House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 11 February 1674

Mercurii, 11 die Februarii, 1673.

Lindsey Level.

ORDERED, That Sir William Killigrew have Leave to bring in a Bill for settling of Lindsey Level.

Drake's Estate.

Mr. Boscowen reports from the Committee to which the Bill for confirming Leases, and enabling Sir Francis Drake Baronet to settle a Jointure and Provisions for his younger Children, some Amendments agreed to be made; and a Proviso to be added to the Bill: Which Amendments were twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed: And the Proviso twice read; and, upon the Question, laid aside, as unnecessary.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill, with the Amendments agreed to, be ingrossed.

Answer to Address for disbanding the Army.

Mr. Speaker reports, That, in Obedience to the Commands of the House, he had delivered to his Majesty the Vote of the House, in reference to the disbanding the Standing Forces: And that his Majesty was pleased to return this Answer;

That He would take it into speedy Consideration; and give the House an Answer, which, He was confident, would satisfy them.

Croyden Vicarage.

A Bill, on the Behalf of the Town of Croyden, for settling a Maintenance for the Vicar, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

London Paving.

An additional Bill, for the better Paving the City of London, and Cleansing and Paving the Streets and Sewers of the City of London, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time, in a full House.

Message to attend the King.

A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Edw. Carteret, Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this honourable House to attend Him immediately, in the House of Lords.

And accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House went up to attend his Majesty.

Mr. Speaker, with the House, returning;

The King's Speech.

Mr. Speaker reports the Effect of his Majesty's Speech, which is as followeth; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

Conclusion of Peace, and disbanding Forces.

I HAVE pursued your Advice; and am come hither to tell you, According to your Advice and Desire, I have made a speedy, honourable, and, I hope, a lasting Peace; which is signed already.

Mr. Speaker, and You Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I told you Yesterday, in the Banqueting House, That I would give you a speedy Answer to your Address, about disbanding the Forces therein mentioned: And I do assure you, that, before you had made that Address, I had given Orders for doing of it as soon as I should be sure of the Peace; and I shall reduce them to a less Number than they were in the Year 1663.

As for those Forces that came out of Ireland, I shall give Directions for their March hence thither: But as our Forces are lessened at Land, it will be necessary to build more great Ships; seeing we shall not be safe, unless we equal the Strength of our Neighbours at Sea: Therefore I shall recommend it to your Care, to give Me Means for the effectual Doing thereof: And this is all I have to say at this time.

Thanks for Speech.

Resolved, &c. That the humble and hearty Thanks of this House be presented to his Majesty, for making a speedy Peace; and for His gracious Answer to the Address of this House, concerning the Standing Forces.

Ordered, That such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, do attend his Majesty, to know his Pleasure when this House shall be admitted into his Royal Presence.

Grievances.

The House then resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Grievances of the Nation.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir Charles Harbord took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Lords desire Concurrence to their Vote of Thanks.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Mondeford Bramston and Sir William Glascock;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have sent us down to acquaint you, that they had agreed upon a Vote of Thanks to be presented to his Majesty, for his gracious Speech; and concluding a Peace, according to their humble Advice and Desire; to which they desire the Concurrence of this House: Which is as followeth; viz.

THE Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and, in Parliament assembled, do return their humble Thanks to His Majesty, for his gracious Speech made this Day; and concluding a Peace, according to their humble Advice and Desire.

The Messengers being withdrawn; and the Vote being read;

The Messengers being again called in;

Mr. Speaker did acquaint them, that the House had considered of the Message; and would return Answer by Messengers of their own.

Conference thereon.

Ordered, That a Conference be desired with the Lords, upon the Subject Matter of the last Message: And that Mr. May do go up to the Lords, to desire a Conference.

Ordered, That it be referred to Colonel Birch, Sir Will. Coventry, Sir Charles Harbord, Sir Thom. Meeres, Mr. Sacheverell, Mr. Sawyer, Sir Rich. Temple, Sir Thom. Lee, Lord Cornbury, Mr. Powle, to withdraw, and prepare Reasons to be used at the Conference with the Lords.

Sir Will. Coventry reports the Reasons agreed by the Committee, to be used at the Conference to be had with the Lords: Which he delivered in at the Clerk's Table: And, being twice read, were, with some Amendments, agreed; and are as followeth; viz.

"That the Commons are always desirous to preserve a good Correspondence with your Lordships; and are sorry when any thing falls out that doth oblige them to decline a Concurrence to any thing proposed by your Lordships; and therefore have desired this Conference, to inform your Lordships, not only that they had resolved to return their Thanks to his Majesty; and appointed some of their Members, to pray Access to his Royal Presence, before the Receipt of your Lordships Message; but also, that something in his Majesty's Speech particularly relates to the House of Commons; which makes the Concurrence with your Lordships not so proper."

Mr. May reports, That the Lords had agreed to a present Conference with this House, in the Painted Chamber.

Ordered, That the Members appointed to draw up the Reasons, do attend the Conference with the Lords.

Sir Will. Coventry reports, That they had attended the Conference, and delivered in the Reasons of this House to the Lords.

Sir J. Bennett's Accounts.

Mr. Bartu reports, That, in Obedience to the Order of this House, they had attended the Lord Chief Baron, for the expediting Sir John Bennett's Accounts; who was pleased to declare, That he had already given Two distinct times, of Eight Days time apiece, to the Auditor, to bring in the said Accounts; but the same were not yet returned in: Of which he desired the House might be acquainted.

Resolved, &c. That the Debate of the Matter concerning Sir John Bennett's Accounts be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

Lindsey Level.

Ordered, That the Bill concerning Lindsey Level be not brought in till after Ten of the Clock.

Impeachment of Earl of Arlington.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Capell and Mr. Herbord be added to the Committee concerning the Lord Arlington.

Exiter Parishes.

Ordered, That the Committee to which the Bill concerning the City of Exiter is committed, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon, in the Place formerly appointed.

Grievances.

The House again resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the Consideration of the Grievances of the Nation.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir Charles Harbord took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Charles Harbord reports from the Committee of the whole House, That the Committee had agreed a Vote; to which he desired the Concurrence of the House: Which being twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed;

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed, to inspect the Laws lately made in Scotland; whereby an Army is authorized to march into England, or Ireland; and such other Laws as do tend to the Breach of the Union of the Two Nations; and to report the same to the House; and produce the Books.

And it is referred to Mr. Sacheverell, Sir Thom. Littleton, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir Robert Carre, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir John Duncombe, Lord Cornbury, Mr. Swinfen, Sir Char. Harbord, Sir Thom. Meeres, Colonel Strangwaies, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr. Newport, Sir Thom. Clergis, Sir Will. Coventry, Mr. Powle; or any Three of them.

Resolved, &c. That the House will on Friday Morning next, Ten of the Clock, resolve into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Grievances of the Nation.

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