House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 23 May 1660

Wednesday, 23d May, 1660.

Prayers.

Proceedings against Regicides.

RESOLVED, &c. That the Members of this House, who are of the Council of State, do take care that all such Goods, belonging to any Persons, who sat in Judgment upon his late Majesty, when the Sentence was pronounced, as are or shall be seized, be duly inventoried and secured; and in order thereunto, so dispose of them, that they may be forth-coming, and a good Account given of them upon all Occasions, for his Majesty's Service.

Tavestocke Election.

Mr. Turner reports from the Committee for Elections and Privileges, in the Case of the double Return for the Borough of Tavestocke in the County of Devon; that, upon Examination of the Fact, the Question appeared to be, whether the Freeholders alone, or the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Borough, had Right to elect Members to serve in Parliament; and that the Committee were of Opinion, that the Freeholders and Inhabitants at large have Right to elect; and that George Howard, Esquire, who is returned by one Indenture, having a greater Number of Voices than Elize Crymes, who is returned by another Indenture, is duly elected, and ought to sit.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the said Mr. Howard is duly elected, and do sit in this House.

Ludgersall Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, upon the double Return for the Borough of Ludgersall in the County of Wills; that, upon Examination of the Fact, the Question appeared to be, whether the Freeholders alone, or the Freeholders and Inhabitants, have Right to elect Members to serve in Parliament for that Borough; and that the Committee were of Opinion, the Freeholders and Inhabitants have Right to elect; and that William Thomas Esquire, returned by one of the Indentures, having a greater Number of Votes than Sir John Evelyn Knight, who is returned by the other Indenture, is duly elected, and ought to sit.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the Freeholders and Inhabitants have Right to elect; and that the said Mr. Thomas is duly elected, and do sit in this House.

Abington Election.

He also reports from the Committee, the Case upon the double Return for the Borough of Abington in the County of Berks; that, upon Examination of the Fact, the Question appeared to be, whether the Word "Burgenses," mentioned in the Charter, extends to the Inhabitants within the Borough; and that the Committee were of Opinion, they do extend to the said Inhabitants; and that, substracting Two of the Electors, who were Aliens, and Four-and-fifty who received Relief in the Town, and are standing Almsmen there, Sir John Stonehouse, Baronet, who is returned by one Indenture, had a greater number of Voices than John Lenthall, Esquire, who is returned by another Indenture; and that therefore the said Sir John Stonehouse is duly elected, and ought to sit.

Resolved, That this House do agree with the Committee, that the said Sir John Stonehouse is duly elected, and do sit in this House.

The Clerk of the Crown in Chancery came up to the Clerk's Table, and amended the Return for Abingdon in the County of Berks; inserting the Name of Sir John Stonehouse instead of the Name of John Lenthall; and the other Indenture was withdrawn.

Ludgersall Return.

The Clerk of the Crown in Chancery did also, at the Clerk's Table, withdraw the Indenture, whereby Sir John Evelyn was returned with Mr. Pryn for Ludgersall in the County of Wilts.

Tavistocke Return.

He also withdrew the Indenture, whereby Mr. Crymes is returned with William Russell, Esquire, for Tavistocke in the County of Devon.

A Person committed.

Ordered, That the Mayor of Abingdon in the County of Berks do forthwith stand committed to the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, till further Order, in respect of his neglecting to give his Attendance for amending the Return for the said Borough, according to the Direction given him by the Committee for Privileges.

St. Edmond's Bury Return:

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee for Privileges and Elections, to examine whether there be any Mistake upon the late Amendment of the Return for the Borough of St. Edmond's Bury in the County of Suffolke; and, if they find any, to see the same rectified.

Rights of Parliament.

A Bill for maintaining the just Rights and Privileges of Parliament, and confirming the fundamental Laws, was this Day read the First time.

The Question being propounded, that this Bill be read the Second time To-morrow Morning;

And the Question being put, That this Question be now put;

It passed in the Affirmative:

And, the main Question being put; it was

Resolved, That this Bill be read the Second time Tomorrow Morning.

Votes inconsistent with the Constitution.

Ordered, That Mr. Pryn do, on Saturday next, bring in the Report from the Committee, to whom it is referred to peruse the Journals, and to examine what Votes have passed, that are inconsistent with the fundamental Government, by King, Lords, and Commons.

The King's Accommodation.

Mr. Annesly, Lord President, reports from the Council of State, an Estimate of the Charge of several Particulars, necessary to be provided for the Accommodating of his Majesty, and the Dukes of Yorke and Gloucester; viz.

An ESTIMATE of the Charge of making up of a rich Cloth of State, with a Chair, Three Stools, and Two Cushions, out of an old Canopy of State, and some imperfect Furniture of a Crimson Velvet Bed suitable,

Which was read and approved of.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Council of State, to take care, that the same be provided accordingly.

Alienation-Office.

Mr. Annesley, Lord President, reports from the Council of State, an Order of the said Council, dated the 3d of May, 1660, that the Officers in the AlienationOffice be paid their respective Salaries, and usual Allowance due unto them, since they received their last Salary out of the Profits, which arise out of that Office; and that the Receiver of the said Profits do pay the same accordingly.

Resolved, That this House doth approve of the said Order; and that the Receiver therein mentioned do pay the Salaries and Allowances to the said Officers of the Alienation-Office, according to the Tenor of the said Order.

Excise.

He also reports, from the Council of State, a Complaint from the Commissioners of the Excise, with the Draught of an Order for Redress of the Inconveniences complained of; which were read.

Ditto.

The humble Petition of Thomas Harris and William Dodson, Farmers of the Customs and Excise in Ireland, was read.

Ordered, That a Committee do withdraw, and pen a Declaration about bringing in the Excise, according to the Debate of the House; viz.

Mr. Shapcott, Mr. Pryn, Mr. Finch, Mr. Turner, Col. Birch, Serjeant Maynard, Lord President Annesley, Col. White, Mr. Bampfeild, Lord Aungier.

Letter read.

A Letter from the Members of Parliament, sent to attend the King's Majesty, with an Answer to his Majesty's Letter from the Parliament, dated at the Hague, 27/17 May, 1660, was read.

Pardon and Oblivion.

Ordered, That the Act for general Pardon and Oblivion be reported, on Saturday Morning next, from the Committee, to whom it is referred.

Ordered, That the said Committee do forbear to sit thereupon after this Day.

Ordered, That a Proviso, concerning the Lady Powell, be sent to the said Committee for their Consideration.

Public Records.

A Message from the Lords, by Mr. Rich and Mr. Eden, two Masters of the Chancery;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to wait upon you with an Order, which concerns Writings, Orders, and Evidences, in the Hands of Mr. Phelps: They desire, that the Clerks of both Houses do take an Inventory of them; and that Edward Rich, Esquire, may have the Inspection of them, and continue of Counsel in that Business; to which Order your Concurrence is desired by the Lords:

Which Order was read, being as followeth;

Ordered, By the Lords and Commons, in Parliament assembled, that the Clerks of both Houses of Parliament do take an Inventory of all the Records, Books, Papers, Indentures, and Writings, in the keeping of Mr. John Phelpes, belonging to the Publick, and remaining in the House of the said John Phelpes; and that Edward Rich, of Lincolns-Inn, Esquire, shall have the Inspection of them, and continue of Counsel therein as formerly; and that the late Commissioners shall give a speedy and perfect Account to the said Edward Rich, Esquire, to present to both Houses of Parliament, of all Monies, Profits, Rents, Fines, Disbursements, and Salaries, to themselves, or any other touching the same.

Resolved, That this House doth concur with the Lords in this Order.

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

Gentlemen, the House hath considered of all that you brought from the Lords; and they do concur.

Ordered, That after the Inventory of Mr. Phelpes' Books is taken, the Keys of Mr. Phelpes' Rooms, where some of the Books are secured, which were now delivered by Mr. Pryn to the Clerk of this House, be by him brought back to this House, for their further Direction therein; and that the Nine-and-twenty Books, which were removed out of that House, and are since recovered, be also inventoried.

Reception of the King.

Another Message from the Lords, by Dr. Child and Mr. *, Masters of Chancery;

The Lords have appointed the Committee of the Members of their House, for the Reception of the King's Majesty, to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Prince's Lodgings; and desire, that the Members of this House, of that Committee, will give them a Meeting then and there.

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

The House hath considered of your Message, and they concur with the Lords therein.

Excise.

Ordered, That the Petition of Mr. Morris, and Mr. Dodson, be referred to the Committee appointed to bring in the Bill for Excise, where Colonel Birch is in the Chair, to examine the Matter of Fact, and state the same, and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to this House; and that Mr. Skipwith, and Mr. Turner, be added to that Committee.

Gray's Petition.

The humble Petition of Angell Gray was read.

Ordered, That this Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Bill for general Pardon is referred, to examine the Business, and to do therein as they shall think fit.

Excise.

Mr. Turner reports from the Committee appointed to withdraw, a Declaration requiring all Persons to make Payment of the Duties of Excise, and Customs, and the Arrears thereof; which was read, and, upon the Question, agreed unto.

Ordered, That the Lords Concurrence be desired to this Declaration: And Mr. Turner is desired to carry it to the Lords.

Ditto.

Ordered, That the Grand Committee for the raising of Money for the Army, and Navy, do consider what is fit to be done about the Excise, and Customs; whether as to the Continuance or Regulation of the Excise and Customs, or any Part of them.

Irish Rebels, &c.

Mr. Annesley reports a Declaration for apprehending all Irish Rebels; and for all Papists to depart out of the Cities of London and Westminster, and not to come within Ten Miles of the Verge of the Court; which was read.

Resolved, That the Debate upon this Declaration be taken up To-morrow Morning the first Business.