House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 20 April 1698

Mercurii, 20 die Aprilis;

Decimo Gulielmi.

Prayers.

Windham's Estate.

COLONEL Granville reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for enabling Trustees to make Leases, and grant Copies, and receive the Rents and Profits, of the Estates late of Sir Edward Windham. Baronet, deceased, during the Minority of Sir William Windham Baronet, for the Intents and Purposes therein mentioned, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same, and made some Amendments thereunto; which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Suppressing Housebreakers.

Mr. Evelyn reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for the better Discovery and Suppressing of Housebreakers was committed, That they had made some Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill do lie upon the Table until this Day Sevennight.

Wiredrawers Trade.

Sir Henry Hobart, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the settling and adjusting the Proportions of fine Silver and Silk, for the better making of Silver and Gold Thread, and to prevent the Abuses of Wiredrawers: And the same was received; and read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon this Day Sevennight.

Lewen's Estate.

A Bill to rectify some Mistakes in an Act, passed this Session of Parliament, intituled, An Act to enable John Lewen to sell certain Messuages in Southwark, for Payment of Debts, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time upon this Day Sevennight.

Whitborne Rectory.

Mr. Baldwin reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to annex the Rectory of Whitborne, in Herefordshire, to the Bishoprick of Hereford, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same; and had directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment: And he delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

Repealing 39 Eliz. against making Malt.

Mr. Brotherton reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill to repeal an Act, in the Thirty-ninth Year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, intituled, An Act to restrain the excessive making of Malt, and to discharge and vacate all Orders, made by Justices of Peace, for restraining of Maltsters from making of Malt, since the late Duty of Six-pence per Bushel laid upon Malt, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same; and had directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment: And he delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

Ordered, That the Bill be ingrossed.

Hammered Money.

A Petition of Andrew Perrott, Samuel Dawson, and others, Citizens and Inhabitants of and within the City of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, about 14th of February last, did deliver, by Weight, to the Master-worker of the Mint at York, the Value of three thousand Pounds, in old hammered Silver Money, hoping the same should have been forthwith melted down and recoined, and delivered to the Petitioners before the 25th March 1698; and that, after many Applications to the Master and Worker, for their said Monies, they cannot obtain the same: And praying an Inquiry may be made into the Reasons why their Money should be detained.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

And it is referred to the Lord Fairfax, Sir John Kay, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Jenkyns, Mr. Neale, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Molyneux, Sir William Lowther, Colonel Perry, Sir William Hustler, Mr. England, Sir William Drake, Mr. Evelyn, Mr. Gery, Mr. Pudsey, Mr. Colt, Mr. Ashby, Sir Marm. Wyvell, Mr. Cartwright, Lord Digby, Mr. Hedger, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Pery, Sir John Bolls, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Osborne, Mr. Lownds; and all the Members that serve for the County of York, and the several other Counties where Mints are: And they are to meet at Five a Clock this Afternoon, in the Speaker's Chamber: And they have Power to consider of the Deficiency at all the Mints.

Lindsey Drainage.

Sir Henry Colt, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the draining Part of Lindsey Level, in the County of Lincolne: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read To-morrow Sevennight.

Counterfeiting Coin.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill for the better preventing the counterfeiting, clipping, and other diminishing, the Coin of this Kingdom, be read the Third time upon this Day Sevennight.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Robert Legard and Sir Richard Holford:

Mr. Speaker.

Executing Judgments in Wales.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to execute Judgments and Decrees saved in a Clause in an Act, of the First Year of the Reign of King William and Queen Mary, intituled, An Act for taking away the Court holden before the President and Council of the Marches of Wales, without any Amendment. Also,

Slaughter, &c. importing Silk.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to enable Paris Slaughter and William Druce, Merchants, and Dame Elizabeth Chapman, to import several Bales of fine Italian Thrown Silk, without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Cleansing Rivers, &c.

A Petition of Charles Trevanion Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by an Act of Parliament, the River Vale, in Cornwall, was to be made navigable, and the Care thereof committed to the Petitioner; who built many Sluices thereon, at his own Charge: That the Petitioner is apprehensive the Bill touching removing Sands, and cleansing Havens and Rivers, may prejudice him; therefore prays to be heard before the Committee, in order to be relieved, by a Clause to be added to the said Bill, or otherwise, as shall be thought fit.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the said Bill is committed.

Supply Bill; Poll Tax.

Mr. Lowndes, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for granting to his Majesty an Aid, by a quarterly Poll, for One Year: And the same was received; and read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time Tomorrow Morning.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Dr. Oxenden have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Sir John Cotton have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Hyde have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Buying and selling Offices.

Ordered, That Mr. Moncton, Mr. Mountstevens, Mr. Pagit, Sir Rowland Gwynne, Lord Digby, Mr. Manly, Sir Thomas Dyke, Colonel Granville, Mr. Foley, Mr. Bromly, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for preventing the buying and selling of Offices, and Places of Trusts, was referred.

Supply Bill; Duty on Coals.

Mr. Lowndes, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for granting to his Majesty several Duties upon Coals and Culm: And the same was received; and read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time Tomorrow Morning.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Francis Roberts have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Duty on Coals.

A Petition being offered, relating to the Bill for granting to his Majesty several Duties upon Coals and Culm;

And the Question being put, That the Petition be received;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Russia Trade.

Mr. Norris, according to Order, reported from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for encouraging and improving the Trade to Russia was committed, the Amendments made by the Committee to the said Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause was offered to be added to the Bill, touching Tender of Fines:

And the same was twice read; and amended; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Robert Legard and Sir Richard Holford:

Mr. Speaker,

Colchester Channel.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for cleansing, and making navigable, the Channel, from the Hythe at Colchester, to Wivenhoo, with an Amendment: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House. Also,

Davis' Estate.

The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for vesting certain customary Messuages and Lands, within the Manor of Gillingham, in the County of Dorsett, late the Estate of Thomas Davis Gentleman, deceased, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House. Also,

Master's Estate.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to enable Streynsham Master Esquire, to sell Lands in Kent, which were agreed to be settled by his MarriageArticles; and to convey Lands in Derbyshire, of a greater Value, to the same Uses; without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Ways and Means.

Resolved, That this House will, after this Week, upon every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, at Eleven a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, until they have finished the same; and that whatever Debate shall then be, shall be adjourned.

Foreign Lustrings, and clandestine Trade.

The House, according to Order, proceeded to take into Consideration the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Royal Lustring Company of England was referred:

And the First Four of the said Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

The Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh, of the said Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, the Consideration thereof were severally postponed.

The Eighth Resolution being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That Alamodes and Lustrings shall be imported into the Port of London only.

The Ninth Resolution being read a Second time; the Consideration thereof was postponed.

The Residue of the said Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in for the Encouragement of the Lustring Company; and the more effectual preventing the fraudulent Importation of Lustrings and Alamodes, and the Exportation of Wool, and Fullers Earth: And that Sir Rowland Gwynne, Sir Henry Colt, and Mr. Clarke, do prepare and bring in, the Bill.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Resolutions, which were postponed, be adjourned till the said Bill be brought in.

Impeachment of Gowdett, &c.

Resolved, That John Gowdett be impeached of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That David Barreau be impeached of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That Peter Longueville be impeached of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That Stephen Seignoret be impeached of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That Rene Baudowyn be impeached of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That Nicholas Santini be impeached of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Resolved, That Peter de Hearce be impeached of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Ordered, That Sir Rowland Gwyn do go up to the Lords, and, at their Bar, in the Name of all the Commons of England, impeach the said John Gowdet, David Barreau, Peter Longueville, Stephen Seignoret, Rene Baudowyn, Nicolas Santini, and Peter de Hearce, of divers High Crimes and Misdemeanors; and acquaint the Lords, That this House will, in due time, exhibit Articles against the said Persons.

Ordered, That the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Royal Lustring Company was referred, do prepare the said Articles of Impeachment.

Gowdet, &c. ordered into custody.

Ordered, That the said John Gowdet be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the said David Barreau be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the said Peter Longueville be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the said Stephen Seignoret be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the said Rene Baudowyn be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the said Nicholas Santini be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Ordered, That the said Peter de Hearce be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Others to be prosecuted.

Ordered, That Mr. Attorney-General and Mr. Solicitor General do prosecute the said John Dumastre, Francis Grubert, Theodore Holtaine, * Boutandon, Thomas Hatton, Peter Barraillaw, Peter Goree, Antony Didier, Diana Mason, Joseph Buckley, Edward Singleton, John Corbusier, William Wragg, * Hart, * Toms, * Ripper, Arthur Goodwyn, Ferdinand Revaud, Gospard Bedford, Bartholomew Middy, John Gairalt, Peter Debilly, John Aurioll, Isaac Aurioll, Peter Monbrown, Mrs. Parthon, John Deseine, Peter du Livier, John Pancier, Henry Collins for * Smith, * Philips, and John Guygier, for their said Offences.

Ordered, That Mr. Attorney-General and Mr. Solicitor-General do prosecute the said Mrs. Poole, William Wade, Roger Beart, Matthew Scalding, Francis Neave, Thomas Dewy, * Manare, and * Towsey, for their said Offences.

Ranew's Nat. gratis.

Resolved, That Mr. Hilary Ranew, for the great Services done this Kingdom, in promoting the Manufacture of Alamodes and Lustrings, and discovering the fraudulent Importation thereof, and Exportation of Wool, deserves the Countenance and Protection of the Government: And that a Bill for naturalizing of him, and his Family, be brought in, and permitted to pass this House gratis: And that Mr. Clark do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Prosecutions ordered by the House.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inquire into what Prosecutions have been ordered by this House, to be made of any Persons in Westminister-hall; and what hath been done thereupon:

And it is referred to Mr. Sloan, Mr. Clarke, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Sir Henry Hobart, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Norris, Sir Jacob Ashly, Sir Walter Young, Lord Pawlet, Mr. Manly, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Perry, Sir John Bolls, Mr. Mountstevens, Sir Fran. Masham, Mr. England, Sir Ralph Dutton, Mr. Bethell: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Improving Woollen Manufacture.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill for the better improving the Woollen Manufacture be read the Third time upon Saturday come Sevennight.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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