House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 4 May 1678

Sabbati, 4 die Maii, 1678.

Highways.

ORDERED, That Leave be given to Sir Lancelot Lake to bring in a Bill to repeal a Clause in the Act concerning Highways.

Duchy of Cornewall.

A Bill to enable his Majesty to let Leases of his Duchy Lands of Cornewall, was read the First time.

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

Banks' Estate.

Mr. Crouch reports from the Committee, to whom the Bill, sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable the Trustees of Sir Ralph Banks to sell Lands, for Payment of Debts, ...., That the Committee had perused and considered of the Bill; and heard all Parties concerned therein; and had returned the Bill without any Amendment.

And the said Bill was read a Third time.

A Petition, formerly exhibited to the House in the Name of John Banks Esquire, an Infant, Son and Heir to the said Sir Ralph Banks, was read.

A Petition of the said Mr. Banks, disclaiming and disowning the former Petition, was presented to the House.

And the House being informed, That there was one Mr. Ettrick at the Door, who saw Mr. Banks sign the said Petition;

And Mr. Ettrick being called in to the Bar; and attesting to the House, That he saw Mr. Banks sign the said Petition.

And Mr. Ettrick being withdrawn;

The said Petition was read.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee, to whom the Bill was committed, to consider of the said Petitions; and examine Which is the right Petition; and how the same were obtained; and report it to the House: And the said Committee is to meet at Three of the Clock this Afternoon, in the Places formerly appointed; and Mr. Windham is added to the said Committee.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee of Elections and Privileges do make his Reports on Monday next, Ten of the Clock.

Southwarke Court of Conscience.

Ordered, That the Bill for erecting a Court of Conscience in Southwarke, be read on Wednesday next.

Counsel to be heard.

Ordered, That the Knight Marshal be heard by his Council at the Bar of this House, touching the Bill for erecting Courts of Conscience, on Monday next, come Sevennight.

St. Martin's in the Fields Church.

A Bill for erecting a new Church in the Parish of St. Martin's in the Fields, and making it Parochial, was read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be committed, upon the Debates of the House, to Sir Tho. Clergis, Mr. Crouch, Sir Court Poole, Sir Cyrill Wych, Sir John Birkenhead, Sir Phil. Warwick, Sir John Elwes, Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir John Moreton, Mr. Mainard, Sir Copleston Bampfeild, Sir John Werden, Sir Charles Wheeler, Sir Ch. Cotterell, Mr. Palmer, Serj. Gregory, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Wharton, Mr. Harbord, Mr. Herbert, Sir John Bennet, Mr. Guy, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Rich. Everard, Mr. May, Mr. Waller, Sir Edm. Windham, Sir Geo. Downing, Mr. Gray, Mr. Clerke, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir John Trevor, Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir Tho. Mompesson, Sir John Cotton, Sir Rob. Carr, Sir Lan. Lake, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Col. Gilby, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir John Mallet, Serj. Rigby, Serj. Seis, Col. Birch, Sir John Nicholas, Sir Robert Southwell, Mr. Progers, Sir Allen Apsley, Mr. Vane, Mr. Prideaux, Sir Robert Howard, Sir Wm. Coventry, Mr. Savile, Mr. Westfaling, Sir John Talbot, Sir Gilbert Gerrard: And they are to summon and hear all Parties concerned therein; and particularly the Persons that are to be assessed by the said Bill: And they are to meet on Monday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Bills sent from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwin and Sir Edward Low;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, that they have agreed to the Bill for Discharge of Persons in Prison before the Second Day of February 1677, with some Amendments and Additions; to which the Concurrence of this House is desired by their Lordships: Also the Lords have agreed to the Bill for Burying in Woolen, with some Amendments and Additions; to which the Concurrence of this House is desired by their Lordships: Also, That the Lords have agreed to the Bill, for enabling Trustees to sell Lands for Payment of the Debts of John Herring Esquire, deceased, without any Amendments: Also the Lords have agreed to the Amendments made by this House to the Bill for restoring of Baron Audley of Hely, and others therein mentioned.

League with Holland.

The House then proceeded upon the Debate concerning the Leagues made with the States General of the United Provinces.

The Question being propounded, That the League Offensive and Defensive with the States General of the United Provinces; with the Articles relating thereunto, are not pursuant to the Addresses of this House; nor consistent with the Good and Safety of this Kingdom;

The Question being put, That this Question be now put;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolution against it.

Resolved, &c. That the League Offensive and Defensive with the States General of the United Provinces, with the Articles relating thereunto, are not pursuant to the Addresses of this House; nor consistent with the Good and Safety of the Kingdom.

And then the House adjourned for a Quarter of an Hour.

Post Meridiem.

Resolution of Advice respecting Alliances.

THE House being set again;

Resolved, &c. That it is the Opinion of this House, That His Majesty be humbly advised, and desired forthwith to enter into the present Alliances and Confederations with the Emperor and the King of Spain, and the States General of the United Provinces, for the vigorous carrying on of the present War against the French King, and for the Good and Safety of his Majesty's Kingdoms; and particularly, That effectual Endeavours be used for continuing the States General in the present Confederation; and that it be agreed by all the Parties confederate, to prohibit all Trade between their Subjects and Countries, and France, and all other the Dominions of the French King: And that no Commodities of France, or any of the Dominions of the French King, be imported into their Countries, from any Place whatsoever: And also, that all Endeavours be used to invite all other Princes and States into the said Confederation: And that no Truce or Peace be made or agreed to with the French King, by his Majesty, or any of the Confederates, without general Consent first had therein.

Ordered, That such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, do present the Two Votes to his Majesty; and beg his Majesty's Excuse, that they are not presented to his Majesty in the usual Form, by reason of the Importance of the Affair, and the Exigency of Time.

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