House of Lords Journal Volume 15: 29 March 1694

DIE Jovis, 29 Martii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

D. Bolton, Privilege waved in Billingsley et al. Cause:

Upon reading this Day, in the House of Peers, the Petition of Lewis Billingsley Esquire, John Lauze Esquire, and others, the Creditors of Sir Christopher and Sir William Wray Baronets, deceased; shewing, "That, some Time since, they exhibited their Bill in Chancery, against his Grace the Duke of Bolton, to which he hath answered; and the Cause is at Issue, and Witnesses may be examined on either Side; and the Petitioners Witnesses being aged and infirm, if not examined before their Death, the Petitioners may be in great Danger of losing their just Right:"

Hereupon his Grace the Duke of Bolton was pleased voluntarily to declare, "He would wave his Privilege, not only as to the examining of Witnesses (as desired), but also throughout the whole Proceedings of the said Cause."

Mutiny Bill, Lords Reasons for insisting on their Amendments to it:

The Lord President reported from the Committee, appointed to draw Reasons to be offered, at a Conference with the House of Commons, for insisting on their Lordships Amendments to the Bill, intituled, "An Act for continuing the Act for punishing Officers and Soldiers, who shall mutiny, or desert Their Majesties Service, and for punishing false Musters, and for the Payment of Quarters for one Year longer."

Which were read, as followeth; (videlicet,)

"The Lords insist on their Amendments, because a petty Constable is an ancient and legal Officer, entrusted with the Execution of many Things of great Importance; and, being always near at Hand, is properly added to the Justice of Peace and High Constable, who may often live remote from the several Places where Men are listed to be Soldiers.

"This Act being also to determine in this very Year, wherein Levies have been thought necessary for the Defence of the Nation, and the Time being so far spent for making the said Levies; the Lords conceive the listing of Soldiers should not be made more difficult, at this Time, than is necessary to secure the Subject from being forced into the Service."

To which the House agreed.

Message to H. C. for a Conference about them.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir Lacon Wm. Child:

To desire a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Subject-matter of the last Conference.

Answer.

The Messagers sent to the House of Commons return this Answer:

That the Commons will give a present Conference, as desired.

ORDERED, That the Committee who drew the Reasons shall be Managers of the Conference.

Report of the Conference.

The Commons being come to the Conference; the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference.

Which being ended, the House was resumed.

And the Lord President reported, "That they had attended the Conference, as commanded."

D'Offarrell, Nat. Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for naturalizing Johanna D'Offarrell an Infant, and her Sister and Two Brothers."

ORDERED, That the Consideration of the said Bill shall be committed to the Lords following; (videlicet,)

Their Lordships, or any Three of them; to meet To-morrow, at Nine of the Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Vexatious Suits, to prevent, Bill.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House shall be put into a Committee, upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act to prevent frivolous and vexatious Suits," on Wednesday next.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, (videlicet,) tricesimum diem instantis Martii, hora undecima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.