House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 4 April 1679

Veneris, 4 die Aprilis, 1679.

Prayers.

Liberty of the Subject.

SIR Thomas Clerges reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for the better securing the Liberty of the Subject, was committed, That the Committee had met; and had gone through the Bill; and had made some Amendments: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were twice read, and, upon the Question, severally agreed to.

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

Windsor Election.

Ordered, That the Report, touching the Election for Windsor, be made To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock.

Popish Recusants.

An ingrossed Bill, sent down from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better Discovery, and more speedy Conviction of Popish Recusants, was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be committed to Mr. Buscawen, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir John Talbot, Sir Tho. Stringer, Mr. Mompesson, Sir Samuel Bernardiston, Sir Henry Capell, Sir Chris. Musgrave, Sir Thomas Meres, Sir George Downing, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Powle, Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hotham, Sir Halswell Tynt, Lord Cavendish, Sir John Knight, Sir John Trevor, Mr. Thyn, Master of the Rolls, Mr. Ayliffe, Sir Tho. Grosvenor, Sir Gervase Elwes, Lord Annesley, Sir John Cloberry, Mr. Reynall, Sir Robert Cleyton, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Wright, Mr. Bockland, Mr. Onslow, Sir John Coventry, Sir Tho. Player, Sir Robert Markham, Mr. Duboys, Sir Francis Russell, Sir John Wyn, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Alderman Love, Sir Walter Young, Sir Thomas Middleton, Sir Wm. Coventry, Sir John Guyes, Serj. Seys, Mr. Upton, Mr. Gerrard, Mr. Hamden, Sir Nic. Carew, Mr. Swinfen, Sir John Mallet, Mr. Hopkins, Sir Edward Deering, Sir Richard Corbet: And they are to meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are to bring in a Clause, to prevent any of the Royal Family from matching with Popish Recusants.

Apprehension of a Person.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for the Apprehending of Mr. Robert Brent.

Search to be made for a Paper.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Southwell do inquire and search into his Papers, and with the Clerks of the House of Lords, Whether there be a Letter, written by the Lord Stafford, that has not as yet been communicated to the Committee of Secrecy, appointed by this House; and give the House an Account thereof To-morrow Morning.

Conference on Earl of Danby's Attainder Bill.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir John Franklyn;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords desire a present Conference with this House, in the Painted Chamber, concerning the Bill sent up against the Earl of Danby.

The Messengers being withdrawn;

Resolved, &c. That this House will meet the Lords at a present Conference in the Painted Chamber.

Ordered, That Mr. Powle, Sir Fran. Winnington, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir William Coventry, Mr. Seymour, Sir John Trevor, Colonel Birch, Sir Tho. Player, Sir Thomas Meers, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Hamden, Sir Henry Capell, Colonel Titus, Sir Robert Carr, Mr. Thyn, Sir Eliab Harvey, do attend, and manage the Conference.

Sir Francis Winnington reports from the Conference, That the Lord Privy Seal managed the Conference: And that what he delivered, was to this Effect;

That the Lords chose to deliver back this Bill by Conference rather than Message, to preserve a good Understanding, and prevent Debate or Controversy between them.

The Lords observe, That the great Affairs of this Nation are at a Stand, at a Time of the greatest Danger and Difficulty that this Kingdom ever laboured under.

That the King hath always in his Reign inclined to Mercy and Clemency to all his Subjects.

Therefore, to a King so merciful and compassionate, the first Interruption of his Clemency, they did desire, should not proceed from the Two Houses pressing the King to an Act of the greatest Severity.

Therefore have passed the Bill, with some Amendments: Which he delivered.

And the Amendments being brought to the Table, and there once read;

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Report be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

A Person to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Clare do, from time to time, attend the Committee of Secrecy, appointed by this House, as they shall think necessary; and receive their Directions.

Address for apprehending Earl of Danby.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty to issue out his Royal Proclamation, clamation for the Apprehending of Thomas Earl of Danby, with the usual Penalties upon such as shall conceal him: And that his Majesty will be further pleased to give Order to the Officers of his Majesty's Houshold, That they take Care, that the said Earl of Danby be not permitted to reside within either of his Majesty's Palaces of Whitchall, Somerset House, and St. James's.

And it is referred to Mr. Powle, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Tho. Meres, Sir Wm. Coventry, Mr. Bennet, Sir Robert Carr, Sir Thomas Lee, Colonel Birch, Colonel Titus, Sir John Trever, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir Fran. Winnington, to prepare and draw up the same; and present it to the House, To-morrow Morning.

Exporting Leather.

Ordered, &c. That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for Exportation of Leather.

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