House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 4 March 1659

Friday, the 4th of March, 1658.

Prayers.

Rodney and Cole.

MR. Terill reports from the Grand Committee for Grievances, and Courts of Justice, The State of the Case, as it appeared to the Committee, concerning Mrs. Sarah Rodney, Widow, Plaintiff; and Mr. John Cole, Defendant: But the Business of the Day not permitting to take the said Report into Consideration, at this Time; It is

Resolved, &c. That this Day Sevennight be appointed, for the Hearing, and taking into Consideration, the Report of the Case concerning Mrs. Rodney and Mr. Cole.

The Particulars of the Report were delivered back to Mr. Terill, to be then reported.

Public Revenue.

Mr. Scawen reports from the Committee for Inspection of the Accompts and Revenue of the Commonwealth, That they have been informed, That there are some Persons who can discover some Particulars that may be very much for the Service of the Commonwealth, in relation to the Affairs referred to that Committee; but that their Attendance could not be procured without Assurance for their Safety and Liberty, both in Coming and Returning: And that it was therefore desired, That Mr. Speaker might sign such Protections, and for such Persons, as the Committee should desire.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Speaker do sign such Protections, and for such Persons as shall be desired by the Committee for Inspection of the Accompts and Revenue of the Commonwealth, for the safe Coming of such Persons unto, Attending on, and Returning from, the said Committee; and for the safe Continuance here of such Persons, for such Time as the said Committee shall desire.

Privilege- Assault on a Member.

The House being informed, that Mr. Henry Wroth, otherwise called Sir Henry Wroth, who, by order of this House, was sent for as a Delinquent, for an Assault made upon Major-General Packer, one of the Members of this House, was in the Serjeant's Custody, and ready without at the Door; he was brought to the Bar: And after he had kneeled there, by Command from Mr. Speaker, stood up; and was by him informed of the great Abuse and Violation of the Privileges of Parliament, in assaulting of Major-General Packer in the common Highway near Tottenham, as he was going homewards to his own House, lately committed by him.

Mr. Wroth, standing at the Bar, gave the House an Account concerning the Manner and the Occasion of what had happened between Major-General Packer, and himself: And affirmed, That he drew his Sword in his own Defence.

Ordered, That the Information concerning the Assault made upon Major-General Packer by Mr. Wroth, be referred to the Examination of Sir George Booth, Mr. Knightley, Colonel Norton, Colonel Cooke, Colonel Cox, Mr. Annesly, Sir Walter Earle, Mr. Scott, Mr. Trevor, Mr. Edward Turnor, Mr. Robert Williams, Sir Thomas Wroth, Sir Arthur Hesilrige, Colonel Rolles, Colonel Morley, Mr. Bodwrda, Colonel Parsons: And they, or any Five of them, are to examine the same: And have Power to send for Persons and Witnesses: And are to meet about this Business on Monday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Inner Court of Wards.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Henry Wroth be discharged of his Imprisonment, upon his own Bond, to be given by him to the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House, for his Appearing before this House, or before the Committee of this House, to whom the Examination of the Information concerning the Assaulting of Major-General Packer is referred from time to time, as he shall be thereunto required.

Leave of Absence.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Whaley, one of the Members of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for Ten Days.

Respecting the Other House.

The House, according to the Order made on Wednesday last, proceeded in the Debate, That this House will transact with the Persons now sitting in the Other House, as an House of Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That this Debate be adjourned until To-morrow Morning at Eight of the Clock; and be then proceeded in; and that nothing else do then intervene.