House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 7 January 1702

DIE Mercurii, 7 Januarii.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Lords take the Oaths.

The Lords following took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, pursuant to the Statute; (videlicet,)

Arthur Earl of Torrington.

Jost Earl of Albemarle.

The Lord Keeper reported His Majesty's Answer to the Address, presented to His Majesty Yesterday,

Which was as followeth; (videlicet,)

"My Lords,

King's Answer to Address:

"I am extremely pleased, to find the just Sentiments you have of the present State of Affairs, and your Readiness to do your Part in this great Conjuncture: I hope our joint Endeavours will be successful, for restoring the Balance of Europe, and establishing our common Security."

Address to be printed.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England do give Order, That the Address of this House, and His Majesty's most Gracious Answer thereunto, be forthwith printed and published.

Security of the King's Person, &c. Bill for.

The Lord Wharton, pursuant to an Order of the Second Instant, brought in a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the Security of His Majesty's Person and Government; and for maintaining the Succession of the Crown, according to the Two late Acts of Parliament."

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for the Security of His Majesty's Person and Government; and for maintaining the Succession of the Crown, according to the Two late Acts of Parliament."

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Bill this Day read, intituled, "An Act for the Security of His Majesty's Person and Government; and for maintaining the Succession of the Crown, according to the Two late Acts of Parliament," shall be read the Second Time on Monday next, at Twelve a Clock; and all the Lords summoned then to attend.

Shepherd, Lord Mohun's Servant, discharged from an Arrest.

The House being informed, by the Lord Mohun, That Thomas Sheperd, his Steward and domestic Servant, was arrested, and is now in Prison in the Borough of Maclesfeld in Cheshire;" as also upon reading the Affidavit of the said Thomas Sheperd, asserting the same:

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said Thomas Sheperd shall be, and he is hereby, discharged from the Imprisonment he lies under; and this shall be a sufficient Warrant on that Behalf.

To the Keeper of the Gaol or Prison at Maclesfeld, his Deputy or Deputies, and every of them.

Bishop of Chichester to preach.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Lord Bishop of Chichester be, and he is hereby, desired to preach before this House, in the Abbey Church at Westminster, on the Thirtieth Day of this Instant January.

Baldwin examined, and Fuller examined, about the Books published by him:

The Order being read, for Mr. Fuller and Mrs. Baldwin to attend:

Mrs. Baldwin was called in, and asked, "By whose Order she published Fuller's Books?"

She said, "By Fuller's Order; but knew not from whom she received them."

And being asked about the Words, ["Published by Command ?"]

Said, "She knew nothing of those Words; but that Fuller hath often told her, "He would bear her harmless;" and believed, she could produce the original Copies of the Books; but knew not the Printer."

And then withdrew.

After which, Mr. Fuller was called in.

And being, by Order of the House, asked, "Whether Thomas Jones were in Being; and if he could produce him?"

Said, "In a short Time he could; in Five Days."

And, "Whether he caused the Books to be printed ?"

Said, "He did."

And being asked, "By whose Command?"

Said, "By Mr. Jones's and the rest of the Witnesses: and that Jones told him, the last Session; "If he did not publish the Books, he would quit the Service he was doing the Public; and that, if he printed any Thing against any Person, the Law was open; if against the Government, Mr. Attorney might prosecute."

Being asked, "Who those Lords and Commons were, that were acquainted with Jones, and the Merits of his Cause ?"

Said, "That Paragraph was none of his; and that he writ Part of the Preface; but knew not who writ the other Part."

Being also asked, "If he could name any One that knew Jones?"

Said, "One Ingram, a Friend of his, was gone to look after him; and one Earl, of Hampshire, knew him; and that Jones lived near Redbridge, in Hampshire; and was a Man of a Thousand Pounds a Year: That, if he did not produce him in Five Days, he would suffer all the Severities the House could lay on him."

And being asked, "Who printed the Book?"

Said, "One Buck, near Temple Barr; and that he gave him the Copy, and never had it back from him; and did not know who put in the last Paragraph; for that he did not."

Then he withdrew; and the Orders following were made:

"ORDERED, That no Person speak with Mr. Fuller, until the Rising of the House."

"ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That Mr. W'm Fuller do, on Wednesday next, at Eleven a Clock, produce before this House Mr. Thomas Jones, mentioned in his Petition; and that Mr. Thomas Jones shall have the Protection of this House."

Buck examined about it:

The House being informed, "That Mr. Buck, a "Printer, had sent the original Papers:"

And Mr. Buck, attending was called in, and shewn the Papers; who said, "He had those Papers from Mr. Fuller."

And being asked, "If Mr. Fuller told him, he had any Order to print those Books ?"

Said, "Mr. Fuller told him, "He was commanded by the Secretaries of State to print it; and said, the King was angry that it was not printed."

And being asked, "If Mr. Fuller found any Fault with the Print?"

Said, "He did not find any Fault with any Thing printed;" and delivered Mr. Fuller's Letter.

And, upon comparing the Copy with the printed Book, it appeared, that the Clause which Fuller said was not his Writing, was all writ with his own Handwriting, without any Interlineation.

Weaver to attend.

ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That Mr. Weaver, who lodges at Mr. Buck's, do attend this House To-morrow, at Eleven a Clock.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Jovis, octavum diem instantis Januarii, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.