Sabbati, 16 die Novembris, 1678.
Prayers.
Papers relating to the Plot.
ORDERED, That the Committee appointed to
examine Mr. Coleman's and the Jesuits several Bags
of Papers relating to the Plot, have Power to distribute
those Bags of Papers amongst themselves; and Three of
the Committee to receive and examine One Bag of the
said Papers; and the Chairman of the Committee to
deliver every Bag by itself to Three of the Committee, to
be examined; and no Bag to be opened or perused, but
in the Presence of the said Three, to whom it is delivered;
that they may make their Report thereof to the House.
Address for Trial of Popish Priests.
Mr. Williams reports from the Committee appointed
to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, to
desire his Majesty to issue forth Special Commissions of
Oyer and Terminer for trying certain Persons as Popish
Priests, 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 was
twice read; and, with some Additions made thereto,
upon the Question, agreed; and is as followeth:
May it please your Majesty,
WE Your Majesty's most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects
the Commons in Parliament assembled, having Information, that Charles Mehaine hath continued in Custody,
in the Borough of Denbigh in the County of Denbigh,
since June last, upon violent Suspicion of being a Popish
Priest; and that William Lloyd now remains in Gaol at
Brecon in the County of Brecon, upon a Commitment
for being a Popish Priest: And forasmuch as Your
Majesty's Justice for the Great Sessions for the County
of Denbigh, at the Great Sessions held for the said County
in September last, did not try the said Charles Mehaine
for the said Offence: Your Majesty's Protestant Subjects
being much disquieted, and Popish Recusants animated,
by reason that Delinquents of That kind are not brought
to speedy Justice, especially at this time of manifest
Danger to Your Majesty's sacred Person, Government,
and Religion established by Law, proceeding from the
notorious Conspiracies of Popish Priests, Jesuits, and
Popish Recusants: We humbly apprehending it to be
highly necessary, as some Ease to the Hearts of Your
Majesty's good Protestant Subjects, filled with present
Fears of Popery, to have the Laws speedily and effectually executed upon Popish Priests; do, with all Humility,
beseech Your Majesty, to grant One or more Commissions of Oyer and Terminer, for the Trial of the said
Charles Mehaine and William Lloyd, according to the
known and well established Laws of the Kingdom.
And we do further and humbly beseech Your Majesty,
That Your Majesty may be pleased to command Your
Attorney General, with all Care and Diligence to prepare
the whole Evidence against James Colker, a Benedictine
Monk, and who assumes to himself the Title of Bishop
of London, for his Trial, at the next Gaol Delivery for
the County of Middlesex and City of London.
And we do further humbly beseech Your Majesty, That
Your Majesty will graciously be pleased to issue forth
Your Proclamation, with a Promise of a Reward to any
Person that shall apprehend a Popish Priest or Jesuit.
Resolved, &c. That such Members of this House as
are of his Majesty's Privy Council, be desired to know
his Majesty's Pleasure, when this House may attend
Him with this Address.
Lords reminded of a Bill.
Resolved, &c. That a Message be sent to the Lords, as
followeth; viz.
"The Commons in Parliament assembled, reflecting
on the imminent Dangers, wherein the Kingdom is involved, by the restless Conspiracies of Popish Recusants,
against his Majesty's Person, and the Religion and Government established, do find themselves necessitated to
remind your Lordships for a speedy Proceeding on the Bill
before you, intituled, An Act for the more effectual Preserving the King's Person and Government, by disabling
Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament; without which they think themselves unable to prepare any effectual Remedies to prevent the Evils that hang over us:"
And that Mr. Secretary Coventry do go up with the
Message.
Address for Reward for Discoveries of the Plot.
Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be presented to
his Majesty, to desire his Majesty, that some fitting Encouragement may be given to such Persons as shall make
a further Discovery of any of the Designs and Attempts
against his Majesty's Person and Government.
And it is referred to Sir Wm. Coventry, Sir Tho. Meeres,
Sir Rich. Temple, Mr. Sachaverell, Sir Hen. Capell, Mr.
Williams, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Powle, Sir
Rob. Sawyer, Mr. Vaughan, Sir Fr. Drake, Sir Eliab
Harvy, Sir Fr. Rolles; or any Three of them: And they
are to meet this Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the
Speaker's Chamber, to prepare and draw up the said
Address.
And then the House adjourned till Monday
Morning, Eight of the Clock.