House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 25 March 1679

Martis, 25 die Martii, 1679.

Prayers.

Wilts Election.

A PETITION of Henry Cocker Knight, John Bennet Esquire, and others, Freeholders of the County of Wilts, on the Behalf of themselves, and the major Part of the Freeholders of the same County; complaining of undue and illegal Practices in the Sheriff of the said County, in electing and returning Sir Richard Grubham How, to serve in this present Parliament as Knight of the Shire for the said County, in Injury of the Petitioners; was read.

Resolved, &c. That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Haverford West Election.

A Petition of John Bowen Esquire, Sheriff of the Town and County of Haverford West, on the Behalf of himself and others; complaining of undue and illegal Practices in one Edward Hughs, pretended Sheriff of the said Town and County, in electing and returning William Wogan Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the said Town and County, in Injury of the Petitioner, and others the Inhabitants, who did duly elect Thomas Owen Esquire, to serve in Parliament as Burgess for the said Town, and returned him by Indenture under the Hands and Seals of the major Part of the Inhabitants; was read.

Resolved, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Privileges and Elections: And they are to examine the Merits of the Return before the Matter of the Election; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Lords Answer to Message.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Timothy Baldwyn and Sir John Hoskins;

Mr. Speaker, We are commanded by the Lords to acquaint this House, That, as soon as they received the last Message, they did immediately and unanimously concur thereunto.

Message that Earl Danby had withdrawn.

A Message from the Lords, by Baron Littleton and Baron Thurland;

Mr. Speaker, We are commanded by the Lords to acquaint the House, That they sent to apprehend Thomas Earl of Danby, both to his House here in Town, and to his House at Wimbleton; and that the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod had returned their Lordships Answer, That he could not be found.

Resolutions against a Member for discrediting the Plot.

The House taking into Consideration the Matter of the Information given by Mr. Oates against Mr. Edward Sackvile, a Member of this House;

And the Witnesses being called in, and examined at the Bar of the House;

Resolved, &c. That it does appear to this House, by Evidence this Day given at the Bar, That Mr. Edward Sackvile, a Member of this House, has in several publick Discourses dishonoured and aspersed the King; and that he has gone about to make it be believed, that there is no Popish Plot, by vilifying and disparaging the Evidence given for the Discovery thereof, and contemning the Proceedings of Parliament thereupon; and endeavouring to stifle the Belief of the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey by the Papists.

Ordered, That Mr. Edward Sackvile, a Member of this House, be committed to the Tower.

Ordered, That Mr. Edward Sackvile be expelled this House.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, by such Members as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, for removing Mr. Edward Sackvile from all publick Employments and Trusts.

Attainder of Earl Danby.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in to summon Thomas Earl of Danby to render himself to Justice, by a Day to be therein limited; or, in Default thereof, to attaint him.

And it is referred to Mr. Powle, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Thomas Stringer, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir Francis Winnington, Mr. Sachaverell, Serjeant Ellis, Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir Thomas Clerges, Sir William Poultney, or any Three of them, to prepare and draw up the same.

Information against a Member,

Ordered, That the Matter of the Information against Sir John Robinson, a Member of this House, be adjourned till To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock: And that Mr. Oates and his Witnesses do then attend.

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