House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 28 January 1689

Lunæ, 28 die Januarii, 1688.

Prayers.

Richmond Vacancy.

THE House being acquainted, that by the Death of John Darcy, Esquire, there is a Place vacant of a Member to serve in this present Convention, for the Borough of Richmond in the County of Yorke;

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do make Application, by his Letter, to his Highness the Prince of Orange, to issue out his Highness's Letter for electing a Burgess to serve in this present Convention, for the Borough of Richmond in the County of Yorke, in the room of the said John Darcye, Esquire.

Knaresborough Election.

A Petition of Edward Lord Latimer, setting forth, that William Stockdale, Esquire, being chosen for One of the Burgesses for the Borough of Knaresborough, in the County of Yorke; and that the Petitioner had the Majority of Votes above Thomas Fawkes, Esquire; but yet, that Mr. Fawkes had prevailed with the Bailiff to make a Double Return of them, in Prejudice of the Petitioner; and praying that he may be admitted to sit and represent the said Borough; was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter thereof, and to do therein as to them shall seem meet.

Ivilchester Election.

A Petition of Wm. Strode and John Speake, Esquires, complaining of an undue Election and Return of Burgesses to serve in this present Convention, for the Borough of Ivilchester in the County of Somersett, in Prejudice of the Petitioners, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter thereof, and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Plymton Election.

A Petition of Rich. Strode, Esquire, complaining of an undue Election and Return of Burgesses to serve in this present Convention, for the Town of Plymton in the County of Devon, in Prejudice of the Petitioner, was read.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter thereof, and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Member to withdraw.

The House being informed, that Roger North, Esquire, who is One of the Members returned in the Double Return for the Borough of Dunwich in the County of Suffolke, is sitting in the House;

And he, standing up in his Place, and excusing the same, as being (as he conceived) not within the general Rule:

And the Question being put, That he withdraw;

It passed in the Affirmative.

And he withdrew accordingly.

Speaker's Chamber to be locked.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms do take Care to keep the Speaker's Chamber free from Strangers; and that the Back-door being locked up, the Key be brought and laid upon the Table.

Committee of Privileges to receive Election Petitions.

Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee of Elections and Privileges be impowered to receive Petitions concerning Elections of Members to serve in this present Convention; and that the Petitions be numbered as they come in; and heard in course, as the same shall be brought in to the Committee.

State of the Nation.

The House then, according to the Order of Tuesday last, proceeded to take into Consideration, the Condition and State of the Nation.

Resolved, That the House do now resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration the Condition and State of the Nation.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Hampden took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Hampden reports from the Committee of the whole House, that they, having taken into Consideration the Condition and State of the Nation, had agreed upon a Resolve: Which he read in his Place; and then delivered the same in at the Table: Where the same being again read, is as follows:

Resolution that the Throne is vacant.

Resolved, That King James the Second, having endeavoured to subvert the Constitution of this Kingdom, by breaking the Original Contract between King and People; and, by the Advice of Jesuits, and other wicked Persons, having violated the fundamental Laws; and having withdrawn himself out of the Kingdom; has abdicated the Government; and that the Throne is thereby vacant.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, That King James the Second, having endeavoured to subvert the Constitution of the Kingdom, by breaking the Original Contract between King and People; and, by the Advice of Jesuits, and other wicked Persons, having violated the fundamental Laws; and having withdrawn himself out of this Kingdom; has abdicated the Government; and that the Throne is thereby vacant.

Resolved, That the Lords Concurrence be desired to this Resolve.

Ordered, That Mr. Hampden do carry up the said Resolve to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

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