House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 27 November 1678

Mercurii, 27 die Novembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Address for further Pardon to Bedlow.

THE House being informed, that Mr. Bedlow has something of Moment to impart; and that he desires he may have a Pardon for Misprision of Treason;

Resolved, &c. Whereas this House has received Information, That Mr. Bedloe has something of Moment to impart, relating to the Preservation of his Majesty's Person, and securing the Peace and Safety of the Government; and conceiving himself to lie under Danger in concealing the same: That therefore this House does most humbly beseech his Majesty; that he will be graciously pleased to grant Mr. Bedlow his Pardon for Misprision of Treason, to the Time of such Discovery, that he may not lie under any Difficulty or Danger in discovering the Matter.

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

Answer to Address.

Mr. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That he had attended his Majesty with the Address concerning Mr. Bedlow: And that his Majesty was pleased to say, He would think of it; and send an Answer.

Reasons against Lord's Amendments to Bill disabling Papists.

Sir Edward Deering reports from the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons to be offered at a Conference to be had with the Lords, Reasons agreed upon by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where they were twice read, and, upon the Question, agreed; and are as followeth:

To the First Amendment;

That as their Lordships have proposed their Addition, the Number of her Majesty's Portugal Servants being unlimited, it might be increased to a Degree that might be very inconvenient.

As to that Part of the Second Amendment, which relateth to her Royal Highness;

The Commons conceive it to be an Innovation in the Law, to allow any Person, except the Queen, any Family of her own, separate and distinct, while under Coverture.

Resolved, That Mr. Spencer do go up to the Lords, to desire a Conference upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference.

Mr. Spencer acquaints the House, that the Lords had agreed to a present Conference in the Painted Chamber.

Resolved, That the Persons who did prepare the Reasons, do attend, and manage the Conference.

Which they accordingly did; and delivered their Reasons: And left the Bill with the Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwyn and Sir John Hoskins;

Militia.

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That they have agreed to the Bill for preserving the Peace of the Kingdom, by raising the Militia, and continuing them in Duty for Two-and-forty Days, without any Alteration.

Lords agree to Bill disabling Papists.

They have, likewise, commanded us to acquaint you, That they have agreed to what was delivered by the Commons at the last Conference, upon the Bill concerning Papists not sitting in Parliament: And that they have appointed the Lords of the White Staff to acquaint his Majesty, That the said Two Bills are ready for his Royal Assent, and require Expedition.

State of the Army- Resolutions for disbanding it.

The House then proceeded to the Consideration of the State of the Nation, in relation to the Army.

Resolved, &c. Nemine contradicente, That it is necessary for the Safety of his Majesty's Person, and preserving the Peace of the Government, That all the Forces which have been raised since the Twenty-ninth of September 1677, and all others, that since that Time have been brought over from beyond the Seas from Foreign Service, be forthwith disbanded.

Resolved, That it is the humble Opinion and Desire of this House, That the Forces which are now in Flanders, may be immediately called over, in order to their disbanding.

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

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Manner for disbanding the Army.

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