House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 16 July 1660

Monday, July 16th, 1660.

Prayers.

St. Ives Election.

SIR Edward Turner reports from the Committee for Privileges and Elections, the Case upon the several Indentures returned for the Borough of St. Ives, in the County of Cornwall; that upon Examination of the Fact, the Question appeared to be, whether the Right of Election of Members to serve in Parliament, belongs to the Portreve, and Twelve Burgesses, or to the Freemen at large; and that the Committee were of Opinion, the Freemen at large have Right to elect; and that Mr. Nosworthy, who is returned in one of the Indentures, is duly elected, and, together with Mr. St. Aubein, concerning the Validity of whose Election there is no Question, ought to sit in this House.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the Freemen at large have Right to elect Members to serve in Parliament, for the Borough of St. Ives, in the County of Cornwall; and that Mr. Nosworthy is duly elected, and do sit in this House.

Clitheroe Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, upon the Return of Col. Wm. White, being, together with Sir Ralph Ashton (concerning the Validity of whose Election there is no Dispute) returned for the Borough of Clitheroe in the County of Lancaster; and the Petition of Wm. Hulton Esquire; that, upon Examination of the Fact, the Question was, whether the Freemen at large, or the free Burghers seised for Life, or in Fee, of Borough Lands or Houses there, have Right to elect Members to serve in Parliament; and that, upon Consideration of the Testimonies, and other Evidence, produced on both Parts, the Committee were of Opinion, that the said free Burghers, and not the Freemen at large, have Right to elect; and that Mr. Hulton had a greater Number of Voices, of the said free Burghers, than Col. White; and that therefore he is duly elected, and ought to sit.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the said free Burghers have Right to elect Members to serve in Parliament; and that Mr. Hulton is duly elected, and do sit in this House.

The Question being propounded, That Sir Ralph Ashton have the Leave of this House to speak, again, at this Time, to the said Business of Clitherow;

It passed in the Negative.

Montgomery Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, the Case upon the Election of a Knight to serve for the County of Montgomery; that, upon Examination of the Fact, some Objections were made against the Validity of the former Election, by reason the Poll was demanded of the Sheriff, and by him denied; and that the Committee were of Opinion, the Poll was not so demanded and refused, as to make the Election void; and that John Purcell Esquire, who is returned to serve for the said County, was duly elected, and ought to sit.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the said Mr. Purcell is duly elected to serve for the said County, and that he do sit in this House.

Devon Writ.

Ordered, That a new Writ be issued for the Election of a Knight to serve for the County of Devon, in the Place of the Lord General, who is called by his Majesty's Writ to sit in the House of Lords; and that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to prepare a new Writ for the Purpose aforesaid; which the Lord Chancellor is to issue, and pass the same under the Great Seal of England, accordingly.

Montgomery Election.

Sir Edward Turner doth also report from the said Committee, the Case upon the Return of Thomas Middleton Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Montgomery; and the Petition of Mr. Charles Floud; that, upon Examination of the Fact, it appeared to the Committee, that Mr. Middleton is duly elected, and ought to sit in this House.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the said Mr. Middleton is duly elected, and do sit in this House.

Weobley Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, the Case upon the Return of James Pitts and Richard Weston Esquires, for the Borough of Weobly, in the County of Hereford, and the Petition of * Perrot Esquire; that upon Examination of the Fact, it appeared, that the Sheriff did not send any Precept for the said Election, nor give due Notice of the Time; and that, the Poll being demanded, he did refuse the same; and that, for those Reasons, the Committee were of Opinion the former Election is void.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament, for the Borough of Weobley, in the County of Hereford, is void.

Returns to be amended.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown do attend Tomorrow Morning, for the amending of the Returns, according to the Orders of this Day, upon the Reports from the Committee for Privileges and Elections.

Tonage and Poundage.

The Question being propounded, That the House do resume the Debate upon the Bill of Tonage and Poundage; and Leave being desired for Mr. Brodrick, who had once spoken, to speak again to the Question;

Resolved, That Mr. Broadrick have Leave to speak again in this Business.

The Question being propounded, That this House do forthwith resume the Debate upon the Bill for Tonage and Poundage;

The House was divided:

And the Yeas went forth.

And so it was Resolved, That this House do forthwith resume the Debate upon the Bill for Tonage and Poundage.

Resolved, That a Book of Rates be made Part of this Bill.

Resolved, That the Book of Rates, which was in January 1659, be forthwith transcribed, with Blanks as to the Sums.

Resolved, That this House do proceed upon the particular Alterations to the Book of Rates, brought in by Col. Birch, as they lie in Order.

The House proceeded upon the said Alterations: And those under the Letter A were read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Resolved, That the House do proceed upon the Debate of these Alterations To-morrow Morning.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Worsley, a Member of this House, have the Leave of this House to go into the Country.