House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 29 July 1689

Lunæ, 29 die Julii; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Claims on Revenue.

A PETITION of Letitia Cheeke, Widow, was read; setting forth, That King Charles the Second, by Letters of Privy Seal, dated 29th of June, in the Thirteenth Year of his Reign, directed Payment to be made to Sir John Robinson, and to the Lieutenants of the Tower, for the Time being, the yearly Allowance of Two hundred Pounds a Yea . . . . self; Sixteenpence per Day for the Gentleman Porter, and Fourteenpence per Day for each of Forty Yeomen Warders; as also such Sums of Money for Fewel, Repairs, Charges of Prisoners, &c. and other Charges, for which Allowances were made by King Charles the First: That, in April 1679, his said Majesty, by his Letters Patents, made Mr. Cheeke Lieutenant of the Tower, with a Grant of all Fees and Salaries thereto, who disbursed (being so intitled) divers Sums of Money, about Prisoners, and necessary Accommodations of the Tower; and, by virtue of the said Privy Seal, made his Demands, by Quarterly Bills, according to the ancient Usage in King Charles the First's Reign; as followeth:

The Quarterly Bills were examined, and allowed by Sir Robert Howard, and signed by the Privy Council, according to the Direction of the Lord Privy Seal; but none of them have been paid: That, in June 1687, the late King James the Second removed Mr. Cheek from the Office of Lieutenant of the Tower; but, in Compensation of the Loss of it, he, by his Letters Patents, dated the Twenty-third of August 1687, granted to Edward and Francis Russell, Esquires, and in Trust for the Petitioner and her Children, Six hundred Pounds per Annum for Ten Years; which amounts to Six thousand Pounds: But one Year hath been so, that the Accompt between the Two last Kings, and Mr. Cheek, stands thus; viz.

And the Petitioner praying, That, in Consideration thereof, the late King James's Grant may not be vacated, but stand in Force, being for a valuable Consideration.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for settling the Revenue, is referred.

Preventing Export of Wool.

A Petition of divers Merchants, Factors, and Clothiers, was read: But it was withdrawn, in regard it prayed to take a Clause out of the Bill for preventing the Exportation of Wool, for the exporting Cloth; and that a Bill might be brought in for that Purpose only.

Act 5 H. 4. against Multiplying Gold and Silver.

An ingrossed Bill to repeal the Statute of 5 Hen. IV. against multiplying Gold and Silver, was read the Third time.

An Amendment was proposed to be made, Press 2, Line 8, by leaving out, after " * * *," these Words, "as the same would yield by the Ounce Troy Weight, at the same time, in any Goldsmith's Shop in Lombardstrcet, London:" Which was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House: And the Bill amended at the Table accordingly.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title thereof be, An Act to repeal the Statute made in the Fifth Year of King Henry the Fourth, against multiplying Gold and Silver.

Ordered, That Sir Walter Moyle do carry the Bill up to the Lords for their Concurrence.

Irish Affairs.

Sir Thomas Littleton reports from the Committee, to whom it was referred to inquire into the Miscarriages relating to Ireland and Londonderry, That the Committee had examined the Matter complained of against Wm. Harbord, Esquire, a Member of the House: And that Sir John Temple, being examined upon what he knew in relation to Colonel Richard Hamilton's being sent into Ireland, and likewise concerning any Declaration for the Papists laying down their Arms in Ireland, said as followeth;

That he never saw, spoke with, or writ to, this Mr. Hamilton, since he came into England; but that the Sending him over was transacted by another (meaning his Nephew, Mr. Temple):

That, about the End of December last, a great many Gentlemen came out of Ireland, upon the Rumour of an intended Massacre:

That he has heard this Mr. Hamilton did tell his Nephew, That if he might be sent into Ireland, he would prevent this Massacre; and did believe he might prevail with the Lord Tyrconnell to deliver up the Kingdom:

That there was a Pass obtained for Mr. Hamilton to go on this Errand into Ireland, and he was to return in Three Weeks; but he broke his Word and never came.

He conceives this Going-over of Hamilton's did no great Harm, that he knows of; for that it was but the Loss of One Man to our Interest, who might have gone however, for that there was no Stop upon his Going; nor, after he was gone, did the Preparations against Ireland go on ever the less for it.

That he said, he knows of no Transaction in this particular Affair against Colonel Hamilton and Mr. Wm. Harbord; but that Mr. Harbord might discourse with his Nephew about this Business, for aught he knows.

That he said, he was himself sent to by Mr. Harbord to come to Town, and advice about the best Means for reducing Ireland.

That, about the First or Second of January, he was sent for to Town, particularly by Mr. Harbord; and told by him, That the King's Pleasure was, a Declaration should be drawn for the Papists in Ireland to lay down Arms.

That he drew one to that Purpose, and brought it to Mr. Harbord. That the King, he believes, might see it.

That it was shewed to divers Irish Gentlemen, who were dissatisfied about it: He believes the Reason was, because he had drawn . . by himself, without their Privity: Upon which he told Mr. Harbord, This Declaration might be laid by, and another drawn. Which was so done among the Irish Gentlemen, to their own Satisfactions.

He said, He drew a Letter likewise to Tyrconnell, for delivering up the Government: Which he delivered up to Mr. Harbord.

That Mr. Harbord did give him all the Countenance, Assistance, and Dispatch, that was possible, in relation to all the Irish Affairs wherein he was concerned.

Sir Oliver St. George, being next examined, said, That soon after the Prince's Arrival at London in December last, he acquainted his Highness, That it would conduce much to the Good of Ireland that a fair Correspondence were settled from hence thither; and that Expresses might be sent away to let them know how well Things were here.

That the Prince approved of what he said; and ordered him to attend Mr. Harbord for that Purpose.

That Mr. Harbord told him he would from time to time, give him all possible Dispatch.

That, discoursing upon this Subject, Mr. Harbord ordered him to find out fit Messengers to carry such Expresses.

That he recommended one Mr. Courthop and Mr. Cartwright, as very honest Men, and fit to be employed in this Affair.

That he attended Mr. Harbord often, to get these Messengers dispatched into Ireland; but that Mr. Harbord was many times so passionate, as he thought himself slighted by him.

That Mr. Harbord, at last, put off Mr. Cartwright, One of the Persons recommended to him, and would not employ him; but employed one Mr. Hamilton.

That Mr. Harbord delayed the other Messenger Mr. Corthope, till one Adam Peardon came with Letters from my Lord Inchiqueen and Mr. Boyle, representing the Condition of Ireland; and pressing for some Relief to be sent.

He said he told Mr. Harbord, That if the Messengers had been dispatched, when he first pressed it, they might have been back again by that time Mr. Peardon came.

That Mr. Peardon after staid about a Fortnight, before he could be dispatched.

That Mr. Hamilton (who was sent by Mr. Harbord in the stead of Mr. Cartwright) fell sick by the Way, whereby the Benefit of Two Expresses were lost; which was of ill Consequence.

That Mr. Hamilt . . . . . aminations, taken before the Committee, Mr. Wm. Harbord said, He had divers Witnesses to justify himself against any Aspersions that might be laid upon him; and moved they might be called in, and examined.

But that the Committee proceeded to debate upon what they had already heard; and were unanimously satisfied (after they had heard Mr. William Harbord in his Estate), that no Reflection whatsoever did rest upon him, from any Evidence that had been given; and therefore altogether needless to examine any more Witnesses.

And that the Committee ordered this special Matter, as it stands, to be reported to the House, with all Expedition, for the further Justification of Mr. Wm. Harbord, from any thing that might seem to reflect upon him.

Which Report being delivered in at the Clerk's Table, and there read;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee therein;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Privilege- Reflections on a Member.

Colonel Birch reports from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to whom it was referred to examine the Matter touching the raising and spreading a false and scandalous Report of Sir Peter Rich, by one Christopher Smelt, the State of the Fact as it appeared to the Committee; and which the Committee had directed him to report specially to the House: And he delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: And was there read; and is as followeth: viz.

That Devereux Jerman, a Witness, being examined, testified, That on the Twenty-fifth of June, at Five in the Morning, being, with some others, drinking his Morning's Draught at one Mary Allen's, Christopher Smelt came in; and said, "Where is your little Rich now? I have done his Business:" And being asked, How; he said, He went about, and told the People, That Sir Peter Rich was the first Popish Knight King James made; and that he was the Rogue or Rascal that impannelled my Lord Russell's Jury.

That Thomas Halfehyde said, He was at Mary Allen's at the same time: And that Smelt came in, and told them, He had been choosing Sheriffs and Chamberlain; and that he had done Sir Peter Rich's Business; and that he went about the Hall, and told the People, He was the first Popish Knighthood that King James had made.

That George Gun said, That he was present at Mary Allen's at the same time: And that Smelt came in, and said, He had been choosing a Chamberlain; and that he had told it up and down, What Sir Peter Rich was; and had done his Business: And that he said, Sir Peter Rich was one of those that impannelled my Lord Russell's Jury: But, being some time since, cannot remember all that passed then.

That Jeremy Bower said, Most of the Discourse was over, when he came in; but Smelt talked of Sir Peter Rich, and the first Popish Knighthood.

That Mr. Smelt said, They discoursed What was done the Day before at Guildhall: And that he saying, Sir Peter Rich was out, Mr. Jerman was angry: And thereupon he said, That, setting aside Sir Peter Rich's Popish Knighthood, there was as good Men in the Hall as he: And called.

John Cautryn: Who said, He had known Mr. Smelt Fifteen Years: That he had been twice Master of his Company; always voted for Protestant Religion, and the chief Instrument that prevented the Surrender of the Charter;

And called Edm. Faulcon, to the same Purpose.

But the Committee, not conceiving it material, came to a Resolution: 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;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Premises be specially reported to the House.

Resolved, That the said Christopher Smelt hath broken the Privileges of this House, in spreading a false and scandalous Report of Sir Peter Rich, a Member of this House.

Ordered, That Christopher Smelt be taken into Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for breaking the Privilege of this House, in spreading a false and scandalous Report of Sir Peter Rich, a Member of this House.

Supply Bill Settling Revenue.

Resolved, That the House do now resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, in the further Consideration of the Bill for settling the Revenue; and so de die in diem, till the same is finished.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Hamden took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Resolved, That the House do, To-morrow Morning resolve . . . Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Bill.

Conference with Lords.

Then the Managers went to the free Conference with the Lords, as was appointed on Saturday last.

And being returned;

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the free Conference, That the Managers appointed had attended the same: And that the Earls of Nottingham, Rochester, and other Lords, managed the same on the Part with the Lords: And that it held very long, and therefore desired Time to digest the Matters offered thereat into the Report to be made thereof.

Resolved, That the Report of the said free Conference be entered in the Journals of the House: And that Mr. Solicitor General be desired to prepare the same for that Purpose.

Prohibiting Commerce with France.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned, except the Committee to whom the Clause proposed to be added to the Bill for preventing the Importation of French Goods . . . . .

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight a Clock.