to Tangier do prepare an humble Address to His Majestie upon the Resolutions and Debate of the House Resolved That whosoever shall hereafter Lend or cause to be lent by way of Advance any money upon the branches of the King's Revenue arising by Customs Excise or Hearth Money shall be adjudged to hinder the Sitting of Parliaments and shall be responsible for the same in Parliament Resolved That whosoever shall Accept or Bâ—y any Tally of Anticipation upon any part of the Kings Revenue or whosoever shall pay such Tally hereafter to be struck shall be adjudged to hinder the Sittings of Parliaments and shall be responsible therefore in Parliament Sabbati 8. die Januarii 1680. A Petition of several Clothiers and others concerned in the furnishing and quartering of the Forces lately disbanded was Read Ordered That it be referred to the Committee for receiving the Accounts of the Commissioners Appointed to disband the said Army to examine the matter of the said Petition and report the same with their Opinions therein to the House A Message from the Lords by Sir John Coell Sir Timothy Baldwir Mr. Speaker The Lords have sent us to give this House notice that their Lordships have appointed this day seven night for hearing the Cause upon the Impeachment of Mr. Seymour and that this House may reply if they think fit Ordered That Mr. Chaffin have leave to go into the Country Information being given to the House by the Serjeant at Arms that Sir John Lloyd Sir Edward Phillips Herbert Herring Samuel Verdon Miles Baspole _____ Iles and Arthur Yeomans who for divers great Misdemeaners by them committed against the Priviledge of this House were Ordered to be taken in custody of the said Serjeant do so abscond themselves that the said order cannot be put in Execution against them Ordered That an humble application be made to His Majesty from this House by such Members thereof as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council desiring His Majesty to issue out His Royal Proclamation for the apprehending the said several persons in case they shall not render themselves to the Serjeant by a certain day therein to be limited Ordered That a Committee be appointed to inquire and examine what Popish Priests convict are in Newgate and other Gaols in this Kingdom and to enquire into their conditions and circumstances upon the Debate of the House Mr. Treby reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges to whom the matter touching the Election for the Borough of Queen-borough in the County of Kent was referred That the Committee having taken the same into their consideration had agreed upon two Resolves which he read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerks Table where the same being read are as follow viz. Resolved That James Herbert Esq is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Queenborough in the County of Kent Resolved That William Glanvill Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough of Queenborough To which Resolves the House agreed The Clerk of the Crown being called in amended the Return for the said Borough by rasing out the name of the said James Herbert and inferting the name of the said William Glanvill in the Indenture Ordered That Mr. Dowly a Member of this House have leave to go into the Country for recovery of his health Ordered That the Chairman of the Committee of Grievances to whom the Petition of Mr. Baldwin Leighton was referred do make Report thereof to the House on Monday morning next Ordered That the matter in question relating to Arthur Earl of Anglesey and Sir John Davis which was appointed for this day be adjourned to Monday morning next ten of the clock Ordered That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Journals of this House and of the House of Lords and Presidents to justifie and maintain that the Lords ought to commit Persons to safe custody when Impeach'd for High Treason by the Commons in Parliament and to make Report thereof to the House Lunae 10 Die Januarii 1680. Resolved That whosoever advised His Majestie to Prorogue this Parliament to any other Purpose than in Order to the passing of a Bill for the Exclusion of James Duke of York is a betrayer of the King the Protestant Religion and of the Kingdom of England a promoter of the French Interest and a Pensioner to France Resolved That the thanks of this House be given to the City of London for their manifest Loyalty to the King their Care Charge and Vigilancy for the Preservation of His Majesties Person and of the Protestant Religion Ordered That the members that serve for the City of London do accordingly give them the thanks of this House Resolved That it is the opinion of this House that the City of London was burnt in the year 1666 by the Papists designing thereby to introduce Aribitary Power and Popery into this Kingdom Resolved That the Commissioners of the Customs other Officers of the Custom-House have wilfully broken the Law prohibiting the Importation of French Wines and other Commodities And that if they shall hereafter Wilfully or Negligently break that Law they shall be questioned therefore in Parliament Resolved That it is the opinion of this House That James Duke of Monmouth hath been Removed from his Offices and Commands by the Influence of the Duke of York Ordered That an humble Application be made to His Majesty from this House by such members thereof as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to desire his Majesty to restore the said James Duke of Monmouth to his said Offices and Commands Resolved That it is the opinion of this House that the prosecution of Protestant Dissenters upon the Penal Laws is at this time Grievous to the Subject a weakning of the Protestant Interest an Encouragement to Popery and Dangerous to the Peace of the Kingdom A Message from the King by Sir Edward Cartaret Usher of the Black Rod. Mr. Speaker The King commands this Honourable House to attend Him immediately in the House of Peers and accordingly Mr. Speaker went up with the House to attend His Majesty who was pleased to Prorogue this present Parliament to next Thursday seven-night being the 20th day of this instant January 1680. His Majesty gave His Royal assent to the Act Prohibiting the Importation of Cattle from Ireland And to the Act For Supplying the late Act for Burying in Woollen And to an Act To Rectifie Errors in Sir Charles Houghton's Settlement
is desired but at any time after whensoever such Discovery shall be made Martis 26. die Octob. 1680. Ordered THat a Bill or Bills be brought in upon the Debate of the House for Regulating the Election of Members to serve in Parliament A Committee appointed to draw up the same and to take care to bring in a Clause to declare the Law that an Action of the Case may be brought and maintained for any Damages sustained by undue Returns The House taking into Consideration the Message sent from the Lords Ordered That an humble Address be prepared to be presented to his Majesty for the Pardon of such persons who shall within a limited time make satisfactory discovery to this House of the horrid Popish Plot. The House being informed that Mr. Dangerfield was in the Speakers Chamber and desired he might acquaint the House with some matters of importance relating to the Popish Plot. Ordered That Mr. Dangerfield be called to the Bar of this House to give an account to the House what he knows relating to the Popish Plot. And Mr. Dangerfield being accordingly called to the Bar of the House related his evidence and being withdrawn The House taking notice of Mr. Dangerfields having in his information mentioned Sir Robert Peyton a Member of this House Ordered That it be referred to the Consideration of a Committee to Examine the Matters touching Sir Robert Peyton and to report the same to the House Resolved Nemine contradicente That it is the Opinion of this House to proceed effectually to suppress Popery and prevent a Popish Successor Mercurii 27. die Octobris 1680. MR. Treby reports from the Committee appointed to prepare and draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty May it please your Majestie WE Your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in Parliament Assembled being highly Zealous for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion Your Majesties Sacred Person and Government and resolving to pursue with a strict and impartial Enquiry the Execrable Popish Plot which was detected in the two last Parliaments and has been supported and carried on by potent and restless practices and machinations especially during the late Recesses of Parliament whereby several persons have been terrified and discouraged from declaring their knowledg thereof most humbly beseech Your Majesty that for the security of such persons who shall be willing to give evidence or make further satisfactory Discovery concerning the same to this House Your Majesty would be pleased to issue Your Royal Proclamation assuring all the said persons of Your Gracious Pardon if they shall give such Evidence or make such Discovery within two months after the Date of such Proclamation Resolved Nemine contradicente That it is and ever hath been the undoubted Right of the Subjects of England to Petition the King for the Calling and Sitting of Parliaments and Redressing of Grievances Resolved Nemine contradicente That to traduce such Petitioning as a violation of Duty and to represent it to his Majestie as Tumultuous and Seditious is to betray the Liberty of the Subject and contributes to the Design of Subverting the ancient legal constitution of this Kingdom and introducing Arbitrary Power Ordered That a Committee be appointed to enquire of all such persons as have offended against these Rights of the Subject The House being informed that Sir Francis Wythens a Member of this House had offended against the said Rights of the Subject Ordered That Sir Francis Wythens a member of this House have notice given him by the Serjeant to attend his place tomorrow morning Resolved That an Address be made to his Majestie declaring the Resolution of this House to Preserve and support the Kings Person Government and the Protestant Religion at home and Abroad Jovis 28. die Octob. 1680. SIR Francis Wythens appearing in his Place according to the Order of the House yesterday made Ordered That the Clerk of the Peace for Westminster do attend this House tomorrow morning at Ten of the Clock with the Roll of the Orders for last Easter Sessions for the City of Westminster An Information being given the House against Sir Robert Yeamans of Bristol and against Sir Robert Cann a Member of this House That they did in October 1679. publickly declare that there was no Popish plot but a Presbyterian plot And Mr. Rowe Sword-bearer of Bristol being called in to the Bar and attesting the same all which being likewise attested by Sir John Knight a Member of this House And Sir Robert Cann being called upon by the House to make his Defence therein who standing up in his Place did in defence utter several reproachfull reflecting words against the said Sir John Knight Ordered That Sir Robert Cann be brought to the Bar of this House and do receive a reprehension from Mr. Speaker upon his knees which was done accordingly And Sir Robert Cann being again withdrawn the House Proceeded in the further Consideration of the Matters charged against him and after long Debate Resolved c. That it doth appear by the Evidence this day given to this Housethat Sir Robert Cann is guilty of publickly declaring in the City of Bristol in October 1679 that there was no Popish plot but a Presbyterian Plot. Ordered That Sir Robert Cann a Member of this house be Committed to the prison of the Tower Ordered That Sir Robert Cann be Expelled this House And then he was brought to the Bar of the House and upon his knees received from Mr. Speaker the Judgment of the House for his Expulsion from this House and Commitment to the Tower Ordered That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Serjeant at Arms for conveying the Body of Sir Robert Cann to the prison of the Tower Ordered That Sir Robert Teamans be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant attending this House to answer for publickly declaring in the City of Bristol in October 1679 That there was no Popish Plot but a Presbyterian Plot. Ordered That Doctor Dove be desired to preach before this House on the Fifth day of Novem. next at St. Margarets Westminster and Mr. Speaker is desired by the House to give him notice thereof Veneris 29. die Octob. 1680. Ordered THat Sir George Downing have leave to bring in a Bill for Wearing of the Woollen Manufactures of England Ordered That Doctor Tongue be humbly recommended by this House to his Majestie for the first considerable Church preferment that shall happen to become void in this Kingdom and that such members of this House as are of his Majesties Privy Council do represent the same to his Majestie Mr. Speaker acquaints the House That having attended his Majestie yesterday in the Afternoon with the Address for a Pardon for such persons as shall make a satisfactory Discovery to this House of the Horrid Popish plot His Majestie was pleased to return his Gracious Answer to this effect viz. THat He did intend to Direct such a Proclamation and was Resolved not onely
the said Borough Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee that the Election for Great Marlow as to the said Sir Humphry Winch and Thomas Hobby is void The first of the said Resolves being Read a second time Resolved That this House doth agree with the Committee that in the Borough of Great Marlow in the County of Bucks those Inhabitants onely who pay Scot and Lot have right to give voices in the Election of Burgesses to serve in Parliament for the saiâ— Borouâ—â— The second of the said Resolves being Read a second time Resolved That this House doth agree with the Committee that Sir Humphry Winch Baronet is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Great Marlow The Third of the said Resolves being Read a second time Resolved That this House doth agree with the Committee That Thomas Hobby Esq is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough The Fourth and last of the said Resolves being Read a second time Resolved That this House doth agree with the Committee That the Election for Great Marlow as to the said Sir Humphry Winch and Thomas Hobby is voyd Mr. Hyde acquaints the House that his Majesty according to the order of the House having been waited on by such Members of the House as are of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to know his Majesties pleasure when this House might attend him with an Address His Majesty was pleased to appoint 3 of the Clock this afternoon for the House to attend him in the Banqueting-house Ordered That Mr. Speaker do issue out his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the Electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Great Marlow in the County of Bucks A Petition of Mr. Baldwin Leighton was Read Ordered That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Grievances to examine the matter thereof report the same with their opinions therein to the House and that the Committee do sit on Thursday next in the afternoon A Bill for uniting His Majesties Protestant Subjects to the Church of England was read a second time Resolved That the said Bill be Committed upon the Debate of the House Ordered That the Bill for exempting His Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the penalties of certain Laws be read on Thursday morning next Ordered That the Report from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges touching the Election for St. Edmundsbury in the County of Suffolk be made on Thursday morning next Ordered That leave be given to bring in one or more Bill or Bills for inspecting and Correcting Pluralities and Non-residences relating to Ecclesiastical Benefices Ordered That Mr. Sidney's Petition be Read on Thursday morning next Ordered That Mr. Lucy a member of this House have leave to go into the Country The Report of the Committee for Receiving INFORMATIONS Concerning the POPISH PLOT upon the Complaint of Mr. Peter Norris presented to the House of COMMONS upon Thursday December the 9th 1680. UPON consideration of the information given at the Bar by Mr. Peter Norris and Referred to this Committee Resolved By this Committee that the Examination of this matter be Reported Specially This Committee in the first place after hearing of the said Norris his Complaint that several Papers were taken from him sent for the said Papers which were informed then to be in a Chest in the Council Chamber which Papers were brought to this Committee by an Inventory which the said Norris then acknowledged to be all and they still remain with this Committee In the next place they proceeded to examine upon what occasion the said Norris was sent beyond Sea which not only by the said Papers but also by a Certificate delivered to the Chairman of this Committee from the Earl of Essex and divers other Informations as well as the said Norris his Instructions given by Dr. Tonge was to fetch over one Dowdall an Irish Priest who had been conversant with the Priests in France and Flanders who managed the Plot both in England and Ireland and mixing himself among them was privy to the whole Plot which the said Dowdall by several Letters had made known to Dr. Tonge which Letters were perused by the Earl of Essex and also satisfaction was given by a known Merchant in London that the said Dowdall was an honest man of good understanding and might be credited Then the Committee proceeded to inquire who at any time had knowledge of the sending over for the said Dowdall and found by an Order of Council bearing date the eighteenth day of July 1679. that the said Dowdall by the name of Edward Dowdall was permitted to come from Dover and stay for a Month but in that Order there is no mention of Dowdall's being a Priest And it likewise appears to this Committee that not long after the said Order for his coming over Dowdall dyed and not without suspicion that it was a violent Death But it doth not appear to this Committee that the Death of Dowdall was known in England till after the return of Norris who was sent to fetch the said Dowdall over which was about Ten months after the Date of the said Order of Council Upon which this Committee proceeded to Examine how it came to pass that the said Norris was in such danger beyond Sea and particularly at his coming aboard the Pacquett-Boat at Calais and likewise his Imprisonment at Dover in the common Prison and his being brought from Dover by a Messenger and they found the Cause of it to be a Discription given of Peter Norris to Secretary Jenkins the Twenty Ninth of May 1680. in these words Peter Norris some call him Morris a Scotch-man handsome neat Face sanguine Complexion short Nose bald-pated white Wigg slender Body little Stature Civil and Smooth in Discourse speaking French aged Thirty four Years more or less Taylor by Trade and under this Description written with another Hand and Ink these words viz. Went into France on Wednesday was three weeks to bring with him a Priest Thereupon this Committee proceeded to Examine who brought this Description to the said Secretary and were and by whom it was drawn with all the Circumstances that they could find about it And first they found that Thomas Sheridon a Gentleman who affirmed himself a Protestant born in Ireland heretofore employed in Collecting the Revenues there and lately with the Duke at his Court at Brussells and came over with him in the same Yacht confessed upon his Examination that he carryed the said Description to the said Secretary but it being shewed him he denyed the writing any part of it save the last Line but confessed that it was written and brought to him by one Anthony Day Doctor of Physick to the late Army in Flanders Whereupon the said Sheridon was commanded to
severing his Head from his Body only A Message from the Lords by Sir Miles Cook and Sir John Francklin Mr. Speaker The Lords have commanded us to present this House with a Coppy of Mr. Seymour's Answer to the Articles of Impeachment exhibited against him Resolved c. That it is the Opinion of this House that Mr. Joseph Broom ought to be restored to 〈◊〉 the Offices and Places which were taken from him by occasion of a Judgment given against him in the Court of King's Bench in Trinity Term 29. Caroli Secundi upon an Information for publishing an unlicensed Book called The Long Parliament dissolved Ordered That the Bill for exempting His Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws be read a second time to Morrow morning The first business Colonel Birch reports from the Committee to whom the Examination of the Complaint against Richard Thompson Clerk was referred That the Committee having taken the same into their consideration had directed him to make a special Report thereof to the House which he read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table Ordered That the said Report be read at the Table to Morrow morning Ordered That the Reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges touching the Election of St. Edmnndsbury in the County of Suffolk and Marleborough in the County of Wilts be made to Morrow morning Ordered That Mr. Sydney's Petition be read to Morrow morning Number 16. HIS MAJESTIES Most GRACIOUS Speech to both HOUSES of PARLIAMENT On Wednesday the 15th of December 1680. My Lords and Gentlemen AT the opening of this Parliament I did acquaint You with the Alliances I had made with Spain and Holland as the best measures that could be taken for the safety of England and the Repose of Christendom But I told you withall That if Our Friendship became unsafe to trust to it would not be wondred at if Our Neighbours should begin to take new Resolutions and perhaps such as might be fatal to Vs I must now tell you That Our Allies cannot but see how little has been done sine this Meeting to incourage their dependance upon Vs And I find by them that unless We can be so united at home as to make Our Alliance valuable to them it will not be possible to hinder them from seeking some other Refuge and making such new Friendships as will not be consistent with Our safety Consider that a neglect of this opertunity is never to be repaired I did likewise lay the matter plainly before you touching the Estate condition of Tangier I must now tell you again That if that place be thought worth the keeping you must take such consideration of it that it may be speedily suppli'd it being impossible for Me to preserve it at an Expence so far above My power I did promise you to the fullest satisfaction your hearts could wish for the Security of the Protestant Religion and to concur with you in any Remedies which might consist with preserving the Succession of the Crown in its Due and Legal course of Descent I do again with the same Reservations renew the same Promise to you And being thus ready on my part to do all that can reasonably be expected from Me I should be glad to know from you as soon as may be how far I shall be assisted by you and what it is you desire from Me. The Humble Address of the House of Commons Presented to his Majesty upon Tuesday the 21 day of December 1680. in Answer to his Majesties Gracious SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament Upon the 15th day of the same December May it please Your most Excellent Majesty WE Your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in this present Parliament Assembled have taken into our serious Consideration Your Majesties Gracious Speech to both Your Houses of Parliament on the 15th of this instant December and do with all the grateful Sense of Faithful Subjects and sincere Protestants acknowledge Your Majesties great Goodness to us in renewing the Assurances You have been pleased to give us of Your readiness to concur with us in any means for the Security of the Protestant Religion and Your Gracious Invitation of us to make our desires known to Your Majesty But with grief of Heart we cannot but observe that to these Princely Offers Your Majesty has been Advised by what secret Enemies to Your Majesty and Your People we know not to annex a Reservation which if insisted on in the instance to which alone it is applicable will render all Your Majesties other Gracious Inclinations of no effect or advantage to us Your Majesty is pleased thus to limit Your promise of concurrence in the Remedies which shall be proposed that they may consist with preserving the Succession of the Crown in its due and legal course of Descent And we do Humbly inform Your Majesty that no Interruption of that Descent has been endeavoured by us except onely the Descent upon the Person of the Duke of York who by the wicked Instruments of the Church of Rome has been manifestly perverted to their Religion And we do Humbly represent to Your Majesty as the Issue of our most deliberate Thoughts and Consultations that for the Papists to have their hopes continued that a Prince of that Religion shall succeed in the Throne of these Kingdoms is utterly inconsistent with the Safety of Your Majesties Person the Preservation of the Protestant Religion and the Prosperity Peace and Welfare of Your Protestant Subjects That Your Majesties Sacred Life is in continual danger under the prospect of a Popish Successor is evident not onely from the pinciples of those devoted to the Church of Rome which allow that an Heretical Prince and such they term all Protestant Princes Excommunicated and Deposed by the Pope may be destroyed and murther'd but also from the Testimonies given in the prosecution of the Horrid Popish Plot against divers Traitors Attainted for designing to put those accursed principles into practice against Your Majesty From the expectation of this Succession has the number of Papists in Your Majesties Dominions so much encreased within these few years and so many been prevailed with to desert the true Protestant Religion that they might be prepared for the Favours of a Popist-Prince assoon as he should come to the possession of the Crown And while the same Expectation lasts many more will be in the same danger of being perverted This it is that has hardened the Papists of this Kingdom animated and confederated by their Priests and Jesuits to make a Common purse provide Arms make application to Forreign Princes and sollicite their Aid for imposing Popery upon us And all this even during your Majesty's Reign and while your Majesty's Government and the Laws were our protection It is Your Majestie 's Glory and true Interest to be the Head and Protector of all Protestants as well abroad as
and manage the same at his Tryal Sir Richard Corbet Reports from the Committee appointed to prepare an Impeachment against Sir William Scroggs Knight Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench upon the former Report of the said Committee and the Resolutions of the House thereupon That the Committee having taken the matters to them referred into Consideration had agreed upon several Articles of Impeachment against the said Sir William Scroggs which he read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerks Table where the same were read The Question being proposed that the said Articles be engrossed Debate arâ—sing in the Housethereupon Resolved That the Debate be adjourned till Wednesday morning next after ten of the Clock in a full House Martis 4. die Januarii 1680. THe Clerk of the Crown being called in amended the Return for the Borough of Stayning in the County of Sussex by taking off the Indenture wherein John Tufton Esq was returned and by rasing out the name of the said John Tufton and inserting the name of Philip Gell Esq in the other Indenture A Petition of Algernoon Sydney Esq touching the Election for the Borough of Agmondesham in the County of Bucks was Read Ordered That the Merits of the said Petitioner be heard at the Bar of this House upon Wednesday the 12th of this Instant January Sir William Temple delivered in a Message from His Majesty to this House which being Read by Mr. Speaker the House Resolved to take the said Message into Consideration upon Friday next after ten of the Clock in a a full House A Message from the Lords by Sir Timothy Baldwin and Sir Miles Cooke Mr. Speaker We are commanded to acquaint this House that the Lords have past a Vote viz. Die Martis 4 Januarii 1680. Resolved by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled That they do declare that they are fully satisfied that there now is and for divers years last past there hath been a Horrid and Treasonable Plot and Conspiracy contrived and carried on by those of the Popish Religion in Ireland for Massacring the English and Subverting the Protestant Religion and the ancient establish'd Government of that Kingdom to which their Lordships desire the concurrence of this House They have further commanded us to acquaint this House That their Lordships have agreed to the Bill sent from this House Entituled An Act for the Rectifying several Errors and Mistakes in the Marriage Settlement of Sir Charles Hoghton Baronet without any Amendments The House according to their Order proceeded to the calling over the Members thereof Ordered That such Members of this House whose default of attendance was entred this day be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House and that they be not admitted to sit in the House before they shall have paid their Fees and have the leave of this House Resolved Nemine contradicente That such Members of this House who in this time of Imminent danger do absent themselves without the leave of the House are to be reputed Deserters of their Trust and Neglectors of that Duty they owe to this House and their Country Ordered That the Committee appointed to receive Informations touching the Popish Plot in Ireland do sit at four of the Clock this afternoon in the Speaker's Chamber Mercurii 5. Die Januarii 1680. A Bill to supply a defective Conveyance made by Roger Price of the Mannor of Westbury in the County of Bucks was Read a second time Resolved That the Bill be committed Ordered That such Members who were ordered to be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms for not attending the service of this House at the Call of the same yesterday made And who were in town last night be admited to sit in the House without paying Fees Ordered That Dr. Burnet be desired to proceed with and compleat that good Work by him begun in writing and Publishing the History of the Reformation of the Church of England A Petition of Thomas Hobby Esq touching the Election for Great Marlow in the County of Bucks was Read Ordered That the Merits of this Cause be heard at the Bar of this House this day seven-night A Petition of Richard Thompson Clerk in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was Read Ordered The said Serjeant at Arms be impowred to receive sufficient seâ—urity for the forth-coming of the said Richard Thompson to answer to the Impeachment against him A petition of Samuel Nash and others complaining against the African Company was Read Ordered That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom a former Petition of divers Merchants against the African Company was referred 'to examine the matter thereof and Report the same with their opinions therein to the House The House then according to their Order Resumed the adjourned Debate touching the Articles of Impeachment delivered in to the House against Sir Willi Scroggs Kt Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench. Upon the Debate thereof Resolved That the said Sir William Scroggs be impeached upon the said Respective Articles Resolved That the said Articles be engrossed Ordered That the Lord Cavendish do carry up the said Articles to the Lords Ordered That the Committee appointed to examine the Proceedings of the Judges in Westminster-hall and to prepare Impeachments against Sir Francis North Chief Justice-of the Court of Common-Pleas Sir Thomas Jones one of the Justices of the Court of Kings Bench and Sir Richard Weston one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer do bring in such Impeachments with all convenient speed Ordered That Mr. Macnamara Mr. Maurice Fitz Gerald and Mr. Murtogh Downy do attend this House tomorrow morning 10 of the Clock The House being informed that one Bowyer was upon Intimation given by the Committee appointed to prepare Evidence against the Popish Lords in Tower taken into custody Ordered That the said Bowyer be delivered into the hands of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House and that he be brought to the Bar of this House to Morrow morning at Ten of the Clock in order to his Examination Ordered That Richard Green and Woodhouse do attend to Morrow morning at Ten of the clock Ordered That the Committee appointed to receive Informations touching the Popish Plot in Ireland do sit this Afternoon in the Speakers Chamber and that the said Committee do make Report to the House of the Matters to them referred at Nine of the clock to Morrow morning Jovis 6 die Januarii 1680. A Bill for the more easie collecting the Duty of Hearth-mony was read a second time Resolved That the Bill be committed upon the Debate of the House A Bill for repealing an Act made in the 13th year of his now Majesties Reign Entitled An Act for the well governing of Corporations was Read the second time Resolved That the said Bill be committed upon the debate of the House Ordered That Mr. Speaker do suspend the issuing