Martis, 25 die Martii, 1679.
Prayers.
Wilts Election.
A PETITION of Henry Cocker Knight, John
Bennet Esquire, and others, Freeholders of the
County of Wilts, on the Behalf of themselves, and the
major Part of the Freeholders of the same County;
complaining of undue and illegal Practices in the Sheriff
of the said County, in electing and returning Sir Richard
Grubham How, to serve in this present Parliament as
Knight of the Shire for the said County, in Injury of the
Petitioners; was read.
Resolved, &c. That the said Petition be referred to the
Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter thereof; and report the
same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.
Haverford West Election.
A Petition of John Bowen Esquire, Sheriff of the
Town and County of Haverford West, on the Behalf of
himself and others; complaining of undue and illegal
Practices in one Edward Hughs, pretended Sheriff of the
said Town and County, in electing and returning William
Wogan Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as
Burgess for the said Town and County, in Injury of the
Petitioner, and others the Inhabitants, who did duly elect
Thomas Owen Esquire, to serve in Parliament as Burgess
for the said Town, and returned him by Indenture under
the Hands and Seals of the major Part of the Inhabitants;
was read.
Resolved, That the said Petition be referred to the
Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections: And they are to examine the Merits of the Return
before the Matter of the Election; and report the same,
with their Opinions therein, to the House.
Lords Answer to Message.
A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwyn
and Sir John Hoskins;
Mr. Speaker, We are commanded by the Lords to
acquaint this House, That, as soon as they received the
last Message, they did immediately and unanimously
concur thereunto.
Message that Earl Danby had withdrawn.
A Message from the Lords, by Baron Littleton and
Baron Thurland;
Mr. Speaker, We are commanded by the Lords to
acquaint the House, That they sent to apprehend Thomas
Earl of Danby, both to his House here in Town, and to
his House at Wimbleton; and that the Gentleman Usher
of the Black Rod had returned their Lordships Answer,
That he could not be found.
Resolutions against a Member for discrediting the Plot.
The House taking into Consideration the Matter of
the Information given by Mr. Oates against Mr. Edward
Sackvile, a Member of this House;
And the Witnesses being called in, and examined at
the Bar of the House;
Resolved, &c. That it does appear to this House, by
Evidence this Day given at the Bar, That Mr. Edward
Sackvile, a Member of this House, has in several publick
Discourses dishonoured and aspersed the King; and that
he has gone about to make it be believed, that there is no
Popish Plot, by vilifying and disparaging the Evidence
given for the Discovery thereof, and contemning the
Proceedings of Parliament thereupon; and endeavouring
to stifle the Belief of the Murder of Sir Edmundbury
Godfrey by the Papists.
Ordered, That Mr. Edward Sackvile, a Member of this
House, be committed to the Tower.
Ordered, That Mr. Edward Sackvile be expelled this
House.
Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to his
Majesty, by such Members as are of his Majesty's Privy
Council, for removing Mr. Edward Sackvile from all
publick Employments and Trusts.
Attainder of Earl Danby.
Ordered, That a Bill be brought in to summon Thomas
Earl of Danby to render himself to Justice, by a Day to
be therein limited; or, in Default thereof, to attaint him.
And it is referred to Mr. Powle, Mr. Vaughan, Sir
Thomas Stringer, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir Francis Winnington,
Mr. Sachaverell, Serjeant Ellis, Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir
Thomas Clerges, Sir William Poultney, or any Three of
them, to prepare and draw up the same.
Information against a Member,
Ordered, That the Matter of the Information against
Sir John Robinson, a Member of this House, be adjourned
till To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock: And that
Mr. Oates and his Witnesses do then attend.
And then the House adjourned till To-morrow
Morning, Eight of the Clock.