House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 18 November 1678

Lunæ, 18 die Novembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Bedloe to attend.

ORDERED, That Mr. Bedloe be forthwith sent for, to attend at the Bar of this House.

Papers to be returned.

Ordered, That Mr. Coleman's original Papers, which have been already perused by this House, be returned back to the Clerk of the Council, now in waiting.

Mistranslation of Gazette.

Serjeant Seis reports from the Committee appointed to examine concerning the Translating, Printing, and Publishing the Gazette in French, That the Committee had taken the Particulars thereof; and put the same into Writing, which he delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

Resolved, &c. That the further Consideration of this Report be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

Popish Plot.

Mr. Bedloe, being called in, delivered a further Information in Writing, touching the Plot and Conspiracy now under Examination.

Resolved, &c. That my Lord Chief Justice be desired immediately to repair to this House: And that Mr. Solicitor General and Mr. Williams do acquaint him with the Desire of the House.

Mr. Solicitor General acquaints the House, That Mr. Williams and himself had, according to the Order of the House, acquainted my Lord Chief Justice with the Desire of the House: And that my Lord Chief Justice, according to his wonted Readiness, was come along with them; and was at the Door.

My Lord Chief Justice being called in, Mr. Speaker acquainted him with the Occasion that this House had sent for him.

After which his Lordship withdrew into Mr. Speaker's Chamber.

Address for raising the Militia.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty to give Orders to the Lord Lieutenants of the several Counties, to raise a Third Part of the Militia for a Fortnight, to secure the Peace of the Kingdom; and that the Sheriffs may be ready, with the Posse Comitatus, to assist, in case of any Insurrection.

And it is referred to Mr. Powle, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Robert Sawyer, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Eliab Harvy, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir John Trevor, Colonel Titus, Sir Adam Browne, Sir Ric. Wiseman, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir Fr. Russell, Sir Hen. Capell, Sir Nicholas Carew, Colonel Birch, Sir Wm. Coventry; or any Three of them: And they are to meet at Four of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Militia.

Ordered, That the said Committee do bring in a Bill or Bills, to make the Militia more useful in this Time of Danger.

Commissions to Papists.

The House being informed, that there were several Commissions granted to Popish Recusants, and Warrants also, that they would be mustered, and receive Pay, notwithstanding they have not taken the Oaths, and subscribed the Declaration according to the Act of Parliament; and that they were signed by Mr. Secretary Williamson;

Mr. Sec. Williamson sent to the Tower.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Secretary Williamson be immediately sent to the Tower, for signing Warrants for Popish Officers to be mustered, and receive Pay, contrary to the Act for preventing Dangers which may happen from Popish Recusants.

Persons to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Lock, Mr. Henry Howard, Sir Cecill Howard, and Mr. Kingdon, be summoned to attend at the Bar of this House To-morrow Morning.

Address for removing the Duke of York.

Resolved, &c. That the adjourned Debate for an Address to be presented to his Majesty, That his Royal Highness may withdraw himself from his Majesty's Person and Councils, be further adjourned till Thursday Morning.

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