House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 20 March 1679

Jovis, 20 die Martii, 1678-9.

Prayers.

Tregony Writ.

ORDERED, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ, for the electing of a Member to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Tregony in the County of Cornwall, in the room of Robert Boscawen Esquire, deceased.

Address for a Fast.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be made to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty to appoint a Day for a solemn Fast and Humiliation.

And it is referred to Sir Thomas Player, Sir John Knight, Mr. Dubois, Sir Wm. Poultney, Colonel Birck, Sir Tho. Clerges, Colonel Mildmay, Sir Robert Atkins, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Onslow, or any Three of them, to draw up and prepare the said Address.

Westminster Election.

A Petition of Sir Philip Matthews, Baronet, and Sir William Waller Knight, complaining of undue Practices used by the Bailiff of the City and Liberty of Westminster, in the Electing and Returning of Sir Stephen Fox and Sir William Poultney, to serve in this present Parliament as Citizens for the City of Westminster, in Injury of the Petitioners, who were duly elected, and ought to have been returned, 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.

Newport Election.

A Petition of John Maurice Merchant, complaining of an undue Return of John Coryton, Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as One of the Burgesses for the Borough of Newport in the County of Carnwall, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and ought to have been returned, 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.

Bridgewater Election.

A Petition of Ralph Staywell Esquire, complaining of an undue Return of Sir Francis Rolle, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the Borough of Bridgewater in the County of Somerset, in Injury of the Petitioner, who was duly elected, and also returned, to serve for the said Borough, 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.

Coventry Election.

A Petition of Robert Feilding Esquire, complaining of unjust and partial Proceedings, and unwarrantable Practices, used by the Sheriffs of the County and City of Coventry, in Electing and Returning of Major Beake, and Richard Hopkins Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Citizens for the said City, in Injury of the Petitioner; who had been chosen by the Majority of Votes; had it not been for such Proceedings; was read.

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

New Radnor Election.

A Petition of Robert Deering Esquire, complaining, that although he was duly elected to serve for the Town of New Radnor; yet the Bailiff of the Town, combining with Sir Edward Harley, had by an Indenture returned the said Sir Edward Harley; but that the same was not returned by the Sheriff; and praying the Justice of the House therein; was read.

Resolved, &c. That the Clerk of the Crown do attend To-morrow Morning, to give an Account of the Writ for Radnorshire.

Montgomery Election.

A Petition of the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Burgesses of Llanidloes, Poole, and Llanvilling, in the County of Montgomery, complaining of an undue Practice used by the Bailiff of the Town of Montgomery, in not giving timely Notice to the Inhabitants of the said Boroughs, of the Election; and, upon the Day of Election, excluding the Petitioners from being polled, who had agreed to give their Votes for Edw. Lloyd Esquire, but the said Bailiff, being influenced by some great Persons of the Neighbourhood, returned Matthew Price Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the said Town, notwithstanding the Petitioners, who were the far greater Number, unanimously made Choice of the said Edw. Lloyd, to the great Injury of the Petitioners; and praying, that the said Edw. Lloyd may either have the Benefit of their Voices, or that the Election may be made void; 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.

Motions depending last Session.

Sir Francis Winnington reports from the Committee appointed to inspect the Journal of the last Session of the last Parliament, and to prepare and draw up a State of the Matters then depending and undetermined; and the Progress that was made therein: That the Committee had agreed upon a Report: Which he made in his Place: But that the same, by reason of the Shortness of Time, was not reduced into Writing.

And a Debate being in the House thereupon;

Resolved, &c. That the said Report be re-committed, upon the Debate of the House; and to be brought in, in Writing, to the end the same may be entered in the Journal.

Committee on Impeachments and Plot, &c.

Resolved, &c. That a Committee of Secrecy be appointed to take Informations, and prepare Evidences, and draw up Articles against the Lords that are impeached, and are now in the Tower; and to take such further Informations as shall be given, relating to the Plot and Conspiracy against his Majesty and the Government, and the Murder of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey.

And it is referred to Mr. Trenchard, Sir Franc. Winington, Sir Thomas Meeres, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Sachaverell, Colonel Titus, Sir Henry Capell, Sir Tho. Stringer, Serjeant Ellis, Sir Thomas Lee, Serjeant Maynard, Mr. Powle, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Treby, Sir Tho. Player, or any Three of them: And they are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records; and to sit de die in diem.

Members of the Long Robe summoned.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do send a Letter to Mr. Williams, and the rest of the Members of the Long Robe that are now gone the Circuit, to summon them to attend the Service of the House.

Popish Plot.

Ordered, That Doctor Tongue, Mr. Oates, and Mr. Bedlow, be summoned to attend at the Bar of this House To-morrow Morning, to give such Informations as they can concerning the Plot.

Proceedings of Lords on Impeachments.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Journals of the House of Lords, and see what Resolutions have been there taken in Matters of Impeachment.

And it is referred to Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Fra. Winington, Colonel Birch, Sir Henry Capell, Sir Tho. Clerges, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Powle, Sir Tho. Meers, Sir John Mallet, Sir John Knight, Colonel Titus, or any Three of them.

Earl Danby's Impeachment.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That a Message be sent to the Lords, to put them in mind of the Impeachment of High Treason exhibited against Thomas Earl of Danby, in the Name of the Commons of England; and to desire, that he may be forthwith committed to safe Custody.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee of Secrecy, to draw up further Articles against Thomas Earl of Danby.