House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 12 May 1702

DIE Martis, 12 Maii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Sir W. Ashurst's Bill.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the Relief of Sir William Ashurst Knight, with relation to the forfeited Estates in Ireland."

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Stamford reported, "That the Committee had gone through the said Bill, and had made several Amendments thereto."

Which were read Twice, and agreed to by the House.

Message from H. C. with a Bill.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Mr. Hoblyn and others:

Who brought up a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the continuing the present Sheriffs in England and Wales until the First Day of Hillary Term next, unless Her Majesty shall think fit to determine them sooner;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Sheriffs to continue in their Offices, Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for the continuing the present Sheriffs in England and Wales until the First Day of Hillary Term next, unless Her Majesty shall think fit to determine them sooner."

Messages from H. C. with Bills.

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

Who brought up Two Bills;

The one, intituled, "An Act to oblige the Jews to maintain and provide for their Protestant Children."

The other, intituled, "An Act for the more easy Recovery of Money for the Repair of Churches and Chapels."

To which said Two Bills they desire the Concurrence of this House.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Mr. Conyers and others:

Who brought up a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the continuing the Imprisonment of Counter and others, for the horrid Conspiracy to assassinate the Person of His late Sacred Majesty King William the Third;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Mrs. Smith's Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for the Relief of Susannah Smith Widow, with relation to the forfeited Estates in Ireland."

Message from H. C. with a Bill.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Mr. Brewer and others:

Who brought up a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the Relife of the Masters of Hoys and other Vessels carrying Corn, and other Inland Provisions, within the Port of London;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Pamphlet called Tom Double, Nutt the Publisher examined:

The Order being read, for the Master and Wardens of the Stationers Company, and John Nutt, to attend, to give an Account of what they have done, in order to find out the Author and Printers of the Book, intituled, "Tom Double returned out of the Country, or the true Picture of a modern Whig, set forth in a Second Dialogue between Mr. Whiglove and Mr. Double, at The Rummer Tavern, in Queen Street;" they were called in: And Mr. Nutt said, "That Mr. Barber, the Printer, gave him the Book to publish."

And they withdrew.

Then the House went into Consideration of the Paragraphs in the 89th and 90th Pages of the said Book.

Which were read, as follow: (videlicet,)

"Whiglove. I find we have miscarried in one great Design; the Train would not take; we were very hot upon it just before the Parliament met; all the Whig Coffee-houses rung how necessary 'twas to break into the Acts of Settlement, and to exclude--

"Double. Mum, Whiglove, talk no more upon that Subject I beseech you; fresh Orders are issued out; and since we are not strong enough to make it go, and that on the contrary it has alarmed and provoked all Sort of Men, we are now directed to say, that never any such Thing was intended by our Party; though, GOD knows, it was the whole Discourse of all our Clubs. Under the Rose, this was one of those Embrios that proved abortive upon the 30th of December last; but, though it be not seasonable to stir in it now, never fear our abandoning a wicked Design; we never quite lay aside any Mischief: However, since it has really opened the Eyes of a great many, and weakened our Interest among several of our own Side, whom (with Grief of Mind I speak it) we cannot work up to be guilty of so much Injustice; let us take all Occasions of declaring, that we will not violate these Acts upon any account whatsoever; which we may the more safely do, because, you know, 'tis our Principle, not to think that we are bound by any Protestations we make, either in private or in public; and 'tis one of the great Advantages we have over the rest of our Fellow Subjects, that we can fetter the Consciences of others, while our own are at perfect Liberty."

Paragraphs in it censured.

Then it was proposed, "To pass the same Censure on these Passages, as was passed on Part of the Preface of Doctor Drake's Book."

After Debate;

The Question was put, "Whether the House shall be now adjourned?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

Then this Question was proposed, "That in the Paragraphs which have been read, contained in the 89th and 90th Pages of the Book, intituled, "Tom Double returned out of the Country, &c." there are several Expressions, which are groundless, false, and scandalous, tending to create Jealousies in Her Majesty of Her People, and to cause great Misunderstandings, Fears, and Disputes, amongst the Queen's Subjects, and to disturb the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom?"

Then this Question was put, "Whether the Words, ["groundless, false, and scandalous,"] shall be left out of the Question?"

It was Resolved in the Negative.

Then the main Question was put, "That in the Paragraphs which have been read, contained in the 89th and 90th Pages of the Book, intituled, "Tom Double returned out of the Country, &c." there are several Expressions, which are groundless, false, and scandalous, tending to create Jealousies in Her Majesty of Her People, and to cause great Misunderstandings, Fears, and Disputes, amongst the Queen's Subjects, and to disturb the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

It is Resolved and Declared, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That in the Paragraphs which have been read, contained in the 89th and 90th Pages of the Book, intituled, "Tom Double returned out of the Country, or the true Picture of a modern Whig, set forth in a Second Dialogue between Mr. Whiglove and Mr. Double, at The Rummer Tavern, in Queen Street," there are several Expressions, which are groundless, false, and scandalous, tending to create Jealousies in Her Majesty of Her People, and to cause great Misunderstandings, Fears, and Disputes, amongst the Queen's Subjects, and to disturb the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom.

Proceedings to be printed.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Proceedings and Resolution of this House, in relation to this Matter, be forthwith printed and published.

Barber and Nutt to attend.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That Barber, a Printer in Thames Street, do attend this House Tomorrow, at Eleven a Clock, and also John Nutt; and that he brings with him his Books of Accompts.

Pamphlets and Books to be considered.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House shall take into Consideration the Books or Pamphlets now in this House, and such others as shall be brought in, on Friday next, at Eleven a Clock; and all the Lords summoned to attend; and that such Persons as attended this Day do then attend.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, decimum tertium diem instantis Maii, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.