Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 11, 1693-1697. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1803.
This free content was digitised by double rekeying. All rights reserved.
'House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 3 December 1696', in Journal of the House of Commons: Volume 11, 1693-1697, (London, 1803) pp. 607-612. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/commons-jrnl/vol11/pp607-612 [accessed 24 April 2024]
In this section
Jovis, 3 die Decemri;
8° Gulielmi Tertii.
Prayers.
Regulating Elections.
A PETITION of the Mayor, Bailiffs, Burgesses, and Commonalty, of the Town and County of Pool, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, the Bill, now depending in the House, for the further regulating Elections of Members to serve in Parliament, will be highly prejudicial to the Rights and Privileges of all Corporations in England; and is to restrain the Election of their Members to Persons who have a certain Estate in Lands; which is to restrain the Liberty of the Subject, to choose, perhaps, such Men as are Strangers to the Constitution of their Corporation, and unskilful in the Mysteries of Trade; and to hinder those among them of found Understanding, and having great Personal Estates, of their Birthrights, to be elected: And praying, That the said Bill may not pass, so as to prejudice the ancient Rights and Liberties of the said Corporation.
Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.
Duty on Glass.
A Petition of the Glass-makers in and about the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by a late Act of Parliament, there is a perpetual Duty laid upon all Glass-wares made in England; which is a great Discouragement to the Petitioners said Trade; and, if continued, will tend to their utter Ruin, and all those employed under them: And praying the Relief of the House, that the said Duty may be taken off.
Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of Thomas Cardo and Edward Baughton, on behalf of themselves, and other Glass-makers in and about Stourbridge, in the County of Worcester, is referred.
Regulating Elections.
A Petition of the Port-reeve, Freeholders, and principal Inhabitants, of the ancient Borough of Ashburton, was presented to the House, and read; setting . . . . ., That the Bill, now depending in the House, for the further regulating Elections of Members to serve in Parliament, is to disable Persons not having Estates in Land, as in the Bill, from serving in Parliament; which Bill may so restrain the Freedom of the said Borough, as to exclude many fit Men from representing them in Parliament: And praying, That the fundamental Rights and Privileges of the said Borough may be continued.
Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.
Duty on Glass.
A Petition of William Gutteridge, and others, in behalf of themselves, and most of the Glass-makers in and about the City of London, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by a late Act of Parliament, a perpetual Duty is laid upon all Glass-wares made in England; the clear Revenue whereof is not 10,000 l. per Annum, as appears by the Commissioners Books; and will decrease every Year, and hazard the total Loss of that Trade to England: 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, to whom the Petition of Thomas Cardo and Edward Baughton, on behalf of themselves, and other Glass-makers in and about Stourbridge, in the County of Worcester, is referred.
Ditto.
Ordered, That the said Report from the said Committee, when made, be in a full House, at Twelve a Clock.
Irish Arrears.
A Petition of the Subaltern Officers, and Troopers, of his Grace the Duke of Schomberg's Regiment of Horse, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That it is Four Years since the said Regiment was cleared; and Mr. Francis Molyneux, Agent, hath given his Acquittance, in full, to the Treasury, to the 31 December 1691; but hath not yet settled his Accounts with the Captains; whereby the Petitioners could not demand their Irish Arrears, amounting to near 4,000 l.: That Mr. Molyneux, who is a Woollen-draper, undertook to cloathe the Regiment; and sold his Cloth at so dear a Rate, that he overcharged the Off-reckonings, and applied the Subaltern Officers Subsistence to pay himself; who have near 3,000 l. due to them, which he denies to pay: And praying the Relief of the House in the Matters aforesaid.
Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Petition of John Hakewell and Alexander Gambell, on behalf of themselves, and other Troopers, who served under Colonel Villers is referred.
Leave of Absence.
Ordered, That Mr. Backwell have Leave to go into the Country for Ten Days, his Lady being very ill.
Discount on Bank-Bills.
A Petition of the Clothiers, and others the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Wootton-Underedge, in the County of Gloucester, for themselves and the poor People who depend upon them, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the uncertain Value of the ancient Coin hath been very prejudicial to them, having very little new Money amongst them; but the Rebate of Bank-Bills at 16 l. per Cent. for ready Money, hath obliged several Clothiers to give over Trading, those Bills being generally the Payments for their Manufactures; and the rest must shortly do so too, to the Starving of the Poor, unless some speedy Relief be given: And praying the Assistance of the House, for redressing the said Grievances.
Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider of the State of the Nation.
Revenue Receipts and Issues, &c.
Mr. Boyle, according to Order, presented to the House the general State of the Receipts and Issues of the Publick Revenue, between the Feast of St. Michael 1695, and the Feast of St. Michael 1696: And also,
A State of the Accounts of the Army, Navy, and Ordnance: And also,
An Estimate of the Arrears due to the Army, Navy, Ordnance; and for Transportation: And also,
Copies of Dockets, at the Privy-Seal, of all Grants made of Crown-Lands, or Sums of Money, since the last Session of Parliament: And also,
A Certificate relating to the Vacating of Tallies, levied, and stricken, at the Exchequer, to the Earl of Portland.
Royal Assent to Bills.
A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Fleetwood Shepherd, Gentleman-Usher of the Black Rod:
Mr. Speaker,
The King commands this Honourable House to attend his Majesty, in the House of Peers, immediately.
Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.
And, being returned;
Mr. Speaker reported, That his Majesty had been pleased to give the Royal Assent to several Publick Bills; viz.
An Act for importing and coining Guineas and HalfGuineas:
An Act to explain that Part of the Act, passed the last Session of Parliament, for laying several Duties on low Wines, and Spirits of the first Extraction; and for preventing the Frauds and Abuses of Brewers, Distillers, and other Persons chargeable with the Duties of Excise; which relates to the Payment of Tallies, and the Interest thereof:
An Act for the further remedying the ill State of the Coin of the Kingdom.
Grants of Crown-lands.
Then the Copies of the Dockets of the Grants made of Crown-Lands, and Sums of Money; and the said Certificate, and State, and Estimate of the Accounts, and Arrears to the Army and Navy; were read; and are as follow; viz.
3d December 1696.
Copies of Dockets, at the Privy-Seal, of all Grants made of Crown-Lands, or Sums of Money, since the last Session of Parliament.
March 169 5/6.
A GRANT unto Samuel Johnson Clerk, of an Annuity of 300 l. payable out of the Revenue of the Letter-Office.
A Grant to the Right Honourable William Earl of Portland, for the Term of 42 Years, under the Rent of 6s. 8d. of the Buildings and Edifices situate in Whitehall, now in the Possession of the said Earl.
A Warrant to the Exchequer, to pay unto Sir Robert Killigrew, Knight, one Annuity of 400 l.; to be paid quarterly, during his Majesty's Pleasure.
April 1696.
Whereas by an Inquisition, taken at the Court-house of St. Clement's, Danes, in the County of Middlesex, the 22th Day of September, in the 5th Year of their Majesties Reign, it was found, That William late Marquis of Powys was seised in his Demesne, as of a Fee, of all that capital Messuage, called Powys-House, with the Appurtenances, and several other Messuages or Tenements thereunto adjoining, in the said County of Middlesex; and divers Messuages and Lands in the Parish of Hendon, belonging to the said Manor; and all the Rectory and Advowson of the said Parish of Hendon; which were seized into their Majesties Hands, by virtue of a Commission under the Great Seal of England: His Majesty is graciously pleased to grant all and singular the said Manor, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, and other Things comprehended or found in or by the said Inquisition abovesaid, unto William Earl of Rochford; except the capital Messuage or Tenement, called PowysHouse, above mentioned, and all Out-houses, Stabies, Goach-houses, and other Things thereto belonging, now in the Possession of the Right Honourable the Lord Keeper; to have and to hold all and singular the Manor, Messuages, Tenements, Tythes, and Premises, except before excepted, unto the said Earl, his Heirs, and Assigns, for ever; rendering to his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, the yearly Rent of 13s. 4d. and all such other Rents and Services, if any such were, as were payable to his Majesty out of the Premises, or any of them respectively, at the Time of the Forfeiture thereof, as aforesaid: And his Majesty is pleased to grant to the said Earl all Arrears, and Mesne Profits, arisen and payable to his Majesty out of the Estates late of the said late Marquis of Powys, within the Counties of Northampton and Mountgomery, now about to be passed to the said Earl of Rochford; and also all Bonds, Mortgages, Debts, Sums of Money, Goods, Chattels, and other the Personal Estate belonging to the said late Marquis; and forfeited, by reason of the High Treason by him committed. And such other Clauses and Provisoes are inserted, as were directed by Warrant under his Majesty's Royal Sign-Manual; countersigned by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; subscribed by Mr. Attorney-General.
A Grant to William Saunderson Esquire, of a yearly Rent of 25 Load of Hay, and 50 Quarters of Oats, reserved on Two several Leases from the Crown, of the Site of the Tenement called Nethercomb, alias Eastcomb; and other Lands and Tenements in the Manor of East Greenwich; to hold during the Continuance of the said Leases.
May 1696.
A Grant to the Right Honourable William Earl of Portland, of the Manor of Grantham in the County of Lincoln; Honour of Penrith, in the County of Cumberland; and Manor of Dracklow and Radheath, in the County of Chester, Manor of Terrington, in the County of Norfolk; Manors of Patrington, Bristallgarth, Hornsey, Thwyng, Burnesley, and Leven, in the County of York; all Part of the ancient Revenue of the Crown of England; and of the Manor of Pevensey, in the County of Sussex, Parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster; and of all other Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, thereto belonging; to have and to hold the same to the said Earl, his Heirs, and Assigns, for ever, as of his Majesty's Manor of East Greenwich, in Kent, under the Rent of 13s. 4d. payable at Lady-day, yearly. And such Clauses, Powers, and Provisoes, are inserted, as were directed by Warrant under his Majesty's Royal Sign-Manual; countersigned by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; subscribed by Mr. Attorney-General.
A Grant to Colonel Edward Leigh, of 500 l. bequeathed by his Sister, Margaret Leigh, unto Edward Lord Grisfin, who stands outlawed for High Treason; by reason whereof, the said Legacy is become forfeited to his Majesty.
A Grant unto Charles Bertie, Samuel Travers, James Herbert, and Richard Powys, Esquires, of all that Farm, called Nethercomb-Farm, near East-Greenwich; a Tenement in Kingstreet, in Deptford; and a Ditch, or Piece of Ground, there; a Close, called West Bromfeild, there; Saye's, Court, and Lands in Deptford aforesaid; Rents of Assize in East Peckham; Rents of Assize in East-Farleigh, and Treasury-Rents there; all in the County of Kent; the Manor of East-Moulsey; Hampton-Court Ferries; the Fishings there; Richmond Ferry; Two Tenements in Southwark, called the King's-Bench, and the Crane; a Tenement, called the Pike-Garden, there; and the Site of the Monastery of Sheen; all in the County of Surrey; and of the Lands called Northey, in Bexell-Hoo, and Bernard'sCastle; and certain Lands and Tenements, called Oldbury and Seabeth; in the County of Sussex; the Rents of Ampthill Park, in the County of Bedford; Lands in Shotover and Stowood, leased to Mountague Earl of Lindsey; other Lands there, leased to Sir Timothy Tyrrell; in the County of Oxon; and of the Manor and Park of Marybone, in the County of Middlesex; and of a Third Part of the Demesnes of the Forest of Gillingham, in the County of Dorsett; the Agistment, Herbage, and Pannage, of the Forest of Maran, or Mondren, alias Mondrent; Copyhold Fines in the Manor and Hundred of Macclesfield; the Bailiwick of the Hundred of Northwich; and the Fraternity of Ively; in the County of Chester; and of the Tythes of the Vicarage of Halifax, in the County of York; with their and every of their Appurtenances, Rents, Issues, Profits, and Hereditaments; except as is therein excepted; to hold to the said Charles Bertie, Samuel Travers, James Herbert, and Richard Powys, their Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, for the Term of 31 Years, to commence from the Decease of Katherine the now Queen Dowager of England, or other Determination of the several Leases therein mentioned, now in being; yielding and paying therefor into the Receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer, the yearly Rent of 3 l. 18s. 4¼d. at Michaelmas and Lady-day, by equal Portions. And such Clauses, Covenants, and Provisoes, are inserted, as were directed by Warrant under his Majesty's Royal Sign-Manual; countersigned by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; subscribed by Mr. Attorney-General.
June 1696.
A Grant unto Alexander Johnstown Esquire, of One Annuity of 300 l. chargeable upon several Manors, Lands, and Tenements, in the County of York, late of Sir Roger Strickland, attainted of High-Treason; for the Term of 31 Years.
July.
A Grant to the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Raby, of all Benefits, Profits, and Sums of Money due, and payable upon or for all and every Fine or Fines, to be levied in the Court of Common-Pleas at Westminster, for, or in respect of Fines, pro licentia concordandi, commonly called Post-Fines; to hold to the said Thomas Lord Raby, his Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, for the Term of 48 Years, to commence from Michaelmas 1708, or other sooner Determination of a Lease of the Premises, now in being, under the yearly Rent of 2,276 l.; to be paid by half-yearly Payments, at Ladyday and Michaelmas, from the Commencement of the said Term. And such Covenants, Clauses, and Provisoes, are inserted, as were directed by Warrant under his Majesty's Royal Sign-Manual; countersigned by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; and subscribed by Mr. Attorney-General.
Grants of CrownLands, &c.
A Grant to John Agar Esquire, at the Nomination and Desire of Arthur Earl of Torrington, of all that the House, and Site of the House, of Oatlands, and of all Houses, Lands, Tenements, and Appurtenances, thereto belonging, in the County of Surrey; and of a Messuage or Tenement, containing Eight Chambers, with the Appurtenances, situate in Serjeants Inn in Fleetstreet, now, or late, in the Tenure of Sir Tho. Rookeby; all which Lands, Tenements, Chambers, and Premises are come unto, and vested, in the Crown, by reason of the Attainder, and Outlawry, for High Treason, of Sir Edward Herbert, Knight; to hold the before-mentioned House, and Site of the House of Oatlands, with the Appurtenances, to the said John Agar, his Heirs and Assigns for ever; as of his Majesty's Manor of Greenwich, in Kent, under the Rent of 13s. 4d. to be paid, at Michaelmas. yearly; to have and to hold the said Messuage, or Tenements, in Serjeants-Inn aforesaid, for such Term or Number of Years, as his Majesty is intituled unto, by reason of the Outlawry of the said Sir Edward Herbert, without yielding any Rent whatsoever to his Majesty, his Heirs or Successors, therefor. And such Powers, Clauses, and Provisoes, are inserted, as were directed by Warrant under his Majesty's Royal Sign-Manual; countersigned by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; subscribed by Mr. Attorney-General.
A Grant to the Right Honourable John Lord Cutts, Baron of Gowran in the Kingdom of Ireland, of all that the Hundred of Dumford, and all other the Manors, Castles, Towns, Rectories, Advowsons, Messuages, Lands, Tenements, Goods, Debts, Chattels, and other Things, which were, by Inquisition, dated the 30th of May last, found to have belonged to John Caryl Esquire, who now stands outlawed for High Treason; to hold such Parts of the Premises, whereof or wherein the said John Caryl was seised, of or for any Estate or Estates of Inheritance of Freehold, to the said John Lord Cutts, his Heirs and Assigns for ever; and to hold such Part of the Premises, whereof the said John Caryl was possessed for Lives, during the Continuance thereof; and to have and to hold the Goods, Debts, and other the Chattels, mentioned in the said Inquisition, to the said John Lord Cutts, his Executors, and Assigns for ever; rendering, for all the Premises, the yearly Rent of 13s. 4d. and such other Rents, if any, as were payable out of the Premises, at the time of the Forfeiture thereof. And such Powers, Clauses, and Directions, are inserted, as were directed by Warrant under his Majesty's Royal SignManual; countersigned by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury; subscribed by Mr. Attorney-General.
A Grant to Thomas Hall Esquire, of the Market-place at St. James's with several Buildings there, now held by virtue of several Grants, or Leases, from the late King Charles the Second, to the late Earl of St. Albans; wherein 44 Years will remain at Michaelmas next; to hold to the said Thomas Hall, his Executors or Assigns, for 99 Years, to commence from the Determination of the former Grants, under the Rent of 10s. per Annum.
The said Certificate.
Vacation of Grant to Earl Portland.
WHEREAS a Tally was levied, and stricken, at the Receipt of his Majesty's Exchequer, on the 10th Day of July last, purporting the Payment of 24,571 l. 5s. 4d. by the Right Honourable William Earl of Portland, for the Purchase of several Fee-farm Rents; which Sum was directed or intended to be issued to his Lordship, as of his Majesty's free Gift, and Royal Bounty; but the same having not hitherto been received by the said Earl; and his Lordship desired the same might be vacated:
These are therefore to certify, That, in pursuance of a Warrant signed by the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, bearing Date the 29th of September 1696. That the said Tally, and the Counter Tally thereof, were cancelled; and a Vacat made on the Entry of the said Tally; and also on the Order or Directions, for issuing the same to the said Earl, as of his Majesty's Bounty.
Exchequer, 6th October 1696.
Ro. Howard.
Army Accounts.
From whence it is evident, That the Sum of 562,731£. 1s. 7¾d. together with all other Payments, for extra Services, and Loss by Tallies, since the 31 March 1695, will remain in Arrear to the Army: But the exact Sum can not be known, until the Accounts shall be stated.
Note, There remained with the Treasurer, at Michaelmas 1694, in Cash and Tallies, towards clearing the Arrear above mentioned 594,108£. 6s. 3d.
Which when paid, and applied accordingly, it is feared the Debt will be rather more at the End of this Year than it was at Michaelmas 1694: But the Certainty thereof cannot appear to the Commissioners till the Accounts be brought in.
A STATE of the Ordnance-Accounts.
By the Accounts brought in to the Commissioners from that Office, the Land and Sea-Services are not distinguishable, neither in the Receipts nor Issues of Stores: And therefore no particular State thereof can be prepared.
But, by general States received from the Treasurer of the Ordnance, it appears;
That the Money actually paid into that Office from the Exchequer, &c. unto Michaelmas 1696, amounted unto 2,341,634£. 3s. 8d.¾ viz.
Army Arrears.
A STATE of the Arrear due to the Army, Navy, and Ordnance; as also for Transporting the Forces, &c.; according to the Accounts received from the respective Offices; viz.
To the Navy, at Michaelmas 1696,
Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Copies of Dockets, and Certificate, be referred to the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider of the State of the Nation.
Ordered, That the said States and Estimates do lie upon the Table, to be perused by the Members of the House.
Bank of England.
Ordered, That the Governor and Directors of the Bank of England do, To-morrow Morning, lay before this House an Abstract of all their Debts and Credits.
Regulating Elections.
Sir Richard Onslow, according to Order, reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for the further regulating Elections of Members to serve in Parliament was committed, the Amendments made to the said Bill; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and some of them a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.
Amendment, Fo. 2. L. 10, to fill up the Blank, relating to the real Estate Citizens or Burgesses shall have, with "200 l." . . . . . .
An Amendment was proposed to be made to the said Amendment, by adding "or having a clear Personal "Estate of 5,000 l.; and making Oath thereof, before the Magistrate or Officer making a Return:"
And the Question being put, That the said Words be added to the said Amendment;
It passed in the Negative.
Resolved, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Amendment.
The rest of the said Amendments, being read severally a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.
A Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That the proper Officers for executing Writs of Elections to Parliament, for the Cinque-Ports, shall have Eight Days time after Receipt of the Writ, notwithstanding an Act of last Session, which allows but Three Days; it being found to be too short a time:
And the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.
Then a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed;
The House divided.
The Yeas go forth.
So it was resolved in the Affirmative.
Credit of the Nation, &c.
Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of that Part of his Majesty's Speech, which relates to the Credit of the Nation; and also of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, for making good the Deficiencies of Parliamentary Funds.
Committees.
Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.
And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Nine a Clock.