House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 21 April 1659

Thursday, the 21st of April, 1659.

Prayers.

Leave of Absence.

RESOLVED, &c. That Sir William Doyley, one of the Members of this House, shall have Leave to go into the Country for a Month, notwithstanding the Calling of the House.

Articles against Petty.

Dr. William Petty, one of the Members of this House, against whom certain Articles of Misdemeanor, and Breach of Trust, were exhibited into this House, and read the Four-and-twentieth Day of March last, by Sir Hierome Sankey, another of the Members of this House, and had this Day then assigned him, to give in his Answer thereunto; standing up in his Place, did first in general deny all the said Articles; and then particularly made Answer to every one of the said Articles; denying the Charges in every of them severally; and desired that he might have a Charge brought in against him in Particulars, that he might be thereby enabled to vindicate himself effectually.

Sir Hierome Sankey, being present in the House, stood up in his Place; and instanced in certain Particulars, which he supposed would make good the First, Second, and Third Articles of the Charge brought in by him against Dr. Petty.

The House was further informed by Sir Hierome Sankey, That whereas Dr. Petty ought to have returned all original Maps, Field-Plots, and Field-Books, relating to the Lands in Ireland, into the Office of the Surveyor General in the Exchequer at Dublin, according to the Act of Parliament in this behalf; he had only returned Transcripts of them; and keeps the Originals himself, in his own Hands.

Dr. Petty informed the House, That the Particulars in his Hands were foul Books and Papers, out of which those he had returned were extracted; but that he should be ready to deliver them, as the House should give Direction.

Resolved, &c. That this Business, concerning Dr. Petty, be resumed, and be further heard on this Day Sevennight.

Resolved, &c. That on this Day Sevennight Sir Hierome Sankey do bring in a particular Charge, in Writing, against Dr. William Petty.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and the Council there, to take care, that all the original Plots, Field-Books, and Books of Reference, relating to the Lands in Ireland, in the Hands or Custody of Dr. William Petty, be secured, according to Law.

The Question being propounded, That this Debate be adjourned till To-morrow Morning;

The Question was put, That this Question be now put:

The House was divided.

The Noes went forth.

So the Question passed with the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Matters now in Debate be adjourned for an Hour.

This House adjourns itself until Two of the Clock, this Afternoon.

Thursday, the 21st of April, 1659; In the Afternoon.

Declaration for Security of Protector, &c.

THE Declaration for securing his Highness, and the Parliament, and Commonwealth, (passed on Tuesday last, in Parts; and amended in several Places, upon the Passing thereof; and then assented unto;) being writ out fair in Paper, according to the Amendments then agreed to, was this Day again read.

A Title, to be prefixed to the same Declaration, was offered, in these Words; viz. "A Declaration of his Highness the Lord Protector, and both Houses of Parliament, for the Security of his said Highness, and the Parliament, and of this Commonwealth:" The which, being read, was, upon the Question, assented unto.

Resolved, &c. That this Declaration be ingrossed.

Charges against Petty.

The House resumed the Debate, upon the Matters under their Consideration at the Time of the Adjournment.

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