House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 19 January 1699

Jovis, 19 die Januarii;

10° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

BArtholomew Ogilvy, Reineir Sbulen, and John Denton, took the Oaths, in order to their Naturalization.

Gifts to Charitable Uses.

Mr. Thursby reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for the better and further Encouragement of Gifts to charitable Uses 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, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

Exporting Wool.

A Petition of the Clothiers of the Town of Romsey, in the County of Southampton, as well on behalf of themselves, as many Spinners, Combers, Weavers, Sheermen, and others, whose Livelihood depends on the Clothing-Trade, as also of others, the Inhabitants of the said Town, and Parishes adjacent, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the principal Trade of the said Town has, Time out of Mind, been Making of Cloth-rashes, which consume abundance of our Wool, and used to be exported to Holland, and, especially, France; until, of late Years, the Wool of this Kingdom, and of Ireland, notwithstanding the many Laws to the contrary, has been exported thither, to the almost utter Loss of the Petitioners Trade, and the Increase of their Poor, for want of their usual Employment: And praying, That such other Laws may be made, as shall be effectual to prevent the Exportation of Wool, and propagate the Petitioners Trade of making Cloth-rashes.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to encourage the Woollen Manufacture in England; and to restrain the Exportation of Woollen Manufactures from Ireland into any foreign Parts; and for the better preventing the Exportation of Wool from England and Ireland; is committed.

Duty on Leather.

A Petition of the Glovers, Collar-makers, and others, that are Tawers or Dressers of Leather, in the ancient City of Winton, and Parts adjacent, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Duty upon Leather is become a very great Grievance, by reason a Duty is laid upon (fn. 1) [Salt] whereof they use a great Quantity to dress their Leather, for which they now pay 6s. for as much as, before the Duty on Salt, they could have bought for 1s. 6d.; and not only this double Duty 'tis they labour under, but the Oath required by the Act for a Duty on Leather, which obliges the Petitioners to swear to the true Value of their Goods; which is a great Difficulty for them to do, and wherein the best Judgments may differ; and which Oath cannot be taken without Danger of being forsworn, in another's Opinion; it being administred by the Collectors of the Duty, with the greatest Severity: And praying the House to redress their said Grievances.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Master, Wardens, and Company of Glovers incorporated, in the City of Oxford, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners have not only kept their Families, but a great Number of poor People, who otherwise could not have subsisted without Help from their Parishes; but, by a late Act, for laying a Duty upon Leather, the Petitioners, and the Poor, are impoverished, for want of Work; and, in consideration that several of the said Trade, as well as others, are disbanded, and may want Work at their Return to their Habitations, the Petitioners pray the Consideration of the House, so as they may be relieved in the Premises; and thereby the Poor of Oxford will be set at Work.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Tone Navigation.

A Petition of the Freeholders, and other Inhabitants, of the Parishes of West-Muncton, Riston, Creech, and Parts adjacent, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the making the River Tone navigable, from Bridgwater to Taunton, will be a considerable advantage to the Petitioners, and others, by improving their Lands, and preserving their Highways, which, by constant travelling with Waggons and Carts, loaden with heavy Goods, are hardly passable in Winter: And praying, That the Bill, depending in the House, for making the River Tone navigable, may be encouraged by the House.

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

Registering Deeds.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better Security of Purchasers, by a voluntary Register of Memorials of future Deeds and Conveyances: And that Colonel Wharton and Sir Barthlomew Shower do prepare and bring in, the Bill.

Ships Margaret and Friendship.

A Petition of Sir John Duddleston, of the City of Bristol, Baronet, in behalf of himself, and the rest of the Owners of the Ships Margaret and Friendship, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the said Ships have been free for above 20 Years, and almost wholly rebuilt by the Owners, who are, and always were, his Majesty's natural-born Subjects; but the said Ships are now, by a late Act of Parliament, prohibited to trade to the Plantations, to the great Loss of the Petitioners: And praying, That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill, that those Ships may have Liberty to trade to and from the Plantations, as they used to do before the said Act for prohibiting to trade to the Plantations.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, according to the Prayer of the said Petition: And that Mr. Yates do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Distillation from Corn.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses, of the Corporation of Liverpoole, in behalf of themselves, and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill depending in the House, to prohibit the Distilling of Spirits, and low Wines, from Corn; and to prevent Frauds in Distillers; That Corn is excessive dear and scarce in those Parts, and the Poor reduced to great Extremity, for want of Bread, occasioned by the great Consumption of Corn by the Still: And praying, That the said Bill may pass into a Law.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the poor Traders, and Handicraftmen, of the City of London, on the behalf of themselves, and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners have, by many Papers presented to the House, shewn the great Quantities of Corn used about London, in distilling Spirits, and low Wines, from Malt; which other Nations having forbidden, our Distillers transport into foreign Countries; which occasions a great Scarcity and Dearness of Corn and Bread; so that poor Workmen are not able, with their Wages, to find their Families with Bread; so that many have been forced to beg, others to leave their Country, and especially Weavers; besides, these Spirits have destroyed more Men at Sea, than the Sword in the late War, as many Captains affirmed: And praying, That the Bill now depending in the House, to prohibit the Distilling Spirits, and low Wines, from Corn; and to prevent Frauds in Distillers; may pass, to prevent the like Mischiefs for the future; it being demonstrable, that Two Distillers in London consume more Corn in a Week, than will supply 10,000 poor People.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of divers Inhabitants in the Borough of Southwark, in behalf of themselves, and the rest of the Inhabitants of the said Borough, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the present Scarcity and Dearness of Corn is chiefly occasioned by the Distillers consuming vast Quantities thereof into Spirits, and strong Waters; and, if a speedy Stop be not put thereto, it may be the utter Undoing of many of the Petitioners; and is a great Oppression of the Poor: And praying speedy Relief therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to prohibit the Distilling of Spirits, and low Wines, from Corn; and to prevent Frauds in Distillers; is committed.

Liverpoole Parish.

A Petition of Caryll Lord Viscount Molyneux was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner is informed there is a Bill depending in this House, to enable the Town of Liverpoole to build a Church, and endow the same, by their own Contributions, and otherwise; and for making the said Town, and Liberties thereof, a Parish of itself, distinct from Walton; that the Petitioner is Patron of the said Church, and the Tythes of Liverpoole are of great Value: And praying, That he may be heard, for Preservation of his Right and Interest, before the said Bill do pass.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the said Bill be read a Second time.

Russian Trade.

A Bill for enlarging the Trade to Russia was, according to Order, read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Wednesday Morning next resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Governor, Consuls, and Assistants, of the Fellowship of English Merchants for Discovery of new Trades, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill depending in the House for enlarging the Trade to Russia; which is to oblige the Petitioners to admit into their Company any Subject of this Realm, upon Request, and Payment of a certain Sum; which will greatly prejudice the Petitioners just Rights, and be no Advantage to the Nation: And praying to be heard against the said Bill.

Ordered, That the said Governor and Company be heard, before the said Committee, upon the said Bill.

Preservation of Game.

Ordered, That Mr. Verney, Mr. Mounsteven, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Eyre, Mr. Thornhagh, Colonel Webb, Lord Pawlet, Mr. Westbrook, Mr. Bright, Mr. Bertie, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for the better Preservation of the Game is committed.

Farewell's Nat.

Mr. Freeman reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for naturalizing Elizabeth Farewell, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same; and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment: And he delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

The Bill was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Freeman do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Leave of Absence.

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

Defaulters to Call of the House.

Ordered, That the Names of such Members as made Default to appear upon the Call of the House, be called over upon Monday Morning next; and that such as shall not then attend the Service of the House, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

State of the Navy.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Tuesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Navy; and nothing to intervene.

Complaint of a Member not presenting Petitions.

Mr. Shackerly attending in his Place, according to Order;

A Petition of the Merchants, Citizens, and others, the chief Inhabitants of the City of Chester, on behalf of themselves, and the rest of the Inhabitants of the said City, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, of the said City, have contracted, upon certain Terms, with Francis Gell Merchant, to make the River Dee navigable; for which Ends, they signed a Petition to this House, under their Common-Seal, and delivered it to Mr. Gell, recommending the same to Mr. Shackerly, their Representative, to present it; but he, contrary to his Trust, refuses so to do, though he has it in his Custody, as the Petitioners are informed; which Delay of his, they fear, will obstruct the Passing of an Act this Session, to their great Prejudice: And praying, That Mr. Shackerly, may be ordered to present their said Petition to this House, or deliver the same back to Mr. Gell. And also,

The Petition of Francis Gell Merchant was read; setting forth, That the Mayor and Citizens of Chester agreed with the Petitioner to make the River Dee navigable; for which Purpose, they signed a Petition to be presented to this House, for Leave to bring in a Bill to make the said River navigable; desiring Mr. Shackerly, their Representative in Parliament, to present it to the House; but gave the said Petition to the Petitioner, who at the Beginning of this Session, delivered it to Mr. Shackerly, who promised to present it to the House; but, since, he refuses so to do, or to deliver it back to the Petitioner; and the Petitioner understands, that a Motion hath been made in the House, for Leave to bring in a Bill to make the said River navigable; which Bill is intended to be framed quite contrary to the said Agreement, and the Consent of the Citizens of Chester; and only with Design, as the Petitioner conceives, to exclude him from the said Undertaking, after his great Trouble and Expence in preparing for it: And praying, That Mr. Shackerly may be ordered to present the said Petition to this House, that the same may be read, and taken into Consideration, and the Petitioner be relieved in the Premises.

And Mr. Shackerly was heard in his Place thereupon.

Resolved, That the said Petitions be rejected.

Corn exported.

Mr. Godolphin, from the Commissioners of the Customs, according to Order, presented to the House Accounts of the Debentures paid in London, and Out-Ports, for Corn exported, in the several and respective Years 1689, 1690, 1691, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698: And also,

An Account of Malt and Barley exported from London, and Out-Ports, for Three Years; viz. 169²/3, 169¾, and 169⁴/5: And also,

An Account of the Malt and Barley exported, from Michaelmas 1696, to Christmas 1698.

And the Titles thereof were read.

And the Accounts are as follows; viz.

DEBENTURES paid in London, and Out-Ports, for Corn exported, in the several and respective Years following:

An ACCOUNT of Malt and Barley exported from London, and the Out-Ports, for Three Years; viz.

The said ACCOUNT of Malt and Barley exported from Michaelmas 1696, to Christmas 1698; viz.

Will. Cullifod, Insp' Gen'. Imports and Exports.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Accounts be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill to prohibit the Distilling of Spirits, and low Wines, from Corn; and to prevent Frauds in Distillers; is committed.

Enforcing Laws against Papists.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, That he will please to issue his Royal Proclamation for removing all Papists from the City of London, and Parts adjacent, according to the Laws: And that the Laws may be put in Execution against Papists, and all Persons whatsoever who disown his Majesty's Government:

And it is referred to Sir Rowland Gwyn, Sir Edward Hungerford, Mr. Montague, Lord Pawlet, Sir Rich. Onslow, Mr. Smith, Mr. Fitton Gerard, Mr. Clerk, Mr. Walsh, Lord Coningsby, Sir Godfrey Copley, Sir Wm. Gostwick, Lord Ranelagh, Mr. Perry, Mr. Carteret, Mr. Palmes; or any Five of them; to draw up the said Address; and report the same to the House.

Disbanding the Army.

Ordered, That the Earl of Ranelagh do lay before this House all Warrants, or Orders, relating to the Disbanding the Army.

Distillation from Corn.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill to prohibit the Distilling of Spirits, and low Wines, from Corn; and to prevent Frauds in Distillers.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Heveningham took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Heveningham reported from the said Committee, That they had made some Progress in the Matter to them referred; and had directed him to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Saturday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill.

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