House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 25 October 1678

Veneris, 25 die Octobris, 1678.

Prayers.

Mr. Speaker communicates Information to the King.

MR. Speaker acquaints the House, That, in pursuance of the Order of the House of Yesterday, he had waited upon his Majesty; and acquainted Him with the Informations the House had Yesterday received: And that His Majesty was pleased to acknowledge the great Care of this House, in the Preservation of his Person and Government. And that his Majesty was informed, That Mr. White, alias Whitebread, and Mr. Mico, were at present very sick; but that his Majesty would send to see them, and if they were in a Condition fit to be removed, they should be forthwith sent to Newgate.

Committee to examine persons not able to attend.

Ordered, That the Members of this House who are Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, do repair to the Lodgings of Mr. White, alias Whitebread, and Mr. Mico; and take their Examinations, touching the Plot and Conspiracy mentioned in his Majesty's Speech, against his Person and Government; and do issue out their Warrant for searching their Lodgings, and seizing all such Papers and Writings relating thereto, as shall be there found.

Newport Election.

A Petition of Sir Walter Young, Baronet, complaining of an undue Return of Ambrose Manaton Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament, for the Borough of Newport in the County of Cornwall, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned; 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.

Committee reports search for Papers.

Sir John Trevor acquaints the House, That the Persons appointed to search Mr. Richard Langhorne's Papers, repaired to his Chamber; where they found several Presses, and a Cabinet of Papers: And that the same were very numerous: And that they had found some Papers, which they conceived to be of Moment: And that they would proceed further in their Search, so soon as they had convenient Time.

The House being informed, That Mr. Langhorne's Brother was without in the Lobby, in the Custody of a Constable;

Ordered, That the Members, who are Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, do examine Mr. Langhorne's Brother, touching the Plot and Conspiracy mentioned in his Majesty's Speech; and touching the Papers in his Brother's Study.

Address for removing Papists.

Ordered, That Sir Wm. Hickman do carry up the Address for removing the Papists from London, with the Addition made by this House, to the Amendments made by the Lords; for the Lords Concurrence.

Mr. Oates to attend.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms do go and fetch Mr. Oates, forthwith.

Ordered, That the Lobby be cleared.

Committee to examine Papers.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to examine concerning the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey; to examine and consider of the Papers, Boxes, and other Things, seized in the Savoy, in the Lodgings of the Benedictine Monks; and report their Opinions therein, to the House.

Address for removing Papists.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwin, and Sir William Beversham;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That they have agreed to the Addition made by this House, to the Lords Amendments to the Address of both Houses, to be presented to his Majesty, for removing Papists from London.

Ordered, That no Member do depart the Service of the House without Leave.

Popish Plot.

Mr. Oates, being called in, did give in a further Information to the House, touching the Plot and Conspiracy mentioned in his Majesty's Speech.

Ordered, That the Members of the House, who are Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, do withdraw, and take the Examinations of Mr. Oates upon Oath.

Papists not to sit in Parliament.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Bill for hindering Papists to sit in either House of Parliament, was committed, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Place formerly appointed.

Popish Plot.

Ordered, That Doctor Tongue and Mr. Oates be summoned to attend at the Bar of this House, at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon; to give an Account touching the Plot and Conspiracy mentioned in his Majesty's Speech, against his Person and Government.

And then the House adjourned till Four of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

Popish Plot.

DOCTOR Tongue, being called in, gave an Account to the House, of the Manner and Proceedings of his Receiving of the Informations from Mr. Oates, touching the Plot and Conspiracy; and likewise by what Means he did communicate the same to his Majesty; and the Persons his Majesty appointed to receive the same.

The House being informed, that Mr. Oates had something further to inform the House;

Mr. Oates was called in: And having delivered his Information;

Ordered, That the Members who are Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, do withdraw, and take the Examination of Mr. Oates upon Oath.

Ordered, That Doctor Tongue do attend again To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock; to give an Account concerning the Firing the City of London.

Ordered, That the Secretaries be desired to move the King, That the Keys of Mr. Langhorne's Chamber may be delivered by the Messengers in whose Hands the same are, to the Committee appointed by the House to search Mr. Langhorne's Papers and Writings.

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