House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 3 July 1678

Mercurii, 3 die Julii, 1678.

Prayers.

Delays in Suits.

AN ingrossed Bill, sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act for reviving a former Act, intituled, An Act for avoiding unnecessary Suits and Delays; and for Continuance of One other Act, intituled, An Act for the better Settling Intestates Estates; was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the last Enacting Clause in the said Bill be rejected.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be committed to Serjeant Seis, Mr. Williams, Mr. Mallet, Sir John Knight, Sir Tho. Higgins, Serjeant Mainard, Mr. Buscawen, Mr. Crouch, Sir John Birkenhead, Sir Hen. Ford, Sir Trevor Williams, Sir John Mallet, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir John Talbot, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Powle, Mr. Jones, Mr. Buscawen, Mr. Dalmahoy, Mr. Wright, Sir Courtney Poole, Mr. Browne, Sir Rob. Markham, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir John Coryton, Sir John Nicholas, Mr. Neale, Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. Treby, Sir Geo. Downing, Mr. Cheney, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Tho. Mompesson, Sir Tho. Allen, Sir John Coryton, Sir Rob. Sawyer, Sir Edm. Jenings, Sir John Covert, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir John Trevor, Sir Rich. Everard, Sir John Bramston, Sir Jon. Trelawney, Sir John Moreton, Sir John Elwes, Sir Gilb. Talbot, Sir Edm. Windham: And they are to inspect and consider the former Acts; and make the Act temporary; and make Provision, that no Person may be compelled to take out Letters of Administration: And they are to meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Insolvent Debtors.

The House then resumed the Debate concerning the Bill for poor Prisoners.

A Proviso concerning Foreigners was presented; and thrice read;

Resolved, &c. That the Proviso be added to the Bill.

The Question being put, Whether the Words "Five Hundred Pounds" shall stand in the Bill.

The House divide.

The Yeas go forth.

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

An Amendment being made at the Table;

Resolved, &c. That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the further Relief and Discharge of poor distressed Prisoners for Debt: And that Sir Edw. Deering do carry up the Bill to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Rights of Commons in granting Money.

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the Committee to whom it was, amongst other things, referred, to prepare and draw up a State of the Rights of the Commons, in Granting of Money, a Vote agreed by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and, upon the Question, agreed; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, &c. That all Aids and Supplies, and Aids to his Majesty in Parliament, are the sole Gift of the Commons: And all Bills for the Granting of any such Aids and Supplies ought to begin with the Commons: And that it is the undoubted and sole Right of the Commons, to direct, limit, and appoint, in such Bills, the Ends, Purposes, Considerations, Conditions, Limitations, and Qualifications of such Grants; which ought not to be changed, or altered by the House of Lords.

Privilege- a person discharged.

A Petition of Godfrey Lee, now in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for a Breach of Privilege committed against Francis Earl of Longford, a Member of this House, was read; whereby he acknowledges his Offence, craves Pardon of the House, and desires that he may be discharged.

Resolved, &c. That the said Godfrey Lee be discharged of his Commitment.

And the said Godfrey Lee being called in to the Bar of the House; and there kneeling; Mr. Speaker, after a short Reprimand, acquainted him, That he was discharged, paying his Fees.

Supply Bill; Land Tax.

Resolved, &c. That Provison be made in the Bill, now depending, for raising a Supply not exceeding Four hundred and Fourteen thousand Pounds, for raising Two hundred and Six thousand Four hundred Sixty-two Pounds Seventeen Shillings and Three-pence for disbanding the Army.

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