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.