House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 12 April 1628

Sabbati, 12o Aprilis

Scandalous Ministers.

L. 1a. AN Act against scandalous Ministers, and unworthy.

Bailing Warner.

A Petition, from Warner, read. Mr. Gerrard, Mr. Andrewes, and Mr. Jo. Whyte, assigned of his Counsel. The East India Company to be desired by Mr. Alderman Cletherow, to give way for [Warner,] upon his Petition to the Lords, to have him bailed, that he may follow his Petition the [better.]

Recusants.

Upon Thursday next, after the Calling of the [House,] the Knights and Burgesses to present the Names [of the] Recusants, &c. in place of Government or [Trust]

Bridport Election.

Mr. Hackwill reporteth from the Committee for Privileges, the Case of the Borough of Bridport. -

The Question, whether the Commons, or only the [Two] Bailiffs, and 13 capital Burgesses, are Electors [there; the] last claiming that sole Power by Prescription, * * this proved by Two Witnesses, for 40 Years. * * * claimed it, but were denied. A Certificate of Disclaimer, under the Hands of 80 Commoners; offering to justify it upon Oath; and affirmed, they could have proved it by 40 Commoners more. -

On the other part. Records produced: 1, 6o Ed. VI. Indenture returned the Election to be per Ballivos, per assensum Communitatis. 2o and 3o Phill. and Mar. Election returned accordant. 1o Eliz. accordant, 1 o Jac. accordant. -

This also proved by Two Witnesses: Above 40 Commoners gave Voices 1o Jac.

Another, that about 60 Years ago the Commoners had Voice; and that he himself, then a Commoner, gave Voice. -

Affirmed by One of the Members of this House, that One of the now Bailiffs confessed to him, the Commoners had Voice. -

Replied to this, That the Addition of the Commonalty; because That the Name of the Corporation : That so they make their Leases, yet the Commoners never meddle. -

Exception to One of the Witnesses, that a Commoner, and a very aged Man ; scarce could hear, or be heard: That the other had been disfranchised, and therefore spake out of Spleen. -

Alleged further, that 1o Jac. the Commons called, because they were to contribute to Mr. Pitt's Wages. -

Agreed by major Part of the Committee, that the Commoners had Voice in the Election.

Resolved also here, no good Election ; because the Commons, having Right of Voice, had no Warning, as they ought to have had.

Upon Question, the Commonalty in general ought to have Voices in the Election of the Burgesses for the Parliament.

Bridport Writ.

Upon Question, the Election void, in respect of the Want of Warning to the Commonalty. A new Writ for a new Election.

Message from the King - Supply.

Mr. Secretary delivereth a Message from his Majesty, to hasten our Resolution of his Supply, without any unnecessary Delay.

Answer to Message.

Mr. Secretary Cooke, Sir Edw. Coke, Sir Tho. Wentworth, Sir Ro. Phillippes, Sir D. Digges, Sir Nath. Rich, Sir Jo. Ellyott, Mr. Selden, Mr. Littleton, Sir Francis Seymor : This Committee to consider of some Answer to be given his Majesty, by Mr. Speaker, upon Monday next, to the Message now sent from his Majesty to the House; and to report their Opinions, and Proceedings, therein to the House. This Committee also to consider of any other Thing, which they shall think fit to be added by Mr. Speaker, besides the Answer to this particular Message. The Committee to meet at Mr. Speaker's Chamber, and the House to sit again at Four of the Clock this Afternoon.

Sabbati, 12o Aprilis - Post Meridiem

Answer to King's Message.

Mr. Secretary Cooke reporteth from the Committee, last named, that they have considered of the Heads of the Answer to the King's Message: Which Mr. Secretary delivereth in, and were by the Clerk twice read.

The first allowed: So the second : So the third : So the fourth : So the fifth : So the sixth : So the seventh : So the eighth : So the ninth.