House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 25 March 1689

Lunæ, 25 die Martii; 1° Willielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Westminster &c. Courts of Conscience.

A BILL for establishing Courts of Conscience in the City of Westminster, Borough of Southwarke, and Tower Hamlets, and Out Parishes within the Weekly Bills of Mortality, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Ramsden have Leave to go into the Country, for Three Weeks.

Ordered, That Mr. Anchitell Grey have Leave to go into the Country, for a Fortnight from Easter Monday.

Message from the King.

Mr. Hamden, One of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, acquaints the House, That he had a Message from his Majesty in Writing, and signed by him; And he delivered the same to Mr. Speaker; who read the same to the House; being as followeth:

General Pardon.

HIS Majesty, out of an earnest Desire to deliver His People from the Guilt, Reproach, and Penalties, which many of them may be liable to; and to put an End to all Controversies arising between his Subjects, by reason of any Disorders in the late Times; and to take away all Distinctions and Occasions of Discord among them, to the End that they, having an entire Confidence in His Majesty, and perfect Union amongst themselves, may be encouraged in their Duty to His Government, and more fully and securely enjoy the Benefit of it; and His Majesty, judging, that the best Way to render this His Gracious Purpose most extensive and effectual, is to pass an Act of Free and General Pardon, Indemnity, and Oblivion: His Majesty doth earnestly recommend the Consideration thereof to both Houses of Parliament, that, with all the Expedition a Matter of that Kind will admit, they may prepare a Bill for that Purpose, for the Royal Assent; with such Exceptions only, as to them shall seem necessary for the Vindication of publick Justice, the Safety of Their Majesties, and the Settlement and Welfare of the Nation for the future.

Address of Thanks.

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That the humble Thanks of this House be given to his Majesty for his Gracious Message this Day.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to draw up an Address of Thanks to be presented to his Majesty, for his most Gracious Message this Day to the House.

And it is referred to Sir Christopher Musgrave, Sir Tho. Clarges, Mr. Finch, Mr. Hamden, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Mr. Sommers, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Mr. Dalben, Mr. Buscowen, Mr. Attorney General, Sir Wm. Williams, Sir Rob. Nappier, Lord Wiltshire, Mr. Howe, Sir Thom. Lee, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr. Eyres, Sir Robert Danvers: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber; and to make their Report to the House with all convenient Speed.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cook and Sir Adam Ottley;

Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance.

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have passed a Bill for abrogating the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance, and appointing other Oaths: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Journals to be examined of 1660.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to examine the Journal of the House of the Year 1660; what were the Proceeding of the Bill of General Indemnity then.

And it is referred to Sir Hen. Goodrick, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Garway, Sir Tho. Clarges, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir Rob. Cotton, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Dalben, Sir Wm. Williams, Mr. Grey, Mr. Finch, Mr. Capell, Mr. Harbord, Sir John Guise, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr. Russell, Major Wildman, Sir Trevor William, Mr. Eyres; or any Three of them: And they are to meet this Afternoon, at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber; and to make their Report to the House with all convenient Speed.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Ettrick, have Leave to go into the Country, for a Fortnight.

Rooms kept from the Service of the House.

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House do make Enquiry, why the Rooms called the Star Chamber, Duchy Chamber, Exchequer Chamber, Court of Wards, and Queen's Court, are not reserved and admitted to be for the Service of the Parliament.

Privilege-a Person committed for untrue information.

The House being informed, that Captain Motley, and his Witnesses, and Mr. Bowtell, were at the Door;

Resolved, That Captain Motley be called in.

And he being come in; and charged with what was said against him; he denied that he spake any such things as were charged upon him.

Resolved, That Mr. Bowtell, and the other Witnesses, be called in.

And they being come in; and Mr. Bowtell being asked, Who was present besides himself; and he saying, that Mrs. Bromfeild, the Woman of the House, and one Mr. Butler, and Mr. Chomly, who were now present;

They, being examined touching the same, denied they heard so much as the late or the now King named, or any thing against the Government spoken of: But said, Mr. Bowtell was in Drink; and that Captain Motley and he were discoursing about Ships; and that he gave the Captain ill Words.

And then they withdrew.

Resolved, That Captain Motley be discharged.

Resolved, That the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, do take the said Mr. Bowtell into Custody, for giving the said untrue Information.

Answer respecting Navy and Army.

Mr. Hamden acquaints the House, That he, and other of the Members who were of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, had, according to the Order of Saturday last, attended his Majesty with the humble Desires of the House, touching an Estimate of what Fleet will be necessary for the Summer's Service; and what the mutual Obligations of Assistance are, by any Treaties, between this Crown and the States of Holland: And that his Majesty had given Orders to have the same prepared; and to have the same sent as soon as they could be got ready.

Punishing Mutiny and Desertion.

Ordered, That the Committee to whom the Bill for punishing such Soldiers as should mutiny and desert their Majesties Service, be revived.

Coronation Oath.

The House being informed, That the Committee to whom it was referred to inspect the Coronation Oath, and consider what Alterations or Amendments are fit to make therein; and to report the same to the House; had sat several times; and could not come to a Determination of what was so referred to them;

Resolved, That the House do now resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take the same Matter into their Consideration,

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Resolved, That Mr. Dalben do take the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Dalben took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Dalben reports from the Committee of the whole House, That, they having inspected the former Coronation Oaths, and considered what Alteration or Amendments are fit to be made therein, they had agreed upon a Form of a Coronation Oath: Which he read in his Place: and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and agreed unto by the House; and is as followeth:

"Archbishop.-Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the People of this Kingdom of England, and the Dominions thereto belonging, according to the Statutes in Parliament agreed on, and the Laws and Customs of the same.

King.-I solemnly promise so to do.

"Archbishop.-Will you, to your Power, cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your Judgments.

King.-I will.

Archbishop.-Will you, to the utmost of your Power, maintain the Laws of God, the true Profession of the Gospel, and the Protestant Reformed Religion established by Law; and will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of this Realm, and the Churches committed to their Charge, all such Rights and Privileges, as by Law do or shall appertain unto them, or any of them.

King.-All this I promise to do.

After this, the King, laying his Hand upon the Holy Gospel, shall say,

King.- The Things, which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep: So help me God.

Then the King shall kiss the Book.

Resolved, That a Bill be brought in, to establish the Coronation Oath; and that a Committee be appointed to prepare the Bill:

And it is referred to Mr. Finch, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Tho. Clarges, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Lord Falkland, Mr. Godolphin, Lord Ranelagh, Mr. Hamden, Mr. Eyres, Mr. Dolben, Sir Wm. Williams, Mr. Grey, Mr. P. Foley, Mr. Parker, Mr. Somers, Mr. Wogan, Mr. Etterick, Mr. Brewer, Sir Fra. Russell, Major Wildman; or any Three of them.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned, except the Committee for preparing the Address to his Majesty.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Nine a Clock.