House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 19 February 1677

Lunæ, 19 die Februarii, 1676.

Prayers.

Alborough Election.

A PETITION, in the Name of the Burgesses of the Borough of Alborough in the County of Yorke, was presented to the House, and read.

But the Member by whom the Petition was presented, being not of that County; nor having received the same from any of the said Burgesses; and none of them appearing to own the same Petition; the said Petition was withdrawn.

Regulating Elections.

A Bill for regulating the Elections of Members to serve in Parliament, was read a Second time.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House, to take it into Consideration on this Day Sevennight.

Bribery at Elections.

A Clause was presented to the House, to prevent Bribery and excessive Drinking, at Elections of Members to serve in Parliament; and twice read.

Resolved, &c. That the said Clause be committed to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; to take the same into Consideration at their first Meeting; and to report it, with their Opinions, to the House.

Subjects in French Service.

A Bill for recalling his Majesty's Subjects in the Service of the French King, was read.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time, on Wednesday next.

Illegal Exactions.

A Bill to prevent illegal Exaction of Money from the Subject was read.

Resolved, &c. That this Bill be read a Second time, on Thursday next.

Duke of Norfolke.

A Petition of Edward Howard and Bernard Howard Esquires, and of Alexander Mac Donnell, and the Lady Elizabeth his Wife, the said Edw. and Bernard being Two of the younger Brothers, and the said Elizabeth being the Sister of the Right Noble Thomas Duke of Norfolke, at this present a Lunatick, confined to the City of Padua in Italy, being tendered;

And Mr. Bernard Howard being called in to the Bar of this House; and owning the said Petition; and that the same was subscribed by him, and other the Petitioners before-mentioned;

The said Petition was read.

Resolved, &c. That the same Petition be committed to Colonel Byrch, Sir Tho. Meres, Mr. Russell, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Phil. Howard, Colonel Howard, Sir Tho. Clargis, Sir Robert Thomas, Mr. Crowch, Sir Antho. Irby, Colonel Titus, Mr. Spry, Mr. Finch, Sir John Barnaby, Lord Ancram, Sir Vere Vane, Mr. Serjeant Rigby, Serjeant Seys, Sir John Trevor, Lord Angier, Sir Adam Browne, Mr. Dalmahoy, Mr. Powle, Sir Wm. Coventrey, Mr. Garraway, Sir Cha. Harbord, Mr. Sacheverell, Sir John Berkenhead, Mr. Williams, Sir John Moreton, Sir Geo. Reeve, Sir James Smith, Sir Sam. Barnardiston, Mr. Mallett, Mr. King, Sir John Coventrey, Sir Phil. Howard, Mr. Sawyer, Mr. Glascock, Sir John Pettus, Mr. Williams, Lord Fitzharding, Sir John Nicholas, and all the Gentlemen of this House that are of the Long Robe; to take the Matter of the said Petition into their Consideration; and report it, with their Opinions therein, to the House: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Bills depending last Session.

Ordered, That it be referred to Sir Tho. Clargis, Sir Tho. Meres, Sir John Mallett, Colonel Byrch, Mr. Crouch, Mr. Mallett, Mr. Williams, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Mr. Garraway, Sir John Knight, Sir John Birkenhead, Mr. Serj. Rigby, Mr. Sacheverell, Sir Job Charleton, Col. Titus, Sir Antho. Irby, Mr. Powle, Lord O Brian, Mr. Ayres, Sir John Trevor, or any Three of them, to peruse such publick Bills as were depending the last Session; and to consider which are of most Importance, to receive Dispatch; and to report and present them to the House; with Breviates to such Bills as shall be brought in: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Privilege- Charge against a Member as being a Papist.

The Clerk in whose Custody the Record of the Conviction of Sir Thomas Strickland was, of being a Popish Recusant, being called into the House;

And the Record being read;

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do, by his Letter, give Notice to Sir Thomas Strickland, of the Record being read in this House; and to appoint him a Day, to offer what he can, why a Writ should not issue to elect a new Member to serve in his Place.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight of the Clock.