House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 12 March 1679

DIE Mercurii, 12 die Martii.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

E. Mulgrave takes the Oaths.

This Day John Earl of Mulgrave took the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and made and subscribed the Declaration, in Pursuance of the Act for the more effectual preserving of the King's Person and Government, by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament.

Popish Recusants, for better Discovery, of, Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the better Discovery and more speedy Convicting of Popish Recusants."

ORDERED, That this Bill is committed to the Committee of the whole House; and to be taken into Consideration on Friday Morning next.

State of Appeals and Impeachments of last Parliament not finished.

The Earl of Shaftesbury reported, "That the Committee appointed Yesterday, to consider in what State the Impeachments in the last Parliament now stand, have perused the Journal of this House; and find that, the 5th Day of December 1678, the Impeachments against the Five Lords now Prisoners in The Tower were brought from the House of Commons, which consisted of a general Charge of Treason and other high Crimes; the House of Commons declaring they would in convenient Time exhibit the Articles of their Charge against them.

"The next Day, this House appointed to go upon the Consideration of these Impeachments; and all the Judges were appointed to be then present: But nothing was done thereon.

"The Lords Committees do also find, that an Impeachment of High Treason, and other high Crimes, against Thomas Earl of Danby, Lord Treasurer, was brought from the House of Commons, the 23th Day of December, 1678; and the particular Articles then exhibited: And the Commons desired that he might be sequestered from his Place in Parliament, and committed to safe Custody.

"That the Lord Treasurer desired Copies of all Papers and Proceedings concerning this Business; and that it was then resolved, upon the Question, That the Lord Treasurer should not then withdraw.

"It further appears, that, on the 26th of December, 1678, the Lord Treasurer moved the House, for a Copy of his Charge, and that he might not lie long under it: Whereupon it was moved, That the House would consider of the Desire of the House of Commons, concerning his Consinement.

"The Debate was adjourned.

"It appears that this House, on the 27 of Decem. resolved, That the Lord Treasurer should not now be consined; and ordered, That he should have a Copy of the Articles, to which he was appointed to bring in his Answer before the Third Day of January; and that he might have Counsel to assist him."

State of Impeachments to be considered.

Upon Report made, by the Earl of Shaftesbury, from the Lords Committees for Examination of the late horrid Conspiracy, concerning the Impeachments brought up from the House of Commons in the last Parliament, how they stand entered in the Journal of this House:

It is ORDERED, That it be, and is hereby, referred to the Lords Committees for Privileges, to consider of the State of the said Impeachments, and all the Incidents relating thereunto; and to report their Opinion thereupon unto this House.

Committee for the Plot to send for Persons, Papers, &c.

ORDERED, That it be, and is hereby, referred to the Lords Committees for examining Matters relating to the Discovery of the late horrid Conspiracy, to send for and examine such Persons as they shall think fit, who have declared, or shall declare and publish, "That the Persons, or any of them, who have been executed as guilty of the said Conspiracy, were innocent, and have suffered wrongfully;" as also to send for such Justices, Constables, and other Persons, as they shall think fit, who were intrusted with the Execution of His Majesty's late Proclamations, for banishing Popish Recusants from the Cities of London and Westminster; and to enquire an Account why the said Proclamations have not been effectually pursued; and make Report thereof unto the House.

House to be called.

ORDERED, That on this Day Fortnight, being the Twenty-sixth Day of this Instant March, this House shall be called; on which Day also the Roll of the Standing Orders of this House shall be read in the House.

Members of the Convocation to take the Oaths.

ORDERED, That the Lords of the Bishops Bench do prepare a Bill, to be presented to this House, whereby the Members of the Convocation may be enjoined to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and subscribe the Declaration, according to the Directions of the Act for the more effectual Preservation of the King's Person and Government, by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, 13^um diem instantis Martii, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.