House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 28 March 1673

Veneris, 28 die Martii, 1673.

Exception in a Deed.

THE Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for explaining and declaring the Extent of an Exception in a Deed therein named, was read a Third time.

Resolved, That the said Bill do pass: And that the Title be agreed.

Debtors Relief.

The humble Petition of the poor Prisoners in the King's Bench, on the Behalf of themselves, and other Prisoners in the several Prisons in the City of London, County of Middlesex, and other Prisons within this Realm, who have taken, or are capable of taking, the Oath mentioned in the late gracious Act of Parliament, for the Relief and Release of poor distressed Prisoners for Debt, was twice read.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in an explanatory Bill for the further Relief of Prisoners; and more particularly of such as are poor Prisoners, upon mesne Process and Outlawries: And it is referred to Sir John Birkenhead, to take care, that a Bill be prepared accordingly; and brought in the next Meeting after the Recess.

Protestant Dissenters.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Wm. Beversham and Sir Edw. Low;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have returned you the Bill for Ease of his Majesty's Protestant Subjects, Dissenters from the Church of England; with some Provisoes and Alterations; to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Amendments and Provisoes were read the First time.

The Question being put, To agree with the Lords in the First Amendment;

The House divided:

The Yeas went forth.

Tellers,

And so it passed in the Negative.

The Question being put, To agree with the Lords in the Second Amendment;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

The Question being put, To agree with their Lordships in the Third Amendment: viz. To let go that which concerns the Articles; and take the Subscription touching Transubstantiation; and retain the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy;

It passed in the Negative.

The Fourth Amendment being read the Second time; and being to insert a Clause, consisting of several Points; and leaving out several Clauses in the Bill;

The Question being put, To agree with the Lords in leaving out the Tests of taking the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy;

It passed in the Negative.

The Question being put, To agree with the Lords in leaving out the Test for Subscription to the Articles of Religion;

It passed in the Negative.

General Pardon.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Justice Windham and Mr. Justice Atkins;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have sent us to acquaint you, That his Majesty hath been graciously pleased to send them an Act, intituled, An Act for the King's Majesty's most General and Free Pardon: Which they have accepted of; and have sent it to you.

Lords intend to sit.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir William Beversham and Sir Edw. Lowe;

Mr. Speaker, By Command of the House of Lords, we are to acquaint this House, That the Lords do intend to sit this Afternoon, for Dispatch of the weighty Affairs that are before them: And desire this House would also sit.

To which the House agreeing;

The Messengers were called in; and acquainted therewith.

Protestant Dissenters.

The Question being propounded, That the Debate of the Amendments to the Bill for the Ease of Dissenters, be adjourned, till after the Bill of General Pardon be read;

The Question being put, That these Words "till after the Bill of general Pardon be read," be Part of the Question;

The House divided.

The Yeas go out.

Tellers,

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That the Debate of Amendments to the Bill for Ease of Dissenters be adjourned, till after the Bill of General Pardon be read.

General Pardon.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill of General Pardon be read.

The Bill of General Pardon was accordingly read.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be agreed to; viz. An Act for the King's Majesty's most General and Free Pardon.

Protestant Dissenters.

The House then proceeded upon the rest of the Amendments, sent from the Lords.

And the other Parts of the Fourth Amendment being read the Second time;

The Question being put, To agree with the Lords in the Fourth Amendment;

It passed in the Negative.

The Fifth Amendment was read the Second time.

The Question being put, To agree with the Lords in this Amendment;

It passed in the Negative.

The Sixth Amendment was read the Second time.

The Question being put, To agree to this Amendment;

It passed in the Negative.

The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Amendments were read a Second time; and, upon the Question, severally agreed.

The last Amendment was read a Second time; and, upon the Question, disagreed.

The several Paragraphs in the Proviso mark'd (A) were read a Second time; and agreed to, with making the Word "or" in the 18th Line "and;" and with Addition of the Clause following;

"Provided always, and be it Enacted, That his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, for any Misdemeanor by Colour of this Act, may, by his Proclamation under the Great Seal, take off the Liberty granted by this Act, to any Person or Persons whatsoever, as to him or them shall appear meet or convenient."

The last Proviso mark'd (B), was twice read; and, with inserting the Words "or omitted," after the Word "acted," was, upon the Question, agreed to.

Conference desired with Lords.

Ordered, That a Conference be desired with the Lords, upon the Amendments of this House, to the Amendments and Provisoes, sent from the Lords, to the Bill for Ease to his Majesty's Protestant Subjects Dissenters in Matters of Religion; and that these Persons following do draw up Reasons to be used at the said Conference; viz. Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Solicitor, Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir John Birkenhead, Mr. Milward, Mr. Garraway, Col. Birch, Colonel Strangewaies, Serjeant Seys, Sir Nicholas Pedley, Mr. Powle, Colonel Titus, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Thomas Lee; or any Three of them: And that Mr. Powle do go up to the Lords, to desire a Conference.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight of the Clock.