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
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
Stafford in the Name of all the Commons of England before the Lords in Parliament And the Managers this day insisted upon the general Evidence to prove the Popish Plot against the King's person the Protestant Religion and Government Post Meridiem The Committee of the Commons returning to the House Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair Then the House Adjourned to Eight of the Clock to Morrow Morning Mercurii 1 die Decemb. 1680. A Message from the Lords by Sir Timothy Baldwin and Sir Samuel Clark Mr. Speaker The Lords have sent Us to acquaint this House that they intend to proceed to the Tryal of William Viscount Stafford at Ten of the Clock this morning in Weflminster-Hall A Petition of Samuel Gibbs Mayor of Westbury in the County of Wilts being in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House being presented to the House Ordered That the said Petition do lye upon the Clerks Table in order to the Reading thereof in a full House Ordered That the matter touching the election for Taunton in the County of Somerset be heard at the Bar of this House on Saturday morning next Ordered That the Bill for taking away the Court holden before the President and Council in the Marches of Wales be read a Second time on Friday morning next Ordered That the Bill for the better securing the payment of an Annuity or Rent Charge of 130 l. per annum out of the Mannors and Farms of Bex-hill and Cowding in the County of Sussex to the use of the poor of several Parishes in the County of Surry be Read on Friday morning next Ordered That Mr. John Farington a member of this House have leave to go into the Country for Recover ie of his Health Then Mr. Speaker left the Chair The managers appointed by the Commors proceeded to the particular evidence against the Lord Viscount Stafford before the Lords in Parliament and having produced and Examined several Witnesses to prove the Impeachment against him At the desire of the Lord Stafford he had time to make his further defence tomorrow Morning Post Meridiem The Committee of the Commons return to the House Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair A Message from the Lords by Sir Timothy Baldwin and Sir Samuel Clark Mr. Speaker The Lords have sent Us to acquaint this House that they have ordered the Prisoner William Viscount Stafford to be brought to the Bar in Westminster-Hall tomorrow morning at Ten of the Clock Ordered That all Committees be adjourned And then the House Adjourned to eight of the clock tomorrow morning Jovis 2. die Decemb. 1680. I Ohn van Hattem and William Henry Cornelissen this day took the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy in order to their Naturalization A Bill for the Naturalization of Peter Elers and others was Read the First time Resolved That the Bill be Read a Second time Ordered That Edward Kynaston Esq a Member of this House have leave to go into the Country for Recovery of his Health A Petition of John Dandridge being in Custody of the Searjeant at Arms attending this House was Read Ordered That the said John Damdridge be discharged from his Confinment Complaint being made to the House of a Breach of Priviledge committed by Mr. Kne vet Hastings in Striking and Wounding the Servant of Hender Roberts Esq a member of this House Ordered That the said Knevet Hastings be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer for the said Breach of Priviledge by him Committed Ordered That nothing that hath been or shall be said by any Member of this House or by any Person that shall be produced as a witness in behalf of the Commons of England in the Tryal of William Viscount Stafford be Printed or Published without the leave of this House A Petition of Griffith Jones Esq touching the Election for the Town of New Radnor in the County of Radnor was Read Ordered That the said Petition be Referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Elections and Priviledges who are to Examine the Matter thereof and to report the same with their Opinions therein to the House Mr. Speaker left the Chair And the Committee of the Commons Proceeded in the management of the Evidence upon the Impeachment of William Viscount Stafford Post Meridiem The Committee of the Commons return to the House Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair A Message from the Lords by Sir Timothy Baldwin and Sir Samuel Clark Mr. Speaker The Lords have sent Us to acquaint this house That they have Ordered the Prisoner William Viscount Stafford to be brought again to his Tryal at the Bar in Westminster-Hall to Morrow morning at Ten of the Clock Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That his Majesty had Commanded him to Communicate to the House a Letter written by Dr. Lamphire Principal of Hart-Hall in Oxford directed to Mr. Secretary giving an account That one William Pickering a Taylor at Wheatly in the County of Oxon and Brother to Pickering that was Executed for the Horrid Popish Plot had spoken these Words viz. That if the King should Try the Lords he should not live half a year after and that the said Pickering was Committed to Oxford Goal by the said Doctor Lamphire Which Letter was Read to the House Ordered That the Thanks of this House be humbly presented to his Majestie by such members thereof as are of His Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council for this His Majesties Gracious Communication Ordered That the said William Pickering be forthwith brought up to the Bar of this House to Answer this high Charge Ordered That the further Consideration of this Matter be Adjeurned to tomorrow morning Veneris 3 die Decemb. 1680. A Petition of Richard Rawlins in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attended this House Ordered That the said Rich Rawlins be discharged from his Imprisonment A Bill for takeing away the Court holden before the President and Council in the Marches of Wales was read a Second time Ordered That the adjourned debate touching the information yesterday communicated to this House from his Majestie be resumed this afternoon when the Committee of this House returns from the Tryal of William Viscount Stafford and that the Serjeant at Armes attending this House do give the Members of this House notice thereof in the mean time A Petition of John Hutchinson Esq in custody of the Serjeant at Armes was read Ordered That the said Mr. Hutchinson be brought to the Bar of this House tomorrow morning at Ten of the Clock Ordered That Edward Vaughan Esq be added to the Committee appointed to prepare Evidence against the Lords in the Tower Mr. Speaker left the Chair And the Committee of the Commons did proceed in the Management of the Impeachment against William Viscount Stafford before the Lords in Parliament Post Meridiem The Committee of the Commons returned to the House Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair Ordered That Collonel Stawell a member of this House have leave to
by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council humbly to desire His Majesty That all Papers Letters Examinations Writings and other Evidences relating to the Horrid Popish Plot which have been delivered in to the Clerks of the Council or the Secretaries of State since the Dissolution of the last Parliament may be transmitted to this House Ordered That Mr. Serjeant Maynard Mr. George Pelham and Mr. Paul Foley be added to the Committee appointed to prepare Evidence against the Lords in the Tower Ordered That an humble Address be made to his Majesty by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to desire His Majesty to give Orders for the issuing out a Sum of money for defraying the Charges of Summoning the Witnesses and other Expences incident to the Prosecution and Tryals of the Lords in the Tower Ordered That such Moneys as His Majesty shall be pleased to direct to be issued for the Uses aforesaid be deposited in the hands of Mr. Charles Clare Sabbati 13 die Novembris 1680. A Petition of Richard Whitehead Esq touching the Election for the Borough of Linnington in the County of Southampton was Read Ordered That the said Petition be Refered to the Committee of Elections and Priviledges to Examine the Matter thereof and to Report the same with their Opinions therein to the House Richard Janeway in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms being called in acquainted the House That the Pamphlet by him published for which he stands Commited was Printed by _____ Everingham _____ Bradwell and Thomas James Samuel Lee and Thomas Simons Stationers and that the Copy by which the same was Printed was delivered by Mr. Andrew Tarington Ordered That the said Mr. Yarington Mr. James Mr. Everingham Mr. Bradwell Mr. Simons and Mr. Lee be summoned to Attend at the Bar of this House on Munday Morning next at ten of the Clock to Answer the said Charge to the House concerning the Printing and publishing of the said phamphlet Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That such Members thereof as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council had attended His Maiesty pursuant to Five several Orders of Address from this House to His Majesty and that His Majesties Answer to the several Addresses was to this effect That as to the First Address whereby the House desired to know His Majesties Pleasure when this House should attend him His Majesty was pleased to Appoint three of the clock this afternoon for the House to attend Him in the Banqueting-House That as to the second Address whereby this House did make humble Application to His Majesty for the pardon of Mr. Jenison His Majesty was pleased to Answer That He will Grant Him a pardon for all Treasons misprisions of Treason Felonies and Outlawries for Felonies That as to the third Address relating to money to defray the Incident charges in the profecution of the Lords in the Tower His Majesty was pleased to Answer That he had Directed 100 l. to be Issued out to such persons as is or shall be Appointed by this House for that purpose That as to the Fourth Address Desirng that all such papers Letters Examinations Writings and other Evidences relating to the Popish plot as were delivered in to the Clerks of the Council since the Dissolution of the last Parliament might be Transmitted to this House his Majesty was pleased to return this answer That upon the first sitting of the Committee of Examinations of the House of Lords upon the Plot his Majesty had Directed That all such papers Letters Examinations Writings and other Evidences relating to the Plot as were delivered in to the Clerks of the Council since the Dissolution of the last Parliament to be Transmited to the said Committee of Lords where they now still remain That as to the last Address desiring a pardon for Edmond Murphy Thomas Sampson John Macnamarra Hobart Bourke John Fiz-Gearld and Eustace Coning his Majesty was pleased to Answer That he would Grant a pardon to all the said several persons for all Treasons misprisions of Treason Felonies and Outlawries for Felonies Ordered That a Committee be appointed to Inspect the Laws concerning paving and Repairing of the Streets and Regulating of Hackney Coaches and to inquire into the proceedings of the Two last Parliaments relating to Hackney Coaches and to report the same with their Opinions therein to the House to prepare and bring in a Bill for Regulating of hackney coaches repairing paving and cleansing of streets and opening of passages in and about the Cities of London and Westminster Sir Robert Yeamans being according to the Order Yesterday made brought to the Bar of this House did acknowledge the Offence by him committed and humbly begg'd the pardon of the House And being withdrawn Ordered That Sir Robert Yeamans be again brought to the Bar of this House and do receive the Censure of this House upon his knees from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged from the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms paying his Fees And Sir Robert Yeamans being accordingly brought to the Bar and there kneeling Mr. Speaker after having given him the Censure of the House acquainted him that he was discharg'd paying his Fees Mr. Norris being called in gave an Information in Writing relating to the Popish plot which was Read at the Clerks Table Ordered That a Committee be appointed to receive Informations concerning the Popish plot and to inquire into the same and to Report the same to the House as often as they shall see occasion And the Committee is Impowered to send for persons papers and Records And that the Information this day given at the Bar by Mr. Norris be referred to the consideration of the said Committee who are to Examine the matter thereof and to report the same with their Opinions there in to the House A Message from the Lords by Sir Timothy Baldwyn Sir John Hoskins Mr. Speaker THe Lords have commanded us to acquaint you that they have agreed to the Bill sent from this House Intituled An Act Prohibiting the Importation of Cattel from Ireland without any Amendment Ordered That the report made and delivered Yesterday by Sir Francis Winnington be read to the house on Munday morning next at Nine of the clock Mr. Trenchard Reports from the Committee to whom the Petition of divers Citizens of London against Sir George Jeffereys Recorder of the said City was referred That the said Committee had taken the same into consideration and had heard the Evidence of the petitioners and of the said Sir George Jeffereys and had agreed upon a Vote to be reported to the House which he read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table and is as followeth Resolved That this Committee is of Opinion That by the Evidence given to this Committee it does appear that Sir George Jeffereys Recorder of the City of London by traducing and obstructing Petitioning
the Address concerning Sir George Jeffreys 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 Mr. Zeile being called in delivered his Information in Writing relating to the Popish Plot. Ordered That Edward Seymour Esq a Member of this House attend the Service of this House in his Place tomorrow morning at Ten of the clock Ordered That an humble Application be made from this House to His Maiesty by such Members thereof as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to desire His Majesty to grant to Mr. Zeile a full and General Pardon to this time and Grant him some Allowance for his Subsistence Ordered That an humble Application be made from this House te His Majesty by such Members thereof as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council Representing the Condition and Circumstances of Mr. Hethrington and other the Witnesses touching the Popish Plot in Ireland And to desire His Majesty to grant them some Allowance for their Support Ordered That an humble Application be made to His Majesty from this House by such of the Members thereof as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to desire His Majesty to confer upon Mr. Smith who hath made a considerable Discovery of the Popish Plot some Ecclesiastical Preferment Sabbati die 20. Novembris 1680. INformation being given to the House That Mr. William Stawell was Foreman of the Grand Jury for the County of Devon the last Summer Assizes and that by a mistake Mr. Colman was ordered to be sent for in Custody in stead of the said Mr. Stawell Ordered That Mr. Colman's Name be struck out of the Warrant directed to the Serjeant at Arms attending this House And that Mr. Stawell's Name be inserted instead thereof A Complaint being made of a Breach of priviledge committed against Mr. Ayloffe a Member of this House by John Dandridge in arresting and Detaining in Custody James Newman Menial servant of the said Mr. Ayloffe at the Suit of Richard Rawlins Ordered That the said John Dandridge and Richard Rawlins be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the said Breach of Priviledge The Question being put That the Bill against the Importation of Cattel from Scotland be now Read a Second time It was Resolved in the Affirmative The Bill being Read Resolved That the Bill be Committed Information being given to the House That George Eylles had committed a Breach of priviledge against Sir Patience Ward a Member of this House Ordered That the said George Eyles be sent for in Custody of the Serjeanr at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the said Breach of Priviledge Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That in pursuance of the Orders of this House His Majesty had been attended by such Members thereof as are of His Majesties Privy Council with several addrsses from this House That as to the address relating to Sir George Jeffreys after the same together with the Orders and Resolves of the House were Read to His Majesty His Majesty was pleased to Return answer That He would consider of it That His Majesty upon presenting the address for some allowance to Mr. Lewis and for a general Pardon to him and all the rest of the Persons that have given Information relating to the Popish plot for all Crimes and Misdemeanours whatsoever His Majesty was pleased to answer That His Majesties Pardon should extend to all Crimes and Misdemeanors whatsoever by them committed to this time Perjury only excepted That His Majesty was further pleased to answer That Consideration should be had of Mr. Lewis for some reasenable allowance to him That as to the address relating to Mr. Smith for some Ecclesiastical Preferment His Majsty would have him in Consideration That as to the address concerning Mr. Hethrington and the rest of the Witnesses touching the Popish plot in Ireland His Majesty in regard that the Number and Circumstances of those Persons are not yet well known had referred the Consideration thereof to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury Resolved That a further 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 That the Pardon 's granted to the several persons for whom application hath been already made to His Majesty by this House may extend to all Crimes and Misdemeanors whatsoever by them committed to the last time of their respective Discoveries respectively Mr. Trenchard Reports from the Committee to whom is referred to Enquire after such persons as have offended against the Rights of the Subjects to Petition His Majesty for the Sitting the Parliament That the Committee had ordered him to make the following Report viz. That Information being given to the said Committee That Examinations were taken upon Oath in the County of Monmouth by five Justices of the Peace of the said County viz. James Herbert Henry Baker William Herbert William Jones and Robert Gunter Esquires against John Arnold Esquire for procuring Subscriptions to a certain Petition to be presented to His Majesty for the Sitting of the Parliament Which said Examination was sent up to the Council Table by the said Justices and there Exhibited in Charge as an Article against the said Mr. Arnold and was Subscribed by one Thomas Herbert Esquire who undertook to prosecute the same And that the Committee desired the Directions of the House therein And further Reported That the Committee had agreed upon two Resolves which are as so lows Resolved That this Committee is of Opinion That Mr. Thomas Staples by obstructing Petitoning to His Majesty for the siting of this Parliament and declaring his dislike and abhorence of such Petitioning hath betrayed the Rights of the Subject Resolved That this Committee is of Opinion That Sir Thomas Holt Serjeant at Law by obstructing Petitioning to His Majesty for the Sitting of this Parliament and declaring his dislike and obhorrence of such Petitioning hath betrayed the Rights of the Subject Which Report he Read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being Read The House taking into Consideration the Matters specially Reported Ordered That Mr. Thomas Herbert be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the Misdemeanors by him committed against the priviledge of this House The First of the said Resolves being Read a Second time to the House Resolved That this House doth agree with the said Committee That the said Mr. Thomas Staples by obstructing Petitioning to His Majesty for the Sitting of this Parliament and declaring his dislike ad abhorrence of such Petitioning hath betrayed the Rights of the Subject The Second of the said Resolves being read
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
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
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
of Members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament was Read the first time Resolved That this Bill be read a second time on Munday morning next And that the Bill for Regulating Elections of members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament be read at the same time Mr. Treby Reports from the Committee of Elections and priviledges That the said Committee having taken into consideration the matter of Election and return for the Borough of Haslemere in the County of Surrey that the Committee had agreed upon three Resolves to be reported to the House which he read in his place and are as followeth viz. Resolved That Sir William Moore Baronet is not duly chosen a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Haslemere in the County of Surrey Resolved That Denzil Onslow Esq is duly chosen for the same Resolved That Francis Dorrington Esq is duly chosen for the same Which report being delivered in at the Clerks Table the House did agree with the Committee in the said several and respective Resolves Ordered That the Clerk of the Crown and the Bailiff of the said Borough of Haslemere do attend the House tomorrow Morning at Ten of the Clock to amend the said return Ordered That William Rapley Bailiff of the said Borough of Haslemere be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the misdemeanours by him committed in the Election and return of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Haslemere Ordered That Mr. Turbervill and Mr. Jennison have the leave of this House to Print their several Informations relating to the horrid Popish Plot. Ordered That an humble address be made to his Majestie by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most honourable Privy-Council for a full Pardon to Mr. Jennison of all Treasons Misprisions of Treasons and other Misdemeanours by him committed to the time of the Discovery made by him to this House of the horrid Popish Plot. Mr. Hethrington Mr. Murphey M. John Fitz-Gerald and Mr. Daniel Fitz-Gerald being called in made a discovery at the Bar of the Popish plot in Ireland Ordered That all the Witnesses touching the Popish plot in Ireland do attend this House tomorrow morning at ten of the clock Sir William Jones Reports from the Committee appointed to draw up an address to his Majestie upon the Debate of the House in Answer to his Majesties Gracious Message 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 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-shall attend him with the said Address An Engrossed Bill to disable James Duke of York to inherit the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland with the Dominions and Territories therunto belonging was Read a third time Resolved That this Bill do pass And that the Title be An Act for Securing of the Protestant Religion by Disabling James Duke of York to Inherit the Imperial Crown of England and Ireland the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging Ordered That the Lord Russel do carry up this Bill to the Lords for their Concurrence Veneris 12. die Novembris 1680. A Petition of Sir Robert Yeamans in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was read Ordered That the said Sir Robert Yeamans be brought to the Bar of this House tomorrow morning at ten of the clock A Petition of Richard Janeway in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was read Ordered That the said Richard Janeway be brought to the Bar of this House tomorrow morning at ten of the clock An ingrossed Bill sent from the Lords intituled An Act for Freeing the City of London and His Majesties Courts and parts adjacent from Popish Inhabitants and Providing against other Dangers which may arise from Papists was read the first time Resolved That the said Bill be read a second time after ten of the clock in a full House The Clerk of the Crown and the Bailiff of the Borough of Haslemere in the County of Surrey being called in amended the Return of the said Borough by taking off the Indenture whereby Sir William Moore Baronet and James Gresham Esq were Returned and by razing out the Name of Sir William Moore and inserting the Name of Francis Dorington Esq in the other Indenture Mr. Hobart Bourk Mr. Thomas Sampson Mr. John Macnamarra and Eustace Coning being severally called in gave an Account of some Proceedings relating to the Popish Plot in Ireland Ordered That an humble Address be made to His Majesty by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to desire His Majesty to grant a full and effectual Pardon to Edmond Murphy Hobart Bourke Thomas Sampson John Macnamarra John Fitz-Gerald and Eustace Coning who have made a considerable Discovery to this House of the Popish Plot in Ireland for all Treasons Misprisions of Treason Crimes and Offences by them committed to the time of their making their respective Discoveries to this House And that His Majesty would likewise be pleased to take them into His Royal Protection and Care Mr. David Fitz-Gerald being called in gave in a further Information to the House relating to the Popish Plot in Ireland Resolved That a Message be sent to the Lords to acquaint them with the Resolution of this House to proceed to the Trial of the Lords in the Tower and forthwith to begin with William Viscount Stafford and to desire their Lordships to appoint a convenient Day for the Tryal of the said William Viscount Stafford And likewise to desire their Lordships That the Lords in the Tower may be confined and kept from holding Correspondence with one another as persons impeached and committed for High Treason by Law ought to be And That Sir William Jones do go up with this Message to the Lords Sir Francis Winnington reported and delivered in at the Table the Abstracts of the Proceedings of the Two last Parliaments as well relating to the Popish Plot as to the Impeachments against the Lords in the Tower Sir William Jones acquaints the House That he had according to the Order of the House attended the Lords with the Message and that their Lordships were pleased to return Answer by him to this effect viz. That as to that part of the Message relating to the Confinement of the Lords and their Correspondence they had already given Order therein as desired by this House That as to the other part of the Message relating to the appointing of a Day for the Tryal of William Viscount Stafford their Lordships have appointed Tuesday come fortnight for the said Tryal Ordered That a further Address be made to His Majesty
Presence and Councils for ever Ordered That Mr. Dugdale do attend this house tomorrow morning at ten of the clock Jovis 18. die Novembris 1680. SIr Franeis Winnington's report consisting of several Abstracts taken out of the Journa's of this House and of the Lords House of the proceedings of the two last Parliaments relating to the Popish plot and Impeachments of the Lords in the Tower was read Ordered That a message be sent to the Lords to desire their Lordships to communicate to this house all such papers Writings and Evidences relating to the Popish plot as have been received from the Clerks of the Privy Council as also all such Examinations and Informations touching the said Plot as have been taken by their Lordships at their secret or any other Committee in this or the two last Parliaments and that Mr Treby do go up with this message to the Lords The Lord Russel being Elected and returned to serve both for the Counties of Bedford and Southampton in this present Parliament Declared his choice to serve for the County of Bedford Ordered That Mr. Speaker do Issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the Electing of a Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Southampton Ordered That Edward Brett of Dimsdon near Newcastle in the County of Stafford be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this house to answer at the Bar fot a notorious Breach of Priviledge by him committed against this house Mr. Lewis being called in gave an Information at the Bar of this house relating to the Popish plot Ordered That an humble address be made to his Majesty by such members of this house as are of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to desire his Majesty to grant to Mr. Lewis a Full and General pardon and to take him into his Royal protection and care and to grant him some allowance And that in the several pardons already granted upon the addresses of this house to all such persons as have given Evidence to this House relating to the Popish plot his Majesties Grace and pardon may be extended to all crimes and misdemeanors whatsoever by them committed and that to this time Ordered That Mr. Lewis have the leave of this house to print his Information this day given in at the Bar of this house Mr. Treby acquaints the house That he had attended the Lords with the message of this house and that their Lordships had returned answer That they will cause to be delivered to this House the several Papers Writings Evidences Examinations and Informations desired by this House A Petition of Mr. Lee Mr. Simonds Mr. Everingham Mr. James and Mr. Bradwell in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House being Read Ordered That all the said persons be called in and do receive the Censure of this House at the Bar upon their knees from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged paying their Fees which was done accordingly Ordered That a Committee be appointed to Search into and Examine the papers of Mr. Gilbert Crough of Staple-Inn and do Report the same to this House Ordered That Mr. Crouch and his Son attend at the Bar of this House tomorrow Morning at Ten of the Clock Veneris 19. Novembris 1680. SIr George Downing Reports from the Committee to whom the additional Bill touching persons buried in Woollen was referred some amendments agreed on by the said Committee to be made to the same which he read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the clerks table where the same being twice read were upon the Question Agreed Ordered That the Bill with the Amendments agreed to be engrossed Ordered That Seignior Francisco de Ferria have leave to Print the Information by him given at the Bar of this House A Petition of Benjamin Harris a Prisoner in Execution at the Kings Suit for a Fine of 500 l. upon a Misdemeanor by him committed was read Resolved That an humble Application be made to His Majesty from this House by such Members of the House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council to desire His Majesty to pardon and remit the said Fine Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare and draw up a Bill for Ascertaining of Fines upon Misdemeanors Robert Groom being called in and having given an Account at the Bar concerning the late Pamphlet Entituled A Damnable Popish Plot c. Ordered That the said Robert Groom be discharged from the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House without paying any Fees Resolved That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty to desire His Majesty to appoint a Day for a Solemn Fast and Humiliation to be kept throughout the Kingdom upon the Debate of the House Mr. Serjeant Rigby Reports from the Committee appointed to enquire after all such Persons as have offended against the Right of the Subject to Petition His Majesty for the Siting of the Parliament That the Committee had directed him to make a Special Report of the Presentments of the Grand Jury for the County of Somerset for the last Lent Assizes and of the Grand Jury for the County of Devon for the last Summer Assizes which Presentments he delivered in at the Clerks Table And further Reported That Captain William Castle being Summoned to attend the said Committee did in contempt of the said Order neglect to attend the Committee And that the Committee desired the Directions of the House therein Ordered That Sir Giles Philips and William Coleman being the Foremen of the said Grand Juries 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 them committed against this House Ordered That the said Captain William Castle 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 this House Ordered That Mr. John Hutchinson and Mr. Henry Walrond being of the said Grand Juries 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 them committed against this House Ordered That the Clerk of the Assizes for the Western Circuit and the respective Clerks of the Peace and Under-Sheriffs of the said Counties of Devon and Somerset be Summoned by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to attend at the Bar of the House Ordered That Mr. Thomas Warre and Mr. Edward Strode be summoned by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to Attend at the Bar of the House on Monday morning next at Ten of the Clock Resolved That the Committee appointed to receive Informations relating to the Popish Plot have Power likewise to receive Informations relating to the Popish Plot in Ireland Sir Robert Clayton Reports from the Committee appointed to prepare and draw up
a second time to the House Resolved That this House doth agree with the said Committee That Sir Thomas Holt by obstructing Petitioning to His Majesty for the Sitting of this Parliament and declaring his dislike and abhorrence of such Petitioning hath betrayed the Rights of the Subject Ordered That Mr. Thomas Staples and Sir Thomas Holt be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the Misdemeanors by them committed against the Priviledge of this House Mr. Treby acquaints the House that pursuant to the Order of the House he had prepared an Abstract in Writing of the several Letters and Papers in his custody relating to the Popish Plot. Ordered That the said Letters and Papers be Printed and it is recommended to Mr. Treby to take care therein Sir Gilbert Gerard acquaints the House that he had Articles of Impeachment of high Crimes Misdemeanors and Offences against Edward Seymour Esq a Member of this House which he delivered in at the Clerks Table Ordered That Mr. Seymour have a Copy of the said Articles and that he do make his Answer thereunto on Thursday morning next Colonel Birch Reports from the Committee to whom the Petition of Sir Thomas Whitgrave Francis Eld and Sampson Birch was referred That the Committee 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 is as follows That the Committee upon the Examination of the Information against Francis Eld Lieutenant of some of the Trained Bands in Stafjordshire touching his neglecting to make a full Search in Taxal House upon the Discovery of the late Plot and upon hearing of the said Elds Defence to the said Information the said Eld did confess the Information given by Mr. Dugdale to be true but saith that his Warrant given him under the Deputy Lieutenants hands was only to Search for Offensive Arms of War And that he was to take to his Assistance a Constable or other Civil Officer which Warrant he produced And accordingly he taking a Constable with him when he brought his Men into the Lord Astons Hall at Taxall the Constable slipped away and he could by no means meet with him again So that the said Eld conceived himself incapacitated to make such a Search as he desired Which the Committee considering of and sinding him the said Eld to be a Sober Protestant and that this neglect was not done purposely with favour to the Papists but that the said Eld is an Enemy to the Popish Faction Are humbly of Opinion that the said Francis Eld be Discharged from his Restraint Resolved That the said Francis Eld be Discharged from the custody of the Serjeant at Arms. Lunae 22. Novemb. 1680. A Bill for Regulating Elections of Members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament was read a second time Resolved That the Bill be committed upon the Debate of the House A Bill to prevent the Offences of Bribery and Debauchery in the Election of Members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament was read a second time Resolved That this Bill be referred upon the Debate of the House to the same Committee And the said Committee is to reduce the said Bills into one Bill or to put the same into more Bills as they shall see occasion Mr. Treby reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges that the Committee having taken into their Consideration the Matter of the Election and Return of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton had agreed upon the following Resolves viz. Resolved That Henry Whitehead Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Burrough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton to which the House Ordered That the Chairman of the Committee of Elections and Priviledges do make Report to this House touching the Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament for Agmondishham in the County of Bucks tomorrow morning at ten of the clock Resolved That leave be given to bring in a Bill for the Repairing of the High-ways The Clerk of the Crown and Bayliff of Stockbridge being called in amended the Return for Stockbridge by taking off the Indenture whereby William Strode Esq was returned to serve for the said Burrough and Razing out the Name of Oliver St. Johns Esq and incerting the Name of the said Hen. Whitehead in the other Indenture Mr. Secretary Jenkins acquaints the House That His Majesty having been attended by such Members of this House as are of the Privy Council according to two several Orders of address from this House to His Majesty the one for a General Pardon and some allowance to Mr. Zeiâ—e the other for a full and further General Pardon of all Crimes and Misdemeanors to the several Persons in whose behalf the House had formerly addressed His Majesty was pleased to answer That he would grant a Pardon and some allowance to Mr. Zeile That Pardons shall be passed to the several Persons addressed for by the House of Commons for all Treasons Misprisions of Treason Felonies and Outlawries after Treason or Felony and His Majesty will give Order that a Noli prosequi be Entred to stop all prosecutions against the said persons for all Crimes or Misdemeanours whatsoever That His Majesty apprehends there may be some Inconveniency in granting a Pardon so general as is now desired but if any Instances shall be given wherein the Tryals may be hindered or prejudiced His Majesty will give such further Order as shall be agreeable to Justice Mr. Trenchard reports from the Committee to whom it was referred to prepare an address to His Majesty to remove George Earl of Hallifax from His Majesties presence and Councils for ever 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 Resolved That the House doth agree to the said Address with some Amendments Ordered That such Members of this House as are of his Majesties Most Honourable Privy Council do know his Majesties pleasure when this House may attend him with this Address Ordered That all Committees that were discontinued be revived and do sit in the places formerly appointed Martis 23. die Nouemb. 1680. A Petition of Sir Thomas Holt Serjeant at Law in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms Attending this House was Read Ordered That Sir Thomas Holt be called in and do receive the Censure of the House upon his knees at the Bar from Mr. Speaker and be then discharged paying his Fees which was done accordingly Ordered That William Rapley Bayliff of Haslemere in the County of Surrey now in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House be brought to the Bar to Morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock to receive the Censure of the House Ordered That leave be given to
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
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
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
Your Majesties promoted to be a Cardinal and in the Courts of other Foreign Princes to use their own form of Speech for the subduing that Pestiâ—ent Heresie which has so long domineered over this Northern World that is to root the Protestant Religion out of England and thereby to make way the more easily to do the same in other Protestant Countries Towards the doing this great Work as Mr. Colman was pleased to called it Jesuits the most dangerous of all Popish Orders to the Lives and Estates of Princes were distributed to their several Precincts within this Kingdom and held joint Councils with those of the same Order in all Neighbour Popish Countries Out of these Councils and correspondencies was hatcht that damnable and hellish Plot by the good Providence of Almighty God brought to light above two Years since but still threatning us wherein the Traytors impatient of longer delay reckoning the prolonging of Your Sacred Majesties Life which God long Preserve as the Great Obstacle in the way to the Consummation of their hopes and having in their prospect a Proselyted Prince immediately to succeed in the Throne of these Kingdoms resolved to begin their Work with the Assassination of Your Majesty to carry it on with Armed Force to destroy Your Protestant Subjects in England to Execute a second Massacre in Ireland and so with ease to arrive at the Suppression of our Religion and the Subversion of the Government When this Accursed Conspiracy began to be discovered they began the smothering it with the Barbarous Murther of a Justice of the Peace within one of Your Majesties own Pallaces who had taken some Examinations concerning it Amidst these distractions and fears Popish Officers for the Command of Forces were allowed upon the Musters by special Orders surreptitiously obtained from Your Majesty but Counter-Signed by a Secretary of State without ever passing under the Tests perscribed by the aforementioned Act of Parliament In like manner above fifty new Commissions were granted about the same time to known Papists besides a great number of desperate Popish Officers though out of Command yet entertained at half pay When in the next Parliament the House of Commons were prepared to bring to a legal Tryal the principal Conspirators in this Plot that Parliament was first Prorogued and then Dissolved The Interval between the Calling and Sitting of this Parliament was so long that now they conceive hopes of Covering all their past Crimes and gained a seasonable time and advantages of practising them more effectually Witnesses are attempted to be corrupted and not only promises of Reward but of the Favour of Your Majesties Brother made the Motives to their Compliance Divers of the most considerable of Your Majesties Protestant Subjects have Crimes of the highest nature forged against them the Charge to be supported by Subornation and Perjury that they may be destroyed by Forms of Law and Justice A Presentment being prepared for a Grand Jury of Middlesex against Your Majesties said Brother the Duke of York under whose Countenance all the rest shelter themselves the Grand Jury were in an unheard of and unpresidented and illegal manner discharged and that with so much haste and fear lest they should finish that Presentment that they were prevented from delivering many other Indictments by them at that time found against other Popish Recusants Because a Pamphlet came forth Weekly called The Weekly Packet of Advice from Rome which exposes Popery as it deserves as ridiculous to the people a new and arbitrary Rule of Court was made in Your Majesties Court of Kings Bench rather like a Star-Chamber than a Court of Law That the same should not for the future be Printed by any person whatsoever We acknowledge Your Majesties Grace and Care in issuing forth divers Proclamations since the Discovery of the Plot for the Banishing Papists from about this Great City and Residence of Your Majesties Court and the Parliament but with trouble of mind We do humbly inform Your Majesty That notwithstanding all these prohibitions great Numbers of them and of the most dangerous sort to the Terrour of Your Majesties Ptotestant Subjects do daily resort hither and abide here Under these and other sad Effects and Evidences of the prevalency of Popery and its Adherents We Your Majesties faithful Commons found this Your Majesties Distressed Kingdom and other parts of Your Dominions labouring when We assembled And therefore from our Allegiance to Your Majesty our Zeal to our Religion our Faithfulness to our Countrey and our Care of Posterity We have lately upon mature deâ—â—â—eration proposed One Remedy of these Great Evils without which in our Judgments aâ—l others will prove vain and fruitless and like all deceitful Securities against certain Dangers will rather expose Your Majesties person to the greatest hazard and the people together with all that 's valuable to them as Men or Christians to utter Ruin and Destruction We have taken this Occasion of an Access to Your Majesties Royal presence humbly to lay before Your Majesties great Judgment and Gracious Consideration this most dreadful Design of Introducing popery and as necessary Consequences of it all other Calamities into Your Majesties Kingdom And if after all this the private Suggestions of the subtle Accomplices of that party and design should yet prevail either to Elude or Totally Obstruct the faithful Endeavours of Us Your Commons for an Happy Settlement of this Kingdom We shall have this Remaining comfort That We have freed our selves from the Guilt of that Blood and Desolation which is like to ensue But our only Hope next under God is in Your Sacred Majesty That by Your Great Wisdom and Goodness We may be effectually secured from Popery and all the Evils that attend it and that none but persons of known Fidelity to Your Majesty and Sincere Affections to the Protestant Religion may be put into any Employment Civil or Military that whilst We shall give a Supply to Tangier We may be assured We do not Augment the Strength of our Popish Adversaries nor encrease our own Dangers Which Desires of Your faithful Commons if Your Majesty shall graciously vouchsafe to grant We shall not only be ready to assist Your Majesty in Defence of Tangier but do whatsoever else shall be in our power to enable Your Majesty to protect the Protestant Religion and Interest at Home and Abroad and to Resist and Repel the Attempts of Your Majesties and the Kingdoms Enemies Martis 30 die Novemb. 1680. Ordered THat the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do go with his Mace and Summon all the Members of this House that are in or about Westminster-Hall immediatly to attend the Service of the House Ordered That the Committee to whom the Consideration of Mr. Dangerfields Pardon and Allowances from His Majestie is Referred be Revived and have Power to send for Persons Papers and Records Then Mr. Speaker left the Chair And a Committee of the Commons managed the Impeachment against William Viscount
accordingly Ordered That Sir Thomas Exton a Member of this House have leave to repair into the Country A Petition of George Bell in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House was read Ordered That the said George Bell 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 accordingly A Bill for supplying the Laws made against Bankrupts was read the first time A Message from His Majesty by Sr. Edward Cartarett Usher of the Black Rod. Mr. Speaker The King commands this Honourable House to attend him immediatly in the House of Peers and accordingly Mr. Speaker with the House went up to attend His Majestie The House being returned Mr. Speaker acquainted the House with the Effect of His Majesties Speech Ordered That Sir Robert Peyton being in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House be brought to the Bar and do receive the Censure of this House upon his knees from Mr. Speaker and that he be then discharged from further Confinement paying his Fees which was accordingly done Resolved That this House will on Saturday morning next take into consideration His Majesties Gracious Speech this day made to both Houses of Parliament The House then according to their Order Resolved into a Committee of the whole House to consider of ways and means to secure this Kingdom against Popery and Arbitrary Power Mr. Speaker left the Chair Mr. Powle took the Chair of the Committee Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair Mr. Powle acquaints the House that the Committee receiving Intimation that there was a Message at the door from the Lords had ordered him to leave the Chair and moved from the said Committee that the House would be pleased as soon as such Message should be received to resolve again into a Committee of the whole House A Message from the Lords by Sr. John Hoskins and Sr. Addam Dateley Mr. Speaker The Lords have commanded us to acquaint this House that they have agreed to the Bill sent from this House entituled An-Act for the repeal of a Statute made in the 35th Tear of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth with some Amendments to which they desire the concurrence of this House The House again resolved Itself into a Committee of the whole House Mr. Speaker left the Chair Mr. Powle took the Chair of the Committee Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair Mr. Powle reports from the Committee of the whole House That the Committee having taken the matters to them referred into consideration had agreed upon certain Resolves which he read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerks Table where the same being read are as follows viz. Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee that one means for the suppressing Popery is that the House be moved that a Bill be brought in to banish immediately all the considerable Papists out of the Kings Dominions Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee that as long as the Papists have any hopes of the Duke of York's succeeding the King in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging the King's person the Protestant Religion and the lives liberties and properties of all his Majesties Protestant Subjects are in apparent danger òf being destroyed Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee that the House be moved that a Bill be brought in for an association of all His Majesties Protest an t Subjects for the safety of His Majesties Person the Defence of the Protestant Religion and the preservation of His Majesties Protestant Subjects against all Invasions and Oppositions whatsoever and for the preventing the Duke of York or any Papist from succeeding to the Crown The first of the said Resolves being read a second time And a Motion being made for the adding the words of England aftor the word Papists in the said Resolve which being agreed to by the House and the same being inserted at the Clerks Table Resolved Nemine contradicente That this House doth agree with the Committee that one means for the suppressing Popery is that a Bill be brought in to banish immediatly all the considerable Papists of England out of the Kings Dominions The second of the said Resolves being read a second time Resolved Nemine Contradicente That this House doth agree with the Committee that so long as the Papists have any hopes of the Duke of York's succeeding the King in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging the King's Person the Protestant Religion and the lives liberties and properties of all His Majesties Protestant Subjects are in apparent danger of being destroyed The Third of the said Resolves being read a second Time Resolved Nemine contradicente That this House doth agree with the Committee that a Bill be brought in for an association of all His Majesties Protestant Subjects for the safety of His Majesties Person the Desence of the Protestant Religion and the preservation of His Majesties Protestant Subjects against all Invasions and Oppositions whatsoever and for preventing the Duke of York or any Papist from succeeding to the Crown Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill pursuant to the first of the said Resolves Mr. Powle moving the House from the Committee of the whole House that the House would be pleased again to resolve it self into a Committee of the whole House to Morrow morning at Ten of the Clock upon the Matter of this days Debate Resolved That this House will to Morrow morning at Ten of the Clock resolve it self into a Committee of the who'e House further to consider of ways and means to secure the Kingdom against Popery and Arbitrary Power 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 Knight to serve in this present Parliament for the County of Middlesex in the room of Sir Robert Peyton expell'd this House Jovis 16. die Decemb. 1680. MArtin May and Cornelius Steler did this day take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy at the Clerks Table in order to their Naturalization Ordered That Mr. Samuel Sandys the younger and Mr. Stokes have leave to go into the Country A Bill for rectifying several Errors and Mistakes in certain Deeds of settlement made upon the marriage of Sir Charles Hoghton Baronet with Mary the daughter of John Lord Viscount Massareen was read a second time A Petition of divers Inhabitants in the County of Surrey complaining of the proceedings in an Ecclesiasticall Court against them was read Ordered That the consideration of this petition be referred to a Committee The same Committee is impowered to send for Persons Papers and Records and to receive all other Complaints against the proceedings of Ecclesiastical Courts and to bring in a Bill or Bills for regulating the proceedings of such Courts A Petition of Joshua Brook
Priviledges to whom the matter of Election for the City of Bristol was referred that the Committee haveing taken the same into their consideration had Agreed upon two Resolves which he read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerkes Table where the same being Read are as followes viz. Resolved c. That Sir Robert Cann was not duly Elected a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Bristol Resolved c. That Robert Henley Merchant is duely Elected a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Bristol The first of the said Resolves being Read a second time Resolved c. Thath this House doth agree with the Committee that Sir Robert Cann was not duely Elected a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Bristol The second of the said Resolves being Read a Second time and the Question being put that the House do Agree with the Committee in this Resolve It passed in the Negative Resolved c. That the Election for the City of Bristol as to Sir Robert Cann and Mr. Robert Henley is void Mr. Treby further Reports to the House that Sir John Lloyd late Mayor William Jackson and William Clutterbucke late Sheriffs of the said City of Bristol did at the time of the said Election commit several Misdemeanors relating to the said Election Ordered That the said Sir John Lloyd William Jackson and William Clutterbucke be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the Misdemeanors by them committed at the said Election Ordered That Mr. Speaker do issue out his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new writ for the Electing of a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Bristol The Ingrost Articles of Impeachment against Mr. Seymour a Member of this House being Read Resolved That the said Articles be sent up to the Lords Ordered That Sir Gilbert Gerrard do carry up the same to the Lords Mr. Hamden Reports from the Committee appointed to prepare an Humble Address to His Majestie upon the Debate of the House in answer to his Majesties Speech an Address agreed upon by the Committee to which the House agreed Ordered That such Members of this House as are of his His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council be desired to know His Majesties Pleasure when this House may attend his Majesty with the same Address Ordered That the Chairman of the Committee appointed to examine the proceedings of the Judges in Westminster-Hall do make report of the matters to them referred tomorrow morning Ordered That the two Bills for the ease of Protestant Dissenters be Read tomorrow Morning Ordered That Sir Francis Winnington do on Thursday morning next bring in a Bill for Banishing all the Considerable Papists of England out of His Majesties Dominions Ordered That the Knights of the respective Shires Citizens of Cities Burgesses of Burroughs and Barons of the Cinque-ports do in the mean time bring in Lists of all the considerable Papists within the said several Counties Cities Burroughs and Cinque-ports A Petition of Algernon Sidney Esq being presented to the House Ordered That the said Petition be read tomorrow Morning Martis 21 die Decemb. 1680. THomas Verigny did this day take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy at the Clerks Table in Order to his Naturalization A Bill to enable John Jenner Gent. to make leases of some part of his Estate for the payment of his Debts and for the making provision for his younger Children was read the first time Resolved That the Bill be read a second time Mr. Papillon reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for Naturalization of Peter Elers and others was committed that the Committee having taken the same into their consideration had agreed to some amendments to be made to the same which he read in his place and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerks Table where the same being read were upon the question agreed to Ordered That the name of Thomas Verigny who this day took the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy in order to his Naturalization and whose Certificate of his having received the Sacrament was delivered in be inserted in the said Bill Ordered That the Bill with these amendments be engrossed Ordered That Mr. George Savage a Member of this House have leave to go into the Country for recovery of his health Sir John Otway reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for rectifying several errors and mistakes in certain Deeds and Settlements made upon the Marriage of Sir Charles Hoghton Baronet with Mary the Daughter of John Lord Viscount Massareen was committed That the Committee having taken the same into their consideration had agreed upon some amendments to be made to the same which he read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerks Table where the same being read were upon the Question agreed to Ordered That the Bill with these Amendments be ingrossed Mr. Duboys reports from the Committee appointed to prepare an humble Address to His Majesty for the remitting a Fine of 500 l. set upon Benjamin Harris 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 Ordered That this Address be presented to His Majesty by such Members of this House as are of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council Information being given to the House that Henry Carew a Fryar of the Order of St. Malo's in France hath for several years last past executed the Office of Surveyor of the Customs in the Port of Bristol Ordered That it be referred to the consideration of the Committee appointed to receive Informations touching the Popish Plot to examine the Matter of this Information and to report the same with their Opinions therein to the House Sir William Poultney reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges to whom the Matter touching the Election for Great Marlow in the County of Bucks was referred that the Committee having taken the same into their consideration had agreed upon several Resolves which he read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerks Table where the same being read are as follows viz. Resolved That it is the Opinion of this 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 said Borough Resolved That it is the Opinion of this Committee that Sir Humphrey Winch Baronet is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough of Great Marlow Resolved That it is the opinion of this Committee that Thomas Hobby Esq is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for
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
produce the said Day and with him to attend Dr. Day and Mr. Sheridon both appearing were examined severally And first the said Day who confest himself a Papist and pretended very little knowledg of Mr. Sheridon but that coming to give him a visit which he had not done of six weeks before Mr. Sheridon began to discourse of News and particularly of the Plot to which the said Doctor replyed that now the whole Plot would be discovered laid open for he heard there was one gone beyond Sea to fetch overa Priest that knew of the whole Plot and doth not remember any thing more at that time but common discourse But some few days after meeting with Mr. Sheridon the said Mr. Sheridon desired him to describe the person that was so sent over the said Dr. Day replyed that he knew not the person that was gone nor the Priest he was to fetch But that John Butler keeper of a Brandy-shop near the French Embassadours upon discourse had told him so to whom Mr. Sheridon desired him to go and get the discription which he did accordingly And the description being shewed him confessed he writ it from his mouth save the last line But saith that person is now dead who gave him the said Description but his wife is living Mr. Sheridon being then called in and examined said He had no great acquaintance with the said Doctor and seldom saw him but upon a visit which happily might be once a week or the like Confesseth That the said Doctor told him as News the Plot would now be laid open for there was one sent over into France to fetch a Priest that knew of the whole Plot and further saith That he that went over knew as much of the Plot as any man in England Whereupon the said Sheridon Confesseth That he went shortly after but remembers not how long to Secretary Jenkins and told him that there was one gone over into France that knew as much of the Plot as any man and that he went over to fetch a Priest that also knew the whole Plot which he the said Sheridon supposed was to be a witness Upon which the said Secretary commanded him the said Sheridon to give him a description of the person so sent over But remembers no other discourse at that time but that some short time after but remembers not how long he met with Mr. Day who gave him the description in the presence of Mr. John Wilson of the Middle Temple which he shortly after delivered to the Secretary and used as he remembers only these words Sir here is the discription of the person I mentioned to you After this Description so delivered to the Secretary a Letter was written by Mr. Cooke which Mr. Secretary declared at the Committee he would take upon himself in these words following Whitehall May 31. 1680. SIR THE Right Honourable Sir Leoline Jenkins one of his Majesties Principal Secretaries of State being hastily called this day to wait upon his Majesty at Windsor hath commanded me to send you the enclosed description of a person Who if he shall happen to come from France and land at your Port Mr. Secretary saith you will do the King and Kingdom a great service if you will keep a strict Eye upon him and the company that shall arrive with him till they be all brought before Mr. Mayor or other chief Magistrate of your Town whom Mr. Secretary desires to offer the said persons the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and in case of their or any of their refusal of the same to secure them and deal with them according to Law giving Mr. Secretary an account with what speed may be of all the proceedings in this affair If such a person as is here described should come and make no bones of taking the aforesaid Oaths yet in Case Mr. Mayor or other chief Magistrate before whom they are brought shall have reasonable ground to suspect that he is the man so described and that he hath one or more in his company who may be reasonably suspected to be Priests some handsome course is to be taken to detain them till Mr. Secretary can be acquainted with what is done and send such further directions as shall be thought necessary Mr. Mayors Authority with your Prudence and Zeal in this matter will I hope produce a good effect upon this Command I am Sir Your very humble Servant John Cooke Pray favour me with a Line that this comes safe to your hands Vera Copia John Pepper Upon which Norris was committed to the Common Prison as is mentioned in his Complaint All which being of more than an ordinary nature this Committe thought not fit to give any opinion but humbly referred it to the Wisdom of this House Jovis die 23. Decemb. 1680. Ordered THat leave be given to Mr. Henry Goreing a Member of the House to go into the Country Ordered That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to make out a new Writ for the Electing of a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Chichester in the room of Mr. Farrington deceased A Bill to enable John Jenner Gent. to make Leases of some part of his Estate for the payment of his Debts and for making provision for his younger children was read a second time and committed A Bill for the more easie collecting the Duty of Hearth-money was read the first time and ordered a second reading An Engrossed Bill for rectifying several errors and mistakes in certain Deeds and Settlements made upon the Marriage of Sir Charles Hoghton Baronet was read the third time and passed Ordered That Sir John Otway do carry up the said Bill to the Lords Ordered That the Thanks of this House be given to Dr. Burnett for his Sermon yesterday preached before this House and likewise for his Book relating to the History of the Reformation of the Church of England and that he be desired to print his said Sermon and that Colonel Titus do acquaint him therewith Ordered That leave be given to bring in a Bill or Bills to correct and punish Atheism Blasphemy Swearing and Debauchery and for the better observation of the Lord's Day A Message from the Lords by Sir Miles Cook and Sir John Francklin Mr. Speaker The Lords have commanded us to acquaint this House that they have agreed to a Bill sent from this House entituled An Additional Act for burying in Woollen without any Amendment A Message from the Lords by Mr. Baron Weston and Mr. Justice Charleton Mr. Speaker The Lords have commanded us to acquaint this House that at their rising this day they do intend to adjourn till the next Monday Sevenight A Bill for banishing Papists out of the King's Dominions was read the first time and Ordered a second reading to Morrow morning Resolved c. That this House is content that the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex do execute William late Viscount Stafford by
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 c. That Arthur Acland Esq is not duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Barnstaple in the County of Devon Resolved c. That Rich Lee Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Barnstaple To which Resolves the House agreed Mr. Treby farther acquaints the House with several Misdemeanours committed by John Fairchild late Mayor of the said Borough at the said Election Ordered That the said John Fairchild be sent for in custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House to answer at the Bar of this House for the Misdemeanours by him committed at the said Election Mr. Treby reports from the Committee of Elections and Priviledges to whom the Matter of the Election for the Borough of Marlborough in the County of Wilts 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 fame being read are as follow viz. Resolved c. That Tho Lord Bruce is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Marlborough in the County of Wilts Resolved c. That Tho Bennett Esq is duly Elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough of Marlborough To which Resolves the House agreed The Report from the Committee appointed to examine the Matters of complaint against Rich Thompson Clerk being read at the Clerks Table and the Matters being debated in the House Resolved Nemine contradicente That Richard Thompson Clerk has publickly defamed His Sacred Majesty preached Sedition villified 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 Resolved c. That the said Rich Thompson be impeached upon the said Report and Resolution Ordered That a Committee be appointed to prepare the said Impeachment Ordered That the said Report and Resolution of this House thereupon be forthwith printed A Bill for exempting his Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws was read a second time Resolved c. That the said Bill be committed upon the Debate of the House to the Committee to whom the Bill for Uniting of His Majesties Protestant Subjects is committed upon the Debate of the House A Bill for Banishing Papists out of the King's Dominions was read a second time Resolved c. That the Bill be committed upon the Debate of the House Then the House adjourned to Thursday the 30 of this instant December Jovis 30 die Decemb 1680. THE Clerk of the Crown being called in amended the Return for Barnstaple in the County of Devon by razing out the Name of Arthur Ackland and inferting the Name of Rich Lee Esq in the Indenture Ordered That Mr. Thistlethwayte a Member of this House have leave to go into the Countrey A Petition of William Townsend was read Ordered That it be referred to the Committee appointed to receive complaints against the Proceedings of Ecclesiastical Courts to Examine the Matter of the said Petition and to report the same with their Opinions therein to the House Sir George Downing reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for the better Encouragement of the Woollen Manufacture of England by the general wearing thereof was committed That they had agreed to several Amendments to be made to the Bill which he read in his place and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerks Table where the same being read were upon the Question severally agreed to by the House The Question being proposed that the said Bill and Amendments be Engrossed And a Debate arising in the House thereupon Resolved c. That the Debate be Adjourned to this Day Fortnight Ordered That the Grand Committee of Trade do sit on next Saturday seven-night Ordered That the Committee appointed to prepare Evidence against the Lords in the Tower do look into the Evidence against the Four Popish Lords in the Tower and do report their Opinions to the House in order to the further directions and proceedings of the House 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 to desire His Majesty to give Orders That the Information and Evidence given by Mr. Serjeant and others before His Majesty in Council in the Case of John Gavan Executed for High Treason And also all other Evidences Informations Writings Letters and Papers delivered in to the Council relating to the Popish Plot may be communicated to this House Resolved That the several Writings Papers and Proceedings relating to such Members of the late Long Parliament who received allowances out of the Monies appointed for secret Service be produced to this House Resolved Nemine contradicente That no Member of this House shall accept of any Office or place of Profit from the Crown without the Leave of this House or any promise of any such Office or place of Profit during such time as he shall continue Member of this House Resolved That all Offenders herein shall be Expelled this House Ordered That the Bill for the better Discovery of Settlements of Estates for superstitious Uses be read to Morrow morning the first Business The Resolutions of the House of Commons for the Impeachment of Sir William Scroggs Knt. Chief Justice of the Court of King's-Bench Sir Thomas Jones Knight one of the Justices of the same Court Sir Richard Weston Knight one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer Vpon the report of the Committee of the Commons Appointed to Examine the Proceedings of the Judges in Westminster-Hall and to Report the same with their opinions therein to the House and also upon the RESOLVES and VOTES of the Commons in Parliament upon that Report relating to the Arbitrary and Illegal proceedings of the said Judges Thursday 23d of December 1680. THis Committee being informed that in Trinity-Term last the Court of Kings-Bench discharg'd the Grand Jury that served for the Hundred of Ossulston in the County of Middlesex in a very unusual manner proceeded to enquire into the same and found by the Information of Charles Vmfrevill Esq Foreman of the said Jury Edward Proby Henry Gerard and John Smith Gentlemen also of the said Jury That on the 21th of June last the Constables attending the said Jury were found defective in not presenting the Papists as they ought and thereupon were Ordered by the said Jury to make
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
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