House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 15 April 1689

Lunæ, 15 die Aprilis; 1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Nassau's, &c. Nat.

A BILL for the Naturalization of Henry de Nassau, and others, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time Tomorrow Morning.

Dissenters Toleration.

A Bill for Liberty and Indulgence to Protestant Dissenters, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time this Day Sevennight.

New Radnor Election.

Sir Jos. Tredenham reports from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to whom the Matter, touching the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Town of New Radnor in the County of Radnor, was referred, the State of the Fact, as it appeared to the Committee: Which he produced in Writing: Which, being read at the Table, is as followeth:

Upon the Petition of William Probert, Esquire, against Rich. Williams, Esquire, the Sitting Member for the Town of New Radnor, was heard.

For the Petitioner, the Counsel opened it, That by 27 H. VIII, and 35 H. VIII, all the Burgesses, as well of the Out Borough Towns as of the Shire Towns of Wales (except for the Town of Merioneth), had a Right to vote for a Burgess of the Shire Town; and that, in the County of Radnor, there was Five Borough Towns, who had a Right to vote for a Burgess for New Radnor; and that the Majority of Burgesses of Two of the Out Boroughs, who heard by Accident of the Election, were for Mr. Probert; and that the rest of the Out Boroughs, not having any Notice of the Day of Election, did not appear.

And they called James Davis, a Witness, who said, He was present 14 Januarii, at the Election: That Mr. Probert, when he came, said he had brought several of the Out Boroughs to vote for Mr. Williams: But the Bailiff denied they had any Right to vote, saying, they ought not to vote, when any of the Twenty-five stood: That the Bailiff declaring he would return Mr. Williams, Mr. Probert demanded a Poll; and that a Paper was delivered in to the Bailiff, of the Names of several reputed Out Burgesses, to the Number of about Threescore and Ten, that would have voted for Mr. Probert.

Thomas Lownd, a Witness, said, That he was present at the Election: That Mr. Davis desired to have a Poll: That Mr. Probert gave a List of the Out Burgesses to James Davis, who Polled about Sixty for Mr. Probert: That Mr. Probert had the Generality of the Out Burgesses; but they were refused by the Bailiff to vote, saying they had no Right.

For the Sitting Member, the Counsel agreed the Out Burgesses had a Right of Election: But insisted, that Mr. Williams had the Majority; and a Poll was never demanded: And called

* Powell, a Witness, who said, He was present at the Election when the Prince's Letter was read: That the Bailiff openly demanded (there being about Two hundred Persons present) who they thought fit to return; and all the Persons, as he thought, declared with an unanimous Acclamation for Mr. Williams: That thereupon Mr. Probert asked the Bailiff, shall the Out Burgesses sign the Indenture? The Bailiff answered, There was no Indenture to be signed; but it was to be returned by Certificate, under the Common Seal: He says, when they were refused to sign the Indenture, they cried out for Mr. Probert; but he says, though he stood near, he heard no Poll demanded.

James Bcndlow, a Witness, said, He was present at the Election the 14th of January: That Mr. Probert told the Bailiff, that he and the Burgesses did vote for Mr. Williams, and joined in the Acclamation after the Writ was read: But afterwards, Mr. Probert asked If they should sign the Indenture: And the Bailiff answered, There was no need of that, for the Return must be by Certificate. Mr. Probert, as he thinks, said, "If we shall not sign the Indenture, who do you vote for?" And then a great many cried out, A Probert: But remembers no Discourse about the Right of Election, though he was near both to the Bailiff and Mr. Probert.

Then they produced Mr. Bull, Mr. Bevan, Mr. Thomas Powell, and another Witness: Who testified to the same Effect as the Two last Witnesses.

And that upon the whole Matter the Committee came to a Resolution: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same being read, is as followeth;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Rich. Williams, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Shire Town of Radnor in the County of Radnor.

The said Resolve being read a Second time;

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, That Rich. Williams, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Shire Town of Radnor in the County of Radnor.

French Protestants.

A Petition of the French Protestant Ministers, praying a yearly Relief, for their Subsistence, out of a Revenue arising by Hackney Coaches, or some other, was read.

And a Debate arose thereupon; in respect the Petition was very irregular, and disagreeable to the Custom of the House, to prescribe Ways how, and out of what, the Relief shall be given.

Resolved, That the Petition be withdrawn.

A Motion being made, That a Way may be considered to relieve such French Protestant Ministers, and others, who have fled out of France for their Religion;

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider of a Way to relieve the French Protestant Ministers, and such others, as are uncapable to maintain themselves, otherwise than by Charity, who are fled out of France for their Religion.

And it is referred unto Lord Digby, Sir John Guise, Mr. Hamden, Sir Fra. Russell, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Colonel Birch, Sir Gilbert Clerke, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Duncome, Mr. Newport, Sir Edw. Harley, Sir Tho. Darcey, Sir Rob. Davers, Mr. Ellwell, Sir Rich. Temple, Sir H. Goodrick, Mr. Gwyn, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Mr. Sacheverell, Mr. Done, Sir Nich. Cary, Sir Rob. Cotton, Sir Rob. Sawyer, Sir John Wynne, Mr. Darcey, Mr. Finch, Sir John Lowther, Mr. Dolben, Marquis Winchester, Mr. P. Foley, Marquis Worcester, Major Wildman, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. Boscawen, Sir Tho. Clarges, Mr. Smith, Mr. Niccolls, Mr. Newport, Mr. Whitehead, Sir H. Capell, and all the Members of the City of London: And they are to meet at Four of the Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber, this Afternoon.

Irish Protestants.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider of the distressed Condition of the Protestants fled from Ireland; and of a Way how they may be relieved.

And it is referred unto Mr. Harbord, Lord Ranelagh, Lord Fitzharding, Sir Cha. Rawleigh, Sir Thom. Mompeson, Mr. Smith, Lord Falkland, Mr. P. Foley, Mr. Gwyn, Lord Digby, Mr. Coningsby, Sir Fra. Russell, Sir Edw. Harley, Colonel Birch, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. Done, Sir Rob. Davers, Sir John Knight, Sir Chr. Musgrave, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Rob. Cotton, Lord Sherrard, Sir Rich. Onslow, Mr. Boscawen, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Sir Tho. Clarges, Colonel Austen, Mr. Robers, Sir John Wynne, Lord Coote, Marquis Winchester, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Sir Sir Hen. Hobart, Mr. Hen. Herbert, Sir Hen. Vane, Mr. Eldred, Sir Cha. Houghton, Mr. Reignolds, Sir Rich. Temple, Mr. Newport, Sir H. Johnson, Major Wildman, Marquis Worcester, Sir John Guise, Mr. Sommers, Mr. Freke jun. Mr. Sacheverell, Sir John Lowther, Mr. Gray, Mr. Buckland, Mr. Burrard, Mr. England, Mr. Finch: And they are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Court of Wards.

Late King James' landing in Ireland.

The House being informed, that there was one Mr. Evans at the Door, who was lately come out of Ireland, and could give an Account of the late King James his being there; and of other Matters relating to Ireland;

Resolved, That the said Mr. Evans be called in.

And he came to the Bar; and gave an Account of the said King's Landing at Kinsale the Day of last, with Two and-twenty Ships; accompanied with Count Davaux, and other French Officers, to the Number of Two hundred; and of his going to Corke and Dublyn; and his Intentions to go Northwards, and into Scotland; and of the seizing the Duke of Ormond's Estate, and the Stocks of Protestants.

And then they withdrew.

Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the abrogating the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and appointing other Oaths; with the Amendments and Clauses added to it; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass, so amended.

Ordered, That Mr. Dolben do carry up the Bill, with the Amendments and Clauses, to the Lords, for their Concurrence thereunto.

Supply Bill; Poll Tax.

A Bill for granting a Supply to their Majesties by a Poll, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That the House do, To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for granting a Supply to their Majesties by Poll.

State of the Kingdom in relation to France.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration the State of this Kingdom in relation to France, and other Alliances abroad.

Public Revenue.

Resolved, That this House do, on Wednesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into Consideration the Matter of the publick Revenue.

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