House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 4 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: 4 December 1678', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687, (London, 1802) pp. 552. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol9/p552a [accessed 19 March 2024]

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Mercurii, 4 die Decembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Message respecting the Militia Bill.

MR. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That he had a Message from his Majesty, in Writing: Which he delivered in to Mr. Speaker: Who read the same to the House; and is as followeth:

Charles R

HIS Majesty, to prevent all Misunderstandings that may arise from His not passing the late Bill of the Militia, is pleased to declare, That He will readily assent to any Bill of that kind, which shall be tendered to Him, for the publick Security of the Kingdom by the Militia; so as the whole Power of Calling, Continuing, or not Continuing of them together, during the Time limited, be left to his Majesty, to do therein as He shall find it to be most expedient for the publick Safety.

Committee on Methods of Passing Bills.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed, to inspect Precedents, touching the Methods and Proceedings of Parliament in Passing of Bills; and to inquire, Whether, according to the Methods of Parliament, a Bill may be brought in, for making the Militia more useful; and to report their Opinions to the House.

And it is referred to Sir Robert Markham, Sir Joseph Ash, Sir John Trevor, Sir John Hotham, Mr. Williams, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Mr. Sachaverell, Mr. Swinsen, Sir Charles Harbord, Lord Allington, Sir Hugh Buscowen, Sir George Downeing, Colonel Whitley, Sir Henry Goodrick, Colonel Titus, Sir Hen. Capell, Sir John Berkenhead, Sir Robert Carr, Mr. Love, Sir Edward Deering, Sir John Moreton, Mr. Powle, Sir Robert Sawyer, Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Ernle, Colonel Birch, Sir Charles Wheeler, Sir John Talbott: And they are to meet at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Army Arrears.

Resolved, That the Paymaster of the Army do give in a particular Account to the Committee appointed to prepare the Bill for disbanding the Army, to what Time every Regiment, Troop, and Company are paid; and what is due, and in Arrear to them: And that the Committee do make a Computation of what will be due to the said Forces, on the First Day of January next.

Address for securing Papists.

Mr. Williams reports from the Committee appointed to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, for the Securing all Papists, or reputed Papists, That the Committee had agreed upon an Address: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where it was twice read; and, with some Amendments, made at the Table, upon the Question, agreed; and is as followeth;

WE Your Majesty's most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects, and the Commons, in Parliament assembled, having sufficient Testimony of the present Dangers threatening Your Majesty's Sacred Person and Government, from the pernicious Plots and Contrivances of Popish Persons, universally spread over this Your Majesty's Kingdom, do most humbly beseech Your Majesty, for the Safety of Your own Person, and Security of the publick Peace of Your Kingdom, to command and require Your Majesty's Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Mayors, and other Magistrates within their several and respective Counties, Cities, and Places in England and Wales, to apprehend, disarm, and secure all Popish Recusants convict, and all reputed Popish Recusants, and all others who shall or may be justly suspected Papists; and them to oblige, in Recognizances, with sufficient Bail, to keep the Peace, and be of good Behaviour; and, in Default thereof, them to imprison; and to return the Names of such Persons, with their Recognizances, to the next General Sessions of the Peace for their respective Limits, to proceed thereupon according to Law.

Resolved, That the Concurrence of the Lords be desired to the said Address.

Popery.

Ordered, That the Two Bills against Popery be read To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

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