House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 15 November 1678

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

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'House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 15 November 1678', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687, (London, 1802) pp. 540. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol9/p540 [accessed 18 March 2024]

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Veneris, 15 die Novembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Coleman's Papers.

SIR John Knight reports from the Committee appointed to examine Mr. Coleman's Papers, That the Committee had transcribed several of the Letters which were sent to Mr. Coleman, and written in Vinegar, and were difficult to be read: And had likewise translated several, which were written in French: Which he delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

And some of them were by Mr. Speaker read to the House.

Justices of Peace.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown do, on Monday Morning next, bring in a List of such Persons as have been put out of the Commission of the Peace, within the Space of Seven Years last past.

Answer to Address.

Mr. Secretary Williamson acquaints the House, That his Majesty had been attended with the Address of this House, for a Pardon to be granted to Mr. Bedlow: And that his Majesty had readily granted him a Pardon; and given Order for drawing the same.

Further Address for administering Oaths.

Sir Thomas Littleton reports from the Committee appointed to draw up the Address, concerning tendering the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to the Servants of the Queen and Duchess, an Address agreed upon by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was twice read; and, upon the Question, greed: And is as followeth; viz.

WE Your Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons, in Parliament assembled, having taken into Consideration Your Majesty's Message of the Fourteenth Instant, do humbly render our Thanks to Your Majesty, for graciously condescending so far to our Desires; and willingly granting, that a Special Commission be issued forth, for tendering the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to all Your Majesty's own Servants, all the Servants of his Royal Highness, and all other Persons residing in Whitehall, St. James, and Somerset-house, or any other of Your Majesty's Palaces or Houses, except the menial Servants of the Queen and the Duchess; as also, all Persons within either of the Serjeants Inns, or any of the Inns of Court, or Inns of Chancery.

As to the Persons excepted in this Your Majesty's Message, We, Your Majesty's Commons, do humbly advise Your Majesty, and renew our Desires, that they may be comprehended in the said Commission: For which, we do, with all Duty, lay before Your Majesty the Reasons following;

1. For the Quieting of the Minds of Your Majesty's good Protestant Subjects; who have more than ordinary Care and Solicitude for the Safety of Your Majesty's Person, by reason of the notorious Conspiracy of the Popish Party at this Time, even against the Life of Your sacred Majesty.

2. By Your Majesty's Proclamation, set forth upon the Address of both Houses, for banishing Popish Recusants Ten Miles from London, there is no such Restriction.

3. The Discouragement it would be to the whole Kingdom, to see so great a Neglect; and the Occasions that Papists would take from thence to say (as they daily do), That all our Fears are groundless.

4. It is too great Countenance to the dangerous Factions, who are already come to that Height, that it renders all manner of Discouragement on that Side necessary.

It is against the Laws and Statutes of the Realm; which, as they are preserved and maintained by Your Majesty's Authority, so we assure ourselves, You will not suffer them to be thus violated in Your own Family, and Royal Presence; and upon the Account of Popish Recusants.

Resolved, &c. That the Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council.

Address for Trial of Popish Priests.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty; desiring his Majesty, That Special Commissions of Oyer and Terminer may be issued forth, for Trying of Charles Mehaine, now in Custody in the Borough of Denbigh, and Wm. Lloyd, now in the County Gaol of Brecon, as Popish Priests.

And it is referred to Mr. Solicitor General, Colonel Birch, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr. Williams, Sir John Salisbury, Mr. Powle, Sir Wm. Coventry, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir Eliab Harvy, Mr. Mansell, Sir Tho. Meeres; or any Three of them: And they are to meet at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber, to prepare and draw up the said Address.

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