Lunæ, 24 die Martii; 2° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Members take Oaths.

THE House being set; such of the Members as attended, and had not before taken the Oaths appointed, and made, repeated, and subscribed, the Declaration, did now do the same.

Stafford Election.

A Petition of Philip Foley, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for the Borough of Stafford: Yet one Walter Collins, Mayor of the said Borough, did illegally return Jonathan Cope, Esquire: And praying the House to take the Premises into Consideration.

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

Rye Election.

A Petition of Caleb Bancks, and Thomas Frewen, Esquires, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioners were duly elected, by the Majority of the legal Votes, for the Port of Rye: Yet, notwithstanding, the Mayor hath returned Sir John Austen, and Sir John Dorrell, as duly elected, in Prejudice to your Petitioners: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House.

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

Essex Election.

A Petition of Sir Anthony Abdy, and Sir Eliab Hervey, Knight, was read; thereby setting forth, That they were duly elected as Knights of the Shire for the County of Essex, by the Majority of legal Voters; and more would have voted for them, if they might have had time to poll, and the Poll not surprisingly closed, as it was: Yet, nevertheless, John Lemott Honywood, Esquire, Sheriff of the County, combining and confederating with Henry Mildmay, Esquire, and Sir Fra. Masham, hath returned, as Knights of the said Shire duly elected, them; many indirect Practices being used by the Sheriff's Clerks in taking the Polls, and otherwise, as will be made appear: And praying they may have a Hearing before, and the Justice of, this honourable House; and that the Sheriff may be ordered to deliver a Copy of the Poll to the Petitioners.

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

Berks Election.

A Petition of Richard Nevill, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That he, and Sir Hen. Winchcomb, were duly elected to be Knights of the Shire for the County of Berks, by the Majority of duly qualified Freeholders: Yet, nevertheless, the Sheriff, in Prejudice to the Petitioner, hath returned the said Sir Hen. Winchcomb, and Sir Humphry Forster, Baronet, Knights for the said Shire: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

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

Cirencester Election.

A Petition of John How, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That he was duly elected a Burgess for Cirencester, by the Majority of qualified Electors, and ought to have been returned by the Steward of the Borough to whom the Precept was directed; but he, by undue Practices, hath returned Hen. Powle, Esquire, and Rich. How, Esquire, in Injury of the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

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

New Windsor Election.

A Petition of Sir Cha. Porter, Knight, and Wm. Adderly, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, that they were duly elected Burgesses for the Borough of New Windsor, by the Majority of the legal Electors, and a Return demanded from the Mayor of such their Election; but that, notwithstanding, the said Mayor has taken upon him unduly to return Baptist May, Esquire, and Sir Christopher Wren: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough of New Windsor, in the County of Berkes, was read; setting forth, That a Precept being directed to the Mayor and Borough of New Windsor; and a Day being appointed for the Election of Burgesses; the Petitioners, being the general Burgesses and Inhabitants of the said Borough, appeared at the Market Cross; and duly elected Sir Cha. Porter, and Wm. Alderly, Esquire, for their Burgesses, as aforesaid; That, notwithstanding, the Mayor hath taken upon him unduly to return Baptist May, Esquire, and Sir Christopher Wren: And praying the Consideration of the House; and that the House would assert their ancient Right, by causing the said Mayor to amend the Return.

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

Tavistock Election.

A Petition of Ambrose Manaton, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That, on the 8th of this Instant March was the Day for electing Burgesses for Tavistock in the County of Devon; when the Petitioner was duly elected to serve as a Burgess for the said Borough; and an Indenture was made and sealed by the Electors, and tendered to David Sargent, senior Portreve (and proper Officer there to make the Return); which he refused to do; but returned Sir Fran. Drake, Baronet, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying an Examination of, and Relief in, the Premises.

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

Lemster Election.

A Petition of Ferdinando Gorges, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected by the Majority of qualified Voices for the Borough of Lemster; but the Bailiff refused to admit to poll several Persons that tendered their Votes for the Petitioner; and by Threats, and irregular Practices, discouraged others from voting for Petitioner; and hath also returned John Dutton Colt, Esquire, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

New Sarum Election.

A Petition of Wm. Wyndham, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That, at the Election of Citizens for New Sarum, the Twenty-seventh Day of February last, when the Petitioner Tho. Hobby, Esquire, and Thomas Pitt, Esquire, stood Candidates; and the Petitioner had the Majority of those Persons who had Right to vote in the said Election; and the Petitioner ought to have been returned a Citizen for the said City accordingly, together with the said Thomas Hobby, to serve in this present Parliament for New Sarum aforesaid: But the Mayor, in Wrong to the Petitioner, and contrary to Justice and Right, returned the said Thomas Pitt, Esquire, together with the said Thomas Hobby, whereas the Petitioner had a greater Number of qualified Votes: And praying the Relief of the House in the Premises.

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

King appoints to be attended.

Mr. Comptroller acquaints the House, That, according to their Order of Saturday last, he had waited upon his Majesty, to know his Pleasure, When he would be attended by this House: And that his Majesty was pleased to appoint this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Banqueting House at Whitehall.

Devizes Election.

A Petition of the Burgesses of the Borough of the Devizes in the County of Wilts was read; thereby setting forth, That, at the Election of Burgesses for the said Borough on the Seventeenth March last, a Poll was taken, whereat Fifty-nine of the Burgesses, and no more, appeared either at the said Election or Poll; of which Walter Grubb, Esquire, had Fifty-five Voices, John Methwin, Esquire, Thirty-six, and Sir Tho. Fowles Twenty-three; whereby the said Walter Grubb and John Methwin were duly elected, and ought to have been returned by Indenture under the Common Seal; yet, notwithstanding, Richard Hiller, present Mayor, took upon himself privately, without the Common Seal (according to constant Usage), but by his own Seal, to make a Return as the Act and Deed of the Burgesses: And, to countenance such his Proceedings, adjourned the Poll, and caused Eight Persons, who were elected Burgesses by virtue of the new Charter of the late King James, and were not living in the Town, and had no Right of Election, to be polled for the said Sir Thomas Fowle; and notwithstanding the Majority were for Mr. Grubb and Mr. Methwin, yet the said Mayor hath returned Sir Thomas Fowle, though unduly elected: And praying, That the Merits of the Election may be examined, and the Right of Election preserved, as it ought to be.

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

Rygate Election.

A Petition of Thomas Vincent, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That, Twenty-sixth of February, the Election for Burgesses was had at Rygate in the County of Surrey; where the Petitioner was duly elected one of the Burgesses: Notwithstanding, John Parsons, by illegal Practices, hath prevailed with Allen Dewdny, the Bailiff of the Borough, to return him, with Sir John Parsons his Father, though unduly elected; whereby the Petitioner is deprived of his Right of sitting in this House: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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

Buckingham Election.

A Petition of Sir Rich. Atkyns, and others, Burgesses, and Inhabitants of the ancient Borough of Bucks, was read; whereby setting forth, That, Nineteenth February, being the Day of Election for the said Borough, the Petitioner Sir Rich. Atkins and Sir Peter Tyrrell were duly elected by the Majority of Voices; yet, notwithstanding, the Bailiff hath returned Sir Rich. Temple, and Alexander Denton, Esquire, in Prejudice to the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Bucks was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioners, and others, being Householders and Inhabitants of the said Borough, in pursuance of their Right, were present at the Election there, Nineteenth February last; and then tendered their Voices to be taken; and demanded a Poll of the Bailiff, but were refused the same; who confined the Election to himself, and Twelve capital Burgesses, to the Prejudice of the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, That the Petitioners Right may be preserved; and the said Election may be made void; and a new one granted, wherein the Petitioners may be allowed their Voices.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House: And that the Matter of the said Petition be heard, together with the Matter of the Petition of Sir Rich. Atkyns and others, Burgesses and Inhabitants of the said Borough of Buckingham.

Sandwich Election.

A Petition of John Mitchell, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That, on the Twenty-eighth February last, Mr. Serjeant Thurbarne and the Petitioner were duly elected Barons for the Town and Port of Sandwich, by the Majority of duly qualified Voters; yet, that Mr. Brent (who procured many of his Votes by Bribery, Threats, and other undue Practices) hath procured himself to be returned, to the Injury of the Petitioner: And praying, that the Name of the said Mr. Brent may be taken out of the Return, and the Petitioner be restored to his Right.

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

Knaresborough Election.

A Petition of Thomas Fawkes, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That, at the Election for Burgesses for the Borough of Knaresborough in the County of Yorke, Wm. Stockdale, Esquire, and the Petitioner, were unanimously elected; and accordingly the Bailiff made his Return; but the Bailiff, though the Petitioner was duly chosen, and by the Return expressed to be elected "instant' major' partem Burgentium;" yet, afterwards, contrary to his Duty, he made another Return of Wm. Stockdale, and Henry Slingsby, wherein those Words are omitted: And praying, that the Petitioner may be the other Sitting Member, being duly chosen, as aforesaid, by the Majority of the said Borough.

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

Plimpton Election.

A Petition of the Mayor, Bailiff, &c. of the Borough of Plimpton in the County of Devon, was read; setting forth, That, notwithstanding one of the Petitioners, the Mayor of Plimpton, was duly chosen, sworn, and admitted into the said Office; but that no Precept was (as it ought) delivered to him, but surreptitiously gotten by Mr. Stroude, and delivered by him to one Avent, who was no ways interested or concerned in the said Borough: And yet, on the Eleventh March last, he came into the Borough and there published the said Mr. Stroude and Geo. Parker Burgesses for the Borough, without the Consent of the Petitioners, who are free Burgesses thereof; and hath prevailed with the Sheriff to make his Return according . . . . And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Matter of the said Petition be heard at the Bar of the House;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That the Matter of the said Petition be heard at the Bar upon This-day-three-weeks: At which time all Parties concerned are to attend.

Bridport Election.

A Petition of the principal Inhabitants and Electors of the Borough of Bridport in the County of Dorsett was read; thereby setting forth, That the Bailiff, having the Custody of the Precept, did on the Twenty-seventh February last, give Notice, and, on the next Day, proceeded to Election; and, without regard to the ancient Custom thereof, polled, as Electors, several Persons not Inhabitants, and others who are Inhabitants and not Householders, as also others who receive Alms, in Violation to their ancient Custom: And thereupon have returned John Mitchell, and Steven Evans, Esquires, as duly elected; notwithstanding the said John Mitchell, and John Manley senior, were duly elected by the Majority of qualified Voters: And praying a short Day to have such their Complaint heard at the Bar of the House; and that their ancient Privileges might be continued.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of John Manley senior, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner, and John Mitchell, Esquire, were duly elected for the Borough of Bridport by the Majority of the Inhabitants thereof; yet the Bailiff hath unjustly returned the said Mr. Mitchell, and Stephen Evans, to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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

Bristoll Election.

A Petition of Wm. Powlett, Serjeant at Law, and Robert Yate, Merchant, was read; thereby setting forth, That, at the Election for Citizens for Bristoll, Twentyfourth of February last, divers indirect Means were used; and many Persons who had Right to vote, were prevented voting for the Petitioners; and others admitted for Sir Rich. Hart, and Sir John Knight, who had no Right to poll; but, notwithstanding the Sheriffs returned the said Sir Rich. Hart, and Sir John Knight, in Prejudice to the Petitioners: And praying the Relief of the Premises from this House.

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

Tamworth Election.

A Petition of Thomas Guy, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for the Borough of Tamworth; but the Bailiff, by divers undue Practices, declared Sir Henry Gough to be duly elected, though the Petitioner had the Majority of legal Votes; and hath since returned him, with Mr. Biddulph, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House.

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

Wooton Bassett Election.

A Petition of Thomas Webb, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner, notwithstanding the indirect Practices of Arthur Brinsden, Mayor of Wooton Basset, and John Wilkins, Town Clerk, was duly elected there; but notwithstanding, the said Mayor hath returned John Wildman, and Henry St. John, Esquires, though, the said Henry St. John was not duly elected: And praying a speedy Day for the hearing the said Cause; and to have Relief in the Premises.

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

Chichester Election.

A Petition of Richard Farrington, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That after the Teste of the Writ, and before the Election at Chichester in the County of Sussex, for Members to serve in this present Parliament, several Briberies and ill Practices were there used to procure Votes for Sir Tho. Miller, and Tho. May, Esquire; and to deter others from voting for the Petitioner; notwithstanding which, the Petitioner, and John Braman, Esquire, were duly elected by a Majority of Votes; and yet the Petitioner is not returned for one of the said Citizens: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises, and Relief therein.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of John Braman, Gentleman, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected one of the Citizens for the City of Chichester by the Majority of qualified Voices; notwithstanding which, John Clowsley, Esquire, the present Mayor, by Combination with Sir Tho. Miller, and Tho. May, Esquire, and others, hath illegally returned them, though not duly chosen, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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

Limmington Election.

A Petition of Tho. Jervaise, and Oliver Cromwell, Esquires, was read; thereby setting forth, That they were duly elected Burgesses for Limmington in the County of Southampton; yet the Mayor, contrary to all Justice, hath returned Thomas Dore, and John Burradd, Esquires, in Prejudice to the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

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

Ludlow Election.

A Petition of Fitton Gerrard and Francis Lloyd, Esquires, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Town of Ludlow, being a Borough by Prescription, was incorporated by Edw. the Fourth, in the First Year of his Reign: And that the late Chancellor Jeffryes, when Chief Justice of Chester, extorted a Surrender from the said Town of all its Powers of electing Bailiffs, Aldermen, and all other subordinate Officers, down to the very Attornies of the Town Court; which Surrender was acknowleged and inrolled by one Cole as Head Bailiff of the said Town, though he was then out of Office, and another sworn in his Place: Whereupon the late King James incorporated the said Town by the Name of Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Councilmen (when as before it was incorporated by the Name of Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Commonalty), with a Reservation of a Power to remove such Officers at Pleasure; and confining the Elections of Members to serve in Parliament to a select Number of Twelve Aldermen, and Twenty-five Common Councilmen, contrary to all former Custom: And that the said late King, in order to restore the Town to its ancient Privileges, removed the Mayor, and all other the Members and Officers of this new Corporation: But nevertheless Mr. Francis Charlton assumes the Mayorship, by Colour of the new Charter, though dissolved; and, by Combination with the present Sheriff, having the Precept directed to him, proceeded to an Election by the new Corporation Men, and about Twenty-eight new Burgesses, made by virtue of the new Charter about the last Prorogation; and hath returned his own Brother-in-law Tho. Hanmer, Esquire, and Wm. Gower, Esquire, as Members; though the Petitioners at the same Day were fairly chosen before the Bailiffs by an unanimous Consent of Voices, who were qualified by the ancient Charter: And the Bailiffs have made a Return by Indenture to the Sheriff; who refused to accept thereof; but took the same, and tore it: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

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

Colchester Election.

A Petition of Isaac Rebow, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That he was duly elected Burgess for the Borough of Colchester, by the Majority of legal Voters; but that, notwithstanding, John Potter, Mayor of the said Borough, hath returned Edward Cary, and Samuell Reignolds, Esquires, as Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough, in Prejudice of the Petitioner.

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

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That the Sitting of the Committee of Privileges and Elections be adjourned until Wednesday next, at Three of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Dorchester Election.

A Petition of Thomas Trenchard, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner, with James Gould, Esquire, were duly elected Burgesses for Dorchester, by the Majority of legal Voices; but that the Mayor of the said Borough hath unduly returned Sir Robert Nappier, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House.

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

Coventry Election.

A Petition of Thomas Gery, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner, Rich. Hopkins, and John Stratford, Esquires, stood Candidates for the Election of Citizens for Coventry; where the Petitioner polled several Hundreds of Voters; and had several Hundreds to poll; but was denied by the Sheriff so to do; who, with great Partiality, and all Practices, procured Voters for Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Stratford; otherwise the Petitioner had had the Majority of Voices: But the Sheriff, in Prejudice to the Petitioner, hath returned the said Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Stratford: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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

Truroe Election.

A Petition of John Manley, Esquire, junior, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner is duly elected a Burgess for Truroe in the County of Cornwall; but that one Robert Averye, pretending to be the Mayor, having gotten the Precept, executed the same without giving any publick Notice thereof; notwithstanding which the Petitioner had the Majority of Voices: But yet the Mayor hath returned Sir Hen. Ashurst, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying a Day to be heard upon the Premises, and Relief therein.

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

Dartmouth Election.

A Petition of George Booth, and Arthur Bayley, Esquires, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioners were duly elected for the Town of Dartmouth in the County of Devon; notwithstanding which, the Bailiff of the said Town hath returned Joseph Heiron and * * * Hayne, Esquires: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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

Portsmouth Election.

A Petition of Henry Slingsby, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That Nicholas Hedger, Mayor of Portsmouth, upon Pretence of having surrendered his Office (which he could not legally do), and by undue Means, caused himself to be returned with the honourable Edward Russell, Esquire, notwithstanding he is still the legal Mayor of the Town, in Prejudice to the said Petitioner, who had the Majority of legal Voices: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition . . . . of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Taunton Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the chusing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Taunton in the County of Somersett, in the room of Sir Wm. Portman, deceased.

Aldborough Election.

A Petition of Sir Edward Turner, Knight, was read; thereby setting forth, That, on the One-and-twentieth Februarii, the Petitioner Sir Henry Johnson, and Wm. Johnson, Esquire, stood Candidates to be elected; where the Petitioner had much the greater Number of Persons who had Right to give their Votes, than were polled for the said Wm. Johnson; and therefore ought to have been returned with Sir Henry Johnson: But the Bailiff of the Borough of Aldborough (the Place for which the Election was), in Prejudice to the Petitioner, hath returned the said Sir Henry and Wm. Johnson: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the Freemen and Inhabitants of the Borough of Aldborough in the County of Suffolke, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioners, on the Oneand-twentieth February last, met, in order to make an Election for Burgesses of the said Borough: And a Poll being demanded, there appeared to be Twenty-six of the Freemen and Inhabitants for the said Sir Edw. Turner, as appears by the Poll; and for Mr. Wm. Johnson but Fourteen only, who have the Right of Election: And thereupon Sir Henry and Wm. Johnson brought in out of the Country several Gentlemen, Farmers, and others, to the Number of Twenty-five, not inhabiting within the Borough, nor paying Scot and Lot, nor bearing any Charge of the Corporation; being lately made free, contrary to the Usage and Custom of the Borough, by the Procurement of one Alderman Bence, purposely to assist him in that Election; by which means the Petitioners Rights of Election are destroyed; and they debarred of their Freedoms therein: And praying, that the said Sir Edward Turner, who was duly elected, may be admitted to sit in the Parliament.

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

Warwick Election.

A Petition of Richard and James Booth, Esquires, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioners were duly elected for the Town and Borough of Warwick by the Majority of the Freemen and Householders of the said Town: But the Mayor, by indirect Means, refusing divers to poll, that tendered themselves so to do for the Petitioners, hath returned the honourable William Lord Digby, and Wm. Colemore, Esquire, in Prejudice to the Petitioners: And praying they may be admitted into this honourable House.

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

Winton Election.

A Petition of Charles Morley, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for the City of Winton by the Majority of legal Voices: Yet, by indirect Practices, Wm. Lord Pawlet, and Fredrick Tilney, Esquire, were returned by the Mayor of the said City, in Prejudice to the Petitioner, and Injury of the Electors: And praying the Consideration of the House, and a short Day for Hearing of the Premises.

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

Wells Election.

A Petition of William Coward, Esquire, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner was duly elected for the City or Borough of Wells by the Majority of legal Voters; and ought to have been returned: Yet, that, notwithstanding, Mr. John Davis, Mayor there, hath returned Edward Berkely, and Hopton Wyndham, Esquires, contrary to the Duty of his Place, in Prejudice to the Petitioner, and Rights of the Burgesses, and Freemen and Inhabitants of the said City: And praying a short Day to be heard in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report their Opinions therein to the House.

Ditto.

A Petition of Paul Gallop and others, the Majority of the Burgesses, Freemen, and Inhabitants of the City or Borough of Wells, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioners, and above One hundred and Forty more of the Burgesses and legal Voters of the said Borough, did duly elect Wm. Coward, Esquire, and John Hall, Esquire, at the last Election there; who ought to have been returned: Yet, that, notwithstanding, the Mayor, contrary to his Duty, hath returned Edward Berkely, and Hopton Wyndham, Esquires: Whereas Mr. Berkely had not above One hundred, and Mr. Wyndham not above Eighty legal Voices: Which said Proceedings of the Mayor are illegal; and tend to the Violation of the Liberties of the said Borough, and of the Petitioners.

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

Burrowbridge Election.

A Petition of Sir Bryan Stapleton, Baronet, was read; thereby setting forth, That he was duly elected for the Borough of Burrowbridge by the Majority of Voices: Yet Sir Christopher Wandesford, Baronet, the present High Sheriff, hath returned Sir Christopher Vane as elected, in the Place of the Petitioner, by directing the Precept to an illegal Bailiff of the said Borough, who suffered many to poll, who were not qualified so to do; and returned the Indenture, notwithstanding the Majority of the legal Voters protested against the same: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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

Southampton Election.

A Petition of Arthur Shallet, Merchant, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner, with Sir Cha. Windham, were duly elected for the Town and County of Southampton; notwithstanding, one Robert Culliford, the Sheriff, hath returned Sir Benjamin Newland one of the Burgesses, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief in the Premises.

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

Sitting of the House &c.

Resolved, &c. That this House will begin to sit every Morning at Nine of the Clock: And that no new Motion be made after One of the Clock.

House interpose to prevent a Quarrel.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Mompesson, and Mr. Okeden, do attend in their Places To-morrow Morning: And that they be enjoined not to prosecute the Quarrel between them the mean time.

And then the House adjourned until Three of the Clock in the Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

House attends tho King.

THE House met, in order to go to Whitehall, to attend his Majesty.

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