House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 31 December 1680

Veneris, 31 die Decembris, 1680.

Prayers.

Importing Guns.

A BILL prohibiting the Importation of Foreign Guns, was read a Second time.

The Question being put, That the Bill be committed;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Bill be rejected.

Making Casks, &c.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for regulating the Abuses in Making of Casks, Barrels, and other Vessels.

Weights and Measures.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to peruse the Laws relating to Weights and Measures; and to report their Opinions therein to the House; and to bring in a Bill or Bills for the better regulating and ascertaining the same.

And it is recommended to Mr. Boscawen, Sir George Downing, Colonel Birch, Sir Francis Russell, Sir Edward Harley, Sir John Clobery, Mr. Slater, Sir Trevor Williams, Sir John Otway, Mr. Colt, Sir John Trevor, Sir Thomas Player, Mr. Paul Foley, Sir Richard Cust, Mr. Burdett, Serjeant Maynard, Sir Thomas Clarges, Sir Robert Clayton.

Foreign Protestants Nat.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for a general Naturalization of all alien Protestants, giving them Leave to exercise their Trades in Corporations.

And it is recommended to the Care of Colonel Birch, Sir Thomas Clarges, Mr. Duboys, Sir George Downing, Sir John Knight, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Sir Antony Irby, Sir Trevor Williams, Sir Thomas Meres, Sir Robert Clayton, Mr. Love, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Sir John Darrell, Mr. Forester, Mr. Harbord, Sir Henry Capell, Mr. Powle, Mr. Boscawen, Sir John Otway, Lord Russell, Sir Henry Ford, Mr. Colt, Sir Hump. Foster, Sir Tho. Player, Mr. Pilkington, Sir Edward Harley, Sir William Waller, Sir John Moreton, or any Three of them, to prepare and draw up the same.

Arbitrary Fines.

A Bill for the Relief of the Subject against arbitrary Fines, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Paul Foley, Sir William Jones, Sir Fra. Winnington, Mr. Conningsby, Mr. Duboys, Sir John Hotham, Mr. Boscawen, Sir John Otway, Serjeant Seyce, Colonel Jefferyes, Sir William Bastard, Sir John Knight, Sir Edward Harley, Sir Henry Capell, Sir Richard Cust, Sir Thomas Clarges, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Colt, Mr. Hamden, Serjeant Maynard, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Mr. Love, Mr. Powle, Mr. Treby, Mr. Upton, Mr. White, Sir Samuel Bernardiston, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Bond, Sir Robert Markham, Sir Wm. Poultney, Sir Walter Young, Mr. Gee, Mr. Harbord, Mr. Coryton, Sir Wm. Ellis, Sir Roger Hill, Sir Thomas Stringer, Sir Richard Corbett, Sir William Yorke, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. W horwood: And they are to meet at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Answer to Application for Papers.

Mr. Hyde acquaints the House, That his Majesty, according to the Order of the House, having been attended by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, desiring his Majesty to give Order, That such Evidences and Informations as were given in to the Council by Mr. Serjeant, and others, in the Case of John Gaven, executed for High Treason; and for all other Evidences, Papers, Writings, Letters, and Informations delivered in to the Council, relating to the Popish Plot: might be communicated to this House; his Majesty was pleased to declare his Commands, That the same should be delivered accordingly.

And further acquainted the House, That Sir John Nicholas, One of the Clerks of the Council, had assured him, That all the said Papers were already transmitted to the House of Lords.

Committees added.

Ordered, That all the Members of the Long Robe be added to the Committee appointed to receive Informations relating to the Popish Plot.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning next, Eight of the Clock.