House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 24 March 1679

DIE Lunæ, 24 die Martii.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Lords take the Oaths.

This Day these Lords following 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:

Henry Lord Sandys.

William Lord Bishop of St. David's.

James Lord Bishop of Worcester.

Lords in The Tower to be examined, concerning a French Pamphlet about the Plot.

Upon Report made by the Earl of Shaftesbury, from the Lords Committees for examining Matters relating to the Discovery of the late horrid Conspiracy concerning a Pamphlet published in Print in French, concerning the said Conspiracy:

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Earl of Bridgwater, the Earl of Clarendon, and the Earl of Essex, or any Two of them, do repair to The Tower of London, and examine the Lords who are Prisoners in The Tower, in such Manner as they shall think fit, concerning the Matters mentioned in the said Pamphlet, and make Report to this House.

Adamson, Bradshaw, & al. committed.

Whereas Humphrey Adamson, George Bradshaw, and Christopher Maddison, were this Day brought to the Bar by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, where they denied what is charged against them upon Oath, concerning contriving the Death of the Earl of Shaftesbury; as also John Gazeene, who denied what is in like Manner charged with dangerous Words by him uttered relating to the King:

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Humfrey Adamson, George Bradshaw, Christopher Maddison, and John Gazeene, shall stand committed to the Prison of The Gatehouse at Westminster, there to remain Prisoners till they shall be delivered by due Course of Law; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To Sir Geo. Charnock Knight, Serjeant at Arms attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies, and to the Keeper of The Gatehouse at Westm. his Deputy and Deputies, and every of them.

English Pamphlet, about the Plot, to be enquired into.

Upon Report made by the Earl of Shaftesbury, from the Lords Committees for examining Matters relating to the late horrid Conspiracy concerning a Pamphlet published in Print in French concerning the said Conspiracy:

The House taking Notice of a Pamphlet published in English to the same Effect with that in French; it is ORDERED, That it be referred to the said Lords Committees, to examine how the said English Pamphlet came to be published, and by whom, and the Printer thereof; and make Report thereof to the House.

The Earl of Essex reported, "That, in order to their Lordships Directions on Saturday last, the Lords Committees have prepared a Bill concerning Thomas Earl of Danby."

Which was received.

Bill for disabling the E. of Danby.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for disabling Thomas Earl of Danby."

After Consideration upon the Proceedings against the Earl of Danby, the House made the ensuing Order:

E. of Danby to be attached.

"Whereas Thomas Earl of Danby is impeached, by the Commons assembled in Parliament, of Treason, and other high Crimes and Misdemeanours: It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, &c. That the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House do forthwith take the said Thomas Earl of Danby into his Custody, and bring him in safe Custody to the Bar of this House To-morrow, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon.

"To Sir Edward Carteret Knight, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies."

Message from H. C. for the E. of Danby to be committed, &c.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Henry Capell and others:

To acquaint their Lordships, "That the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the House of Commons, assembled in Parliament, had, by a Question in their House, nemine contradicente, commanded him to demand Justice of their Lordships, that Thomas Earl of Danby may be sequestered from sitting in Parliament, and committed to safe Custody."

Message to them, to acquaint them that the E. of Danby is ordered into Custody.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Tymothy Baldwin and Sir John Hoskins:

To let the House of Commons know, that the Lords, taking into Consideration the Message received from the House of Commons on Saturday last, "That the Earl of Danby might be sequestered from Parliament, and put into safe Custody," did this Morning, upon Debate, order, "That the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod do forthwith take the said Earl into Custody, and him safely keep, till he bring him to the Bar of this House To-morrow Morning:" And their Lordships thought fit to acquaint the House of Commons, that this was done before they received the last Message to that Purpose.

Mrs. Witherings, Leave to stay in Town.

This House being moved, upon the Petition of Mary Witherings Widow; shewing, "That the being, by His Majesty's late Proclamation, obliged to depart out of the Cities of London and Westm., but is not in Condition to remove, may have Leave to stay in Town, for the Recovery of her Health:"

It appearing, by the Affidavit of her Physician, that she cannot remove without manifest Danger of Death, being afflicted with great Sickness and Weakness, and is Sixty and Five Years of Age; it is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Mary Witherings be, and is hereby, authorized and permitted, with Two Women Servants, to stay in Town for the Space of One Month from the Date hereof, for the Recovery of her Health, but no longer.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, 25^um diem instantis Martii, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.