House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 3 December 1678

Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 13, 1675-1681. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1767-1830.

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'House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 3 December 1678', in Journal of the House of Lords: Volume 13, 1675-1681, (London, 1767-1830) pp. 397-400. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol13/pp397-400 [accessed 19 March 2024]

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In this section

DIE Martis, 3 die Decembris.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

Royal Highness the Duke of Yorke.
Arch. Cant.
Epus. London.
Epus. Durham.
Epus. Sarum.
Epus. Rochester.
Epus. Ely.
Epus. Bristol.
Epus. Bath & Wells.
Epus. Chester.
Epus. Bangor.
Epus. Lyncolne.
Epus. Oxon.
Epus. Exon.
Epus. St. David's.
Dux Cumberland.
Ds. Cancellarius.
Ds. Custos Privati Sigilli.
Dux Bucks.
Dux Albemarle.
Dux Monmouth.
Marq. Winton.
Marq. Worcester.
Marq. Dorchester.
Comes Oxon.
Comes Kent.
Comes Huntingdon.
Comes Bedford.
Comes Suff.
Comes Sarum.
Comes Bridgwater.
Comes North'ton.
Comes Denbigh.
Comes Clare.
Comes Westm'land.
Comes Manchester.
Comes Mulgrave.
Comes Rivers.
Comes Peterborough.
Comes Strafford.
Comes Sunderland.
Comes Scarsdale.
Comes Clarendon.
Comes Essex.
Comes Bath.
Comes Craven.
Comes Aylesbury.
Comes Shaftesbury.
Comes Guilford.
Comes Feversham.
Vicecomes Fauconberg.
Vicecomes Hallyfax.
Vicecomes Newport.
Ds. Berkeley.
Ds. Morley.
Ds. Ferrers.
Ds. De Grey.
Ds. Windsor.
Ds. Eure.
Ds. Wharton.
Ds. Pagett.
Ds. North & Grey.
Ds. Chandos.
Ds. Brooke.
Ds. Grey de W.
Ds. Pawlet.
Ds. Maynard.
Ds. Howard Esc.
Ds. Byron.
Ds. Vaughan.
Ds. Colepeper.
Ds. Lucas.
Ds. Rockingham.
Ds. Gerard B.
Ds. Cornwallis.
Ds. Freschevile.
Ds. Arundell T.
Ds. Butler M.P.

PRAYERS.

L. Wharton & al. take the Oaths.

The House was made acquainted, "That the Lord Wharton was ready and willing to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and make and subscribe the Declaration; and that the Lord Marquis of Dorchester was ready to take the Oaths, and repeat the Declaration, according to the Order Yesterday."

This Day these Lords did take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and made and subscribed the Declaration, in Pursuance of the Act, intituled, "An Act for the more effectual preserving His Majesty's Person and Government, by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament:"

Phillip Lord Wharton.

Seth Lord Bishop of Sarum.

George Duke of Buck's.

Henry Marquis of Dorchester.

Vaughans, examined before Bedloe.

Mr. Richard Vaughan, and his Son John Vaughan, being this Day brought to the Bar by the Serjeant at Arms, William Bedloe was called in; who, being asked by the Lord Chancellor, "What he had to say to these Persons?" He, looking on Richard Vaughan, said, I brought this Gentleman a Packet of Letters from the Monks at Paris, the Matter whereof was, for Richard Vaughan's holding a Consultation for carrying on the Design for Subversion of the Government; and that there was enclosed in the Packet a Letter directed to the Earl of Powis; and that Richard Vaughan sent a Letter back by him to his Daughter, a Nun at Pontois."

To which Richard Vaughan said, "That he never received any Letters from France by William Bedloe; only that Wm. Bedloe came to him, and told him he had seen his Daughter in France, and had a Letter from her to him, but it was lost by the Way." And saith, "That he never saw the Earl of Powis; but confessed he had a Daughter a Nun at Pontois."

Then William Bedloe being asked, "How he knew that the Letters were about a Consultation for carrying on the Design for Subversion of the Government?" He said, "He never carried any Letters to or from England, but he opened them by the Way, and read them; and that he offered to Richard Vaughan to carry the Letter to the Earl of Powis; but Richard Vaughan would not permit him, but undertook the Delivery of it himself."

Then William Bedloe being asked, "What he had to say to John Vaughan?" He could not charge him with any Thing; only he had been informed, "That John Vaughan was to command his Father's Money and Men."

Upon this, they being withdrawn, the Lords made the following Orders:

R. Vaughan committed.

"Whereas Richard Vaughan was this Day brought to the Bar, by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House; and there charged by William Bedloe, upon Oath, with Matters relating to the carrying on the Design against His Majesty's Person and His Government: It is thereupon ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Richard Vaughan shall stand committed to the Prison of The King's Bench, there to remain in safe Custody till further Order; and that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, or his Deputy and Deputies, take Care to convey him to the said Prison: 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 Prison of The King's Bench, his Deputy and Deputies, and every of them."

J. Vaughan discharged upon Bail.

"Whereas John Vaughan was this Day brought to the Bar, by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for Matters charged against him by Will'm Bedloe, and heard what he had to say: Upon Consideration had thereof, it is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said John Vaughan, giving good Security before the Lord Chief Justice of England to appear when he shall be thereunto required, shall be immediately discharged of his present Restraint concerning this Matter, paying his Fees; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on this Behalf.

"To Sir Geo. Charnocke Knight, Serjeant at Arms attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies, and every of them."

Hoare & al. to be examined before Lords Committees.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lords Committees for examining Persons and Papers are hereby empowered to examine James Hoare the Younger, and Mr. Beacon, and also John Gerrard and Thomas Oakeley, being all under the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, and give the House an Account thereof; as also of what their Lordships find in the Papers seized when the Sweedes were seized by William Sorocold, which Sweedes were this Day discharged at the Bar.

List of Papists in Westminster, &c. delivered in by the Justices.

This Day the Justices of the Peace delivered in a List of what Papists they find within the Liberties of Westminster. And also the Justices of Peace of the County of Midd. delivered in a List of what Papists they find within their Liberties.

Address, for Account of Papists within the Verge.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lords with White Staves do attend His Majesty, humbly to desire Him, from this House, "That His Majesty will be pleased to give Order for a special Commission to be directed to such Persons as His Majesty shall think fit, for taking an Account of the Papists that reside within His Majesty's Court at Whitehall and the Verge thereof, and Somerset House."

Lieut. Sorocold reprimanded.

William Sorocold was called in, and received the Reprehension of this House, for his Misbehaviours and irregular Proceedings; and was charged not to meddle in any Business whatsoever for the future.

Information against Whitacre, at Worcester.

A Letter was read, written to the Lord Windsor, from Worcester, dated the 30th of Nov'r, 1678, by the Mayor of Worcester, concerning Mr. Powell, and one Whitacre, who is charged for speaking scandalous Words; (videlicet,) "That there were not above Five Bishops in England that were Protestants; and those were, London, Oxon, and Exon, and Two more; and that there is one Barnesly a Priest under Custody in the City of Worcester."

Hereupon it is ordered as followeth:

Whitacre to give Bail to attend at the Bar.

"Upon Information given to this House, by the Lord Windsor, That one Mr. Edward Whitaker, of London, stands committed, in the City of Worcester, for some unbecoming Words by him there uttered, as is certified in a Letter to his Lordship, signed "Jo. Tyas, Mayor:" It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Mr. Whitaker shall give Bail before the Mayor of the City of Worcester, for his Appearance before the Lords in Parliament within Eight Days next after such Bail given, and be thereupon discharged from his present Commitment; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

"To the Mayor of the City of Worcester, and to the Gaoler or Keeper of the Prison there."

Barnsly, a Priest at Worcester, to be attached.

"Upon Information given to this House, That one Barnesly, a Romish Priest, is now under Custody in the City of Worcester: It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, or his Deputy or Deputies, shall forthwith repair to the City of Worcester, and bring thence the Body of the said Barnesly in safe Custody to the Bar of this House; 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 all His Majesty's Officers Civil and Military, to be aiding and assisting in this Service."

Tapistry-makers, Papists and Foreigners, not to be molested.

Upon reading the Petition of Francis Pointz His Majesty's Tapistry-maker, and Thomas Pointz Merchant of London; shewing, "That, by His Majesty's Encouragement, they have brought into this Kingdom, to the City of London, several Families of Tapistrymakers, some of which, being Roman Catholics, are now obliged, by His Majesty's Proclamation, to quit the same, to the Ruin of their Families, and Prejudice to the taking off Commodities of the Growth of this Kingdom; and praying that their Condition may be weighed:"

Upon Consideration had thereof, it is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Petitioners, and such Persons employed by them in making Tapistry as are of the Romish Religion, shall not be molested by His Majesty's said Proclamation, nor liable to the Penalties thereof.

The Earl of Clarendon reported, from the Committee for Examinations, an Examination, which was read, as followeth:

Rigmayden; L. Arundell's Servant, examined.

"Mr. Rigmayden, Servant to the Lord Arundell of Warder, being examined, "Whether, the latter End of the last Session of Parliament, he did not enquire after the Lodgings of all the Lords, and the Lodgings of the Members of the House of Commons?" He denied positively that he enquired after the Lodgings of any Lords, or of the Members of the House of Commons.

Information of Snow and Noble against him.

"Mr. William Snow was sworn, and examined; faith, upon his Oath, That himself and James Noble, after the End of the last Session, went to the Lord Arundell's, to ask for Money, as they usually do to all the Lords; and this Deponent did then meet with Mr. Rigmayden; and the said Mr. Rigmayden did enquire of him for the Lodgings of all the Lords, and also the Members of the House of Commons. This Deponent desired to know, "Why he did ask?" The said Mr. Rigmayden told him, "Because he had a Business to bring into Parliament the next Session."

"James Noble, being sworn and examined, faith, "That at the End of the last Session, William Snow and he this Deponent went to the Lord Arundell of Warder's House, to ask for Money, according to their usual Custom: And Mr. Rigmayden did then ask this Deponent, "Where all the Bishops did lye, and all the Lords, and their Names?" Also he did ask this Deponent, "Where all the Members of the House of Commons did lodge?" And this Deponent, not liking such an Enquiry, said, "He had nothing to do with them."

"Mr. Rigmayden, after these Two Witnesses were examined, confessed he enquired after the Lodgings of the Bishops, and none others.

"The Lords then asked Mr. Rigmayden, "What Business he had to bring into Parliament?" He answered, "It was for Mr. Weld."

"Their Lordships asked, "What Mr. Weld's Business was?" He answered, "He could not tell."

Rigmayden to be attached, and committed to The Gatehouse.

Upon Report made by the Earl of Clarendon, from the Lords Committees for Examinations of Persons and Papers concerning the horrid Design against His Majesty's Person and Government, of the Examination of Mr. Rigmayden, Servant to the Lord Arundell of Warder, concerning Matters proved upon Oath against him:

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, or his Deputy, shall forthwith attach the Body of the said Mr. Rigmayden, and deliver him into the Prison of The Gatehouse at Westminster, there to remain in safe Custody till further Order: 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 Prison, and his Deputy and Deputies, and every of them, as also to all His Majesty's Officers Civil and Military, to be aiding and assisting in this Service.

Sir F. Ratcliffe to be attached.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this Honse, his Deputy and Deputies, be, and are hereby, authorized and required forthwith to attach the Body of Sir Francis Ratcliffe, and bring him in safe Custody to the Bar of this House, to answer to such Matters as shall be there objected against him on His Majesty's Behalf; and for so doing, this shall be a sufficient Warrant.

To Sir Geo. Charnock Knight, Serjeant at Arms attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies, and to all His Majesty's Ministers and Officers Civil and Military, to be aiding and assisting in the Execution hereof.

Pound, Leave to travel.

Upon reading the Petition of Henry Pound Esquire, praying, "That he may have Liberty to travel beyond the Seas:"

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Henry Pound be, and is hereby, authorized and permitted, with his Servant Robert Short, forthwith to repair to any of His Majesty's Sea Ports of this Kingdom, and to pass thence into the Parts beyond the Seas, without the Lett, Stay, or Interruption, of any Person or Persons whatsoever: And this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Mercurii, 4tum diem instantis Decembris, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.