House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 12 December 1661

Jovis, 12 die Decembris, 13° Car. Regis.

Prayers.

WILLIAM de Peister, and Peter Vandermersch, this Day took the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, in order to their Naturalization.

Resolved, That their Names be inserted into the Bill for Naturalization, now committed.

Supply Bill.

The several Commissioners Names of the several Counties, to be added to the Bill for raising the Eighteen Mont's Assessment, were this Day twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Resolved, That the Bill, with the same Names inserted therein, be ingrossed.

Great Level of Fens.

Ordered, That the Business for the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Level, be adjourned to Saturday next, to be then . . . . into Debate, as it was to have been this Day.

Privilege-Seditions Publication.

The House taking Notice of a scandalous, seditious printed Pamphlet, which was this Day delivered at the Door of this House, to several Members, as they passed into the House; and of several other seditious Papers, printed, published, and dispersed by divers Persons, who endeavour thereby to disturb the publick Peace;

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do apprehend the Persons that delivered the said scandalous and seditious Pamphlet; and bring them in Custody, to answer the same: And that he do also make Search for the Author and Printer of the said Pamphlet; and do apprehend, and bring them in Custody, to answer the same: And that the Committee who were to examine, and make Inquiry, touching the Authors, Printers, and Publishers of the seditious Pamphlet, called The summary Reasons, be revived: And Sir Thomas Meres, Sir Solomon Swale, and Mr. Puckering, are added to the said Committee: And they are impowered to send for such Printers, and others, as they shall find necessary for Discovery of the Authors, Printers, Publishers, and Dispersers of the said scandalous and seditious Pamphlet, delivered at the Door of this House; and all other scandalous and seditious Pamphlets: And they are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber, To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Two of the Clock.

Privilege.

Upon Information given to this House, That Robert Woolrich, of Grayes Inn in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, having made his last Will, and Sir Solomon Swale, a Member of this House, his Executor; and departing this Life last Night, about Seven of the Clock, at his Lodging, at the House of one Mr. Gwillyme, in Baldwins Gardens, Middlesex; the said Sir Solomon repairing thither, and being present at his Death, and leaving some Servant there to attend the Corps; one Cressett, about Twelve of the Clock at Night, with Five or Six other Persons, armed with Swords, by Force took the Corps of Mr. Woolrich from the Persons employed by Sir Solomon Swale to attend the same; and, without putting him into any Coffin, carried the same away to some Place yet not known; whereby Sir Solomon is like to be prevented from the decent burying of the said Corps, according to his Intention, and the Direction of the Will;

Resolved, &c. That the Serjeant at Arms, attending this House do apprehend the said Cressett, and other the Persons that were assistant to him in carrying away the said Corps; and bring them in Custody, to answer their Breach of Privilege, in taking the same out of the Custody of the said Sir Solomon Swale, a Member of this House, and the Executor of the said Mr. Woolrich: And that the Serjeant at Arms do also make speedy and diligent Search for the said Corps; and, if he can find where it is, to cause the same to be restored unto the said Sir Solomon Swale; to the end the said Corps may be decently interred, according to the said Will.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, at Eight of the Clock.