House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 9 February 1689

Sabbati, 9 Februarii, 1688.

Prayers.

Pool Election.

COLONEL Birch reports from the Committee of Elections and Privileges, to whom the Merits of the Double Return and Election of Burgesses to serve in this present Convention, for the Town and County of Pool, was referred, the State of the Fact: Which he produced to the House in Writing: Which being read at the Table, is as follows; viz.

That it appeared to the Committee, that Henry Trenchard, Esquire, and Sir Nathanael Napper, were returned by one Certificate; and the said Mr. Trenchard, and Tho. Chafin, Esquire, were returned by the other Certificate.

It was proved, that Sir Nathanael Napper agreed to settle 15£. per Annum, on the Town, for their School; and that he was at the Charge of passing their new Charter, before the Prince of Orange landed.

To which, it was answered, by the Counsel on the other Side, That what was done by Sir Nathanael Napper, was about the time that he was made free of the Town; and that it was usual to give Presents to the Town when any Person was made free; and particularly, that Mr. Trenchard and Mr. Chafin, when they were made Freemen of the said Town, gave 50£. apiece, to the Use of the Town, for their Freedom.

That the Matter in Question was, whether the Right of Election be in the Mayor and Burgesses only; or in the Mayor, Burgesses, and Commonalty, who pay Scot and Lot:

That it appeared to the Committee, by many Parliament Returns which were produced to the Committee, that the Right of Election hath anciently been in the Mayor and Burgesses only; except a Return in the Eighteenth Year of King James the First; wherein the Commonalty are mentioned, with the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses, in the Indenture; but That Indenture is sealed with the Common Seal of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses.

That Sir Nath. Napper had Thirty-three Burgesses, and Mr. Chafin but Twenty-two.

But, of the Commonalty, that Mr. Chafin was allowed to have had the greater Number.

And that thereupon the Committee had agreed upon Two Resolves: Which he read in his Place; and then delivered them in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same being read, are as follows:

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that the Right of Election of Burgesses to serve in this present Convention, for the Town and County of Poole, is in the Mayor, Burgess, and Commonalty of the said Town and County, who pay Scot and Lot.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, that Tho. Chafin, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Convention, for the Town and County of Poole.

A Debate arising in the House thereupon;

The Question being put, that this House do agree with the Committee, that the Right of Election of Burgesses to serve in this present Convention, for the Town and County of Poole, is in the Mayor, Burgesses and Commonalty of the said Town and County, who pay Scot and Lot;

It passed in the Negative.

The Question being put, that the House do agree with the Committee, that Thomas Chafin, Esquire, is duly elected to serve in this present Convention, for the Town and County of Poole;

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That Sir Nath. Napper, Baronet, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Convention, for the Town and County of Poole.

The Clerk of the Crown being called in, amended the Return for the Town and County of Poole, by taking off the Certificate, whereby Tho. Chafin, together with Henry Trenchard, Esquire, was returned; leaving affixed, to his Highness the Prince of Orange his Letter, the other Certificate, whereby the said Sir Nath. Napper was returned, together with the said Mr. Trenchard.

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