House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 27 February 1689

Mercurii, 27 die Februarii;1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Marches Court in Wales.

A PETITION of divers Patent Officers of the Court holden before the President and Council of the Marches of Wales, was read.

Resolved, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table, to be considered when the Bill for taking away the said Court is read a Second time.

Dunwich Election.

Colonel Birch reports from the Committee of Elections and Privileges, to whom the Matter of the Double Return and Elections of Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Dunwich in the County of Suffolk, was referred, that, the Committee having taken the same into their Consideration, the State of the Case appeared to be,

That the Bailiffs returned, under the Common Seal, That Roger North, Esquire, and Sir Tho. Allen, were elected by the Majority of free Burgesses inhabiting within the Borough, according to the most ancient Usage of the said Borough; and that, at the same time, they were elected by a less Number of the Burgesses resident within the Borough, and by the major Part of the Freemen of the Corporation who live out of the Borough, Two other Persons; viz. Sir Philip Skippon, who is a Freeman of the said Corporation; and Sir Robert Rich, who is no Freeman.

That, of the Free Burgesses, inhabiting within the Borough, Sir Thomas Allen had 26; and Mr. North 28.

That, of the Freemen, as well inhabiting within the Borough, as those commonly called Out-sitters, Sir Philip Skippon had 183; Sir Robert Rich 141.

That the Proofs on both Sides were as followeth;

That there were Two Records produced on the Behalf of Sir Tho. Allen, and Mr. North; the one, 7° Edvar' IV. the other, 12° Edvard' IV^ti: whereby the Burgesses to serve in Parliament were returned to be chosen by the Burgesses inhabiting within the Borough.

To which it was answered, That this was about the time that the Act of Parliament passed requiring all Persons, elected to serve in Parliament, to be resident within the Boroughs.

That, on the other hand, many Records were produced in the Reigns of Hen. VIII. Edw. VI. Queen Eliz. King James 1st, and King Charles IId; whereby the Election appears to be in the Burgesses and Commonalty.

That it was also proved, that, at the Election now in Question, a Poll was demanded on Behalf of Sir Thom. Allen, and Mr. North; wherein all the Freemen were to be included; But that, finding the Number of the Outsitters to over-balance their Voices, they proceeded to poll the Burgesses, Inhabitants only: Whereof the one had Twenty-six; and the other Twenty-eight, as above.

That it was also alledged, That Sir Thomas Allen himself was chosen once by the Out-sitters: Which was not contradicted by the other Side.

So that, it appearing, that Sir Philip Skippon had 183, and Sir Rob. Rich 141, of the Out-sitters and Townsmen;

The Committee come to these Resolutions:

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the Right of Election of Burgesses to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Dunwich, is in the Freemen of the said Borough, commonly called Out-sitters, as well as in the Freemen inhabiting within the said Borough.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that Sir Rob. Rich, Knight and Baronet, and Sir Philip Skippon, Knight, are duly elected Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Dunwich.

The First of the said Resolves being read a Second, time;

The Question being put, That the House agree with the Committee, That the Right of Election of Burgesses to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Dunwich, is in the Freemen of the said Borough, commonly called Out-sitters, as well as in the Freemen Inhabitants within the said Borough;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

The other of the said Resolves being read a Second time;

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Sir Rob. Rich, Knight and Baronet, and Sir Philip Skippon, Knight, are duly elected Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Dunwich.

The House being acquainted. that the Clerk of the Crown was at the Door, with the Return;

Resolved, That he be called in.

The Clerk of the Crown being called in; it appeared that the said Double Return was in one and the same Certificate.

And the Clerk of the Crown withdrew.

There arose a Debate in the House thereupon.

Ordered, That the Bailiffs of the Borough of Dunwich do forthwith attend to alter the said Return.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That the Lord Wenman have Leave to go into the Country for his Health.

Revenue of the Crown.

The Order of Yesterday, for the House resolving itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration a Motion then made, for settling a Revenue upon the King and Queen, was read.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Hamden took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Hamden reports from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to take into Consideration a Motion made Yesterday, for settling a Revenue upon the King and Queen, That the Committee, having taken the same into Consideration, had agreed upon Two Resolves to be reported to the House: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table, where the same being read, are as followeth:

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the House be moved to direct Sir Robert Howard to bring in the yearly Value of the several Branches of the Revenue.

Resolved, That the House be moved to resolve itself again into a Committee of the whole House, To-morrow Morning, to consider further of settling a Revenue upon the King and Queen.

The first of the said Resolves being read a Second time;

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee; and accordingly doth order, that Sir Robert Howard do bring in the yearly Value of the several Branches of the Revenue.

The other of the said Resolves being read a Second time;

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of settling a Revenue for the King and Queen.

Resolution to support the King.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House will stand by and assist the King with their Lives and Fortunes, in supporting his Alliances abroad, in reducing of Ireland, and in Defence of the Protestant Religion, and Laws of the Kingdom.

Motion for an Aid

A Motion being made, that an Aid be granted to his Majesty;

Resolved, That the Committee of the whole House do take the same into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

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