House of Lords Journal Volume 19: 6 May 1712

DIE Martis, 6 Maii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Pynsent's Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for confirming of a Partition made between William Pynsent Esquire and Mary his Wife, John Trevillian Esquire and Elizabeth his Wife, and their Trustees, of several Manors and Lands, in the County of Somerset."

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

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Hillersdon's Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for vesting several Lands, in Battlesden, in the County of Bedford, in John Hillersdon Esquire and his Heirs, discharged of several Uses and Estates to which they are now limited; and for settling other Lands, of greater Value, in the same County, to the same Uses."

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

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Regius Professors, Universities, Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for confirming and rendering more effectual certain Letters Patents of King James the First, for annexing a Canonry and several Rectories to the Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford, and to the Regius Professor and Lady Margaret's Reader of Divinity in the University of Cambridge."

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

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Uniting Churches in Essex, Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for uniting the Parish Churches of Thorndon and Ingrave, in the County of Essex."

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

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Vyner's Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to vest several Lands and Tenements, in the County of Warwick, the Estate of Thomas Vyner Esquire, deceased, in Trustees; and to enable them to sell Part thereof, for discharging several Debts and Incumbrances thereon; and to raise a present Provision for his Son and Heir, an Infant, and the rest of his Children."

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

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with the Five preceding Bills.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Fellows and Mr. Meller:

To carry down the Five Bills aforementioned, and desire their Concurrence to them.

County Elections, to prevent multiplying Votes at, Bill:

The House was (according to Order) adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the more effectual preventing fraudulent Conveyances, in order to multiply Votes for electing Knights of Shires to serve in Parliament."

And, after some Time spent therein, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Clarendon reported from the Committee, "That they had gone through the Bill; and, pursuant to the Instruction of the House Yesterday, had received a Clause, on Behalf of the People called Quakers, to be added at the End of the Bill."

Which was read, as follows; (videlicet,)

Clause for the Quakers:

"Provided always, and be it Enacted, by the Authority aforesaid, That if any Person, being a Quaker, during the Continuance of an Act passed in the Seventh Year of His late Majesty's Reign, intituled, An Act, that the solemn Affirmation and Declaration of the People called Quakers shall be accepted, instead of an Oath in the usual Form, shall, upon such Election as aforesaid, if required by the Candidates, or any of them, declare the Effect of the said Oath, upon his solemn Affirmation, in such Manner and Form as is directed by the said Act of Parliament made in the Seventh Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King William the Third, intituled, An Act, that the solemn Affirmation and Declaration of the People called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an Oath in the usual Form; every such Quaker shall be capable and admitted to give his Vote for the Election of any such Member as aforesaid, to serve in the House of Commons within that Part of Great Britain called England; and every Sheriff, by himself or such his proper Officer as aforesaid, is hereby authorized and required to accept-such Affirmation instead of the said Oath; and shall also make or enter Affirmat. against the Name of every such Quaker: And in case any such Quaker shall be convicted, wilfully, falsely, and corruptly, to have affirmed or declared any Matter or Thing, which, if the same had been in the usual Form, would have amounted to wilful and corrupt Perjury, every such Quaker so offending shall incur the same Penalties and Forfeitures as are herein before enacted against Persons convicted of wilful and corrupt Perjury."

Then, it being proposed, "To leave out these Words in the said Clause; (videlicet,) during the Continuance of an Act passed in the Seventh Year of His late Majesty's Reign, intituled, An Act, that the solemn Affirmation and Declaration of the People called Quakers shall be accepted, instead of an Oath in the usual Form;"

And Debate thereupon:

The Question was put, "Whether those Words shall be left out of the said Clause?"

It was Resolved in the Negative."

Ordered, That this House do agree with the Committee in the said Clause; and that the same be engrossed.

Ordered, That the said Bill be read the Third Time To-morrow, at One a Clock; and all the Lords summoned.

Judges to prepare a Bill, to enlarge the Time for the Indulgence to them.

Ordered, That the Judges do prepare, and bring in, a Bill to enlarge the Time for the Indulgence granted to the People called Quakers by an Act passed in the Seventh Year of the Reign of His late Majesty King William the Third, intituled, "An Act, that the solemn Affirmation and Declaration of the People called Quakers shall be accepted, instead of an Oath in the usual Form."

Sir S. Masters versus Cooke and Ward.

The House being moved, "That a Day may be appointed, for hearing the Appeal wherein Sir Streynsham Masters is Appellant, and Francis Cooke and John Ward are Respondents:"

It is Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House will hear the said Cause, by Counsel, at the Bar, on Tuesday the Thirteenth Day of this Instant May, at Eleven a Clock.

Boston fresh Water, Bill:

The Order being read, for the House to be put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for the better supplying the Town of Boston, in the County of Lincoln, with fresh Water."

Queen's Consent to it.

The Lord Treasurer acquainted the House, "That Her Majesty, whose Interest was somewhat concerned therein, had been pleased to consent to the passing thereof."

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee To-morrow, on the said Bill.

Austen's Bill.

The Earl of Clarendon reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, "An Act for vesting the Inheritance of the Manor of Court at Week, and divers other Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, in the County of Kent, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of the Debts and Legacies of Sir Robert Austen Baronet, deceased, was committed: That they had considered the said Bill; and that the Judges, pursuant to the Order of this House of the Twenty-ninth of April last, had drawn a Clause, to save such Interest as Mr. Heysham hath in the Estate intended to be sold, which was agreed to by the Committee; and that their Lordships had made some other Amendments to the Bill."

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

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, septimum diem instantis Maii, hora duodecima Dominis sic decernentibus.