House of Lords Journal Volume 17: 10 October 1704

DE Veneris, 10 Novembris.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Methods of keeping Records in Offices, Ld. Treasurer's Account of.

The Lord Treasurer gave the House an Account, in Writing, of what has been done, in relation to the Report of the Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Methods of keeping Records, and the Order of this House of the Thirtieth of March last; and also in Pursuance of their Lordships Order of the Sixth Instant, as follows; (videlicet,)

"To the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled.

"In Pursuance of your Lordships Order of the Sixth of this Instant November, I do herewith lay before your Lordships an Account of what has been done, in relation to the Report of the Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Methods of keeping Records, and the Order of your Lordships dated the Thirtieth of March last; (that is to say,)

"I laid the abovementioned Report of the Lords Committees, which relates only to the Records in The Tower, before the Queen. And,

"On the Twelfth of May last, Her Majesty was pleased to sign a Warrant, directed to Sir Christopher Wren Knight Surveyor General of the Works, William Lowndes Esquire, John Anstis Esquire, William Petyt Esquire, Peter Le Neve Esquire, and William Grymes Gentleman, requiring them, or any Three of them, to repair to The Tower of London, and there to view and inspect Cesar's Chapel, and examine how, and in what Manner, the Records there might be preserved; as also the Place where the present Office is kept in the said Tower; and what Works were necessary to be done for receiving, placing, and digesting, the said Records, and to make a Report to me thereupon, and upon several other Particulars therein mentioned; a Copy of which Warrant is herewith presented, N° 1.

"On the 6th of September last, the abovenamed Sir Christopher Wren, William Lowndes, William Petyt, and John Anstis, did make a Report to me of what they had done, in Pursuance of Her Majesty's said Warrant; a Copy of which Report is likewise contained in a Paper, N° 2.

"On the 8th of the same Month, Direction was given by me, as was proposed in that Report, for issuing to the Paymaster of the Works £. 150. for providing Presses, Drawers, and Shelves, for the Records in Cesar's Chapel; as by a Copy thereof, N° 3.

"On the same Day, I likewise ordered Sir Christopher Wren to demolish a Room lying contiguous to Two Rooms, wherein it was proposed, by the said Report, that Presses should be placed, for receiving the Records in Cesar's Chapel, in regard the same had been lately on Fire, and was very dangerous; a Copy of that Order is N° 4.

"On the 25th of September, I appointed Wm. Petyt Esquire to supervise the digesting, placing, and putting in Order, the Records lying in Cesar's Chapel, and other Records in his Custody, with several Instructions contained in that Warrant, and a Power to take in Three Clerks for that Service, at £. 150. per Annum, from Michaelmas 1704 (over and above a Chief Clerk, which, by the Report of the said Referees, was further recommended to be appointed by me at £. 100. per Annum); a Copy of which Constitution is N° 5.

"On 28th of the same Month, I appointed George Holmes (recommended to be by the Referees as aforesaid) to be Chief Clerk for digesting and puting in Order the said Records in Cesar's Chapel, at a Salary of £. 100. per Annum, from Michaelmas 1704, and to be under the Direction of the said Supervisor, N° 6.

"I do also lay before your Lordships a Certificate from Sir Christopher Wren (dated the 9th Instant, N° 7.) of what has been done, relating to the providing Presses, Shelves, and Drawers, for receiving the Records in Cesar's Chapel, and to the demolishing the Room lately on Fire near the Place where those Records are intended to be placed.

"And a Report from Mr. Petyt (dated the same Day, N° 8.) intimating, "That, pursuant to my Warrant, he did immediately appoint Clerks sufficiently capacitated, who have been ever since fully employed, under his Inspection, in cleaning, forting, and digesting those Records, in order to be preserved in the Method prescribed."

10th November, 1704.

"Godolphin."

Records in Offices.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Report and other Papers laid this Day before the House by the Lord High Treasurer of England, relating to the keeping of Records in Offices, shall be, and they are hereby, referred to the Lords Committees appointed to inspect the Method of keeping Records in Offices.

Lords Committees appointed to consider of the Methods of keeping Records in Offices, and how they are kept, and to consider of Ways to remedy what shall be found to be amiss; whose Lordships, having considered thereof, sent for such Officers, and heard such Persons thereupon, as they shall think fit, are afterwards to report their Opinion thereupon to the House; and the said Committee have hereby Power to appoint a Sub-committee, to consider thereof, and inspect such Offices and Records as they shall think fit; and report to the Grand Committee; (videlicet,)

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

Address concerning French Protestants.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, "That, in the Exchange of the Bishop of Zuebec, and the other Ecclesiastics taken in the Ship La Seine this last Summer, She will have Regard to the poor French Protestants that are in the Gallies."

ORDERED, That the Lords with White Staves do humbly attend Her Majesty with the said Address.

Stevenson versus Frewen.

Upon reading the Petition and Appeal of Sam'l Stevenson Esquire and Frances his Wife, Sister and Heir, and also Executrix, of Mathew Scot, Son and Heir of Humphrey Scot, from a Decree made in the Court of Chancery, the Sixteenth Day of April, in the Second Year of Her present Majesty's Reign, on the Behalf of John Frewen, Executor of Thomas Frewen Esquire, Executor of George Scott, and Henry Champion Esquire, Executor of William Champion Esquire deceased; and praying "the Reversal of the said Decree; and that all Proceedings thereupon may be stayed:"

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the said John Frewen and Henry Champion may have a Copy of the said Appeal; and shall and they are hereby required to put in their Answers thereunto, in Writing, on Friday the Four and Twentieth Day of this Instant November, at Eleven a Clock in the Forenoon; and that, in the mean Time, all Proceedings in the Courts below shall be stayed.

The House to be called.

It is ORDERED, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That this House shall be called over on Thursday the Three and Twentieth Day of this Instant November, at Eleven a Clock; and that the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England do write to the absent Lords, to require their Attendance at that Time.

Adjourn.

Dominus Custos Magni Sigilli declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Sabbati, undecimum diem instantis Novembris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.