House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 6 October 1690

Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 10, 1688-1693. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1802.

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Citation:

'House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 6 October 1690', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 10, 1688-1693( London, 1802), British History Online https://prod.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol10/pp426-429 [accessed 25 November 2024].

Lunæ, 6 die Octobris; Gulielmi et Mariæ 2°.

Prayers.

Committee of Privileges.

ORDERED, That a Committee of Elections and Privileges be appointed of the Persons following; viz. Mr. John Gray, Sir Geo. Hutchins, Mr. Bidolph, Mr. Chetwyn, Lord Castleton, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Sir Rich. Temple, Mr. Paul Foley, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Wm. Cooke, Sir Ralph Dutton, Sir Hen. Goffe, Mr. Tanckred, Sir Cha. Bloys, Mr. Sherrard, Lord Falkland, Lord Fairfax, Sir Cha. Windham, Mr. Hutchinson, Sir Jerv. Elwes, Mr. Slater, Sir Rich. Onslow, Sir Orlando Gee, Sir Fra. Guybons, Mr. Bull, Mr. Gilbert, Sir Tho. Hussey, Mr. Burdet, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Phil. Foley, Major General Trelawny, Mr. Cary, Mr. Chetwyn, Sir Ralph Carre, Sir Edw. Aiscough, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Harcourt, Sir Wm. Whitlock, Lord Marquis Winchester, Mr. Arnold, Sir Robert Nappier, Mr. Dyott, Sir Rob. Davers, Mr. Done, Mr. Thornhaugh, Sir Peter Coryton, Mr. Russell, Mr. Newport, Sir Tho. Clarges, Sir Walter Clarges, Sir Walter Young, Sir Tho. Vernon, Sir Tho. Mompesson, Sir Wm. Ellis, Mr. Attorney General, Sir Wilfred Lawson, Lord Ranelagh, Lord Digby, Lord Elan, Mr. Forster, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Wharton, Mr. Turges, Mr. Campion, Sir Phil. Butler, Mr. Burridge, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Palmes, Sir Mich. Wharton, Sir Phil. Skippon, Mr. Fleming, Sir Sam. Bernadiston, Mr. Waller, Mr. Tho. Windham, Mr. Blowfield, Sir Cha. Raleigh, Lord Norreys, Sir Matth. Andrews, Sir John Butler, Lord Brandon, Mr. England, Sir Jos. Herne, Mr. Comptroller, Mr. Bockenham, Mr. Russell, Mr. Kenyon: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet on Wednesday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber; and on every Friday, Monday, and Wednesday, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Place before mentioned; and to take into Consideration all such Matters as shall or may come in Question touching Returns, Elections, and Privileges; and to proceed upon Double Returns in the first place; and to report their Proceedings, with their Opinions therein, to the House, from time to time; and all Persons that will question Returns, are to do it in Fourteen Days next, and so within Fourteen Days after any new Return shall be brought in. And the Committee is to have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records, for their Information. And all Members who are returned for Two or more Places, are to make their Election by This-daythree-weeks for which of the Places they will serve; provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place. And if anything shall come in Question touching the Return, Election, or Matter of Privilege of any Member, he is to withdraw during the Time the Matter is in Debate.

Cirencester Election.

A Petition of John Howe, Esquire, was read; setting forth, that the Petitioner was duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Cirencester, by the Majority of Electors duly qualified; and ought to have been returned by the Steward of the said Borough, to whom the Precept was directed; but he, by indirect Means and Practices, hath unduly returned Henry Powle, Esquire, and Rich. Howe, Esquire, as Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament, in Prejudice of the Petitoner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

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

Buckingham Election.

A Petition of Sir Richard Atkins and Sir Peter Tyrrell, Baronets, and of John Rogers, and several others of the Burgesses and Inhabitants of the ancient Borough of Buckingham, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, Sir Richard Atkins and Sir Peter Tyrrell, were duly chosen to serve as Members for the said Borough by the Burgesses and Inhabitants thereof who have a Right to elect; nevertheless Sir Rich. Temple, and Alexander Denton, Esquire, are returned, as duly chosen, by the Bailiff and Twelve Capital Burgesses, exclusive to the rest of the Burgesses and Inhabitants, in Injury to the Petitioners, and Violation of the Rights of the said Borough: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the ancient Borough of Buckingham was read: setting forth, That the Borough had a Right to send Members to Parliament before the present Incorporations: That the Petitioners, in pursuance of such their . . . ., with many others, were at the last Election, on the Nineteenth February 1689; and then tendered their Voices to be taken, and demanded a Poll of the Bailiff; who denied the same, and confined the Election to himself and Twelve Capital Burgesses, in Injury of the Petitioner's Right: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, that the Petitioners Right may be vindicated, and the Election made void, and a new one granted, wherein the Petitioners may be allowed their Voices.

Rye Election.

A Petition of Caleb Banks and Tho. Frewen, Esquires, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners were duly elected for the Port of Rye, by a Majority of the legal Votes; yet the Mayor hath returned Sir John Austin and Sir John Dorrell, in Prejudice of the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House, in the Premises.

Burrowbridge Election.

A Petition of Sir Bryan Stapleton, Baronet, was read; setting forth, That he was duly elected for the Borough of Burrowbridge by the plurality of qualified Votes; yet, notwithstanding, the High Sheriff hath returned Christopher Vane, Esquire, as duly elected, by directing his Precept to an illegal Bailiff, who suffered many, not qualified Persons, to poll, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, and Relief therein.

Cardigan Election.

A Petition of John Vaughan, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That, by an Act made 1° Mariæ, the County Courts of the County of Cardigan are appointed to be kept at the Towns of Aberystwith and Cardigan, alternis vicibus: That the next County Court, after the Writ for electing a Knight of the Shire came to the Sheriff's Hands, happened to be at Aberystwith; where the Sheriff proceeding to an Election, the Petitioner and Sir Carbury Price stood as Candidates, and many polled on either Side that Day; and, had the Sheriff done his Duty, the Poll might then have been finished; but he, by Confederacy, adjourned the Poll to the next Day, when the Writ was returnable; upon which Day the Sheriff then allowed such as had only Mortgages to poll for Sir Carbury, but refused Persons of the like Capacity for the Petitioner: And although there were then above Four hundred qualified Voters who would have been polled that Day, yet the Sheriff (contrary to the Duty of his Place) refused to poll them; but before Twelve a Clock adjourned the Court and Poll to Cardigan (above Thirty Welch Miles off) till Two of the Clock the next Day; and then, when the Return of the Writ was passed, proceeds to a pretended Poll, and made an illegal Return of the said Sir Carbury Price, in Prejudice to the Petitioner, and the Freeholders of the said County: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Chester Election.

A Petition of Roger Whitley, Esquire, and George Manwaireing, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners were duly elected for the City of Chester; but that, by Combination between one of the Sheriffs, with the Sealkeeper of the County Palatine, Sir Tho. Grosvenor, Baronet, and Rich. Leving, Esquire, were returned, in Prejudice of the Petitioners, and the said City: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Radnor Election.

A Petition of Robert Harley, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the High Sheriff of the County of Radnor proceeded to the Election about the Twenty-fifth of February, but issued out no Precept to the Bailiff of New Radnor; so that the Election for that Borough began not till Seventeenth March: Notwithstanding which unwarrantable Practices the Petitioner was duly elected by the Majority of legal qualified Voices, but the Bailiff returned Sir Rowland Gwyne for the said Borough, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the Premises, and Relief therein.

Colchester Election.

A Petition of Isaac Rebow, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for the Borough of Colchester: Yet the then Mayor of the Town hath returned Samuell Reynells and Edward Cary, Esquires, though the Petitioner had a greater number of legal Votes than either of the said Persons: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Sandwich Election.

A Petition of John Mitchell, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner and Mr. Serjeant Thurbarne were on the Twenty-eighth of February last duly chosen for the Port of Sandwich by the Majority of legal Voices; yet the Officer hath returned Mr. Brent, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying to be restored to such his Right.

Droitwich Election.

A Petition of Sir John Packington was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was legally chosen with the Lord Bellemont for the Borough of Droitwich; notwithstanding which Philip Foley, Esquire, is returned with the said Lord Bellemont, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Winton Election.

A Petition of Charles Morley, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That he was duly elected one of the Citizens of Winton by the Majority of legal Voters; yet, notwithstanding, by some indirect Practices, the Lord Wm. Pawlett and Frederick Tilney, Esquire, are returned by the Mayor, in Prejudice of the Petitioner's Right: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Mitchell Election.

A Petition of Humphry Courtney, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for the Borough of Mitchell; yet, nevertheless, one Anthony Rowe, Esquire, by many undue Practices and Briberies, hath procured himself to be returned by the Portreve, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, and Relief therein.

Marlow Election.

A Petition of Ralph Bucknall, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That James Chase, Esquire, and the Petitioner were duly elected for the Borough of Great Marlow; and were accordingly proclaimed by Two of the Constables, who are the proper Officers there; and were also returned by their Indentures, joined in by many of the Inhabitants: After the doing whereof, the said Constables, and divers of the Inhabitants were called out of their Beds, and were unduly prevailed upon to execute another indenture; wherein the said Mr. Chase, with Sir Wm. Whitlock, are returned, in Prejudice of the Petitioner's Right: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

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

New Sarum Election.

A Petition of Wm. Wyndham, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, on Twenty-seventh February last, was duly elected one of the Citizens for New Sarum by the Majority of legal Voices, and ought to have been returned; but the Mayor, in Wrong to the Petitioner, hath returned Thomas Pitt, Esquire: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Dorchester Election.

A Petition of Thomas Trenchard, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, with James Gould, Esquire, were duly elected for the Borough of Dorchester; notwithstanding which, the Mayor hath returned Sir Rob. Napier in the stead of the Petitioner, for the said Borough: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Bridport Election.

A Petition of John Manley senior, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, with John Mitchell, Esquire, were duly elected for the Borough and Town of Bridport; yet, notwithstanding, the Bailiffs of the Borough have returned Steven Evans, Esquire, in the stead and in Injury of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, and that the Petitioner may be restored to his Right.

Truroe Election.

A Petition of John Manley junior, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That Mr. Rob. Averye, pretending himself Mayor of Truroe, and having got the Custody of the Precept, he refused to give public Notice of the Election, by means whereof several legal Voters could not be present; notwithstanding which undue Practices, the Petitioner was duly elected; but the said Mayor hath returned Sir Henry Ashurst, to the great Wrong of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Wareham Election.

A Petition of Thomas Skinner, Esquire was read; setting forth, That, upon the Twenty-fifth of February last, upon casting up the Poll at the Election for the Borough of Wareham, the Petitioner and Colonel Earle had the Majority of legal Voices; notwithstanding which, the present Mayor hath returned Mr. Okeden, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Berks Election.

A Petition of Rich. Neville, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That, on the Twenty-fourth of February last the Petitioner was duly elected a Knight of the Shire for the County of Berks by the Majority of Freeholders; notwithstanding which, the Sheriff, in Wrong to the Petitioner, hath returned Sir Hen. Winchcombe: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Devizes Election.

A Petition of John Methwen, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, with Walter Grubb, Esquire, were duly elected for the Borough of the Devizes; notwithstanding which, the Mayor of the Borough hath taken upon himself, without the Consent of the Burgesses, by a pretended Indenture executed by himself alone, contrary to the constant Usage of the said Borough, falsely and illegally to return Sir Tho. Fowles, and Walter Grubb, Esquire, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Stafford Election.

A Petition of Philip Foley, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for the Borough and Town of Stafford by the Majority of legal Electors; but the Mayor of the Town hath illegally returned Jonathan Cope, Esquire, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Ludlow Election.

A Petition of Fitton Gerrard, and Francis Lloyd, Esquires, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners were returned by the proper Officers and Electors of the Town of Ludlow to the Sheriff of the County of Salop; yet the said Sheriff, at the Instigation of Francis Charlton, who pretends to have Right of Return, by Colour of the late King James' Charter, contrary to the Right and Custom of the Town, hath returned Tho. Hanmore, and Wm. Gowre, Esquires, against Right, and in Prejudice of the Petitioner; and praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises: And that these being Matters that relate chiefly to the Right of Return, and the Charter, and who are the proper Officers and Electors, that the same may be heard at the Bar of this House.

Wotton Bassett Election.

A Petition of Thomas Webb, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, notwithstanding the many indirect Practices of the Mayor and Town Clerk of Wotton Bassett, . . . duly elected for the said Borough; but that the said Mayor hath returned John Windham, Esquire, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

New Towne Election.

A Petition of Sir James Forbes, and Thomas Brotherton, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That, on the Eleventh of March, the Petitioners were duly elected for the Borough of New Towne, and ought to have been returned; but Mr. Wm. Wood the Steward, and Tho. Stirrop the Bailiff, have, nevertheless, unduly returned Sir John Chichley, and Geo. Cholmondley, Esquire, in Wrong of the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Rygate Election.

A Petition of Thomas Vincent, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for Rygate by the Majority of legal Electors; notwithstanding, the Bailiff hath unduly returned Mr. Parsons, though he neither was duly elected, or therefore legally qualified; whereby the Petitioner is deprived of his Right: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Denbeigh Election.

A Petition of William Williams, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That, by very undue and irregular Practices, Edward Brereton, Esquire, was returned for the Borough of Denbeigh; notwithstanding the Petitioner was duly elected by the Majority of the Burgesses who had a Right to vote; but the pretended Bailiffs, by such irregular Practices, made such Return as aforesaid: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Burgesses of Denbeigh and Ruthin was read; setting forth, That the Vill of Holt being no Corporation, nor having any Power to make foreign Burgesses; yet they have of late made great Numbers, designing thereby to outnumber the aforesaid Boroughs, to their manifest Injuries; purely to serve the Turns of some Persons designing to be elected: and they, so unduly admitted Burgesses by Combination with Tho. Harpur and Robert Knowles, arrogating to themselves the Power of polling Electors, did also admit great Numbers of unqualified Voices for Edward Brereton, Esquire, against Wm. Williams; and have made a Return thereupon, although the said Mr. Williams was duly elected by the Majority of rightful Burgesses, and ought to have been returned accordingly: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Tavistock Election.

A Petition of Ambrose Mannaton, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Eighth of March last was the Election for the Borough of Tavistock; whereat the Petitioner was duly elected by the Majority of legal Voters, and an Indenture, by them executed, for his Return; and tendered unto David Serjeant, the Portreve: But he absolutely refused to make the said Return; and hath taken upon him to return Sir Fran. Drake, Baronet, who was not duly elected, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Aldbrough Election.

A Petition of Sir Edw. Turner was read; setting forth, That he was duly elected for the Borough of Aldbrough in Com. Suffolke, by the Majority of legal Voters; and ought to have been returned with Sir Hen. Johnson: But the Bailiff hath made a Return of Wm. Johnson, Esquire, with Sir Henry, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Coventry Election.

A Petition of Thomas Gery, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That on the Eleventh of March, last, the Petitioner, with Rich. Hopkins, and John Stratford, stood Candidates at the Election for Citizens for Coventry; where the Petitioner polled several Hundreds; and had many Hundreds of Voters more to poll, had he been admitted thereto: But was denied the same by the Sheriffs of that City; who carried themselves with great Partiality for the other Candidates; and hath illegally returned them, in Prejudice of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

The King's Speech to be considered.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, take into Consideration his Majesty's gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament.

Address to the King.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That an humble Address of Thanks be presented to his Majesty, for his going into Ireland, and hazarding his Royal Person for the Reducing thereof; and congratulating his Success, and happy Return.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare the said Address.

And it is referred unto Sir Tho. Clarges, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Lord Falkland, Lord Ranelagh, Mr. Windham, Mr. Finch, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Mr. Solicitor General, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Sir John Lowther, Lord Castleton, Mr. Montague, Colonel Austin, Sir Wm. Cooke, Sir Rich. Temple; or any Three of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That it be an Instruction to the said Committee, to assure his Majesty in the said Address, That this House will assist and support his Majesty, and his Government, to the utmost of their Power.

Address to the Queen.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That an humble Address be presented to her Majesty, acknowledging her gracious government during the Absence of his Majesty; and returning the humble Thanks of this House for the same.

Resolved, That it be referred to the same Committee, to prepare the said Address: Also

Printing the Votes.

Ordered, That the Votes of the House be printed, being first perused by Mr. Speaker: And that no Person do presume to print the same; but such as shall be licensed by Mr. Speaker.

Call of the House.

Resolved, That the House be called over on Monday Morning next.

And then the House, upon the Question, adjourned until Wednesday Morning next, Ten of the Clock.