House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 28 May 1678

Martis, 28 die Maii, 1678.

Highways.

A BILL for Repeal of a Clause in the Act concerning Highways, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Woolen Manufactures.

Ordered, That the Bill for wearing the Woolen Manufactures, be read the Second time on Thursday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock.

Haverford West Election.

A Petition of William Wogan Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Herbert Perrot, to serve for the Town and County of Haverford West, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Woolen Manufactures.

The House taking notice of printed Papers delivered at the Door, containing Reasons against the Bill for wearing the Woolen Manufactures: And the House conceiving it to be irregular, for Reasons to be printed and published against a Publick Bill, before a Petition be exhibited to the House against the Bill;

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to consider of this Matter; and what is fit to be done therein; and to report the same, with their Opinions therein; to the House.

And it is referred to Mr. Sachaverell, Mr. Hamden, Sir Phil. Warwick, Colonel Kirby, Colonel Titus, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Court. Poole, Sir John Trevor, Sir John Mallet, Colonel Birch, Mr. Swinfen, Sir John Knight, Sir Eliab Harvy, Sir Fr. Russell, Sir John Waerden, Sir Geo. Downing, Sir Richard Corbet, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Crouch, Sir Trevor Williams, Sir John Birkenhead, Sir Anth. Irby, Mr. Westphaling; or any Five of them: And they are to meet on Thursday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Lichfeild. Election.

A Petition of Michaell Biddulph Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Henry Littleton, to serve for the City of Lichfield, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned; was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Inselvent Debtors.

A Bill for Relief and Release of poor Prisoners for Debt, was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be committed, upon the Debate of the House, to Mr. Crouch, Serjeant Rigby, Sir Cha. Wheeler, Sir Hen. Ford, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Whorwood, Sir Tho. Meeres, Mr. Spry, Col. Rolles, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Lan. Lake, Serjeant Gregory, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir John Pettus, Sir Ad. Browne, Mr. Westfaling, Sir Tho. Clerges, Colonel Phillips, Sir John Coryton, Sir John Mallet, Sir John Knight, Sir Edm. Windham, Sir John Birkenhead, Sir Hen. Ford, Sir Job Charleton, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir John Knight, Sir Ric. Everard, Sir Cop. Bamfeild, Sir Sam. Bernardiston, Sir Vere Fane, Sir Phil. Warwick, Sir Robert Holt, Sir John Barnaby, Sir Scroop How, Sir Wm. Terringham, Sir John Norton, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr. Powle, Mr. Browne, Sir Court. Poole, and all the Members that serve for the County of Surrey, and all the Gentlemen of the Long Robe: And they are to meet on Thursday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Message in answer to Vote respecting the Army.

Mr. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That the Persons appointed had presented the Vote of Yesterday to his Majesty: And that his Majesty was pleased to return an Answer thereunto: Which being in Writing, he delivered to Mr. Speaker: And the same was by him read to the House; and is as followeth; viz.

Charles R

HIS Majesty having perused the Vote of this House of the Twenty-seventh of May, hath thought fit to return this Answer; That the Most Christian King hath made such Offers for a Cessation, till the Twenty-seventh of July, as his Majesty does not only believe will be accepted, but does also verily believe will end in a general Peace: Yet since that is not certain, his Majesty does by no means think it prudent to dismiss either Fleet or Army before that Time; nor does He think it can add much to the Charge; because the Raising of the Money, and paying them off, would take as long Time as that, although the speediest disbanding that is possible were intended.

That in the mean Time His Majesty desires some Supply may be provided for their Subsistence, that as hitherto they have been the most orderly Army that ever were together, they may be encouraged to continue so.

That there is another Thing which presses His Majesty with very great Inconvenience in His domestick Affairs; which is the want of the Two hundred thousand Pounds you promised to repay Him at your next Meeting after; and which does affect that whole Branch of His Revenue, by having a Fifth Part taken out of every Payment, which should be applied to the necessary Uses of His Household: He does therefore desire you will immediately apply yourselves to the Re-payment of that Money to Him.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, the Twenty-eighth of May 1678.

Message to be considered.

Resolved, &c. That this House will, on Thursday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, take into Consideration his Majesty's Message.

Lord Chancellor's Speech.

Resolved, &c. That the Lord Chancellor's Speech be read on Saturday Morning next.

And then the House adjourned till Thursday Morning, Eight of the Clock.