House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 31 January 1659

Monday, the 31st of January, 1658.

Prayers.

Prayers.

RESOLVED, &c. That Mr. Cooper, who prayed with the House this Morning, be desired to continue to officiate and perform the Duty of Prayer in this House every Morning during this Session of Parliament.

Committee of Privileges.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Serjeant Waller do make his Report from the Committee of Privileges, To-morrow Morning.

Agmondesham Writ.

Mr. Francis Drake being elected a Burgess to serve for the Borough of Agmondesham, otherwise Amersham, in the County of Bucks, and also Knight for the County of Surrey, did elect to serve for the said County of Surrey; and did wave his Election for Agmondesham, otherwise Amersham.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do send his Warrant to the Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery, to issue forth a Writ, for the Election of a Burgess to serve for the Borough of Agmondesham, otherwise Amersham, in the Place of the said Mr. Drake.

Call of the House.

According to the Order on Friday last, the Names of the Members returned to serve in this House were called over: And such as were present in the House, answering to their Names, had their Appearances marked, by the Clerk, in the Book of Returns: And the Names of the Defaulters, upon the First Call of the House, were called over the Second time; and the Names of such as answered, had their Appearances likewise marked; and such as made Default, were so marked; and such as were excused, had their Excuses also entered in the Book.

Southampton Election.

The House was informed, that the Sheriff of the County of Southampton had a Return made to him, by the Bailiff of the Borough of Stockbridge in the same County, of the Election of Burgesses to serve for the said Borough; and hath detained the same by him; and certified an Indenture returned to him afterwards, to the Wrong of the Gentlemen that were first returned; and that the like Miscarriage hath been done by the Sheriff of the Town and County of Poole: Whereupon, It is

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Privileges, to examine the aforesaid Miscarriage of the Sheriff of the said County of Southampton, concerning the Return made by him of the Burgesses elected to serve for Stockbridge in the said County; and also to examine the Miscarriage of the Sheriff of the said Town and County of Poole, concerning the Return made by him of the Burgesses elected to serve for the said Town of Poole.

Higham Ferrers Election.

The House taking notice, upon the Calling of the Members returned to serve for the County of Northampton, That Two Burgesses were returned to serve for the Borough of Higham Ferrers in the said County: and that the said Borough ought to send one Burgess only, and no more; and that the said Return of Two, being by one Indenture, was a double Return; Ralph Suckley Esquire, one of the said Burgesses, being in the House after his Appearance entered upon the Call of the House, did voluntarily withdraw.

Defaulters at Call of the House.

Resolved, &c. That a Fortnight's Time, from this Day, be given to the Members returned, and duly qualified, who have this Day made Default, to give their respective Attendances in the House.

Seaford Writ.

The House taking Notice, upon the Call of the House, That there was no Mention in the Book of Returns, of the Town of Seaford, a Member of the Cinque Ports; which Place had sent Two Barons to serve in the Parliament begun and holden the Third of November, which was in the Year of our Lord 1640; and being informed, That no Precept was sent or directed to that Town, to make any Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament.

Resolved, &c. That a Writ be issued, according to Law, for the Election of Two Barons to serve for the Town of Seaford, within the Cinque-Ports in the County of Sussex, for the present Parliament; and that Mr. Speaker do make his Warrant to the Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery, to issue forth the said Writ accordingly.