House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 7 March 1663

Sabbati, 7 Martii, 15 Car. IIdi.

Prayers.

Privilege.

THE House taking Notice of a scandalous printed Paper, that was delivered at the Door, to several Members, as they were passing into the House; and was published in the Name of one Thomas Greene;

Ordered, That the said Thomas Green be sent for, in Custody, to be examined touching the said scandalous Paper, and such Matters as the House shall think fit.

Artificers, &c.

A Bill for Supply of several Defects in some Statutes heretofore made for the Benefit of Artificers and Handycraftsmen was this Day read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read the Second time on Tuesday next.

Senior's Estate.

Ordered, That the Bill for Sale of Part of the Lands late of Richard and Anthony Senior, in the County of Derby, be read the First time on Monday Morning next.

Newport's Estate.

A Bill on the Behalf of John Newport Esquire to make void a Fine, was this Day read the Second time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be committed to Sir John Shaw, Sir Geo. Ryve, Sir Tho. Tompkins, Serjeant Maynard, Sir Cha. Harbord, Sir Tho. Gower, Mr. Hungerford, Sir Edm. Peirce, Mr. Knight, Mr. Harbord, Sir John Newton, Mr. Crouch, Sir Ralph Hare, Sir Phil. Warwick, Mr. Fra. Finch, Mr. Flint, Sir Clifford Clifton, Sir Geo. How, Sir Rich. Onslow, Sir Fra. Goodrick, Dr. Arris, Mr. Gaudy, Mr. Devereux, Sir John Tirrell, Sir Wm. Hickman, Mr. Jay, Sir Hen. Worsley, Sir John Brampston, Sir Rich. Everard, Mr. Newport, Sir Robert Brooke; and all the Members of this House that are of the Long Robe: And they are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber, on Monday next, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon: And to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Corporations.

Sir Charles Harbord reports from the Committee appointed to peruse the Act for regulating Corporations, several Particulars: Which, being in Writing, he read in his Place: And the same were as followeth;

1. Whether the Powers and Actings of the Commissioners, in Placing and Displacing of Officers and Members in Corporations, be subject to be over-ruled in the King's Bench, as the Act is penned.

2. And if so, then, Whether it were the Meaning of the House it should be so: If not, then, Whether it be not fit to provide for the Quiet of the Commissioners, and the Security of Persons placed by them, by another Bill for that purpose.

3. Whether it be not fit to prevent the Inconveniences arising to Corporations, by the better sort of the Members and Inhabitants evading the Offices and Services incident to their Places, by refusing, or not taking the Oaths, and subscribing the Declaration, and taking the Sacrament, according to the Act; and so leaving the Burden and Charge of the Government upon mean Men, not able to bear it.

Touching Dawson's Case, he opened the Writ, directed to the Commissioners, and also to the Aldermen and Chief Burgesses of the Borough of Richmond; which was delivered to the Alderman: Who thereupon delivered up the Mace and Staff to Dawson; and so put him in Possession of the Place of Alderman, from which the Commissioners had removed him, for just Cause, arising from before, and in the Time of War: And so this Writ is obeyed and executed by the Alderman, without the Commissioners Notice; and will have no Return.

Whether the Commissioners, having executed the Commission, and left their Act, under their Hands and Seals with the Alderman and Burgesses, may again put out Dawson; and put in the Man they had formerly placed in his Room.

That they think it fit, that a Bill be prepared, to continue the Commissioners Power, for one Year more, to end 25 March 1664.

Which Particulars were, after, delivered in at the Clerk's Table.

And the same being read, and debated;

Resolved, &c. That the Matter upon the Report, and present Debate, be re-committed to the former Committee: And all the Gentlemen of this House that are of the Long Robe, are added to the Committee: And they are also to take into Consideration the Charge occasioned by issuing Writs of Mandamus out of the King's Bench, on the Behalf of Persons displaced; and report their Opinion therein also to the House: And they are to meet this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber, at Two of the Clock.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning next, at Eight of the Clock.