House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 9 December 1678

Lunæ, 9 die Decembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Answer to Address.

MR. Speaker acquaints the House, That he attended his Majesty, on Saturday last, in the Banquetinghouse at Whitehall: And that after my Lord Chancellor had read the Address to the King, his Majesty was pleased to return Answer, That He would issue out His Proclamation according to the Address.

Disbanding the Forces.

The House then resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Way for Raising of Money to disband the Forces.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir John Trevor took the Chair of Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair-

Conference on disbanding the Forces.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir William Beversham and Sir John Hoskins:

Mr. Speaker, The Lords desire a present Conference with this House in the Painted Chamber, about Business of Importance.

The Messengers being withdrawn;

Resolved, That this House doth agree to meet the Lords, at a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber.

The Messengers being called in; Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That the House had agreed to meet the Lords, at a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber.

Resolved, That Sir Tho. Lee, Sir John Talbot, Sir Edm. Jenings, Sir Joseph Tredenham, Col. Birch, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Tho. Meres, Sir Edw. Deering, Col. Titus, Mr. Powle, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Rich. Temple, do attend, and manage the Conference.

Sir Thomas Lee reports from the Conference had with the Lords, That my Lord Privy Seal did manage the Conference: And that what was offered at it was as followeth;

"The Lords have desired this Conference with the House of Commons, to acquaint them, That, being informed that his Majesty hath sent Orders for withdrawing the Forces out of Flanders in order to their Disbanding, many Difficulties and Dangers do occur to their Lordships, if such Rules and Orders be not established, by Consideration and Advice of both Houses, that the Disbanding may be made with Safety: Which their Lordships conceive cannot be by bringing such a Power together to the Forces already here: And therefore do propose, That the Forces here may not be increased by the Accession of more from abroad; but that a proportionable Number of those here may be disbanded, before the Regiments from Flanders shall arrive; and that, after Consideration hereof by the Commons, by joint Advice of both Houses a Reglement may be made accordingly."

Resolved, That the Consideration of the Report from the Conference be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.-

Disbanding the Forces.

The House then again resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of raising Money to disband the Forces.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir John Trevor took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir John Trevor reports from the said Committee, That they had taken the Matter into Consideration; and had agreed upon Two Votes: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where they were twice read; and, upon the Question, severally agreed: and are as followeth:

Resolved, That the Money for paying and disbanding the Forces shall be raised by a Land Tax.

Resolved, That the Tax shall commence from the Four-and-twentieth of November last, to be raised after the Rate of Seventeen thousand Two hundred and Five Pounds Four Shillings and Nine-pence Farthing by the Month, for Twelve Months.

Resolved, That the Committee appointed to prepare a Bill for disbanding the Forces, do bring in a Bill pursuant to the said Votes: And they are to bring in a Clause therein, for borrowing Money upon the Credit of the said Act.

Impeachment of the five Lords.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee appointed to draw up Articles of Impeachment against the Five Lords, do sit de die in diem.

Petition from a Member in custody.

A Petition of Sir Jonathan Trelawney, a Member of this House, now in Custody in the Prison of the Tower, by virtue of an Order of this House, was read.

Mr. Speaker acquaints the House, That Sir Jonathan Trelawney had, according to the Order of this House, passed his Promise, not to prosecute the Quarrel any further, by himself, or his Friends.

Resolved, upon reading the Petition of Sir Jonathan Trelawney, a Member of this House committed to the Tower, setting forth, That he being very sickly and infirm in his Health; and that his Indisposition is very much increased by reason of his Confinement; and that he is advised by his Physicians that it is absolutely necessary for the Recovery of his Health, to have the Liberty of a better Air; and praying, that, in order to his Recovery, he may have his Liberty during the Pleasure of the House; That Mr. Speaker be desired to signify to the Lieutenant of the Tower, That it is the Pleasure of this House, that Sir Jonathan Trelawney shall have Liberty to go into the Country, in order to the Recovering of his Health, giving Security to the said Lieutenant to return again upon the Order of the House.

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