House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 21 October 1678

Lunæ, 21 die Octobris, 1678.

Prayers.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from the Lords by Sir Edward Carteret, Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this honourable House, to attend Him, immediately, in the House of Peers.

And accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

And Mr. Speaker, with the House, returning;

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reports, That he had attended his Majesty: And that the Noise being very great, and his Majesty making use of his Paper; to the End he might not misrepeat Him, he had procured a Copy thereof: Which he read to the House; and is as followeth:

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I HAVE thought the Time very long, since we parted last; and would not have deferred your Meeting by so many Prorogations, if I could well have met you sooner.

The Part which I have had this Summer, in the Preservation of our Neighbours, and the well Securing what was left of Flanders, is sufficiently known and acknowledged by all that are abroad.

And though, for this Cause, I have been obliged to keep up my Troops, without which our Neighbours had absolutely despaired; yet both the Honour and Interest of the Nation have been so far improved by it, that, I am confident, no Man here would repine at it, or think the Money raised for their Disbanding, to have been ill employed in their Continuance: And, I do assure you, I am so much more out of Purse for that Service, that I expect you should supply it.

How far it may be necessary, considering the present State of Christendom, to reduce the Land and Sea Forces, or to what Degree, is worthy of all our serious Consideration.

I now intend to acquaint you (as I shall always do, with any thing that concerns Me), that I have been informed of a Design against my Person, by the Jesuits; of which I shall forbear any Opinion, lest I may seem to say too much, or too little: But I will leave the Matter to the Law; and, in the mean time, will take as much Care as I can, to prevent all Manner of Practices by that sort of Men, and of others too, who have been tampering in a high Degree by Foreigners, and contriving how to introduce Popery amongst us.

I shall conclude with the Recommending to you My other Concerns.

I have been under great Disappointments by the Defect of the Poll Bill. My Revenue is under great Anticipations; and, at the best, was never equal to the constant and necessary Expence of the Government; whereof I intend to have the whole State laid before you; and require you to look into it, and consider of it, with that Duty and Affection, which I am sure I shall ever find from you.

The rest I leave to the Chancellor.

Outlawries.

A Bill touching reversing Outlawries in the King's Bench, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Grand Committees.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Religion do sit every Monday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Grievances do sit every Wednesday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Trade do sit every Friday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Courts of Justice do sit every Saturday in the Afternoon, in the House.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That a Committee of Privileges and Elections be appointed of these Persons following; viz. Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir Wm. Lowther, Lord Cavendish, Sir John Trevor, Mr. Secretary Coventry, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Rob. Thomas, Sir Wm. Terringham, Sir John Heath, Mr. Crouch, Sir Rob. Dillington, Sir Ad. Browne, Sir Gilbert Talbot, Mr. Wentworth, Sir Denny Asburnham, Sir Tho. Stringer, Sir John Talbot, Sir Rob. Sawyer, Sir Jo. Waerden, Lord Ancram, Mr. Finch, Sir Rich. Wiseman, Mr. Westfaling, Sir Hen. Capell, Sir Fr. Clerke, Sir Wm. Hickman, Sir John Lowther, Sir Edm. Jenings, Mr. Mainard, Mr. Browne, Sir Nic. Slaning, Sir Sam. Bernardiston, Mr. John Wright, Mr. King, Colonel Kirkby, Mr. Price, Mr. Greenvile, Mr. Williams, Mr. Sachaverell, Mr. Paston, Sir Nich. Carew, Mr. Henly, Mr. Clerke, Mr. Papillon, Sir Jo. Barnaby, Sir Ralph Cole, Sir Jo. Rolles, Colonel Norton, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Sir Jon. Trelawney, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Booth, Mr. Rob. Wright, Sir Gilb. Gerrard, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Spry, Sir Geo. Downing, Sir John Nicholas, Sir Fr. Compton, Mr. Berty, Sir John Birkenhead, Mr. Guy, Mr. Draper, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Mr. Jones, Sir John Knight, Sir Tho. Allen, Mr. Buscawen, Mr. Collingwood, Lord Ashley, Mr. Tempest, Sir Eliab Harvy, Sir Ric. Corbet, Mr. Progers, Mr. St. John, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir Ch. Harbord, Mr. Osborne, Sir Ph. Warwick, Mr. Thyn, Mr. Windham, Sir John Elwes, Sir John Bramston, Mr. Cheney, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Weld, Sir John Dawney, Mr. May, Mr. Howard, Colonel Phillips, Mr. Godolphin, Mr. Knowles, Mr. Thyn, Sir Edm. Windham, Sir Rich. Everard, Colonel Wheatley, Mr. Treby: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in the Speaker's Chamber: And to take into their Consideration all such Matters as shall or may come in Question touching Returns, Elections, and Privileges; and to proceed upon Double Returns in the First Place; and to report their Proceedings, with their Opinions therein, to the House, from time to time: And all Persons that will Question Returns, are to do it in Fourteen Days next, and so in Fourteen Days after any new Return shall be brought in: And the said Committee is to have Power to send for Witnesses, Persons, Papers, and Records, for their Information. And all Members who are returned for Two or more Places, to make their Elections by this Day Three Weeks, for which of the Places they will serve, provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place: And if any thing shall come in Question, touching the Return, Election, or Matter of Privilege, of any Member of this Committee, such Member is to withdraw during the time the Matter is in Debate.

An Order of the Second Day of April, 1677, concerning Bribery, and Drinking at Elections of Members to serve in Parliament, was read as followeth:

Resolved, &c. That if any Person, hereafter to be elected into a Place for to sit and serve in the House of Commons, for any County, Town, Port, or Borough, after the Teste, or the Issuing out of the Writ or Writs of Election, upon the Calling or Summoning of any Parliament hereafter; or, after any such Place becomes vacant hereafter in the Time of Parliament, shall by himself, or by any other in his Behalf, or at his Charge, at any Time before the Day of his Election, give any Person or Persons, having Vote in any such Election, any Meat or Drink, exceeding in the true Value of Ten Pounds in the Whole, in any Place or Places, but in his own Dwelling House or Habitation, being the usual Place of his Abode for Six Months last past; or shall, before such Election be made and declared, make any other Present, Gift, or Reward, or Promise, Obligation, or Engagement to do the same, either to any such Person or Persons in particular, or to any such County, City, Town, Port, or Borough in general; or to, or for the Use and Benefit of them, or any of them; every such Entertainment, Present, Gift, Reward, Promise, Obligation or Engagement, is by this House declared to be Bribery: And such Entertainment, Present, Gift, Reward, Promise, Obligation, or Engagement being duly proved, is and shall be a sufficient Ground, Cause, and Matter, to make every such Election void, as to the Person so offending, and to render the Person so elected incapable to sit in Parliament by such Election: And hereof the Committee of Elections and Privileges is appointed to take especial Notice and Care; and to act and determine Matters coming before them, accordingly.

Resolved, &c. That the Order do continue a Standing Order of the House; and an Instruction to the Committee of Elections and Privileges; and to commence from the said Second Day of April, 1677.

Privilege- a Member imprisoned.

The House being informed, that Michael Mallet Esquire, One of the Members of this honourable House, is committed Prisoner to the Tower;

Ordered, That an Order be sent to the Constable of the Tower, or his Deputy, to bring the said Mr. Mallet to this House To-morrow Morning, together with the Cause of his Commitment.

Berks Election.

A Petition of Henry Alexander Esquire, Earl of Sterline, in the Kingdom of Scotland, complaining of an undue Practice in the Sheriff of Berkshire, in returning William Barker Esquire, together with the Petitioner, to serve in this present Parliament as Knight of the Shire for the said County of Berks, in Injury of the Petitioner, who, as he alledges, was duly elected, and ought to have been singly returned; was read.

A Petition of William Barker Esquire, complaining likewise of an undue Practice in the said Sheriff, in returning the said Henry Alexander Esquire, Earl of Sterline, in the Kingdom of Scotland, together with the Petitioner, who, as he also alledges, was duly elected, and ought to have been singly returned . . . . .

Ordered, That the said Petitions be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter; and report the same, together with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Durham Election.

A Petition of Wm. Tempest, Esquire; complaining of an undue Practice in the Mayor of the City, and Sheriff of the County of Durham; in returning John Parkhurst Esquire, to serve for the said City of Durham, in Injury of the Petitioner; who, as he alledges, was duly elected, and ought to have been returned; was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee for Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter; and report the same, together with their Opinions therein, to the House.

New Writs to be issued.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Shoram, in the County of Sussex, in the room of Edward Blaker Esquire, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament, for the Town and County of Kingston upon Hull in the County of York, in the room of Andrew Marvell Esquire, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament, for the Town and County of Southampton, in the County of Southampton, in the room of Sir Richard Ford Knight, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of East Grinstead in the County of Sussex, in the room of Edward Sackvile Esquire, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Downton, in the County of Wilts, in the room of Henry Eyres Esquire, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Eye in the County of Suffolke, in the room of Sir George Reeves Baronet, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Electing a Knight of the Shire, to serve for the County of Flint, in the room of Sir Tho. Hanmer Baronet, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing a Member to serve in this present Parliament, for the Borough of Andover in the County of Southampton, in the room of Sir Kingsmill Lucy Baronet, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Member to serve for the Town of Northampton in the County of Northampton, in the room of Henry Lord O Brien, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Knight of the Shire for the County of Pembrooke, in the room of Arthur Owen Esquire, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker be desired to give Notice to the Clerk of the Crown, to take care that the Writs for the new Elections be delivered to the Hands of the High Sheriffs of the respective Counties: And that the House do expect an Account thereof.

Preservation of King's Person.

Removing Papists.

Ordered, Nemine contradicente, That a Committee be appointed to consider of Ways and Means for providing Remedies for the better Preservation and Safety of his Majesty's Person: And that an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, for removing all Popish Recusants from within Twenty Miles of the City of London.

And it is referred to Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir Robert Sawyer, Sir Nich. Carey, Sir John Trevor, Lord Cavendish, Serjeant Mainard, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Chris. Musgrave, Sir John Rolles, Sir Wm. Hickman, Sir Eliab Harvy, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir John Lowther, Mr. Powle, Sir Geo. Downing, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir Rob. Thomas, Mr. Williams, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Wright, Sir John Ernle, Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir Hen. Puckering, Mr. Booth, Sir Anth. Inby, Sir Jonath Trelawney, Sir Hen. Capell, or any Three of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And to report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House: And they are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Popish Plot. Murder of Sir E. Godfrey.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to examine concerning the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, and to inquire into the Manner and Means how he came by his Death: And likewise to inquire into the Particulars of the Plot and Conspiracy, mentioned in his Majesty's Speech, against his Person and Government.

And it is referred to Sir Wm. Hickman, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Nich. Carey, Mr. Powle, Lord Russell, Sir Tho. Doleman, Sir John Trevor, Sir Tho. Clerges, Mr. Love, Lord Cavendish, Lord Ancram, Mr. Secretary Coventry, Sir Ch. Harbord, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir Adam Browne, Sir Hen. Puckering, Sir Sam. Bernardiston, Sir John Birkenhead, Sir Eliab Harvy, Sir Tho. Stringer, Mr. Bennet, Sir John Waerden, Mr. Crouch, Sir Nich. Slaning, Mr. Finch, Sir John Barnaby, Sir Hen. Capell, Col. Wheatley, Sir Rob. Sawyer, Mr. Booth, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Waller, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Sir John Rolles, Sir John Ernley, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Rob. Thomas, Sir Tho. Lee, Serjeant Gregory, Sir John Brampston, Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir John Talbot, Sir John Knight, Mr. Westfaling, Mr. King, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Wright, Sir John Coventry, Sir Gilbert Talbot: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And to report the Matter, together with their Opinions therein, to the House: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Address for Papers.

Ordered, That an Address be made to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, humbly to desire his Majesty That all Papers which do relate to the Plot and Conspiracy mentioned in his Majesty's Speech against his Person and Government, may be communicated to the said Committee.

Inquiry if Papists are in Office.

Ordered, That the Committee last appointed, do inquire, Whether, contrary to the Law for hindering Dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants, any Persons have since got into any Employment, Military or Civil: And if any such appear, That an Address be made to his Majesty to remove them.

Address for a Fast.

A Message from the Lords, by my Lord Chief Justice North, and Mr. Justice Jones:

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have resolved to address to his Majesty, to appoint a Day for a solemn Fast and Humiliation: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Address being left; and the Messengers being withdrawn;

The Address was twice read.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Address, filling up the Blank with the Word "Commons."

And the Messengers being called in, Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That the House had agreed with the Lords in the said Address; filling up the Blank with the Word "Commons."

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight of the Clock.