House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 19 October 1669

Die Martis, 19 Octobris, 1669. 21 Car. II.

Prayers.

Message to attend the King.

A MESSAGE from his Majesty, by Sir John Eyton, Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this honourable House to attend him forthwith in his House of Peers.

And accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to the House of Lords, to attend his Majesty.

The King's Speech reported.

Mr. Speaker reports from his Majesty, that being unwilling to mistake his Majesty in any thing that he did speak to the House, he had taken the Boldness to desire his Majesty's Speech in Writing; and that his Majesty declared, that he had given Direction to the Lord Keeper to deliver what he had further to impart. Which Speech of his Majesty was read: And Mr. Speaker did declare the Effect of the Speech delivered by the Lord Keeper.

The Speech of his Majesty and the Lord Keeper's being as followeth; viz.

My Lords and Gentlemen;

I AM very glad to see you here at this Time; and I hope this will be a happy Meeting; for I have had great Experience of your Affection and Loyalty to Me, and am very confident of the Continuance of it. It is now almost a Year and a half since your last Sitting; and though my Debts have pressed Me very much, yet I was unwilling to call for your Assistance till this time. What you gave me last, was wholly employed to the Navy, and that extraordinary Fleet for which it was intended. I desire that you would now take my Debts effectually into your Considerations. Something I have to propose to you, of great Importance, concerning the uniting of England and Scotland; but it will require some Length; and I have left that, and some other things, to my Lord Keeper to open them more fully to you.

My Lords, and You Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the House of Commons:

HIS Majesty, in his most gracious Speech, hath expressed his great Satisfaction in seeing you here at this Time; and his Hopes of a happy Issue of this Meeting. To obtain this, nothing can conduce more, than a good Correspondency and Union among yourselves.

He hath Reason to believe, that you all come with the same common Affections for the general Good; and therefore persuades himself, there will be no Differences between the Two Houses: But, it there should be any such, he earnestly recommends it to you, that by your Moderation and Wisdoms, such Expedients may be found out, as may compose them; and that thereby no Delay or Obstruction be to your other Proceedings.

His Majesty hath also desired you to take his Debts effectually into Consideration. I need not mention to you the Uneasiness of his Condition with that Burden; nor the Inconveniences or Mischiefs which might fall out, if he should continue under it. It is not unknown to you that his Majesty hath been a happy Instrument, by the Treaty at Aix, and by the Triple Alliance, to procure Peace between the Two neighbouring Crowns: The securing of that Peace, wherein our own Peace is concerned, and his Majesty's Reputation Abroad, will also much depend upon your Kindness to him; and therefore he hopes, that you will consider of how great an Importance it is at this Time, that his Majesty be enabled to bear such a Part in the Affairs of Europe, as may contribute most to his own Honour, and the Safety, Benefit, and Glory, of this Nation.

My Lords, and Gentlemen; You may remember, that, upon his Majesty's Recommendation, An Act was lately made, for settling Freedom and Intercourse of Trade between England and Scotland; which was occasioned, upon Complaints of new Duties imposed, in each Kingdom, upon divers Commodities, of the Growth, Production, or Manufacture of the other.

According to this Act, Commissioners were appointed by his Majesty, for both Kingdoms, to treat upon that Affair; and they had several Meetings, which produced no Effect, unless it were a Conviction of the Difficulty, if not Impossibility, of settling it in any other Way, than by a nearer, and more complete Union of the Two Kingdoms.

His Majesty is fully persuaded, that nothing can tend more to the Good and Security of both Nations, than such an Union; and finds, that his Royal Grandfather King James, of blessed Memory, went so far on towards this good Work, that, by Act of Parliament in the First Year of . . . Reign, Commissioners were authorized to treat and consult with Commissioners from Scotland concerning it.

And, in pursuance of their Treating, in the Fourth Year of his Reign, an Act was made for the Repeal of hostile Laws, and the Abolition of the Memory of Hostility between the Two Nations: And after the End of that Sessions, about the Seventh Year of his Reign, it was, by the Judges of all the Courts at Westminster Hall, solemnly adjudged in the Case of the post nati, that those who after the Descent of the Crown to King James, were born in Scotland, were no Aliens in England; and consequently were capable, not only of Lands, but all other Immunities, as if they had been born here. By these Steps, so great an Advance hath been made towards this Union, that his Majesty well hopes, that what is yet wanting to the perfecting of it, may be now accomplished; the Continuance under the same Obedience and Subjection, for near. Threescore and Seven Years, having begotten the same common Friends and common Enemies to both Nations; and taken off a great Part of those Difficulties which at the first stood in the Way: And therefore his Majesty doth most heartily recommend it unto you, that Commissioners may be nominated to treat and consult with Commissioners from Scotland, concerning this Union. His Majesty hath given Directions to the Earl of Lauderdale, his Commissioner for Scotland, to make the like Proposal to the Parliament, which is now sitting there; and doubts not, but, upon the Meeting of such Commissioners of both Kingdoms, those Things will be offered to your Considerations, in order to the Union, as shall tend to the Honour of his Majesty, and the common Good of all his Subjects.

And this is all I have in Command to say at this time.

Call of the House.

Resolved, &c. That the House be called over on Monday next.

The King's Speech to be considered.

Resolved, &c. That this Day Sevennight be appointed to take into Consideration the Matter of his Majesty's Speech, and the Speech of the Lord Keeper delivered by his Command.

Regulating Juries.

A Bill for the better regulating of Juries was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read the Second time on Thursday next.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That a Committee of Elections and Privileges be appointed of the Members following; viz. Sir Lanc. Lake, Sir John Moreton, Mr. Mountague, Sir Job Charlton, Lord Cornbury, Sir Edm. Windham, Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir Solom. Swale, Sir John Ernly, Sir Allen Brodrick, Sir John Duncomb, Sir Thom. Clifford, Col. Gilby, Sir Jo. Knight, Sir Richard Francklyn, Mr. Edw. Seymour, Col. Legg, Dr. Burwell, Col. Hollis, Sir Thom. Proby, Lord Fanshaw, Sir James Smith, Sir Wm. Doyley, Mr. Jones, Sir Richard Wiseman, Sir Fran. Lawley, Sir Richard Everard, Mr. Bartu, Sir Richard Powl, Col. Reames, Lord Torrington, Sir Wm. Coventry, Sir Allen Apsley, Sir Thom. Osborne, Sir Thom. Littleton, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Phil. Musgrave, Mr. Otway, Col. Grey, Sir Jo. Rouse, Mr. Chichley, Sir Wm. Terringham, Sir Fretchvile Hollis, Sir Jo. Coryton, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Mr. Garraway, Sir Jo. Frederick, Mr. Chetwin, Sir Thom. Wendy, Sir Robert Howard, Sir James Thynn, Col. Milward, Mr. Darcy, Sir Herbert Price, Sir Wm. Kellegrew, Lord Ancram, Sir Thom. Ingram, Mr. Nicholas, Col. Whitley, Sir Charles Harbord, Sir Hugh Windham, Mr. Coleman, Sir John Rolls, Mr. Jaye, Col. Sandys, Lord Hawley, Mr. Musgrave, Lord St. John, Mr. Sandys, Mr. King, Sir Richard Braham, Mr. Glascock, Sir Jo. Birkenhead, Sir Charles Cotterell, Sir Ralph Bancks, Mr. Morrice, Sir John Heath, Sir Thom. Lee, Mr. Hen. Baynton, Sir Thom. Strickland, Sir John Nicholas, Mr. Andrew Newport, Sir John Talbot, Mr. Finch, Sir Wm. Thompson, Mr. Rolls, Sir Geo. Reeves, Sir John Cotton, Mr. Hungerford, Sir Fran. Vincent, Mr. Crouch, Sir Geo. Downing, Mr. Howard, Sir Thom. Tompkins, Sir Robert Worsley, Sir Henry Wood, Mr. Collings, Sir John Dawney, Sir Jona. Trelawny, Sir John Coventry, Mr. Phill. Sherrard, Mr. Daniell, Sir Charles Sidley, Lord Vaughan, Sir John Napper, Sir Robert Carr, Mr. Progers, Mr. Trelawney, Mr. Lucy, Sir John Moreton, Mr. Milward, Mr. Ratcliffe, Sir Walter Young, Sir Charles Wheeler, Sir Jo. Stroud, Mr. Edw. Nicholas, Sir Thom. Smith, Sir Jo. Brampston, Sir Richard Maleverer, Sir Thom. Allen, Sir Wm. Whitmore, Mr. Hen. Seymour, Mr. Robert Crooke, Sir Phill. Howard, Sir Gilbert Talbot, Sir Nicholas Cary, Mr. Wm. Stanley, Sir Walter St. John, Mr. Pepis, Sir John Lowther, Mr. Marvin, Sir Robert Atkins, Sir Phill. Warwick, Mr. Daniell Collingwood, Sir Wm. Morley, Col. Stroud, Mr. Hen. Whittaker, Mr. Love, Sir Nico. Slaning, Sir Wm. Haward, Sir Stephen Fox, Mr. Morris, Mr. Greenvil, Sir John Cary, Mr. John Fowell, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Hen. Puckering, Mr. Charles Cornwallis, Mr. Brome Whorwood, Mr. Wm. Ashburnham, Sir Thom. Whitmore, Sir Fran. Goodrick, Sir Thom. Allen, Sir Jo. Napper, Mr. Buscawen, Sir Geo. Downing, Sir Thom. Osborne, Mr. Wright, Sir Fowlk Lucy, Mr. Jolly, Sir Adam Browne, Col. Kirkby, Mr. Ash, Mr. Bulteele, Sir Thom. Cary, Sir James Thyn, Sir Freder. Hide, Mr. Neale, Sir Robert Holt, Sir Geo. Fletcher, Mr. Walter Devereux, Lord Morpeth, Sir John Shaw, Sir Thom. Tompkins, Mr. Crouch, Mr. Buscawen, Sir John Mounson, Mr. Hen. Coventry, Sir Edw. Hungerford, Sir Wm. Lewis, Mr. Swynfen, Sir Wm. Kellegrew, Sir Roger Bradshaigh, Sir John Strode, Col. Bishop.

Resolved, &c. That this Committee do meet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in the Exchequer Chamber, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon; and to take into Consideration all such Matters as shall or may come in Question touching Returns, Elections, and Privileges; and to proceed upon double Returns, in the first Place; and report their Proceedings to the House. And all Persons that will question double Returns, already made, are to do it in Fourteen Days next; and so in Fourteen Days after any new Return shall be brought in. And the Committee is to have Power to receive Petitions; and to send for Witnesses, Papers, and Records for their Information; and to make Report of any Matter which may concern Breach of Privilege. And all Members that are returned for Two or more Places, are to make their Elections by this Day Three Weeks, for which of the Places they will serve; provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place: And if any thing shall come in Question, touching the Return or Matter of Privilege of any Member of this Committee, such Member is to withdraw from the Committee, during the Time the Matter which concerns himself is in Debate.

Grand Committees.

Ordered, That the grand Committee for Religion do sit every Monday at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the House.

Ordered, That the grand Committee for Grievances do sit every Wednesday in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the House.

Ordered, That the grand Committee for Trade do sit every Friday in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the House.

Ordered, That the grand Committee for Courts of Justice do sit every Saturday in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock, in the House.

Agmondisham Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for the electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Agmondisham, in the County of Bucks, in the room of Sir Wm. Drake Baronet, deceased.

Thetford Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for the electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Thetford, in the County of Norfolke, in the room of Sir Wm. Gawdy Baronet, deceased.

Somersett Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve as Knight of the Shire for the County of Somersett, in the room of Sir John Warre Knight, deceased.

Winton Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the City of Winton, in the County of Southampton, in the room of Sir Robert Mason, deceased.

Tamworth Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member for the Borough of Tamworth, in the County of Stafford, in the room of Amos Waldron Esquire, deceased.

Alborough Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member for the Borough of Alborough, in the County of Suffolke, in the room of Sir Robert Brookes, deceased.

Horsham Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Horsham, in the County of Sussex, in the room of Hen. Chowne, Esquire, deceased.

Devices Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a new Member to serve for the Borough of the Devizes, in the County of Wilts, in the room of John Norden Esquire, deceased.

Ditto.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the Borough of the Devizes, in the County of Wilts, in the room of John Kent Esquire, deceased.

Ludgarsale Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Ludgarsale, in the County of Wilts, in the room of Sir Richard Browne Knight and Baronet, deceased.

Bridgewater Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Bridgewater, in the County of Somerset, in the room of John Tynt Esquire, deceased.

Lancaster Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Lancaster, in the County of Lancaster, in the room of Sir John Harrison Knight, deceased.

Old Sarum Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Old Sarum, in the County of Wilts, in the room of Sir John Denham, Knight of the Bath, deceased.

Evesham Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve for the Borough of Evesham, in the County of Worcester, in the room of Sir Abraham Cullen Baronet, deceased.

Flint Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve in Parliament, as Knight of the Shire for the County of Flint, in the room of Sir Hen. Conway Baronet, deceased.

Hartford Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a Writ for electing a Member to serve as Knight of the Shire for the County of Hartford, in the room of the Lord Cranburn, called up to the House of Peers.

Privilege- Unlicensed Publication,

Information being given to the House, of the Printing and Publishing of a Non-licensed Book, tending to create a Division and Misunderstanding between his Majesty's Two Houses of Parliament, by one Richard Chiswell a Printer;

Ordered, That the said Richard Chiswell be sent for, to attend the House, to give an Account of the Author thereof, and of his Presumption and Miscarriages in Printing and Publishing of the said Book.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Col. Milward have Leave to go into the Country.

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