House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 3 May 1675

Lunæ, 3 die Maii, 1675.

Prayers.

Thomas Cheret, William Conen, and Jacob Jenaer, did this Day take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, in order to their Naturalization.

Answer to Address.

Mr. Speaker reports from his Majesty, That he had delivered the Address of this House, against the Anticipation of the Customs: And his Majesty returned this Answer, He would consider of it; and that, whatever He had been, He would be, a very good Husband.

Marchant's Estate.

A Bill for payment of the Debts, and Settling the Estate of Henry Marchant, a Lunatick, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time.

Glass Manufacture.

A Bill for Encouragement of the Glass Manufacture, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time.

Hawkers, Pedlars, &c.

A Bill for Suppressing of Pedlars, Hawkers, and Petty Chapmen, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time.

Southwarke Court of Conscience.

A Bill for erecting a Court of Conscience within the Borough of Southwarke, and other Places within the Bills of Mortality, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time.

Lynn Regis Election.

A Petition of Symon Taylor, Merchant of Lynn Regis in the County of Norfolk; complaining of several undue Practices in the Electing a Member to serve for that Place, was read.

Resolved, &c. That this Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter; and report it, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Doleman's Petition.

Ordered, That the Petition of Sir Tho. Doleman, against Sir Edw. Hungerford, be read To-morrow Morning.

Earl of Danby's Impeachment.

The House then proceeded in the further Consideration of the Articles against the Lord Treasurer.

And the Third Article was read a Second time; which is as followeth; viz.

That the said Earl hath received very great Sums of Money, besides the ordinary Revenue, which have been wastfully spent; and far greater Sums than ever issued for secret Service, without Account, the King's Debts remaining unpaid; and the Stores unfurnished, and the Navy unrepaired, to the Discredit of the King and Kingdom.

And the Matter being debated;

The Question being put, That, as to the Particulars insisted on for the Proof of this Article, the House will send for the Half Year's Books of Accounts, in the Exchequer;

It passed in the Negative.

The Question being put, Whether any fit Matter does appear in the Examination of this Article, to impeach the Lord Treasurer;

It passed in the Negative.

The Fourth Article being read, and debated; which is as followeth; viz.

That the said Earl hath violated the Rights and Properties of the People, by stopping, without Authority, their legal Payments due in the Exchequer.

The Question being put, Whether any fit Matter does appear in the Examination of this Article, to impeach the Lord Treasurer;

It passed in the Negative.

The Fifth Article being read and debated; and is as followeth; viz.

That, though the Office of Lord High Treasurer of England is always very full of great and necessary Employments; yet the said Earl hath also assumed to himself the Management of the Irish Affairs, which were in precedent Times dispatched always by the Secretaries, and passed in Council; thereby interrupting the said Secretary's Office, and neglecting his own; and subtilly enabling himself the better to convert a very great Sum of Money, out of the Irish Revenues, to his own private Advantage.

The Question being put, Whether any fit Matter does appear in the Examination of this Article, to impeach the Lord Treasurer;

It passed in the Negative.

The Sixth Article was read; and debated; which is as followeth;

That the said Earl hath procured great Gifts and Grants from the Crown, whilst under great Debts, by Warrants countersigned by himself.

The Question being put, Whether any fit Matter doth appear in the Examination of this Article, to impeach the Lord Treasurer;

It passed in the Negative.

The Seventh Article was read the Second time, and debated; which is as followeth; viz.

That, about the Fourth of December 1674, at the Hearing of a Cause in the Treasury Chamber, some Act of Parliament, now in Force, were urged against a Proclamation, and contrary to what his Lordship aimed at: Whereupon the said Earl, in Contempt of the Law, uttered this arbitrary Expression, That a new Proclamation is better than an old Act; several of his Majesty's Subjects being present: And, upon his Lordship's Report to the Privy Council, the Person in Question being a Foreigner; and not obeying such Proclamation; but pursuing his Right at Law; was banished the Kingdom.

The Question being put, Whether any fit Matter does appear in the Examination of this Article, to impeach the Lord Treasurer;

It passed in the Negative.

Exporting Wool.

Ordered, That Sir Trevor Williams, Mr. Whittacre, Mr. Culliford, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Price, Mr. Foote, and Sir Joseph Ash, be added to the Committee to whom the Bill to prevent the Exportation of Wool, is committed.

State of the Navy.

Resolved, &c. That this House will To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock, proceed in the Consideration of the Matter concerning the Navy.

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