House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 7 May 1679

Mercurii, 7 die Maii, 1679.

Prayers.

Cragge's Estate.

A BILL to enable Joseph Cragge Esquire to sell a certain Messuage in Lincolne's Inn Fields, for the Payment of Legacies charged on the same, was read the First time.

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

Boston Writ:

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for Electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament, for the Borough of Boston in the County of Lincolne, in the room of Serjeant Ellys, now made a Judge in his Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, Westminster.

Bankrupts.

A Bill for the more easy Recovery of Debts against Bankrupts, was read the First time.

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

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Evelin have Leave to go into the Country for a few Days.

Removing Papists.

An ingrossed Bill, sent down from the Lords, intituled, An Act for freeing the City of London, and Parts adjacent, from Popish Inhabitants; and providing against other Dangers which may arise from Papists, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Securing King, &c. against Popery.

Ordered, That Sir Philip Skippon, Mr. Trefusis, Mr. Foley, Captain Deeds, Mr. Reynall, Mr. Whitehead, Mr. Colt, Dr. Jacob, Sir John Darrell, Sir Richard Cust, Mr. Harboard, Mr. Beake, Mr. Thomas Foley, Mr. Mildmay, and all the Members of this House, that are of the Long Robe, be added to the Committee to whom the Bill for securing the King and Kingdom against the Growth and Danger of Popery is committed.

Earl Danby's Impeachment.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Justice Atkins and Mr. Justice Dolben;

Mr. Speaker, We are commanded by the Lords, to acquaint this House with an Order Yesterday made, concerning the Earl of Danby; viz.

"Whereas the Earl of Danby hath adhered to the Plea of his Pardon; and prayed to be heard by his Counsel to make good the Validity of his Pardon: And whereas the Commons have, by their Speaker, in proper Person, demanded Judgment against the said Earl, as conceiving his Pardon to be illegal and void: It is Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled, That Saturday next be appointed for Hearing of the Earl of Danby to make good his said Plea." And,

We are further to acquaint you, with a Resolve also Yesterday passed, viz.

Impeachment of Earl Powys, &c.

"Resolved, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled, That the Five Lords in the Tower, viz. William Earl of Powys, William Viscount Stafford, William Lord Petre, Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour, and John Lord Bellasis, shall be brought to their Tryals upon the Impeachment against them, this Day Sevennight."

We are likewise commanded, to let this House know, That the Lords have appointed an Address to be presented to his Majesty, for naming a Lord High Steward, as well in the Case of the Earl of Danby, as the Tryal of the other Five Lords Prisoners in the Tower: And that the same shall be in Westminster-hall.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That the Lord Morpeth have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight.

A Member excused from Commitment.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Goreing be excused from his Commitment to the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Barker have Leave to go into the Country for a Week.

Earl Danby's Impeachment.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Journals, and search Proceedings, touching the Methods of Proceedings in relation to the Message this Day sent from the House of Lords; and make Report to the House, To-morrow Morning.

And it is referred to Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Francis Winnington, Mr. Powle, Mr. Foley, Colonel Birch, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir William Coventry, Mr. Rushworth, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Robert Carr, Sir Thomas Meres, Sir Thomas Littleton, Sir Eliab Harvey, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Garraway; and all the Members of this House that are of the Long Robe: And they are to meet this Afternoon in the Place where the Committee of Secrecy appointed to prepare Evidence against the Earl of Danby meets.

Preservation of the King, &c.

Resolved, &c. That this House will sit on Sunday next, to take into Consideration that Part of the King's and the Lord Chancellor's Speech, which relates to the best Ways and Means for preserving the Life of his Sacred Majesty, and for securing the Protestant Religion both in the Reign of his Majesty, and his Successors: And that the Committee of Secrecy do then present to the House an Abstract of such Matters as concern the Duke of Yorke, contained in the Papers and Writings in their Custody, relating to the Plot.

Supply Bill; disbanding the Army.

Resolved, &c. That this House will, To-morrow Morning, take into Consideration the Amendments made by the Lords, to the Bill for paying off and disbanding the Army.

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