House of Lords Journal Volume 13: 7 November 1678

DIE Jovis, 7 die Novembris.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Report concerning Letters sent to Mr. Coleman.

The Lord Bishop of Bath & Wells reported, "That the Committee for Examination of Papers concerning the horrid Design against His Majesty's Person have examined Jerom Boatman, Servant to Edward Coleman now a Prisoner in Newgate, concerning Two Letters which have been suppressed, directed to Mr. Coleman; which Two Letters the said Jerom Boatman confesses he received, and delivered them into the Hands of Mrs. Coleman, who says, she does not remember that any Letters were delivered to her."

His Lordship further reported, "That the Committee desires one Whitehall may have his Oath given him, in order to his Examination concerning Mr. Coleman." Which was presently done.

Sorocold's Report, concerning Blundell.

Lieutenant Sorocold gave the House an Account, "That he hath apprehended one John Blundell, by Warrant of a Justice of Peace, upon a Suspicion of firing Lymehouse."

The House gave Directions, That the said Blundell should be brought to the Bar; and at the same Time Mr. Tytus Otes should be present, to try whether he knows him to be that Blundell, the Romish Priest, which he mentioned in his Narrative.

Rich. Langhorne, Evidence against him.

Next, Richard Langhorne the Younger was brought to the Bar; and Mary White was produced as a Witness against him; who being asked, "Whether she did know the said Richard Langhorne, and what she had to say concerning him?" She answered, "That she did know the said Langhorne; and she did hear the said Langhorne say, He did not doubt but, if one Thing hit, his Father would be the Third Man in the Kingdom."

Langhorne confessed he knew the said Mary White; but denied he spake any such Words; and said, "Why should he say any Thing to her, who was an Enemy to Catholics?"

Then Mary Planner upon her Oath said, "That she was told by Mrs. Langhorne (Mother to the said Richard Langhorne), That she went lately to her Son's Chamber, and found him very jovial; whereupon she asked him, "How he could be merry, seeing there was a Warrant against him, upon the Account of bringing the Commission to his Father, to be Judge Advocate?" He replied, "He did not fear; nor would he fly." At which Mrs. Langhorne said, "None but a Prince could make Generals." To which he said, "Let them bring it to that."

Then Mrs. Langhorne said, "She was at her Son Richard Langhorn's Chamber; and he said to her those Words as Mary Planner hath deposed."

Disabling Papists from sitting in Parliament, &c. Bill.

The House was adjourned into a Committee during Pleasure, to consider the Bill for the more effectual preserving of the King's Person and Government, by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament.

The House was resumed.

Blundell discharged.

Then John Blundell was called in; and Tytus Otes was asked, "Whether he knows the said John Blundell; and whether he be not that Person he mentions to be the Romish Priest in his Relation?" He answered, He doth not know this Person; and he who he mentions is Nicholas Blundell."

This John Blundell confessed himself to be a Romish Recusant; but denied he had any Hand in the burning of Lymehouse.

So, there being no other Accusation against him, the House ORDERED, That he be discharged for this Matter.

Disabling Persons from sitting in Parliament, &c. Bill.

ORDERED, That To-morrow Morning this House be put into a Committee, to proceed further in the Consideration of the Bill for the more effectual preserving of the King's Person and Government.

Message from H. C. to remind the Lords of it; and with an Address.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Powle and others:

To acquaint their Lordships, that the Commons had prepared an humble Address to be presented to His Majesty; to which they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

2. To put their Lordships in Mind of the Bill brought up from the House of Commons, concerning the Preservation of His Majesty's Person and Government.

The said Address was read.

And it is ORDERED, That this Address shall be taken into Consideration To-morrow Morning.

The E. of Berks, the Lord Bishop of Sarum, and the Lord Howard of Esc. are added to the Committee for Privileges.

L. Howard of Esc. takes his Seat.

This Day William Howard de Eserick Chevalier sat first in Parliament, as a Peer of this Realm.

His Writ bears Date the 10th Day of October, Anno Regni Domini Regis Caroli Secundi Tricesimo; coming in by Right of Succession after the Death of Thomas Lord Howard his Brother.

Address for a Pardon for Tytus Otes.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lords with White Staves do wait on His Majesty, humbly to desire Him, from this House, "That His Majesty will be graciously pleased to grant His Royal Pardon to Tytus Otes, for what he hath done and confessed concerning himself, for which he is liable to the Severity of the Laws of this Kingdom."

D. Bucks, Privilege. Snape & al. released.

Whereas Francis Snape and Edward Molton have for some Time lain in the Custody of the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House, for arresting and detaining in (fn. 1) Person Robert Feilding Esquire, Servant to the Duke of Bucks:

It is this Day ORDERED, upon the Motion of the Duke of Bucks (on their Behalf), That the said Francis Snape and Edward Molton be, and are hereby, discharged from any further Restraint concerning that Matter (paying their Fees): And this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To Sir Edward Carteret Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod attending this House, his Deputy and Deputies, and every of them.

Sir R. Walsh to attend the Committee for the Plot.

Whereas, upon some Information given to this House, by the Earl of Clarendon, "That there might be some Papers of dangerous Consequence in the Custody of Sir Robert Walsh," he, with all his Papers were seized Yesterday, by Order of this House, and is now in the Custody of the Gentlemen Usher of the Black Rod:

Upon reading the Petition of the said Sir Rob't Walsh this Day, praying his Release; it is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That he be, and is hereby, discharged from his present Restraint for this Day; and he is hereby required to attend the Lords Committees appointed to examine Papers concerning the horrid Design against His Majesty's Person, To-morrow, at Nine of the Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings; whose Lordships are to peruse his Papers, and to consider whether there be any Cause for his further Restraint, and make Report unto the House.

R. Langhorne committed.

ORDERED, That Richard Langhorne be returned to the Prison of Newgate.

And the Keeper of Newgate was called in; and charged he should have a great Care of this Prisoner, and not suffer any Person to speak with him.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque in diem Veneris, 8^um diem instantis Novembris, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.