House of Lords Journal Volume 11: 29 August 1660

DIE Mercurii, 29 die Augusti.

PRAYERS, by Dr. Hodges.

Domini præsentes fuerunt:

E. of Cleveland's Bill.

The Lord Fynch reported from the Committee, the Earl of Cleaveland's Bill, as fit to pass, with some Amendments and Additions; which, being read Twice, were Agreed to, and ordered to be ingrossed, with the said Amendments and Additions.

Tisser at the Bar, concerning the Delivery of the Gatehouse of Worcester House to the Marq. of Worcester.

Anne Tysser was brought to the Bar, to hear what she can say, why she does not deliver up the Gatehouse of Worcester House to the Marquis of Worcester, according to the Order of this House And she said, "she bought the said Gatehouse of the Trustees that did sell the Marquis of Worcester's Lands in 1651."

But the House not being satisfied with this her Answer, the Lord Chancellor, by the Direction of the House, told her, "That the House expected she should deliver up the said Gatehouse forthwith to the Marquis of Worcester, or his Assigns; or else she must expect to (fn. 1) undergo the Displeasure of this House, for Contempt of their Lordships Orders."

E. of Derby's Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, "An Act restoring Charles Earl of Derby to the Possession of the Manors, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, belonging unto James late Earl of Derby his Father."

And the Question being put, "Whether this Bill shall pass as a Law"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Count. of Derby & al. Nat. Bill.

The Lord Mohun reported from the Committee, the Bill for naturalizing the Countess of Derby and others, as fit to pass, with some small Alterations.

Which being read Twice, it is ORDERED, That the said Bill be ingrossed with the said Alterations.

The King present.

This Day His Majesty, sitting in His Chair of Estate, commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to give Notice to the House of Commons, "That it is His Pleasure that they come up:"

Who being come with their Speaker, after a Speech made, he presented to His Majesty a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the speedy Provision of Money, for disbanding and paying off the Forces of this Kingdom, both by Land and Sea."

Which was received by the Clerk of the Parliaments.

Bills passed.

Then His Majesty was graciously pleased to give His Royal Assent to these Bills following; the Titles whereof were read by the Clerk of the Crown; and the Royal Assent was pronounced by the Clerk of the Parliaments:

The Titles of the said Bills are as follow; (videlicet,)

"An Act for Confirmation of Judicial Proceedings."

"An Act for restraining the taking of excessive Usury."

"An Act for a perpetual Anniversary Thanksgiving on the 29th of May."

"An Act of Free and General Pardon, Indemnity, and Oblivion."

To all these Bills, the Royal Assent was pronounced in these Words,

"Le Roy le veult."

"An Act for Naturalizing Peter De la Pierre, alias Peters, and John De la Pierre, alias Peters."

"Soit faict come il est desire."

"An Act for the speedy Provision of Money, for disbanding and paying off the Forces of this Kingdom, both by Land and Sea."

"Le Roy, remerciant Ses bons Subjects, accepte leur Benevolence, et ainsi le veult."

Then His Majesty made a very Gracious Speech. (Here enter it.)

King's Speech.

ORDERED, That the Lord Chamberlain be desired to desire His Majesty, from this House, "That He would please to give Order (fn. 2) for the Printing of this His Majesty's Gracious Speech."

Peers Poll money:

ORDERED, That John Clutterbuck is appointed, by this House, to be Receiver General for all those Monies that are to be paid by the Peers upon the Poll Bill.

Lords Commissioners for it.

ORDERED, That the Lords that are Commissioners for to assess the Peers upon the Poll Bill do meet Tomorrow in the Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Prince's Lodgings, to put the Act into Execution, for the speedy bringing in of the Money.

E. of Derby's Bill.

ORDERED, That the Earl of Derbie's Bill be sent to the House of Commons To-morrow Morning.

Clutterbuck to be Receiver of the Peers Poll-money.

ORDERED, That Mr. John Clutterbucke shall, by virtue of this Order, be Receiver and Collector of the several Sums of Money rated and taxed upon the Nobility, in an Act for the speedy Provision of Money for disbanding and paying off the Forces of this Kingdom both by Land and Sea; which said Sums of Money he shall dispose of to such Persons respectively, and to such Uses and Purposes, as are appointed by the said Act.

Tisser to be committed, if she does not deliver the Gatehouse at Worcester House to the Marq. of Worcester.

Whereas Anne Tysser, being this Day at the Bar, for disobeying the Orders of this House, in not delivering up the Possession of the Gatehouse of Worcester House unto the Marquis of Worcester, or his Assigns, did affirm, "That her Husband bought the said Gatehouse of the Trustees, in 1651, by that Authority that was in Power in the Year 1645;" which Answer of hers giving no Satisfaction to the House:

It is ORDERED, &c. That she shall deliver up the Possession of the said Gatehouse, within Three Days next after Sight of this Order, unto the said Marquis, or his Assigns, or else to stand committed, for her Disobedience and Contempt of this Order, and the former Orders of this House.

The King's Speech.

(fn. 3) "His Majesty's Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on the 29th Day of August, 1660, at the passing of the Act of Free Pardon, Indemnity, and Oblivion, and several other Acts.

"My Lords, and Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I have been here sometimes before with you, but never with more Willingness than I am at this Time: And there be few Men in the Kingdom who have longed more impatiently to have these Bills passed, than I have done to pass them; and I hope they will be the Foundation of much Security and Happiness to us all.

"I do very willingly pardon all that is pardoned by this Act of Indemnity, to that Time which is mentioned in the Bill; nay, I will tell you, that from that Time to this Day, I will not use great Severity, except in such Cases where the Malice is notorious, and the public Peace exceedingly concerned. But for the Time to come, the same Discretion and Conscience, which disposed Me to the Clemency I have expressed, which is most agreeable to My Nature, will oblige Me to all Rigour and Severity, how contrary soever it be to My Nature, towards those who shall not now acquiesce, but continue to manifest their Sedition and Dislike of the Government, either in Action or Words. And I must conjure you all (My Lords and Gentlemen) to concur with Me in this just and necessary Severity; and that you will, in your several Stations, be so jealous of the Public Peace, and of My particular Honour, that you will cause exemplary Justice to be done upon those who are guilty of seditious Speeches or Writings, as well as those who break out into seditious Actions; and that you will believe those who delight in reproaching and traducing My Person, not to be well-affected to you and the Public Peace. Never King valued Himself more upon the Affections of His People than I do; nor do I know a better Way to make Myself sure of your Affections, than by being just and kind to you all; and, whilst I am so, I pray let the World see that I am possessed of your Affections.

"For your Poll Bill, I do thank you as much as if the Money were to come into My own Coffers; and wish with all My Heart that it may amount to as great a Sum as you reckon upon. If the Work be well and orderly done to which it is designed, I am sure I shall be the richer by it in the End; and, upon My Word, if I had wherewithal, I would Myself help you, so much I desire the Business done. I pray very earnestly, as fast as Money comes in, discharge that great Burden of the Navy, and disband the Army as fast as you can; and, till you can disband the rest, make a Provision for their Support.

"I do conjure you, as you love Me, let Me not hear the Noise of Free Quarter, which will be imputed to My Want of Care and Government, how innocent soever I am; and therefore be sure you prevent it.

"I am so confident of your Affections, that I will not move you in any Thing that immediately relates to Myself; and yet I must tell you, I am not richer, that is, I have not so much Money in My Purse, as when I came to you. The Truth is, I have lived principally ever since upon what I brought with Me, which was indeed your Money, for you sent it to Me, and I thank you for it. The Weekly Expence of the Navy eats up all you have given Me by the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage. Nor have I been able to give my Brothers One Shilling since I came into England, nor to keep any Table in My House, but what I eat Myself. And that which troubles Me most is, to see many of you come to Me to Whitehall, and to think that you must go somewhere else to seek your Dinner.

"I do not mention this to you as any Thing that troubles Me. Do but take Care of the Public, and for what is necessary for the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom; and take your own Time for My own Particular, which I am sure you will provide for with as much Affection and Frankness as I can desire.

"Published at the Desire of the Lords in Parliament, and by His Majesty's Allowance."

Adjourn.

House adjourned till 9^a cras.