House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 26 November 1678

Martis, 26 die Novembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Militia.

AN ingrossed Bill for raising the Militia was read a Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for preserving the Peace of the Kingdom, by raising the Militia, and continuing them in Duty for Two-and-forty Days: And that Mr. Booth do go up to the Lords, to desire their Concurrence to the said Bill.

Address concerning Bedloe's Pardon.

Ordered, That Mr. Bedloe be forthwith sent for, to attend at the Bar of this House.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, to desire his Majesty, That Mr. Bedloe's Pardon may extend and relate to this Day inclusive.

Conference with Lords.

Mr. Booth acquaints the House, That the Lords had agreed to a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference.

Resolved, &c. That the Persons who did manage the former Conference, do attend, and manage this Conference.

Which they accordingly did; and delivered their Reasons: And left the Bill with the Lords.

Answer to Address.

Mr. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That he had attended his Majesty with the Address of this House concerning Mr. Bedlow's Pardon: And that his Majesty was pleased to return Answer, That he would take time to consider; and return an Answer.

State of the Army.

Resolved, That the Consideration of the State of the Nation, in relation to the Army, which was appointed for this Day, be adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Ten of the Clock.

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

Post Meridiem

Candles.

RESOLVED, That Candles be brought in.

Further Answer to Address.

Mr. Secretary Coventry delivered in his Majesty's Answer to the Address of this House, concerning Mr. Bedloe's Pardon: Which was by Mr. Speaker read to the House; and is as followeth; viz.

Charles R

HIS Majesty having received the Address from the House of Commons, desiring His Majesty, That Mr. Bedlow's Pardon may extend to this Day inclusive: His Majesty is pleased, that this Answer be returned: That Mr. Bedlow's Pardon, to the First of November, is as full to all Offences as can be desired: If any Offence hath been committed since that Time, His Majesty ought to know it, before he pardon it: For a Pardon for an Offence to come (as a Pardon for a whole Day inclusively amounts to, when it is granted before the Day is expired) will not be good in Law.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, this Six-and-twentieth Day of November, 1678.

Conferenc on Bill for disabling Papists.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Andrew Hacket and Sir Wm. Beversham;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords desire a present Conference with this House, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference.

The Messengers being withdrawn;

Resolved, That this House doth agree to meet the Lords at a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber.

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

Resolved, That the Persons who did manage the former Conference, do attend and manage this Conference.

Sir Edward Deering reports from the Conference had with the Lords, That my Lord Chancellor managed it: And that he acquainted them, that the Lords had considered of the Reasons that were offered at the last Conference; and proposed a further Expedient, in which they hoped this House would concur.

That the Lords did insist upon the Amendment by them made, which did relate to the Queen's Portugal Servants: That the Lords did wave that Part of their Amendments which did relate to the Excepting of a certain Number of Men Servants to the Queen and Duchess; and did Now only except a small Number of Women Servants to the Queen and Duchess: And that the Reason for it was, that it could not reasonably be supposed, that they were Persons from whom any Assassination might proceed.

The First Amendment, which did relate to the Queen's Portugal Servants, was twice read.

A Motion being made, that these Words, "Not exceeding Nine in Number at any one Time," may be added to the said Amendment:

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment, with the Addition of these Words, "Not exceeding Nine in Number at any one Time."

The Question being put, That the House do now adjourn;

The House divide.

The Noes go forth.

And so it passed in the Negative.

The First Part of the Second Amendment, which does relate to the Women Servants of the Queen, was twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed.

The last Part of the said Amendment, which does relate to the Women Servants of the Duchess of York, was twice read.

The Question being put, To agree with the Lords in that Part of the said Amendment;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

And so it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Persons who did manage the Conference, do prepare Reasons to be offered at a Conference to be had with the Lords, Why this House doth not agree with the Lords in the said last Part of the Second Amendment.

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