House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 1 February 1659

Tuesday, the 1st Day of February, 1658.

Prayers.

Privilege-Case of Nevill and Strode.

THE House being informed by Mr. Speaker, That the Justices of the Court of Common Bench, desired, that a Case of very great Difficulty depending before them, concerning Mr. Nevill, and Mr. Strode, late Sheriff of the County of Berks, might be mentioned to this House, for their Direction therein.

The Question being propounded, That the ChiefJustice of the Court of Common-Bench be desired to bring hither the Transcript of the Record depending before them, there in that Court, concerning Mr. Nevill, and Mr. Strode, late Sheriff of the County of Berks;

The Question was put, That this Question be now put; And

It passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put;

It was Resolved, That the Chief Justice of the Court of Common-Bench be desired to bring hither the Transcript of the Record depending before them there in that Court, concerning Mr. Nevill, and Mr. Strode, late Sheriff of the County of Berks.

Reading Election.

According to the Order made Yesterday, Mr. Serjeant Waller reported from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, the Case concerning Henry Nevill and Daniell Blagrave Esquires, and William Whitelock and William Thornehill Esquires, doubly returned to serve as Members in this Parliament for the Borough of Reading in the County of Berks: The which Report was read, and was as followeth; viz.

UPON reading of the Petition of Henry Nevill and Daniell Blagrave Esquires, and upon View of the Indentures and Returns, it appeared to this Committee, That Joell Stephens, as Mayor of the Borough of Reading, by Indenture under the Publick Seal of Office, dated the Thirtieth Day of December 1658, by virtue of a Warrant directed to the Mayor, Bailiffs, and Burgesses of the said Borough of Reading, by Oliver Pleydell Esquire, Sheriff of the County of Berks, which Warrant is annexed to the said Indenture, hath returned the said Henry Nevill, and Daniell Blagrave to serve in this present Parliament as Burgesses for the said Borough: And that Henry Frewen, as Mayor of the said Borough, by Indenture under another Publick Seal of Office, dated the Fourth of January 1658, in pursuance of a certain Precept, under the Seal of the said Sheriff, to the said Mayor of the said Borough, directed, hath returned William Whitelocke and William Thornehill Esquires, to serve in this present Parliament, as Burgesses of the said Borough: Upon Consideration of which said several Returns, it is

Ordered, That it be reported to the House, as the Opinion of this Committee, that the said Henry Nevill and Daniell Blagrave be duly returned; and that the Indenture, by which the said William Whitelock and William Thornehill be returned, be withdrawn.

And it is Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the said Committee, That the said Henry Nevill and Daniell Blagrave Esquires, are duly returned to serve as Burgesses for the said Borough of Reading; in this present Parliament; and that the Indenture by which Mr. Whitelocke and Mr. Thornehill are returned, be withdrawn.

Oxford Election.

Mr. Serjeant Waller further reports from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, the Case concerning the Double Return of Mr. Jenkinson, and Henry Cary Esquire, Viscount Falkland, by one Indenture; and of the said Mr. Jenkinson and Sir Francis Norris by another Indenture: The which was read, and was as followeth; viz.

UPON reading of the Petition of Henry Viscount Faulkland, and View of the Indentures and Returns, it appeared to this Committee, That Unton Crooke Esquire, High Sheriff of the County of Oxon, did, by one Indenture, return Mr. Jenkinson, and the Lord Falkland, and, by another Indenture, did return Mr. Jenkinson and Sir Francis Norris, as elected to serve as Knights of the Shire for the County of Oxon: It was thereupon Ordered, That it be reported to the House, as the Opinion of this Committee, That the House is put to great Inconvenience by Double Returns of this Nature, being by that means deprived of One of the Knights to serve in Parliament for that County: And that this Committee did not think fit to send for the said Sheriff, being returned a Member of the House, to give an Account thereof; but were of Opinion, That it be reported to the House, as the Opinion of this Committee, That the said Sheriff be enjoined to attend the Committee; and to give an Account of such Double Returns, so made as aforesaid.

And it is Resolved, &c. That Unton Crooke Esquire, Sheriff of the said County of Oxford, be enjoined to attend the Committee of Privileges and Elections, on or before Saturday next: And if, by reason of his Sickness, he be not able to attend the Committee, by or before that Time, that his Under Sheriff do then and in the mean time attend the said Committee, to give an Account to the said Committee, concerning the said Double Return.

Recognizing Protector's Title.

A Bill, intituled, An Act of Recognition of his Highness' Right and Title to be Protector and Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging, was this Day read the First time. And it is ordered to be read the Second time on Monday next.