House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 28 April 1679

Lunæ, 28 die Aprilis, 1679.

Prayers.

ISAAC de Mons did take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, in order to his Naturalization.

Answer to Addresses.

Mr. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That his Majesty had been attended with the several Addresses made by this House on Saturday last: And his Majesty has been pleased to command this Answer to be returned:

"That his Majesty hath already given Order to the Attorney General to draw up a Proclamation for removing all Papists, or reputed Papists, or such as have been so within Six Months past, Ten Miles from London and Westminster; and hath given Order, That a List of all such Licences as have been granted to Papists to stay in Town, shall be brought in: And that he hath granted his Pardon to Nicolas Stubbs, and Elizabeth Oxley; and ordered the same to be drawn up: And that his Majesty will cause his Royal Proclamation to issue out by the next Council Day, requiring * Gifford, * Flower alias Darby, Mulragne, and Roger *, to render themselves to Justice by a short Day."

King appoints to be attended.

And his Majesty, having been likewise attended, to know, When this House should attend his Majesty with the Address for the speedy Executing of Pickering, and other Popish Priests, condemned by the Judges at the Old Baily, and in the several Circuits, was pleased to appoint this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Banqueting House.

Dale's Estate.

A Bill to enable Trustees to sell the Lands of the Coheirs of Charles Dale Esquire, deceased, for Payment of Debts, was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be committed to Sir Trevor Williams, Sir John Hewley, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Knight, Sir Samuel Bernardiston, Serjeant Seyes, Sir Richard Cust, Mr. Colt, Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Pitt, Serjeant Strode, Sir Thomas Mackworth, Mr. Frewen, Lord Fairfex, Sir William Franckland, Captain Sherrard, Sir John Coryton, Sir Thomas Exton, Mr. Papillon, Colonel, Birch, Sir John Wynn, Sir John Cloberry, Sir Robert Cleyton, Sir Edmund Jennings, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Love, Serjeant Rigby, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Duboyes, Sir John Reresby, Mr. Pilkington, Mr. Burdett, Mr. Rushworth, Mr. Wogan: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are to make Provision in the Bill, that the Trustees shall be answerable to the Coheirs for the Trust in them reposed; and impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Reeves, Mr. Thistlethwayt, Sir Nicolas Pedley, Mr. Taylor, Sir John Holman, and Sir Littleton Osbaldeston, have Leave to go into the Country for Fourteen Days.

Ordered, That Sir Hugh Ackland have Leave to go into the Country.

Southwarke Court of Conscience.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for erecting a Court of Conscience for the Borough of Southwarke, and the Out Parishes, within the Weekly Bills of Mortality.

Earl Danby's Impeachment.

Sir Francis Winnington reports from the Committee of Secrecy, to whom it was referred to examine and peruse the Nature of the Plea of Thomas Earl of Danby, to the Articles of Impeachment exhibited against him by this House; and to report, How Precedents stand in relation to the Pardon; and in what manner, and by what Means, the same was obtained; That the Committee had agreed upon a Report to be made to the House: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was again read; and is as followeth, viz.

"We find no Precedent, that ever any Pardon was granted to any Person impeached by the Commons of High Treason, or other High Crimes, depending the Impeachment."

"As to the Manner of passing the Earl of Danby's Pardon, it hath been formerly reported to the House: And the Committee refers themselves to that Report."

"That by what Means it was obtained, the Time allowed the Committee hath been so short, that we cannot as yet discover the Advisers or Procurers thereof, any further than what is mentioned in the said Report relating to the Lord Chancellor."

Resolved, &c. That a Message be sent to the Lords, to desire their Lordships to demand of the Earl of Danby, Whether he will rely upon and abide by the Plea of his Pardon: And that Sir Francis Winnington do go up with the Message to the Lords.

State of the Navy.

The House then took into Consideration the State of the Kingdom; and how the Navy may be made useful for the Defence thereof.

And several Informations being given in to the House, of several Miscarriages in his Majesty's Navy;

And Captain Roydon being called in to the Bar of the House; and having given in an Information touching his being turned out of his Command;

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to examine the Matter of the Complaint of Captain Roydon; as also all other the Miscarriages relating to his Majesty's Navy; and particularly, the granting of Passes, and the Inconveniencies that have thereby arisen to his Majesty's Subjects; and likewise, the Information that hath been given in, touching the Ship called the Hunter; and to report the same to the House.

And it is referred to Sir Fran. Winnington, Sir John Trevor, Sir Tho. Meres, Mr. Love, Mr. Harbord, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Sachaverell, Mr. Wright, Sir Robert Peyton, Sir John Talbot, Mr. Palmes, Colonel Whitley, Mr. Whitacre, Sir Peter Tirrell, Sir John Hewley, Mr. Mildmay, Mr. Thynn, Sir Samuel Bernardiston, Sir John Hotham, Mr. Papillon, Mr. Pilkington, Sir Tho. Player, Sir Henry Capell, Sir John Knight, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir Hugh Bethell, Sir Robert Cleyton, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Mr. Stockdale, Sir Robert Dillington, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Browne, Mr. Michael Harvey, Major Austin, and all the Members that serve for the City of London, and all the Members of this House that are Merchants; or any Five of them: And they are to meet at Four a Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are to sit de die in diem: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Langhorne's Writings.

Ordered, That the Bag of Writings found in Mr. Langhorne's Chamber be delivered to Mr. Trenchard, in order to prepare an Abstract of the same for the Committee of Secrecy.

Supply Bill; disbanding the Army.

Ordered, That Sir John Trevor do report the Bill for disbanding the Army, together with the Amendments made by the Committee of the whole House, To-morrow Morning at Nine of the Clock.

Fires in City of London.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inquire into the late Fires that have happened in and about the City of London, do sit de die in diem.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees that were discontinued, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon in the Places formerly appointed.

Impeachment of Lord Stafford, &c.

Ordered, That the Answers of Wm. Viscount Stafford, John Lord Bellasis, Henry Lord Arrundell of Wardour, and William Earl of Powyes be returned to the House of Lords: And that Sir John Trevor do carry up the same.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Pawlet St. John have Leave to go into the Country for a Week.

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