House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 04 June 1607 (2nd scribe)

Jovis, 4o die Junii, 1607 - Hora Nona

Union of Scotland.

THIS Forenoon the great Committee, for hostile Laws, assembled in the Court of Wards; and nothing done in the House.

Sir Francis Bacon maketh Report of the Bill, formerly intituled, An Act for the Continuance and Preservation of the blessed Union, &c. now, An Act for the utter Abolition of all Memory of Hostility. -

Though many Alterations, yet the whole Bill may be read as it is, and then the Alterations; being a Matter of Weight. -

Quest. Two referred by the Committee to the House, as not willing to interpose in it, but to be resolved by the House. -

" The Union already begun :" This Word, " begun," to be amplified: Some, "begun, and grounded;" others, the Word " vested:" This Word, in the Sense of Lawyers, and Statemen, do differ: "Planted," others; "settled," " inherent." - In the Title, and Fall, of the Bill.

2. Quest. Criminal Persons admitted to Witnesses in favorem vitae. - Said, there was the like Favour in Scotland. - After, a Message, from his Majesty, delivered ; that he took Knowledge of this Clause moved : His Majesty's gracious Opinion, that no Man would take upon him patrocinium latrocinii: That there is no Law in Scotland to allow Witnesses: An Intimation, it would do more Hurt, than all the rest Good.

Sir Fr. Barrington: - If a Question amongst the Committee, no Question after. -

Before the Bill be read, to agree upon the Clause to be inserted.

Every Question, upon the Voices of the Committee, bindeth, and cannot be altered by themselves.

Sir Henry Witherington moveth, that the Matter of Penalty, for remanding, was omitted in the Report: Desireth to know, whether it be the Order, to omit any thing.

Every thing directed, and agreed to be reported, ought to be reported ; but not every thing spoken.

The Clause, for the Witnesses, first reported; and then the whole Bill read: and then the Amendments read again.

The Law of England, that no criminal Offender shall be allowed Witnesses upon Oath.

Sir John Heigham standing up to speak, it -

This Question had no Effect [a] ; for it was agreed, that the Dispute should continue To-morrow, and the Lawyers appointed to attend at Eight a Clock.

The House to be called To-morrow in the Afternoon.