House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 2 December 1678

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

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'House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 2 December 1678', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687, (London, 1802) pp. 551. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol9/p551b [accessed 19 March 2024]

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Lunæ, 2 die Decembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Members take Oaths.

THE House being set, several of the Members did take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, and make and subscribe the Declaration, according to the Direction of the Act, intituled, An Act for the more effectual Preserving of the King's Person and Government, by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament.

Oates to attend.

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

Answer to Address concerning him

Mr. Secretary Coventry delivered in a Message from his Majesty, in Answer to the Address of this House, concerning Mr. Oates: Which Mr. Speaker read to the House; and is as followeth;

Charles R

HIS Majesty, having received an Address from the House of Commons, dated the Eight-and-twentieth of November last past, hath thought fit to return this Answer;

That his Majesty will give a Pardon to Mr. Oates, for Misprision of Treason, from the Beginning of the World, till the said Eight-and-twentieth of November last past: That he shall have Liberty to walk where he pleaseth in Whitehall and St. James's Park; and enjoy all other Liberties of Writing and Conversing, which he had in Whitehall, before Sunday the Four-and-twentieth of the said November.

He shall have a convenient Allowance for all Things necessary for him. But the Guards his Majesty doth not think fitting to remove, in respect of the Safety of Mr. Oates his Person.

Oates' Examinations.

Mr. Oates being called in, delivered in Copies of his Examinations taken at the Council Board.

Ordered, That Copies thereof be made by the Clerk, and delivered to Mr. Oates.

Address on Dangers of the Nation.

Resolved, That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, containing a Representation of the present State and Dangers of the Nation.

Resolved, That the House will proceed to vote the Heads for the said Address, in the House.

Resolved, That the Misrepresentations of the Proceedings of this House to his Majesty, be One Head for the said Address.

The Question being propounded, That a Representation be therein made to his Majesty, of the Dangers that have and may arise from private Advices, contrary to the Advice of this Parliament;

The Question being put, That this Question be now put;

The House divide.

The Noes go forth.

Tellers, Lord Ancram, for the Noes, 14.
Sir John Talbott,
Tellers, Sir Francis Drake, for the Yeas, 138.
Mr. Wharton,

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolved, That a Representation be therein made to his Majesty, of the Dangers that have and may arise from private Advices, contrary to the Advice of his Parliament.

Resolved, That a Representation be therein made to his Majesty, of the great Danger the Nation lies under from the Growth of Popery.

Resolved, That a Representation be therein made to his Majesty, of the Danger that may arise to his Majesty and the Kingdom, by the Non-observance of the Laws that have been made for Preservation of the Peace, and Safety of the King and Kingdom.

And it is referred to Sir John Hotham, Mr. Williams, Colonel Birch, Sir Henry Capell, Sir Thomas Littleton, Sir Joseph Tredenham, Sir John Knight, Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir Wm. Hickman, Sir John Trevor, Mr. Solicitor General, Lord Cavendish, Sir Francis Rolles, Mr. Hamden, * Jennings, Sir Francis Drake, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Edward Deering, Mr. Finch, Mr. Powle, Sir John Mallett, Sir Francis Russell, Sir Nich. Carew, Sir Robert Howard, Sir John Talbott, Sir Richard Temple, Sir Thomas Clarges, Serjeant Gregory, Mr. Swinfen; or any Three of them: And they are to meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber, to prepare the said Address: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

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