were very sudden, by a Message, to term it unparliamentary, before Reasons on either Side were heard: And they conceive there is hardly a Precedent to be found, where, by a Message, (before any Conference) the Lords, or Commons have called any thing unparliamentary."

Ordered, That the Persons, formerly appointed, do attend, and deliver the Message of the House, at a Conference.

Sir Robert Howard reports, That, according to the Commands of the House, they had attended; and read, and delivered, the Message of this House to the Lords.

Houses destroyed to stop the Fire in London.

A Bill concerning Houses blown up, to prevent the Spreading of Fire, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the said Bill be read a Second time.

Preventing Profanation of Sunday.

An ingrossed Bill for the Observation of the Lord's Day, was read.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, an Act for the better Observation of the Lord's Day: And Sir Charles Harbord is to carry up the Bill to the Lords.

Conference-Foreign Commodities.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Baron Turner and Mr. Baron Littleton;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have sent us to desire a Conference with this House, presently, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Bill for an additional Imposition on foreign Commodities; and concerning an Address to be presented to His Majesty:

And to let the House know, that this is the same Message, which was then directed by the House of Peers, and delivered to their Messengers, in Writing, all but the Time.

The Messengers being withdrawn; and called in again;

Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That the House had considered of the Message; and did agree to a present Conference to be had with the Lords, in the Painted Chamber.

Ordered, That the Members that managed the last Conference, be appointed to manage this Conference with the Lords.

The House then went up to attend the Conference accordingly.

Mr. Attorney General reports from the Conference, That the Managers had attended the Conference with the Lords; where their Lordships opened the material Amendments, that they had made to the said Bill of Impositions on foreign Commodities; and expressed their Reasons for the same: As to their Lordships Amendments to that Part of the Bill concerning Impositions on Sugars, their Lordships gave their Reasons for the same, in Writing: Which he read, in his Place.

Address for wearing English Manufactures.

And further reports the Address to be made to his Majesty: Which is as followeth; viz.

"We Your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, do humbly beseech Your Majesty, that You would be graciouly pleased, by Your Own Example, to encourage the constant Wearing of the Manufactures of Your own Kingdoms and Dominions; and discountenance such Persons (Men or Women) in Your Court, as shall wear any Manufactures made by foreign Countries."

Which Bill, with the Amendments and Address, were delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

Resolved, &c. That the House proceed upon the aforesaid Amendments to the Bill, sent down from the Lords, for an Imposition on foreign Commodities, To-morrow Morning, Nine of the Clock.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords, in the Address aforesaid, to be made to his Majesty.

Harlakenden's Estate.

Ordered, That that the ingrossed Bill concerning Mr. Harlakenden, be read To-morrow Morning, the First Business.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees, that were discontinued, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon, in the Places formerly appointed.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight of the Clock.