House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 23 February 1689

Sabbati, 23 die Februarii;1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Leave of Absence.

ORDERED, That Sir Nevill Catlyn, Mr. Holt, and Mr. Sands, have Leave to go into the Country, for their Healths.

Burton and Graham's Accounts.

Sir Rob. Howard acquaints the House, that he had, according to their Order of Yesterday, been with Mr. Burton in the Tower; and that he found Mr. Burton and Mr. Graham were willing to discover something necessary for the Service of the House; and therefore he conceived it necessary to have some others joined with him to go to them: And that, if the House pleased, he would name Two such Persons, who, he conceived, would be acceptable to them in that Matter: And thereupon named Sir Robert Clayton, and Sir John Holt.

Resolved, That Sir Robert Clayton and Sir John Holt be added to Sir Robert Howard to go to the Tower, to speak with Mr. Burton and Mr. Graham; and that they do go to them accordingly upon Tuesday Morning next.

Petersfeild Election.

Colonel Birch reports from the Committee of Elections and Privileges, to whom the Matter of the Double Return and Election for the Borough of Petersfeild in the County of Southampton, was referred, that, the Committee having taken the same into their Consideration, the State of the Case appeared to be,

That the Return was as follows:

That the Counsel and Witnesses, on Mr. Mitchell's Side, attended.

That it was proved, that Mr. Mitchell had Forty-eight Voices, being the very same Persons that polled for Mr. Bilson, the Sitting Member; and that Colonel Norton had but Thirty-six Votes.

That Colonel Norton, being returned likewise for Portsmouth, and being detained by Indisposition, sent his Excuse by a Member; who acquainted the Committee, that he had nothing to object, touching the Double Return.

Whereupon the Committee proceeded to examine Witnesses touching Robert Mitchell, Esquire, his Election; and find him to be chosen by the same Number of Persons.

There was a Petition, under Seven Hands, pretended to be from the Town; but, none attending thereupon, though this was the Second time appointed for Hearing, the Committee laid it aside.

And that thereupon the Committee came to a Resolve: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the said State of the Case and Resolve, were read; the Resolve being as followeth:

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that Robert Mitchell, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament, for the Borough of Petersfeild.

The said Resolve being read a Second time;

Resolved, That this House do agree with the Committee, that Robert Mitchell, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess, to serve in this present Parliament, for the Borough of Petersfeild.

The House being informed, that the Clerk of the Crown attended at the Door, to amend the said Return;

Resolved, That the Clerk of the Crown be called in.

The Clerk of the Crown came in accordingly; and amended the said Return, by taking off the Certificate by which the said Thomas Bilson, and Rich. Norton, were returned to serve for the said Borough.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Robert Atkyns and Mr. Whitlock;

Preventing Disputes concerning this Parliament.

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint this House, That they have agreed to all the Amendments of this House, to the Bill, sent from their Lordships to this House, intituled, An Act for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes about the Assembling and Sitting of this present Parliament.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Introducing new Members.

The House being informed, that it was an ancient Order and Custom of the House, that, upon new Members coming into the House, they be introduced to the Table between Two Members, making their Obeisances as they go up, that they may be the better known to the House;

Resolved, That the said Order and Custom be, for the future, observed.

Reviving Proceedings at Law.

A Bill for Re-continuing of Actions and Process lately depending in the Courts of Westminster, and for curing other Defects, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the same be committed unto Mr. Paul Foley, Sir Tho. Clarges, Sir Wm. Williams, Major Wildman, Mr. Patten, Mr. Eyres, Mr. Wogan, Mr. Dalben, Mr. Hen. Pollexfen, Sir John Holt, Mr. Buscowen, Mr. Sumers, Sir Rob. Clayton, Mr. Palmes, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Reginolds, Mr. More, Sir Fran. Russel, Sir Jo. Cope, Sir Edw. Harley, Mr. Windham, Mr. Stockdale, Colonel Birch, Sir Christoph. Musgrave, Lord Downe, Mr. Howe, Sir H. Goodricke, and all the Members that are of the Long Robe: And they are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber, on Monday next at Four of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Royal Assent to a Bill.

A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Thomas Duppa, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this honourable House to attend Him in the House of Peers immediately.

Accordingly Mr. Speaker and the House went up to the House of Peers: And being returned;

Mr. Speaker acquaints the House, That his Majesty had given the Royal Assent to the Bill for removing and preventing all Questions and Disputes, concerning the Assembling and Sitting of this present Parliament.

Marches Court in Wales.

Resolved, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for taking away the Court holden before the President and Council of the Marches of Wales.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.