House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 20 December 1680

DIE Lunæ, 20 die Decembris.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Protestant Strangers, to come into England, Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the Encouragement of Protestant Strangers to come into, and inhabit, this Kingdom."

ORDERED, That the Consideration of this Bill is committed to these Lords following:

Their Lordships, or any Five; to meet in the Prince's Lodgings, To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock.

Burying in Woollen, additional Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, an Act, intituled, "An additional Act for burying in Woollen."

Atheism and Blasphemy, Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for punishing Atheism and Blasphemy."

ORDERED, That this Bill is committed to a Commit tee of the whole House.

Writs of Error brought in.

This Day the Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench brought in Three Writs of Error:

1. Between Elizabeth Berrier Plaintiff, and John Stead Defendant.

2. Between Sir Dennis Gawden and others Plaintiffs, and Thomas Rogers Defendant.

3. Between William Rawlins Plaintiff, and Thomas Snowden Defendant.

Protestant Dissenters, for distinguishing, Bill.

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

The House being resumed;

The Earl of Bridgewater reported, "That the Committee have not yet gone through the Bill; for they have appointed, that the Judges formerly appointed are to draw some Clauses, to present to the Committee at their next Sitting; which the House is desired to appoint."

Whereupon the House ordered, the Committee of the House should sit To-morrow Morning, for the finishing the said Bill.

Reading versus Commissioners of Sewers for Hatfield Level.

Upon reading the Petition of Nathaniell Reading; shewing, "That, since the Order of this House, made the Thirteenth Day of July, 1678, in the Case then before their Lordships, between the said Nathaniell Reading and the Commissioners of Sewers for Hat feild Levell, he is, pursuant to the said Order, come to a final Agreement with the said Commissioners, for all Monies due to him for his Service in the said Level, and hath accordingly signed the Journal Book of their Court:" And further shewing, "That, in re- gard that the said Commissioners (if such Agreement were not made) were required to put in their Answers to the said Nathaniell Reading's Complaint against them concerning that Matter, the said Commissioners enjoined the said Nathaniell Reading to supplicate this House on their Behalf, that they may not be judged to be in Contempt for not answering as aforesaid, and that their said Agreement with him may be confirmed by this House; and therefore praying, that the said Agreement (to his Petition annexed) made between the said Commissioners of Sewers and the Petitioner may be confirmed, that so he may be enabled to put the said Agreement in Execution:"

It is thereupon ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Agreement, as it stands particularized and expressed in the Decree made by the said Commissioners comprising the same, whereunto the Royal Assent is given, and which stands filed among the Records in Chancery, is hereby confirmed, so that he may be enabled to put the said Agreement in Execution, unless any Cause shall be shewed to this House to the contrary within One Month next after the Date of this Order: And further, the said Commissioners for the Time being are to give him their Assistance herein, and to examine what Charges he hath been put to by their not performing the said Agreement, and to pay the same to him in such Manner as they have paid their own.

Barret versus St. Leger.

Whereas, on the 16th Instant, upon the Petition of John St. Leger Esquire, this House had appointed to hear Counsel at the Bar, on the 20th Day of January next, upon the Appeal of John Barret Esquire, from a Decree made in the Court of Chancery in Ireland, and the Answer of the said John St. Leger put in thereunto; it appearing, by the Petition of the said John Barret read this Day, that he is now in Ireland for the Reasons therein suggested; and praying (amongst other Things) that, if this House will proceed to hear his said Appeal, he may have Time to come and attend the same:

It is thereupon ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House will hear Counsel, at the Bar, upon the said Appeal and Answer, on Tuesday the First Day of February next peremptorily; whereof the said John Barret is hereby to take Notice, as also to cause timely Notice to be given to the said John St. Leger, to the End both Parties may attend accordingly.

D. of Monmouth, Privilege: Mason released.

Upon reading the Petition of John Mason Clerk, now in the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, expressing his hearty Sorrow for uttering unbecoming and rash Words derogatory to the Honour of the Parliament, and also of his Grace the Duke of Mon mouth; and humbly begging the Pardon of this House and the said Duke for his said Offence, and praying that he may be discharged:

It is thereupon ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled (the Duke of Monmouth remitting what was said against him), That the said John Mason be forthwith discharged from his present Restraint for his said Offence, paying his Fees; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To Sir George Charnock Knight, Serjeant at Arms attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies, and every of them.

E. of Thanet, Privilege: Matson to be attached, for distraining upon One of his Tenants.

Upon Complaint and Oath made at the Bar, "That Robert Matson, on the 30th of July last, within the Time of Privilege of Parliament, contrary to the said Privilege, did distrain upon the Farm of John Lidgator, being the Inheritance of the Earl of Thannet, a Peer of this Realm, for Eighty Pounds, pretended to be due to one Dorotby Matson:"

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 attach the Body of the said Robert Matson, and bring him in safe Custody to the Bar of this House, to answer for his said Breach of Privilege; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To Sir George Charnock Knight, Serjeant at Arms attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies, and to all Mayors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, Constables, and other His Majesty's Officers, to be aiding and assisting in the Execution hereof.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, 21^um diem instantis Decembris, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Hitherto examined, this 4th of Jan. 1680, by us,

J. Bridgewater.
Winchilsea.
P. Bath & Wells.
Tho. Exon.