House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 16 April 1677

Lunæ, 16 die Aprilis , 1677.

Prayers.

Cobham Estate.

A BILL to enable Trustees to raise Money upon Cobham House and Park, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Insolvent Debtors.

Sir Edward Deering reports from the Committee, to whom the Bill for Relief of poor Prisoners for Debt, was committed, several Amendments agreed by the Committee to be made to the Bill: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same being again twice read, were, upon the Question, severally agreed to.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill, with the Amendments agreed to, be ingrossed.

Kelshall Charities.

Sir John Pettus reports from the Committee, to whom the Bill for settling certain Lands belonging to the Parish of Kelshall in the County of Suffolke, to charitable Uses, some Amendments agreed by the Committee to be made to the Bill: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's. . . . :Where the same being twice read, were, upon the Question, agreed.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill, with the Amendments agreed to, be ingrossed.

Lord Morley's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Morley and Mounteagle, Baron of Rye, to make Sale of the Manor of Farleton, in the County of Lancaster, for Payment of Debts, was read the First time.

Resolved &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Conference on Lords Amendments to Supply Bill.

The Members that did manage the last free Conference did attend and manage the free Conference desired by this House, and agreed to by the Lords, on Saturday last, upon the Subject Matter of the last free Conference, upon the Amendments sent from the Lords, to the Bill for raising the Sum of Five hundred Eighty-four thousand Nine hundred Seventy-eight Pounds Two Shillings Twopence Halfpeny, for the speedy building Thirty Ships of War.

Sir Tho. Meeres reports from the free Conference, That they had attended; and delivered their Reasons; and had left the Bill with the Lords.

Observation of Sunday.

An ingrossed Bill sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better Observation of the Lord's Day, commonly called Sunday, was read the Second time.

The Question being put, That the Bill be committed;

The House divide.

The Yeas go forth.

And so it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Third time.

Message from the King, requiring a larger Vote of Credit.

Mr. Secretary Williamson acquaints the House, That he had a Message from the King to this House: And the same, being in writing, was delivered to Mr. Speaker, and read to the House; and is as followeth; viz.

Charles R

HIS Majesty, having considered the Answer of this House to His last Message, about enabling Him to make fitting Preparations for the Security of these Kingdoms, finds by it that they have only enabled him to borrow Two hundred thousand Pound, upon a Fund given Him for other Uses: His Majesty desires therefore, the House should know, and He hopes they will always believe of Him, That not only That Fund, but any other within his Power, shall be engaged to the utmost for the Preservation of His Kingdoms.

But, as His Majesty's Condition is (which, He doubts not but is as well known to this House as to Himself,) He must tell them plainly, That, without a Sum of Six hundred thousand Pounds, or Credit for such a Sum upon new Funds, it will not be possible for Him to speak or act those Things which should answer the Ends of their several Addresses, without exposing the Kingdoms to much greater Dangers.

His Majesty does further acquaint them, That, having done His Part, and laid the true State of Things before them, He will not be wanting to use the best Means for the Safety of His People, which His present Condition is capable of.

Given at the Court at Whitehall, the 16th Day of April, 1677.

Intimation respecting Adjournment.

Mr. Secretary Williamson further acquaints the House, That the King's Meaning is, to make it only an Adjournment: And though his Majesty does not intend they shall actually meet again, so as to continue to sit, till some time in October; yet his Majesty resolves, after the present Recess, whenever it shall happen, to adjourn it, by short Adjournments, between that and some time in October; that so he may still have the Parliament within Call, in case any new Occasion should require.

Address on Message.

A Debate being in the House touching an Answer to his Majesty's last Message;

Ordered, That an Address be prepared to be presented to his Majesty, in Answer to his Majesty's last Message, upon the Debates of the House: And that it be referred to those Members that drew up the former Addresses, to prepare and draw up this Address.

And then the House adjourned till Five of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

Lady Mordant's Estate.

MR. Neale reports from the Committee, to whom the Bill, sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Mordant to make Sale of her Interest in the Manor of Blechingley, and divers Lands in the County of Surrey, notwithstanding her Minority, some Amendments agreed by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same being twice read; were, upon the Question, severally agreed to.

And the Bill, with the Amendments, being read a Third time;

Resolved, &c. That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be agreed to: And that Mr. Neale do carry up the Bill to the Lords.

Bill sent from Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Wm. Beversham and Sir Miles Cooke;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have agreed to leave out their Amendments to the Bill for raising the Sum of Five hundred Eighty-four thousand Nine hundred Seventyeight Pounds Two Shillings Two-pence Halfpeny, for the speedy Building Thirty Ships of War: And have likewise agreed to the Amendments sent from this House to the Bill to enable the Right Honourable the Lady Mary Mordant to make Sale of her Interest in the Manor of Blechingley, and divers Lands in the County of Surrey, notwithstanding her Minority.

Observation of Sunday.

An ingrossed Bill, sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better Observation of the Lord's Day, commonly called Sunday, was read the Third time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be agreed to: And that Mr. Swinfen do carry back the Bill to the Lords.

Address declining a further Supply.

Sir William Coventry reports from the Committee, to whom it was referred to prepare and draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, in Answer to his Majesty's last Message, an Address agreed upon by the Committee: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same being again read, was with an Amendment made at the Table, upon the Question, agreed to; and is as followeth;

May it please your Majesty,

YOUR Majesty's most loyal and dutiful Subjects, the Commons in this present Parliament assembled, having considered Your Majesty's last Message, and the gracious Expressions therein contained, for employing Your whole Revenue, at any time, to raise Money for the Preservation of Your Majesty's Kingdoms, do find great Cause to return our most humble Thanks for the same; and to desire Your Majesty to rest assured, that You shall find as much Duty and Affection in us, as can be expressed by a most loyal People to a most gracious Sovereign. And, whereas Your Majesty is pleased to signify to us, That the Sum of Two hundred thousand Pounds is not sufficient, without further Supplies, to enable Your Majesty to speak and act those Things which are desired by Your People, we humbly take Leave to acquaint Your Majesty, That, many of our Members being, upon an Expectation of Adjournment before Easter, gone into their several Countries; we cannot think it Parliamentary, in their Absence, to take upon us the Granting of Money; but do therefore desire Your Majesty to be pleased, that this House may adjourn itself for some short Time, before the Sum of Two hundred thousand Pounds can be expended, as Your Majesty shall think fit; and by Your Royal Proclamation command the Attendance of all our Members at the Day of Meeting: By which time we hope Your Majesty may have so formed Your Affairs, and fixed Your Alliances, in pursuance of our former Addresses, that Your Majesty may be graciously pleased to impart them to us in Parliament.

And we no ways doubt, but, at our next Assembling, Your Majesty will not only meet with a Compliance in the Supply Your Majesty desires, but with all such Assistances, as the Posture of your Affairs shall require: In Confidence whereof, we hope Your Majesty will be encouraged, in the mean time, to speak and act such Things, as Your Majesty shall judge necessary for attaining those great Ends we have formerly represented to Your Majesty.

Ordered, That such Members of this House, as are of his Majesty's Privy Council, be desired to present the said Address to his Majesty.

Answer to Address.

Mr. Secretary Williamson reports, That the Members, appointed to present the Address to his Majesty, had waited upon his Majesty with the said Address: And that his Majesty did graciously accept thereof; and had considered the Time of the Adjournment; which the House should know presently from the Lord Chancellor.

Message to attend the King.

A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Edward Carteret, Usher of the Black Rod;

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend Him immediately in the House of Lords.

And accordingly Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

Mr. Speaker, with the House, being returned;

Adjournment.

Mr. Speaker acquaints the House, That it was his Majesty's Pleasure the House should adjourn itself to the One-and-twentieth Day of May next.

And, accordingly, the House adjourned till the One-and-twentieth Day of May next, Ten of the Clock in the Morning.