House of Lords Journal Volume 16: 30 June 1698

DIE Jovis, 30 Junii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Dumaistre's Answer, acknowledging himself Guilty, and imploring the Mercy of the Lords.

John Dumaistre was brought to the Bar; and delivered in his Answer to the Articles of Impeachment against him.

Which was read, as follows; (videlicet,)

"The humble several Answer of John Dumaistre, to the Articles of Impeachment exhibited against him and John Aurioll, by the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, in Parliament assembled, for high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

"The Respondent saith and confesseth, That he is Guilty of the Misdemeanors in the said Articles charged upon him; and humbly submits himself to your Lordships Judgement, imploring your Lordship's Mercy, for that he hath a Wife and Six Children, and was unadvisedly drawn into the Practices in the said Articles mentioned, and was always a Well-wisher to this Government, and never offended against the same but in committing the Misdemeanors for which he is now impeached. And this Respondent, being truly sorry for his said Misdemeanors, will never be guilty of the like; but will for the future endeavour, by his Service to the Government, and Encouragement of the English Manufacturies, to make some Atonement for what he hath so inconsiderately been guilty of.

"John Du Maistre."

Dumaistre attached:

This Day John Dumaistre having answered to the articles of Impeachment against him, and therein confessed himself Guilty:

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House do take into his Custody the Body of John Dumaistre, and keep him in safe Custody until further Order of this House; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To Sir Fleetwood Sheppard, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House, his Deputy or Deputies, and every of them.

Message to H. C to acquaint: them with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir John Francklyn and Sir Richard Holford:

To acquaint them that, this Day, John Dumaistre hath answered to the Articles of Impeachment against him, and therein pleaded Guilty; which their Lordships have recorded, and taken him into Custody.

Message from H. C. to return the Lustring Company Bill;

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Rowland Gwyn and others:

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the better Encouragement of the Royal Lustring Company, and the more effectual preventing the fraudulent Importation of Lustrings and Alamodes;" and to acquaint this House, that they have agreed to the Lords Amendment made thereto.

and to know whether Aurioll has answered to his Impeachment:

And also, "That whereas John Dumaistre and John Aurioll stand impeached before your Lordships of high Crimes and Misdemeanors; and this House hath acquainted them, that the said John Dumaistre hath pleaded thereunto; the Commons desire to be informed what hath been done by your Lordships in relation to the said John Aurioll."

Answer about him.

Then the Commons were called in again; and told, The Lords have considered of your Message concerning Aurioll; and that, upon the Impeachment against him, the Lords sent a Messenger to search for him; who was told, he was gone to Holland Five Weeks before."

East India Company, against the Bill for settling the Trade to The East Indies.

Whereas this Day was appointed for hearing Counsel, upon the Petition of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into The East Indies, in a General Court assembled; praying, "That they may be heard before the Second Reading of the Bill, intituled, An Act for raising a Sum not exceeding Two Millions, upon a Fund for Payment of Annuities after the Rate of Eight Pounds per Cent. per Ann. and for settling the Trade to The East Indias:"

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Petitioners shall be heard, by their Counsel, as desired, To-morrow, at Eleven of the Clock in the Forenoon; as also the King's Counsel for the Bill, if they think fit.

High Crimes and Misdemeanors, Precedents of Judgements for.

It is ORDERED, That the House shall be put into a Committee presently, upon the Report made Yesterday, from the Lords Committees appointed to consider what Judgements have been given upon Impeachments for high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Committee to consider of the Value of the Estates of Goudet & al.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee thereupon.

After some Time spent in Consideration thereof, the House was resumed.

And the Committee following was named; (videlicet,)

Lords Committees appointed to inform themselves of the particular Values of the Estates of the several Persons who have pleaded Guilty to the Articles of Impeachment against them; who have hereby Power to send for such Persons as they shall think fit, in order thereunto; and report to the House with all convenient Speed:

Their Lordships, or any Three of them; to meet To-morrow, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, (videlicet,) primum diem Julii jam prox. futur. hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.