House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 30 November 1689

Sabbati, 30 die Novembris 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Privilege- Persons petition for discharge.

A PETITION of Robert Edwards, and John Henshaw, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners were taken into Custody for a Breach of Privilege committed against Sir Rich. Middleton, one of the Members of this House: And they, having begged his Pardon, do beg the Pardon of the House also: And praying to be discharged from their Confinement.

Reversing Armstrong's Attainder.

A Bill to reverse the Attainder of Sir Thomas Armstrong, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read the Second time.

Astley Vicarage.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for settling a Maintenance upon the Minister of Astley in the County of Warwick.

Prideaux's Claim on Lord Jeffryes.

A Petition of Edm. Prideaux, of Ford Abbey in Devonshire, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That, being at his House on the Nineteenth Day of June One thousand Six hundred Eighty-five, was seized by one of the late King's Messengers, for Suspicion of Treason; and brought to the Messenger's House in London; where he continued a Prisoner till Fourteenth July following; when he was discharged by an Habeas Corpus, he giving Security to appear the First Day of the next Term: And that, during his said Imprisonment, he often desired to be examined before the Council, that he might know his Accuser, or Crime; but could not be admitted thereto: That the Petitioner, continuing in London, in order to his Appearance, was, on the Fourteenth Day of September following, again seized, and sent close Prisoner to the Tower, for High Treason; where his Wife could not, without great Difficulty, obtain to see him, and that under the Condition of being kept close Prisoner with him; who was so, till by Indisposition she was forced to procure her Release: That, in the Time of the Petitioner's Imprisonment, a general Inquiry was made by the late Lord Jeffryes amongst the Prisoners and condemned Persons in the West, for an Accusation against the Petitioner: And some with Threats, and others with Promises of Life, were procured to be his Accusers; particularly Mr. Charles Speake (as he declared before his Execution) was proffered his Life to swear against him: That the Petitioner hearing of these Endeavours, and knowing his Innocency, he endeavoured an Application to the late King, by Two Persons of Quality, for his Majesty's Pardon: But was answered, That the King had given your Petitioner to the said Lord Jeffryes: Whereupon a known Agent of his Lordship's undertook to transact the Matter of getting the Petitioner's Pardon by his Means; and his Wife was then refused to see him any more, unless he would contract to lay down Fifteen thousand Pounds; which, after Seven Months close Imprisonment, the Petitioner did sign Bonds to pay; and the same was paid accordingly in Three Days after, to the great Prejudice of his Estate: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises; and that Leave may be given to bring in a Bill to make the said late Lord Jeffryes' Estate lyable to the Restitution of the Fifteen thousand Pounds to the Petitioner.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, to charge the Estate of the late Lord Jeffryes with the said Fifteen thousand Pounds.

Southampton Election.

A Petition of Sir Charles Windham, Knight, was read; setting forth, That he was duly elected in the Place of Richard Brett, Esquire, deceased, as a Burgess for the Town and County of Southampton, by the Majority of the Electors there; yet that, notwithstanding, by indirect Practice, Mr. Edward Fleming is returned by the Mayor and Sheriff, in Prejudice of the Petitioner, and to the apparent Wrong of the Electors: And praying a short Day may be appointed for hearing the Petitioner's Complaint.

Ordered, That the Consideration of Sir Charles Windham's Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: And they are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Windham have Leave to go into the Country for a Month, upon urgent Business.

Message from the King- provisioning Army in Ireland.

Mr. Comptroller acquaints the House, That he had a Message from his Majesty to this House, in Writing: Which he delivered to Mr. Speaker: Who read the same; and is as followeth:

William R

HIS Majesty, having already declared his Resolutions, to prosecute the War in Ireland with the utmost Vigour; and being desirous to use the Means that may be most satisfactory and effectual in order to it; is graciously pleased, That this House do recommend a Number of Persons, not exceeding Seven, to be commissioned by His Majesty to take care of the Provisions, and such other Preparations as shall be necessary for that Service.

Account of the Army.

His Majesty is further pleased to let the House know, That, upon Consideration of the Address of the Eleventh of November, he gives them Leave to nominate some Persons to go over into Ireland, to take an Account of the Number of the Army there, and the State and Condition of it, who shall receive his Majesty's Orders accordingly.

Thanks for Message.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That the humble Thanks of this House be presented to his Majesty, for his most gracious Message this Day to this House.

Resolved, That the whole House do attend his Majesty to present the same.

Ordered, That the Members of this House, who are of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, do wait upon his Majesty, to know his Pleasure, When he will be pleased to be attended by this House, to present their humble Thanks for his gracious Message this Day to this House.

Ways and Means.

A Motion being made, and a Question being proposed, That the House do presently resolve into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the most speedy and effectual Ways for raising the Two Millions granted to their Majesties.

The previous Question was put, That that Question be now put:

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Supply Bill; Land Tax.

Resolved, That this House do presently resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Bill for granting to their Majesties an Aid of Two Shillings in the Pound for One Year; and how to make the said Bill more effectual.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Solicitor General took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Solicitor General reports from the Committee of the whole House, That they had made some further Progress in the Bill: And that they had directed him to move, That the Committee may sit again on Monday Morning next.

Resolved, That the House do, upon Monday Morning next, at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the said Bill.

Ordered, That the Members of such Counties as have not already brought in Lists of Commissioners Names for the said Bill, do bring the same on Monday Morning next.