House of Lords Journal Volume 14: 18 March 1689

DIE Lunæ, 18 die Martii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

M. de Halyfax Speaker pro Tempore.

Lords take the Oaths.

This Day these Lords following took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, in Pursuance of the Acts:

Pawlet Earl of Bolingbrooke.

William Viscount Say and Seale.

John Lord Arundell of Trerice.

Absent Lords excused.

A Letter from the Lord Stawell to the Speaker was read.

And Anthony Morery and Miles Stowell, upon their Oaths given them at the Bar, deposed, "That the Lord Stawell is not in a Condition of Health able to come up and give his Attendance on this House."

Upon this, the House excused his Lordship's Absence.

Also William Edwards and Samuell Bleake, upon Oath, deposed, "That they believe the Lord Leigh is in such an ill Condition of Health, that he is not able to come and give his Attendance on this House."

So this House dispensed with his Absence.

Likewise Mathewe Wright and Thomas Wedgood, upon their Oaths, deposed at the Bar, "That the Lord Ferrers is in so ill a Condition of Health, that he is not able to come up and give his Attendance on this House."

Upon this, the House excused his Absence.

Also Culppeper Tanner and Daniell Clarke testified, upon Oath, "That the Earl of Exciter was so ill, as they did believe he was not able to give his Attendance on this House."

And so his Absence was dispensed with.

Next, John Brockhurst and Rawlins deposed, upon Oath, "That the Lord Bishop of Coventry and Litchfeild is so ill of the Strangury and the Stone, at Coventry, that they believe he is not able to come to London, to give his Attendance on this House."

Upon which, he was excused.

Also William Kenving and Agnes Macdonell deposed, upon their Oaths, at this Bar, "That the Earl of Litchfeild hath lately had a Fall from a Horse, whereby he is so bruised, that they believe he is not in a Condition at present to come and attend this House."

Upon which, he was excused.

Then Jonathan Andrewes and John Waite declared, upon their Oaths, "That the Lord Bishop of Worcester is weak in Body, and very aged, that they believe he is not in a Condition able to give his Attendance on this House."

Upon this, the House excused him.

A Letter was read, from the Lord Bishop of Hereford, giving an Account of his long Weakness, and his great Age of Eighty-six Years.

The House dispensed with his Absence.

The House was informed, "That the Earl of Strafford, in Obedience to their Lordships, is coming up in a Litter; and intended to give his Attendance on this House as soon as he is able."

Bp. of St. David's to attend the House.

A Letter, written to One of the Lord Bishops, from the Bishop of St. David's, was read.

And the House did direct that a Letter should be written to him, to let him know, "That his Letter was not satisfactory; and did expect he should come and attend this House within a Week, or send Two Witnesses to attest upon Oath, that he is not able to attend the House."

Bill for abrogating the Oaths.

ORDERED, That the Bill concerning Oaths shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning, by a Committee of the whole House.

Message from H. C. with Bills.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Hampden Senior and others; who presented Two Bills, passed by the Commons:

"1. An Act for the granting of a present Aid to Their Majesties."

"2. An Act for abrogating the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and establishing others in their Places."

To which Bills the Commons desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Bill for a present Aid.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the granting a present Aid to Their Majesties."

ORDERED, That this Bill be read the Second Time To-morrow Morning.

Commissioners of Great Seal Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for enabling the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal to execute the Office of Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper."

Bill from H. C. for abrogating the Oaths, and establishing new Ones.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the abrogating the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and establishing others in their Place."

ORDERED, That all the Lords in Town have Notice to give their Attendance on this House To-morrow Morning.

Williams versus Reade.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Cause which was appointed to be heard To-morrow, wherein Walter Williams is Plaintiff, and Richard Reade and others Defendants, be, and is hereby, put off, to be heard on Tuesday next, being the 26th of March Instant, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon.

Williams versus Mellish.

Upon hearing Counsel this Day on both Sides at the Bar, upon the Petition and Appeal of Elizabeth Williams late Widow (now the Wife of Marmaduke Roberts) and Administratrix of Roger Williams deceased (her late Husband) from a Decree made in the High Court of Chancery, wherein Edward Mellish was Plaintiff and the Petitioner's Husband Defendant; as also upon the Answer of the said Edward Mellish put in thereunto:

After due Consideration had of what was offered by Counsel on either Part thereupon, it is ORDERED and Adjudged, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Petition and Appeal of Elizabeth Williams (and Marmaduke Roberts) brought into this House the 30th of May 1685, be, and is hereby, dismissed this House; and that the said Decree from which he or she appealed be, and is hereby, affirmed: And it is further ORDERED, That the Recognizance entered into (dated the 17th of June, Anno Domini 1685) for paying such Costs as this House should think fit, be, and is hereby, vacated.

Adjourn.

Marq. de Halyfax, Orator Procerum pro Tempore, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, videlicet, 19^um diem instantis Martii, hora nona Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.