House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 20 April 1694

Veneris, 20 die Aprilis;

6° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Address respecting Half-pence and Farthings.

MR. Arnold reported from the Committee, who were appointed to prepare an humble Address to be presented to his Majesty, touching Farthings and Halfpence, That they had prepared an Address accordingly; which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read the First time throughout; and then a Second time, Paragraph by Paragraph; and, with some Amendments, agreed unto by the House; and is as followeth; viz.

We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal Subjects, the Commons in Parliament assembled, being highly sensible of your Majesty's unparalleled Goodness, tender Affection, and great Charity, towards your People, do humbly beg Leave to represent to your Majesty, That the present Tin Farthings and Halfpence, not being of the intrinsick Value, and easily to be counterfeited, are therefore become an Obstruction to trade, and a Grievance to your Majesty's Subjects: And therefore do most humbly beseech your Majesty, That the Farthings and Halfpence, to be made for the future, may be of English Metal, to be coined at your Majesty's Mint, of the intrinsick Value: And that your Majesty will be graciously pleased, That the same may not be let to farm; and to order such of the present Tin Farthings and Halfpence, as are not counterfeit, to be exchanged; that thereby your loyal Subjects may be eased and freed from the Inconveniencies that have arisen by the same.

Ordered, That the said Address be presented to hi Majesty by such Members of this House as are of his Majesty's most Honourable Privy-Council.

Supply Bill; Hackney Coach Duty.

The Order of the Day, for the House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for licensing Hackney and Stage Coaches, was read.

Resolved, That it be an Instruction to the said Committee, That they do consider of the Fine, Rent, and Number, of the said Hackney Coaches.

Then the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the said Committee, That they had gone through the Bill; and made several Amendments; which they had directed him to report, when the House would please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said Report be made To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Clause to the said Bill, for the Commissioners to license a convenient Number of Coaches, to ply on Sundays.

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