House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 14 August 1689

Mercurii, 14 die Augusti; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Duke of Buckingham's Estate.

A MESSAGE from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir John Franklin;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for the better enabling the Trustees of the Right Noble George late Duke of Buckingham to sell the Estate late of the said Duke, for Payment of his Debts: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Complaint against Lt. Col. Copley.

The House being informed, that Lieutenant Colonel Copley, Deputy Governor of Hull, and George Mawson, Deputy Postmaster of Hull, attended, according to the Order of Yesterday;

The said Colonel Copley was called in.

And the Petition of the said George Mawson being read; Colonel Copley was heard what he had to say thereunto.

And being withdrawn;

Both he and the Petitioner were called, to hear what they could say to each other.

And then being withdrawn;

Resolutions against seizing the Mail, &c. by the Military.

Resolved, That the Seizing the Mail, and breaking open of Post Letters by any Military Officer, or Soldier, is a Violation of the Rights of the Subject.

Resolved, That the breaking open Letters, directed to, or sent from any Member of this House, is a Breach of the Privilege of this House.

Resolved, That the Imprisoning, or inflicting of any Punishment, by any Military Officer, or Soldier, upon any of the Subjects of this Kingdom, not being in actual Military Service, and in Pay, is a Violation of the Rights of the People.

Then the Question being proposed, That the Petition be referred to the Committee of Grievances, to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same to the House;

The previous Question was put, That that Question be now put; and

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the main Question being put;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

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