House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 30 November 1695

Sabbati, 30 die Novembris;

Septimo Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Sussex Election.

A PETITION of Robert Orme Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That by reason of several unlawful Practices, done by Francis Wyat Esquire, High Sheriff of the County of Sussex, and several others, on the behalf of Sir John Pelham and Sir William Thomas, before and at the Election of Knights of the Shire to serve in this present Parliament for the said County, the said High Sheriff hath returned the said Sir John Pelham and Sir William Thomas as duly elected, in Prejudice of the Petitioner, who stood as a Candidate at the said Election: And praying, that the House will take the Premises into Consideration.

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

Canterbury Election.

A Petition of Henry Lee Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That at the Election of Citizens to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Canterbury, Sir William Honywood, Geo. Sayers, Herbert Randolph, Esquires, and the Petitioner, stood as Candidates; and the Petitioner doubts not to prove, That he was duly elected by the Majority of legal Electors, and ought to have been returned accordingly; but, by reason of many undue Practices, used by Mr. Sayers, he and Sir William Honeywood have procured themselves to be returned, as duly elected for the said City, in Wrong to the Petitioner: And praying, That the House will take the Premises into Consideration, and do therein as they shall think meet.

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

Wiggan Election.

A Petition of Alexander Rigby Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner stood as a Candidate at the Election of Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Wiggan, in the County of Lancaster, against Peter Shackerly Esquire; who is wrongfully returned, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: That the Petitioner is ready to prove, That Mr. Shuckerly was guilty of several undue Practices, at and before the said Election: And praying, That the House will appoint a Day to hear and determine the Matter of the said Election.

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

Yarmouth Isle of Wight Election.

A Petition of John Acton Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That at the Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament, the Petitioner was duly elected, by the Majority of legal Votes, as a Member to serve for the Borough of Yarmouth, in the Isle of Wight; but the present Mayor of the said Borough hath falsly returned Anthony Morgan Esquire, to the Petitioner's great Damage: And praying the House to take the Premises into Consideration.

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

Whitchurch Election.

A Petition of Richard Woollaston Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That at the Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Whitchurch, in the County of Southampton, the Lord James Russell, Christopher Stoaks Esquire, and the Petitioner, stood Candidates; and that, by several indirect Practices, the said Lord Russell procured himself to be returned as one of the Burgesses for the said Borough, to the Petitioner's Prejudice: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, and such relief as shall be just.

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

Chichester Election.

A Petiton of John Bremen Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly chosen, by the Majority of rightful Voters, to be one of the Citizens to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Chichester, in the County of Sussex; but the Mayor of the said City hath returned William Elson Esquire; who obtained many Voices by Bribery, and many other undue Means: And praying, That the House will take the Premises into Consideration, and do therein according to Justice.

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

Regulating Printing and Printing Presses.

A Bill for regulating of Printing, and Printing-Presses, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Members Protections, &c.

Ordered, That all Protections, and written Certificates, of the Members of this House, be declared void in Law; and be forthwith withdrawn, and called in; and that none be granted for the future: And that if any shall be granted by any Member, such Member shall be liable to the Censure of this House: And that the Privilege of their menial Servants be observed according to Law: And that if any menial Servant shall be arrested and detained, contrary to Privilege, he shall, upon Complaint thereof made unto the Speaker, be discharged, by Order from him.

Ordered, That This be declared to be the standing Order of the House.

Ordered, That this Order be published, by setting up the same in the Lobby at the House-door, at Westminsterhall Gate, at the several Courts in Westminster-hall, and at the Inns of Court and Chancery, and at the Royal Exchange: And that the Knights of the Shire do send Copies thereof to the Sheriffs of their respective Counties; and the Burgesses to their several Boroughs.

Complaints of Breach of Privilege.

Resolved, That no Person be taken into Custody, upon Complaint of any Breach of Privilege of this House, before the Matter be first examined.

Resolved, That the said Order is not to extend to any Breach of Privilege upon the Person of any Member of this House.

Supply.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to whom the Consideration of the Motion made, on Thursday last, for a Supply to be given to his Majesty; and also the Consideration of his Majesty's Speech; was referred.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

The House being informed, That there was a Difference in the Committee, who should take the Chair of the Committee of the whole House;

Resolved, That Sir Thomas Littleton do take the Chair of the said Committee.

Then the House resolved itself again into the said Committee.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the Committee, That they had come to a Resolution; which they had directed him to report, when the House would please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said Report be received upon Monday Morning next, at Ten a Clock.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.