House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 15 December 1680

DIE Mercurii, 15 die Decembris.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

King present.

His Majesty, sitting in His Royal Throne, adorned with His Regal Crown and Ornaments (the Peers being likewise in their Robes), commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to signify to the House of Commons, "That they come up presently, to attend His Majesty."

The Commons being come; His Majesty made the Speech following:

His Speech.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

At the Opening of this Parliament, I did acquaint you with the Alliances I had made with Spayne and Holland, as the best Measures that could be taken for the Safety of England, and the Repose of Christendom.

But I told you withal, That if our Friendship become unsafe to trust to, it would not be to be wondered at, if our Neighbours should begin to take new Resolutions, and perhaps such as might be fatal to us.

I must now tell you, that our Allies cannot but see how little has been done since this Meeting, to encourage their Dependence upon us; and I find by them, that unless we can be so united at Home, as to make our Alliance valuable to them, it will not be possible to hinder them from seeking some other Refuge, and making such new Friendships as will not be consistent with our Safety.

Consider, that a Neglect of this Opportunity is never to be repaired.

I did likewise lay the Matter plainly before you, touching the Estate and Condition of Tangier. I must now tell you again, that if that Place be thought worth the keeping, you must take such Consideration of it, that it may be speedily supplied; it being impossible for Me to preserve it, at an Expence so far above My Power.

I did promise you the fullest Satisfaction your Hearts could wish, for the Security of the Protestant Religion; and to concur with you in any Remedies which might consist with preserving the Succession of the Crown in its due and legal Course of Descent. I do again, with the same Reservations, renew the same Promises to you.

And being thus ready on My Part to do all that can reasonably be expected from Me, I should be glad to know from you, as soon as may be, how far I shall be assisted by you, and what it is you desire from Me."

The King's Answer concerning Southall.

The Lord Chamberlain of His Majesty's Household reported, "That he and the other Lords had attended His Majesty, with the Address of this House, concerning Mr. William Southall, the Coroner of Staffordshire: To which His Majesty returns this Answer, That the Money due to him for taking the Priests shall be fully complied with; and as to his further Gratification, when the Fund shall be made out upon which it is to rise, His Majesty will have a favourable Consideration of him, and remember your Lordships Recommendation of him."

E. Thanet, Privilege, Blow & al. released.

Whereas Mr. John Blow, John his Ser vant, Merricke Nicholas, Thomas Williams, Edward Evans, and John Bentley, were this Day brought to the Bar, by the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House, and Sir John Hewit with them; who acknowledged their Offence, and asked Pardon of the Earl of Thannet, and of this House, for the same; the Earl of Thannet also desiring they may be discharged:

It is thereupon ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said John Blow, John his Servant, Merricke Nicholas, Thomas Williams, Edward Evans, and John Bentley, be, and are hereby, discharged from their present Restraint, paying their Fees; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To Sir Edward Carteret Knight, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod atten ding this House, his Deputy and Deputies, and every of them.

Protestant Dissenters, for distinguishing, Bill.

The House was adjourned into a Committee, to consider further of the Bill for distinguishing of Protestant Dissenters from Popish Recusants.

After some Debate, the House was resumed.

Repeal, 35 Eliz. Bill:

And it was moved, "That the House might be put into a Committee, to consider of the Act for repealing the Statute of 35 Eliz."

Then the House was adjourned into a Committee, to take the said Bill into Consideration.

The House was resumed.

And the Earl of Bridgewater reported, "That the Committee are of Opinion, that the said Bill is fit to pass, with some Amendments; which are offered to the Consideration of the House."

The Amendments were, to leave out the Preamble, and the Words ["therefore"] and ["said"].

Which Amendments were read Twice, and Agreed to.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act to repeal a Statute made in the 35th Year of the Reign of Queen Eliz."

The Question being put, "Whether this Bill, with the Amendments now read, shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir John Hoskyns and Sir Adam Oately:

To return the Bill to repeal the Statute of the 35th Year of Queen Eliz.; to which the Lords do agree with some Amendments, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Protestant Dissenters, for distinguishing, Bill.

Then the House was adjourned again into a Committee, to proceed in the Bill for distinguishing Protestant Dissenters from Popish Recusants.

The House was resumed.

ORDERED, That the House be put into a Committee To-morrow, to proceed in the Consideration of this Bill.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, 16^um diem instantis Decembris, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.