House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 26 June 1661

Mercurii, 26 Junii, 13° Car. Regis.

Prayers.

MATTHIAS Pilezer, in order to his Naturalization, this Day took the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, before the Speaker at the Clerk's Table.

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Privilege.

This House being informed, that Sir Thomas Stewkley's menial Servant, having his Protection about him, was arrested at Rochester, for Debt; and kept Prisoner, notwithstanding he shewed his said Protection;

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker be desired to send to the Mayor of Rochester, to release the said Sir Thomas Stewkley's Servant.

Highways.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Bill for the Highways stands committed, be revived; and do sit in the Speaker's Chamber this Afternoon, at Two of the Clock: And that Colonel Fretchvill, and Doctor Rushton, be added to the said Committee.

Repairs of Churches.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Bill enabling Churchwardens to raise Monies for Repair of Churches, stands committed, be adjourned till Friday, at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Stanstid Parish.

A Bill for constituting the Parish of Stanstid a distinct Parish and Rectory from Wrotham, was this Day read the First time.

Plextoll Parish.

A Bill for making the Parish of Plextoll a distinct Parish from Wrotham, was also read the First time.

Resolved, That both the said Bills be read again the Second time, on Friday next.

Southwarke Election.

Mr. Serjeant Charlton made Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the Election for the Borough of Southwarke, That the Sheriff gave Judgment, upon the View, at the First Drawing-out for Sir Thomas Bloodworth and Mr. Moore; and that some Persons did personate Alderman Langham and Mr. Thompson; and, at the Second Drawing-out, divers of the Electors were gone; and Judgment given, upon the View, an Hour and an Half before the Poll was demanded for Alderman Langham and Mr. Thompson; and the Opinion of the Committee, That the Poll was too late demanded; and that Sir Thomas Bloodworth and Mr. Moore were duly elected, and ought to sit.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the said Sir Thomas Bloodworth and Mr. Moor were duly elected Burgesses for the said Borough of Southwarke, and ought to sit in this House.

Westminster Election.

Serjeant Chearleton further made Report from the said Committee, touching the Election for the City of Westminster, That Sir Phillip Warwick and Sir Richard Everard, having much the greater Number, were declared Burgesses, upon the View, by the Bailiff of Westminster: After Demand of the Poll, on the Behalf of Sir Thomas Clarges, Sir Wm. Playters and Sir William Poltney had appointed Five Clerks to take the Poll; and staid above half an Hour to take it; and none came to pursue it: And the Opinion of the Committee, That Sir Phillip . . . and Sir. . . . Everard, were duly elected Burgesses for the said City of Westminster, and ought to sit in this House.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, That the said Sir Phillip Warwick and Sir Rich. Everard, are duly elected Burgesses for the said City of Westminster, and ought to sit in this House.

Pains and Penalties against Regicides.

Ordered, That the Business touching those Persons that are reserved to Pains and Penalties by the Act of Indemnity, and those that are excepted out of the said Act, and those that are convicted, and condemned, in the Tower, for the horrid Murder of his late Majesty, be taken into Consideration on Friday Morning: And that a Bill be then brought in; and the Evidence heard against them: And all such of the King's Council as are not Members of this House, are to have Notice, that they may attend this Service.

Grievances.

Mr. Vaughan made Report from the Committee of Grievances, upon the Complaint made from several Ports of this Kingdom, concerning certain Rates and Fees exacted by John Walter, Mr. James Halsall, and Mr. Edward Halsall, for Ballast, That the said Walter appearing before the said Committee, and being required to produce the Patent whereby they made Claim to the Matters in Question, did not produce the same; alledging the same was in Mr. Halsall's Study; who was now at Dunkyrke: But that the said Mr. Walter had a Book, wherein there was a Copy entered of the Patent, and of all the Proceedings thereupon; and that he had examined That Copy in his Book with the Original: Whereupon he did bring in his Book: And that, upon View of the Copy of the Patent therein, it appears to the Committee, that there were two special Provisions made, the better to prevent any evil Use thereof: Which manifested the special Care of the King's Council: And that it appeared to the Committee * * * * *

And the Opinion of the Committee, That the Thanks of this House be given to his Highness the Duke of Yorke, for his great Care in calling in the Lease of the Ballast, so soon as he had Knowledge it was made use of to oppress the People:

That the Halsalls were not the Actors or Contrivers; but that Walter was the Projector and prime Agent therein.

That it appeared by his Confession, that some Monies were received: And that therefore the Committee desired the House would take Order, that Restitution might be made thereof; and that this was so great a Grievance, that the Committee thought it worthy of this House to put a Mark of their Displeasure upon it.

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Thanks of this House be given to his Highness the Duke of Yorke, for his great Care in calling in the Lease of the Ballast, so soon as he had Knowledge it was made use of to oppress the People:

That Mr. John Walter, being the Person that principally acted therein, and the Deputies, Agents, and Officers, employed to receive the said Rates and Fees, do restore the same to the several Persons of whom they did receive them:

That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do apprehend the said Walter, and bring him before Mr. Speaker, to give such Security as Mr. Speaker shall think fit, for his Appearance when it shall be required by this House; or, in Default thereof, to remain in the Serjeant's Custody:

That an Impeachment be drawn up against him, for his said Exactions and Offences: And Sir Robert Atkins, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Pryn, and Mr. Yorke, are desired to draw up, and prepare the same.

Carriages for the King.

The Bill for providing necessary Carriage for his Majesty, in his Royal Progress, was this Day read the Second time.

Resolved, That the same be committed to Mr. Comptroller, Sir John Strangwayes, Mr. Wm. Mountague, Sir Tho. Fanshaw, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Hen. Coventry, Mr. Waldron, Sir Rich. Onslow, Mr. Edm. Windham, Mr. Churchill, Mr. Tent, Mr. Jo. Ashburnham, Mr. Lewis Palmer, Mr. Clifford, Sir Allen Apsley, Mr. Strickland, Mr. Coriton, Mr. Pepis, Mr. Swinfen, Mr. Wm. Sandis, Mr. Steward, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Phill. Warwick, Mr. Vice Chamberlain, Mr. Knight, Mr. Geo. Mountague, Mr. Pryn, Sir Solo. Swale, Sir Jo. Talbot, Sir Robert Brooke, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Crouch, Sir Wm. Compton, Sir Tho. Allen, Mr. Denny Ashburnham, Sir Jo. Duncombe, Sir Robert Howard, Mr. Jeffery Palmer, Sir Jo. Hotham, Sir Tho. Ingram, Sir Edm. Peirse, Mr. Hender Roberts, Sir Jo. Barrington, Lord Buckhurst, Sir Tho. Fanshaw jun. Serj. Charlton, Sir Charles Harbord, Sir Edw. Walpoole, Mr. Secretary Morice, Mr. Tho. Coventry, Mr. Fane, Sir Robert Atkins, Serjeant Keeling, Sir Allen Brodricke, Mr. Swanton, Mr. Hyde, Mr. Seymore, Sir Rowland Berkley, Mr. Stafford, Mr. Bennet, Sir Robert Thorold, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Goodrick, Lord Cornebury, Lord Bruce, Colonel Legg; Mr. Waller, Sir Lanc. Lake, Sir Wm. Lewes, Mr. Wren, Mr. Stanley, Sir Jo. Goodrick, Sir Ralph Banks, Sir Edmond Pooley, Sir Buynham Throgmorton: And they are to meet this Afternoon in the Speaker's Chamber, at Two of the Clock: And it is recommended to the Committee, to take care, that his Majesty's Retinue, and Servants, that they be not exacted upon, for Provisions, Lodgings, and other Accommodations. And the Officers of the Green Cloth are to be heard before the said Committee.

Corporations.

And then this House resumed the Debate upon the Bill for well governing of Corporations; and, having made a good Progress therein, adjourned the Debate thereof, until To-morrow Morning at Nine of the Clock.

Privilege.

This House being informed, that one Jacob Bonnell had made a Lease of several Lands belonging to Sir Courtney Poole, one of the Members of this House, to one John Garret; who thereupon entered upon the Land, and brought several Actions of Ejectment against the Tenants of the said Sir Courtney Poole, whereby to eject from him the Possession of the Premisses; in Breach of Privilege of this House; while he was attending the Service thereof;

Ordered, That the said Jacob Bonnell, for such his Breach of Privilege, be taken into Custody: And that the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, or his Deputy, do apprehend and bring him up in Custody, to answer the same.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Morgan, one of the Members of this House, have Leave to go into the Country.

And then the House adjourned till Seven a Clock To-morrow Morning.