House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 21 March 1690

Veneris, 21 Martii; Anno Gulielmi et Mariæ Secundo.

Message to attend the King.

THE House being met; and Mr. Speaker Elect having taken the Chair;

A Message was delivered by Sir Tho. Duppa, Genman Usher of the Black Rod;

Gentlemen of the House of Commons.

The King commands this honourable House to attend His Majesty in the House of Peers immediately.

And accordingly the House went up to attend his Majesty, and to present their Speaker.

Mr. Speaker approved.

And Mr. Speaker having humbly represented to his Majesty, That the Choice of Speaker had fallen upon him; he acknowledged his Unfitness for so important a Service; and humbly beseeched his Majesty to command the Commons to make a better Choice.

But his Majesty was pleased to confirm him Speaker.

Whereupon he returned his humble Thanks to his Majesty for his gracious Acceptance; and humbly prayed his Majesty, in the Name of the Commons of England in Parliament assembled, That he would graciously be pleased to confirm all their ancient Rights and Privileges; and particularly that they might have Liberty and Freedom of Speech in all their Debates: That their Persons, Estates, and Servants, might be free from Arrests, and other Disturbances; and that they might, as Occasion should require, have Access to his Majesty's Royal Person.

All which were allowed of, and granted by his Majesty.

Mr. Speaker and the House being returned; Mr. Speaker made Report to the House, That his Majesty had been pleased to confirm all their Privileges to them, in as large a Manner as ever they enjoyed them.

Members take Oaths.

Then the House proceeded to the taking the Oaths appointed by the Statute made in the First Year of their Majesties Reign; and the making, repeating, and subscribeing the Declaration, directed by the Statute made in the Thirtieth Year of the Reign of the late King Charles the Second, intituled, An Act for the more effectual preserving the King's Person and Government, by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament.

And Mr. Speaker, first alone by himself in the Chair, and afterwards a great Number of the Members of the House, at the Table, did take the said Oaths; and made, repeated, and subscribed the said Declaration.

The House interpose to prevent a Quarrel.

The House being informed, that a Quarrel had happened in the Lobby of the House, between Sir Thomas Mompesson, and Wm. Okeden, Esquire, Two Members of the House;

And Mr. Okeden being present in the House;

Ordered, That Mr. Okeden be enjoined not to prosecute the Quarrel, until the House have examined the same.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Mompesson be summoned by the Serjeant, to attend in his Place To-morrow Morning; to answer the said Information.

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