House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 25 February 1678

Lunæ, 25 die Februarii, 1677.

Lindsey Level.

ORDERED, That the Matter concerning Lindsey Level, as to the Right of the Members of this House, be heard at the Bar of the House on this Day Sevennight: And that all Parties concerned be summoned to make their Defence.

Privilege.

The House being moved, That Robert Beach, now in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms, be called to the Bar and discharged;

A Motion being made, That the said Robert Beach may make some further Acknowledgment and Submission for his Offence;

Ordered, That Robert Beach, now in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for Breach of Privilege by him committed against Mr. Hall, a Member of this honourable House, do make an Acknowledgment and Submission for his Offence, at the next General Quarter Sessions for the County of Wilts.

Ordered, That the said Robert Beach be called in to the Bar of the House, and discharged of his Commitment; under the Condition nevertheless of such Acknowledgment and Submission as aforesaid.

And the said Robert Beach being called in; and kneeling at the Bar; Mr. Speaker, after a short Reprimand, acquainted him, That he was discharged, under a Condition of making an Acknowledgment and Submission for his Offence, at the next General Quarter Sessions for the County of Wilts; paying his Fees.

Hearth Money.

Ordered, That the Report of the Bill for regulating the Abuses in collecting the Duty of Hearth Money be proceeded in To-morrow Morning.

Register for Lands.

Ordered, That the Bill of Registers be read the Second time, on Wednesday Morning next.

Durham Writ.

Sir Tho. Meers reports from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to whom it was referred to consider of the Matter of sending Burgesses to serve in Parliament for the City of Durham, That it did not appear plain to the Committee, from the said Act, Who shall order the Election, or be Judge of the Poll in the City of Durham: If the Sheriff of the County, who hath only a Precept and no Writ, then he must order in this City, where there is a Mayor; the like is not done in England; and for which he hath no direct Authority by the Act: If the Mayor must order this Election, and be Judge of the Poll, then he must have a Precept so to do from the Sheriff, who acts but by a Precept himself; and then there is one Deputy making another Deputy, and Precept upon Precept; and for the latter Precept to the Mayor, there is no express Authority that appears in the said Act: But in regard it doth appear plain in the said Act who are to be the Electors in the said City; and that a Writ might issue, under the Great Seal of England to the Lord Bishop of Durham, or his Temporal Chancellor, in order to the Electing Two Citizens to serve in Parliament for the said City: And that the plain Intention of the said Act is, that the said City should have Two such Citizens to serve them accordingly: Wherefore the said Committee were of Opinion to leave the said Doubt or Difficulty to further Consideration or Determination, if need require; and Resolved, That it be reported as their Opinion, That Mr. Speaker do make out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to issue forth a Writ, for chusing Two Citizens to serve in Parliament for the City of Durham, according to the said Act of Parliament.

The said Report being delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read.

The Question being put, To agree with the Committee;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to issue forth a Writ, for chusing two Citizens to serve in Parliament for the City of Durham, according to the Act of Parliament.

Woolen Manufacture.

Sir George Downing presents a Bill to the House, pursuant to the Order of the House, for encouraging the Wearing of Woolen Manufactures for certain Months in the Year; and for regulating the Woolen Manufactory, and rectifying Abuses therein: Which was read the First time.

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

Gloucester Election.

Ordered, That Wednesday next be set apart for hearing the Report of the Election for the City of Gloucester.

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