House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 23 May 1678

Jovis, 23 die Maii, 1678.

Prayers.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from the King, by Sir Edward 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.

And the House being returned;

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reports, That he had attended his Majesty: And that his Majesty, in what he did deliver, was pleased to make use of his Paper: And that, to avoid Mistakes, he had obtained a Copy of it: Which he read to the House; and is as followeth; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen;

WHEN I met you last, I asked your Advice upon the great Conjunctures abroad. What return You, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, made me, and whether it was suitable to the End I intended (which was the Saving of Flanders) I leave to yourselves, in cold Blood, to consider. Since I asked your Advice, the Conjunctures abroad, and our Distempers, which influence them so much, have driven Things violently on towards a Peace; and where they will end, I cannot tell; but will say this only to you, That I am resolved, as far as I am able, to save Flanders, either by a War, or a Peace, which Way soever I shall find most conducing towards it: And That must be judged by Circumstances, as they play from abroad.

For my own Part, I should think being armed were as necessary to make Peace as War; and therefore, if I were able, would keep up my Army and Navy at Sea for some time, till a Peace were concluded, if That must be: But, because That will depend upon your Supplies, I leave it to you to consider, Whether to provide for their Subsistence so long, or for their Disbanding sooner; and to take care in either Case, not to discourage or use ill so many worthy Gentlemen, and brave Men, who came to offer their Lives and Service to their Country upon this Occasion; and in Pursuit of your own Advices and Resolutions. I must put you likewise in mind of a Branch of my Revenue, which is now expiring; and of another greater, which is cut off by a Clause in the Poll Bill; as also of the Two hundred thousand Pounds, taken up upon the Credit of the Excise at your Request: And I shall consent to any reasonable Bills you shall offer me, for the Good and Safety of the Nation.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I shall say no more, but only to assure you, whatsoever some ill Men would have believed, I never had any Intentions but of Good to you and my People, nor ever shall; but will do all that I can for your Safety and Ease, as far as you yourselves will suffer me: And since these are my Resolutions, I desire you will not drive me into Extremities, which must end ill both for you and me, and (which is worst of all) for the Nation; which we ought all to have equal Care of: Therefore I desire we may prevent any Disorders or Mischiefs that may befall them by our Disagreement: And, in case they do, I shall leave it to God Almighty to judge between us, who is the Occasion of it.

One Thing more I have to add; and that is, to let you know, That I will never more suffer the Course and Method of passing Laws to be changed: And that, if several Matters shall ever again be tacked together in one Bill, That Bill shall certainly be lost, let the Importance of it be never so great.

The rest I leave to my Lord Chancellor.

Hearth Money.

A Bill for the better and more easy collecting the Duty of Hearth Money, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time on Monday next, after Ten of the Clock.

Grand Committees.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Religion do sit every Monday at Two of the Clock, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Grievances do sit every Wednesday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Trade do sit every Friday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Courts of Justice, do sit every Saturday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That a Committee of Elections and Privileges be appointed, of these Members following:

Sir Tho. Meeres, Col. Birch, Sir John Coriton, Sir John Rolles, Sir John Lowther, Sir John Trevor, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Sir Tho. Mompesson, Sir Robert Thomas, Mr. John Wright, Sir John Hobart, Sir Hen. Capell, Lord Ancram, Mr. Mallock, Sir John Moreton, Mr. Crouch, Sir Eliab Harvy, Sir John Knight, Sir Fr. Rolles, Sir Wm. Lowther, Sir Rob. Dillington, Mr. Booth, Mr. Robert Wright, Sir John Cotton, Mr. Whitacre, Sir Ch. Wheeler, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Sam. Bernardiston, Lord Clifford, Sir John Covert, Sir Tho. Stringer, Mr. Hall, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Osborne, Sir Tho. Meadows, Colonel Phillips, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Walker, Mr. Norley, Serjeant Gregory, Sir John Mallett, Mr. Vane, Sir Joseph Ash, Sir Tho. Allen, Mr. Cooke, Sir Rich. Everard, Lord Latimer, Mr. Ayliffe, Mr. Howard, Mr. Spry, Mr. Collingwood, Mr. Reeves, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir Tho. Clerges, Mr. Finch, Lord Hawley, Mr. St. John, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Fr. Drake, Mr. Newport, Sir Ad. Browne, Mr. Bertie, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Stawell, Mr. Buscawen, Mr. Knowles, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Tempest, Mr. Foote, Colonel Norton, Sir Lewis Palmer, Sir Wm. Wentworth, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Ph. Howard, Mr. Newport, Sir Geo. Reeves, Mr. Thyn, Sir Jona. Trelawny, Mr. King, Sir John Heath, Mr. Gray, Sir Edward Deering, Sir John Holman, Sir Wm. Coventry, Mr. Sacheverell, Mr. Powle, Mr. Marvell, Lord Ashley, Sir Trevor Williams, Mr. Garraway, Lord Castleton, Mr. Godolphin, Mr. Buller, Sir John Barnaby, Mr. May, Sir John Dawney, Sir Robert Markham, Sir Lanc. Lake, Mr. Secretary Williamson, Sir John Napier, Mr. Westphaling, Mr. Tregonwell, Mr. Harbord, Sir John Hotham, Sir Wm. Hickman, Mr. Mounson, Sir Ph. Monckton, Sir Rich. Wiseman, Mr. Williams: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock in the Speaker's Chamber; and to meet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday: And to take into their Consideration all such Matters as shall or may come in Question, touching Returns, Elections, and Privileges; and to proceed upon Double Returns, in the First Place; and to report their Proceedings, with their Opinions therein, to the House, from time to time: And all Persons that will question Returns already made, are to do it in Fourteen Days next, and so in Fourteen Days after any new Return shall be brought in: And the said Committee is to have Power to send for Witnesses, Persons, Papers, and Records, for their Information. And all Members, who are returned for Two or more Places, to make their Elections by this Day Three Weeks, for which of the Places they will serve, provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place: And, if any thing shall come in Question, touching the Return, Election, or Matter of Privilege of any Member of this Committee, such Member is to withdraw, during the Time the Matter, which concerns himself, is in Debate.

An Order of the Second Day of April 1677, concerning Bribery and Drinking at Elections of Members to serve in Parliament, was read, as followeth:

Resolved, &c. That if any Person hereafter, to be elected into a Place, for to sit, and serve in the House of Commons for any County, City, Town, Port, or Borough, after the Teste, or the issuing out of the Writ or Writs of Election, upon the Calling or Summoning of any Parliament hereafter; or after any such Place becomes vacant hereafter in the Time of Parliament; shall by himself, or by any other on his Behalf, or at his Charge, at any Time before the Day of his Election; give any Person or Persons, having Voice in any such Elections, any Meat or Drink, exceeding, in the true Value, Ten Pounds in the Whole, in any Place or Places, but in his own Dwelling House or Habitation, being the usual Place of his Abode for Six Months last-past; or shall, before such Election be made and declared, make any other Present, Gift, or Reward, or any Promise, Obligation, or Engagement, to do the same, either to any such Person or Persons in particular, or to any such County, City, Town, Port, or Borough, in general; or to or for the Use and Benefit of them, or any of them; every such Entertainment, Present, Gift, Reward, Promise, Obligation, or Engagement, is by this House declared to be Bribery: And such Entertainment, Present, Gift, Reward, Promise, Obligation, or Engagement, being duly proved, is and shall be a sufficient Ground, Cause, and Matter to make every such Election void, as to the Person so offending; and to render the Person, so elected, incapable to sit in Parliament by such Election: And hereof the Committee of Elections and Privileges is appointed to take especial Notice and Care; and to act and determine Matters coming before them accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That the said Order do continue a Standing Order of the House; and an Instruction to the Committee of Elections and Privileges; and to commence from the said Second Day of April 1677.

Grantham Election.

A Petition of Sir Wm. Ellis Baronet, was read; complaining of an undue Return of Sir Robert Markham Baronet, to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Grantham in the County of Lincolne, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Shrewsbury Election.

A Petition of Edward Kynaston Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Richard Corbet to serve for the Town of Shrewsbury in the County of Salop, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Newport Election.

A Petition of John Coryton Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Ambrose Manaton Esquire, to serve for the Borough of Newport, in the County of Cornwall, in Injury of the Petitioner, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Durham Election.

A Petition of William Tempest Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of John Parkhurst Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Durham, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Lords Journal to be inspected.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect and peruse the Journal of the House of Lords, and see what Entry is there made of my Lord Chancellor's Speech; and report the Matter to the House.

And it is referred to Mr. Powle, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Sachaverell, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Garraway, Mr. Thyn, Sir Hen. Ford, Sir Robert Thomas, Sir Tho. Meeres, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Hen. Capell, Sir John Mallet, Sir Wm. Hickman, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Wm. Coventry, Sir John Knight; or any Three of them.

Westbury Election.

A Petition of Wm. Trenchard Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Henry Berty Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Westbury in the County of Wilts, in Injury of the Petitioner; who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Plimton Election.

A Petition of Richard Strode Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of George Treby Esquire, to serve for the Borough of Plimton Earle in the County of Devon, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter of the said Petition; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Petition from Aldborough.

A Petition on the Behalf of the Burghers of the Borough of Aldborough, in the County of Yorke, was presented to the House; and read.

And some Exceptions being taken to the said Petition;

The same was withdrawn.

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