House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 4 February 1673

Martis, 4 die Februarii, 1672.

The House meets.

Vacancy of a Speaker.

HIS Majesty's Two Houses of Parliament having had several Prorogations from the Time of their last Sitting, being the Two-and-twentieth of April 1671; and being, by the last, prorogued to this present Fourth of February 1672; But Sir Edward Turner, the late Speaker of this House, being, in the Interval of Session, made Lord Chief Baron of his Majesty's Exchequer; so as there was a Vacancy of a Speaker;

And a great Number of Members, about Three hundred or upwards, being met in the House of Commons;

Message to attend the King.

A Message was sent to them from his Majesty, by Sir Edward Carteret Usher of the Black Rod, to command their Attendance in the House of Lords:

Where, they accordingly attending, His Majesty made a short Speech; therein taking notice of the Vacancy of a Speaker:

And the Members being returned,

Sir J. Charleton chosen Speaker.

Mr. Secretary Coventry put them in mind of the Business of that Day, the Election of a Speaker; nominating and commending to them Sir Job Charleton Serjeant at Law, as a very fit Person for that Purpose:

Who being thereupon called upon, stood up in his Place; and did endeavour to excuse himself, by reason of his Insufficiency for so great an Employment. But That not being admitted, the House continuing the Calling him to the Chair; whither he being conducted by Sir John Duncombe Chancellor of his Majesty's Exchequer, and Mr. Secretary Coventry; he desired Leave to appeal to his Majesty for his Excuse:

And he being set in the Chair.

No Business to be done till Mr. Speaker is presented.

A Motion and Complaint was made against Writs unduly issued, and irregular Returns (as was alleged) thereupon made lately of Persons to serve in this House, in the Places of such as were dead, or removed.

But the Opinion of the Speaker Elect, and the general Sense and Opinion of the House, being, that, after a Speaker elected, no Motion can be debated, or Business entertained, till the Speaker be presented to, and approved by, his Majesty;

And the House being acquainted, that his Majesty had appointed them to present their Speaker To-morrow, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon;

Thereupon the Motion was, at present, laid aside: And the House adjourned till Two of the Clock To-morrow in the Afternoon; then to meet, and present their Speaker to his Majesty at the Time appointed.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow in the Afternoon, Two of the Clock.