House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 20 February 1668

Die Jovis, 20 Februarii, 1667.

Leave of Absence.

ORDERED, That Sir Edward Thourland, his Royal Highness's Solicitor, have Leave, for a Week, to go into the Country, to attend the Assizes in a Trial wherein his Highness is concerned.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Peckham, being concerned to give Evidence in case of Murder, have Leave to go into the Country for a Week, to attend the Assizes.

Ordered, That Sir Edward Masters, having been lately sick of a Fever, and still indisposed, have Leave to go into the Country for Recovery of his Health.

Ordered, That no Motion for Leave for any Person to go into the Country be made till after Ten of the Clock in the Morning.

Prices of Wines, &c.

A Bill, sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better Execution of the Laws concerning the Prices of Wines; and for Prevention of the Sophistication of them; was read the Second time.

Ordered, That the further Debate, touching the Committing of this Bill, be adjourned till Saturday Morning Ten of the Clock.

Ordered, That the Petition of the Spanish Merchants be taken into Consideration, next after the Debate of the Bill concerning Wines.

Miscarriages of the War.

The House then resumed the Debate of the Report concerning Miscarriages in the late War:

And the Paper of the Report relating to the Miscarriage in not prosecuting the Victory in the first Summer's Engagement; and the Resolve of the Committee thereupon; being read; and debated;

Resolved, &c. That the Word "greatest" be inserted into the Resolve:

That the Word "Conduct" be omitted. Which was done accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That the not prosecuting the Victory, in the first Summer's Engagement, according to those Orders of his Royal Highness, was one of the greatest Miscarriages in the late War.

Resolved, &c. That Sir John Harman do forthwith attend this House.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Brooke and Sir Robert Carre do wait upon his Highness, and desire his Highness, that he would be pleased to give Command to his Secretary, to give Notice to Sir Jo. Harman, requiring him to attend accordingly.

Captain Elliott, being called in; and examined at the Bar of this House; did testify, that Sir Jo. Harman, when he was very sick, and in a dying Condition, did declare himself to him to the Effect following; viz.

"That, when he was dead, it was possible, that slacking of Sail, when they were in Pursuit of the Dutch Fleet, might be laid to his Charge; but he was not guilty; for he did nothing but what he had Orders for: And did further declare, that the Orders were not given him by the Duke of Yorke; and that, if this had not been done, our Fleet might have been close up with the Dutch the next Morning, and some of our Fleet between them and the Shore."

Captain Elliott being called in, and his Examination being read to him, did declare, that it was the Substance of what he had testified.

The House then proceeded to the Reading and Debate of the Fourth Paper of the Report, relating to the Miscarriage in drawing in the Fleet about October 1665: And the Matter being debated;

Resolved, That this Part of the Report be re-committed to the Committee appointed to inquire into Miscarriages.

Pluralities.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Meeres be added to the Bill touching Pluralities.

Importing Irish Cattle.

Ordered, That the Lancashire Members be added to the Committee for Irish Cattle.

Miscarriages of the War.

Ordered, That Saturday next be appointed to proceed in the further Consideration of the Report concerning Miscarriages.

Post Office.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill to regulate Abuses and Exactions in the Post Office, be revived; and do sit To-morrow.

And then adjourned till Eight To-morrow Morning.