House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 20 June 1663

Sabbati, 20 die Junii, 15° Car. IIdi.

Prayers.

Bedford Level.

ORDERED, That all Proceedings at Law, in the Action of Ejectment brought by James Berry, to try the Title of certain Lands lying in Pulver Fen, and all Proceedings at Law, in Cases of like Nature, concerning the Ninety-five thousand Acres Fen Land, in Bedford Level, or any Part thereof, be stayed, until the Matter touching the said Fens, which is now depending in this House, be determined.

House to sit.

Ordered, That the House will sit on Monday next, in the Afternoon, for the reading of such Bills as are now depending.

Offices in London.

Ordered, That the Bill concerning the Grants made before the late Wars, of several Offices in the City of London, be read on Monday next.

Poor Relief.

Sir Thomas Littleton reports from the Committee to which the Bill for explaining and enlarging an Act, made in the 43th of Queen Elizabeth, for Relief of the Poor, was committed, several Amendments to be made to the said Bill: Which he read, with the Coherence, in his Place; and after, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

The said Amendments were severally twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed to.

Resolved, That the said Bill, with the said Amendments agreed to, be ingrossed.

Lands gained from the Sea.

Mr. Mallett reports from the Committee appointed to inquire into the undue Execution of a Commission issued into the County of Sussex, for Discovery of the Lands gained from the Sea; or any other Commissions of the like Nature; and to receive Complaints and Informations touching Commissions, Patents, or Grants; which were Grievances; That the Committee, upon full Examination of the whole Matter, did find, That the Commissioners, which did execute the Commissions issued for Discovery of Lands gained from the Sea, were Persons of mean Quality, and not known to the Country; and that they did execute the Commission without giving Notice to the rest of the Commissioners named in the Commission; and that the said Commissions were returned unduly, the Depositions being not returned with the Commission, as by the Commission is required: And therefore the Committee were of Opinion, That there had been an undue Execution of the Commission issued into Sussex, Kent, Southampton, and Middlesex.

The Question being put, To agree with the Committee, That there had been an undue Execution of the Commissions issued into Sussex, Kent, Southampton, and Middlesex;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That the undue Execution of the Commissions issued for the Discovery of the Lands gained from the Sea, is a Grievance.

Resolved, That his Majesty be humbly desired to forbear to pass any further Grants upon the Commissions so unduly executed: And such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's honourable Privy Council, and Mr. John Ashburnham, are to acquaint his Majesty with the Desires of this House.

Ordered, That the Committee, formerly appointed, be revived: And they are impowered to receive Petitions and Complaints from any other Counties or Places, in Cases of like Nature.

Ordered, That it be referred to the same Committee, to draw up an Impeachment against Mr. John Collins, William Eardley, Richard Powell, Francis Cressett, John Davyes, Anth. Morgan, and William Rawlinson, for their Miscarriage in the undue Execution of the Commission for Discovery of Lands gained from the Sea.

Privilege- Charge against Sir R. Temple.

Sir Charles Hussey reports from the Committee appointed to examine the Matter concerning Sir Richard Temple, That the Committee, upon Examination of the Matter, had passed some Resolves, to be nominated to the House: Which he read in his Place; and after, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

And the Votes being twice read; and debated;

Resolved, That the King's Majesty be humbly desired, that he would be graciously pleased to name the Person that did deliver the Message to his Majesty from Sir Richard Temple: And that his Majesty's Two Principal Secretaries of State, Mr. Treasurer, and Sir William Compton, do attend his Majesty, and acquaint him with the Desires of this House.

Supply.

Resolved, &c. That the Debate of the Matter upon the Report of the Committee of the whole House, concerning his Majesty's present Supply, be adjourned till Monday Morning Nine of the Clock; and then taken into Consideration.

The House adjourned till Monday Morning, Eight of the Clock.