Jovis, 28 die Novembris, 1678.

Prayers.

Answer to Addresses.

MR. Secretary Coventry acquaints the House, That he had attended his Majesty with the Address relating to Mr. Bedlow's Pardon for Misprision of Treason: And that his Majesty was pleased to return this Answer: That Mr. Bedlow should have his Pardon according to the Address: And likewise, with the Address for disbanding the Army: Which being a Matter of great Moment, he would consult and advise with his House of Lords before he would give an Answer.

Bedlow to attend.

Ordered, That Mr. Bedlow be forthwith sent for, to attend at the Bar of this House.

Popish Recusants.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir William Beversham and Sir Samuel Clerk;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have sent you down a Bill, intituled, An Act for the better Discovery, and speedy Conviction of Popish Recusants; to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Durwich Election.

A Petition of several Freemen of Dunwich, complaining of an undue Return of Thomas Allen Esquire, to serve in this present Parliament as Burgess for the said Borough, was read.

Resolved, That the said Petition be referred to the Consideration of the Committee of Elections and Privileges; to examine the Matter, and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Popish Recusants.

An ingrossed Bill, sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better Discovery and speedy Conviction of Popish Recusants, was read the First time.

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

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare a Bill or Bills for the more easy and speedy Discovery and Conviction of Popish Priests, and the more effectual Conviction of Popish Recusants, do sit this Afternoon in the Place formerly appointed, to prepare the said Bills.

Proceedings relating to the Plot.

Ordered, That the Door of the House be locked.

Ordered, That Mr. Bedlow be called, and examined, to the Christian Names of the Persons mentioned in the Bill, sent down from the Lords, intituled, An Act requiring the Persons therein named to render themselves to Justice; and, in Default thereof, to attaint them of High Treason.

Mr. Bedlow being called in, informed the House, That he knew not the Christian Name of Symonds; and that Le Phaire's Name was Carolo; and that Pritchard was called by the Name of David Pritchard, alias Charles Davies.

Mr. Bedloe delivered in a further Information in Writing.

Ordered, That Mr. Bedloe do take his Information, and write a fair Copy; and deliver the same in to the House.

The House having received an Information concerning one Douglas an Ensign;

Ordered, That Sir Gervas Elwes have Leave to go into the Hall, to inquire after the Person that gave the Information against Ensign Douglas.

Information being given to the House, That some Members were above in the Speaker's Chamber, making Copies of Mr. Bedlow's Information;

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms do go up to the Speaker's Chamber; and give the House an Account of the Members that are taking Copies of Mr. Bedloe's Information.

The Serjeant acquaints the House, That he knows not the Members Names; but he shews the House the Persons, and delivered the Copies to Mr. Speaker.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do tear the said Copies.

Ordered, That Mr. Oates be sent for to attend at the Bar of this House.

Ordered, That Mr. Secretary Coventry have Leave to go out, and no Member else, without Leave of the House.

Ordered, That the Information given in by Mr. Fleetwood against Ensign Douglas be entered in the Journals: Which is as follows; * * * *

Resolved, &c. That a Message be sent to the Lords, to acquaint their Lordships, That this House will sit this Afternoon, upon Matters that relate to the Preservation of his Majesty's Person and Government; and to desire their Lordships to do the like.

Ordered, That my Lord Cavendish, Lord Russell, Sir Wm. Portman, and Mr. Montagu, do go up to the Lords with the said Message.

Ordered, That Mr. Bedloe be sent for in to the Bar of the House, to own the Paper of Information under his Hand delivered to the House.

And Mr. Bedloe, being called in, did own the said Paper.

Mr. Speaker read the same Information of Mr. Bedloe to the House: And the same was afterwards sealed up.

Ordered, That Mr. Oates be sent for in to the Bar of the House.

Mr. Oates, being called in to the Bar, gave his Information to the House; and withdrew.

The Lord Cavendish acquaints the House, That he had attended the Lords with the Message of this House; and that their Lordships returned Answer, That they would sit this Afternoon, according to the Desire of this House.

Ordered, That Mr. Oates be called in again: And that Mr. Speaker do ask him such Questions as he shall think fit.

And Mr. Oates having been called in, and examined; and being withdrawn;

Ordered, That the Lord Herbert, Mr. Buscawen, Mr. Graham, Sir Charles Wheeler, Sir Thomas Woodcock, and Sir Thomas Allen, have Leave to go out of the House.

Address concerning Oates.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty, That Mr. Oates may lie under no manner of Restraint whatsoever; and that he may be allowed his own Servants to attend him, and the Liberty of providing his own Necessaries: And that his Majesty would be graciously pleased to give Order, That he may have a present Sum of Money in Hand, and a competent weekly Allowance for his Maintenance; and that his Friends and Relations may have free Access to him: And that his Majesty would be further graciously pleased, that Mr. Oates Pardon may extend and relate to this Day, for Misprision of Treason.

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

Address for removing the Queen, &c.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty, That the Queen, and all her Family, and all Papists, and reputed or suspected Papists, be forthwith removed from his Majesty's Court at Whitehall.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to withdraw immediately, and prepare and draw up the said Address.

And it is referred to Sir Robert Howard, Sir Tho. Meeres, Mr. Sachaverell, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir Wm. Coventry, Mr. Hamden, Sir John Trevor, Sir Tho. Clerges, Sir Robert Sawyer, Colonel Titus, Sir Tho. Littleton, Colonel Birch, Mr. Powle, Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Williams, Sir Richard Temple; or any Three of them.

Conference desired with Lords.

Resolved, That a Conference be desired with the Lords upon Matters relating to the Preservation of his Majesty's Person, and Safety of the Government: And that Mr. Thyn do go up to the Lords, to desire the Conference.

Address for removing the Queen.

Sir John Trevor reports from the Committee appointed to draw up an Address to be presented to his Majesty, That the Queen, and all her Family, and all Papists, may be removed from his Majesty's Court at Whitehall, 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 it was twice read; and, upon the Question, agreed; and is as followeth:

WE Your Majesty's most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects, the and Commons in Parliament assembled, having received Informations by several Witnesses, of a most desperate and traiterous Design and Conspiracy against the Life of Your most Sacred Majesty; wherein, to their great Astonishment, the Queen is particularly charged and accused; in Discharge of our Allegiance, and out of our Affections and Care for the Preservation of Your Majesty's Sacred Person, and consequently of the whole Kingdom, do most humbly beseech Your Majesty, that the Queen, and all her Family, and all Papists, and reputed or suspected Papists, be forthwith removed from your Majesty's Court at Whitehall.

Conference.

Mr. Thyn acquaints the House, That the Lords had agreed to a present Conference in the Painted Chamber.

Resolved, That the Persons who did prepare and draw up the Address, do attend and manage the Conference.

Sir John Trevor acquaints the House, That the Members appointed, had attended the Conference with the Lords; and delivered the Address.

Address on apprehending Papists.

Resolved, &c. That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, to desire his Majesty, That all Papists and suspected Papists, within the several Counties of England, and Wales, and Town of Barwick upon Tweed, may be apprehended and secured: And it is referred to Sir John Trevor, Sir Rich. Temple, Mr. Powle, Mr. Solicitor General, Mr. Browne, Sir Trevor Williams, Sir Nich. Carew, Sir Edw. Deering, Sir Wm. Coventry, Sir Rob. Sawyer, Sir Tho. Stringer, Mr. Williams, Sir John Syddenham, Colonel Titus, Serjeant Rigby, or any Three of them; to prepare and draw up the said Address: And they are to meet To-morrow at Two of the Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Disbanding the Army.

Resolved, That this House will To-morrow Morning, at Ten of the Clock, resolve into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Method for disbanding the Army.

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