House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 2 November 1678

Sabbati, 2 die Novembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Address for apprehending Conyers, &c.

RESOLVED, &c. That an Address be presented to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty to issue out his Proclamation, declaring, That Conyers, Symonds, Beddingfeild, and Cattaway, are guilty of traiterous Practices; and requiring them to render themselves by a short Day; and to make it penal for any Person to conceal them; with a Promise of a Reward to such Person as shall apprehend them, or any of them: And likewise to desire his Majesty, That he will be pleased to give Order for a more effectual Way for disarming the Popish Recusants, or reputed Popish Recusants; and that Direction may be sent to the Sea Ports, for the Apprehending of all suspicious Persons, either going out or coming in.

And it is referred to Sir Rob. Sawyer, Sir John Trevor, Sir Tho. Meeres, Serjeant Mainard, Sir Rob. Howard, Mr. Sachaverell, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Powle, Sir Cyrill Wyche, Mr. Williams, Sir Tho. Stringer, Sir Tho. Clerges, Mr. Solicitor General, or any Three of them, to prepare the said Address.

Papers relating to the Plot.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Council, now in Waiting, do forthwith attend with Mr. Harecourt's Papers and Writings: And that all other Papers and Writings, relating to the Plot mentioned in his Majesty's Speech, either in the Hands of the Secretaries of State, or in the Hands of the Clerks of the Council, be forthwith communicated to this House; according to the Leave graciously given by his Majesty.

Lords desire a Conference.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Wm. Beversham and Sir Sam. Clerke;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords desire a present Conference with this House, in the Painted Chamber, concerning Matters of Consequence, necessary for this House to know.

The Messengers being withdrawn;

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree to meet the Lords at a present Conference.

The Messengers being called in; Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That the House had agreed to a present Conference.

Ordered, That the Members who did manage the last Conference, do attend, and manage this Conference.

Ruinous state of the Roof of the House.

Sir Robert Sawyer reports from the Conference had with the Lords, That the Lord Privy Seal managed the Conference: And that this Conference was to acquaint the House, That the Lords had this Morning received Information, at the Bar of their House, from the Surveyor of his Majesty's Works, That the Roof of this House was so rotten and decayed, that it was in Danger, upon any great Storm, to fall: And that the Lords had resolved to address to his Majesty, by the Lords of the White Staves, to desire his Majesty, that he would be pleased to give Order, That the Court of Request may be fitted up for this House to sit in, whilst the Roof was repaired.

Address for a more safe place to sit in.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, representing to his Majesty the ruinous Condition of the Roof and Building of this House; and to desire his Majesty, that he will be pleased to give Order, That there may be some other Place of more Safety, provided for this House to sit in.

Lords thanked.

Resolved, &c. That the Thanks of this House be returned to the Lords, for their great Care and Kindness expressed towards this House, in acquainting them with the Danger they are under, from the ruinous and decayed Condition of the Roof and Building.

Mr. Speaker to examine Coleman in Newgate, and to apply to the King respecting him.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker be desired to repair to Newgate, and examine Mr. Coleman.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do address to his Majesty from this House, and humbly desire his Majesty's Pardon to Mr. Coleman, in case he shall make such a full Discovery of the Plot now under Examination, as shall be satisfactory: And to desire his Majesty, That in case he shall not make such a full and satisfactory Discovery, that no Pardon or Reprieve may be granted to him.

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

Post Meridiem.

The King's Answer.

MR. Speaker acquaints the House, That he had, in pursuance of the Order of the House, attended his Majesty, and that his Majesty was pleased to signify his Pleasure, That, relying very much upon the Duty and Loyalty of this House, which had been often testified by expressing their great Care for preserving his Person, and supporting his Government, was pleased to give Leave, That this House may assure Mr. Coleman of his Majesty's Pardon, in case he shall make such a Discovery as shall be satisfactory; and that, in case Mr. Coleman shall not make such a Discovery as shall be satisfactory, if he be found guilty, shall not receive any Pardon or Reprieve; but the Law shall pass against him.

Ashburton Election.

A Petition of Thomas Reynell Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Lawlin Mallock and William Stawell Esquires to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Ashburton in the County of Devon, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected a Burgess for the said Borough, and ought to have been returned, was read.

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

Papers respecting the Plot.

Two Letters found amongst Mr. Harcourt's Papers, One dated 23 Feb.-7⁷/8, and signed E. P. and the other bearing Date 5 Feb.-7⁷/8, were delivered in, and read to the House.

Ordered, That the said Two Letters, now read, be entered in the Journal; and, being so entered, be returned to Sir Thomas Doleman; to be by him kept, until such time as this House shall demand the same of him.

Which Letters are as followeth; viz.

Feb. 23,-77.

Honoured Dear Sir,

I HAVE but Time to convey these following Particulars to you. First, I am to give you Notice, That it hath seemed fitting to our Master, consult. prov. &c. to fix the Twenty-first Day of April next, Stil. Vet. for the Meeting at London of our Congregation; on which Day all those that have of Suffrage are to be present there, that they be ready to give a Beginning to the same on the 24th, which is the next Day after St. George his Day. You are warned to have Jus Suffragii; and therefore, if your Occasions should not permit you to be present, you are to signify as much; to the End others in their Ranks be ordered to supply your Absence: Every one is minded also, not to hasten to London long before the Time appointed, nor to appear much about the Town, till the Meeting be over, lest Occasion should be given to suspect the Design. Finally, Secrecy, as to the Time and Place, is much recommended to all those that receive Summons, as it will appear of its own Nature necessary. 3° pro D'no solono def'co benefact. prou Linensis. I am so streightened for Time, that I can only assure you, I shall be much glad of obliging you any ways.

Sir, Your Servant,

E. P.

Pray my Service where due, &c.

Superscribed, These for his Honoured Friend Mr. William Tunstall, at Burton.

Worthy Sir, Hilton, 5th Feb. 7⁷/8

I KNOW not from whence it proceeds, but I perceive both your Letters and mine have bad Fortune by the Way for my Correspondents; which you complain they hear not from me; Whereas I write constantly every Post: And since the Bills I received from yourself for Sir Wm. Goreing, and from Mr. Ireland for Mr. Shelley, I have not had One Letter but what I received this Week, which in part made a Recompence for the former; for it brought me Three of yours, and One of Mr. Ireland's, for which I render you many humble Thanks, and acknowledge the Fifteen Pounds from my Lord Castlemaine, though Mr. Ireland makes no mention of it in his. We are all here very glad at the Promotion of Mr. Tho. Harcott. When I writ, that the Patents were sent, although I guessed for who they were, yet I knew not for certain; because our Patrons do not use to discover their Resolutions till they know, that they have Effect: And therefore in these kind of Matters I dare not be hasty; lest some might say, "A Fool's Bolt is soon shot."

We are here in great Hopes of a general Peace; for most are persuaded, that the French will choose rather to accept of an ignominious Peace, than hazard their Crown; which is very probably thought they will do, if they expect, that England joins with the Confederates. If Peace be made, I shall haply have some News to write you from hence, for at present we have nothing. So I beg a charitable Memory in your best Thoughts.

Your most humble Servant

Cha. Anderson.

The inclosed is from Lawrence Cossam, an Acquaintance (I suppose) of yours, who, I hope, will do very well. His Mother says, she has paid you for his Viaticum of Return: I should be glad to hear it from you.

These Letters were accordingly delivered back to Sir Tho. Doleman, immediately.

Address recommitted.

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the Committee appointed to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, an Address agreed upon by the Committee: And there being several Blanks left in the Address by the Committee;

Ordered, That the said Address be re-committed to the former Committee; to consider of, and amend the same.

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