House of Lords Journal Volume 20: 9 April 1717

DIE Martis, 9 Aprilis.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Davies & al. Pet. referred to Judges.

Upon reading the Petition of Robert Davies the Elder, of Greysenney, in the County of Flint, Esquire, and Anne his Wife, and of Robert Davies the Younger, their only Son and Heir Apparent, an Infant of the Age of about Two Years, by Sir John Conway Baronet, his next Friend, and of John Davies Clerk, Doctor in Divinity, Creditor by Mortgage of the said Robert Davies the Elder; praying, "That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill, for rectifying Mistakes and Defects of a Settlement, of the Second of April 1706, in the Petition mentioned; and for the securing the Payment of the Debts of the said Robert Davies, and for other Purposes in the Petition expressed:"

It is Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Consideration of the said Petition be, and is hereby, referred to the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and Mr. Justice Tracy; who are forthwith to summon all Parties concerned in the Bill; and, after hearing them, to report to the House the State of the Case, with their Opinion thereupon, under their Hands, and whether all Parties that may be concerned in the Consequences of the Bill have signed the Petition; and also that the Judges, having perused the Bill, do sign the same.

Breedon's Pet. referred to Judges.

Upon reading the Petition of John Breedon of Croton, John Breedon, an Infant, by Thomas Breedon Clerk, his Father and Guardian; praying, "That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill, for the Sale of Part of the Manor of Pangborne, in the County of Berks, for Payment of the Sum of Two Thousand Pounds, Interest and Costs, pursuant to a Decree of the Court of Chancery:"

It is Ordered, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Consideration of the said Petition be, and is hereby, referred to the Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and Mr. Justice Tracy; who are forthwith to summon all Parties concerned in the Bill; and, after hearing them, to report to the House the State of the Case, with their Opinion thereupon, under their Hands, and whether all Parties that may be concerned in the Consequences of the Bill have signed the Petition; and also that the Judges, having perused the Bill, do sign the same.

Compositors of Flying Post examined.

The House being informed, "That George Ridpath and Stephen Whatley were in the Custody of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod; and that Moses Brudenal and Nathaniel Dodd were attending, pursuant to their Lordships Orders on Saturday last:"

The said Moses Brudenal was called in; and examined, at the Bar, as to the composing the Paper, intituled,

"The Flying Post," and the Paragraph therein complained of.

Who acquainted the House, "That he composed Part of the said Paper; but not that Paragraph."

And withdrew.

Then Nathaniel Dodd was called in; and, being examined in relation to the same Matter, acquainted the House, "He composed the said Paragraph, from the Copy delivered in by Robert Tookey the Printer."

And being sworn, and examined concerning the Word ["Northern"], inserted in the said printed Paragraph before the Word ["Prelate"], which was not in the said Copy:

He deposed, "That the Word ["Northern"] was inserted in the Proof Sheet by the said Stephen Whatley, as he believed; whose Hand he is very well acquainted with."

And withdrew.

Ordered, That the said George Ridpath and Stephen Whatley be forthwith brought to the Bar of this House, in order to be examined touching this Matter.

Land Tax Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty by a Land Tax, in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventeen."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Thomas Gery and Mr. Fellowes:

To acquaint them, that the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

E. of Westmorland takes the Oaths.

This Day Thomas Earl of Westmorland took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes; his Lordship having delivered a Certificate of his receiving the Sacrament; to the Truth whereof, Witnesses were sworn, and examined.

Liverpool Dock, Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee of the whole House upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for enlarging the Time granted by an Act passed in the Eighth Year of the Reign of Her late Majesty Queen Anne, intituled, An Act for making a convenient Dock or Bason at Liverpoole, for Security of all Ships trading to and from the said Port of Liverpoole."

And, after some Time spent therein, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Clarendon reported from the said Committee, "That they had gone through the said Bill; and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment."

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, decimum diem instantis Aprilis, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.