House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 20 April 1689

Sabbati, 20 die Aprilis; 1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Coventrie's Estate.

A BILL for Sale or Leasing of a House, late Mr. Secretary Coventrie's, in Piccadilly, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Dolben, Mr. Roberts. Mr. Newport, Mr. Grey, Mr. Somers, Mr. Phil. Foley, Sir Fr. Russell, Sir Christoph. Musgrave, Mr. Bickerstaffe, Mr. Russell, Mr. Mansell, Sir John Cutler, Sir Wm. Honeywood, Mr. Grubb, Sir Trevor Williams, Mr. Burdett, Sir Tho. Dyke, Mr. Papillion, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Buckley, Mr. P. Foley, Mr. T. Foley, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Mr. Pelham, Sir Patience Ward, Mr. Musgrave, Sir John Knight, Mr. Pollexfen, Mr. Cristy, Sir Geo. Treby, Major Manley, Sir Wm. Stevens, Sir Rob. Nappier, Lord Fitzharding: And they are to meet on Monday next, at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Queen's Court.

Yarmouth Haven.

A Bill for explaining, and making effectual, a Statute made in the First Year of King James the Second, concerning the Haven and Piers of Great Yarmouth, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title thereof be, An Act for explaining and making effectual, a Statute made in the First Year of King James the Second, concerning the Haven and Piers of Great Yarmouth.

Ordered, That Mr. England do carry up the Bill to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

East India Company.

A Petition of John and Thomas Temple, Owners of the Ship Bristoll, complaining of great Oppressions in relation to the said Ship, which was sunk and plundered by one Captain John Terrill, by Order from Sir Josiah Child; to the great Damage of the Petitioners; was read.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee appointed the Eighteenth Instant, to consider of the Matter of the Petition of Charles Price, and others, and the whole Affairs of the East India Company, to examine the Matter of the said Petition; and to report the Matter, with their Opinions, to the House, with all convenient Speed.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider of the Matter of the Petition of Charles Price, and others, and the whole Affairs of the East India Company, have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare Reasons for a Conference with the Lords, touching the Amendments to the Bill for abrogating the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and appointing other Oaths, do immediately withdraw to the Speaker's Chamber, to prepare the same.

Nassau's, &c. Nat.

A Bill for the Naturalization of Henry de Nassau, and others, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Sir Hen. Hobart, Sir Trev. Williams, Sir Robert Cotton, Mr. Thomson, Mr. England, Sir Pat. Ward, Major Manley, Mr. Ashe, Sir Matth. Andrewes, Mr. Howard, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Tho. Dyke, Mr. Norreis, * Walter Moyle, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Foley, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Cristy, Sir John Knight, Sir Peter Rich, Sir Tho. Darcey: And they are to meet on Monday next, in the Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Aulnage Duty.

Ordered, That the Members of the House, who serve for the County of Essex, be added to the Committee appointed to examine the Matter touching the Aulnage.

Exporting Leather.

A Bill for Exportation of Leather was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Sir John Knight, Colonel Poole, Sir Hen. Hobart, Mr. Vincent, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Tho. Hussey, Mr. England, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Phil. Skippon, Sir J. Darcy, Mr. Fenwick, Mr. Papillion, Major Manley, Mr. Harley, Mr. Philips, Sir Pat. Ward, Sir Fra. Russell, Mr. Hervey, * Lydall, Mr. Lascells, Sir Cha. Raleigh, Sir Tho. Hervey, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Cristy, Mr. Norreis, Sir Tho. Blunt, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Wm. Yorke, Mr. Foley, Mr. Russell, and all the Members that serve for the City of London and Borough of Southwarke: And they are to meet on Monday next, at Four of the Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Coke's Estate.

A Bill to enable Younger Coke, Esquire, to sell Lands to pay his Debts, and provide for his younger Children, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title thereof be, An Act to enable Younger Coke, Esquire, to sell Lands to pay Debts, and provide for his younger Children.

Ordered, That Mr. * do carry up the Bill to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Bailing and Escape of Brent.

Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee, to whom it was referred to examine the Matter relating to the Bailing of Mr. Brent, do make his Report touching Sir James Smith on Monday Morning next.

Rights of the Subject, and succession to the Crown.

A Bill for establishing the Articles presented to their now Majesties by the Lords and Commons, the Thirteenth of February last, and for settling the Crown, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time on Wednesday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock.

Marches Court in Wales.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Bill for taking away the Court holden before the President and Council of the Marches of Wales is referred, be made upon Thursday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock.

Woollen Manufacture.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the Consumption of Wool.

Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy.

Sir George Treby reports from the Committee to whom it was referred to prepare Reasons to be offered at a Conference, That they had prepared the same accordingly: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read once throughout; and afterwards, one by one; and agreed unto by the House, and are as followeth:

1. That it has been the Policy of the Common Law and Statute Law, to oblige Men to swear Allegiance to the King.

2. Allegiance is the common and necessary Duty of all Subjects, and is most strictly to be required of Archbishops, Bishops, and those who have Ecclesiastical Dignities, Benefices, or Promotions, in regard they are highly intrusted in the Administration of the Government, draw great Dependencies, and are exemplary to the rest of the People; and several of them are, by Law to administer, the Oaths of Allegiance to other Persons. Allegiance is also strictly to be required of all Governors, Professors, and Fellows in Universities, and Schoolmasters, because to them the Education of the Youth of the Kingdom is committed; and therefore they ought to be Persons of known Loyalty and Affection to the Government.

3. The taking the Oaths publickly in open Court will better manifest Allegiance, than the taking them privately before Persons appointed by Order in Council; and will be much more safe for the Persons who are obliged to take the Oaths.

4. The best and most certain Means to have the Oaths taken, is to impose it upon the Persons concerned to tender themselves to take the said Oaths under Penalties: But if the Oaths are not to be required, unless tendered, the said Persons might by Absence, and otherwise, avoid the taking them with impunity.

5. The Clause which the Commons sent to your Lordships, allows much . . . Favour to the Archbishops, or Bishops, and those that have Ecclesiastical Dignities, Benefices, or Promotions than to any Lay Peers or other Persons, having Offices and Employments; and is more gentle in the Penalty, than the Statutes heretofore made in like Case.

6. It is unreasonable and unsafe to distinguish the Archbishops, Bishops, and Persons having Ecclesiastical Dignities, Benefices, or Promotions, and such as are intrusted with the Education of Youth, from the rest of the Subjects, in the Declaration of their Allegiance; and may tend to make a Division in the Kingdom; and may raise and countenance Faction both in Church and State.

7. It may tend to expose the King's Person and Government to Hatred and Danger, and occasion a general Discontent.

Conference with Lords.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Littleton do go up to the Lords, to desire a Conference upon the Amendments proposed to the Bill for abrogating the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and appointing other Oaths.

Sir Thomas Littleton acquaints the House, That he having, according to their Order, attended the Lords, to desire a Conference; their Lordships do agree to a present Conference in the Painted Chamber.

Resolved, That the Committee to whom it was referred to prepare Reasons to be offered at a Conference with the Lords, do manage the Conference.

The Managers went to the Conference accordingly.

Sir Geo. Treby reports from the Conference with the Lords, That the Persons appointed to manage the Conference had been with the Lords; and offered the Reasons agreed unto by the House, why they do not agree with the Lords in the said Amendments.

Dissenters Toleration.

A Bill for exempting their Majesties Subjects, dissenting from the Church of England, from the Penalties of certain Laws, was read.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time on Friday Morning next.

Supply.

A Motion being made, for a Supply to be given for the Navy;

Resolved, That this House do, To-morrow Morning, Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of that Motion.

Address respecting War with France.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom it is referred to prepare an Address relating to a War against France, be revived; and do sit this Afternoon.

Supply Bill; Poll Tax.

Resolved, That this House do now resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Bill for granting a Supply to their Majesties by a Poll.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir George Treby took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Geo. Treby reports from the Committee of the whole House, That they had gone through the Bill; and that they had directed him to move, that his Report thereupon might be received on Monday Morning.

Resolved, That the Report be received on Monday Morning next.

Address presented.

Mr. Speaker acquaints the House, That he, with the House, had attended his Majesty Yesterday, at the Banqueting House in Whitehall, with the Address of this House: And that his Majesty was pleased to say to this Effect; That all Addresses were very acceptable to Him that came from this House; and that He would send an Answer in Writing this Morning: And that, accordingly, He had sent the same: Which Mr. Speaker read; and is as followeth:

William R.

Answer to Address-Church of England.

THOUGH I have had many Occasions of assuring you that I will maintain the Church of England, as by Law established; yet I am well pleased with every Opportunity of repeating those Promises, which I am resolved to perform by supporting this Church; whose Loyalty, I doubt not, will enable me to answer your just Expectations.

And as my Design in coming hither was to rescue you from the Miseries you laboured under, so it is a great Satisfaction to Me, that, by the Success God has given Me, I am in a Station of defending this Church, which has effectually shewn her Zeal against Popery, and shall always be my peculiar Care; and I do hope the Ease you design to Dissenters will contribute very much to the Establishment of this Church; which, therefore, I do earnestly recommend to you, that the Occasions of Differences, and mutual Animosities, may be removed: And, as soon as conveniently may be, I will summon a Convocation.

To be read again.

Resolved, That the same be again read on Monday Morning, at Ten of the Clock.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.