House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 25 November 1678

DIE Lunæ, 25 die Novembris.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

King present.

His Majesty, sitting in His Royal Throne, adorned with His Regal Crown and Ornaments (the Peers also sitting in their Robes), gave Command to the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, to let the House of Commons know, "It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that they attend "Him presently."

Who being come, with their Speaker; His Majesty made the Speech following:

His Majesty's Speech.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I told you, in the Beginning of this Session, how much I had been obliged to keep up My Forces in Flanders; that, without it, our Neighbours had absolutely despaired; and by this Means, whatever had been saved of Flanders is acknowledged to be wholly due to My Interposition. And I shewed you withal, that I had been forced to employ that Money which had been raised for disbanding those Troops, in the Continuance of them together; and not only so, but that I had been much more out of Purse for that Service, a Service by which the Honour and Interest of the Nation had been so far improved, that, as I was confident no Man would repine at it; so I did not doubt but you would all be willing to supply it.

"I have now undergone this Expence so long, that I find it absolutely impossible to support the Charge any longer; and did therefore think of putting an End to that Charge, by recalling My Troops with all possible Speed; who are already exposed to the utmost Extremities of Want and Misery, being without any Prospect of further Pay, or Subsistence.

"But, whilst I was about to do this, I have been importuned by the Spanish Ministers to continue them a little longer, until the Ratifications of the Peace be exchanged; without which, all that hath hitherto been done, they say, will be utterly lost, and that which hitherto hath been saved of Flanders will inevitably fall into the Hands of their Enemies.

"And now, between their Importunity to keep up these Troops, and My own Inability to pay them any longer, I find Myself in great Difficulties what to resolve.

"If you do not think that the Public Safety may require their Continuance, I do wish as heartily as any Man, that, for the Public Ease, they may be speedily disbanded and paid off.

"I have thought fit thus to lay the Matter before you; and, having acquitted Myself to all the World by asking your Advice and Assistance, I desire that it may be speedy, and without any Manner of Delay."

To convict Popish Recusants, Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the Discovery and more speedy Conviction of Popish Recusants."

L. Paget takes his Seat.

This Day William Lord Pagett, Chevalier, sat first in Parliament as a Peer; his Writ of Summons bearing Date the 23th of this Instant November, Anno Tricesimo Regni Domini Regis Caroli Secündi, upon the Decease of William Lord Pagett his Father.

Francklyn against Browne & al D. Norfolk's Servants.

This Day Joseph Francklyn and others on his Behalf, as also Mr. Cutbert Browne Chaplain, and Richard Revell Footman, to the Duke of Norff. being summoned to attend, were called in.

Joseph Francklyn, sworn, said, "He did find a Letter, in Chancery Lane, on Thursday Fortnight in the Morning, directed to the Duke of Norff. and did open it at a Coffee-house in Holborne; and afterwards, the same Day, carried it to the Privy Council; and that, that Night, one who said he was the Duke of Norfolk's Servant came to him by The Faulcon on The Banke Side; and told him, "That the Duke of Norff' Chaplain would speak with him at The Faulcon Taverne." But he refusing to go, the said Person told him, "He must go;" and called for a Constable. But then Mr. Browne the Chaplain came to his House, and asked, "Whether he found the said Letter, and carried it to the Council?" He owned it. Upon which, the said Browne told him, "It was ill done, to shew it in a Coffee-house; it should be of ill Consequence to him; and that the Devil had not befriended his Servants this Bout."

Christopher Mitchell and Anne his Wife, sworn, averred, That they heard the said Words uttered by Mr. Browne the Chaplain."

Then Richard Revell, being examined, said, "He went to Joseph Francklyn, by the Duke of Norff' Direction, to enquire about the Letter (but, by Order of the Duke, to use him with all kind Words, and not to give any threatening Language); and told him, "The Duke's Chaplain would speak with him at The Faulcon." But, Francklyn refusing to go without an Officer, he offered to call for a Constable; but, before any came, he called Mr. Browne."

Then Cutbert Browne, being examined, said, "That, having Occasion to go to Southwarke, the Duke desired him to speak with Francklyn about the Letter; but remembers not that the Duke gave him any particular Instructions: That, coming to Francklyn, he asked him, "If he was the Man that found the Letter directed to the Duke of Norff. and delivered it to the Council?" Francklyn owned it. Upon which, he told him, "It might be of ill Consequence to the Duke, and not Francklyn;" and denies the Words, "The Devil has not befriended his Servants this Bout."

Browne & al. reprimanded and dismissed.

Upon Consideration had hereof, the said Cutbert Browne and Richard Revell being called in again, the Lord Chancellor, by Directions of the House, told them, That the Lords are of Opinion, "That they had overacted their Parts in this Business, and not behaved themselves with that Discretion that became them;" and warned them to be more cautious for the future.

And so they were discharged.

King's Speech to be considered.

The Lord Chancellor moving the House, to take into Consideration what His Majesty acquainted the House with in His Speech this Day, "That He hath been desired by the Spanish Ministers, that the English Troops in Flanders may be continued till the Ratifications of Peace between Spain and France were exchanged, concerning which His Majesty desires the Advice of this House:"

After some Consideration had thereof, it is ORDERED, That the Debate hereof be resumed To-morrow Morning, the First Business.

Collins, L. Tenham's Steward, Leave to look after his Estate.

This House being moved, "That John Collins Junior, of Linsted, in the County of Kent, Steward to the Lord Tenham for his Lands, who, being a reputed Papist, and therefore by His Majesty's late Proclamation (in Pursuance of the Statutes in that Behalf made) confined within the Compass of Five Miles from his Place of Abode, may have Liberty to look after the Lord Tenham's Estate, for Preservation of Part thereof from the Inundation of the Sea:"

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said John Collins, as Steward to the Lord Tenham, be, and is hereby, au thorized and permitted to go and take Care of the Preservation of the Lord Tenham's Estate in the County of Kent, so as he come not within Ten Miles of the Cities of London and Westminster, or either of them: And this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

L. Bellasis' Papers to be restored to him.

Upon Report made by the Marquis of Winchester, from the Lords Committees appointed to examine Persons and Papers for Discovery of the horrid Design against His Majesty's Person and Government, "That their Lordships have perused all the Papers and Writings of the Lord Bellasise, now Prisoner in The Tower, which, being seized, were, by Order of this House, brought and delivered into the Custody of the Clerk of the Parliaments; and find not amongst them any Papers and Writings but only such as are of private Concernment:"

It is thereupon ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Papers and Writings may be delivered to the Lord Bellasise, or such Person or Persons as his Lordship shall appoint to receive the same; and for so doing, this shall be a sufficient Warrant.

To John Browne Esquire, Clerk of the Parliaments.

Prisoners in the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms to be brought to the Bar.

The Serjeant at Arms gave the House an Account of what Prisoners are in his Custody, attached by Order of this House.

It is ORDERED, That they be brought to the Bar at such Time as William Bedloe may be then present.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamen tum continuandum esse usque in diem Martis, 26^um diem instantis Novembris, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.