VOTES OF THE House of Commons Perused and Signed to be Printed According to the Order of the House of Commons BY ME WILLIAM WILLIAMS Speaker Reprinted Anno Dom. 1680. VOTES Of the House of COMMONS Jovis 21 Octobris 1680. THe House being met a Message was delivered from the King by Sir Edward Cartarett Usher of the Black Rod viz Gentlemen of the House of Commons The King Commands this Honourable House to attend Him immediately in the House of Peers And accordingly the House went up to Attend his Majesty who was pleased after having made a Speech to Command the Commons to return to their House and proceed to the Choice of their Speaker And the House being returned and a Motion being made That William Williams Esq be Chosen Speaker for this House It was Resolved in the Affirmative Nemine contradicente And Mr. Williams having in a Speech to this effect disabled himself for this Service Gentlemen I Need not reckon my Infirmities to this House It is enough to mention them they are better known to many of the Members than to my self they have often appeared within these Walls in Two Parliaments Therefore I trust your own Knowledge and Experience of my Failings will easily divert your Inclinations to name me your Speaker And as you have had Experience of my Vnfitness for such Service so have you had sufficient Proof I may say Demonstration of the Aptness of many worthy Members now present for your Service Men of bulk great enough to fill your Chair Men of Art skilful enough to guide and collect your Debates Men of Science in the Laws and Methods of Parliament wise enough to steer and conduct your Counsels Your Choice of a Speaker this day is the Effect of much Tiâ—e and long Consideration It will be no Excuse for the Commons now in Parliament to say They had not time for Deliberation in this great Matter as was usual in other Parliaments when Speakers were Elected upon their first Meeting in Parliament Therefore a more deliberate Election will he expected from you after this time for Contemplation And add the prospect of what is like to be the subject Matter of this Parliament The Security of the Protestant Religion The safety of the King Kingdom The Preservation of the Justice of the Land Matters highly arduous urgent at this time These must prevaile with you to depart from your first Intentions of the Honour you proposed for me this day â—our first step toward it I acknowledge to be sufficient Honour for me therefore I pray let me ask it from you not only for my own sake but for your own Honour for the Interest of the Publick That you please to proceed to the Choice of another Person more proper for the Bulk of your Chair Weight of your Work leave me in this Place where my Country seated me for your Service His Ex use being rejected by the House Mr. Wilâ—iâ—ms was conducted to the Chair by two Members of the House and in the Chair made a speech to this effect to the House Gentlemen I Tremble when I reflect under what Difficulties Learned Experienced and wise Men have laboured in this Chair Yet I am not afraid of their President who impaired their Estates and Health no not of them who lost their Lives in this Service These are a Sacrifice I owe my Country But when I suffer my self to think that some Gentlemen have maimed their Reputation in this Trust these thoughts are dreadful to me they wound me and must yet strike deeper with me Vnless you that called me hither shall please to stand by me cherish and support me in all the Difficulties of this Place I have it by your Courtesie and shall hold it at your Pleasure And I have this to secure me If I fall I fall into the hands of Gentlemen that made me what I am in your Service I doubt not but you will remember I am your own Minister your own onely your own intirely placed in this Service without seeking without recommending I expect no Boon but by your Grace and Favour to depart as I came when you shall please to Command me without repenting The House being informed that his Majesty had appointed to morrow at hree of the clock in the Afternoon for the House to present their Speaker Veneris 22. Octobris 1680. Post Meridiem THe House being met and Mr. Speaker having taken the Chair A Message was delivered from the King by Sir Edward Cartarett Usher of the Black Rod. Gentlemen of the House of Commons The King Commands this Honourable House to Attend him in the House of eers And accordingly Mr. Speaker with the House went up to Attend His Majesty and humbly represented to His Majesty That the House of Commons had chosen him their Speaker And he made Claim by Humble Petition in the Name of the Commons of England in Parliament Assembled of the Ancient Rights of the Commons for them and their servants in their Persons and Estates to be free from Arrests and other Disturbances In all their Debates to have Freedom and Liberty of speech And as occasion shall require to have Access to His Majesties Person Which was allowed by the King The House being returned and Mr. Speaker having taken the Chair and made Report thereof to the House The House Adjourned Lunae 25. die Octobris 1680. A Message from the Lords by the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs and the Lord Chief Justice North to the Commons Mr. Speaker The Lords have Commanded us to acquaint you that they have made an Address to his Majesty and have received his Majesties answer thereunto which they have thought fit to Communicate to this House The Address ORdered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled That the Lords with white Staves do Attend his Majestie humbly to desire Him from this House That whereas there hath been a Discovery of an horrid Plot and Conspiracy by the Papists against His Majesties Person and Government which still continues His Majestie will be Graciously pleased to issue out his Royal Proclamation thereby Declaring That if any person or persons shall within the space of two months after the date of such Proclamation come in and give Evidence of any Treason or Conspiracy against His Majesties Royal Person and Government That then his Majesty will Graciously Pardon such person or persons all Treasons and Misprision of Treasons and all Offences in concealment of the same to the time limited by the said Proclamation Jo Browne Cleric Parliamentor His Majesties Answer to the Address HIs Majestie hath considered of the Address made by the house and is so willing to encourage all persons who know any thing of any Treasons and Conspiracies against his Person and Government that He will cause his Royal Proclamation to issue Declaring that He will fully pardon and secure all persons who shall make such Discovery not only during the space of Two months as
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
bring in a Bill for continuing of two Acts One to prevent the Planting of Tobacco in England and Regulating the Plantation Trade The Other for Exporting of Beer Ale and Mum. A Bill to the same purpose being presented to the House was Read the First time Resolved That the Bill be Read a Second time Resolved That a Committee be appointed to prepare a further Address to His Majesty upon the Debate of the House humbly to desire His Majesty to Pardon and Remit the Fine set upon Benjamin Harris for which he continues in Prison Mr. Sachaverel Reports from the Committee to whom it was referred to prepare and bring in a Bill for the Repeal of One Act made in the 35th Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth ch 1. A Bill agreed upon by the Committee which he delivered in at the Clerks Table The Bill being Read the First time Resolved That the Bill be Read a Second time to Morrow morning Sir Francis Russel Reports from the Committee Appointed to draw up an humble Address to his Majesty to desire his Majesty to appoint a day for a Solemn Fast and Humiliation to be kept throughout the Kingdom An Address agreed on by the Committee which he read in his place And afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being Read was upon the Question agreed to Resolved That the Lords Concurrence be desired to the said Address And that Sir Francis Russed do attend the Lords with the same and desire their concurrence A Petition of Ann Bedlow Widdow and Relict of Captain William Bedlow Deceased was Read Resolved 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 take into His consideration the condition of the said Mrs. Bedlow and to grant her some Allowance for her Subsistence Sir Francis Russel acquaints the House That in pursuance of the Order of the House he had attend the Lords with the Address and that their Lordships returned Answer That they had taken the said Address into their Consideration and had agreed to it according to the desire of this House Ordered That Mr. Attorney General be desired to attend this House to Morrow Morning to give the House an Account touching the Proclamation Stiled A Proclamation against Tumultuous Petitioning Several Persons that served upon the Grand Jury for the County of Middlesex in Trinity Term last being called in gave an Account to the House of the manner of the Proceedings of the Court of Kings-Bench in Discharging the said Grand Jury Several Persons being called in gave an Account at the Bar of the House touching the charge given by Mr. Baron Weston at the last Summer Asslizes held at Kingston upon Thames for the County of Surrey and a Debate arising in the House upon the whole matter Resolved Nemine Contradicente That the Discharging of a Grand Jury by any Judge before the end of the Term Assizes or Sessions whilst matters are under their consideration and not presented is Arbitrary Illegal Destructive to Publick Justice a manifest Violation of his Oath and is a means to Subvert the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom Resolved Nemine Contradicente That a Committee be appointed to Examine the Proceedings of the Judges in Westminster-Hall and Report the same with their Opinions therein to this House Sir Edward Deering Acquaints the House That His Majesty having referred the Condition and Circumstances of the several Witnesses relating to the Popish Plot in Ireland to the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury and that the Commissioners were not as yet informed of the Names Number and Conditions of the said several Persons desired the Direction of the House therein Ordered That Mr. Hethrington do Attend Mr. Speaker and do communicate to him the Names and Condition of the said Witnesses The Address of the Commons in Parliament to His Majesty to Remove Sir George Geffreys Out of all Publick Offices WE your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in Parliament Assembled having received a Complaint against Sir George Jeflreys Knight your Majesties Chief Justice of Chester and heard the Evidence concerning the same and also what he did alledge and prove in his Defence And being thereupon fully satisfied that the said Sir George Jeffreys well knowing that many of your Loyal Protestant Subjects and particularly those of your Great and Famous City of London out of Zeal for the Preservation of the Protestant Religion your Majesties Royal Person and Government and in hopes to bring the Popish Conspirators to speedy Justice were about to Petition to your Majesty in an Humble Dutiful and Legal way for the sitting of this Parliament the said Sir George Jeffreys not regarding his Duty to your Majesty or the welfare of your People did on purpose to serve his own private Ends and to create a Misunderstanding between your Majesty and your Good Subjects though disguised with pretence of service to your Majesty maliciously declared such petitioning sometimes to be Tumultuous Seditious and Illegal and at other times did presume publickly to insinuate and assert as if your Majesty would deprive your Citizens of London of their Charters and divers other Priviledges Immunities and Advantages and also of your Royal Favour in case they should so petition and also did publickly declare that in case they should so petition there should not be any Meeting or Sitting of Parliament thereby traducing your Majesty as if you would not pursue your Gracious Intentions the rather because they were grateful to your good Subjects do in most humble manner beseech your Majesty to remove the said Sir George Jeffreys out of the said Place of Chief Justice of Chester and out of all other Publick Offices and Employments under your Majesty His Majesty by Mr. Secretary Jenkins was pleased to return Answer to this Address That he would consider of it Mercurii 24. die Novemb. 1680. Ordered THat George Bell of Carlisle in the County of Cumberland Attorney at Law be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of the House for a breach of Priviledge by him committed against Sir Richard Grahme a Member of this House Ordered That Arthur Yeomans of Cardisse in the County of Glamorgan be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for a Notorious Breach of Priviledge by him committed against this House Ordered That William Jordan of Gloucester be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms to answer at the Bar of this House for a Notorious Breach of Priviledge by him Committed against this House Ordered That John Laws be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms to answer at the Bar for a Breach of Priviledge by him Committed against this House Ordered That Mr. Henry Alnett be sent for in Custody of the
Serjeant at Armes to answer at the Bar for a high Breach of Priviledge by him Committed aganst this House Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House that His Majesty having been attended by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to know His Majesties pleasure When this House should attend Him with an address His Majesty hath appointed three of the Clock this afternoon for the House to attend him in the Banqueting-house at White-hall Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill to Supply the Laws against Bankrupcy Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill to take away the Court held before the Lord President and Council in the Marches of Wales A Bill for Repeal of an Act made in the 35. Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth cap. 1. was Read a Second time And no Exceptions being made to the same Ordered That the said Bill be Engrossed Resolved That an Humble Address 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 give Orders that all Protestant Dissenters who are Prosecuted upon any penal Laws made against Popish Recusants in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and King James may be admitted to a Composition in the Exchequer without paying any Fees Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill declaring that the Acts of Parliament made in the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James against Popish Recusants shall not be extended against Protestant Dissenters Ordered That the Committee appointed to prepare and Bring in a Bill for the better Uniting of all His Majesties Protestant Subjects have 〈…〉 bring in One or more Bill or Bills for that purpose Mr. Attorney General being called in and Examined touching the manner of Issuing forth the Proclamation Stiled A Proclamation against Tumultuous Petitions and giving an account to the House that Sir Fran. North Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas was advising and assisting in the drawing up and passing of the said Proclamation And a Debate arising in the House thereupon Resolved Nemine Contradicente That the Evidence this day given to this House against Sir Fran North Chief Justice of the Court of Common-pleas is a sufficient Ground for this House to proceed upon to an Impeachment against him for high Crimes and misdemeanors Ordered That it be referred to the Committee appointed to examine the proceedings of the Judges in Westminster-Hall to prepare Heads of an Impeachment against the said Sir Francis North and to present the same to the House And the said Committee is to sit de die in diem Ordered That William Rapley Bayliff of Haslemere in the County of Surrey being in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House be brought to the Bar of this House tomorrow Morning at Ten of the Clock to receive the Censure of the House Jovis 25. die Novem. 1680. Ordered THat a Message be sent to the Lords desiring their Lordships to appoint a Committee to joyn with a Committee of this House for the Adjusting the Methods and Circumstances relating to the Tryals of the Lords in the Tower and that Mr. Treby do go up to the Lords with the said Message A Petition of the Inhabitants of the County of Norfolk against Samuel Verdon Under-Sheriff of the said County for several Crimes and Misdemeanours by him Committed was Head Ordered That a Committee be appointed to Examine the Matters contained in the said Petition to Report the same with their Opinion therein to the House it is Referred to a Committee the same Committee is likewise Impowered to Examine the Abuses Miscarragies and Misdemeanors Committed by all Under-Sheriffs throughout the Kingdom Ordered That the said Samuel Verdon be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to Answer at the Bar of the House for a Notorious Breach of Privilidge by him Committed against this House A Petition of Mr. Thomas Staples being in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was Read Ordered That Mr. Staples be called in and do receive the Censure of the House at the Bar upon his Knees from Mr. Speaker and that he be then Discharged paying his Fees which was done accordingly A Message from the Lords by Sir John Coell and Sir Timothy Baldwyn Mr. Speaker The Lords have commanded us to acquaint this House that His Majesty having been Desired to appoint a Time when both Houses should attend Him with an Address for a Fast His Majesty was pleased to return answer That it is His Majesties Pleasure that both Houses do attend Him at Three of the Clock this Afternoon in the Banquetting-House The Articles of Impeachments against Edward Seymour Esq a member of the House being Read Resolved That the Articles be Read One by one and that Mr. Seymour do make his answer to each respective Article in his place which being accordingly done and Mr. Seymour withdrawn The first of the said Articles being Read to the House and a Debate arising in the House thereupon Resolved That the Debate be Adjourned to Ten of the Clock to Morrow Morning The Addresses Humbly presented to His MAJESTY From Both Houses of Parliament for a Day of HUMILIATION with His MAJESTIES Gracious Answer WE Your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled being deeply sensible of the sad and calamitous condition of this your Majesties Kingdom occasioned chiefly by the impious and horrid Conspiracies of a Popish Party who have not only Plotted and Intended the destruction of Your Majesties Royal Person but the Total Subversion of the Government and true Religion established amongst us and finding the same detestable Machinations still obstinately prosecuted by them as well by somenting divisions amongst your Majesties Loyal Protestant Subjects as all other the most wicked Contrivances notwithstanding the many discoveries thereof by Gods great mercy and wonderful providence lately brought to light all which dreadful Judgments are now impending over us most deservedly for our many and grievous sins and cannot otherwise in humane reason be prevented but by the particular blessing of God upon the Consultations and Endeavours of your great Council now Assembled in Parliament Do in all humility beseech your Majesty that by your Royal Proclamation a Day may be solemnly set apart wherein both our selves and all your Majesties Loyal Subjects may by Fasting and prayers endeavour a Reconciliation with Almighty God and with humble and penitent hearts implore him by his power and goodness to divert those Judgments and defeat the wicked counsels and deivces of our Enemies to Unite the hearts of your loyal Protestant Subjects and to continue his mercy and the light of his Gospel to us and our Posterities and more especially to bestow his abundant blessings on your Sacred Majesty and this present Parliament that our Consultations and
Endeavours may produce Honour Safety and prosperity to your Majesty and your People His Majesties Gracious Answer to this Address That His Majesty will give Order for a Day of Humiliation as is desired Veneris 26 die Novemb. 1680. MR. Speaker acquaints the House that both Houses having attended his Majesty in the Banquetting house yesterday in the afternoon with the Address for a day of Humiliation His Majesty was pleased graciously to answer That his Majesty will give order for a day of Humiliation as is desired Ordered That the Cause concerning the Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Taunton be heard at the Bar of this House tomorrow morning at Ten of the Clock A Petition of the Master Wardens Assistance and Company of Felt-makers was Read Ordered That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Bill for encouragement of the Woolen manufacture by the general wearing thereof is committed A Petition of Thomas Dare of Taunton a prisoner in execution for a Fine of 500 l. set upon him was Read 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 Pardon and remit the said Fine A Message from the Lords Mr. Speaker The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you That the Lords out of their great care to expedite the Tryal of the Lord Viscount Stafford on Tuesday next having agreed upon some Rules and directions to be observed at the said Tryal which they thought fit to communicate to this House and delivered in a Paper containing the said Rules Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That His Majesty had been attended by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council with an address concerning the Protestant Dissenters and that His Majesties answer is That they shall be discharged and without Fees as far as may be done according to Law and that they shall be recommended to the Judges Mr. Treby acquaints the House That he had attended the Lords with a Message desiring their Lordships to appoint a Committee to joyn with a Committee of this House for adjusting the matters and circumstances relating to the Tryals of the Lords in the Tower That they would send an answer to this House by Messengers of their own Sir William Poultney reports from the Committee of Elections Priviledges that the said Committee having taken into consideration the matter touching the election and return of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Monmouth in the County of Monmouth had agreed upon Four several Resolves which he read in his place afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being read are as followeth Resolved That the Election of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Burrough of Monmouth doth not belong to the Burgesses Inhabitants of the Borrough of Monmouth only Resolved That the Burgesses Inhabitants of the Burrough of Newport and Vske in the County of Monmouth have a Right by Vote in the Election of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the said Burrough of Monmouth Resolved That Charles Lord Herbert is not duly Elected Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Monmouth Resolved That John Arnold Esq is duly Elected Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Monmouth To all which Resolves the House agreed Sir John Trevor Reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges that the Committee having taken into Consideration the matter touching the Election and Return for Westbury in the County of Wilts had agreed upon Four several Resolves which he read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being read are as followeth Resolved That Henry Bertie Esq is not duly elected Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Westbury in the County of Wilts Resolved That Richard Lewis Esq is not duly elected Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Westbury in the County of Wilts Resolved That Richard Lewis Esq is not duly elected Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Westbury in the County of Wilts Resolved That Will Trenchard Esq is duly elected Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Westbury in the County of Wilts Resolved That Edward Norton Esq is duly elected Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Westbury in the County of Wilts To all which Resolves the House agreed Ordered That the Clerk of the Crown do attend tomorrow morning at Ten of the Clock to amend the Return for the said Burrough of Westbury The House being informed from the Chairman of the said Committee of several Miscariages Misdemeanors committed by Samuel Gibbs late Mayor of the said Burrough of Westbury in the said election Ordered That the said Samuel Gibbs be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the great Misdemeanors by him Committed in the said Election Ordered That Mr. Treby do make his Reports touching the Elections for the Burrough of Agmondesham in the County of Bucks and for the Burrough of Malborough in the County of Wilts on Munday morning next The Clerk of the Crown being called in Amended the Return for the Burrough of Monmouth by razing out the Name of Charles Lord Herbert and inserting the Name of John Arnold Esq instead thereof An Ingrossed Bill for the Repeal of an Act made in the 35th year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth was Read the third time Resolved That the Bill do pass and that the Title be an Act for the Repeal of a Statute made in the 35th year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and that Sir Eliab Harvey do carry up the Bill to the Lords for their Concurrence William Rapley late Bayliff of the Burrough of Haslemere in the County of Surrey being brought to the Bar and there kneeling received the Censure of this House from Mr. Speaker and was discharged from the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms paying his Fees Ordered That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better discovery of Settlements of Estates for Superstitious uses The House then resumed the adjourned debate relating to the Impeachment against Edward Seymour Esq a member of this House The Question being put That the Consideration of the Articles of Impeachment against Mr. Seymour be referred to a Committee It passed in the Negative Resolved Upon several Questions That there is matter sufficient in the four Articles to Impeach Mr. Seymour Resolved That Mr. Seymour be Impeached upon these Articles Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare the said Impeachments Ordered That it be referred to the same Committee to consider of Precedents
concerning the Committing of a Member to Custody when Impeached in Parliament and to Report the same to the House The Humble ADDRESS of the COMMONS in Parliament presented to His MAJESTY to Remove George Earl of Hallifax From His presence and Counsels With His MAJESTIES Answer VVE Your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Commons in this present Parliament Assembled being deeply sensible of the manifold dangers and mischiefs which have been occasioned to this Your Kingdom by the Dissolution of the last Parliament and by the frequent Prorogations of this present Parliament whereby the Papists have been greatly encouraged to carry on their hellish and damnable Conspiracies against Your Royal Person and Government and the Protestant Religion now established amongst us and have had many opportunities to contrive false and malicious Plots against the Lives and Honours of several of Your loyal Protestant Subjects And having just reason to believe that the said Dissolution was Promoted by the evil and pernicious counsels of George Earl of Hallifax Do therefore most humbly pray Your Majesty for the taking away of occasions of distrust and jealousie between Your Majesty and Your Loyal Commons and that we may with greater chearfulness proceed to perfect those matters now before us which tend to the safety and honour of Your Sacred Person and Government and to the preservation of the true Protestant Religion both to our Selves our Posterity That You would be graciously pleased to remove the said George Earl of Hallifax from your Presence and Counsels for ever His Majesties Answer to the Address CHARLES R. HIs Majesty having received the Address of this House relating to the Earl of Hallifax hath thought fit to return this Answer That He conceives the said Address to be lyable to several Exceptions but having a great desire to preserve all possible good understanding with this House He chooses to decline to enter into particulars to avoid all occasions of dispute He therefore thinks fit to tell them that He doth not find the grounds in the Address of this House to be sufficient to induce Him to remove the Earl of Hallifax But He assures them at the same time that whenever this House shall in a due and regular course prove any Crime either against the said Earl of Hallifax or any other Person who either now is or shall hereafter be in his Councels He will leave him or them to their own legal defence without interposing to protect them ARTICLES of Impeachment against Edward Seymour Esq With the Vote of the COMMONS in Parliament Upon the said Articles Articles of Impeachment of High Crimes Misdemeanours and Offences against Edward Seymour Esq one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council Treasurer of His Majesties Navy and one of the Members of the House of COMNONS now in Parliament Assembled Imprimis THat Whereas the Sum of Five hundred eighty four thousand nine hundred seventy Eight Pounds Two shillings Two Pence was raised by an Act of Parliament for the speedy Building of Thirty Ships of War and thereby appropriated to the said Use By which Act it was particularly directed That the Treasurer of the Navy should keep all moneys payed to him by vertue of the said Act distinct and appart from all other moneys and should Issue and pay the same by Warrant of the Principal Officers and Commissioners of the Navy or any three or more of them and mentioning and expressing that it is for the Building for the Guns Rigging and other Furnishing of the said Thirty Ships of War and to no other Use intent or purpose whatsoever He the said Edward Seymour on or about the year One thousand six hundred seventy seven being then Treasurer of the Navy did contrary to the said Act and contrary to the Duty of his said Office lend the Sum of Ninty thousand Pound at Eight pound per Cent. parcel of the said Sum raised by the said Act being then in his hands for and towards the support and continuance of the Army then Raised after such time as by an Act of Parliament the said Army ought to have been Disbanded whereby the said two several Acts were Eluded and the said Army was continued and kept on foot to the great Disturbance Hazard and Danger of the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom And the Nation was afterwards put to a new Charge of raising and paying the sum of Two hundred thousand pound for the Disbanding of the said Army Secondly That whereas an Act of Parliament had passed for Raising of money by a Poll for Enabling His Majesty to enter into an actual War against the French King and the Money raised by Vertue of the said Act was thereby appropriated to the said Use and to the Re-payment of such Persons as should furnish His Majesty with any Sums of mony or any Stores necessary for the said Service And whereas certain East-land Merchants were desired by His Majesties Officers to furnish and supply great quantities of Stores for the Navy and as an Incouragement thereunto were assured that the Sum of Fourty thousand pound parcel of the moneys raised by the said Act was at that time actually in the hands of the said Edward Seymour which he did acknowledge so to be and did promise the said Sum should be payed to the said Merchants in part of Satisfaction for the said Stores which they did furnish upon the credit of the said Affirmation and undertaking He the said Edward Seymour did on or about the year One thousand six hundred seventy eight issue out and pay the said Sum to the Victuallers of the Navy by way of advance and for provisions not then brought in contrary to the true intent and meaning of the said Act Whereas the same by the provision of the said Act ought to have been payed to the East-land Merchants who had furnished His Majesty with Flax Hemp and other Necessaries for the said Service Of which said Deceit and Injustice the said Merchants did complain in the last Parliament Thirdly That the said Edward Seymour being Treasurer of the Navy and then and still having a Salary of 3000 l. per Annum clear for the same did during the time that he was Speaker of the late long Parliament receive out of the monies appointed for secret Service the Yearly Sum of 3000 l. over and above his said Salary which was constantly payed to him as well during the Intervals as the Sessions of Parliament and particularly during the Prorogation of Fifteen months Fourthly That on or about the Eighteenth year of His Majesties Reign and during a War with the States General of the United Netherlands He the said Edward Seymour being then one of the Commissioners for Prize Goods did Fradulently Unlawfully and in Deceipt of His Majesty Unlade a certain Prize Ship taken from the Subjects of the said States without any Order or Authority for the same and did House the Lading and Goods of the said Ship and Lock up the same
without the presence of any Store-keeper and did afterwards sell the same pretending the same to be only Muscarado Sugars and did account with His Majesty for the same as such Whereas in Truth the said Ship was Laden with Cochineal and Indico Rich Merchandises of a very great Value Veneris 26 Nov. 1680. Resolved THat there is sufficient Matter in these Articles for Impeachment of Edward Seymour Esq a Member of this House And that he be Impeached upon these Articles Sabbati 27 die Novemb. 1680. PEter Elers and John Bode did this day take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy at the Clerks Table in order to their Naturalization A Bill for the taking away of the Court holden before the President and Council in the Marches of Wales was read the first time Resolved That the Bill be read a Second time on Wednesday Morning next at Ten of the Clock The Clerk of the Crown being called in amended the Return for Westbury in the County of Wilts by Razing out the Names of Richard Lewis and Henry Bertie Esquires and inserting the Names of Edward Norton and William Trenchard Esquires instead thereof Mr. Treby Reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges That the Committee having taken into their Consideration the Matter touching the Election for the Burrough of Wells had agreed upon two Resolves to be Reported to the House which he read in his Place afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being read are as follows Resolved That Edward Berkley Esq is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Wells in the County of Somerset Resolved That John Hall Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Wells The First Resolve being Read a second time Resolved That this House doth agree with the Committee that Edward Berkley Esq is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Wells in the County of Somerset The second Resolve being Read a second time Resolved That this House doth agree with the Committee That John Hall Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Wells The Clerk of the Crown being called in amended the Return for the said Burrough of Wells by razing out the Name of Edward Berkley Esq and inserting the Name of John Hall Esq instead thereof Ordered That Sir William Waller be added to the Committee appointed to prepare Evidence against the Lords in the Tower Ordered That an Humble Application be made to his Majestie from this House by such Members thereof as are of His Majesties most â—onourable Privy Council to desire his Majesty to grant a full and general Pardon to Mr. Bernard Davis Colonel Birch reports from the Committee to whom the considerations of the Petition of Sir Thomas Whitegrave Francis Eld and Sampson Birch was referred That the Committee having Examined the matter relating to Sampson Birch had Ordered him to make the sollowing Report Resolved That Mr. Sampson Birch is Guilty of the Information charged against him That the said Birch Keeper of the Prison at Stafford his suffering Bromage a Popish Priest committed to his Custody and Condemned to walk abroad is contrary to Law To which Resolves the House agreed Mr. Hampden Reports from the Committee appointed to prepare an Address to his Majesty upon the debate of the House Humbly Representing the Dangerous State and Condition of this Kingdom in Answer to His Majesties Message relating to Tangier an Address agreed upon by the Committee which he read in his Place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being read was upon the Question agreed to by the House A Message from the Lords by Sir Tymothy Baldwyn Sir Samuel Clark Mr. Speaker The Lords have appointed a Committee of five Lords to meet with a Committee of this House to adjust the methods and circumstances in the Tryal of the Lord Viscount Stafford and have Appointed the Five Lords to meet this Afternoon at three of the Clock in the Inner Court of Wards Resolved That a Committee be appointed of Ten Members of this House to meet the Committee of Lords to adjust the Methods and Circumstances in the Tryal of the Lord Viscount Stafford Ordered That such Members of this House as are of His Majesties Most Honourable Privy-Council be desired to know his Majesties pleasure when this House may attend His Majestie with the last mentioned Address Ordered That the Matter touching the Election for Taunton in the County of Somerset be heard at the Bar of the House on Wednesday Morning next Lunae 29. die Novemb. 1680. A Bill for ascertaining Fines upon Convictions for Misdeameanors was Read the first time Resolved That the Bill be read a second time Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for the Repeal of part of the Law already made for regulating the Fishing in the River Severne Ordered That the Executors of Sir Matthew Hale late Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench be desired to print his Manuscripts relating to the Crown Law And a Committee is appointed to take care of the true Printing thereof Ordered That the said Edward Brett of Staffordshire be discharged from his further Imprisonment by Order of this House Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That he having according to the Orders of the House attended His Majestie to know his Majesties Pleasure when this House should attend him with the Address His Majestie was pleased to appoint this House to attend him at three of the Clock this afternoon in the Banquetting House And further acquaints the House that His Majestie being humbly moved according to the Order of the House for a Pardon for Bernard Dennis was graciously pleased to grant the same and though neither the said Bernard Dennis nor any other by his appointment did carry on the said Pardon to the Seal yet the same together with the Pardon granted to Mr. Turbervil were now ready under the Great Seal And the directions of the House were desired into what hands to put the same Ordered That the said Pardon be lodged in Mr. Treyby's hands for the service of the House and benefit of the said Persons Ordered That the Clerk of this House do de die in diem attend the Committee appointed to examine Precedents touching the Committing of Members of this House to the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms when Impeached in Parliament A Petition of Mr. Thomas Dangerfield was read Ordered That a Committee be appointed forthwith to insect Mr. Dangerfield's Pardon as to the Validity thereof and likewise to examine what Allowances now are or formerly have been made to Mr. Dangerfield from His Majesty and to consider the Alterations and other Circumstances of his Allowances and to report the same to the House Ordered That the Members of this
House do Sit together without mingling with other persons in the place prepared for them at the Tryal of the Lord Viscount Stafford and Mr. Howard Captain of the Yeomen of the Guards is desired to take care thereof HIS MAJESTIES Message to the COMMONS in PARLIAMENT CHARLES REX HIS Majestie did in His Speech at the opening of this Session desire the Advice and Assistance of His Parliament in relation to Tangier The Condition and Importance of the Place obliges His Majestie to put this House in mind again That He relies upon them for the Support of it without which it cannot be much longer Preserved His Majesty does therfore very earnestly Recommend Tangier again to the due and speedy Consideration and Care of this House The Humble ADDRESS of the COMMONS In Parliament Assembled Presented to His Majesty Munday the 29th day of November 1680. May it please your Most Excellent Majestie WE Your Majesties most obedient and Loyal Subjects The Commons in Parliament Assembled having with all Duty and Regard taken into our Serious Consideration Your Majesties late Message relating to Tangier cannot but account the present Condition of it as Your Majestie is pleased to Represent it in Your said Message after so vast a Treasure expended to make it Useful not only as one infelicity more added to the afflicted Estate of your Majesties faithful and Loyal Subjects But as one result also of the same Counsels and Designs which have brought Your Majesties Person Crown and Kingdoms into those great and imminent Dangers with which at this day they are surrounded And we are the less surprized to hear of the Exigencies of Tangier when we remember that since it became part of Your Majesties Dominions it hath several times been under the Command of popish Governours particularly under Command of a Lord Impeached and now Prisoner in the Tower for the Execrable and Horrid Popiâ—h Plot That the Supplies sent thither have been in great part made up of Popish Officers and Soldiers and that the Irish Papists among the Soâ—diers of that Garrison have been the Persons most Countenanced and Encouraged To that part of your Majesties Message which expresses a reliance upon this House for the support of Tangier and a recommendation of â—t to our speedy care We do with all humility and reverence give this Answer That although in due Time and Order We shall omit nothing incumbent on Us for the preservation of every part of your Majesties Dominions and advancing the prosperity and slourishing Estate of this your Kingdom yet at this time when a Cloâ—d which has long threatned this Land â—s â—eady to break upon our heads in a storm of Ruine and Confusion to enter into any further consideration of this matter especially to come to any Resolutions in it before We are effectually secured from the imminent and apparent Dangers arising from the Power of Popish Persons and Councils We humbly conceive will not consist either with Our Duty to Your Majesty or the Trust reposed in Us by those We represent It is not unknown to your Majesty how restless the Endeavours and how bold the Attempts of the Popish Party for many years last past have been not only within this but other your Majesties Kingdoms to introduce the Romish and utterâ—y to extirpate the true Protestant Religion The several Approaches they have made towards the compassing this their Design assisted by the Treachery of perfidâ—ous Protestants have been so strangely successful that t is matter of Admiration to Us and which we can only ascribe to an Over-ruling Providence that your Majesties Reign is still continued over Us and that We are yet assembled to consult the means of our preservation This bloody and restless Party not content with the great Liberty they had a long time enjoyed to exercise their own Religion privately amongst themselves to pertake of an equal Freedom of their persons and Estates with your Majesties Protestant Subjects and of an Advantage above them in being excused from chargeable Offices and Employments hath so far prevailed as to find countenance for an open and avowed practice of their Superstition and Idolatry without controul in several parts of this Kingdom Great swarms of Priests and Jesuits have resorted hither and have here exercised their Jurisdiction and been daily tampering to pervert the Consciences of your Majesties Subjects Their Opposers they have found means to disgrace and if they were Judges Justices of the Peace or other Magistrates to have them turned out of Commission and in contempt of the known Laws of the Land they have practised upon people of all â—anks and qualities and gained over divers to their Religion some openly to profess it others secretly to espouse it as most conduced to the service thereof After sometime they became able to influence matters of State and Government and thereby to destroy those they cannot corrupt The continuance or Prorogation of Parliaments has been accommodated to serve the purposes of that Party Money raised upon the People to supply your Majesties extraordinary Occasions was by the prevaâ—ence of Popish Councils imployed to make War upon a Protestant State and to advance and augment the dreadfull Power of the French King though to the apparent hazard of this and all other Protestant Countries Great numbers of your Majesties Subjects were sent into and continued in the service of that King notwithstanding the apparent Interest of your Majesties Kingdoms the Addresses of the Parliament and your Majesties gracious Proclamations to the contrary Nor can We forbear to mention how that at the beginning of the same War even the Ministers of England were made Instruments to press upon that State the acceptance of one demand among others from the French King for procuring their peace with him that they should admit the publick exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion in the United Provinces the Churches there to be divided and the Romish Priests maintained out of the publick Revenue At home if Your Majesty did at any time by the Advice of Your Privy-Council or of Your two Houses of Parliament Command the Laws to be put in Execution against Papists even from thence they gained advantage to their Party while the edge of those Laws was turned against Protestant Dissenters and the Papists escaped in a manner untoucht The Act of Parliament enjoining a Test to be taken by all Persons admitted into any Publick Office and intended for a security against Papists comeing into Employment had so little effect that either by Dispensation obtained from Rome they submitted to those Tests and held their Offices themselves or those put in their places were so favourable to the same Interests that Popery it self has rather gained than lost ground since that Act. But that their business in hand might yet more speedily and strongly proceed at length a Popish Secretary since Executed for his Treasons takes upon him to set a foot and maintain correspondereies at Rome particularly with a Native Subject of
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
the Exportation of Leather Jovis 4. die Novembris 1680. A Bill for Exportation of Leather was Read the first time Resolved That this Bill be Read a second time after Ten of the Clock in a full House Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That His Majesty having been attended with the Address of this House relating to Mr. Dangerfield Mr. Dugdale Mr. Praunce and Seignior Francisco de Ferria His Majesty was pleased to return this Answer That for Mr. Dangerfields Pardon He had given Order in Council to His Attourney-general to Draw up and cause to pass a Pardon to Mr. Dangerfield for all Treasons Misprisions of Treason in Concealing the same till he discovered the same to this House according to the intent of His Majesties Royal Proclamation That as for an Allowance to mr Dangerfield His Majesty will at the Request of this House consider of a Reasonable allowance for him for some time That as to an allowance to Mr. Dugdale he hath already some allowance made him which His Majesty will continue That as to Mr. Praunce His Majesty will have some consideration of him And as to Seignior Francisco he hath an allowance already granted to him at the request of the House of Lords Ordered That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Act Entituled Trade Encouraged made in the Fiftenth year of His Majesties Reign and to bring in a Bill for prohibiting of Scotch Cattel at certain Seasons A Bill for the further Enco uragement of the Woollen manufacture of England by the general wearing thereof was Read a second time and Committed Mr. Treby Reports from the Committee of Elections and priviledges That the said Committee having taken into Consideration the matter to them referred touching the Election and Return of members to Serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of New-Windsor in the County of Berks had agreed upon Three Resolves to be Reported to the House which he Read in his place and afterwards delivered the same at the Clerks Table and are as follows viz. Resolved That in the Borough of New Windsor those Inhabitants only who pay Scot and Lot have right to give Voices in the Election of Burgesses to Serve in Parliament for the said Borough Resolved That Richard Winwood Esq is duly chosen a Burgess to Serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of New Windsor Resolved That Samuel Starkey Esq is duly chosen a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of New Windsor The said Resolves being Read to the House and the Question being severally put whether this House should agree with the said Committee in the said several and respective Resolves It was Resolved in the affirmative Ordered That the Clerk of the Crown do attend this House on Saturday morning next at Ten of the clock with the Return for the Borough of New Windsor and that the Mayor for the same Borough do then likewise attend and amend the said return according to the Resolves of this House The House taking notice that a petition in the behalf of the City of Rochester touching the Election of a Citizen to Serve in this present Parliament for the said City was yesterday Read and referred to the Committee of Elections and Priviledges and that the House had before that time ordered Mr. Speaker to Issue out his Warrant for a new Writ for the Electing of a member to serve for the said City in the room of Serjeant Barrell deceased who was returned one of the Citizens to Serve for the same City in this present Parliament And Mr. Speaker acquainting the House that he had not as yet Issued out his Warrant for the said Writ Ordered That Mr. Speaker do forbear to Issue out his warrant for such writs until the matters contained in the said petition be determined A Bill to Disable James Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging was Read the first time Resolved That the said Bill be Read a second time on Saturday morning next at Ten of the clock Ordered That a Committee be appointed to Inspect the Laws that are in being touching the maintenance of the poor and to bring in a Bill or Bills for Regulating prevetning the increase of the poor in this Kingdom Sabbati 6. die Novembris 1680. THe Clerk of the Crown and the Mayor of New Windsor being called in did Amend the Return for the said Borough by taking off the Indenture whereby John Cary and John Powney Esquires were Returned Ordered That the Thanks of this House be given Dr. Dove for his Sermon yesterday Preached before this House at St. Margarets and that he be desired to Print the same And Mr. Speaker is desired to acquaint him with the Desire of the House to Print his Sermon Ordered That a Committee be appointed to Inspect the Law concerning the Anniversary Reading of the Narrative of the Gunpowder Plot in Churches on every Fifth day of November and to Report the same to this House Resolved Nemine contradicente That it is the Opinion of this House That the Acts of Parliament made in the Reigns of Queen Elisabeth and King James against Popish Recusants ought not to be extended against Protestant Dissenters Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for Repeal of all or any part of the Act of Parliament made in the Thirty fifth Year of the Reign of Queen Elisabeth chapter the first Printed in the Statute Book of Pulton A Bill for Exporting of Cloth and other Woollen Manufactures into Turkey was Read the first time Resolved That this Bill be Read a second time Ordered That the Report of the Bill for Prohibiting the Importation of Irish Cattle be made on Munday morning next Mr. Jennison being called in gave his Information at the Bar relating to the horrid Popish plot Ordered That Mr. Jennison do put his Information in Writing and present the same to the House on Munday morning next A Bill to disable James Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging was Read the Second time Resolved That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House Resolved Nemine contradicente That it be an Instruction to the said Committee That the Exclusion in the said Bill do extend to the person of the Duke of York onely Resolved That this House do resolve into a Committee of the whole House on Munday morning next at Ten of the Clock to proceed to the Consideration of the said Bill Lunae 8. die Novembris 1680. A Petition of the Turkey Company was Read Ordered That the Petition be referred upon the Debate of the House to the Committee to whom the Bill for the better Encouragement of the Woollen manufacture by the general Wearing thereof is referred to Examine the matter of the said petition and to Report the same with their Opinions therein to this House
and the said Committee is impowered to send for persons papers and Records A Petition of the Bailiffs and Burgesses of the Borough of Poole in the County of Montgomery touching the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Shire-town of Montgomery was Read And a debate arising in the House whether the said petition be Exhibited within the time prefixt by the Orders of this House The Question being put whether the said Petition shall be referred to the consideration of the Committee of Elections and priviledges it passed in the Negative Sir John Trevor Reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for prohibiting the Importation of Irish Cattel was committed several amendments and Clauses agreed by the said Committee to be made and added to the said Bill which he Read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the clerks Table where the same being twice read they were with some amendments made at the Clerks Table upon the Question severally agreed to Resolved c. That the Bill with the amendments and clauses agreed to be Engrossed Ordered That Mr. Joseph Paget be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer for notorious misdemeanours by him committed against the Priviledge of this House A Message from the Lords by Mr. Baron Atkins Mr Baron Gregory Mr. Speaker The Lords have commanded Us to acquaint you That they desire a present Conference with this House in the Painted Chamber to impart to this House several Examinations relating to the Popish plot in Ireland The Messengers being withdrawn Resolved That this House doth agree to meet the Lords at a present conference in the Painted Chamber as is desired The Messengers being called in Mr. Speaker acquaints them That the House had agreed to meet the Lords at a present Conference as desired Managers appointed to manage the said conference Mr. Hambden Reports from the said conference That the same was managed by the Lord Privy Seal and that his Lordship did then deliver to them several Examinations in Writing relating to the Popish plot in Ireland contained in Seven several parcels of paper which he delivered in at the Clerks Table And further reported that his Lordship acquainted them that all other papers in the Custody of the Clerk belonging to their House relating to the Popish plot should be delivered to the Clerk of this House he giving acquittances for the same Ordered That the several papers now delivered in at the Clerks Table be Read tomorrow morning at ten of the clock Ordered That Mr. Hethrington do attend this House tomorrow morning at Ten of the Clock to give in his Information relating to the horrid Popish plot A Petition of Sir Robert Cann Knight and Baronet now Prisoner in the Tower was Read whereby he acknowledged his Offence and begs the Pardon of the House and to be released from his Imprisonment Ordered That Sir Robert Cann be discharged from his Imprisonment and that Mr. Speaker do Issue out his Warrant for the doing thereof The House then Resolved into a Committee of the whole House to proceed in the Consideration of the Bill to disable James Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging Mr. Speaker left the Chair Sir Willam Pulteney took the Chair of the Committee Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair Sir William Pulteney humbly moved from the said Committee of the whole House That the House would be pleased to Order the Serjeant at Arms to go into the hall and the Court of Requests and to require the immediate attendance of such Members of the house a are of the long Robe and all others the Members of the house And that the house would then Resolve again into a Committee of thâ— whole house to proceed further in the Consideration of the said Bill Ordered That the Serjeant at Arms do go into the hall and thâ— Court of Requsts and to Require all the Members of the long Robe and all other the Members of the house to give their immediate at tendance on the Service of this house Resolved That this house do now Resolve into a Committee oâ— the whole house to proceed further in the Consideration of the said Bill Then Mr. Speaker left the Chair Sir William Pulteney took the Chair of the Committee Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair Sir William Pulteney Reports from the Committee of the wholâ— house That the said Committeee had taken into Consideration thâ— said Bill and other the matters to them referred and had agreed up on an amendment to be made and a Clause to be added to the saiâ— Bill which he Read in his place and afterwards delivered the samâ— in at the Clerks Table where the same were twice Read And upon the Question severally agreed to An amendment being proposed to be made at the Table in the saiâ— Bill by filling up the Blanks in the 11th line of the 3d page of thâ— said Bill the first with the word Fifth the second with the word November in the Year of our Lord God 1680. was upon the Questioâ— agreed to A Clause being tendered to be added to the said Bill and Read to to the house and several amendments being made therein Resolved That the said Clause so amended be added to the said Bill Resolved That the said Bill with the said several Clauses and amendments be Ingrossed Ordered That Mr. Jennison do attend this house tomorrow morning at Ten of the Clock with his Evidence in Writing Martis 9. die Novembris 1680. Ordered THat all Committees that are discontinued be revived and do meet at Three of the Clock this Afternoon in the respective places formerly appointed A Petition of the Master Wardens and Assistants of the Company of Silk Thorsters London was Read Ordered That this petition be referred to the consideration of the Committee to whom the Bill for the Encouragement of the Woollen Manufacture by the general Wearing thereof is committed to Examine the matter thereof and Report the same with their Oppnions therein to this Hose A petition of the Bailiffs Wardens and Assistants of the Company of Silk-Weavers London was Read And the Question being put whether the said petition should be referred to the consideration of the Committee to whom the Bill for the better Encouragement of the Woollen-manufacture by the general Wearing thereof stands committed It passed after a long Debate in the Negative Resolved That the said petition be referred to the consideration of the Grand committee for Trade And they are to proceed upon the same in the first place And they are then likwise to consider of the present state of the East India company and to Report the same with their Opinions therein to the house Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the house that he had a message to deliver from his Majesty to this house And the same being by him delivered in Writing to Mr. Speaker was
Read to the house by Mr. Speaker and is as followeth CHARLES R. HIs Majesty desires this House as well for the satisfaction of his people as of himselfe to Expedite such matters as are depending before them relating to Popery and the Plot and would have them rest assured That all Remedies they can tender to his Majesty conducing to those Ends shall be very acceptable to him Provided they be such as may consist with Preserving the Succession of the Crown in its due and legal Course of Descent Mr. Hambden acquaints the house That in the Entry made in the Journal of this house of the Report by him yesterday made from the conference had with the Lords it appears that in part of his Report which relates to the delivery of such papers relating to the Plot to the clerk of this house there is an omission of these words Received from the Clerks of the Council Ordered That the said words be added in the Entry of the said Report in the Journal Ordered That Mr. Richard Janeway be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this house to Answer at the Bar of this house for the Breach of priviledge by him committed against Sir Edward Deering a member of this house Mr. Turbervill being called in gave Information at the Bar of this house of the Horrid Popish plot and delivered the same in writing Mr. Jennison being called in delivered his Information formerly given at the Bar of this house in writing Mr. Dangerfield being called in acquainted the House that he was advised That the Pardon now granted to him by His Majesty is in some particulars defective And humbly desired this House to represent the same to His Majesty Ordered That an humble application be made to His Majesty from this House by such of the members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council desiring His Majesty to grant to Mr. Dangerfield a full and general pardon of all Treasons misprisions of Treason Felonies and other crimes and misdemeanours and particular crimes to be specified by him committed to the time of his last Discovery made to this house of the Popish plot And that His Majesty would in like manner be Graciously pleased to grant to Mr. Edw Turbervill who hath this day given in Evidence at the Bar of this house relating to the horrid Popish plot a full and General pardon And that His Majesty would be pleased to take him into His Royal protection and care and grant him some allowanee for his subsistance Ordered That all the Informations already given in at the Bar of this House in writing relating to the Popish plot be Entred upon the Journal of this House And that all the said Informations be printed being first perused and Signed by Mr. Speaker and that Mr. Speaker Nominate and appoint the persons to Print the same And that Mr. Dangerfield have the Benefit of the Printing of his said Information Ordered That a Committee be appointed to consider of means to preserve the Evidence of Mr. Bedlow and others that have or shall give Evidence relating to the Popish plot Ordered That the Committee appointed to Inspect the Journals of the two last Parliaments and to make a Report of their proceedings as well relating to the Popish plot as of the Impeachment against the Lords in the Tower do present their reports to the House on Thursday morning next in writing Ordered That Mr. Treby do on Thursday morning next present to the House in writing the Information by him lately given to this House of the matters by him reported in the last Parliament relating to the horrid Popish plot Ordered That Joseph Thompson Clerk be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for his high Misdemeanour against the priviledge of this House The Information of Mr. Murphy relating to the Popish plot in Ireland being Read Ordered That Mr. Hethrington do attend his House tomorrow morning at ten of the Clock to give his Evidence relating to the said plot Ordered That the rest of the Papers relating to the Popish plot in Ireland now in the hands of the clerk of this House be Read to morrow morning Mercurij 10. die Novembris 1680. A Bill for Regulating the Elections of members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament was Read the first time Resolved That the said Bill be Read a second time An Engrossed Bill for Prohibiting the Importation of Cattle from Ireland was Read a third time Resolved That the said Bill do pass and that the Title be An Act Prohibiting the Importation of Cattel from Ireland Ordered That Sir John Trevor do carry up the said Bill to the Lords for their concurrence And the same Bill was carried up to the Lords accordingly A message from the Lords by the Lord Chief Baron Mountague and Mr. Baron Atkins M. Speaker THe Lords have commanded us to acquaint you That they have passed an Act for Freeing the City of London and His Majesties Court and parts adjacent from Popish Inhabitants and providing against othèr Dangers which may arise from Papists To which their Lordships desire the concurrence of this House The House taking into consideration His Majesties Gracious Message now Read to the House and a Debate arising thereupon Resolved Nemine contradicente That a Committee be appointed to Draw up an Humble address to His Majesty upon the Debate of the House in answer to His Majesties Gracious Message Resolved Nemine contradicente That this House will proceed in the prosecution of the Lords in the Tower and will forthwith begin with William Viscount Stafford Ordered That Sir William Jones be added to the Committee appointed to Inspect the Journals to the two last Parliaments relating to the Popish plot and the Impeachments of the Lords in the Tower And the said Committee is to sit de die in diem Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That according to the Order of the House Yesterday made His Majesty had been attended in Council with the address of this House And that His Majesty was pleased to return this answer That as to the Pardon for Mr. Dangerfield it should be not only for all Treasons and misprisions of Treason but also for all Felonies Outlawries and misdemeanours whatsoever And that He would grant the like Pardon to Mr. Turbervill and would consider of an allowance for his maintenance Jovis 11. die Novemberis 1680. Ordered THat Mr. Speaker do Issue out his 〈…〉 the Clerk of the Crown for a new Writ for the Electiâ—◠〈…〉 to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Cricklade in the County of Wilts in the room of Hungerford Dunch Esq deceased A Petition of Mr. Richard Harnage was Read Ordered That Mr. Harnage be Discharged from the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House paying his fees A Bill to prevent the Offences of Bribery and Debauchery in the Election
for the Sitting of this Parliament hath betrayed the Rights of the Subject Resolved That this House doth agree with the Committee that Sir George Jeffereys by traducing and obstructing Petitioning for the Sitting of this Parliament hath betrayed the Rights of the Subject Ordered That an humble Address be made to his Majesty to remove Sir George Jeffereys out of all publick Offices And a Committee is appointed to draw up the same Ordered That the Members of this House that Serve for the City of London do communicate this Vote and Resolution of this House relating to Sir George Jeffereys to the Court of Aldermen for the City of London Ordered That the Committee last mentioned do enquire into all such persons as have been advising or promoting of the late Proclamation stiled A Proclamation against Tumultuous Petitioning and they are Impowered to send for Persons Papers and Records Lunae 15 die Novembris 1680. A Bill against the Importation of Cattel from Scotland was Read the First time Resolved That the Bill be Read asecond time on Saturday morning next at ten of the Clock Mr. Treby Reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges That the Committee had taken the matter touching the Election and Return of Members to Serve in this present Parliament for the City of Westminster and had agreed upon Four Resolves which he Read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerks Table and are as followeth Resolved That the King 's menial Servants not having proper Houses of their own within the City of Westminster have not Right to give Voices in the Elction of Citizens to serve in Parliament for the said City Resolved That Sir William Pulteney is duly chosen a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Westminster Resolved That Sir Francis Withins was not duly chosen a Citizen to serve in this Parliament for the City of Westminister Resolved That Sir William Waller is duly chosen a Citizen to servein this Parliament for the City of Westminster The House agreed upon several Questions with the Committee in the said several and respective resolves Ordered That the Clerke of the Crown and the Bailiff of Westminster do attend this House tomorrow morning at Ten of the clock to amend the Return according to the Resolution of the House Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That His Majesty had sent a Message to the House in writting which he delivered at the Clerks Tabie and being Read by Mr. Speaker is as follows CHARLES REX HIs Majesty did in His Speech at the opening of this Session desire the Advice and Assistance of His Parliament in relation to Tangier the condition and Importance of the place obliges His Majesty to put this House in mind again That He relies upon them for the suport of it without which it cannot be much longer preserved His Majesty does therefore very earnestly recommend Tangier again to the due and speedy consideration and care of this House Resolved That this House will proceed in the consideration of His Majesties Message on Wednesday morning next at Ten of the clock An Engrossed Bill sent down from the Lords Entituled An Act for the better Regulating the Tryals of the Peers of England was read a second time Resolved That this Bill be committed upon the Debate of the House A Petition of William Rapley late Bailiff of Haslemere in the County of Surrey now in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was Read Ordered That the said William Rapley be brought to the Bar of this House tomorrow morning at Ten of the clock Ordered That the two last Bills concerning the Regulating of Elections of Members to Serve in the Commons House of Parliment be Read a second time tomorrow morning Mr. Dugdale being called in gave his further Information at the Bar Relating to the Popish Plot in writing A Petition of Sir Tho Whitegrave Francis Eld and Sampson Birch was Read Ordered That the consideration of this Petition be Referred to the Committee appointed to receive Informations concerning the Popish Plot and to Enquire into the same And they are to Report the same with their Opinions therein to this House Ordered That Mr. Dudgale have Liberty to Print his own Narative given to this House relating to the Popish Plot. Mr. Bourke Mr. Macnamarre and Eustace Coning being called in presented their several Informations formerly given at the Bar of this House relating to the Popish Hot in Ireland in Writing Mr. Yarrington Mr. Simonds Mr. Lee Mr. Janeway Mr. Everingham Mr. James and Mr. Bradwell being called in and severally Examined touching a Pamphlet lately printed wherein are several reflections upon Sir Edward Deering a Member of this House And thesaid Mr. Yarrington acquainting the House That all the Animadversions contained in the said Pamphlet were Penned by Dr. Tongue that he received the Abstract of the several Lettets therein mentioned from a Scrivener in Essex Court in the Temple And a Debate arising in the House upon the whole matter Resolved Nemine contradicente That all the reflective parts of the said Pamphlet upon Sir Edward Deering a Member of this House are False Scandalous and Libellous Ordered That Dr. Tongue Have notice to attend this House tomorrow Morning at Ten of the Clock Ordered That Mr. Yarrington Mr. Simonds Mr. Lee Mr. Everingham Mr. James Mr. Bradwell and Robert Groom Scriverner be Committed to the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House for their Breach of Priviledge by them committed against Sir Edward Deering a Member of this House Ordered That Richard Janeway be discharged from the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms Paying his Fees and that he receive the Censure of the House upon his knees from Mr. Speaker which was done accordingly Martis 16. die Novembris 1680. THe Clerk of the Crown and the Bailiff of Westminster being called in Amended the Return of members to serve in this present Parlialiament for the said City of Westminster by razing out the name of Sir Francis Withins and inserting the name of Sir William Waller And then the house Adjourned to 8 of the clock tomorrow morning Mercurij 17. die Novembris 1680. THe House according to the Order of Munday last taking into consideration his Majesties message relating to Tangier Resolved Nemine contradicente That a Committee be appointed to draw up an address to be presented to his Majesty upon the Debate of the house humbly representing to his Majesty the dangerous State and condition of the Kingdom in anser to his Majesties said message Ordered That Mr. Treby do make his report in Writing on saturday morning next A Debate arising in the house That an address be made to his Majesty humbly to desire his Majesty to remove George Earl of Hallifax from his Majesties presence and Councils for ever Resolved That an address be made to his Majesty humbly to desire his Majesty to remove George Earl of Hallifax from his Majesties
to Serve for the said Burrough and that his Council was Attending at the Door ready to acknowledge the same The Council for the said Sir John Cutler as likewise the Council for Edmund Prideaux Esq the Council for the said Burrough being called in and the Council for the said Sir John Cutler admitting that Edmund Prideaux Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to Serve for the said Burrough Resolved c. That Sir John Cutler is not duly Elected a Burgess to Serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Taunton Resolved c. That Edmund Prideaux Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to Serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Taunton The Clerk of the Crown being called in Amended the Return for Taunton by razing out the Name of Sir John Cutler and inserting the Name of Edmond Prideaux Esq in the room thereof in the Indenture Ordered That Mr. Bridstock Hartford and Mr. John Booth Members of this House have leave to Repair in to the Country Resolved c. That this House be called over the First Tuesday in January next and that such Members as shall then make default in Attending the Service of the House be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms. Ordered That Mr. Speaker be desired to send his Letters to the several Sheriffs of the respective Counties and to the several Mayors Bayliffs and other Proper Officers of the several Cities Burroughs Corporations and Cinque Ports of this Kingdom requiring them to give notice to all such Members of this House that serve for such Respective Places as have Absented themselves from the Service of this House without Leave to attend the House within Ten dayes from this day Ordered That the Chairman of the Committee of Elections and Priviledges do Report the Matter touching the Election for the Burrough of Agmondisham in the County of Bucks to Morrow Morning A Petition of Sampson Birch in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was Read Ordered That the said Sampson Birch be brought to the Bar and and do receive the Censure of this House upon his knees from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged paying his Fees which was done accordingly Sir Richard Corbet Reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges to whom the Matter touching the Election and Return for the Burrough of Eye in the County of Suffolk was Referred that the Committee having taken the same into consideration had agreed upon certain Resolves which he Read in his Place and afterwards Delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being Read are as follows viz. Resolved c. That Charles Fox Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Eye Resolved c. That George Walsh Esq is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Eye In which Resolves the House agreed with the Committee Ordered That the Clerk of the Crown do attend tomorrow morning to amend the Return for the said Burrough The House taking Notice of several abuses and Misdemeanors committed in the said election Ordered That a Committee be appointed to examine the said abuses and Misdemeanors and to Report the same with their Opinions therein to the House Ordered That Mr. Speaker do Issue out his Warrant to the clerk of the Crown to make out a New Writ for the election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Ipswich in the County of Suffolk in the room of Gilbert Lindfield Esq deceased A Petition of Sir Thomas Whitgrave in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was Read Ordered That the said Sir Thomas Whitgrave be brought to the Bar and do receive the censure of the House upon his Knees from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged of his confinement paying his Fees which was done accordingly A Petition of John Hutchinson Esq in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was Read Ordered That the said John Hutchinson be brought to the Bar and do receive the censure of this House upon his Knees from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged of his confinement paying his Fees which was done accordingly A Petition of Henry Walrond in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending the House was Read Ordered That the said Mr. Wallrond have time to appear at the Bar of this House to the 3d day of January next A Petition of Samuel Gibs late Mayor of Westbury in the County of Wilts in the custody of the Serjeant at Arms was Read Ordered That this Petition be taken into Consideration on Saturday Morning next at Ten of the Clock Ordered That William Tyler Esq be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar for a breach of Priviledge by him committed against this House A Petition of Richard Thompson Clerk in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms was Read Ordered the the Consideration of this Petition as also of the Matter of the Complaint for which the said Richard Thompson stands Committed be referred to a Committee to Report the same with their Opinions therein to the House A Petition of William Jordan in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms was Read Ordered That the said William Jordan be brought to the Bar and do receive the Censure of this House upon his Knees from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged of his Confinement which was accordingly done Ordered That Mr. Earl a Member of this House have leave to go in to the Country for Recovery of his health Jovis 9 die Decemb. 1680. Ordered THat a Commitee be Appointed to Inspect the Act made for the Erecting and Establishing the Post-Office and to bring in a Bill or or Bills for Regulating the Post-Office Ordered That Mr. John Grey and Mr. Nicholas Herle Members of this House have leave to go into the Country Ordered That a Committee be Appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill for Regulating the Coynage and for continuance of the Law made concerning Coynage Ordered That Mr. Woolrich a Member of this House have leave to repair into the Country for his health Sir Richard Corbet Reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges to whom the matter of the Election for the Burrough of Rygate in the County of Surrey was committed that the Committee haveing taken the same into their Consideration had agreed upon the following Resolves Resolved c. That Ralph Freeman Esq is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Rygate in the County of Surrey Resolved That Dean Goodwin Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Rygate in the County of Surrey To which Resolves the House agreed A Motion being made to the House that Sir William Spring a Member of this House have leave to go into the Country It was Resolved upon a Question in
said Burrough of Agmondesham And that the said Election is void To which Resolves the House agreed Ordered That Mr. Speaker do Issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crowne to make out a new Writ for the Electing of a Burgess to ferve in this present Parliament for the said Burrough of Agmondesham Ordered That the Chairman of the Committee of Elections and Priviledges do make Report of the Matter touching the Election for the Burrough of Marlow in the County of Bucks on Tuesday Morning next Ordered That the Mr Wilson be taken in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms Attending this House for a breach of Priviledge by him Committed against this House Ordered That Mr. Day being in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms Attending this House be Discharged from his further Confinment Ordered That the Chairman of the Committee Appointed to Examine the Matter of the Information against Sir Robert Peyton do Report the same on Tuesday Morning next Lunae 13 Die Decemb. 1680 DIrck Vander-Stegen and Mathias Cole did this day take the Oaths of Allegianee and Supremacy at the Clerks Table in order to their Naturalization Ordered That the Names of the said Dirck-Vander Stegen and Mathias Cole be inserted in the Bills of Naturalization A Bill for Exportation of Cloth and other Woollen Manufactures into Turky was read a second time and a debate arising thereupon Ordered That this Bill do lie on the Clerks Table Ordered That Mr. Francis Lutterell and Sir Thomas Whitmore Members of this House have leave to go into the Country Ordered That the Committee appointed to look into and prepare Evidence against the Lords in the Tower do examin the evidence against all Persons concerned in the Popish Plot and they are to report the names of such persons together with their opinions therein to the House upon the Debate Resolved Nemine Contradicente That this House will on Wednesday morning next at Ten of the Clock resolve it self into a Committee of the whole House to consider of wayes and means to secure the Kingdom against Popery and Arbitrary Power Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill for banishing of all Papists and suspected Papists from the Cities of London and Westminster and 20 Miles of the same with clauses therein for disarming of all Papists and for pains and penalty against all such Papists or suspected Papists as shall either ride go or be armed Ordered That the Knights of the respective Shires Citizens of the respective Cities Burgesses of the several Burroughs and Barons of the Cinque-Ports within this Kingdom do with all convenient speed bring in Lists of all Papists and reputed Papists within the said several Counties Cities Burroughs and Cinque-Ports Ordered That the Lord Annesly a Member of this House have liberty to repair to Mr. Sheridon A Petition of Captain William Castle was read Ordered That the said Captain Castle be brought to the Bar tomorrow morning and do receive the Censure of the House upon his knees from Mr. Speaker Ordered That Mr. Lucy be added to the Committee appointed to examin the proceedings of the Judges in Westminster-Hall And to prepare an Impeachment against Sir Francis North Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. Martis 14. die Decemb 1680. A Bill for rectifying several Errors and mistakes in certain Deeds of Settlement made upon the Marriage of Sir Charles Hoghton Barronet with Mary the Daughter of John Lord Viscount Massareen was read the first time Resolved c. That the Bill be read a second time on Thursday morning next Mr. England reports from the Commitee appointed to examine the matter of the complaint made by the Inhabitants of the County of Norfolk against Samuel Verdon Undersheriff of the said County That the Committee having taken the same into their Consideration had directed him to make a special Report to the House which he read in his Place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being read Ordered That the said Committee do proceed to examin all Matters of complaint against the said Samuel Verdon without further Summons Ordered That Mr. Baispole be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar for a Breach of Priviledge by him committed against this House A Petition of Mr Jerimiah Bubb being read Ordered That the said Mr. Bubb be discharged from any further Attendance Ordered That Mr. William Tyler be discharged from any further confinement without paying Fees Information being given to the House that Herbert Herring some weeks since ordered to be taken in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer for a breach of Priviledge by him committed against Mr. Colt a Member of this Honse hath and still doth abscond himself to avoid the Execution of the said Order Resolved c. That if the said Herbert Herring do not render himself to the said Serjeant at Arms before Saturday next this House will proceed against him by a Bill in Parliament for endeavouring by his Absconding to avoid the Justice of this House Ordered That the Chairman of the Committee to whom the Bill for the better Regulating the Trials of Peers is Committed do make Report thereof on Thursday Morning next A Petition of Roderick Mansell Esq was Read Mr. Mansell being called gave an account to the House of the Matter relating to Sir Robert Peyton Sir William Roberts Reports from the Committee appointed to examin the matter relating to Sir Robert Peyton that the Committee having taken the same into their Consideration had agreed upon a Report which he read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being read Sir Robert Peyton having made his Defence in his Place and being withdrawn And the matter being debated in the House the House made the following Vote It appearing to this House by the Report made at the Bar and by the Confession of Sir Robert Peyton in his Place that Sir Robert Peyton had secret negotiation with the Duke of Tork by the means of the Earl of Peterborow Mrs. Cellier and Mr. Gadbury at such time when they were turning the Popish Plot upon the Protestants Ordered That Sir Robert Peyton be expelled this House And that Sir Robert Peyton be brought to the Bar and do receive the Censure of the House upon his knees from Mr. Speaker The Serjeant at Arms aquainting the House that Sir Robert Peyton had absented himself so that he could not be then found Ordered That the said Sir Robert Peyton be taken into Custody of the said Serjeant at Arms. Mercurii 15 Die Decemb. 1680. ORdered That Samuel Gibbs late Mayor of the Burrough of Westbury in the County of Wilts in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House be brought to the Bar and do receive the Censure of the House upon his knees from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged paying his fees which was done
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
further Presentments of them on the 26th following on which Day the Jury met for that purpose when several Peers of this Realm and other Persons of Honour and Quality brought them a Bill against James Duke of York for not coming to Church But some Exceptions being taken to that Bill in that it did not set forth the said Duke to be a Papist some of the Jury attended the said persons of Quality to receive satisfaction therein In the mean time and about an Hour after they had received the said Bill some of the Jury attended the Court of Kings-Bench with a Petition which they desired the Court to present in their Name unto His Majestie for the Sitting of this Parliament Upon which the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs raised many Scruples and on pretence that they were not all in Courâ— tho twenty of the Jury had subscribed the Petition sent for them saying he would dispatch them presently The Jury being come and their Names called over they renewed their desire that the Courâ— would present their petition But the Chief Justice asked if they had any Bills they answered They had but the Clerks were drawing theâ— into Form Upon which the Chief Justice said They would not makâ— two Works of one Business the Petition being Read he said Thiâ— was no Article of their Charge nor was there any Act of Parliamen that required the Court to deliver the Grand Juries Petitions Thaâ— there was a a Proclamation about them And that it was not reasonable the Court should be obliged to run on their Errands And he thoughâ— it much that they should come with a Petition to alter the Kingâ— Mind declared in the News Book The Jury said They did it not tâ— Impose on the Court but as other Juries had done with all Submission they desired it But the Court refused bidding the Cryer return them their Petitions And Mr. Justice Jones told them they haâ— medled with matters of State not given them in Charge but presenâ—ed no Bills of the Matters given in Charge They answered as before they had many before them that would be ready in due time Notwithstanding which the said Justice Jones told them They were discharged from further Service But Philip Ward the Clerk that attended the said Jury cryed out No No they have many Bills before them for which the Court understanding as it seems to this Committee a secret reason which the Clerk did not reproved him Asking if he or they were to give the Rule there The Cryer then told the Court they would not receive their Petition the Chief Justice bid him let it alone so it was left there and the Jury returned to the Court-house and there found several Constables with presentments of Papists and other offenders as the Jury had directed them on the 21th before but could not now receive the said Presentments being discharged Whereby much business was obstructed though none of the said Informants ever knew the said Jury discharged before the last Day of the Term which was not till Four days after And it further appeareth to the Committee by the evidences of Samuel Astrey Jasper Waterhouse and Philip Ward Clerks that have long served in the said Court That they were much surprized at the said discharging of the Jury in that it was never done in their Memory before and the rather because the said Waterhouse as Secondary constantly erters on that Grand Juries paper that the last day of the Term is given them to return their Verdict on as the last day but one is given to the other Two Grand Juries of that County which entry is as followeth Trinit 32. Car. 2d Juratores habent diem ad Veredictum suum redderdum usque Middles Ossulston Hundred diem Mercurij proxime post tres Septimanas sancte Trinitatis Being the last day of the Term and so in all the other Terms the last day is given which makes it appear to this Committee That they were not in truth Discharged for not having their Presentments ready since the Court had given them a longer day but onely to obstruct their further Proceedings And it appeareth by the Evidence aforesaid to this Committee That the four Judges of that Court were present at the Discharging of the said Jury and it did not appear that any of them did Dissent therein upon Consideration whereof the Committee came to this Resolution Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee that the Discharging of the Grand Jury of the Hundred of Ossulston in the County of Middlesex by the Court of Kings Bench in Trinity Term last before the last day of the Term and before they had finished their Presentments was Illegal Arbitrary and an high Misdemeanour This Committee proceeded also to inquire into a Rule of the Court of Kings-Bench lately made against the publishing a Book called The Weekly Pacquet of Advice from Rome or The History of Popery and Samuel Astrey Gent. examined thereupon inform'd this Committee that the Author of the said Book Henry Car had been informed against for the same and had pleaded to the Information but before it was Tryed a Rule was made on a motion as he supposeth against the said Book All the Judges of that Court as he remembers being present and none dissenting The Copy of which Rule he gave in to this Committee and is as followeth Dies Mercurij proxime post tres Septimanas sancte Trinitatis Anno 32 Car. 2d Regis Ordinatum est quod liber intitulat The Weekly Pacquet of Advice from Rome or The History of Popery non ulterius Imprimatur vel publicetur per aliquam Personam quam cunque Per. Cur. And this Committee admiring that Protestant Judges should take offence against a Book whose chief design was to expose the Cheats and Foppery of Popery enquired further into it and found by the Evidence of Jane Curtis that the said Book had been Licens'd for several Months that her Husband paid for the Coppy and enter'd it in the Hall-Book of the Company But for all this she could not prevail by these Reasons with the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs to permit it any longer who said 'T was a Scandalous Libel and against the King's Proclamation and he would ruine her if ever she printed it any more And soon after she was served with the said Rule as the Author and other Printers were and by the Author's Evidence it appears That he was taken and brought before the said Chief Justice by his Warrant above a year since upon his owning he writ part of that Book the Chief Justice called him Rogue and other ill names saying he would fill all the Goals in England with such Rogues and pile them up as men do Faggots and so Committed him to prison refusing sufficient Bayl and saying he would Goal him to put him to Charges and his Lordship observed his word punctually therin forcing him to his Habeas Corpus and then taking the same
to the Judgment of this House The Resolutions of the House of Commons upon the said Report 1. THat it is the Opinion of this House That the Discharging of the Grand Jury of the Hundred of Oswaldston in the County of Middelsex by the Court of Kings Bench in Trinity Term last before the last day of the Term before they had finished their Presentments was Arbitrary and Illegal destructive to publick Justice a manifest violation of the Oaths of the Judges of that Court a means to subvert the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom and to Introduce Popery 2. THat it is the Opinion of this House That the Rule made by the Court of Kings Bench in Trinity Term last against Printing of a Book called The Weekly Pacquet of Advice from Rome is Illegal and Arbitrary thereby usurping to themselves Legislative Power to the great discouragement of the Protestants and for the countenancing of Popery 3. THat it is the Opinion of this House That the Court of Kings Bench in the Imposition of Fines on Offenders of late years have acted Arbitrarily Illegally and Partially favouring Papists and persons Popishly affected and excessively oppressing His Majesties Protestant Subjects 4. THat it is the Opinion of this House That the resusing sufficient Bail in these Cases wherein the persons committed were Bailable by Law was Illegal and a high breach of the Liberties of the Subject 5. THat it is the Opinion of this House That the said expressions in the Charge given by the said Baron Weston were a Scandal to the Reformation and tending to raise discord between His Majesty and His Subjects and to the Subversion of the Ancient Constitution of Parliaments and of the Government of this Kingdom 6. THat it is the Opinion of this House That the said Warrants are Arbitrary and Illegal The Resolutions of the Commons for the Impeachment of the said Judges Resolved THat Sir William Scroggs Knight Chief Justice of the Court of Kings Bench be Impeached upon the said Report and the Refolutions of the House thereupon Resolved That Sir Thomas Jones one of the Justices of the said Court of Kings-Bench be Impeached upon the said Report and Resolutions of the House thereupon Resolved That Sir Richard Weston one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer be Impeached upon the said Report and Resolutions of the House thereupon Ordered That the Committee appointed to prepare an Impeachment against Sir Francis North Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Pleas do prepare Impeachments against the said Sir William Scroggs Sir Thomas Jones and Sir Richard Weston upon the said Report and Resolutions Ordered That the said Report and several Resolutions of this House thereupon be Printed and that Mr. Speaker take care in the Printing thereof apart from this days other Votes Veneris 31 die Decemb. 1680. A Bill prohibiting the Importation of forein Guns was read a second time The Question being put that the Bill be committed It passed in the Negative Resolved That the Bill be rejected Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill for regulating the Abuses in making of Casks Barrels and other Vessels Ordered That a Committee be appoinied to peruse the Laws relating to Weights and Measures and to report their opinions therein to the House and to bring in a Bill or Bills for the better regulating and ascertaining the same Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill for a general Naturalization of Alien Protestants and allowing them liberty to exercise their Trades in all Corporations A Bill for the Relief of the Subject against Arbitrary Fines was read a second time Resolved The the Bill be committed Mr. Hyde acquaints the House that His Majestie according to the order of the House having been attended by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council desiring His Majestie to give Orders that such Evidence and Informations as were given in to the Council by Mr. Serjeant and others in the Case of John Gavan executed for High Treason and for all other Evidences Papers Writings Letters and Informations delivered into the Council relating to the Popish Plot might be communicated to this House His Majestie was pleased to declare his Commands that the same should be delivered accordingly And further acquainted the House That Sir John Nicholas one of the Clerks of the Council had assured him that all the said Papers were already transmitted to the House of Lords And then the House Adjourned to Munday Morning eight of the Clock The REPORT from the Committee of the Commons in Parliament appointed by the Honourable House of Commons to consider the Petition of Richard Thompson of Bristol Clerk and to Examine Complaints against him And the RESOLUTION of the Commons in Parliament upon this REPORT for his Impeachment of HIGH Crimes and Misdemeanors At the Committee appointed to take into Consideration the Petition of Rich. Thompson Clerk and to examine the complaints against him Friday Decemb. 24. 1680. In the first place THE Committee read unto the said Thomson the Heads of Complaint against him Which for the most part he denying desired to have his Accusers brought Face to Face Whereupon the Committee proceeded to the Examination of Witnesses to prove the said Complaint The first Witness Examined saith That there being a great noise and rumor that Mr. Thompson had prepared a Sermon to be Preached on the Thirtieth of January 1679. the said Witness went to the said Sermon and did hear Mr. Thompson publikly declare That the Presbyterians were such Persons as the very Devil Blush't at them and that the Villain Hamden grudged and made it more Scruple of Conscience to give Twenty Shillings to the King for supplying his Necessities by Ship-Money and Loan which was His Right by Law than to raise Rebellion against Him And that the Presbyterians are worse and far more Intolerable than either Priests or Jesuits The second saith That hearing a great Talk Noise spread of a Sermon to be Preached by Mr. Thompson on the 30th of January 1679. was minded to hear the same and accordingly did at which he writ some Notes amongst which he saith That Mr. Thompson openly Preached that the Devil Blush't at the Presbyterians and that the Villain Hamden grudged more to give the King 20 Shillings which was His just due by Law Ship-Money and Loan than to raise Rebellion against Him and that a Presbyterian-Brother qua talis was as great a Traytor by the Statute as any Priest or Jesuite whatsoever That he heard that Mr. Thompson said that he hoped the Presbyterians would be pulled out of their Houses and the Jayles fiâ—led with them and wish't their Houses burnt The Third saith That he was Cited to the Bishops Court to receive the Sacrament last Easter but being out of Town at that time did Receive it at a place called Purl in Wilt-shire and that a month after he came Home was again Cited to the said Court and
he did accordingly appear and told the Court That he hoped his Absence and bâ—siness might be accepted for a lawful Excuse Upon which Mr. Thompson immediatly said That they would proceed to Excommunicate him Upon which this Informant produced his Certificate of which the Chancellor approved and said It was Lawful Hereupon Mr. Thompson said That his Receiving the Sacrament from any other Minister than the Minister of the Parish wherein he dwelled Was Damnation to his Soul and that he would maintain this Doctrine The fourth saith That being at Bristol Fair he heard a great talk and noise of a Satyr-Sermon prepared and designed to be preached by Mr. Thompson against the Presbyterians on the 30th of January 1679 and that very many resorted to hear him In which Sermon the said Mr. Thompson declared and said That there was a great talk of a Plot but says he a Presbyterian is the man And further added that the Villain Hamden scrupled to give the King 20. s. upon Ship Money and Loan which was his due by law but did not Scruple to raise Rebellion against him The fifth saith That Mr. Thompson in a Sermon Preached the 30 of January 1679. did say that the Presbyterians did seem to out-vie Mariana and that Calvin was the first that Preached the King-Killing Doctrine and that after he had quoted Calvin often said if this be true then a Presbyterians Brother qua talis is as great a Traytot as any Priest or Jesuite And that then he condemned all the Proceedings of Parliaments The sixth saith That the said Mr. Thompson had utter'd many scandalons words concerning the Act for Burying in Woollen affirming That the makers of that Law were a company of Old Fools and Fanaticks and that he would bring a School-Boy should make a better Act than that and Construe it when he had done The seventh saith That Mr. Thompson in a Sermon by him Preached while Petitions for the sitting of this Parliament were on foot speaking of a second Rebellion by the Scoth who had framed a formidable Army and came as far as Durham to deliver a Petition forsooth and that they seemed rather to Command than Petition their Sovereign to grant And comparing that Petition with the then Petition on Foot greatly invey'd against it and scoffed much at it The Eighth saith That Mr. Thompson when the Petition was on Foot for the sitting of this Parliament used at the Funeral Sermon of one Mr. Wharton these words pointing at the Dead said That he was no schismatical Petitioning Rebel and that by his instigations the Grand Jury of Bristol made a Presentment of their Detestation against Petitioning for the sitting of the Parliament that the said Mr. Thompson had told him that he was Governour to Mr. Narbor when he was beyond Sea and said That he had been very often and above one hundred times at Mass in the great Church at Paris and usually gave half a Crown to get a place to hear a certain Doctor of that Church and that he was like to be brought over to that Religion and that when he went beyond Sea did not know but that he might be of that Religion before his return That he is very censorious and frequently casts evil aspersions against several Divines at Bristol of great Note viz. Mr. Chetwind Mr. Standfast Mr. Crosman Mr. Palmer and others saying That such as went to their Lectures were the Brats of the Devil The Ninth saith That Mr. Thompson in his Preaching inveyed bitterly against subscribing Petitions for Sitting of this Parliament saying That it was the Seed of Rebellion and like to Forty one and that the Devil set them on work and the Devil would pay them their Wages faying That before he would set his hand to such Petitions he would cut it off yea and cut them off The Tenth saith That about 2 pears since being in the Chancel of St. Thomas Church in Bristol where Queen Elizabeth's Effigies is Mr. Thompson pointing his Finger to it said That she was the worst of Women and a most lewd and infamous Woman Upon which this Informant replied He never heard any speak ill of her thereupon Mr. Thompson said She was no better than a Church-Robber and that Henry the 8th begun it and that she finish'd it The Eleventh Rowe saith That in the year 1678 he waited on the Mayor to Church and that Mr. Thompson who was there railed at Henry the Eighth saying He did more hurt in Robbing the Abby Lands than he did good by the Reformation That after Dinner Mr. Thompson comes to this Informant and claps his Hands on his shoulders saying Hah Boy had Queen Elizabeth been living you needed not to have been Sword-bearer of Bristol The said Rowe asked him why He replyed She loved such a lusty Rogue so well as he was and he would have been very fit for her Drudgery at Whitehall The Twelfth saith That he heard a great noise of a Sermon to be Preached by Mr Thompson on the 30th of January 1679. to the second part of the same Tune And that he was present at the same Sermon in which Mr. Thompson said There was a great noise of a Popish Plot but says he Here is nothing in it but a Presbyterian Plot for here they are going about to Petition for the Sitting of the Parliament but the end of it will be to bring the Kings Head to the Block as they have done his Father The Thirteenth saith That in January last or thereabouts there was a Petition going about for the Sitting of this Parliament when Mr. Thompson in Redcliff Church in his Sermon said It was a Seditious and Rebellious Petition and rather than he would sign it his Hand should be cut off The Fourteenth saith The Eighth day of April he going to pay Mr. Thompson his Dues speaking concerning the Meeters in private Mr. Thompson said He would hall them out and fill the Goals with them and hoped to see their houses a fire about their Ears in a short time and this he the said Thompson doubled again and again The fifteenth saith That about December 1679 Mr. Thompson came to visit his Mother being sick and discoursing of Religion she said Thompson said If he were as well satisfied of other things as he was of Justification Auricular Confession Penance Extream Unction and Crisme in Baptism he would not have been so long separated from the Catholick Church And further affirmed That the Church of Rome was the True Catholick Church He further endeavoured to prove Extream Unction and Auricular Confession as well as he could out of the Epistles Further he hath heard him say The King was a Person of mean and soft Temper and could be led easily to any thing but yet a Solomon in vices but that the Duke of York was a Prince of a brave Spirit would be faithful to his Friends and that it was our own Faults that he was a Roman Catholick in that we forc't him to
fly into France where he imbraced that Religion About the same time he the said Thompson said the Church would be Militant but greatly commended the decency of Solemnizing the Mass in France and that it was performed with much more Reverence and Devotion then any other Religion doth use He further heard him say in a Sermon about the time of Petitioning he would rather cut off his hand then Sign it and had many bad expressions of it that it was the Seed of Rebellion and like 40 and 41. And further the said Mr. Thompson at one Sanford's Shop door in Bristol speaking of Bedlow said That he was not to be believ'd because Bedlow had said he meaning Mr. Thompson was at St. Omers where Mr. Thompson said he was not and that Bedlow was of a bad Life and in many Plots and not to be credited in any thing he said And that in another Discourse he commended the Romish Clergy for their single Life and is himself so and did at the same time Vilify Rail at the English Clergy for Marrying saying it was better for a Clergy Man to be Guelt then to Marry that the Calvinists in France were Lecherous Fellows and could scarce be two years a Priest without a Wife About the time and after the Election of Sir John Knight to this Parliament Mr. Thompson said he was not fit to be believ'd and as bad as any Fanatick He further said in the Pulpit at St. Thomas's that after Excommunication by the Bishop without Absolution from the Spiritual Court such a one was surely Damned and he would Pawn his Soul for the Truth of it Evidence ended Mr. Thompson after the Evidence given by every particular person Face to Face was asked to every one If he had any Questions to ask before they called another Who answer'd he should not say any thing at present When the Witnesses before-mentioned were all Examined Mr. Thompson being desir'd to make his Defence and declare whether he were Guilty of the Matters laid to his charge did for the greatest part confess words spoken to that effect and in other things endeavoured to turn the words with more favour towards himself but the Witnesses being of great Credit and many more being ready to have made good the same things the Committee lookt upon the business to be of a high Nature therefore ordered the matter to be reported specially leaving it to the Wisdom of the House The Resolution of the House of Commons upon the said Report Resolved Nemine contradicente THat Richard Thompson Clerke Hath publickly defamed his Sacred Majesty Preached Sedition vilified the Reformation Promoted Popery by asserting Popish Principles decrying the Popish Plot and turning the same upon the Protestants and endeavoured to subvert the Liberty and property of the Subject and the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament and that he is a Scandal and Reproach to his Function And that the said Richard Thompson be Impeached upon the said Report and Resolution of the House And a Committee is appointed to prepare the said Impeachment and to receive further Instructions against him and to send for Persons Papers and Records Lunoe 3. Die Januarii 1680. AN Engrossed Bill for the Naturalization of Peter Elers and others was read a third time Resolved That the Bill do pass and that the Title be An Act for the Naturalization of Peter Elers and others Aliens born Ordered That Mr. Papillon do carry up the said Bill to the Lords for their Concurrence An Engrossed Bill for the prohibiting the importation of Cattle from Scotland was Read a third time Resolved That the Bill do pass and that the Title be An Act limiting the times of Importation of Cattle from Scotland Ordered That Sir George Downing do carry up the Bill to the Lords for their Concurrence A Bill for repealing an Act made in the 13th year of His now Majesties Reign Entituled An Act for the well Governing and Regulating of Corporations was read the first time Resolved That the Bill be read a second time on Thursday morning next A Bill for the better Discovery of Settlements of Estates for superstitious Uses was read the first time Resolved That the Bill be read a second time on Fryday morning next after Ten of the Clock in a full House Mr. Treby Reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges to whom the matter touching the Election for the Borough of Steyning in the County of Sussex was referred That the Committee having taken the same into their Consideration had agreed upon two Resolves viz. 1. That John Tufton Esq was not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Steyning in the County of Sussex 2. That Philip Gell Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Steyning To both which Resolves the House agreed with the Committee Ordered That the Clerk of the Crown do attend tomorrow morning to amend the Return for Steyning A Petition of John Fairchild in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was read Ordered That the said John Fairchild be brought to the Bar of this House tomorrow morning A Message from the Lords by Sir John Coell and Sir Timothy Baldwin Mr. Speaker The Lords have sent this House a Bill entituled An Act for distinguishing Protestant Dissenters from Popish Recusants to which they desire the Concurrence of this House Sir Edward Harley Reports from the Committee to whom the bill to regulate Elections of Members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament and the Bill to prevent the Offences of Bribery and Debauchery in such Elections were committed That the Committee having taken the said Bills into their Consideration had reduced the same into one Bill and had agreed upon several amendments to be made and Clauses to be added to the same which he read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table which with some amendments made at the Table upon the question were severally agreed to by the House the Clause to be inserted being Read Ordered That the said Clause be recommitted to the said Committee upon the Debate of the House A Message from the Lords by Sir John Coell and Sir Timothy Baldwin Mr. Speaker The Lords have sent us to put this House in mind of the Bill for the better regulating the Tryals of the Peers of England A Message from the Lords by Sir Miles Cook and Sir Adam Oteley Mr. Speaker We are commanded to acquaint this house That the Lords have received a Petition from Mr. Seymour wherein he desires a day may be appointed for his speedy Tryal that their Lordships finding no Issue by replication of the Commons think fit to give this House notice thereof The Answer of Edward Seymour Esq to the Articles of Impeachment exhibited against him by the Commons assembled in Parliament was read Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare Evidence against Mr. Seymour