House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 25 May 1689

Sabbati, 25 die Maii ; 1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Arundell Building Grounds.

AN ingrossed Bill, sent down from the Lords, intituled, An Act for building into Tenements the remaining Part of Arundell Grounds, as now inclosed, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Coningsby, Mr. England, Mr. Hamden, Sir John Doyley, Mr. Paul Foley, Sir Tho. Dyke, Mr. Howard, Sir John Guise, Sir Cha. Raleigh, Sir Rob Nappier, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. Dolben, Sir Matth. Andrews, Sir Wm. Cookes, Sir Christ. Musgrave, Mr. Moore, Sir Nevill Catelyn, Lord Fitzharding, Sir John Barker, Mr. Ashburnham, Mr. Norreis, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Founds, Sir Robert Clayton, Mr. Boscawen, Sir Rob. Rich, Sir Jo. Cordell, Sir John Wyne, Sir Jo. Rouse, Sir H. Ashhurst, Sir H. Johnson, Sir Rob. Howard, Sir Just. Isham: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. * have Leave to go into the Country, for a Fortnight.

Ordered, That Mr. Burdot have Leave to go into the Country, for Three Weeks.

Multiplying Gold and Silver.

Ordered, That Leave be giving to bring in a Bill to repeal the Statute of 5° H. IV. concerning multiplying Gold and Silver.

Irish Forfeitures.

Ordered, That Mr. Pollen, Sir Rob. Cotton, Mr. Boyle, Sir Tho. Darcye, Sir Jo. Guise, Sir Jo. Cutler, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Sir Fra. Russell, Sir Hen. Ashurst, Mr. Reynell, Mr. Elwell, Sir Wm. Pinsent, and all the Members that serve for the City of London, be added to the Committee appointed to receive Proposals for raising Monies upon forfeited Lands in Ireland: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Suspending Habeas Corpus.

A Bill for impowering his Majesty to apprehend and detain such Persons, as he shall find just Cause to suspect are conspiring against the Government, was read the Third time.

And the Question being put, that the Bill do pass;

The House divided.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolved, That the Title be, An Act for impowering their Majesties to commit, without Bail, such Persons as they shall find just Cause to suspect are conspiring against the Government.

Ordered, That Mr. Hamden do carry the Bill up to the Lords, for their Concurrence.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Hussey have Leave to go into the Country, for Three Weeks.

East India Company.

Mr. Onslow reports from the Committee appointed to examine how, and by what Warrant, the Charters of the 35th of King Charles the Second, and the Charters of King James the Second, to the East India Company; and the Commission to Sir John Wyborne, and others, in April 1685; were obtained; That they had examined the same accordingly, and agreed upon a Report: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

That they find entered in the Signet Office, in July 1683, a Charter granted to the East India Company; and that the Bill was subscribed by the Attorney General: And that Mr. Serjeant Jenkins procured the King's Hand.

That the said Charter did pass the Privy Seal in the said Month of July; and that it was subscribed by the Attorney General, by Warrant under his Majesty's Signet Manual.

That, in the Signet Office, is Entry of a Charter, granted to the East India Company in February 168⁵/6.

That the Bill was subscribed by the Attorney General, and the King's Hand procured by the Earl of Sunderland.

That the said Charter did pass the Privy Seal in the said Month of February; that it was subscribed by the Attorney General, by Warrant under the King's Signet Manual.

That, in the Hanaper Office, there is an Entry of a Charter, granted to the East India Company in August 1683.

Another in the same Office; in April 1686.

That they also examined the Crown Office; but find no Commission to Sir John Wybourne, entered to the East India Company, since 1683.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Thomas Dyke have Leave, for a Fortnight, to go into the Country.

Ordered, That Sir John Barker have Leave to go into the Country, for Three Weeks.

East India Company.

The House proceeded in the further Hearing of the Matter upon the Petitions of Martha Bolton and Dorothy Bowyer, against the East India Company:

And the Counsel and Parties, on both Sides were called in, and further heard; and several Witnesses examined.

And the Counsel for the East India Company delivered in a Narrative of the Rebellion, or Tumult, which happened 21 October 1684, dated at St. Helena, 27 December 1684.

And the Journal of the Proceedings of the Court Martial upon the Commission, granted in April 1685, dated at St. Helena, 3 December 1685.

Then the Order for producing the Instructions given relating to the Commission of exercising Martial Laws, was read: And the Instructions were inquired after, of the Governor and Deputy Governor of the Company; and they acknowledged the having of them: But they insisted, That Counsel were of Opinion they should not be produced, in regard they might, perhaps, accuse some Persons of Criminal Matters: And, being asked, Who signed them; they desired to know, Whether they must be compelled to answer that Question.

Whereupon the Counsel, and Parties, withdrew.

And a Debate arose thereupon.

Resolved, That the Governor and Deputy Governor be called in; and that they be acquainted, That the House do not constrain them to produce their Instructions; but to require them to give an Answer, Whether they will produce them, or not.

And they were called in; and Mr. Speaker acquainted them therewith.

Whereupon, the Deputy Governor said, That, without the Consent of the Governor and Committee, he could not produce them; and, unless the House do command him to produce them, he cannot do it.

And then they withdrew.

Resolved, That the further Debate touching the said Matter, be adjourned until Wednesday next, at Ten of the Clock.

Resolved, That the Governor and Deputy Governor be called in; and acquainted therewith: And that the House do desire them, then, to give their Resolution, Whether they will produce the Instructions: And that then they do come prepared to make their further Defence.

And they were called in; and Mr. Speaker acquainted them therewith, accordingly.

They then acquainted the House, That they had obtained a Copy of the Commission of April 1685, out of the Privy Council Books; and delivered the same in to the House.

Resolved, That the further Debate and Consideration touching the Matter aforesaid, be adjourned until Wednesday Morning next, Ten of the Clock.

Orphans of London.

. . . . . . . . resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Bill for Relief of the Orphans of the City of London; and nothing to intervene.

Irish Protestants.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee touching the Address for the Irish Protestants, be made upon Monday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock; and nothing to intervene.

And then the House adjourned until Monday Morning, next, Nine of the Clock.