House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 18 December 1693

Lunæ, 18 die Decembris;

5° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

A Member discharged from Custody.

ORDERED, That Mr. Michell, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for absenting himself from his Service in Parliament, be discharged out of Custody, paying his Fees.

Privilege.

Sir John Darell reported from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, the Matter touching Edward Smith, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for a Breach of Privilege against Sir Thomas Miller, a Member of this House: The which he delivered in, in Writing, at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

That the said Edward Smith, being brought before them, confessed, That he had served the said Sir Thomas Miller with a Subpœna and Order out of the Court of Exchequer; but said he was sorry for it: And that he said, he was a Clerk to Mr. Wakeford; but had no express Order from his Master to serve Sir Tho. Miller, only to serve Two or Three of the Commissioners; and that what he did, was as Servant to the said Mr. Wakeford; and that it was about the Dean and Chapter of Chichester's Business; and that he did not consider, that Sir Tho. Miller was a Parliament-Man at that time; but at the same time said, he lived at Chichester, and lived there when Sir Thomas was so elected.

And that, upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to a Resolution, which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Edward Smith did, on the 22d Day of May last, knowing Sir Thomas Miller to be a Member of Parliament, serve the said Sir Thomas Miller with a Subpœna and Order out of the Court of Exchequer.

Ordered, That the said Edward Smith be brought to the Bar of this House, To-morrow Morning, in order to his Discharge.

A Motion being made, and the Question being put, That John Wakeford be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for causing Sir Tho. Miller, a Member of this House, to be served with a Subpœna and Order out of the Court of Exchequer, during the Time of Privilege;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Defaulters at Call of the House.

Ordered, That the Names of the Members, who made Default to appear upon the Call of the House this Day Fortnight, be called over upon Wednesday Morning next, at Ten a Clock: And that such of them as shall not then attend, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Stockbridge Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Elections and Privileges, touching the Election for the Borough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton, be made upon Wednesday Morning next, at Eleven a Clock.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Gilbert Clarke have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Frequent Parliaments.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the frequent Calling and Meeting of Parliaments.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Colonel Granville took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Colonel Granville reported from the said Committee, That they had gone through the Bill; and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendments.

Supply.

Then the Order of the Day, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for Maintenance of the Land-Forces, was read.

And the Question being put, That Mr. Speaker do leave the Chair;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for Maintenance of the LandForces.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

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