House of Lords Journal Volume 15: 16 April 1695

DIE Martis, 16 Aprilis.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Town-clerk of London to attend.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Town Clerk of the City of London do lay before this House, To-morrow, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, the Two Reports made by the Auditors of the Chamberlain's and City's Accompts, for the Years 1691 and 1692.

Newcastle Keels, for better Measurement of, Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for the better Admeasurement of Keels and Keelboats in the Port of Newcastle, and the Members thereunto belonging."

ORDERED, That the Consideration of the said Bill be committed to the Lords following; (videlicet,)

Their Lordships, or any Five of them; to meet To-morrow, at Nine of the Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Sir T. Cooke heard:

Upon hearing Sir Thomas Cooke this Day, in relation to a Bill depending in this House against him; the Committee following was named; (videlicet,)

Committees to draw a Bill to indemnify him from Actions he may be liable to by reason of Confessions, except from the E. I. Comp.

Lords Committees appointed to draw a Bill to indemnify Sir Thomas Cooke from any Actions he may be liable to, by reason of any Confession he shall make of the Distribution of Seventy-seven Thousand Two Hundred Fiftyeight Pounds, and Ninety Thousand Pounds, other than such Actions as the East India Company may have against him for the same; whose Lordships have Power to send for and hear the said Sir Thomas Cooke, and report to the House.

The Judges present, to assist.

Their Lordships, or any Five of them; to withdraw presently into the Prince's Lodgings.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Committee.

After some Time, the House was resumed.

Sir T. Cooke desires Liberty to inspect his Papers:

And the Earl of Rochester acquainted the House, "That the Committee had met, and ordered the Judges to draw a Bill; and have heard Sir Thomas Cooke; who says, he, being a Prisoner, cannot come at his Papers: Therefore the Committee desires the Directions of this House, how Sir Thomas Cooke may have Liberty to inspect his Papers."

Message to H. C. for that Purpose.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir Robert Legard:

To desire that they will give Leave, that Sir Thomas Cooke, a Prisoner by their Order, may go, in Custody, to inspect his Papers, in order to a speedy Discovery in what Manner the Sums of Seventy-seven Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-eight Pounds, and Ninety Thousand Pounds, mentioned in the Bill, intituled, "An Act to oblige Sir Thomas Cooke to give an Accompt to whom he paid and distributed several Sums of Money, therein mentioned to be received out of the Treasure of the East India Company, were distributed."

The House was adjourned during Pleasure again, and the Lords went to the Committee.

After some Time, the House was resumed.

Answer.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons return Answer:

That the Commons agree, that Sir Thomas Cooke shall have Leave to go in Custody, to inspect his Papers, in order to a speedy Discovery, as the Lords do desire.

This Day William Lord Marquis of Halifax sat first in Parliament, upon the Death of his Father George Lord Marquis of Halifax; and took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, pursuant to the Statutes; and then took his Place on the Earls Bench.

His Writ bears Date the 15th Instant.

The Earl of Rochester reported from the Committee, the Bill for indemnifying Sir Thomas Cooke, as drawn by them.

Sir T. Cooke, Indemnity from all Actions liable to on account of Confessions, Bill.

Hodie 1^a et 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act to indemnify Sir Thomas Cooke from Actions which he might be liable to, by reason of his discovering to whom he paid and distributed several Sums of Money, therein mentioned to be received out of the Treasure of the East India Company."

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the said Bill.

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Bridgewater reported, "That the Committee had agreed to the Bill, with an Amendment in the Title."

Which, being read Twice, was agreed to; and ORDERED, That the said Bill be engrossed.

Sir T. Cooke, to oblige him to accompt for Money received from the Treasure of the E. I. Comp.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the House shall be put into a Committee, to proceed on the Bill, intituled, An Act to oblige Sir Thomas Cooke to give an Accompt to whom he paid and distributed several Sums of Money, therein mentioned to be received out of the Treasure of the East India Company," To-morrow, at Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon; and that the Committee of the East India Company attend at the same Time, with their Books and Orders, as they did this Day: And that the House shall be put into the said Committee immediately after the Third Reading of the Bill, intituled, "An Act to indemnify Sir Thomas Cooke from Actions which he may be liable to, by reason of his Discovery to whom he paid and distributed the several Sums of Money, therein mentioned to be received out of the Treasure of the East India Company, and from any Prosecution for such Distribution."

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, (videlicet,) decimum septimum diem instantis Aprilis, hora decima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.