House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 5 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: 5 December 1678', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687, (London, 1802) pp. 552-553. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol9/pp552-553 [accessed 19 March 2024]

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In this section

Jovis, 5 die Decembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Lords concurrence to Address.

RESOLVED, That Mr. Williams do go up to the Lords, to desire their Concurrence to the Address Yesterday agreed upon.

Preventing Popery.

A Bill for preventing the Growth of Popery was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time, Tomorrow Morning.

House reminded of a Bill.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwyn and Sir Andrew Hacket;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to attend you, to put you in mind of a Bill, sometime since sent to this House, intituled, An Act for the better Discovery and more speedy Conviction of Popish Recusants; it being a Bill which requires Expedition in this Time of Danger.

Impeachment of Lord Arundell, &c.

Resolved, That this House will impeach Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That this House will impeach William Earl of Powys of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That this House will impeach John Lord Bellasis of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That this House will impeach William Viscount Stafford of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That this House will impeach William Lord Petre of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Ordered, That Mr. Michael Wharton do carry up an Impeachment to the Lords, against Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour, to the Effect following;

"My Lords,"

"The Commons of England, assembled in Parliament, having received Information of divers traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House, Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour, have commanded me to impeach the said Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors: And I do here, in their Names, and in the Names of all the Commons in England, impeach Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."

"They have further commanded me to acquaint your Lordships, That they will, within convenient Time, exhibit to your Lordships the Articles of the Charge against him."

Ordered, That Mr. Banistre Maynard do carry up an Impeachment to the Lords, against William Earl of Powys, to the Effect following;

"My Lords,"

"The Commons of England, assembled in Parliament, having received Information of divers traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House, William Earl of Powys, have commanded me to impeach the said William Earl of Powys of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors: And I do here, in their Names, and in the Names of all the Commons of England, impeach William Earl of Powys of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."

"They have further commanded me to acquaint your Lordships, That they will, within convenient Time, exhibit to your Lordships the Articles of the Charge against him.'

Ordered, That Mr. Thynn do carry up an Impeachment to the Lords, against John Lord Bellasis, to the Effect following;

"My Lords,"

"The Commons of England, assembled in Parliament, having received Information of divers traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House, John Lord Bellasis, have commanded me to impeach the said John Lord Bellasis of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors: And I do here, in their Names, and in the Names of all the Commons of England, impeach the said John Lord Bellasis of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."

"They have further commanded me to acquaint your Lordships, That they will, within convenient Time, exhibit to your Lordships the Articles of the Charge against him."

Ordered, That Sir Scroope Howe do carry up an Impeachment to the Lords, against William Lord Viscount Stafford, to the Effect following;

"My Lords."

"The Commons of England, assembled in Parliament, having received Information of divers traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House, William Viscount Stafford, have commanded me to impeach the said William Viscount Stafford of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors: And I do here, in their Names, and in the Names of all the Commons of England, impeach William Viscount Stafford of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."

"They have further commanded me to acquaint your Lordships, That they will, within convenient Time, exhibit to your Lordships the Articles of the Charge against him."

Ordered, That Sir Philip Warwick do carry up an Impeachment to the Lords, against William Lord Petre, to the Effect following;

"My Lords,"

"The Commons of England, assembled in Parliament, having received Information of divers traiterous Practices and Designs of a great Peer of this House, William Lord Petre, have commanded me to impeach the said William Lord Petre of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors: And I do here, in their Names, and in the Names of all the Commons of England, impeach William Lord Petre of Treason, and other High Crimes and Misdemeanors."

"They have further commanded me to acquaint your Lordships, That they will, within convenient Time, exhibit to your Lordships the Articles of the Charge against him."

Resolved, Whereas the said Peers are already under Commitment, That therefore this House will not desire the Lords, that they may be sequestered from Parliament, and committed to safe Custody, as is usual in Cases of the like Nature.

Mr. Wharton acquaints the House, That, according to the Direction of the House, he had attended the Lords; and delivered what he had in Charge against Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour.

Mr. Maynard acquaints the House, That, according to the Direction of the House, he had attended the Lords; and delivered what he had in Charge against William Earl of Powys.

Mr. Thynn acquaints the House, That, according to the Direction of the House, he had attended the Lords; and delivered what he had in Charge against John Lord Bellasis.

Sir Scroope Howe acquaints the House, That, according to the Direction of the House, he had attended the Lords; and delivered what he had in Charge against William Viscount Stafford.

Sir Philip Warwick acquaints the House, That, according to the Direction of the House, he had attended the Lords; and delivered what he had in Charge against William Lord Petre.

Resolved, That the Committee formerly appointed to draw up Articles of Impeachment against Henry Lord Arundell of Wardour, do prepare and draw up Articles against the said several Persons impeached by the House: And that the Informations, given in by Mr. Oates and Mr. Bedlow, be delivered over to them for that Purpose. And it is particularly recommended to the Care of Mr. Serjeant Maynard, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir John Trevor, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Sachaverell: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Five of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And they are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to prepare the said Articles of Impeachment, do attend his Majesty; and most humbly beseech his Majesty, that all the Papers and Writings relating to the Plot and Conspiracy, now under Examination, may be delivered to the said Committee.

Restraint on Mr. Oates.

Resolved, That Sir Trevor Williams do repair to Mr. Oates, and know of him, How far his Majesty's Commands, for taking off the Restraint upon him, are observed.

Preventing Popery.

Resolved, That the Bill to prevent the Growth of Popery, be read a Second time To-morrow Morning.

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