House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 24 May 1624

Lunae, 24o Maii

Englefeild.

COMMITTEE for Sir Francis Englefeild, -

Court of Wards, To-morrow, Two Clock.

Wolferston.

Wolferston's Bill, - Four Clock this Afternoon, in the former Place.

Concealments.

Sir Edw. Coke reporteth the Amendments of the Bill of Concealments. - That the Committees have agreed unto them ; chusing rather to take that we have now by it, than lose all.

Upon Question, these Amendments and Alterations to be inserted into the Bill.

These inserted into the Bill by the Clerk's Man, at the Table, and then thirdly read.

Upon Question, the Amendments, and Proviso, passed.

Monopolies.

The Amendments, and Provisoes, in the Bill of Monopolies, twice read, and committed to the Committee of the Bill of Concealments : - To-morrow Morning, Seven Clock, in the Court of Wards: And every one, that will come, to have Voice.

Reports to be made.

Sir Edw. Sands' Report for Trade to be first heard : Sir Ro. Phillippes, for Grice, to be next.

East-land Company.

Sir Edw. Sands reporteth, 1. For the East-land Company; who have the sole Importation of all Materials for Shipping, Cordage, &c. - These, brought in rough, set many Subjects on work. Their Patent 31o Eliz. never altered sithence. (The Suggestions of this Patent, Four. A Clause in their Patent, to impose upon Persons,or Goods. -

The Committee conceived it not, for the present, a Monopoly. -

A Proclamation, in July, 20o Jac. restraining all Merchant Strangers to import any of these Commodities, or any other, except Corn. -

The Company submitteth itself to this House, but tendered. Four Propositions to the Committee: 1. That none, but mere Merchants, might be admitted: 2. That none might trade but in English Bottoms. - Great Increase of Shipping, sithence the King's -

That the Committee resolved, these Commodities should be fetched by our Merchants, at those Parts, where this Company's Mart is. -

Some of the Committee thought, Five Marks to be a reasonable Fine to be of this Company ; but the Committees of the Out-ports desired to trade freely, and not be of this Company. The Committee left this to the House.

Resolved, To pen the Petition for this, and to bring it to the House.

African Company.

Sir Edw. Sands further reporteth the Patent for Ginny and Binny, complained of by Dyers, Clothiers, &c. - That the Patent granted to Sir Wm. St. John, Sir Ferdinando Gorge, Sir G. Monpesson: Restraineth all other Persons to visit, or come near, those Coasts of Africa: Disliked, by the Commissioners of Trade: Directed by his Majesty to be put down. This Patent granted in Aug. 16o Jac. - The Suggestions of this Patent false ; for, where their Pretence, that they the first Discoverers, Sir Jo. Hawkyns, and divers others, traded thither before that Time. It restraineth Trade to Merchants of this Kingdom, where foreign People trade thither at Pleasure. Gums raised by them from 22s. to 7l. Red Wood, from 16s. to 3l. - 3. Have induced a Monopoly out of this Monopoly Patent; having granted to one Davys the sole Bringing of all Red Wood. - Have arrested divers of the Merchants Ships ; as, Mr. Slanye's. -

That the Committee thought, this a Patent [b], both in Creation, and Execution.

Upon Question, this Patent a Grievance, both in Creation, and Execution.

Imposition on Currants, &c.

Sir Edw. Sands reporteth a Complaint made by Turkish Company, of Two Grievances: 1. Of the Increase of Imposition upon Currants: 2ly, Of an Increase of Subsidy of 3d. ... upon raw Silk, not entered into the Book of Rates. But, answered to this, that this the King's true Right, therefore could be no Grievance. This taken, by the Committee, to be but an Increase of Subsidy, and so let it alone. -

For Currants: - Now, in all, 5s. 6d. besides 18d. for Subsidy; in all, 7s. where the Merchants offer to sell an 100 Weight for 28 s. The Turkish Company began, for Venice, 1583, and have gotten divers Patents sithence. -

The Committee thought fit, to petition his Majesty, to take off the last Imposition of 2s. 2 d. and not, at this Time, to meddle with the other. - Ordered, upon Question.

Spanish Tobacco.

Sir Edw. Sands reporteth further for the Spanish Trade. - That the Importation of Spanish Tobacco hindereth this Kingdom 100,000 l. per Annum, which else would have been imported. - Moveth, to petition the King, to banish all foreign Tobacco, not being of the Growth of his Majesty's Dominions. This to be a Petition of Grace, and not of Grievance. - Upon Question, Ordered.

This to be drawn by Sir Edw. Sands and Mr. Ferrar.

Subsidy.

The Bill of Subsidy sent up by Mr. Treasurer, accompanied with the rest of the Privy Council.

Earl of Oxenford.

Committee - Earl of Oxenford's Bill, to meet To- morrow. Two Clock in the Afternoon, in the Court of Wards ; and the Cause to be reported upon Wednesday Morning; and the Arbitrators to meet, . . end it before that Time, if they can

Meldrum's Patent.

Sir Edw. Coke: - That Sir Jo. Meldrum petitioned the King about a Light-house at Winterton-nesse, but, before any Patent granted to Sir John, the Trinity-house (appointed to erect Light-houses by 8 Eliz.) set up One of Stone: Took but 6d. upon every 20 Chaldron of Coals, passing that Way: Now Sir Jo. taketh 3s. 6 d, for every 20 Chaldron of Coal; and taketh it of those which pass not near him.

Upon Question, this Patent a Grievance, both in the Creation, and Execution; and so to be preferred, amongst the other Grievances, to his Majesty.

Yorke, &c. Gaols.

Debate again upon the Report, formerly made, concerning the Patents for Yorke and Lancaster Castles. -

14o Ed. III. all Gaols, granted away to [c] the Sheriff, restored again to them.

Upon first Question, to prefer a Petition of Right to his Majesty, expressing, that the Grant or the Custody of common Gaols, from the Sheriff, to any other, is a Grievance, and a great Hindrance of Justice, and mischievous to the Sheriff's. Castles of Yorke and Lancaster particularly to be intimated.

2ly. To petition his Majesty in Point of Grace; expressing, that, where the Soil the King's own. -

Inferior Courts.

Committee for inferior Courts, - To-morrow, Two Clock, Exchequer Chamber.