House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 26 October 1678

Sabbati, 26 die Octobris, 1678.

Prayers.

Committee added.

ORDERED, That Mr. Bagnall be added to the Committee appointed to search Mr. Richard Langhorne's Papers and Writings.

Papists not to sit in Parliament.

Sir John Knight reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for hindering Papists to sit in either House of Parliament, was committed, That the Committee had taken the Bill into their Consideration; and had agreed upon several Amendments to be made to the Bill: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were twice read; and, upon the Question, with some Amendments made at the Table, severally agreed.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill, with the Amendments agreed to, be ingrossed.

Aldborough Election.

A Petition of the Burghers of the Borough of Aldborough, in the County of Yorke, complaining, That Sir John Reresby had procured himself to be returned to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough, although he was not duly elected, was read.

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

Address for Coleman's Papers.

Ordered, That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, to desire his Majesty, That Mr. Coleman's Papers, and all other Papers relating to the Plot and Conspiracy, mentioned by his Majesty in his Speech, may be communicated to the House.

Popish Plot.

Mr. Tongue being called in, to give an Account touching the Firing of the City of London; and he having reduced his Information into Writing, which he delivered in to the Clerk; and the same being read to the House;

Ordered, That the Papers delivered in by Doctor Tongue, relating to the Firing of the City of London, be referred to the Consideration of the Committee appointed to examine concerning the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey; to make an Extract thereout; and report the same to the House.

Answer to request for Papers, &c.

Mr. Secretary Williamson informs the House, That in pursuance of the Order of Yesterday, he had attended his Majesty; and acquainted him with the Desires of this House, That a Committee of this House might have Leave to search Mr. Langhorne's Papers: And that his Majesty was pleased to give Leave, that the same may be searched; and had appointed Two of the Clerks of the Council to assist the Committee therein: And that his Majesty was pleased to deliver him some of Mr. Coleman's Papers sealed up; and ordered him to deliver the same to the House: And had also commanded him to acquaint the House, That the rest of Mr. Coleman's Papers were at present under Examination before the House of Lords; and that when the Lords had done with them they should be communicated to this House.

And the Papers were accordingly, by Mr. Secretary Williamson, delivered in, sealed up.

King appoints to be attended.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwyn and Sir Wm. Beversham;

Mr. Speaker, We are commanded to acquaint you, that the Lords of the White Staves have waited upon his Majesty, to know his Pleasure, when both Houses shall attend Him with the Address for removing the Papists from London: And that his Majesty has appointed this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, for both Houses to attend Him, in the Banqueting House at Whitehall.

And then the House adjourned till Two of the Clock, in the Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

The King attended.

THE House being met, in order to attend his Majesty with the Address;

Adjourned till Monday Morning, Eight of the Clock.