House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 28 October 1680

Jovis, 28 die Octobris, 1680.

Prayers.

King appoints to be attended.

MR. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House, That the Members of the House, that are of his Majesty's Privy Council, having, according to the Order of the House, Yesterday, attended his Majesty, to know his Pleasure, when this House should attend him; his Majesty had appointed this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, for the House to attend him in the Banqueting House.

Popish Plot.

The House being informed, That Sir Francis North, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, was attending, in pursuance of the Order Yesterday made;

Ordered, That a Chair be set within the Bar for his Lordship: And that his Lordship be called in.

Which was done accordingly.

And his Lordship being come into the House, Mr. Speaker acquainted him with what the House required from him;

And his Lordship having accordingly given an Account to the House therein; and informing the House, That the Papers relating to Mr. Bedloe's Testimony, taken by his Lordship at Bristoll, were by his Lordship delivered in to the Council, and by them transmitted to the House of Lords; and that One of the Clerks of that House was attending at the Door, with those Papers;

And his Lordship withdrawing;

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Lords House, attending at the Door, be called in; to deliver those Papers.

And he being accordingly called in; and having delivered the Papers; acquainted the House, That he was directed to take a Receipt for the same, upon the Delivery of them.

Ordered, That the Clerk of this House do give a Receipt for the said Papers.

The Lord Chief Justice North being called in; the said Papers were, by Order of the House, shewn to his Lordship.

And his Lordship, by Order of the House, being asked by Mr. Speaker, Whether those Papers were the original Papers concerning the Deposition of Mr. Bedloe, taken by his Lordship in his last Sickness; his Lordship answered, They were.

And his Lordship being withdrawn; the several Papers were read to the House.

Another Paper, relating to the Testimony of Mr. Bedloe in his last Sickness, being delivered by Sir John Knight, a Member of this House, was read.

A Member attends as ordered.

Sir Francis Wythens, appearing in his Place, according to the Order of the House Yesterday made;

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Peace for Westminster do attend the House To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, with the Roll of the Orders for last Easter Session for the City of Westminster.

Appulbey Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Appulbey in the County of Westmoreland, in the room of Richard Tufton Esquire.

Rochester Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Rochester, in the room of Mr. Serjeant Barrell, deceased.

Clitheroe Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Clitheroe in the County of Lancaster, in the room of Sir Ralph Ashton, deceased.

Rutland Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the Election of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Rutland, in the room of Sir Abel Barker, deceased.

Eye Election.

A Petition of Sir Charles Gaudy, and Sir Robert Reeves, touching the Election for Eye, in Suffolk, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Kellington Election.

A Petition of William Coryton Esquire, touching the Election for Kellington, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter thereof; and to report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Complaint against a Member for denying the Plot;

An Information being given the House against Sir Robert Yeamans of Bristoll, and against Sir Robert Cann, a Member of this House; That they did, in October 1679, publickly declare, That there was no Popish Plot, but a Presbyterian Plot;

And Mr. Rowe, Swordbearer of Bristoll, being called in to the Bar, and attesting the same; and the same being likewise attested by Sir John Knight, a Member of this House;

And Sir Robert Cann being called upon by the House to make his Defence therein; who, standing up in his Place, did in making such Defence, utter several reflecing Expressions against the said Sir John Knight;

And Exceptions being taken by the House thereunto; and the Words being taken by the Clerk in Writing; which are as followeth; viz.

"That, as for the Credit of Sir John Knight in Bristoll, it is such, That a Jury of Twelve Men, his Neighbours, will not believe his Testimony;"

And the House being informed by several Members, That he immediately added these Words, "God damn me, 'tis true;"

Which Words being read to Sir Robert Canne; and he having in his Place explained himself, was ordered to withdraw.

Reprimanded for exceptionable words;

Ordered, That Sir Robert Canne be brought to the Bar of this House, and do receive a Reprehension from Mr. Speaker, upon his Knees.

Which was accordingly done.

And Sir Robert Canne being again withdrawn;

The House proceeded in the further Consideration of the Matters charged against him.

And after long Debate;

Resolved, &c. That it doth appear by the Evidence this Day given to this House, That Sir Robert Canne is guilty of publickly declaring in the City of Bristoll, in October 1679, That there was no Popish Plot, but a Presbyterian Plot.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Canne, a Member of this House, be committed to the Prison of the Tower.

Expelled and committed.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Canne be expelled this House.

And then was brought to the Bar of the House; and, upon his Knees, received the Judgment of the House, for his Expulsion from this House, and Commitment to the Tower.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Serjeant at Arms, for conveying the Body of Sir Robert Canne to the Prison of the Tower.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Constable of the Tower, or his Deputy, to take the Body of Sir Robert Canne into Custody, and detain him, during the Pleasure of this House.

A person to attend.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Yeamans be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, to answer for publickly declaring in the City of Bristoll, in October 1679, That there was no Popish Plot, but a Presbyterian Plot.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees, except the Committee for drawing up the Address, declaring the Resolution of this House to preserve and support the King's Person and Government, and the Protestant Religion, be adjourned.

Dr. Dove to preach on 5th. Nov.

Ordered, That Doctor Dove be desired to preach before this House on the Fifth Day of November next, at St. Margaret's, Westminster: And Mr. Speaker is desired by the House to give him Notice thereof.

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