House of Lords Journal Volume 32: December 1768, 11-20

DIE Lunæ, 12^o Decembris 1768.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

E. of Sandwich and E. of March, Leave to attend the H. C. as Witnesses.

The Earl of Sandwich, in his Place, requested of the House, “That he might be permitted to go to the House of Commons, to inform them of any Circumstances that may have come to his Knowledge relative to a Charge against Philip Carteret Webb Esquire, of having bribed Michael Curry with Public Money to give Evidence against John Wilkes Esquire.”

Whereupon, Ordered, That the Earl of Sandwich, upon his own Request, be permitted to go to the House of Commons, to inform them of any Circumstances that may have come to his Knowledge relative to a Charge against Philip Carteret Webb Esquire, of having bribed Michael Curry with Public Money to give Evidence against John Wilkes Esquire, if he thinks fit.

The Earl of March, in his Place, also, requested of the House, “That he might be permitted to go to the House of Commons, to inform them of any Circumstances that may have come to his Knowledge relative to a Charge against Philip Carteret Webb Esquire, of having bribed Michael Curry with Public Money, to give Evidence against John Wilkes Esquire.”

Whereupon, Ordered, That the Earl of March, upon his own Request, be permitted to go to the House of Commons, to inform them of any Circumstances that may have come to his Knowledge relative to a Charge against Philip Carteret Webb Esquire, of having bribed Michael Curry with Public Money to give Evidence against John Wilkes Esquire, if he thinks fit.

Campbell against Wilson.

The House being moved, “That a Day may be appointed for hearing the Cause wherein John Campbell of Otter is Appellant, and William Wilson is Respondent:”

It is Ordered, That this House will hear the Said Cause by Counsel at the Bar on the First vacant Day for Causes after those already appointed.

Wells Harbour Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Edward Astley and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act for the repairing improving, and better preserving, of the Harbour and Quay of Wells, in the County of Norfolk;” to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Said Bill was read the First Time.

Marine Mutiny Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for the Regulation of His Majesty's Marine Forces while on Shore.”

Importation of Rice from America, Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to allow, for a further Time, the free Importation of Rice into this Kingdom from His Majesty's Colonies in North America.”

Conference desired by the Commons on their Message for the Attendance July Two Peers.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Onslow and others:

To desire a Conference with this House upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference.

And then they withdrew.

Then the Messengers were again called in, and acquainted, “That this House will send an Answer by Messengers of their own.”

Conference agreed to.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Gilford and Mr. Browning:

To acquaint them, That the Lords do agree to a Conference as desired, and appoint it presently in the Painted Chamber.

Then the Lords following were appointed Managers of the Conference:

Willey Enclosure Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by the Lord Beauchamp and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open Common Fields, Commonable Lands, Common, Arable, Meadow, Pasture, and Waste Grounds, within the Pariah of Willey, in the County of Warwick;” to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Said Bill was read the First Time.

Golford Green, &c. Road Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for repairing and widening the Roads from the Turnpike Road at Golford Green, in the Pariah of Cranbrooke, to the Turnpike Road in the Pariah of Sandhurst, and from the Green near Benenden Church, to the Bull Inn at Rolvenden Cross, in the County of Kent.”

Stoneley Enclosure Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for, dividing and enclosing the Common Fields, and Common Grounds, in the Township of Stoneley, in the Pariah and Manor of Kimbolton, in the County of Huntingdon.”

Ordered, That the Said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords following:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on Wednesday next, at Ten o'Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Lloyd's Bill.

The Lord Sandys reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for vesting Part of the Settled Estate of the Reverend William Lloyd Clerk, in Trustees, for raising Money to discharge the Debts, Legacies, and Incumbrances, affecting the same, and for other Purposes therein mentioned,” was committed: “That they had considered the Said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents, to the Satisfaction of the Committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Ordered, That the Said Bill be engrossed.

Madrass's Nat. Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing George Madrass.”

Conference with H.C. on their Message for the Attendance of Two Peers.

The House being informed, “That the Managers for the Commons were ready for the Conference in the Painted Chamber:”

The Names of the Managers for the Lords we: called over:

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, at the Lords went to the Conference:

Which being ended, the House was resumed:

And the Lord President reported, “That they had met the Managers for the Commons at the Conference, which on their Part was managed by Sir Joseph Mawbey, who had delivered to him the following Paper:

That the Commons, who are equally desirous with their Lordships of preserving all good Intelligence and right Understanding between the Two Houses, and of maintaining the closest Adherence to the ancient and regular Course of Parliamentary Proceedings, have taken into Consideration the Answer of their Lordships to the Message sent from the Commons on Wednesday last desiring that Two Peers might have Leave to attend to be examined as Witness in the House or Commons.

The Propriety of that Practice, by which each House of Parliament, having Matters under their Consderation wherein the Testimony of Members of the other House might be materially wanted, has been reciprocally accusomed to desire the Attendance of such Members, the Commons understand to be so well warranted, not only by every Principle of Parliamentary Proceeding, but also by antient Usage, that they are not willing to suppose that their Lordships could mean to object universally to the receiving a Message for such purpose from the Commons: And as their Lordships have not thought fit to specify any particular Grounds of Exception, either to any of the Circumstances attending the Message, or the Terms in which it is conveyed, the Commons are at a Loss to conceive in what respect: their Message can be supposed to deviate from the antient and regular Course of Parliament.

With respect to that Part of their Lordships An swer, whereby they desire to know what Grounds have been laid before the House of Commons for suspecting Two Peers of being privy to the Subornation of Evidence with Public Money, the Commons observe, That as no Grounds were laid before them for entertaining any such Suspicion concerning the Two Peers, so no such Suspicion was entertained by the Commons, nor do they conceive that their Message to the Lords could reasonably be thought to convey such an Imputation.

The Commons have also commanded us to acquaint your Lordships, That they have adjourned the Hearing of the Matter of the Petition of John Wilkes Esquire, on One of the Allegations, (fn. 1) on which Petition they had desired the Earl of Sandwich and the Earl of March to come to the House of Commons this Day, to be examined as Witnesses, to Friday the 27th Day of January next; and that therefore the Commons do desire that the Lords will give Leave to the Earl of Sandwich and the Earl of March to come to the House of Commons on Friday the 27th Day of January next, to be examined as Witnesses on the Matter of the Said Allegation.”

Ordered, That the Said Paper be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on Monday next, and to adjourn as they please.

Wilkes against the King; Writ of Error.

A Petition of William De Grey Esquire, His Majesty's Attorney General, for and on the Behalf of His Majesty, Defendant in a Writ of Error depending in this House, wherein John Wilkes Esquire is Plaintiff, was presented and read; setting forth, “That the Said Plaintiff in Error hath affined several Matters for Error in the Record and Proceedings in this Cause, and amongst others, for that there is a Variance between the Said Record brought into this House and the original Information filed in this Cause, and hath prayed a Writ of Certiorari to be directed to the Right Honourable William Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, to certify the Said Information in this Cause to their Lordships; that the Said Certiorari can only tend to Delay, there being no Variance between the Said Record and Information;” and therefore praying, That the Said Plaintiff in Error may be Ordered to sue forth and return to their Lordships the Writ of Certiorari prayed by him, by such short Day as their Lordships shall be pleased to appoint; and that their Lordships will also be pleased to order the Said Errors to be argued at their Lordships Bar, on such Day as to their Lordships Shall seem meet.”

Wilkes against the King Writ of Error.

Also a Petition of the Said William De Grey Esquire, His Majesty's Attorney General, for and on the Behalf of His Majesty, Defendant in a Writ of Error depending in this House, wherein John Wilkes Esquire is Plaintiff, was presented and read; setting forth, “That the Said Plaintiff in .Error hath assigned several Matters for Error in the Record and Proceedings in this Cause, and amongst others, for that there is a Variance between the Said Record brought into this House, and the original Information filed in this Cause, and hath prayed a Writ of Certiorari to be directed to the Right Honourable William Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, to certify the Said Information in this Cause to their Lordships; that the Said Certiorari can only tend to Delay, there being no Variance between the Said Record and Information;” and therefore praying, That the Said Plaintiff in Error may be Ordered to Sue forth and return to their Lordships the Writ of Certiorari prayed by him, by such short Day as their Lordships shall please to appoint, and that their Lordships will also be pleased to order the Said Errors to be argued at their Lordships Bar on such Day as to their Lordships shall seem meet.”

Whereupon the Agents on both Sides, as also the Clerk in Court for the Crown in the Crown Office, were called in, and heard at the Bar.

And being withdrawn,

Writs of Certiorari to be returned in Two Days.

Ordered, That the Plaintiffs in these Two Writs of Error do return the Writs of Certiorari in Two Days.

Land Tax Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir Charles Whitworth and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty by a Land Tax, to be raised in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine; “to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

To prevent the clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, &c. Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Cooper and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act for the more effectually preventing the clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, and for explaining such Part of an Act, made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, as relates to the Penalties inflicted upon Persons selling Ale, Beer, or other excisable Liquors, by Retail, without Licence; and for taking away certain Powers granted by former Acts for punishing Persons convicted of retailing Spirituous Liquors without Licence,” to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

The Said Two Bills were read the First Time.

American Papers considered.

The Order of the Day being read for the further Consideration of the American Papers, and the Lords to be summoned:

Several of the Said Papers were read.

Ordered, That the further Consideration of these Papers be adjourned till Tomorrow, and the Lords summoned.

Uthoff, Petition for a Nat. Bill.

Upon reading the Petition of Henry Uthoff, praying 1 Leave to bring in a Bill for his Naturalization:

It is Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill according to the Prayer of the Said Petition.

Bill read.

Whereupon the Lord Sandys presented to the House Bill, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing Henry Uhthoff.”

The Said Bill was read the First Time.

Biddulph, Leave tor a Bill.

After reading and considering the Report of the Judges, to whom was referred the Petition of Charles Biddulph Esquire, on Behalf of himself and his Infant Children, praying Leave to bring in a Private Bill for the Purposes therein mentioned:

It is Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill pursuant to the Said Petition and Report.

Bill read.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to enable Charles Biddulph Esquire, and his Three Infant Sons, John Biddulph, Charles Biddulph, and Thomas Biddulph, to grant Leases of certain Manors, capital and other Messuages, Mansion Houses, Farms, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, situate in the several Counties of Surrey, Sussex, and Stafford, of which they are Tenants for Life successively.”

Edwardes, et al. Petition referred to Judges.

Upon reading the Petition of John Edwardes Esquire, Brother-in-law and sole Executor named in the Will of John Schoppens Esquire, deceased, John Free-mantle of Saint Martin's Ludgate, London, Esquire, and Frances his Wife, One of ,the Grand-nieces of the said John Schoppens, and One of the Three Grand children of the said John Edwardes, in Behalf of themselves, and of John Edwardes Freemantle, Sarah Bridget Freemantle, Stephen Francis William Freemantle, Thomas Francis Freemantle, William Henry Freemantle, and Frances Jane Freemantle, their Infant Children, and Mary Edwardes Spinster, One other of the Three Grand-nieces of the said John Schoppens, and Grand child of the said John Edwardes; praying Leave “to bring in a Bill for confirming a Partition in the Petition mentioned, and for vesting the several entire Premises allotted by the Deed of 1st of October 1768, in the Petition also mentioned, as the respective Shares of the Petitioners, in the several Persons therein named, for the Uses and upon the Trusts therein mentioned:”

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be, and is hereby referred to the Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, and Mr. Justice clive, who are forthwith to summon all Parties concerned in the Bill, and after hearing them, are to report to the House the State of the Case, with their Opinion thereupon, under their Hands, and whether all Parties who may be concerned in the Consequences of the Bill, have signed the Petition; and also that the Judges, having perused the Bill, do sign the same.

Malt Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for continuing and granting to His Majesty certain Duties upon Malt, Mum, Cyder, and Perry, for the Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Schneider's Nat. Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An AG: for naturalizing John Henry Schneider.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Niedrick's Nat. Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing Paul Niedrick.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass ?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to the Three preceding Bills.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bills, without any Amendment.

Mutiny Bill.

The Order of the Day being read for the House to be put into a Committee upon the Bill," intituled, “An Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better Payment of the Army and their Quarters:”

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill Tomorrow.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Martis, decimum tertium diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Martis, 13^o December's 1768.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsens fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Land Tax Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty by a Land Tax, to be raised in Great Britain for the Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill Tomorrow.

To prevent the clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, &c. Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act, for the more effectually preventing the clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, and for explaining such Part of an Act, made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, as relates to the Penalties inflicted upon Persons selling Ale, Beer, or other exciseable Liquors, by Retail, without Licence; and for taking away certain Powers granted by former Acts for punishing Persons convicted of retailing Spirituous Liquors without Licence.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill Tomorrow.

Marine Mutiny Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for the Regulation of His Majesty's Marine Forces while on Shore.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill Tomorrow.

Golford Green, &c. Road Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for repairing and widening the Roads from the Turnpike Road at Golford Green, in the Parish of Cranbrooke, to the Turnpike Road in the Parish of Sandhurst, and from the Green near Benenden Church, to the Bull Inn at Rolvenden Cross, in the County of Kent.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords following.

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet Tomorrow, at Ten o’Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Wells Harbour Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for repairing, improving, and better preserving of the Harbour and Quay of Wells, in the County of Norfolk:”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords Committees aforenamed:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on the same Day at the same Place; and to adjourn as they please.

Importation of Rice from America, Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to allow, for a further Time, the free Importation of Rice into this Kingdom from His Majesty's Colonies in North America.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill Tomorrow.

Madrass's Nat. Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing George Madrass'”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords Committees aforenamed:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on the same Day, at the same Place; and to adjourn as they please.

Lloyd's Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for vesting Part of the Settled Estate of the Reverend William Lloyd Clerk in Trustees, for raising Money to discharge the Debts, Legacies, and Incumbrances, affecting the same, and for other Purposes therein mentioned.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Holford and Mr. Browning:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

D of Queens-berry and E. March, Petition referred to Judges.

Upon reading the Petition of Charles Duke of Queensberry and Dover, and of William Earl of March and Ruglen; praying Leave to bring in a Bill for the several Purposes in the Petition mentioned:

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be, and is hereby referred to the Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, and Mr Baron Perrott, who are forthwith to summon all Parties concerned in the Bill, and after hearing them, are to report to the House the State of the Case, with their Opinion thereupon, under their Hands, and whether all Parties who may be concerned in the Consequences of the Bill have signed the Petition; and also that the judges, having perused the Bill, do sign the same.

Skene et al. a gainst Ogilvy.

Upon reading the Petition and Appeal of George Skene of Skene, Charles Hunter of Hunter hall, Archibald Scott of Rossie, Walter Ogilvy of Glova, John Erskine Younger of Dun, Thomas Mylne of Milnfield, and David Maxwell of Strathmartine, Esquires, Freeholders standing on the Roll of the County of Forsar, complaining of Part of an Interlocutor of the Lords of Session in Scotland, of the 19th of January last, and also of an Interlocutor of the said Lords of the 25th of November last; and praying, “That the same may be reversed, or that the Appellants may have such Relief in the Premises as to this House, in their Lordships great Wisdom, shall seem meet; and that David Ogilvy may be required to answer the said Appeal:”

It is Ordered, That the said David Ogilvy may have a Copy of the said Appeal, and do put in his Answer thereto in Writing on or before Tuesday the 12th Day of January next; and Service of this Order upon any of his known Agents or Procurators before the said Court of Session in Scotland, shall be deemed good Service.

Spottiswoode to enter into Recognizance on Arthur's Appeal.

The House being moved, “That John Spottiswoode of the Inner Temple, London, Gentleman, may be permitted to enter into a Recognizance for James Arthur, on Account of his Appeal depending in this House, he residing in Scotland:”

It is Ordered, That the said John Spottiswoode may enter into a Recognizance for the said Appellant, as desired.

O'Shaughnussy against Prendergast; Pleadings proved.

The House being informed, “That Walter Sweetman attended, in order to deliver in Copies of Pleadings and Proceedings relating to a Cause depending in this House, wherein Joseph O' Shaughnussy Gentleman is Appellant, and John Prendergast is Respondent:”

He was called in, and delivered the same at the Bar, and attested upon Oath, “they were true Copies, he having examined them with the Originals in the proper Offices in Ireland.”

And then he withdrew.

Mutiny Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, “An Act for punishing Mutiny and

Desertion, and for the better Payment of the Army and their Quarters.”

After some Time the House was resumed:

And the Earl of Abercorn reported from the Committee, “That they had gone through the Bill,/ and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Sir John Anstruther a gainst Maxwell.

Ordered, That the Cause wherein Sir John Anstruther is Appellant, and David Maxwell is Respondent, which stands appointed for Tomorrow, be put off to Monday next.

Uhthoff Naturalization Bill.

Henry Uhthoff took the Oaths appointed in order to his Naturalization.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing Henry Uhthoff.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords Committees aforenamed.

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on the same Day, at the same Place; and to adjourn as they please.

D Newcastle introduced;

Henry Duke of Newcastle under Lyne, claiming by virtue of a special Limitation contained in a Patent granted to Thomas Holles Duke of Newcastle, bearing Date the 17th of November, in the Thirtieth Year of His late Majesty King George the Second, was this Day (in his Robes) introduced between the Duke of Grafton and the Duke of Kingston (also in their Robes), the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter King at Arms, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, preceding: His Lordship, on his Knee, presented his Patent to the Lord Chancellor at the Woolsack, who delivered it to the Clerk, and the same was read at Che Table: His Grace's Writ of Summons was also read as follows; (videlicet),

His Writ of Summons;

George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, To Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin, Henry Duke of Newcastle under Lyne, greeting: Whereas Our Parliament, for arduous and urgent Affairs concerning Us, the State, and Defence of our Kingdom of Great Britain and the Church, is now met at Our City of Westminster, We strictly enjoining, command you, under the Faith and Allegiance by which you are bound to Us, That, considering the Difficulty of the said Affairs, and Dangers impending, all Excuses being laid aside, you be personally present at Our aforesaid Parliament, with Us, and with the Prelates, Nobles, and Peers, of Our said Kingdom, to treat of the aforesaid Affairs, and to give your Advice: And this You may in no wise omit, as you tender Us and Our Honour, and the Safety and Defence of the said Kingdom and Church, and the Dispatch of the said Affairs.

Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Ninth Day of December, in the Ninth Year of Our Reign.

“Yorke and Yorke.”

Takes the Oaths.

Then His Grace came to the Table, and took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes, and was afterwards placed in his ,due Place, next the Duke of Bridgewater.

Ld. Pelham introduced;

Thomas Lord Pelham, claiming by virtue of a special Limitation contained in a Patent granted to Thomas Holies Duke of Newcastle, bearing Date the 17th of November, in the Thirtieth Year of His late Majesty King George the Second, was this Day (in his Robes) introduced between the Lord Berkeley of Stratton and the Lord Ponsonby (also in their Robes), the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, Garter King at Arms, and the Lord Great Chamberlain, preceding: His Lordship, on his Knee, presented his Patent to the Lord Chancellor at the Woolsack, who delivered it to the Clerk, and the same was read at the Table: His Writ of Summons was also read, as follows; (videlicet),

His Writ of Summons;

George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, To Our Right Trusty and Well-beloved Counsellor, Thomas Pelham of Stanmer, Chevalier, greeting: Whereas Our Parliament, for arduous and urgent Affairs concerning Us, the State, and Defence of Our Kingdom of Great Britain and the Church, is now met at Our City of Westminster, We strictly enjoining, command you, under the Faith and Allegiance by which you are bound to Us, That, considering the Difficulty of the said Affairs, and Dangers impending, all Excuses being laid aside, you be personally present at Our aforesaid Parliament, with Us, and with the Prelates, Nobles, and Peers, of Our said Kingdom, to treat of the aforesaid Affairs, and to give your Advice: And this you may in no wise omit, as you tender Us and Our Honour, and the Safety and Defence of the said Kingdom and Church, and the Dispatch of the said Affairs.

Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Ninth Day of December, in the Ninth Year of Our Reign.

“Yorke and Yorke.”

Takes the Oaths.

Then his Lordship came to the Table, and took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes, and was afterwards placed in his due Place, next the Lord Boston.

Their Pedigrees delivered.

Garter King at Arms delivered in at the Table the Pedigrees of these Two Peers, pursuant to the Standing Order,

Complaint of a Paragraph and better in the St James's Chronicle;

Complaint was made to the House, of a Paragraph, and also a Letter, in a printed Newspaper, intituled, The Saint James's Chronicle, or the British Evening Post, from Thursday, December 8th, to Saturday, December 10th, 1768.”

Whereupon the said Paragraph and Letter were read by the Clerk.

Baldwin to attend.

Ordered, That Henry Baldwin, at the Britannia Printing-office, No.108, Fleet-street, do attend this House Tomorrow, and that the Lords be summoned.

American Papers considered.

The Order of the Day being read for the further Consideration of the American Papers, and the Lords to be summoned;

Several of the said Papers were read.

Ordered, That the further Consideration of these Papers be adjourned till Tomorrow, and that the Lords be summoned.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, decimum quartum diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Mercurii, 14^o December's 1768.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsens fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Wilkes against the King; Returns to Writs of Certiorari delivered.

The House being informed, “That Mr. Francis Barlow, Clerk in Court for the King in the Court of King's Bench, attended from the Court of King's Bench, with Two Returns to Two Writs of Certiorari, in Two Writs of Error, wherein John Wilkes Esquire is Plaintiff, and the King Defendant:”

He was called in, and delivered the same at the Bar, and also the Two original Informations to the Returns to the said Certioraries annexed:

And then he withdrew.

Golford Green, &c. Road Bill.

The Lord Sandys reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for repairing and widening the Roads from the Turnpike Road at Golford Green, in the Parish of Cranbrooke, to the Turnpike Road in the Parish of Sandhurst, and from the Green near Benenden Church to the Bull Inn at Rolvenden Cross, in the County of Kent,” was committed:” That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Wells Harbour Bill.

The Lord Sandys also made the like Report from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for repairing, improving, and better preserving, of the Harbour and Quay of Wells, in the County of Norfolk,” was committed.

Madrass's Nat. Bill.

The Lord Sandys also made the like Report from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing George Madrass,” was committed.

Uhthoff's Nat. Bill.

The Lord Sandys also made the like Report from the Lords Committees, to whom, the Bill, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing Henry Uhthoff,” was committed.

Ordered. That the said Bill be engrossed.

Stoneley Enclosure Bill.

The Lord Sandys also reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for dividing and enclosing the Common Fields and Common Grounds, in the Township of Stoneley, in the Parish and Manor of Kimbolton, in the County of Huntingdon,” was committed: “That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents, to the Satisfaction of the committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Wilkes against the King, Writs of Error, Petition to amend Assignments of Errors.

A Petition of John Wilkes Esquire, Plaintiff in Two Writs of Error depending in this House, wherein the King is Defendant, was presented and read; setting forth, “That the Petitioner lately brought Two Writs of Error into this Honourable House, wherein the Petitioner is Plaintiff and the King Defendant, to which said Writs Errors have been assigned.

That the said Errors so assigned were not settled by Counsel till within a few Hours before they were brought to this Honourable House on Friday last, being the last Day for assigning Errors, pursuant to their Lordships Standing Order.

That through the great Hurry in transcribing the said Errors, after the several Words, “And the said John Wilkes prays,” and before the Words, “That he may be restored to the free Law,” are omitted the Words following:” That for the Errors aforesaid, and other Errors appearing on the said Record, the Judgement aforesaid may be reversed and entirely held for nothing, and": Wherefore the Petitioner prays, That the said Words so omitted may be inserted in both the Assignments of Errors. And where it is said in the Assignment of Error in the Judgement upon the Information for publishing the Paper intituled No. 45, that the said John Wilkes was charged with having” printed and” published, and caused to be “printed and published, the Petitioner prays, That the first Words, “printed and may be omitted, they not appearing to be inserted in the Record; which Amendments, the Petitioner is advised, are necessary to be made; and therefore praying Leave to amend his Assignments of Error, by inserting the Words omitted, and omitting the Words as above stated not to be inserted in the Record:”

And thereupon the Agents on both Sides Were called in, and heard at the Bar; and the Agent for the Defendant consenting thereto;

And being withdrawn,

Ordered, That the Agent for the said Plaintiff be at Liberty to amend his Errors, as stated in his Petition, at the Bar.

Whereupon the Agent for the Plaintiff was called in, and acquainted therewith, and amended his Errors accordingly.

Baldwin, Printer of the Newpaper, complained of, examined; and Swam to attend imme. diately.

The Order of the day being read for the Attendance of Henry Baldwin Printer, and for the Lords to: be summoned:

Moved, “That the Lord Chancellor be directed, i when the Printer (who is ordered to attend this Day) is called in, to acquaint him, that if he expects the Lenity of this House, he do inform their Lordships who is the Author of the Paragraph complained of, relating to the Letter printed by him, or who delivered the same to him.”

Which being objected to,

After Debate,

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

Then the said Henry Baldwin was called in, and the Lord Chancellor acquainted him therewith.

Then the Newspaper containing the Paragraphs complained of, and also the Letter printed in the said Paper, was shewn to him, and he acknowledged “That he printed the same, and declared John Wilkes Esquire, in the King's Bench, to be the Author, as he has Reason to believe: That he received the Copy from Mr. Wilkes by one John Swam; and that he has seen what he has been told was Mr. Wilkes's Hand-writing.”

Then the said Henry Baldwin was sworn.

And a Paragraph in the Daily Gazetteer, December 14th, being shewn to him, said, “It came from the same Quarter: That John Swam said, he brought it from Mr. Wilkes: That he thinks he knows Mr. Wilkes's Hand; and that the Papers he received he believes were wrote by him; that he has sent for the Copies; that the Copies, when he received them, were not sealed: That John Swann is a Collector of Intelligence for him; that he don't know where he lives, but that he is to be heard of at the Dolphin upon Ludgate-hill: That he is not in Possession of any more Remarks: That the Name to the Letter dated April 17th, 1768, was Weymouth, which he struck out.”

Then he produced the written Copies from which he printed; and he having first marked them, that he might know them again, delivered the same to the Clerk, and they were brought to the Table. And being further examined in relation thereto, said,"That he has had other Writings of Mr. Wilkes, and supposes these to be wrote by Mr. Wilkes: That he only run his Pen through the Name of Weymouth: That he did not put the Stars over the Name, but believes One of his Men might: That he can't be certain whether he did so to the Name of Sandwich; and that he overlooked the Name of Halifax: That the small Paper came with the other, and the Words at Bottom are Swann's Hand-writing: That he did fee Mr. Wilkes write many Years ago; and having received many Letters from him, has great Reason to believe these Papers to be of Mr. Wilkes's Hand-writing.”

Then he was directed to withdraw.

Ordered, That the said John Swann do attend this House immediately.

American Papers further considered.

The Order of the Day being read, for the further Consideration of the American Papers:

The Remainder of the said Papers were read:

Ordered, That the further Consideration of the said Papers be adjourned till Tomorrow, and that the Lords be summoned.

The House being informed, “That John Swann was not yet come:”

Swann and Baldwin to attend.

ORDERED, That the said John Swann and the said Henry Baldwin do attend this House Tomorrow.

Urquhart to enter into Re cognizance on Sinclair's et al. Appeal. ,

The House being moved, “That George Urquhart Gentleman may be permitted to enter into a Recognizance for Sir John Sinclair Baronet, and others, on Account of their Appeal depending in this House, they residing in Scotland:

It is Ordered, That the said George Urquhart may enter into a Recognizance for the said Appellants, as desired.

Spottiswoode to enter into Recognizance on Skene et al Appeal.

The House being moved, “That John Spottiswoode of the Inner Temple, London, Gentleman, may be permitted to enter into a Recognizance for George 6kene of Skene, and others, on Account of their Appeal depending in this House, they residing in Scotland:”

It is Ordered, That the said John Spottiswoode may enter into a Recognizance for the said Appellants, as desired.

Land Tax Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, “An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty by a Land Tax, to be raised in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine.”

After some Time, the House was resumed:

And the Earl of Abercorn reported from the Committee, “That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, &c. Bill.

The House also (according to Order) was adjourned; during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, “An Act for the more effectually preventing the clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits; and for explaining such Part of an Act made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, as relates to the Penalties inflicted upon Persons selling Ale, Beer, or other exciseable Liquors, by Retail, without Licence; and for taking away certain Powers granted by former Acts for punishing Persons convicted of retailing Spirituous Liquors without Licence.”

After some Time, the House was resumed:

And the Earl of Abercorn reported from the Committee, “That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Marine Mutiny Bill.

The House also (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, “An Act for the Regulation of His “Majesty's Marine Forces while on Shore.”

After some Time, the House was resumed:

And the Earl of Abercorn reported from the Committee, “That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Importation of Rice from America, Bill.

The House also (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, “An Act to allow, for a further Time, the free Importation of Rice into this Kingdom from His Majesty's Colonies in North America”

After some Time the House was resumed:

And the Earl of Abercorn reported from the Committee, “That they had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Mutiny Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better Payment of the Army and their Quarters.”

The Question was put,"Whether this Bill shall pass ?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H C. that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Holford and Mr. Browning:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

E Abingdon et al. Petition referred to Judges.

Upon reading the Petition of the Right Honourable Willoughby Earl of Abingdon, and Charlotte Countess of Abingdon, his Wife, and of the honourable Peregrine Bertie, Brother of the said Earl; praying Leave to bring in a Bill for appointing Jointures for the Wives, and providing Portions for the younger Children of the Petitioners, the Earl and his Brother, and for other Purposes in the Petition mentioned:

It is Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be, and is hereby referred to the Lord chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer, and Mr. Baron Perrot, who are forthwith to summon all Parties concerned in the Bill, and after hearing them, are to report to the House the State of the Case, with their Opinion thereupon, under their Hands, and whether all Parties who may be concerned in the Consequences of the Bill have signed the Petition; and also that the Judges, having perused the Bill, do sign the same.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Jovis, decimum quintum diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Jovis, 15^oDecembers 1768.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsens fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Land Tax Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty by a Land Tax, to be raised in Great Britain, for the Service of the o Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Stoneley Enclosure Bill;

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for dividing and enclosing the Common Fields and Common Grounds, in the Township of Stoneley, in the Parish and Manor of Kimbolton, in the County of Huntingdon.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass ?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Wells Harbour Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for repairing, improving, and better preserving, of the Harbour and Quay of Wells, in the County of Norfolk.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Golford Green, &c. Road Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for repairing and widening the Roads from the Turnpike Road at Golford Green, in the Parish of Cranbrooke, to the Turnpike Road in the Parish of Sandhurst, and from the Green near Benenden Church to the Bull Inn at Rolvenden Cross, in the County of Kent.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass ?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Marine Mutiny Bill;

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for the Regulation of His Majesty's Marine Forces while on Shore.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, &c. Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for the more effectually preventing the clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, and for explaining such Part of an Act made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, as relates to the Penalties inflicted upon Persons selling Ale, Beer, or other exciseable Liquors, by Retail, without Licence; and for taking away certain Powers granted by former Acts for punishing Persons convicted of retailing Spirituous Liquors without Licence.”

The Question was put,"Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Importation of Rice from America, Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to allow for a further Time the free Importation of Rice into this Kingdom from His Majesty's Colonies in North America”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass ?” It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Madrass's Nat. Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing George Madrass.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H C that the Lords have agreed to the Eight preceding Bills.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Anguish and Mr. Montague:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bills, without any Amendment.

Uhthoff's Nat. Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing Henry Uhtboss”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?” It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Willey Enclosure Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open Common Fields, Commonable Lands, Common, Arable, Meadow, Pasture, and Waste Grounds, within the Parish of Willey, in the County of Warwick.

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords following:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on Tuesday nest, at Ten o’Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

E Temple takes the Oaths.

Richard Earl Temple took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.

Taunton Market-house &c. Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Popham and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act for erecting a Market-house, and holding a Market, in the Town of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, and for preventing the holding of any Market in the Streets of the said Town, and for cleansing the Streets, and preventing Nuisances and Obstructions therein, and for lighting certain Streets in the said Town;” to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Hesuysen's Nat. Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Kynaston and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing Lewis Diedrick Heshuysen;” to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Importation of Salted Provisions, Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Sir William Meredyth and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act to continue an Act, made in the Eighth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act to continue and amend an Act, made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act for Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from Ireland, for a limited Time; and for allowing the Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from the British Dominions in America, for a limited Time;” to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Swann examined in relation to the Newspaper complained of, and he and Baldwin again to attend.

The Order of the Day being read for the Attendance of John Swann and Henry Baldwin:

The House being informed, “That John Swann was attending:”

He was called in, and being sworn:

The little Paper delivered in at the Bar by Henry Baldwin Yesterday, being shewn to him, he acknowledged, “That the Writing at the Bottom of it was his own Hand-writing; wrote it at Mr. Baldwin's, by Direction of Mr. Wilkes:” Said, “He waits on Mr. Wilkes Three Times a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the Days on which the St. James's Evening Post is published: Mr. Wilkes gave him, last Saturday Morning, a Paper signed Weymouth, with an Introduction wrote by Mr. Wilkes, to have it published in the St. James Evening Post on Saturday last: That the Letter, signed Halifax and Sandwich, contained in the same Paper, was to be published in the same Paper on Tuesday last: Mr. Wilkes told him, he had the original Letters in his Possession, and that he (Swann) might declare Mr. Wukes wrote the Two Papers.”

Then the said Papers being shewn to him, he declared, “They were the Papers Mr. Wilkes gave to him; and that they were Mr. Wilkes's own Hand-writing: That he has seen Mr. Wilkes write: That he was ordered by Mr. Wilkes to put as many Stars to the Letter, signed Weymouth, as there were Letters in his Lordship's Name; and that he saw the Compositor do it: That having gone to Mr. Wilkes this Morning, to tell him, that he was summoned in order to attend this House this Morning, Mr. Wilkes then, and not before, gave him Leave to tell all he knew: That Mr. Wilkes said to him at the same Time, You may say at the Bar of the House of Lords, I gave you Authority for every Thing you have done.”

Then the said John Swann marked the Two written Papers at the Bar, with his Name, in order that he might know them again.

He is directed to withdraw.

Ordered, That the further Consideration of this Complaint be adjourned till Tomorrow; and that Henry Baldwin and John Swann do then attend, and that the Lords be summoned.

American Papers considered, and Resolutions thereupon.

The Order of the Day for the further Consideration of the American Papers being read:

It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Votes, Resolutions, and Proceedings, of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts Bay, in the Months of January and February last, respecting several late Acts of Parliament, so far as the said Votes, Resolutions, and Proceedings, do import a Denial of, or to draw into Question, the Power and Authority of His Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, to make Laws and Statutes of sufficient Force and Validity to bind the Colonies and People of America, Subjects of the Crown of Great Britain, in all Cases whatsoever, are illegal, unconstitutional, and derogatory of the Rights of the Crown and Parliament of Great Britain.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

2. It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Resolution of the said House of Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in January last, to write Letters to the several Houses of Representatives of the British Colonies on the Continent, desiring them to join with the said House of Representatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, in Petitions, which do deny, or draw into Question, the Right of Parliament to impose Duties and Taxes upon His Majesty's Subjects in America, and in pursuance of the said Resolution, the writing such Letters, in which certain late Acts of Parliament, imposing Duties and Taxes, are stated to be Infringements of the Rights of His Majesty's Subjects of the said Province, are Proceedings of a most unwarrantable and dangerous Nature, calculated to inflame the Minds of His Majesty's Subjects in the other Colonies, tending to create unlawful Combinations, repugnant to the Laws of Great Britain, and subversive of the Constitution.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

3. It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That it appears that the Town of Boston, in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, has for some. Time past been in a State of great Disorder and Confusion, and that the Peace of the said Town has at several Times been disturbed by Riots and Tumults of a dangerous Nature, in which the Officers of His Majesty's Revenue there have been obstructed, by Acts of Violence, in the Execution of the Laws, and their Lives endangered.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

4. It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That it appears, that neither the Council of the said Province of Massachusetts Bay, nor the ordinary Civil Magistrates, did exert their Authority for suppressing the said Riots and Tumults.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

5. It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That in these Circumstances of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and of the Town of Boston, the Preservation of the publick Peace, and the due Execution of the Laws, became impracticable, without the Aid of a Military Force to support and protect the Civil Magistrates, and the Officers of His Majesty's Revenue.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

6. It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Declarations, Resolutions, and Proceedings, in the Town Meetings at Boston, on the 14th of June and 12th of September, were illegal and unconstitutional, and calculated to excite Sedition and Insurrections in His Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

7. It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Appointment, at the Town Meeting on the 12th of September, of a Convention to be held in the Town of Boston on the 22d of that Month, to consist of Deputies from the several Towns and Districts in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, and the issuing a Precept by the Select Men of the Town of Boston, to each of the said Towns and Districts, for the Election of such Deputies, were Proceedings subversive of His Majesty's Government, and evidently manifesting a Design in the Inhabitants of the said Town of Boston to set up a new and unconstitutional Authority, independent of the Crown of Great Britain.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

8. It was moved, “To resolve, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Elections, by several Towns and Districts in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, of Deputies to fit in the said Convention, and the Meeting of such Convention in Consequence thereof, were daring Insults offered to His Majesty's Authority, and audacious Usurpations of the Powers of Government.”

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Motion for an Address to his Majesty relative to the said Papers.

Then it was moved, “That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, to return His Majesty Thanks for the Communication which he has been graciously pleased to make to His Parliament of several Papers relative to publick Transactions in His Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay.

To express our sincere Satisfaction in the Measures which His Majesty has pursued for supporting the Constitution, and inducing a due Obedience to the Authority of the Legislature.

To give His Majesty the strongest Assurances, that we will effectually stand by and support His Majesty in such further Measures as may be found necessary to maintain the Civil Magistrates in a due Execution of the Laws within His Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay.

And as we conceive, that nothing can be more immediate necessary, either for the Maintenance of His Majesty's Authority in the said Province, or for the guarding His Majesty's Subjects therein from being further deluded by the Arts of wicked and designing Men, than to proceed in the most speedy and effectual Manner for bringing to condign Punishment the chief Authors and Instigators of the late Disorders, to beseech His Majesty, That he will be graciously pleased to direct His Majesty's Governor of Massachusetts Bay to take the most effectual Methods for procuring the fullest Information that can be obtained, touching all Treasons or Misprision of Treason, committed within His Government since the Thirtieth of December last, and to transmit the same, together with the Names of the Persons who were most active in the Commission of such Offences, to One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, in order that His Majesty may issue a Special Commission for enquiring of, hearing, and determining, the said Offences, within this Realm, pursuant to the Provisions of the Statute of the Thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, if His Majesty shall, upon receiving the said Information, fee sufficient Ground for such a Proceeding.”

Which being objected to; After Debate,

The Question was put thereupon.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the Lords following were appointed a Committee to prepare an Address pursuant to the said Motion; (videlicet ),

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet immediately in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Committee withdrew to prepare the Address.

After some Time, the House was resumed:

Address reported and agreed to:

And the Duke of Bedford reported from the Committee an Address drawn by them, as follows; (videlicet),

Most Gracious Sovereign,

We, Your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, return Your Majesty our humble Thanks for the Communication Your Majesty has been graciously pleased to make to Your Parliament of several Papers relative to publick Transactions in Your Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay.

We beg Leave to express to Your Majesty our sincere Satisfaction in the Measures which Your Majesty has pursued for supporting the Constitution, and for inducing a due Obedience to the Authority of the Legislature; and to give Your Majesty the strongest Assurances that we will effectually stand by and support Your Majesty in such farther Measures as may be found necessary to maintain the Civil Magistrates in a due Execution of the Laws within Your Majesty's Province of Massachusetts Bay; and as we conceive that nothing can be more immediately necessary, either for the Maintenance of Your Majesty's Authority in the said Province, or for guarding Your Majesty's Subjects therein from being farther deluded by the Arts of wicked and designing Men, than to proceed in the most speedy and effectual Manner for bringing to condign Punishment the chief Authors and Instigators of the late Disorders, we molt humbly beseech Your Majesty, that You will be graciously pleased to direct Your Majesty's Governor of Massachusetts Bay to take the most effectual Methods for procuring the fullest Information that can be obtained touching all Treasons, or Misprision of Treason, committed within his Government since the Thirtieth Day of December last, and to transmit the same, together with the Names of the Persons who were most active in the Commission of such Offences, to One of Your Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, in order that Your Majesty may issue a special Commission, for enquiring of, hearing, and determining, the said Offences within this Realm, pursuant to the Provisions of the Statute of the Thirty-fifth Year of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth, in case Your Majesty shall, upon receiving the said information, see sufficient Ground for such a Proceeding.”

Which Address, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House.

Message to H C for their Concurrence thereto.

Ordered, That a Message be sent to the House of Commons, to carry down the said Resolutions and Address, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Accordingly, a Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To carry down the same, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Wilkes against the King, Writs of Error, a short Day for the Hearing.

Upon reading the Petition of William De Grey Esquire, His Majesty's Attorney General, for and on Behalf of His Majesty, Defendant in a Writ of Error depending in this House, wherein John Wilkes Esquire is Plaintiff:

Also, upon reading the Petition of William Be Grey Esquire, His Majesty's Attorney General, for and on the Behalf of His Majesty, Defendant in a Writ of Error depending in this House, wherein John Wilkes Esquire is Plaintiff; setting forth, “That the said Plaintiff in Error hath assigned several Matters for Error in the Record and Proceedings in these Causes, and hath prayed Certiorari to be directed to the Right Honourable William Lord Mansfield, Chief Justice of His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, to certify to their Lordships the original Information filed in these Causes; that the said Information being now certified to their Lordships, and the Petitioner having rejoined to the Errors assigned as aforesaid; and as the Plaintiff in Error hath not expedited the Proceedings on the said Writs of Error so much as he might have done; and as the speedy hearing the same before their Lordships is (as the Petitioner apprehends) of the utmost Consequence to publick Justice;” and therefore praying, “That their Lordships will be pleased to appoint such short Day for arguing the said Errors, as to their Lordships shall seem meet:”

It is Ordered, That this House will hear the said Errors argued by Counsel at the Bar on Wednesday next.

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Veneris, decimum sextum diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Aurora;, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Veneris, 16^oDecembris 1768.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsens fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Sparhauke's Bill.

The Lord Sandys reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for vesting certain Messuages, Lands, and Hereditaments in Baldock, in the County of Hertford, devised by the Will of Edward Sparhauke deceased, in Lawndey Sparhauke Esquire, and his Heirs, discharged from the Uses of the said Will; and for substituting and settling an undivided Moiety of other Lands and Hereditaments in Hertfordshire in Lieu thereof, and to the like Uses,” was committed: “That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents, to the Satisfaction of the Committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be engrossed.

Greening to take the Name of Gott, Bill.

The Lord Sandys also reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act to enable Henry Thomas Greening Esquire, to take and use ,the Surname of Gott, pursuant to the Will of Mary Gott deceased,” was committed: “That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Taunton Market-houses, &c. Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for erecting a Market-house, and holding a Market, in the Town of Taunton, in the County of Somerset; and for preventing the holding of any Market in the Streets of the said Town; and for cleansing the Streets, and preventing Nuisances and Obstructions in the said Town, and for lighting certain Streets in the said Town.”

Heshuysen's Nat. Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for naturalizing Lewis Diedrick Heshuysen.”

Importation ot Salted Provisions, Bill.

Hodie 1^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to continue An Act, made in the Eighth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act to continue and amend An Act, made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act for Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from Ireland, for a limited Time; and for allowing the Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from the British Dominions in America, for a limited Time.”

Lifontaine against Evans and Home.

Upon reading the Petition of John Lafontaine, Defendant in a Writ of Error depending in this House, wherein Richard Evans and William Hone are Plaintiffs; setting forth, “That the said Writ of Error is brought merely for Delay;” and therefore praying, That the same may be Non-pros'd, with such Costs as to the House shall seem meet:”

Writ of Error Nonpros'd, with Costs.

It is Ordered, That the Petitioner do forthwith enter a Nonpros. on the said Writ of Error, as desired; and that the Record be remitted to the Court of King's Bench, to the End Execution may be had upon the Judgement given by that Court, as if no such Writ of Error had been brought into this House: And it is further ordered, That the Plaintiff in Error do pay, or cause to be paid, to the said Defendants, the Sum of Twenty Pounds, for their Costs, by Reason of the Delay of the Execution of the said Judgement.

Belches against Pewnesh et al. in Error.

The Lord Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, in the usual Manner, delivered in at the Table a Writ of Error:

Wherein Alexander Belches and Anthony Belches are Plaintiffs, and Thomas Pewtress and Josiah Roberts are Defendants.

Wilkes against the King, Writs of Error; Judges to attend.

Ordered, That the Judges do attend this House on Wednesday next, upon arguing the Errors assigned upon Two Writs of Error, wherein John Wilkes Esquire is Plaintiff, and the King Defendant.

Biddulphs Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to enable Charles Biddulph Esquire, and his Three Infant Sons, John Biddulph Charles Biddulph) and Thomas Biddulph, to grant Leases of certain Manors, capital and other Messuages, Mansion Houses, Farms, Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, situate in the several Counties of Surrey, Sussex, and Stafford, of which they are Tenants for Life successively.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords following:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet on the First Day of Meeting after the Recess at Christmas, at Ten o’Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Ld. Montfort takes the Oaths.

Thomas Lord Montfort took the Oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration, and also took and subscribed the Oath of Abjuration, pursuant to the Statutes.

Baldwin, the Printer reprimanded and discharged.

The Order of the Day being read for taking into further Consideration the Complaint of a printed News-paper, intituled, “The Saint James's Evening Post,” of Saturday last, and for the Attendance of Henry Baldwin and John Swann:

The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod acquainted the House, “That they were attending, as ordered.”

The said Henry Baldwin was called in, and being asked, if he had any Permission from Mr. Wilkes to declare to the House that he was the Author of the Paragraph complained of, acquainted the House, “That he had not received any such Permission from Mr. Wilkes.”

He is directed to withdraw.

Then it was moved, “That the Lord Chancellor do acquaint the said Mr. Baldwin, That in Consideration of his candid Declaration, and giving up the Author of the said Paragraph, he is discharged without any Punishment; but that in case he repeats his Offence of printing and publishing such seditious Papers, he will not meet with such Lenity in future.”

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

Then the said Henry Baldwin Was again called in, and the Lord Chancellor having set before him the Heinousness of the Offence of printing and publishing such seditious Libels, and the ill Consequences that must necessarily attend such Practices, acquainted him with what the House had ordered.

He is directed to withdraw;

Thanks to the Ld. Chancellor for his Speech.

Then it was moved, “That the Thanks of this House be given to the Lord Chancellor for his Speech; and he is hereby desired to cause the same to be printed and published.”

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

The Preamble to the printed Newspaper, voted a seditious Libel.

Then it was moved, “To resolve, That the Introduction to the Copy of a Letter addressed to Daniel Ponton Esquire, Chairman of the Quarter Sessions at Lambeth, and dated St. James's, 17th April 1768, contained in a certain Newspaper, intituled The St. James's Chronicle, or the British Evening Post, from Thursday December 8th to Saturday December the 10th, 1768, printed by Henry Baldwin, at the Britannia Printing-office, No. 108, Fleet-street, is an insolent, scandalous, and seditious Libel, tending to inflame and stir up the Minds of His Majesty's Subjects to Sedition, and to a total Subversion of all good Order and legal Government.”

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

Resolution thereupon

Resolved (nomine contradicente) by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, “That the Introduction to the Copy of a Letter addressed to Daniel Ponton Esquire, Chairman of the Quarter Sessions at Lambeth, and dated St. James's, 17th April 1768, contained in a certain Newspaper, intituled The St. James's Chronicle, or the British Evening Post, from Thursday December 8th to Saturday December loth, 1768, printed by Henry Baldwin, at the Britannia Printing-office, No.108, Fleet-street, is an insolent, scandalous, and seditious Libel, tending to inflame and stir up the Minds of His Majesty's Subjects to Sedition, and to a total Subversion of all good Order and legal Government.”

To be communicated to the Commons at a Conference.

Ordered, That the said Resolution, together with the said Newspaper, be communicated to the House of Commons at a Conference, and their Concurrence desired to such Resolution.

Managers to acquaint the H. C. that Mr. Wilkes, Member of their House, is changed with sending the said Libel to the Press.

That the Managers of the Conference do acquaint the Commons, That John Wilkes Esquire, a Member of their House, has been charged, by Evidence given at their Lordships Bar upon Oath, with having sent the said Libel to the Press in his own Hand-writing; and further to acquaint the Commons, That the Names of the Persons examined with respect to this Matter are Henry Baldwin Printer of the said Newspaper, and John Swann; and that the said Managers be directed to deliver to the Commons the Manuscript produced to this House by the said Henry Baldwin,

Message to H C. for a Conference.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Harris and Mr. Browning:

To desire a present Conference with that House, upon a Matter highly concerning the Peace and good Order, as well as the Dignity, of His Majesty's Government.

Then the Lords following were appointed a Committee, to prepare what is proper to be offered to the Commons at the said Conference:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet immediately in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure; and the Committee withdrew to prepare what they were directed.

After some Time, the House was resumed:

Heads for the Conference reported.

And the Lord President reported from the Committee what they had prepared to be offered at the Conference, as follows; ("videlicet),

The Lords being extremely desirous upon all Occasions to preserve a perfect good Correspondence with the House of Commons, have asked this Conference, in order to acquaint them, That the Lords having taken into Consideration the Contents of a Newspaper intituled The St James's Chronicle, or the British Evening Post, from Thursday December 8th to Saturday December 10th, 1768, their Lordships have come to the following Resolution:

Resolved, by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, That the Introduction to the Copy of a Letter addressed to Daniel Ponton Esquire, Chairman of the Quarter Sessions at Lambeth, and dated St. James's, the 17th April 1768, contained in a certain Newspaper intituled The St. James's Chronicle, or the British Evening Post, front Thursday December 8th to Saturday December loth, 1768, printed by Henry Baldwin, at the Britannia Printing-office, No.108, Fleet-street, is an insolent, scandalous, and seditious Libel, tending to inflame and stir up the Minds of His Majesty's Subjects to Sedition, and to a total Subversion of all good Order and legal Government.

Which Resolution, together with the said Newspaper, their Lordships have directed us to communicate to the House of Commons, and to desire their Concurrence to the said Resolution.

We are also directed by the Lords to acquaint the House of Commons, That John Wilkes Esquire, a Member of their House, has been charged, by Evidence given at their Lordships Bar, upon Oath, with having sent the said Libel to the Press in his own Hand-writing; and further to acquaint the House of Commons, That the Names of the Persons examined with respect to this Matter are Henry Baldwin and John Swann.

We are likewise directed to deliver to the House of Commons the Manuscript produced to their Lordships by the said Henry Baldwin.”

Which Report, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House.

Conference had thereupon.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons, to desire a present Conference with that House, being returned, acquainted the House, “That the Commons do agree to a Conference with this House, as desired.”

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare what is proper to be offered to the Commons at the Conference, be the Managers of this Conference.

The House being informed, “That the Managers for the Commons were ready for the Conference in the Painted Chamber:”

The Names of the Managers for the Lords were called over.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference.

Which being ended, the House was resumed:

And the Lord President reported, “That the Managers had met the Commons at the Conference, and communicated to them the Resolution of this House, and also the Manuscript Papers, and the Newspaper, as directed.”

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit praesens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Lunge, decimum nonum diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Lunæ, 19^o December 1768.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsens” fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Douglas against Design.

The Answer of the Right Honourable Lady Ann Dusign, Sifter of John Earl of Hyndford, to the Appeal of Archibald Douglas Esquire, was this Day brought in.

Cause put off.

Ordered, That the Cause which stands appointed for hearing this Day be put off to Friday the 27th of January next.

Report of Committee of Privileges relative to the Attendance of Two Peers at the C to be communicated to the Commons.

The Earl of Shaftesbury reported from the Committee of Privileges, to whom it was referred to consider of what had been offered by the Commons at the last Conference with them, upon the Message relating to the Attendance of the Earl of Sandwich and the Earl of March:

That the Committee have met and considered the Matter to them referred, and have directed the Clerks to make a diligent Search into the former Precedents of Applications from the House of Commons, for Lords of this House to give them Information.

That as this mud take up some Time, the Committee are of Opinion, that the House be moved, To acquaint the House of Commons in the mean Time with the Resolution of the House, upon the Application made by the Earls of Sandwich and March, on Monday the 12th Instant; and also to express the Sense of the House on the Assurance given by the House of Commons, that they entertain no Suspicion injurious to the said Two Noble Lords.”

Which Report, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House.

And the same was ordered to be communicated to the Commons at a Conference.

Taunton Market-house, &c. Bill:.the King's Consent signified to it.

The Lord Viscount Weymouth acquainted the House, That His Majesty having been informed of the Contents of the Bill, intituled, “An Act for erecting a Market-house, and holding a Market, in the Town of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, and for preventing the holding of any Market in the Streets of the said Town, and for cleansing the Streets, and preventing Nuisances and Obstructions therein, and for lighting certain Streets in the said Town, was pleased to consent (as far as His Majesty's Interest is concerned) that their Lordships may proceed therein as they shall think fit.”

Then the said Bill was read a Second Time.

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords following:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet Tomorrow at Ten o’Clock in the Forenoon, in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please.

Message to H. C for a Conference relative to the Attendance of Two Peers.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Anguish and Mr. Pechell:

To desire a present Conference “upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference, relating to the Attendance of Two Peers.”

Then the Lords following were appointed a Committee to prepare what is proper to be offered to the Commons at the Conference:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet immediately in the Prince's Lodgings, near the House of Peers; and to adjourn as they please:

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Committee withdrew to prepare what they were directed.

After some Time the House was resumed.

Heads for the Conse ence reported.

And the Lord President reported from the Committee what was proper to be offered to the Commons at the Conference, as follows; (videlicet),

The Lords have desired this Conference with the House of Commons, to inform them, That their Lordships have referred the Matter of the last Conference with the House of Commons, relating to their Message for the Attendance of Two Peers, to the Committee of Privileges, who have directed a careful Search to be made into former Precedents.

And as this must take up some Time, the Lords, from their Desire to cultivate that good Correspondence, which is the mutual With of both Houses, think it proper to acquaint the House of Commons, That, before the last Conference, the Earls of Sandwich and March having made it their personal Request to their Lordships to have Leave to go to the House of Commons, to inform them of any Circumstances that may have come to their Knowledge, relative to a Charge against Philip Carteret Webb Esquire, of having bribed Michael Curry with Publick Money to give Evidence against John Wilkes Esquire, the House did leave it to these Two Lords to do therein what their Lordships shall think fit.

That the Lords have received, with the greatest Satisfaction, the Assurances given by the House of Commons, That they entertain no Thoughts injurious to the Two Peers who have been supposed able to give Information of a Transaction of a scandalous Nature, relying on the Attention of the House of Commons to shew all due Regard to the Honour; of Parliament.”

And the same, being read by the Clerk, was agreed to by the House.

New Wind for Paving Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Tonson and others:

With a Bill, intituled, “An Act for the better paving, cleansing, lighting, and watching, the Streets and Lanes in the Parish and Borough of New Wind for, in the County of Berks, and for preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein,” to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Sparhauke's Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for vesting certain Messuages, Lands, and Hereditaments, in Baldock, in the County of Hertford, devised by the Will of Edward Sparhauke Gentleman deceased, in Laundey Sparhauke Esquire, and his Heirs, discharged from the Uses of the said Will, and for substituting and settling an undivided Moiety of other Lands and Hereditaments in Hertfordshire in lieu thereof, and to the like Uses.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. with it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To carry down the said Bill, and desire their Concurrence thereto.

Greening to take the Name of Gott, Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to enable Henry Thomas Greening Esquire, to take and use the Surname of Gott, pursuant to the Will of oMary Gott deceased.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass ?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C that the Lords have agreed to it.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by the former Messengers:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Importation of Salted Provisions, Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act to continue an Act, made in the Eighth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act to continue and amend An Act, made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act for Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from Ireland, for a limited Time; and for allowing the Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from the British Dominions in America, for a limited Time.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Ordered, That the House be put into a Committee upon the said Bill Tomorrow.

Heshuysen's Nat. Bill.

Hodie 2^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for “naturalizing Lewis Diedruk Heshuysen.”

Ordered, That the said Bill be committed to the Consideration of the Lords Committees aforenamed:

Their Lordships, or any Five of them, to meet Tomorrow at the usual Time and Place; and to adjourn as they please.

Petition of Mr. Wilkes to be present at the arguing his Two Writs of Error read, and rejected.

A Petition of John Wilkes Esquire, Plaintiff in a Writ of Error depending in this House, wherein His Majesty's Attorney General, for and on Behalf of His Majesty, is Defendant, which stands appointed for hearing on Wednesday next, was presented, and read; setting forth, “That the Petitioner hath lately brought Two Writs of Error into this Honourable House, for the reversing Two Judgements obtained against him in His Majesty's Court of King's Bench, on Two Informations, and that the Petitioner is now a Prisoner in the King's Bench Prison; that the Petitioner hath assigned Errors upon the said Judgements, and the Attorney General for our Lord the King hath rejoined thereto; that the said Attorney General hath petitioned this House for a short Day for the arguing the said Errors, and their Lordships have been pleased to appoint Wednesday next; that the Petitioner is advised it will be necessary for him to attend this Honourable House on the arguing the said Errors, to be ready to instruct his Counsel therein if Occasion should require);” and therefore praying, “ Their Lordships to order the Marshal of the King's Bench Prison to bring the Petitioner, on Wednesday next, to the Bar of this Honourable House, that he may be present to instruct. his Counsel (if Occasion should require) upon arguing the said Errors.”

Then an Entry in the Journal of the 3d of April 1764 being read:

It was moved, “That the said Petition be rejected.”

The same was agreed to, and ordered accordingly.

Conference on Message from the Commons for the Attendance of Two Peers.

The Messengers sent to the House of Commons, to desire a present Conference with that House, being returned, acquainted the House, “That the Commons do agree to a Conference with this House, as desired.”

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare what is proper to be offered to the Commons at the Conference, be the Managers of the Conference.

The House being informed, “The Managers for the Commons were ready in the Painted Chamber:”

The Names of the Managers for the Lords were called over.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference.

After some Time the House was resumed.

And the Lord President reported, “That they had met the Managers for the Commons at the Conference, and had delivered to them what they were directed.”

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Martis, vicesimum diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Aurorae, Dominis sic decernentibus.

DIE Martis, 20^o December 1768.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsens fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Tannson Market-house Bill.

The Lord Sandys reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for erecting a Market-house, and holding a Market, in the Town of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, and for preventing the holding of any Market in the Streets of the said Town, and for cleansing the Streets, and preventing Nuisances and Obstructions therein, and for lighting certain Streets in the said Town,” was committed: “That they had considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Willey Enclosure Bill.

The Lord Sandys also reported from the Lords Committees, to whom the Bill, intituled, “An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open Common Fields, Commonable Lands, Common, Arable, Meadow, Pasture, and Waste Grounds, within the Parish of Willey, in the County of Warwick” 8 committed: “That they have considered the said Bill, and examined the Allegations thereof, which were found to be true; that the Parties concerned had given their Consents to the Satisfaction of the Committee; and that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment.”

Taunton Market-house Bill:

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for erecting a Market-house, and holding a Market, in the Town of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, and for preventing the holding of any Market in the Streets of the said Town, and for cleansing the Streets, and preventing Nuisances and Obstructions therein, and for lighting, certain Streets in the said Town.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass ?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Willey Enclosure Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open Common Fields, Commonable Lands, Common, Arable, Meadow, Pasture, and Waste Grounds, within the Parish of Willey, in the County of Warwick.”

The Question was put, “Whether this Bill shall pass?”

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Message to H. C. that the Lords have agreed to the Two preceding Bills.

A Message was sent to the House of Commons, by Mr. Anguisb and Mr. Pechell:

To acquaint them, That the Lords have agreed to the said Bills, without any Amendment.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure to robe.

The House was resumed.

King present.

His Majesty being seated on the Throne, adorned with His Crown and Regal Ornaments, and attended by His Officers of State, (the Lords being in their Robes), commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to let the Commons know, “It is His Majesty's Pleasure they attend Him immediately in this House:”

Who being come, with their Speaker,

He, after a short Introduction in relation to the Money Bills to be passed, delivered them to the Clerk, who brought them to the Table, where the Deputy Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of those, and the other Bills, to be passed, severally, as follow:

Bills passed.

I. An Act for continuing and granting to His E Majesty certain Duties upon Malt, Mum, “Cyder, and Perry, for the Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine.”

2. An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty, by a Land Tax, to be raised in Great Britain for the Service of the Year One thousand seven hundred and sixty-nine.”

To these Bills the Royal Assent was, severally, pronounced by the Clerk Assistant in these Words; (videlicet),

“Le Roy remercie ses bons Susets, accepts leur Benevolence, et amsi le veult,”

3. An Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion, and for the better Payment of the Army and their Quarters.

4. An Act for the Regulation of His Majesty's Marine Forces while on Shore.”

5. An Act for the more effectually preventing the clandestine Importation of Foreign Spirits, and for explaining. such Part of An Act, made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, as relates to the Penalties inflicted upon Persons selling Ale, Beer, or other Exciseable Liquors, by Retail without Licence; and for taking away certain Powers granted by former Acts for punishing Persons convicted of retailing Spirituous Liquors without Licence.”

6. An Act to allow for a further Time, the free Importation of Rice into this Kingdom, from His Majesty's Colonies in North America.”

7. An Act for repairing, improving, and better preserving, of the Harbour and Quay of Wells, in the County of Norfolk”

8. An Act for repairing and widening the Roads from the Turnpike Road at Golford Green, in the Parish of Cranbrooke, to the Turnpike Road in the Parish of Sandhurst, and from the Green near Benenden Church to the Bull Inn at Rolvenden Cross, in the County of Kent”

9. An Act for erecting a Market-house, and holding a Market, in the Town of Taunton, in the County of Somerset, and for preventing the holding of any Market in the Streets of the said Town, and for cleansing the Streets and preventing Nuisances and Obstructions therein, and for lighting certain Streets in the said Town.”

To these Bills the Royal Assent was, severally, pronounced by the Clerk Assistant in these Words; (videlicet),

“Le Roy le veult”

10. All Act for dividing and enclosing the Common Fields and Common Meadow Grounds in the Township of Stoneley, ,in the Parish and Manor of Kimbolton, in the County of Huntingdon”

II. An Act for dividing and enclosing the Open Common Fields, Commonable Lands, Common, Arable, Meadow, Pasture, and Waste Grounds, within the Parish of Willey, in the County of War wick”

12. An Act to enable Henry Thomas Greening Esquire to take and use the Surname of Gott, pursuant to the Will of Mary Gott deceased.”

13. An Act for naturalizing George Madrass.

14. An Act for naturalizing John Henry Schneider.”

15. An Act for naturalizing Paul Niedrick.”

To these Bills the Royal Assent was, severally, pronounced by the Clerk Assistant, in these Words; (videlicet)

“Soit fait comme il est desiré”

Then His Majesty was pleased to retire.

And the Commons withdrew.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure to unrobe.

The House was resumed.

New Windsor Paving. &c. Bill.

Hodie I^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, “An Act for the better paving, cleansing, lighting, and watching, the Streets and Lanes in the Parish and Borough of New Windsor, in the County of Berks, and for preventing Nuisances and Annoyances therein.”

Importation of Salted Provisions Bill.

The House (according to Order) was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, “An Act to continue an Act, made in the Eighth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act to continue and amend an Act, made in the Fifth Year of the Reign of His present Majesty, intituled, “An Act for Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from Ireland, for a limited Time; and for allowing the Importation of Salted Beef, Pork, Bacon, and Butter, from the British Dominions in America, for a limited Time.

After some Time the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Shaftesbury reported from the Committee, “That they had gone through the Bill, “and directed him to report the same to the House, “without any Amendment.”

Adjourn.

Dominus Cancellarius declaravit praesens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, vicesimum primum diem instantis Decembris, hora undecima Aurora, Dominis sic decernentibus.