House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 8 March 1677

DIE Jovis, 8 die Martii.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Cirencester Hundreds Bill.

The Earl of Craven reported, "That the Committee have considered the Bill for confirming an Agreement concerning the Execution and Return of Writs within the Seven Hundreds of Cyrencester, in the County of Gloucester; and are of Opinion, that the said Bill be engrossed, with some Amendments, which are offered to their Lordships Consideration."

The said Amendments were read Twice, and Agreed to; and ordered the said Bill to be engrossed, with the said Amendments.

Bill against Foreign Manufactures.

Hodie 1 vice lecta est Billa, "An Act against Foreign Manufactures."

Libel concerning the last Prorogation of this Parliament:

Next, was read the Third Book reported from the Committee for examining who were the Authors and Printers of Libels; which Book consisted of Original Papers written, only One Sheet thereof was printed, taken at the Press in the Corrector's Hands; the Title whereof is, The Grand Question concerning the Prorogation of this Parliament for a Yeare and Three Monthes stated and discussed.

And, after Consideration had thereof, it is ORDERED, That this House agrees with the Opinion of the Committee, that this Book is a seditious and scandalous Book; and doth order and adjudge the said Book to be burned by the Hand of the Common Hangman.

The Question was propounded, "Whether these original Papers of this Book shall be burned?"

And the Question being put, "Whether this Question shall be put?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

Copy of it to be burnt.

Hereupon it is ORDERED, That these original Papers of this Book read this Day shall be preserved and kept in the Custody of the Clerk of the Parliaments, not to be communicated to any Person without Leave of this House; and that a Copy be made thereof to be burned.

Prosecutions of the Authors of these Libels.

And it is the Opinion of this House, That the Author of the First Book, intituled, Some Considerations upon the Question, whether the Parliament be dissolved upon its Prorogation for Fifteene Monthes, when discovered, be proceeded against with all Severity, as the Writer and Publisher of a seditious, scandalous, and treasonable Libel.

That the Author of the Second Book, intituled, The Long Parliament dissolved, when discovered, be likewise proceeded against with all Severity, as the Writer and Publisher of a seditious and scandalous Libel, tending to betray the Rights of the Kingdom, and the Liberties and Privileges of this House.

That the Author of the Third Book, intituled, The Grand Question concerning the Prorogation of this Parliament for a Yeare and Three Monthes stated and discussed, when discovered, be likewise proceeded against with all Severity, as the Writer and Publisher of a seditious and scandalous Libel, tending to disturb the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom.

Order for burning the Three Libels.

Upon reading Three Books in the House of Peers, one intituled, Some Considerations upon the Question, whether the Parliament is dissolved by its Prorogation for Fifteene Monthes; another intituled, The Long Parliament dissolved; and the Third intituled, The Grand Question concerning the Prorogation of this Parliament for a Yeare and Three Monthes stated and discussed; and after due Consideration had of the said Books: The Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled do declare, That in the First of the said Three Books there are some Clauses which are treasonable; and that all the said Three Books are seditious and scandalous Libels; and do order and adjudge, That all the said Three Books shall be burnt, by the Hand of the Common Hangman, in The Old Pallace Yard at Westminster, and at or before The Royall Exchange in the City of London, and upon Tower Hill, on Monday the Twelfth Day of this Instant March, between the Hours of Eleven and One of the Clock of the same Day: And the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex are hereby required to take Care that Execution be done accordingly; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, and all other Persons concerned in the Execution thereof.

Bill for further securing the Protestant Religion.

ORDERED, That, after the Calling of this House and reading the Standing Orders To-morrow Morning, the House shall be put into a Committee, to proceed in the Bill for further securing the Protestant Religion.

Countess of Huntingdon's Privilege. Peters to be attached.

It appearing to this House, by Oath made at the Bar, and by the Confession of William Hastings Gentleman, Under Sheriff of the County of Midd. this Day at the Bar, "That John Peters, a Bailiff, arrested the Countess Dowager of Huntington, in October last, and detained her Two Days in Prison, contrary to the Privilege of the Peerage of this Realm, and would not discharge her, being required so to do by the said William Hastings as soon as he had Notice there-of, being then sick, and ignorant of the issuing of the Writ or Warrant for that Purpose:"

It is thereupon ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, or his Deputy, shall forthwith attach the Body of the said John Peters, and bring him in safe Custody to the Bar of this House, to answer for his said Offence; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To Sir George Charnock Knight, Serjeant at Arms attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies, &c.

Perkins to attend.

It is this Day ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That Thomas Perkins (Clerk to William Hastings Gentleman, Under Sheriff of the County of Midd.), who issued out the Writ or Warrant upon which the Countess Dowager of Huntington was arrested in October last, contrary to the Privilege of the Peerage of this Realm, be, and is hereby, required to appear at the Bar of this House, on Saturday the Tenth Day of this Instant March, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, to give the House an Account thereof; and hereof he may not fail.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Veneris, 9^um diem instantis Martii, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.

Hitherto examined by us,

J. Bridgewater.
Howard E. of Bercks.
Craven.
Stafford.