House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 26 March 1679

Mercurii, 26 die Martii, 1679.

Prayers.

St. Edmondsbury Election.

A PETITION of Sir Thomas Cullum Baronet, and John Rotheram Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Thomas Harvey Knight, and Thomas Jermin Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of St. Edmondsbury in the County of Suffolke, in Injury of the Petitioners, who were duly elected (as is certified by an Indenture signed and sealed by the Sheriff of the County, and the major Part of the Inhabitants of the Town), but were refused to be returned by the Mayor of the Town, 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.

Denbigh Election.

A Petition of the Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Ruthin in the County of Denbigh, complaining, that they, having Right to vote for the Electing of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Town of Denbigh, had no Notice of the Time or Place of the Election; but that the Inhabitants of the said Town had privately elected and returned Sir John Salusbury Baronet, to serve as Burgess for the said Town; . . . .

Resolved, 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.

Durham Election.

A Petition of Christopher Vane Esquire, complaining of undue and illegal Practices in the Sheriffs of the County Palatine of Durham, in the Electing and Returning Sir Robert Eden Baronet and John Tempest Esquire (and particularly, in setting at Liberty a great Number of Popish Recusants convict, in order to giving their Votes for the said Sir Robert Eden and William Tempest), in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, . . . .

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.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to examine the Matter of the Misdemeanor of the High Sheriff of the County Palatine of Durham, in setting at Liberty so many Papists at the Time of the Election; and the Manner of doing it; and to report the same to the House.

And it is referred to Sir Thomas Lee, Mr. Hamden, Sir Edmund Jennings, Colonel Birch, Sir Robert Eden Colt, Sir John Hotham, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Reynalld, Mr. Wharton, Mr. Trenchard, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Mr. Tempest, Sir John Coventry, Sir Henry Caverly, Sir John Ernley, Mr. Stockdale, Sir Robert Peyton, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Newport, Mr. Long, Sir George Downing: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Inquiry concerning two Pamphlets.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to examine the Matter touching the Two Pamphlets printed by Mr. Hills, by Order of the Lord Treasurer, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon, in the Place formerly appointed: And that Mr. Speaker to deliver to the said Committee the Originals by which they were printed.

A Person to attend.

The House being informed, that Doctor John Nelson was the Author of the Pamphlet, intituled, "A Letter from a Jesuit in Paris to his Correspondent in London; shewing the most effectual Way to ruin the Government and the Protestant Religion."

Ordered, That Doctor John Nelson be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, to inform the House touching the said Pamphlet.

Expiring Laws.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Temporary Laws that will expire with this Sessions of Parliament; and report the same to the House.

And it is referred to Lord Fitzwilliams, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Thyn, Sir Thomas Player, Sir John Mallet, Colonel Birch, Mr. Stockdale, Sir Henry Capell, Mr. Palmes, Sir Edward Deering, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Patience Ward, Sir Hugh Owen, Sir William Escourt, Sir Philip Skippon, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir Eliab Harvy, Mr. Pelham, Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Parteridge, Sir Edmund Jennings, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Paul Foley, Sir John Wyn, Lord Fairfax, Sir Ralph Delavall, Sir John Tredenham, Sir Roger Norwich, Mr. Sherwood, Sir Hugh Bethell, Sir Watkinson Payter, Sir John Newton, Sir John Hewley, Sir John Cloberry, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Herbert Croft, Sir Richard Grubham Howe, Sir Ralph Dutton, Sir Phil. Egerton, Mr. Garraway, Mr. Mildmay, Sir Robert Peyton, Mr. Thisletwaite, Colonel Deane, Sir George Downing, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Robert Thomas, Mr. Treby, Sir John Knight, Alderman Backwell, Sir Wm. Franckland, Mr. Wharton, Mr. Colt, Sir Henry Thompson, Sir Henry Coverly: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Attainder of Earl Danby.

A Bill to summon Thomas Earl of Danby to render himself to Justice by a certain Day to be therein limited; or, in Default thereof, to be attainted; was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time To-morrow Morning.

Informalities concerning a Member.

Ordered, That the Matter of Mr. Chetwyn's Information against Sir Robert Southwell, a Member of this House, touching Mr. Dugdale's Evidence relating to the Discovery of the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, be heard at the Bar of this House on Friday next, the first Business.

Leicester Election.

A Petition of Robert Johnson, and others, on Behalf of several of the Freeholders of the County of Leicester; complaining of many undue and illegal Practices in the Sheriff, and other Persons of Quality of the said County, at the Election of John Lord Roos and Bennet Lord Sherrard, to serve in this present Parliament as Knights of the Shire for the said County, in Injury of the Petitioners, who did duly elect Sir John Hartopp Baronet, to serve in Parliament as One of the Knights of the Shire for the said County; who ought to have been returned accordingly; was read.

Resolved, &c. That the Matter of the said Petition be heard at the Bar of this House on this Day Fortnight: And that the High Sheriff and Under Sheriff of the said County of Leicester do then attend.

Regulating Elections.

Ordered, That a Bill or Bills be brought in, upon the Debate of the House, to regulate the Elections of Members to serve in Parliament.

And it is referred to Mr. Hamden, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Roger Norwich, Sir Robert Peyton, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Franc. Winington, Sir John Wynn, Mr. Garraway, Sir Robert Deering, Mr. Freake, Colonel Birch, Sir John Talbot, Sir William Poultney, Serjeant Ellis, Sir Tho. Meres, Mr. Savage, Sir William Coventry, Serjeant Maynard, Mr. Paul Foley, Mr. Reynell, Sir John Dawney, Sir William Escourt, Sir John Cloberry, Sir John Coventry, Mr. Tempest, Mr. Bennet, Sir Robert Markham, Mr. * Hopkins: And they are to meet To-morrow at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And that they do take into Consideration the Judgment given in the Case of Sir Samuel Barnardiston.

Popish Recusants.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwyn and Sir John Hoskins;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have sent down a Bill, intituled, An Act for the better Discovery and speedy Conviction of Popish Recusants: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Information concerning a Member.

Ordered, That the Matter of the Information against Sir John Robinson, a Member of this House, be adjourned till Saturday next: And that Mr. Oates and his Witnesses do then attend.

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