House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 31 July 1660

Tuesday, 31th July, 1660.

Prayers.

SIMON Clarke did this Day take the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, at the Clerk's Table, in order to his Naturalization.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Thompson, a Member of this House, have the Leave of this House to go into the Country.

Wraye's Estate.

Ordered, That Sir * Hickman, Mr. Goodrick, and all the Knights and Burgesses who serve for the Counties and Boroughs of Suffolk, and Lincolneshire, be added to the Committee to whom Sir Wm. Wraye's Bill is committed.

Howard's Estate.

A Bill for confirming of Sales made of divers Lands in the County of Salop, by colour of a pretended Act of Parliament, by Sir Robert Howard Knight of the Bath, was this Day read the First time; and, upon the Question ordered to be read the Second time on Thursday next.

Durham Franchise.

Ordered, That the Bill for the County of Durham, to send Burgesses to serve in Parliament, be read the Second time To-morrow Morning.

Wigan Election.

Sir Edward Turner reports from the Committee for Privileges and Elections, the Case upon the Election of Burgesses to serve for the Borough of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster; that, upon Examination of the Fact, the Committee were of Opinion, that, in regard of the Surprizal of the Freemen by the Mayor's signing of his Return before the Day to which the Court was adjourned, (on which Day of Adjournment many attended, in order to the perfecting of the Election) the former Election is void.

Wigan Writ.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the former Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Wigan, in the County of Lancaster, is void: And that a new Writ be issued for the new Election of Members to serve for the said Borough: And that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, for preparing a new Writ for the Purpose aforesaid: Which the Lord Chancellor is to issue and pass under the Great Seal of England accordingly.

Wallingford Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, the Case upon the Return for the Borough of Wallingford, in the County of Berks; that, upon Examination of the Fact, it appeared to the Committee, that Thomas Saunders Esquire, who is returned to serve for the said Borough together with * *, (concerning the Validity of whose Election there's no Dispute) had a greater Number of Voices than Sir Humphrey Bennett the Petitioner; and that therefore the Committee are of Opinion, the said Mr. Saunders is duly elected, and ought to sit in this House.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Mr. Saunders is duly elected to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough of Wallingford; and that he do sit in this House.

Coventrey Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, the Case upon the Return of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Coventrey; that upon Examination of the Fact, it appeared to the Committee, that the Persons concerned in the said Election were very numerous; and that divers Names were doubly polled; and some Names entered of Strangers and Persons unknown, as also of Almsmen, and others that paid not Scot and Lot; and the Cases were found so various and perplext, that, after several Sittings, the Committee could make no considerable Progress therein; and that, in regard of the great Uncertainties that fell out in the several Cases, as well the Persons returned, as the Petitioners, declared themselves content, that the former Election be set aside; and that the Committee were thereupon of Opinion, that the former Election be declared void.

Coventree Writ.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the former Election of Members to serve in this present Parliament for the City of Coventree be, and hereby is declared to be void: And that a new Writ be issued for a new Election: And that Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to prepare a Writ for the Purpose aforesaid: Which the Lord Chancellor is to issue and pass under the Great Seal of England accordingly.

Devizes Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, the Case upon the Election for the Borough of Devizes, in the County of Wilts; that upon Examination of the Fact, it appeared, that no Poll was demanded at the Election; and that the Mayor declared, upon the View, for Robert Aldworth Esquire, who is also returned: And that, altho' some Testimony was offered, that Mr. Norden the Petitioner had Ten more Voices, yet it appeared not whether they were Persons qualified to elect; and that upon the whole Matter the Committee were of Opinion Mr. Aldworth, is duly elected, and ought to sit in this House.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Mr. Aldworth, who is returned to serve for the Borough of the Devizes, in the County of Wilts, is duly elected, and do sit in this House.

Lords concur in Votes.

A Message from the Lords, by * * * *, Masters of Chancery;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to let you know, that they do concur with this House in those Votes sent up Yesterday, concerning the Twenty thousand Pounds for the Charge of his Majesty's Reception.

Lords desire a Conference.

Another Message from the Lords, by Mr. Justice Tyrrell and Mr. Baron Johnson;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords desire a present Conference with this House in the Painted Chamber, occasioned by a Message which they received this Morning from his Majesty.

Ordered, That this House do grant a present Conference with the Lords, as is desired.

The Messengers being again called in, Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer;

The House have considered of your Message; and they will presently meet with the Lords in a Conference, as is desired.

Ordered, That Mr. Holles, Mr. Pierrepont, Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, and Sir Edward Turner, are appointed to manage this Conference with the Lords.

Mr. Holles reports, "that, at the Conference this Day had with the Lords, the Lord Chancellor told us, that the Conference was desired by the Lords, to the Intent they might manifest their Desires to keep a good Correspondence with this House; and that therefore they thought fit to communicate any thing to this House that is Matter of Comfort and Contentment to them: That the Lords are far from using Delays in the Act of Indemnity now before them; but, in the Disquisition of it, they found some Clauses in it, which they supposed foreign to it, as relating to the King's Profit; the King being thereby desired to pass away Things of great Value: That therefore they thought fit to acquaint his Majesty therewith, that they might know his Pleasure; and accordingly had sent a Lord to his Majesty, to represent it to him; and that his Majesty had sent an Answer thereunto in Writing; which was read to us;" (and therewith the Reporter read it to the House, adding) "after this the Lords said, this filled them with so much Comfort, that they desired this House might have Part in it; and that, when it was read here, it might be returned to them again."

Message from the King-Act of Grace.

Ordered, That this his Majesty's gracious Message, communicated to this House by the House of Peers, be entered in the Journal of this Book, as a Memorial of his Majesty's Grace and Goodness; and then returned back to the Lords:

Which is as followeth; viz.

CHARLES Rex.

HIS Majesty is very well informed of the Value of those Concessions which are to pass in the Act of Indemnity, which relate entirely to his Majesty's Profit, and which have little or no Relation to the War. He knows well, that the Arrears of the Wards, the Licences of Alienation, and Alienations without Licence, Purveyance, Respite of Homage, the Arrears of Rent still in the Hands of the Tenants, and the other Particulars, amount to a great and vast Sum; all which are released and discharged by this Act: But his Majesty is so well satisfied of the good Affection of his House of Commons, and of their Intentions and Resolutions to settle such a Revenue upon his Majesty, as may preserve the Crown from Want, and from being undervalued by his Neighbours; that he is resolved not to insist upon any Particulars, which the House of Commons desired his Majesty should release. And therefore, as his Majesty thanks the House of Peers for the Information they have given him, and for the Care they have expressed of his Majesty's Profit; so he is well contented, that That Clause shall pass in such Manner as the House of Commons hath set down; and continues his earnest Desire, that all Expedition be used in passing the said Act, in the Manner he hath formerly expressed.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, this Thirtieth Day of July, in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign.

By his Majesty's Command,

Edw. Nicholas.

Crown Revenue.

Ordered, That it be referred to a Committee, to consider of settling such a Revenue on his Majesty, as may maintain the Splendor and Grandeur of his Kingly Office, and preserve the Crown from Want, and from being undervalued by his Neighbours; and to make a speedy Report to the House; viz. to Mr. Annesley, Sir Henage Finch, Mr. Holles, Sir George Downing, Sir Wm. Lewis, Mr. Pierrepont, Sir Henry North, Sir John Holland, Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir John Lowther, Sir Edward Turner, Sir John Temple, Sir Richard Onslowe, Sir Anthony Irby, Sir John Northcot, Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, Colonel King, Mr. Prynne, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Solomon Swaile, Sir Horatio Townesend, Mr. Secretary Morrice, Colonel Birch, Sir John Marsham, Colonel Jones, Serjeant Glyn, Sir Christopher Clapham, Sir John Poots, Sir Wm. Doyley, Mr. Crewe, Sir Ralph Hare, Sir John Bowyer, Lord Falkland, Mr. Swinfin, Mr. Goodrick, Sir George Savile, Sir Tho. Widdrington, Mr. Hobart, Serjeant Maynard, Mr. Thurland, Sir George Reeve, Colonel Arundell, Lord Ancram, Sir John Carter, Sir Dudley North, Sir Edward Mansell, Sir Edward Deering, Lord Richardson, Colonel Howard, Sir Henry Crofts, Mr. Broadrick, Mr. Yonge, Sir Geo. Booth, Lord Herbert, Mr. Vernon, Colonel Hugh Bethell: And they are to meet in the Queen's Court To-morrow, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon; and have Power to send for Persons, Papers, Records, Surveys, and what else may conduce to this Business.

Thanks for Message.

Ordered, That Mr. Hollis, Mr. Annesley, and the other Members of this House, who are of his Majesty's Privy Council, are desired to wait upon his Majesty, and present to him the humble and hearty Thanks of this House, for his gracious Message sent to the Lords, and by them communicated to this House; and also to represent to his Majesty, into what Way the House hath put the settling of a Revenue for his Majesty.

Woollen Manufacture.

Mr. Shawe reports from the Committee for regulateing the Manufacture of Wool, and Navigation, a Resolution of the said Committee;

That the House be moved, that his Majesty be desired forthwith to issue a Proclamation against Transporting or Conveyance of Wool out of England into any foreign Parts, or out of Ireland into any other Countries, except into England; and to give Order to the Customers, and other Officers of the several Ports in England and Ireland, to take special Care therein; as also for all Fullers Earth, and other scowering Earths whatsoever.

Ordered, That it be re-committed to the same Committee, to draw up an Order upon the present Debate; and to report it to the House To-morrow Morning.

Flynt Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery, to issue out a Writ for Election of a Knight for the County of Flynt, and of a Burgess for the Borough of Flynt, to serve in this present Parliament; and that the Lord Chancellor do pass the said Writs under the Great Seal of England.

Lords desire Leave for a Member to attend them.

A Message from the Lords, by Dr. Child and * *, Two Masters of Chancery;

Mr. Speaker, Their Lordships desire, that Mr. Henry Seymour, a Member of this House, will appear To-morrow Morning at the Bar of the Lords House, to answer to some Questions, that shall be demanded of him, touching Colonel Thomplinson; and they desire, that this House will give Mr. Henry Seymour Leave to appear accordingly.

Resolved, That at the Desire of the Lords, the House do give Leave to Mr. Henry Seymour, a Member of this House, to attend the Lords, if he please, to answer some Questions concerning Colonel Tomplinson.

The Messengers were again called in; and Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer;

The House has considered of your Message; and have given Leave to Mr. Henry Seamour to attend the Lords.

Wards and Liveries.

Ordered, That the Debate upon the Bill for taking away the Court of Wards, be adjourned until To-morrow Morning.

Booth's Estate.

Ordered, That the Quorum of the Committee for Sir George Booth's Bill be Five; and that Colonel Birch be added to that Committee.