[P53] March 5th 1676/7. The Commons have very many Bills before them, the 600000l is to be raised in 17th months by A Land Tax. Yesterday they past a Vote That noe part of the Custome shall bee Appropriated to the Repairing the Navy by any Clause in the Bill, upon the Division 124 and 175. The Lords have fined Dr. Carew 1000l for Contempt, and ordered him to bee Committed close prisoner to the Tower till hee hath payd it, There is one Mr. Browne a Citty Atturney is Committed to the Tower for having the names of some seditious pamphlets in his Pocket about this Parliament or for the pamphlets themselves, or for publishing them. There is one Mr. Smith sent to Newgate for an offence of the like natuer[.]

March 7th 1676/7. The Commons are to debate the continuance of the Excise for 3 years according to his Majesties desire, Upon Tuesday they were upon grievances, and it was agreed, That the House be moved to appoint a Committee to prepare an Address to represent to his Majestye the danger of the power of France, and to desire his Majesty by such allyances as his Majesty shall think fit, to secure and quiet the fears of his people, and for preserving and securing the Spanish Netherlands. The Lords still discourse about their Bill against Popery, and on Wednsday voted the 3 pamphlet to bee seditious and scandalous, and that (called Some Considerations also) to be Traiterous, The 600000l goes on.

March 13th 1676/7. A Question in the House of Commons for confirmation of the Excise for 3 years was carried affirmatively by 33, yeas 189 and noes 156. On Saturday they sent up the Address to the Lords, who goe on with their Bill a〈bout〉 Popery, very many Bills are before the Commons, The money Bill goes very well on. Mr. 〈Phillip〉 Foly is turned out of the House, and Mr. Herbert Admitted, It is Carried at the Committee for Sir Henry Thompson (of York) and against Sir John Uly.