House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 25 November 1680

Jovis, 25 die Novembris, 1680.

Prayers.

Tryals of impeached Lords.

ORDERED, That a Message be sent to the Lords, desiring their Lordships to appoint a Committee to join with the Committee of this House, for adjusting the Methods and Circumstances relating to the Tryals of the Lords in the Tower: And that Mr. Treby do go up to the Lords with the said Message.

Privilege- Misconduct of an Under Sheriff.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Norfolk, against Samuel Verdun, Under Sheriff of the said County, for several Crimes and Misdemeanors by him committed, was read.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to examine the Matter contained in the said Petition; and to report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

And it is referred to Sir Richard Corbett, Sir John Hobbart, Mr. England, Sir George Downing, Sir Trevor Williams, Sir Samuel Bernardiston, Mr. Powle, Sir Henry Ford, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Burwood, Sir Robert Carr, Sir Gervase Elwes, Sir Gilbert Gerald, Mr. John Trenchard, Sir John Guise, Mr. Barker, Mr. Paul Foley, Sir Ralph Dutton, Sir Henry Calverly, Sir Robert Markham, Sir Robert Henley, Sir William Estcourt, Mr. Barker, Sir Philip Skippon, Sir Edward Harley, Mr. Owen, and all the Members that serve for the Counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincolne; or any Five of them: And they are to meet at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records: And the same Committee is likewise impowered to examine the Abuses, Miscarriages, and Misdemeanors committed by all Under Sheriffs throughout the Kingdom.

Ordered, That the said Samuel Verdon be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House; to answer, at the Bar of the House, for a notorious Breach of Privilege by him committed against this House.

Answer to Address.

Mr. Speaker acquaints the House that he attended his Majesty Yesterday in the Afternoon, in the Banqueting House, with the Address for removing George Earl of Hallifax from his Majesty's Presence and Councils: And after the same was presented, his Majesty was pleased to say, "I will send you an Answer to this Address."

Privilege- A person discharged.

A Petition of Mr. Thomas Staples, being in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, was read.

Ordered, That Mr. Staples be called in; and do receive the Censure of the House, at the Bar, upon his Knees, from Mr. Speaker: And that he be then discharged, paying his Fees.

Which was done accordingly.

King appoints to be attended.

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

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint this House, That his Majesty having been desired to appoint a Time, When both Houses should attend him with an Address for a Fast; his Majesty was pleased to return Answer, "That 'tis his Majesty's Pleasure, That both Houses do attend him at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Banqueting House."

Impeachment of Mr. Seymour.

The Articles of Impeachment against Edward Seymour Esquire, a Member of this House, being read.

Resolved, That the Articles be read One by One: And that Mr. Seymour do make his Answer to each respective Article in his Place.

Which being accordingly done; and Mr. Seymour withdrawn;

The First of the said Articles being read to the House;

And a Debate arising thereupon;

Resolved, That the Debate be adjourned to Ten of the Clock To-morrow Morning.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees who were to sit this Afternoon be adjourned.

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