House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 7 January 1674

Mercurii, 7 die Januarii, 1673.

Prayers.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from his Majesty, by Sir Edward Carteret, Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this honourable House to attend Him immediately in the House of Peers.

And accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

Mr. Speaker, and the House, being returned.

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reports, That he had attended the King in the House of Lords; and that his Majesty had been pleased to let him have a Copy of his Speech: Which Mr. Speaker read to the House: And the Speech of the Lord Keeper being also delivered in Writing, was read by the Clerk; and are as followeth; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

WHEN I parted with you last, it was but for a little Time, and with a Resolution of meeting suddenly again: That alone was enough to satisfy My Friends, they need not fear, and My Enemies, that they could not hope for, a Breach between us: I then told you that the Time of this short Recess should be employed in doing such Things as might add to your Satisfaction. I hope I have done my Part towards it; and if there be any thing else, which you think wanting to secure Religion or Property, there is nothing which you shall reasonably propose, but I shall be ready to receive it. I do now expect you shall do your Parts too; for our Enemies make vigorous Preparations for War; and yet their chief Hopes are to disunite us at Home: It is their common Discourse, and they reckon upon it as their best Relief.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

It is not possible for Me to doubt your Affections at any time, much less at such a time as this, when the Evidences of your Affections are become so necessary to us all. I desire you to consider, that, as the War cannot be well made without a Supply, so neither can a good Peace be had without being in a Posture of War. I am very far from being in Love with War for War's sake; but if I saw any Likelihood of Peace, without Dishonour to Myself, and Damage to you, I would soon embrace it: But no Proposals of Peace have yet been offered, which can be imagined with Intent to conclude, but only to amuse. Therefore the Way to a good Peace is to set out a good Fleet, which we have Time enough to do very effectually, if the Supply be not delayed. If, after this, a Peace should follow, yet the Supply would be well given; for, whatever remains of it, I am willing should be appropriated for building more Ships.

To conclude, a speedy, a proportionable, and, above all, a chearful Aid, is now more necessary than ever, and I rely upon you for it.

I lately put you in mind of my Debt to the Goldsmiths: I hope a fit Time will come to take That into Consideration.

I cannot conclude without shewing you the intire Confidence I have in you. I know you have heard much of My Alliance with France; and, I believe, it hath been very strangely misrepresented to you, as if there were certain secret Articles of dangerous Consequence; but I will make no Difficulty of letting the Treaties, and all the Articles of them, without any the lest Reserve, to be seen by a small Committee of both Houses, who may report to you the true Scope of them: And I assure you, there is no other Treaty with France, either before or since, not already printed, which will not be made known. And, having thus freely trusted you, I do not doubt, but you will have a Care of my Honour, and the Good of the Kingdom.

The rest I refer to My Lord Keeper.

My Lords, and You the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the House of Commons.

Lord Keeper's Speech.

THE King hath already, in part, told you what He hath done for you since the last Recess; what he is still ready to do; and what it is He doth now expect from you; and this in Terms so full, and so obliging, so generous, and so satisfactory, that he, whose Affections are not raised by that Discourse; he, who cannot acquiesce in the Fulness of this Assurance; he whose Heart is not established by it in such a Belief as may entirely dispose him to the Service of the Crown, will hardly be recovered to a better Disposition by any other Expedient.

For, indeed, what better Way can be found to undeceive those who have been abused? The King refers you to the Time past, not to His Promises, but to His Performances; gives Men Leave to judge by what they see, of what they hear; by what hath been done since the last Session, of what is offered you now; and what is likely to be done for the Time to come.

And doth not every Man see, that the King hath given new Life and Motion to such Laws as were long dead, or fast asleep? That He hath once more repaired the Hedge about our Vineyard, and made it a Fence indeed against all those who are Enemies to the Planting of it; who would be glad to see it trodden down, or rooted up, and study how to sap and undermine our very Foundations.

Do you not see, that the King hath made it His Care, and His Business; to do all that is possible to preserve us in our Civil Rights too? That He makes the Laws of His Kingdom the Measures, not only of His Power, but His Prudence? That he suffers no Man to be wiser than the Law; and He thinks He cannot judge of the Healths or Sickness of His State, by any better Indication, than the Current of His Laws; and suffers nothing to remain, that may, in the least Measure, hinder Justice from flowing in its due and proper Channels?

A very few Instances, of many that that might be used, will serve to demonstrate it.

If the Conviction of all Recusants, and bringing them under the penal Laws, can suppress Popery;

If, without staying for the Forms of Law, in Points of Conviction, the present Forbidding of all Papists, or reputed Papists, to come to Court, and the Extending this Prohibition to his Royal Palace at St. James's, be enough to discountenance them;

If the not extending His Prerogative beyond its due Limits, can secure your Liberties;

If His Majesty's lessening and reducing all his Land Forces, and maintaining so few extraordinary, that they will scarce be enough to help to man His Fleet this Summer, can extinguish the Fears of a Standing Army;

If a rigorous and severe Prosecution at Law, of all the Officers and Soldiers in His Majesty's ordinary Guards, when they misbehave themselves towards the meanest Subjects, can secure your Properties;

If the Abrogation of all the Privileges from Arrests, which were claimed by his Majesty's Servants Extraordinary, who are very numerous, can prevent the Delays and Obstructions of Justice;

Then, surely, His Majesty has Reason to believe, that nothing is wanting, which can lawfully be done, or modestly be wished, either for your Satisfaction, or your Security?

These are not single and transient Acts, but such Acts as flow from Habits; these are not Leaves and Blossoms, but true, solid, and lasting Fruits. Long, long, may that Royal Tree live and flourish, upon which these Fruits do grow!

And yet His Majesty's Indulgence to you rests not here; He gives you Leave to study and contrive your own Assurance; and, if you think you want any further Security, if any thing have escaped His Majesty's Care, (who meditates nothing more than your Preservation) you see you have free Leave to make any reasonable Proposition; and his gracious Promise, that He will receive it.

This is a Satisfaction equal to all your Wishes: Now, if ever, your Joys are full, there wants no more to the Improvement of this Happiness, but the Wisdom of the Parliament, to use these Advantages with due Moderation.

If therefore, upon Inquiry, you shall think it needful to apply any other Remedies, it is extremely to be wished, that those Remedies may be few; and withal; that they may be gentle and easy too.

For they that are sick, perish as often by too many Remedies, as by none at all; but none fall so fatally, and so finally, as they, who, being entered into some Degrees of Convalescence, resolve to recover in an Instant; and had rather make some great Effort, or try some bold Experiment upon themselves, than observe the Methods, or attend those gradual Progressions, which are necessary to perfect that Health, and compleat that Recovery.

I must not omit one Instance more of His Majesty's Care for you; and that it is the great Industry and Application of Mind, which His Majesty hath used all along, in hopes to obtain, by this time, (if it had been possible) an honourable and a just Peace.

A very few Words will serve to give you the whole Deduction of it, from the first Original to this present Moment.

Much Time was spent in agreeing the Place of Treaty, wherein the Dutch were gratified in their Desires; and the City of Cologne is accepted for the Place.

When His Majesty's Ambassadors arrived there, the very first Meeting with those from the States General made it evident, that their Plenipotentiaries came not with any Intention to enter upon a serious Treaty, but only to draw the Matter out in Length, until their Affairs might meet with a better and more pleasing Conjuncture.

For their very Credentials or Plenipotencies were so penned, that there were no less than Four gross Equivocations in the Body of them; which was so manifest, and without all Reply, that they were fain to send to their Masters at the Hague, to get them amended.

And that which gave greatest Offence of all, and was purposely done for that End, was the Preamble; wherein they take upon them to beg the Question, to desire the Justice of the Cause, and to affirm such Matters of Fact as they had Reason to believe would never be admitted.

No Arguments of our Ambassadors, no Instance of the Mediators, though never so importunate, could prevail then, or yet prevail, to have it altered.

The Treaty should naturally have stopped here, but that His Majesty was resolved to give a Beginning to it; and, which was all that could be done, suffered His Ambassadors to enter upon it with a Protestation.

Our Demands are no sooner given in, but presently Two of the Dutch Ambassadors go away to the Hague, on Pretence to consult their Masters; where they staid a full Month without any kind of Answer given, or Exceptions taken, to his Majesty's Demands, or any the east Step made in this Negociation.

When they came back, their Answer was a Remonstrance, rather than an Answer; and such a Remonstrance, as was fitter for a Rupture than a Treaty: There was scarce one Period in it, which did not rather give Occasion of new Offence, than any Satisfaction for what was passed.

Their very Conversation, from that Time forward, wanted much of its former Civility.

They waited for the Conclusion of a Treaty with Spain; wherein one Article was, that, as soon as Spain had broke with France, they would presently break off their Treaty at Cologne.

And now this Article is in effect performed; for Two of their principal Ambassadors are actually gone away from Cologne, as they long threatened they would do, leaving only Two other for Form-sake; who, in all Probability, either must not, or will not, conclude without their Collegues.

His Majesty, notwithstanding, hath not suffered Himself to be diverted from using all the Ways and Means that were possible to facilitate a Peace: To this End, he directed his Ambassadors, from time to time, to moderate their Demands in such Particulars as were capable of it; and wholly relaxes some Points which were of highest Importance to the Dutch to gain, and very considerable Abatements of His Majesty's just Satisfaction.

A Condescension well received and esteemed by the Mediators, though it hath not yet found any suitable Reception from the Dutch Ministers, as their superior Lords.

By this Time they began to hope, that the Subjects of England would grow weary of the War; and that they should be able to profit themselves very much by our Impatience.

To increase this as much as was possible, they prepare a Letter, which they send by a Trumpeter, sitting the Parliament, or very near it, and cause it to be given out, that nothing could be more desired than they had offered.

His Majesty quickly made that Letter, and his Answer to it, publick; and, for that Time, defeated the Design of this Paper Stratagem.

The next Recourse was, to such Proposals as they could procure the Spanish Ambassadors to deliver on their Behalves.

Wherein, besides the demand of Restitution of Prizes, which was wholly impracticable, there was a total Omission of any Regulation of Trade in the Indies; no Mention made of releasing His Majesty's Subjects at Surinam, where they remain in a State of Bondage; no Recompence offered, nor so much as Leave asked, for the Liberty of Fishing upon our Coast.

And yet the Right of our sole Fishing is so clear, that we find in our ancient Rolls of Parliament, in the Time of R. II. a Tax laid upon all Strangers who fish in our Seas; and this not by way of Custom, when they came into our Ports, but by way of Tribute, for Fishing in our Seas.

And this Evidence of His Majesty's Dominion in the British Seas, hath been, in all Ages downward, preserved in some measure, until the Time of the late Usurper, who, for private Reasons, first abandoned it.

As for that Satisfaction, in the Matter of the Flag, which the Proposals mention, it is but reasonable to understand it in that Sense, wherein they sometimes used to express themselves at Cologne:

That is, the Thing shall be done: Whole Fleets shall strike their Sails to single Ships; and they shall do it out of the British Seas too: But that, of Right, they ought to do it within the British Seas, will never be acknowledged.

So they desire to change the ancient Inheritance of the Crown into a new Purchase, and to turn that Purchase into a Matter of Civility; which they may equally pay to all Crowned Heads, and equally resume, according to their good Pleasure and Occasions.

Now, though these Proposals have been backed with some kind of Intimation of a War with Spain, in case of Refusal, yet His Majesty, who knows the Articles of Peace between Himself and that King, and His own Care to preserve them; who knows the Usefulness of His Alliance to that King, and the many good Offices He hath always been ready to do for him; and, withal, considers the great Wisdom and Prudence of that Council, and how carefully they use to deliberate, before they come to great and important Resolutions; will not easily believe it possible for that King to proceed to such Extremities:

The rather, because the Dutch themselves have, since, departed from those very Proposals, which they procured the Spanish Ambassador so earnestly to recommend: For they afterwards sent the Ambassador a Reply to his Majesty's Answer to their Letter; wherein they abate much of what the Ambassadors had offered, and seek to reduce Things to the State they were in at Breda.

So that it is hard to know, by what kind of Proposals they intend to be bound; but it is most reasonable to believe, they intend those made by themselves, rather than those made for them: And yet this Reply, besides the Disrespect it carried to Spain, whose Proposals it shrunk from, was so offensive to his Majesty, that the Ambassador, like a wise and great Minister, that is, like himself, thought it became him to send it back again, without offering to present it.

Nevertheless, this Paper hath since stolen into the Press, and is printed at the Hague, as a Letter delivered; and hath been sent hither, under Covers, to several Members of the House of Commons, whom they libelled in the former War for their Zeal, and now pretend to reverence for their Deliberation.

And all this, in hopes you will not think them obstinate, who refuse to treat at the Place of their own Appointment, or, to be well understood, any where else: How is it possible to understand these Proceedings to be real, and with a true Desire of Peace; and if they should yet send, during this Session, any new Proposal; (for who knows the Design of an Enemy); what Forms soever those Overtures may be dressed in, we may justly suspect, that their End is, if they cannot divide us, at least amuse us, and lessen our Care in providing for the War.

Perhaps it is more than an honourable War doth allow, to go about to raise Sedition, though in the Country of an Enemy: But surely the Artifice of appealing in a manner to the People, and making them the Judges of Peace and War, is a little too plain and open to take any Effect here.

I have done with these few Instances of His Majesty's Care; those of his Kindness are infinite: That which you have heard this Morning, is of a transcendant, and, indeed, a very surprising Nature; it is an Act of so intire a Confidence on his Majesty's Part, that can never be repaid by any other Tribute on your Part, but that of a true and humble Affiance in Him.

I must now proceed to put you in mind, that there are some other Things, which His Majesty, with great Justice, and great Assurance, doth expect from you again.

The first is, His speedy, and a proportionable Supply; and this is of absolute Necessity, both for War and Peace.

His Majesty is well assured His Fleet is in such a Forwardness, that, if the Supply come in any reasonable Time, you will find no Time hath been lost in Preparation; and it was no small Matter to bring it to that Pass, that we may be as forward as our Enemies, if we please, or very near it.

If the Supply be at all delayed, it will have as ill Effect almost, as if it were denied; for we may chance to be found like Archimedes, drawing Lines in the Dust, while the Enemy is entering into our Ports; and if the further Progress of this Fleet be stopt for want of your Concurrence; . . . make account all Hopes of Peace are stopped too: For though the Fruit of the War be Peace, yet it is such a Fruit as we must not hope to gather without our Arms in our Hands.

It is not the Way to a brave Peace, to shew ourselves weary of the War: Who ever trusted to the Good-nature of their Enemies?

It is a vigorous Assistance of the Crown, that must not only make your Arms considerable, but your Treaties too.

On the other Side, if the Putting of yourselves into a good Posture of War, should produce a Peace, as possibly it may do, yet you will have the best Account of your Supply your Hearts can wish; for his Majesty is content it be appropriated to the Building of more Ships.

Therefore, if the Discourse upon this Subject be a little, more pressing than ordinary, you may be sure the Occasion is so too.

There cannot be a higher Gratification of your Enemies, than to be backward in this Point; the very Opinion they have that you would be so, hath already done us so much Harm, that, perhaps, it is one great Cause of the Continuance of the War.

Had the Enemy despaired of any Division here, it is likely his Proceedings had been more sincere, and our Peace had not been so far off, as now it seems to be.

There is one Thing more the King hath mentioned, and only mentioned to you; that is, the Consideration of the Goldsmiths; which involves so many Persons and Families, that the Concern is little less than National: It is an Affair the King lays very much to Heart, and hopes a proper Time will come, when a favourable Regard may be had of it.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The King doth not only assure himself of Your Affections to Him at this Time; but, from such Affections, so known, and so tried, as yours, he doth yet expect far greater Things than these.

He doth expect, that you should do your Endeavours to restore and improve the mutual Confidence between Him and His People; and that you should do it to such a Degree, that it may recover its full Strength, and quite extinguish all their Fears and Jealousies.

For the King takes notice, that the Malice of His Enemies hath been very active in sowing so many Tares as are almost enough to spoil that Harvest of Love and Duty, which his Majesty may justly expect to reap from the good Seed which he Himself had sown.

Among the many venomous Insinuations, which have be made use of by * * * * Fears and Jealousies of Religion and Liberty are of the worst Sort, and the most dangerous Impressions.

Certainly Malice was never more busy than it hath been in these Reports; and it hath been assisted by a great deal of Invention.

But, it is to be hoped, that no Man's Judgment, or Affections, will be either misled or disturbed by such Reports.

For Calumnies and Slanders of this Nature are like Comets in the Air; they may seem, perhaps, especially to the Fearful, to be ill Prognosticks, and the direct Forerunners of Mischief; but, in themselves, they are vain Apparitions; and have no kind of Solidity, no Permanence, or Duration, at all; for, after a little time, the Vapour spends itself, and then the base Exhalation quickly falls back again into that Earth from whence it came.

Religion and Liberty stands secured by the most sacred Ties that are; nay, the King hath a greater Interest in the Preservation of both than yourselves; for as Religion, the Protestant Religion, commands your indispensable Obedience, so it is a just and lawful Liberty which sweetens that Command, and endears it to you.

Let other Princes therefore glory in the most resigned Obedience to their Vassals: His Majesty values himself upon the Hearts and Affections of His People; and thinks His Throne, when seated there, better established than the most exalted Sovereignty of those who tread upon the Necks of them that rise up against them.

Since the World stood, never any King had so great a Cause to rest upon this Security; they were your Hearts that mourned in secret for the Absence of the King; they were your Hearts and Affections to the King, which tired out all the late Usurpations, by your invincible Patience and Fortitude: It was you that taught our English World to see and know, that no Government could be settled here, but upon the true Foundations of Honour and Allegiance.

This, This alone, made way for all the happy Changes which have followed.

And yet Posterity will have Cause to doubt, which was the greater Felicity of the Two; That Providence which restored the Crown, or That which sent us such a Parliament to preserve it when it was restored. What may not the King now hope from you? What may not you assure yourselves from Him? Can any thing be difficult to Hearts so united, to Interest so twisted and interwoven together, as the King's and Yours are?

Doubtless the King will surpass himself at this Time, in endeavouring to procure the Good of the Kingdom: Do but you excell yourselves too, in the continued Evidences of your Affections; and then the Glory of reviving this State will be intirely due to this Session.

Then they, who wait for the Languishing and the Declination of the present Government, will be amazed to see so happy a Crisis, so blessed a Revolution:

And Ages to come will find Cause to celebrate your Memories, as the truest Physicians, the wisest Counsellors, the noblest Patriots, and the best Session of the best Parliament, that ever King or Kingdom met with.

Vexatious Suits.

A Bill to prevent Vexations by Suits at Law, was read the First time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read a Second time.

Grand Committees.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Religion do sit every Monday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Grievances do sit every Wednesday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Trade do sit every Friday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for Courts of Justice do sit every Saturday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That a Committee of Elections and Privileges be appointed of these Members following; viz. Sir Thomas Meres, Mr. Milward, Sir John Coriton, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Garraway, Sir Thomas Clergis, Mr. Cheney, Sir Allen Apseley, Sir Scroope How, Sir Allen Brodericke, Mr. Robert Phillipps, Sir John Stroode, Mr. Churchill, Lord Arris, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir John Talbot, Colonel Strangwais, Mr. Morgan, Sir Charles Wheeler, Mr. Hide, Mr. Maynard, Sir John Lowther, Sir John Werden, Mr. Seymour, Sir Trevor Williams, Mr. Sacheverell, Colonel Birch, Sir Fowlke Lucy, Sir Robert Carre, Sir Ralph Bankes, Mr. Phillipps, Mr. Russell, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Thom. Dolman, Mr. Hobby, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Robert Howard, Sir Thom. Lee, Mr. Thom. Strangwaies, Sir John Trevor, Sir Charl. Harbord, Mr. John Strangwaies, Mr. Secretary Coventry, Mr. Powle, Sir James Smith, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Newport, Sir John Duncomb, Mr. Chetwin, Mr. Cornwallis, Mr. Progers, Sir Rich. Ford, Colonel Titus, Sir Will. Bassett, Sir Copleston Bampfield, Sir Wm. Doyley, Mr. Hall, Lord St. Johns, Sir Henry Capell, Sir Robert Dillington, Sir Edm. Jenings, Mr. Gray, Lord Cavendish, Colonel Sands, Colonel Kirby, Sir Thom. Mompesson, Sir Edm. Deering, Sir Thom. Allen, Sir Thom. Jones, Sir Rich. Everard, Sir Joseph Tredinham Sir Bainham Throgmorton, Sir Phil. Warwick, Mr. Herbert, Mr. Estcourt, Mr. Walker, Mr. Oakeley, Sir Thom. Littleton, Sir Fran. Russell, Mr. Pleydall, Sir John Barnaby, Lord Castleton, Mr. Austin, Sir Fran. Drake, Sir Nich. Slaining, Sir Jonathan Trelawney, Mr. Wright, Sir Rich. Braham, Sir Walter St. John, Mr. Price, Mr. Palmes, Sir John Heath, Sir Courtney Poole, Lord Hawley, Lord Fanshaw, Sir George Sandys, Mr. Grenvile, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Nich. Pedley, Sir Vere Fane, Mr. Waller, Mr. Man, Lord Ancram, Captain Dyott, Sir Edw. Massey, Mr. Wareing, Mr. King, Sir Eliab Harvey, Mr. Attorney General, Sir John Mallett, Mr. Finch, Sir John Birkenhead, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Knowles, Mr. Collingwood, Mr. Faunt, Mr. Seymour, Col. Gilby, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Culliford, Sir Edw. Mansell, Mr. Gwinne, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Noseworthy, Sir Geo. Probert, Sir William Lowther, Sir Thom. Bludworth, Mr. Mallet, Sir Thom. Hanmer, Sir John Bramston, Sir Will. Terringham, Sir William Wiseman, Lord Ashley, Sir Fran. Clarke, Colonel Whitley, Major Broxholme, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bishop, Sir Robert Thomas, Sir Fran. Popham: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet To-morrow, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, at Two of the Clock, in the Place before-mentioned; and take into Consideration all such Matters as shall come into Question touching Returns, Elections, and Privileges; and to proceed upon double Returns in the first Place, and to report their Proceedings to the House: And all Persons that will question any Returns already made, are to do it in Fourteen Days next; and so in Fourteen Days after any new Returns shall be brought in: And the Committee is to have Power to receive Petitions; and to send for Persons, Papers, and Records, for their Information; and to make Report of any Matter, which may concern Breach of Privilege: And all Members that are returned for Two or more Places, are to make their Election by this Day Three Weeks, for which of the Places they will serve, provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place. And if any thing shall come in Question, touching the Return, or Matter of Privilege, of any Member of this Committee, such Member is to withdraw from the Committee during the Time the Matter which concerns himself is in Debate.

New Writs to be issued.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue Warrants to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out Writs for Election of Members in all vacant Places, by Death or Removal, where there was no Claim depending.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue forth his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for Electing of a Member to serve for the Borough of Ipswiche in the County of Suffolke, in the room of Mr. Bloise, deceased.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue forth his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for Electing of a Member to serve for the University of Oxford, in the room of Sir Heneage Finch.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue forth his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for Electing of a Member to serve for the County of Cambridge, in the room of Sir Thomas Wendy, lately deceased.

Huntington Election.

A Petition of Sir John Bernard being read; complaining of an undue Return, made by the High Sheriff of the County of Huntington, of Robert Appreeze Esquire, to serve for that County; in Wrong of the Petitioner, who was duly elected to serve for that County;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges, to examine the Matter of the Petition; and to report the State of the Case, with their Opinions therein, to the House; and to appoint a short Day for Hearing; and speed their Report as soon as they can.

Chichester Election.

A Petition of Thomas Garaway Gentleman being read; complaining of an undue Return, made by Mr. Baker, Mayor of the City of Chichester, of Mr. May, the Recorder of that City, to serve in the room of Sir Henry Peckham Knight, deceased; in Wrong of the Petitioner, who was duly elected to serve for the said City;

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

Aldborough Election.

A Petition of James Long Esquire being read; complaining of the Practice and undue Carriage of John Ramsden Esquire, late High Sheriff of the County of Yorke, in making a double Return for the Borough of Aldborough in the said County, of Sir John Raisby Knight, and Robert Benson Esquire, who are neither of them duly elected; in Wrong of the Petitioner, who was duly elected Burgess for that Borough, by the Majority of such Persons as have the Right of Election, and his Indenture by them signed and sealed, and delivered in to the said High Sheriff; who did promise, and ought to have returned the same;

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

Malmsbury Election.

A Petition of Thomas Howard Esquire being read; complaining of an undue Return, made by Edward Browne, Alderman and Chief Officer of the Town of Malmsbury in the County of Wilts, of Thomas Estcourt Esquire, to serve Burgess for that Town, in the room of Sir Edward Poole, deceased; in Wrong of the Petitioner;

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

Borough Briggs Election.

A Petition of the Burgesses and Borough-men of the Borough of Borough Briggs in the County of Yorke, being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of the undue Return of Sir Hen. Goodrick, to serve for the said Borough; in Prejudice of the Burgesses and Borough-men, who have Right of Election;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Elections, to examine the Matter of the Petition; and to report the State of the Case, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Burough Brigg Election.

A Petition of Sir James Long Baronet, being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of an undue Return, made of Sir Henry Goodrick Baronet, to serve for Burough Brigg in the County of Yorke; in Injury to the Right of the Petitioner, who was duly elected for that Borough, and ought to have been returned;

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

Chipping Wicombe Election.

A Petition of John Shirley, John Chalfort, Edward Winch, and John Juson, in the Name of themselves and others the Burghers, Freemen, and Inhabitants of the Borough of Chipping Wicombe, in the County of Bucks, being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of the undue Return of Robert Sawyer Esquire, to serve for the said Borough; contrary to the Right and Custom, and Infringement of the Liberties of the said Borough;

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

Yorke Election.

A Petition of Sir John Hewley Knight, being presented to the House; and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of an undue Return made of Sir Henry Thompson Knight, to serve for the City of Yorke; in Prejudice of the Right of the Petitioner, who was duly elected for that City and ought to have been returned;

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

Hyeth Election.

A Petition of Edward Hales Esquire being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of several undue Practices of Robinson Blanelace Mayor of the Port of Hyeth in the County of Kent, in excluding several Freemen of the said Port, who had declared for the Petitioner, from giving any Voices at the Election, and in returning Sir Leoline Jenkins, to serve as a Baron for the said Port; in Wrong of the Petitioner, who was duly elected for that Port, and ought to have been returned;

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

Castleriseing Election.

A Petition of Robert Offley Esquire being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of an undue Return made of Samuell Pepis Esquire, for the Borough and Town of Castleriseing in the County of Norfolke; in Prejudice of the Petitioner, who was duly elected for that Borough, and ought to have been returned;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Elections, to examine the Matter of the said Petition; and to report the State of the Case, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Thirske Election.

A Petition of Robert Wharton Esquire being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of an undue Return made of Sir Wm. Wentworth Knight, to serve for the Borough of Thirske in the County of Yorke, by one Roger Meynell, Bailiff of the said Borough; in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned;

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

Suffolke Election.

A Petition of Sir Samuell Barnardiston Baronet being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of a Double Return made by the Sheriff of Suffolke; in Wrong of the Petitioner, who was duly elected to serve in Parliament, as Knight of the Shire for that County, and ought to have been singly returned.

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

Dover Election.

A Petition of Thomas Papillon being presented to the House, and delivered in at the Clerk's Table; complaining of an undue Return made of Sir Edw. Spragg Knight, deceased, to serve as a Baron for the Port of Dover, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected a Baron for that Port, and ought to have been returned;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Elections and Privileges, to examine the Matter of the said Petition; and report the State of the Case, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Privilege.

A Complaint being made of a Breach of Privilege, committed against Colonel Edward Gray, a Member of this House, in arresting Patrick Grace his menial Servant;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to examine the Matter of the said Breach of Privilege; and to report the State of the Case, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Adjournment.

A Motion being made, in regard his Majesty's Speech and the Speech of the Lord Keeper, do contain Matter of great Consequence, That the House might adjourn for a few Days, to take the same into Consideration;

Ordered, That the House be adjourned till Monday Morning next, Ten of the Clock.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Ten of the Clock.