House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 19 November 1678

Martis, 19 die Novembris, 1678.

Prayers.

King appoints to be attended.

MR. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That his Majesty commanded this House to attend him, immediately, in the Banqueting House at Whitehall.

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

The House being returned;

Mr. Speaker reports, That, according to his Majesty's Commands, he had attended Him in the Banqueting House at Whitehall: Where his Majesty was pleased to make a Speech to the House; which his Majesty was pleased to deliver by Word of Mouth, and not to make use of any Paper: The Effect of which Speech Mr. Speaker declared to the House.

Address respecting the Committal of Mr. Sec. Williamson.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, representing to his Majesty the Reasons that induced this House to commit Mr. Secretary Williamson to the Tower: And that his Majesty be humbly desired, not to release Mr. Secretary Williamson from his Imprisonment: And that his Majesty will be pleased to recall all the Commissions that have been granted to any Papists, or suspected Papists, within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, and any other his Majesty's Dominions and Territories.

And it is referred to Sir Wm. Coventry, Colonel Titus, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Charles Wheeler, Lord Cavendish, Sir Tho. Meeres, Serjeant Mainard, Mr. Stockdale, Sir Fr. Rolles, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir John Knight, Mr. Powle, Sir John Hanmer, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Robert Howard, Mr. Thyn, Mr. Williams, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Jos. Tredenham; Colonel Birch, Sir Wm. Hickman, Mr. Secretary Coventry; or any Five of them: And they are to withdraw into the Speaker's Chamber, and prepare the said Address.

Address for Reward for Discoveries of the Plot.

Sir Wm. Coventry reports from the Committee appointed to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty, That some fitting Encouragement may be given to such Persons as shall make a further Discovery of the Designs and Attempts against his Majesty's Person and Government, That the Committee had agreed upon an Address: Which he delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and, upon the Question, agreed; and is as followeth; viz

May it please Your Majesty,

WE Your Majesty's most Loyal and most Dutiful Subjects, the Commons, in Parliament assembled, cannot sufficiently admire Your Majesty's Love of Justice, and Care of Your People, which have moved Your Royal Heart to propose a Pardon, and Reward, to such as shall reveal the Murderers of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey; whilst no Encouragement is given unto such as shall make a further Discovery of the Persons designing against Your Majesty's own Life (which we beseech God long to preserve): And therefore we humbly beseech Your Majesty, so far to consider Your own Safety, the Preservation of the Protestant Religion, and Safety of Your People, which so much depend upon it, as to issue out Your Proclamation, whereby some fitting Encouragement may be given to any who shall do so important a Service; that so Men of such wicked Principles may be discouraged from the like Attempts for the future.

Commissions to Papists.

Resolved, &c. That a Bill be brought in, to make it more penal for any Person, being a Popish Recusant, to receive any Commission; and that such Persons as do receive Commissions, do take the Oaths and Test; and bring a Certificate thereof, before their Commissions be delivered to them; and that a Penalty be inflicted on the Officers through whose Hands such Commissions pass, in case the same be delivered to the Person, before he do bring a Certificate of his having taken the Oaths and Test, as aforesaid: And that Mr. Finch do bring in the Bill.

Persons to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Lock, Mr. Kingdon, and Mr. Howard, who are attending in the Lobby, do attend To-morrow.

And then the House adjourned for half an Hour.

Post Meridiem.

Address concerning Committal of Mr. Sec. Williamson.

SIR Robert Howard reports from the Committee appointed to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, representing to his Majesty the Reasons that induced this House to commit Mr. Secretary Williamson to the Tower, An Address agreed upon by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where it was twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed; and is as followeth; viz.

May it please Your Majesty,

WE Your Majesty's most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects, Your Commons assembled in Parliament, having taken into our serious Consideration, what Your Majesty was pleased to deliver to us this Day in the Banqueting House; and being most desirous, not only to express our Loyalty and Affections to Your Majesty's Service, but also to preserve Your Majesty's good Opinion of the Manner of our Proceedings, do humbly present to Your Majesty the Reason of our Proceedings, in the Commitment of Sir Joseph Williamson, a Member of the House.

That divers Commissions were granted to Popish Officers, and countersigned by the said Sir Joseph Williamson; and delivered out in October last, since the Meeting of this House, and the Discovery of the present Popish Conspiracy.

Divers Warrants have also been produced before us of Dispensations, contrary to Law, for Popish Officers to continue in their Commands, and to be passed in Muster, notwithstanding they have not taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and received the blessed Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, according to the late Act of Parliament in that Behalf: All which said Warrants were likewise countersigned by the said Sir Joseph Williamson.

Which being complained of to us, and confessed by the said Sir Joseph Williamson, in the House of Commons; we Your Majesty's most Dutiful Subjects, having the immediate Consideration before us of the imminent Danger of Your Majesty's Person (the Safety whereof is above all Things most dear,) and likewise the Dangers, from Popish Plots, so nearly threatening the Peace and Safety of Your Majesty's Government, and the Protestant Religion, were humbly of an Opinion, we could not discharge our Duties to Your Majesty and the whole Kingdom, without the Committing of the said Sir Joseph Williamson; and therefore most humbly desire, that he may not be discharged by Your Majesty.

And we further most humbly desire your Majesty to recall all Commissions granted to all Papists within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, or any other Your Majesty's Dominions and Territories.

Resolved, &c. That this Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty's Privy Council.

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