House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 6 December 1703

DIE Lunæ, 6 Decembris.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Ld. Gower introduced.

This Day Sir John Leveson Gower Baronet being, by Letters Patents, dated the Sixteenth of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and Two, created Lord Gower of Sittenham, was, in his Robes, introduced between the Lord Lawarr and the Lord Granville, also in their Robes, and preceded by the Earl of Abingdon (who executed the Office of Lord Great Chamberlain); the Deputy Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, and Sir Henry St. George Clarenceux officiating in this Ceremony as Garter King of Arms, and carrying his Patent:

His Lordship presented the same to the Lord Keeper, on his Knee, at the Woolsack; who delivered it to the Clerk; and being read at the Table, as also his Writ of Summons, dated Decimo Octavo Die Junii, Anno Secundo Reginæ, his Lordship was accordingly placed on the lower End of the Barons Bench.

Then John Leveson Lord Gower took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.

Ashby versus White, in Error.

The House being informed, "That the Lord Chief Justice attended, with a Writ of Error;" he was called in; and, in the usual Manner, brought into the House a Writ of Error, with a Transcript of the Record, wherein Mathew Ashby is Plaintiff, and William White and others Defendants.

L. Viscount Dillon, Leave for a Bill.

Upon reading the Petition of Henry Lord Viscount Dillon, of the Kingdom of Ireland; praying Leave to bring in a Bill, for Sale of Part of his Estate in Ireland, for Payment of his Debts, and for settling a Jointure on his Wife:

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Petitioner hath hereby Leave given him for bringing in a Bill as desired.

L. Mohun versus D. Hamilton.

Whereas the Third Instant was appointed, for James Duke of Hamilton to put in his Answer to the Appeal of Charles Lord Mohun:

The House being this Day moved, "That a further Day may be allowed him for answering thereunto, he being sick in Scotland:"

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said James Duke of Hamilton shall answer to the said Appeal of Charles Lord Mohun, peremptorily, on Tuesday the One and Twentieth Day of this Instant December, at Eleven a Clock in the Forenoon.

Irregularities at hearing Causes, Order to prevent.

The Lord Guilford reported from the Lords Committees appointed to consider of some proper Methods to prevent Irregularities at the hearing Causes at the Bar of this House.

And the First Paragraph being read; (videlicet,)

"That, on the Days Causes are appointed to be heard, the Cause be called in precisely at Ten a Clock; and no other Business to intervene:" Was agreed to by the House.

Then the Second Paragraph being read; (videlicet,)

"That, before the Counsel begin, the Clerk write under the Names of those Lords that are present the Hour the Cause was called in, and that those Lords were then presen

Was disagreed to.

Then the Third Paragraph was read; (videlicet,)

"That the Lord Keeper do signify to the Counsel, before they begin, that they keep close to the Matter; and that the Second Counsel do not repeat what the First hath said:"

And agreed to.

Then the Fourth Paragraph being read; (videlicet,)

"That, after the Counsel are withdrawn, the Lord Keeper do command the Clerk to read over the Names of the Lords that were present at the calling in of the Cause:"

Was disagreed to.

Then the last Paragraph being read; (videlicet,)

"That the printed Cases be signed by such Counsel only as shall plead the Cause at this Bar:"

Was disagreed to.

Causes to be called at 10 o'Clock:

Counsel to keep close to the Matter, and not to repeat what the First hath said.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That, on the Days Causes are appointed to be heard, the Cause be called in precisely at Ten a Clock; and no other Business to intervene: And that the Lord Keeper do signify to the Counsel, at the Bar, before they begin, that they keep close to the Matter; and that the Second Counsel do not repeat what the First hath said.

Against buying and selling of Offices:

Tediousness of Suits:

And Records keeping.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That on Friday next, at Eleven a Clock, this House shall be put into a Committee, to consider of Heads for a Bill, to prevent the buying and selling of Offices; and that the Committee do take into Consideration the Proceedings of the Courts below, in relation to the Tediousness of Suits, and the Prejudice of the Subjects thereby; and to consider of the Methods of keeping Records in Offices, and how they are kept; and to consider of Ways to remedy what shall be found to be amiss.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Martis, septimum diem instantis Decembris hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.