House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 17 December 1661

Martis, 17 die Decembris, 13° Car. Regis.

Prayers.

DANIELL Griell this Day took the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy at the Clerk's Table, in order to his Naturalization.

Privilege of a Member in a Suit.

Ordered, That one * Ferrers of Clifford's Inn, who, as Attorney for one Richard Gifford, hath obtained Judgment, and taken out Execution, against Sir William Fleetwood, one of the Members of this House, be forthwith apprehended, and taken in Custody, by the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, or his Deputy; to answer his Breach of Privilege: And that all Proceedings upon the said Judgment be stayed.

Privilege.

Upon Information given to this House, That John Grove, John Pointz, Francis Poyntz, John Marren, and John Greene, had arrested one James Lyde, menial Servant of Sir Henry Herbert, a Member of this House; and had caused him to be imprisoned, and detained in the Poultry Compter; notwithstanding they were informed, before they carried him to Prison, that he was menial Servant to the said Sir Henry Herbert;

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do send his Order for Discharge of the said James Lyde out of Prison, without any Fees or Charges: And that he do also send for the said Grove, John and Francis Poyntz, John Marren, and John Greene; and examine whether they be guilty of this wilful Breach of Privilege; and make Report of it to this House.

Hackney Coaches.

A Bill for restraining and regulating the Abuses in Hackney Coaches was this Day read the First time.

Ordered, That this Bill be read again To-morrow Morning, the Second time.

Poor Relief.

Ordered, That the Bill for Relief of the Poor in the County of Lancaster, and other Northern Counties, be read To-morrow Morning.

Wiredrawers.

Ordered, That the Bill for confirming the Corporation of Gold Wire Drawers, and for erecting an Office, be read To-morrow Morning.

Tavistock's Election.

Serjeant Charleton reports from the Committee of Privileges, touching the Election for the Borough of Tavestock, wherein Mr. William Russell was Petitioner against Sir John Davy, That the Question was, Whether the Freeholders generally, or the Freeholders of Inheritance only, had Voices: And the Opinion of the Committee, That the Freeholders of Inheritance only had Voices; and that Mr. William Russell had the Majority of Voices of such as were Freeholders of Inheritance; and that he was duly elected, and ought to sit in this House.

And the Question being put, To agree with the Committee, That Mr. William Russell was duly elected, and ought to sit as Burgess for the said Borough of Tavestock;

The House was divided.

And so it was resolved in the Affirmative.

That this House doth agree with the Committee, That Mr. William Russell was duly elected a Burgess for the Borough of Tavestocke; and ought to sit in this House.

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown, or his Deputy, do attend this House with the Returns made for the said Borough of Tavestock: And that the Name of the said Sir John Davy be struck out of the Indenture whereby he is returned: And that the Name of Mr. William Russell be inserted instead thereof: And that the Indenture, whereby Mr. Russell is returned, be taken off and vacated.

Sandys, &c. Nat.

Ordered, That the Name of Thomas Sandys, Son of Mr. Sandys, Dame Mary Slingsby, Charles Slingsby, Peter Slingsby, Children of Sir Arthur Slingsby, being Infants, born at Bruxclls; and the Names of George Roberts and Mary Roberts, Children of Peter Roberts, Servant to the Queen Mother, be inserted into the Bill of Naturalization.

Bills from Lords, &c.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Tho. Bennett and Sir Toby Woolrich, Two of the Masters of Chancery;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to desire, That this House would expedite the Bill for preventing Abuses in Arrests, and Delays in the Law: And have sent these several Bills; one to enable Dr. Peyton to sell Lands; another for dividing Trinity Church in Hull from Hassle, with several Amendments; and have likewise sent the Bill for confirming private Acts, with the additional Amendment ingrossed; In all which the Lords desire the Concurrence of this House: And further desired a present Conference, upon some Amendments to the Bill for Corporations, in the Painted Chamber.

The Messengers were commanded to withdraw.

They were again called in; Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That the House had considered of the Message, and agreed to a present Conference in the Painted Chamber.

And Sir John Duncombe, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Thomas Meres, Mr. Ashburnham, Serjeant Charleton, Sir William Lewis, Sir Robert Atkins, and Mr. Milward, are to manage the Conference.

Great Level of Fens.

The Matter touching the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Level, having been debated in this House the Second of this Month; and the Debate thereof being adjourned to this Day;

And the Counsel for Colonel Samuell Sandys, Sir Wm. Terringham, Sir Wm. Playters, Colonel Robert Phillips, Sir John Huytt, Mr. Hoblyn, and Mr. Anthony St. John, who were old Adventurers, or derived Title under them, as was alledged; as also the Counsel for his Highness the Duke of Yorke; and the Counsel for William now Earl of Bedford; and likewise the Counsel for the new Purchasers; this Day attending; the Title and Claims of the several Parties before mentioned, being opened;

The House did enter upon the Debate of the Matter: But the publick Business not permitting Time to make any further Progress therein;

Resolved, upon the Question, That the Debate of this Matter touching the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Levell; be adjourned, and resumed into Consideration, to be further proceeded in, on the Sixteenth Day of January next.

Corporations.

Serjeant Charleton reports from the Conference with the Lords, upon the Bill for Corporations, That the Lords . . . willing to comply with this House; and had made several Amendments to the Bill; which the Lords had delivered together with the Bill: Which Amendments the Reporter opened in his Place; and delivered in the same, together with the Bill, at the Clerk's Table.

Resolved, That the Debate of the Amendments, sent from the Lords to the Bill of Corporations, be adjourned, and taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock: And that the Amendments be left with the Clerk.

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