House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 13 December 1680

Lunæ, 13 die Decembris, 1680.

Prayers.

Stegen's, &c. Nat.

Dirck Vander Stegen, and Mathias Cole, did, this Day, take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy at the Clerk's Table, in order to their Naturalization.

Ordered, That the Names of the said Dirck Vander Stegen and Mathias Cole, be inserted in the Bill of Naturalization.

Exporting Cloth, &c.

A Bill for Exportation of Cloth, and other Woollen Manufactures, into Turkey, was read a Second time.

And a Debate arising thereupon;

Ordered, That this Bill do lie upon the Clerk's Table.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Francis Lutterell and Sir Thomas Whitmore, Members of this House, have Leave to go into the Country.

Popish Plot.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to look into, and prepare Evidence against the Lords in the Tower, do look into the Evidence against all Persons concerned in the Popish Plot. And they are to report the Names of such Persons, together with their Opinions therein, to the House, upon the Debate of the House.

Security against Popery.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House will, on Wednesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means to secure the Kingdom against Popery, and Arbitrary Power.

Banishing Papists.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for Banishing of all Papists, and suspected Papists, from the Cities of London and Westminster, and Twenty Miles of the same; and for disarming of all Papists: With a Clause of Pains and Penalties against all such Papists as shall ride, go, or be, armed. And it is recommended to the Care of Sir William Jones, Mr. Hamden, Colonel Titus, Sir Francis Winnington, and Sir Thomas Meres, to prepare and bring in the said Bill.

A letter examined by Mr. Speaker.

The House being informed, That a Letter directed to Mr. Sherridon, was left by the common Post at Man's Coffee House;

And Mr. Man being called in; and delivering the same;

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do open the said Letter, and peruse the same.

Which was done accordingly.

And Mr. Speaker acquainting the House, That nothing but private Business was contained therein;

Ordered, That the said Letter be returned.

Lists of Papists.

Ordered, That the Knights of the respective Shires, the Citizens of the respective Cities, Burgesses of the several Boroughs, and Barons of the Cinque Ports, within this Kingdom, do, with all convenient Speed, bring in Lists of all Papists, and reputed Papists, within the said several Counties, Cities, Boroughs, and Cinque Ports.

A Member to attend a person in custody.

Ordered, That Lord Annesly, a Member of this House have Leave to repair to Mr. Sherridon.

Privilege- A person to be discharged.

A Petition of Captain William Castle, was read;

Ordered, That the said Captain Castle be brought to the Bar To-morrow Morning; and do receive the Censure of the House, upon his Knees, from Mr. Speaker.

A person to be examined.

The House being informed by Sir Gilbert Gerald, That a certain Person, whose Name it is not convenient to discover, can give an Account concerning Mr. Sherridon's Papers;

Ordered, That Sir John Hotham, Sir Gilbert Gerald, Sir Robert Thomas, and Major Bremen, do examine the said Person, and make a Report thereof to the House.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees that are discontinued, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon in the Places formerly appointed.

Proceedings of Judges.

Ordered, That Mr. Lucy be added to the Committee appointed to examine the Proceedings of the Judges in Westminster Hall; and to prepare an Impeachment against Sir Francis North, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

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