House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 19 March 1679

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

'House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 19 March 1679', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 9, 1667-1687, (London, 1802) pp. 568-571. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol9/pp568-571 [accessed 24 April 2024]

Mercurii, 19 die Martii, 1678.

Prayers.

Beralston Writ.

MR. Serjeant Maynard, being elected to serve both for the Borough, of Plymouth, and the Borough of Beralston in the County of Cornwall, made his Election to serve for the Borough of Plymouth.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the Electing of a Burgess to serve in this present Parlia ment for the Borough of Beralston.

Matters depending last Session.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Journals of the last Session of the last Parliament; and to prepare and draw up a State of the Matters then depending and undetermined, and the Progress that was made therein; and report the same to the House Tomorrow Morning.

And it is referred to the Master of the Rolls, Serjeant Maynard, Sir Tho. Lee, Sir John Knight, Sir Francis Winningtion, Sir Fran. Russell, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Colonel Birch, Mr. Powle, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir Trevor Williams, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Vaughan, Colonel Titus, Sir Henry Capell, Sir John Carew, Sir Robert Carr, Sir Eliab Harvey, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Robert Peyton, Sir Rich. Graham, Sir Nath. Herne, Mr. Seymour, Sir Tho. Stringer, Sir Edmund Jennings, Mr. Harbord, Sir Wm. Hickman, Sir John Coventry, Mr. Swinfen, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Sir Tho. Meers, Sir Wm. Ellis, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Pelham; or any Five of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Norfolke Election.

A Petition of Sir John Hobart Baronet, complaining of the undue Election and Return of Sir Christopher Calthorpe and Sir Nevil Cateline, as Knights of the Shire for the County of Norfolke; and of many undue Practices and Threats used by the Lord Lieutenant and Under Sheriff of the said County of Norfolke, and one John Hurton, to the Petitioner's Injury; was read.

Resolved, &c. That the Matter of the said Petition be heard at the Bar of this House, on Friday next come Three Weeks: And that the High Sheriff and Under Sheriff of the said County, and John Hurton, be summoned to attend this House, at the Hearing of the said Cause.

Bewdly Election.

A Petition of Henry Herbert, complaining of an undue Return of Philip Foley Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Bewdly in the County of Worcester, in injury of the Petitioner, 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.

East Grimstead Election.

A Petition of several of the Inhabitants of East Grimsted in the County of Sussex, complaining of an undue Return made by the Bailiff of the said Borough of Two Persons to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the said Borough, not elected by the Inhabitants; and refusing to return Henry Powle Esquire, whom the Petitioners did duly elect, in Injury of the Petitioners; was read.

Ditto,

A Petition of Wm. Scroggs Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Edward Sackvile Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of East Grinsted in the County of Sussex, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Buckingham Election.

A Petition of Sir Peter Tyrrill Baronet, complaining of an undue Return, made by the Bailiff of Buckingham, of Sir Richard Temple Baronet, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Town and Borough of Buckingham, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and returned by the Sheriff of the County of Bucks, into the Crown Office, was read.

Alborough Election.

A Petition of Sir Godfrey Copley Baronet, complaining of an undue Practice used by the High Sheriff of the County of Yorke, in returning Sir John Reresby Baronet, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Alborough in the said County of Yorke, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned . . . . .

Resolved, &c. That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter; and to report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Seaford Election.

A Petition of Edward Selwyn Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Herbert Stapley Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Seaford in the County of Sussex, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Saltash Election.

A Petition of Richard Carew and Wm. Jennens, Esquires, complaining of an undue Return of Bernard Greenvile, and Nich. Courtney, Esquires, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of Saltash in the County of Cornwall, in Injury of the Petitioners, who were 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 exame the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Corse Castle Election.

A Petition of Sir Nathanael Napier Knight and Baronet, complaining of an undue Return of Peregrine Lord Dunblaine, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Corfe Castle, in the County of Dorsett, to the Petitioner's Wrong and Injury, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned . . . .

New Windsor Election.

A Petition of Richard Winwood and Samuel Starkey Esquires, complaining of an undue Return of Sir John Ernle Knight, and John Powney Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of New Windsor in the County of Berks, in Injury of the Petitioners, 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 to report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Southwark Election.

A Petition of Sir John Shorter Knight, and Thomas Smith Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Richard Howe Knight, and Peter Rich Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of Southwark in the County of Surrey, in the Injury of the Petitioners, who were duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Southampton Election.

A Petition of Sir Charles Windham Knight, complaining of an undue Return of Thomas Knowles Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament, as Burgess for the Town and County of Southampton, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned.

Higham Ferrers Election.

A Petition of Sir Lewis Palmer Baronet, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Rice Rudde Baronet, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Higham Ferrers in the County of Northampton, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Malden Election.

A Petition of John Lamot Honywood, complaining of an undue Return of Sir John Bramston Knight, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Malden in the County of Essex, in Injury to the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Montgomery Election.

A Petition of Edward Lloyd Esquire, complaining of undue Practices used by the Bailiffs, in Electing and Returning of Matthew Price Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Montgomery in the County of Montgomery, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned.

Resolved, 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.

Ashburton Election.

A Petition of Richard Duke Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of William Stowell Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Ashburton in the County of Devon, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Brecon Election.

A Petition of Thomas Mansell Esquire, complaining of an undue Practice used by the Bailiff of Brecon, in returning John Jeffreys Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Brecon in the County of Brecon, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and is returned by another Indenture affixed to the Writ, and filed in the Crown Office, was read.

Rochester Election.

A Petition of Sir Francis Clerke Knight, complaining of an undue Return of Sir John Banks Baronet, to serve in this present Parliament as Citizen for the City of Rochester, in Injury of the Petitioner, was read.

Berwick Election.

A Petition of Daniel Collingwood Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Ralph Gray Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as One of the Burgesses for the Town of Berwick upon Tweede, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Shoreham Election.

A Petition of several of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Shoreham in the County of Sussex, complaining of undue Practices used by the Constable of the said Borough, in the Electing and Returning Robert Fagge Esquire, and John Cheale Gentleman, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the said Borough, to the great Wrong and Injury of the Petitioners, who did duly elect Sir Anthony Deane Knight, and the said Robert Fagge, who ought to have been solely returned, was read.

Portsmouth Election.

A Petition of John Peachy Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir John Kempthorne Knight, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Portsmouth in the County of Southampton, to the Petitioner's Wrong and Injury, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Ilchester Election.

A Petition of Edw. Philips and Rob. Hunt Esquires, complaining of an undue Return of Wm. Strode and John Speake Esquires, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of Ilchester in the County of Somerset, in Injury of the Petitioners, was read: Who (as they alledge) were duly returned.

Cardiffe Election.

A Petition of Thomas Stradling the younger Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Robert Thomas Baronet, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Town and Borough of Cardiffe in the County of Glamorgan, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Eastlow Election.

A Petition of John Kendall Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Jonathan Trelawny Baronet, and Henry Seymour Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of Eastlow in the County of Cornwall, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, was read.

Shaftesbury Election.

A Petition of Sir Matthew Andrews Knight, complaining of an undue Return of Mr. Whitacre, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Shafton alias Shaftesbury in the County of Dorset, 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 thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Lancashire Election.

A Petition of Wm. Spencer Esquire, complaining of an undue Election and Return of Peter Bolt Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Knight for the Shire for the County of Lancaster, 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 thereof; and to report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Calne Election.

A Petition of Henry Chevers Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir George Hungerford and Walter Norborne Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of Calne in the County of Wilts, in Injury of the Petitioner, was read.

Wiggon Election.

A Petition of Alexander Rigby Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Charles Earl of Ancram, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Wiggon in the County of Lancaster, in Injury of the Petitioner, was read.

Haverford West Election.

A Petition of Thomas Owen Esquire, complaining of an undue Practice used in the Returning of Will. Wogan Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Town and County of Haverford West, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, was read.

Calne Election.

A Petition of John Lawford Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir George Hungerford, and Walter Norborne Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of Calne in the County of Wilts, to the Petitioner's great Injury, was read.

Ilchester Election.

A Petition of Wm. Strode, and John Speake, Esquires, complaining of the undue Return of Edward Philips, and Robert Hunt, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the Borough of Ilchester, in the County of Somersett; for that the Common Seal of the said Borough was forcibly taken away from the Bailiff of the said Borough, and affixed to the Indenture by which the said Edward Philips and Robert Hunt are returned; whereas the Petitioners are returned by the Bailiff, who is the proper Officer capable of making Returns; was read.

Montgomery Election.

A Petition of Matthew Price Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Captain Edward Lloyd, to serve as Burgess for the Town of Montgomery, in the County of Montgomery; whereas the Petitioner is duly returned by the proper Officers; was read.

Undue Practices at Elections.

The House taking Notice of several Complaints in the Petitions this Day read, of divers Misdemeanors and undue Practices, in Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, and other Officers, in the Elections and Returns of Members to serve in Parliament;

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, that they do examine and make a special Report of all Miscarriages, and undue Practices, in Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, or other Officers, concerned in the Returning of Members elected to serve in Parliament; as likewise, of all undue Practices, Letters, Promises, Threats, or Oppression, in any Elections.

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