House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 30 October 1673

Jovis, 30 die Octobris, 1673.

Prayers.

Thirsk Election.

A MOTION being made, on the Behalf of Sir William Wentworth, who was returned a Burgess for the Borough of Thirsk in the County of Yorke; informing the House, That, by reason of a Contest between him and Mr. Wharton, touching the Election, he had hitherto forborn to sit, without the Leave of the House, though he were returned by the proper Officer.

And the Clerk of the Crown attending at the Door with the Returns: And being called in; and withdrawing;

Both Returns being read; and the Matter debated;

Resolved, &c. That Sir William Wentworth is duly returned by the Proper Officer, to serve for the Borough of Thirsk; and ought to sit.

Exception to a Member's Right to a Seat.

Sir Paul Neale sitting in the House as a Member of the House; an Exception being taken against him, that he had no Right to sit there as a Member;

Thereupon he withdrew:

Answer to Address against the Duke's Marriage.

Mr. Secretary Coventry, having delivered in a Message in Writing, from his Majesty, in Answer to the Address of this House to his Majesty, concerning the intended Marriage of his Royal Highness, with the Princess of Modena: Which being read, is as followeth; viz.

Charles R

HIS Majesty having received an Address from the House of Commons, presenting their humble Desire, That the intended Marriage between his Royal Highness and the Duchess of Modena be not consummated; commandeth this Answer to be returned;

That He perceiveth the House of Commons have wanted a full Information of this Matter; the Marriage not being barely intended, but completed according to the Forms used amongst Princes, and by His Royal Consent and Authority: Nor could He in the least suppose it disagreeable to His House of Commons, His Highness having been, in the View of the World, for several Months, engaged in a Treaty of Marriage with another Catholic Princess; and yet a Parliament held during that Time, and not the least Exception taken at it.

Another Address against the Marriage.

The House taking the said Message into Consideration, and Debate;

The Question being put, That this House will prepare an Address to be presented to his Majesty, concerning the Match between his Royal Highness and the Princess of Modena;

The House was divided.

The Yeas went forth.

Tellers,

And so it passed in the Affirmative.

Resolved, &c. That this House will prepare an Address to be presented to his Majesty, concerning the Match between his Royal Highness and the Princess of Modena.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed to prepare and draw the Address; viz. Mr. Powle, Col. Birch, Sir Thomas Clergis, Lord St. John, Sir Robert Howard, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir William Coventry, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir Charles Wheeler, Sir Nicholas Carew, Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Sacheverell, Mr. Garraway, Mr. Attorney General, Colonel Strangwaies, Sir John Hotham, Sir Thom. Meeres, Sir Charles Herbert, Sir Wm. Herbert, Mr. Whorwood, or any Five of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Test against Papists.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee be appointed, for the preparing a Bill for a General Test, to distinguish between Protestants and Papists: And those that shall refuse to take it, be uncapable to enjoy any Office, Military or Civil; or to sit in either House of Parliament; or to come within Five Miles of the Court; viz. Mr. Powle, Colonel Birch, Sir Thomas Clergis, Sir Robert Howard, Sir William Coventry, Sir Charles Wheeler, Mr. Stockdale, Mr. Garaway, Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir John Hotham, Mr. Whorwood, Lord St. John, Sir Thomas Lee, Sir Eliab Harvey, Sir Nich. Carew, Mr. Sacheverell, Mr. Attorney General, Colonel Strangwayes, Sir Char. Harbord; or any Five of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Exceptions to a Member's Right to a Seat.

Resolved, &c. That the Debate, touching Sir Paul Neale his coming into the House, be adjourned till Tuesday Morning, Ten of the Clock.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That a Committee of Elections and Privileges be appointed of these Members following; viz. Sir Thomas Meeres, Sir John Lowther, Sir John Coriton, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Milward, Sir John Worden, Mr. Powle, Sir John Birkenhead, Mr. George Mountague, Lord Fitz Williams, Mr. Garraway, Mr. Cheney, Sir Allen Apsely, Sir Ralph Bankes, Mr. Rigby, Sir Charles Harbord, Mr. Hide, Sir Charles Wheeler, Mr. Morgan, Sir John Trevor, Sir Francis Leeke, Sir Thom. Dolman, Col. Strode, Mr. Churchill, Mr. Strangwaies, Colonel Philipps, Serjeant Maynard, Mr. Wm. Harbert, Sir Will. Hickman, Sir Robert Carr, Mr. Newport, Mr. Sacheverelt, Sir Thomas Clergis, Lord Cornbury, Lord St. Johns, Sir Allen Brodericke, Sir James Smith, Sir Anth. Irby, Sir Geo. Reeves, Sir Robert Howard, Sir John Barnaby, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Crooke, Sir Rich. Powle, Colonel Progers, Mr. Chetwyn, Mr. Russell, Sir Thom. Lee, Mr. Pleydall, Lord Castleton, Sir John Holland, Mr. Secretary Coventry, Sir John Duncomb, Sir Thom. Littleton, Sir Richard Ford, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Attorney General, Col. Gray; Mr. Grenvile, Sir Edw. Windham, Sir John Moreton, Sir Philip Warwick, Sir Robert Dillington, Sir John Pelham, Sir Philip Musgrave, Sir Thom. Chichley, Mr. Trelawney, Lord Fitzharding, Sir John Talbott, Mr. Buller, Mr. Harris, Sir John Hanmer, Sir Coppleston Bamfeild, Mr. Roberts, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Fran Lawley, Sir John Hotham, Sir Gilbert Gerrard, Sir Wm. Portman, Sir Will. Killigrew, Mr. Cornwallis, Sir John Robinson, Mr. Phillipps, Sir Jonath. Trelawny, Sir Edm. Hungerford, Sir John Pettus, Sir John Heath, Sir Fran. Clarke, Sir Geo. Courthope, Sir Edm. Bowyer, Lord Fanshaw, Dr. Arris, Sir Gilbert Talbot, Mr. Neale, Mr. Nich. Morrice, Sir John Mallett, Mr. Winne, Sir Joseph Maynard, Mr. Dunstar, Mr. Attorney Mountague, Mr. Weld, Lord Gorges, Sir Thom. Proby, Sir John Hayward, Sir Robert Worsley, Mr. Lee, Sir Vere Fane, Sir Edward Hales, Serjeant Hardresse, Mr. Tufton, Mr. Geo. Johnson, Mr. Dennis: And that all that come shall have Voices: And that this Committee do meet every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in the Exchequer Chamber, at Two of the Clock; and do take into Consideration all such Matters as shall or may come in Question touching Returns, Elections, and Privileges; and to proceed upon Double Returns in the first place; and report their Proceedings to the House: And all Persons that will question Returns already made, are to do it in Fourteen Days next; and so in Fourteen Days after any new Return shall be brought in: And the Committee is to have Power to receive Petitions; and to send for Witnesses, Papers, and Records, for their Information; and to make Report of any Matter which may concern Breach of Privilege: And all Members that are returned for Two or more Places, are to make their Elections by this Day Three Weeks, for which of the Places they will serve; provided there be no Question upon the Return for that Place: And if any thing shall come in Question, touching the Return or Matter of Privilege of any Member of this Committee; such Member is to withdraw from the Committee, during the Time the Matter which concerns himself is in Debate.

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