House of Commons Journal Volume 8: 3 May 1660

Thursday, May 3d, 1660.

Prayers.

Steyning Writ.

MR. Goreing, being elected to serve as Knight of the Shire in this present Parliament for the County of Sussex, and as a Burgess for the Borough of Steyning in the said County, declares, that he did make Choice to serve for the County of Sussex, and waved his Election for the Borough of Steyning.

Ordered, That a new Writ be issued for the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Steyning in the County of Sussex; and that Mr. Speaker do send his Warrant to the Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery, for the issuing of a new Writ for the Election of a Burgess to serve for the said Borough of Steyning: And Sir Thomas Widdrington, Thomas Tyrrill, and John Fountaine, Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, or any Two of them, are hereby required to issue out and pass the same under the Great Seal in their Custody accordingly.

St. Edmund's Bury Election.

Mr. Turner reports from the Committee for Privileges and Elections, touching the double Return for the Borough of St. Edmund's Bury, in the County of Suffolk, the Opinion of the Committee, that Mr. Thomas Chaplyn and Mr. Thomas Clerke are returned by the proper Officer, and ought to fit, until the Merits of the Cause be determined.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Mr. Thomas Chaplyn and Mr. Thomas Clerk, who are returned by the proper Officer, do sit in this House, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Sudbury Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the Borough of Sudbury in the County of Suffolk, the Opinion of the Committee, that Mr. Joseph Brond and Mr. John Gurdon are returned by the proper Officer, and ought to fit, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Mr. Brond and Mr. John Gurdon, who are returned by the proper Officer, do sit in this House, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Chichester Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the City of Chichester, the Opinion of the Committee, that Wm. Cawley Esquire is returned by the proper Officer, and ought to fit until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Wm. Cawley Esquire, who is returned by the proper Officer, do sit in this House, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Wilton Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the Borough of Wilton, in the County of Wilts, that the Precept is directed to the Mayor and Burgesses; and Return made, under the Seal of the Corporation, (but without the Hand of the Mayor) of Francis Swanton and William Hughes Esquires, by one Indenture; and that William Hughes, who is returned, is the Mayor; and that, upon another Indenture, from the Burgesses, there is returned the said Francis Swanton and Richard Grobham How Esquire: Whereupon the Judgment of the House is prayed, whether the Mayor be capable to be elected; or, whether he can return himself.

Resolved, &c. That this Report be re-committed to the Committee for Privileges and Elections, for their further Consideration.

Hindon Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the Borough of Hindon in the County of Wilts, the Opinion of the Committee, that Edmund Ludlow Esquire is returned by the proper Officer, and ought to fit, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Edmund Ludlow Esquire, who is returned by the proper Officer, ought to sit in this House until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Person to attend.

Resolved, &c. That Edmund Ludlow Esquire, do attend the Service of this House, on this Day Sevennight.

Rippon Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the Borough of Rippon in the County of Yorke, the Opinion of the Committee, that Henry Arthington, Esquire, and Edmund Jennings Esquire, are returned by the proper Officer, and ought to fit, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Henry Arthington and Edmund Jennings Esquires, who are returned by the proper Officer, do sit in this House, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the said double Return, be determined.

Ludgerfall Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the Borough of Ludgersall, in the County of Wilts, the Opinion of the Committee, that Sir John Evelyn Knight is returned by the proper Officer, and ought to fit, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Committee, that Sir John Evelyn, who is returned by the proper Officer, do sit in this House, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the said double Return, be determined.

Ludgersall Writ.

Wm. Pryn Esquire, being elected to serve as Burgess in this present Parliament for the Borough of Ludgersall in the County of Wilts, and also a Citizen for the City of Bath, elects to serve for the City of Bath, and waveth his Election for Ludgersall aforesaid.

Ordered, That a new Writ be issued for the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Ludgersall aforesaid; and that Mr. Speaker do send his Warrant to the Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery, for the issuing of a new Writ for the Election of a Burgess to serve for the said Borough: And that Sir Thomas Widdrington, Thomas Tyrrill, and John Fountaine, Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, or any Two of them, are hereby required to issue out and pass the same under the Great Seal in their Custody accordingly.

Downton Election.

Mr. Turner also reports from the Committee for Privileges and Elections, touching the double Return for the Borough of Downton in the County of Wilts, the Opinion of the Committee, that Thomas Fitz James Esquire, and William Coles Esquire, are returned by the Bailiff, to whom the Warrant was directed, and ought to fit, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the said double Return, be determined.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, that the said Thomas Fitz James and Wm. Coles Esquires, who are returned by the Bailiff, to whom the Warrant was directed, do sit in this House, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the said double Return, be determined.

Thirske Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the Borough of Thirske in the County of York, the Opinion of the Committee, that Wm. Stanley Esquire is returned by the proper Officer, and ought to fit, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Committee, That Wm. Stanley Esquire, who is returned by the proper Officer, do sit in this House, until the Merits of the Cause, upon the double Return, be determined.

Cheping Wiccomb Election.

He also reports from the said Committee, touching the double Return for the Borough of Cheping Wiccomb in the County of Bucks, the Case of Thomas Scot Esquire, who is returned, by one Indenture, to serve for the said Borough.

Resolved, &c. That the Debate upon the said Report, touching Cheping Wiccomb, be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

Loan from the City.

Mr. Annesley reports from the Committee, to whom it was referred to speak with the City of London, about lending of Moneys upon Security, that they had treated with the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City, concerning the Loan of Fifty thousand Pounds, and of a further Sum, for the Uses intended by this House; and that they have promised to take the speediest Course they can, for getting One hundred thousand Pounds to be subscribed and paid; and that they desire the Money, to be advanced, may be secured by the Ordinance for Three Months Assessment; that their Money may be paid into the Chamber of London; and that the Chamberlain of the City may be the Treasurer for the Whole; and that the Time, to be limited by the Ordinance, for paying the Assessments into the Treasury, may be the First of August next.

Resolved, &c. That, for securing the Money which shall be advanced by the City of London, the Money, which shall be raised upon the Three Months Assessment, be paid into the Chamber of the City of London, and that the Chamberlain of the City of London be the Treasurer for Receipt thereof.

Resolved, &c. That the Money, which the City of London shall advance on Credit of the said Three Months Assessments, shall be, in the first Place, satisfied with Interest, after Six Pounds per Cent. from the Time it shall be received to the Time it shall be repaid.

Assessment.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom it is referred to prepare an Ordinance for the Three Months Assessment, do bring in the Draught of the Ordinance To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That the Aldermen and Burgesses, which serve for the City of London, and also Alderman Langham, Alderman Frederick, and Alderman Bloudworth, Mr. Thomas Rich, and Mr. John Jolley, be added to the Committee, appointed to prepare an Ordinance for the Three Months Assessment: And they are to meet at the Speaker's Chamber, at Two of the Clock this Afternoon: And Mr. Recorder of London is to take care herein.

Ditto.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Committee, who are to prepare the Ordinance for the Three Months Assessment, to consider how the Fifty thousand Pounds, which is ordered to be presented to his Majesty, may be remitted to his Majesty to his best Advantage; and so as there may be no Loss upon the Exchange.

Message from Lords-Militia.

A Message from the Lords by Mr. Rich and Mr. Eltonhead, Masters of Chancery;

Mr. Speaker, the Lords have commanded us to wait upon you, and acquaint you with a Vote; by which they have appointed a Committee of Twelve Lords, for settling and expediting the Militia; desiring you to add a proportionable Number to them; that the Place, nominated for the Meeting, is the Prince's Lodgings; and the Time of meeting, at Three in the Afternoon; with Power to add, and alter, as they shall see Cause.

Resolved, That this House will return an Answer, to the Lords Message, by Messengers of their own.

The Messengers being again called in, Mr. Speaker gave them this Answer;

Gentlemen, the House hath considered of the Message by you brought from the Lords; to which they will return an Answer by Messengers of their own.

Answer to King's Letter.

Ordered, That the Letter agreed by this House, in Answer to his Majesty's gracious Letter to this House, be kept by the Clerk under such Privacy, that no Copy thereof may come to any Hand, till it hath been communicated to his Majesty.

Sir John Greeneville thanked.

The House being informed, that Sir John Greeneville, who brought his Majesty's Letter to this House, was at the Door; he was called in to receive the Thanks of this House, according to the Order of Yesterday.

Mr. Speaker did accordingly give the Thanks of this House unto the said Sir John Greeneville, he standing at the Bar of this House, in Effect as followeth;

Sir John Greeneville, I need not tell you, with what grateful and thankful Hearts the Commons, now assembled in Parliament, have received his Majesty's gracious Letter: Res ipsa loquitur: You yourself have been ocularis & auricularis Testis de rei veritate: Our Bells, and our Bonfires, have already begun the Proclamation of his Majesty's Goodness, and of our Joys: We have told the People, That our King, the Glory of England, is coming home again; and they have resounded it back again in our Ears, that they are ready, and their Hearts are open, to receive him: Both Parliament and People have cried aloud to the King of Kings, in their Prayers, "Long live King Charles the Second!"

Sir, I am likewise to tell you, that the House doth not think it fit, that you should return back to our Royal Sovereign, without some Testimony of their Respects to yourself.

They have ordered and appointed, that Five hundred Pounds shall be delivered to you, to buy a Jewel, as a Badge of that Honour, which is due to a Person, whom the King hath honoured to be the Messenger of so gracious a Message: And I am commanded, in the Name of the House, to return you their very hearty Thanks.

Answer to King's Letter.

Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Lords, to acquaint them, that this House hath prepared an Answer to his Majesty's gracious Letter, sent to this House; and that they intend to send the same by some Members of their own: And that Sir Wm. Lewis do carry this Message to the Lords.

Ditto.

Resolved, &c. That, for determining what Members of this House shall carry to his Majesty the Letter of this House, the several Members of this House shall deliver in their several Papers: And that it be referred to a Committee to view the Papers, and make report to this House, who have the greatest Number of Voices.

Resolved, &c. That the Number of the said Committee be Four.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Yelverton, Major General Browne, Sir Henry Cholmeley, Lord Howard, be the Committee.

Acts against the Government.

Mr. Pryn offers a Report from the Committee of the House, to whom it is referred to inform themselves, by the Journals of this House, what pretended Acts and Orders are made, inconsistent with the fundamental Government of this Kingdom, by King, Lords, and Commons.

Resolved, &c. That Mr. Pryn do make his Report To-morrow Morning, the first Business.

Message to Lords.

Sir Wm. Lewis reports, that, according to the Command of this House, he had delivered their Message to the Lords.

Wards and Liveries.

Resolved, That a Committee of this House be appointed, to consider of the King's Majesty's Letter and Declaration, and for preparing of Bills accordingly: viz. Mr. Finch, Serjeant Maynard, Ld. Howard, Mr. Recorder of London, Mr. Goodrick, Col. Bowyer, Sir Walter Earle, Sir Gilbt. Gerrard, Mr. Swaile, Mr. Holles, Sir Edward Deering, Mr. Morrice, Mr. Francis Gerrard, Lord General, Mr. Charleton, Mr. Perrepont, Sir Rich. Onslow, Mr. Bunckley, Sir Horatio Townesend, Colonel Massey, Mr. Clifford, Sir John Holland, Ld. Herbert, Sir Wm. Waller, Sir George Booth, Ld. Faukland, Mr. Crew, Sir Robert Pye, Mr. Tolson, Mr. Brodrick, Sir Dudley North, Col. Birch, Sir Trevor Williams, Mr. Clapham, Sir Henry Yelverton, Mr. Williams, Mr. Swinfin, Mr. Annesley, Col. Morley, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Dunch, Sir Anthony Irby, Mr. Onslow, Sir Wm. Lewis, Col. Harley, Lord Bulkley, Mr. Henry Hungerford, Mr. Stanhop, Mr. Boderda, Sir John Evelyn of Wilts, Sir John Evelyn of Surrey, Mr. Clobery, Mr. Turner, Ld. Howard, Sir Thomas Spencer, Mr. Dawney; and all the Gentlemen of this House of the Long Robe: This Committee have Power to prepare a Bill for taking away Tenures in Capite, and by Knights Service, and Socage in Capite, and also of the Court of Wards; and to consider and propound to this House, how One hundred thousand Pounds a Year may be raised and settled on his Majesty, in Compensation for Wardships and Liveries, and the Court of Wards: And this Committee are to meet in the Inner Court of Wards, at Three of the Clock this Afternoon: And Mr. Finch is to take care of this Business.