House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 10 November 1680

DIE Mercurii, 10 die Novembris.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Warcupp: King's Answer to Address concerning him.

The Lord Chancellor acquainted the House, "That he hath moved His Majesty, from this House, concerning Edmond Warcupp Esquire: And His Majesty says, He will take him into His Consideration. And as touching One Hundred Pounds to be paid to the Committee for Examinations, His Majesty says, He will give Order for the speedy Payment of it."

Plunket desires to come to the Bar, and he will make Discoveries.

Captain Richardson, the Keeper of Newgate, upon Oath given him at the Bar, informed, "That Mr. Plunket told him, that he hath something more to say to their Lordships for His Majesty's Service; and that what is his Knowledge of this Irish Plot, he will faithfully declare to them.

"That his Papers were all left at the Post House, with his Man James Caunce.

"That there was' a Gentleman with him, that asked him some Questions concerning my Lord of Tyrone; and that he will tell their Lordships all he knows of him.

"That he believes there is some Kind of Plot against the English in Ireland; and that he will discover how and in what Manner it is.

"That if he had been examined concerning Transactions with the Spanish Ministers, he would have answered; but that he never knew, or had any Correspondence with, any French Minister.

"That the Catholics in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Flanders, are under the Government of the Superior at Brussells, with whom he holds his Correspondence, and with the Spanish Ministers.

"That he hath been inclined to the Spanish Interest from his Youth, and held Correspondence with them."

ORDERED, That Plunket be presently sent for.

Sir J. Butler, King's Servant, Privilege, versus Strode, High Bailiff of Westm. for arresting him.

Upon reading the Petition of Sir James Butler Knight; shewing, "That, being a sworn Servant to the King and Queen, with Fee and Wages, as Steward of His Majesty's Palace Court, and Marshalsea of His Household, and Attorney General to Her Majesty, which was and is well known to Essex Stroude Esquire, Head Bailiff of Westminster, and to John Lister, John Kinge, and others, his Under Bailiffs, the said Bailiffs Yesterday arrested him (as he was going on the Service of Their Majesties and this House), for no other Cause, that the Petitioner knoweth of, but out of Malice the said Essex Stroude beareth to him, for discharging his Duty according to Law, in restoring the Possession of his Dwelling House in Yorke Buildings to the Envoy Extraordinary of the Duke of Savoy; and therefore praying, that he may be discharged from the said Arrest:"

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Sir James Butler be, and is hereby, discharged from the said Arrest; whereof the said Essex Stroude and his Followers, and all other Persons concerned, are hereby required to take Notice, and discharge him accordingly; and further, That the said Essex Stroude do attend the Pleasure of this House To-morrow Morning.

Bill to clear London, &c. of Papists:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act for the freeing the City of London, and His Majesty's Courts and Parts adjacent, from the Dangers which may arise from Papists."

The Question being put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the Lord Chief Baron and Baron Gregory:

To deliver to them the Bill for freeing the City of London, and His Majesty's Courts and Parts adjacent, from the Dangers which may arise from Papists; and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Sir W. Walter versus Count. of Sheppy.

This Day the Counsel of Sir William Walter and the Counsel of the Countess of Sheppey were heard at the Bar, whether she ought to have Privilege of Parliament.

The House, for their better proceeding in giving Judgement herein, made Two previous Determinations, as followeth:

Noblewomen and Peers Widows, no Privilege of Parliament.

"This House taking into Consideration an Order made on the 20th of March, 1676, whereby it is declared, That Noblewomen and Widows of Peers ought to enjoy the Privilege of Parliament: After serious Deliberation had thereof, it is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Order of the 20th of March aforesaid be, and is hereby, revoked, and declared to be null and void."

"ORDERED and Declared, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That Privilege of Parliament shall not be allowed to Noblewomen or Widows of Peers; saving the Right of Peerage."

Upon this, the House made the Order ensuing:

Count. of Sheppey not allowed Privilege of Parliament.

"Upon hearing Counsel this Day at the Bar, as well upon the Petition of Sir William Walter Baronet, wherein he prayeth, That he may be at Liberty to proceed in Suits at Law against the Relict of David Walter Esquire, deceased, who, being created Countess of Sheppey, depending the said Suits, doth obstruct his proceeding therein, by insisting on Privilege of Parliament; as also upon hearing what was offered by Counsel on the Part and Behalf of the said Countess: After, serious Consideration had thereof, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled do order and adjudge, That the Claim of Privilege of Parliament made by the said Countess of Sheppy be, and is hereby, dismissed this House."

Protestant Dissenters.

ORDERED, That the Business concerning Protestant Dissenters shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

Message from H. C. with a Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir John Trevor, &c. who brought up a Bill, intituled, "An Act prohibiting the Importation of Cattle from Ireland;" wherein their Lordships Concurrence is desired.

Plunket examined, and remanded to Newgate.

Then Oliver Plunket was brought to the Bar, and told, "That the Lords have received Intelligence that he had some Discovery to make touching the Plot in Ireland, which the Lords are ready to hear."

And, after he had made an impertinent Discourse, nothing to the Purpose as was expected from him, giving no Satisfaction to the House, he was commanded to withdraw; and returned again to Newgate.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Jovis, 11^um diem instantis Novembris, hora nona Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.