House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 3 March 1699

Veneris, 3 die Martii;

11° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Apprehending Felons.

ORDERED, That Mr. Campion, Sir Barth. Shower, Mr. Blofeild, Sir Mich. Biddulph, Sir Robert Eden, Sir Wm. Ashurst, Sir John Rogers, Sir Robert Clayton, Mr. Brotherton, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Rich. Cocks, Mr. Parkhurst, Mr. Freke, Mr. Carr, Mr. Kent, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for Apprehending and Punishing of Felons, that commit Burglary, Housebreaking, or Robbery in Shops or Warehouses, is committed.

Vyner's Creditors.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the Relief of the Creditors of Sir Robert Vyner, Knight and Baronet, deceased, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Penne's Estate.

An Act for enabling George Penne Esquire to sell Lands, for Payment of Debts, and other Purposes therein mentioned, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Ditto.

A Petition of Mathew Page was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner hath a Debt due to him, charged upon the Lands intended to be sold, by a Bill depending in this House, to enable George Penne Esquire to sell Lands, for Payment of his Debts, and other Purposes therein mentioned; but no Provision is thereby made for paying the Petitioner's Debt: And praying, That he may be heard, by Counsel, before the said Bill do pass this House.

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

Chenevix's &c. Nat.

The Lord Hartington reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for naturalizing Philip Chenevix, and others, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same, and had made several 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.

Felt-makers Trade.

A Petition of the Aldermen and Stewards of the Company of Felt-makers, in the City of Chester, on behalf of themselves, and the rest of the said Company, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, within these few Years past, the Petitioners, by their Trade, kept Abundance of poor People at Work, and comfortably maintained their own Families; but, of late, their Trade is decayed, and the Petitioners are become Objects of Charity, chiefly occasioned by the general Disuse of Felt Hats amongst Women of inferior Quality: And praying, That some Provision may be made for the Encouragement of the Petitioners Trade, and the Woollen Manufacture, they using a great deal of Wool in the making the said Hats.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee to whom the Petition of the Freeholders, Tradesmen, and other Inhabitants, of the Town of Taunton, and Parts adjacent, was referred; and who were to consider of the most proper Methods to encourage the Woollen Manufactures of this Kingdom: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Felt-makers in the Town of Warrington, in the County of Lancaster; on behalf of themselves, and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, within these few Years, kept many Journeymen and poor People employed, in Picking, Sorting, and Carding, of Wool, for carrying on their said Trade; whereby they, and the Petitioners, got a Livelihood; but now the Trade is much decayed, for want of Women and Maids, of inferior Qualities, wearing of Felt Hats; insomuch that many are become Objects of Charity: And praying the Consideration of the House therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Freeholders, Tradesmen, and other Inhabitants, of the Town of Taunton, and Parts adjacent, was referred; and who were to consider of the most proper Methods to encourage the Woollen Manufactures of this Kingdom: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Woollen Manufacture.

Ordered, That the ingrossed 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; be read a Third time upon Monday Morning next.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Pleydall have Leave to go into the Country for Ten Days, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Duty on Glass.

A Petition of the Proprietors and Owners of several Glass-works, in or about the City of London, was presented to the House; and read; setting forth, That the Glass Manufacture, by reason of the Half Duty continued thereon, and the Interruption it receives by Collectors, is so discouraged, that the Petitioners cannot longer carry it on; which, were it encouraged, by taking the Duty wholly off, would be so improved here, as to out-do all the World; but the late Duty on Coals makes the HalfDuty continued as burdensome as before the other Half was taken off; so that the said Manufacture is in Danger of being lost for a very inconsiderable Revenue to the Crown: And praying, That the said Duty may be taken off; whereby the Petitioners may be encouraged to bring the said Manufacture to a perfect Establishment in England.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of several poor labouring Artificers in the Glass Manufacture, in and about the City of London, is referred: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Ships John and William, and Industry.

Sir William Ashurst, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the Ships John and William, and Industry, to trade as free Ships: And the same was received.

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

Army Arrears.

A Petition of several Troopers of the Earl of Gallwaye's Regiment of Horse, that have served in the War in Ireland and Flanders, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That in June 1693, Mr. Morgan, the Agent, received the Clearings of the Regiment to April 1692; but refused to pay the Petitioners, though their Accounts were stated by their respective Captains, and assigned to be paid; and, in September 1694, Morgan went to the Regiment in Flanders, and in less than Six Weeks time returned with Acquittances from divers new Captains, and new Accounts which reduced the Petitioners former ...... to little or nothing; and pretends he is sufficiently discharged by those new Officers, who also exclude the Widows, Heirs, or Assigns, of dead Troopers from Arrears: That if the next Clearing falls into the Officers Hands, it is to be feared the Petitioners will be as far from getting it from them as the First: And praying some speedy Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Soldiers of Colonel Coot's Regiment is referred.

Preventing clandestine Elections.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for preventing the making clandestine Elections; and for enforcing the Law against denying a Scrutiny: And that Mr. Hoar, Mr. Offley, and Mr. Clark, do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Trent Navigation.

Mr. Pagit, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for making the River Trent, in the Counties of Leicester, Derby, and Stafford, navigable: And the same was received.

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

Lower's, &c. Nat.

Mr. Hoblyn reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for naturalizing William Lower, Wm. Darnell, and Peter Godby, 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.

Malden Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Malden, in the County of Essex, in the room of Sir Eliab Harvey Knight, deceased.

Privilege of a Member in a Suit.

A Petition of Dame Elizabeth Windham, Widow and Relict of Sir Thomas Windham Baronet, deceased, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, in 1683, the Petitioner joined with her said Husband in Deeds for settling an Estate, in Somerset and Dorsetshire, upon his Brother, Sir Francis Windham, now a Parliamentman, under a Proviso, That the Trustees in the Settlement should, out of those Premises, raise and pay the Petitioner 1,000 l. within Three Months after Sir Tho. Death, who has been dead about Six Years; yet the Petitioner hath not received the said 1,000 l. being obstructed therein by Sir Francis Wyndham, who insists on his Privilege; And praying, That she may be at Liberty to proceed at Law for Recovery of the said 1,000 l. the said Estate being settled in Trust, as aforesaid, notwithstanding Sir Francis's Privilege.

To which Sir Francis Windham was heard in his Place.

Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to examine the Matter of Fact; and report the same to the House.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Richard Holford and Mr. Pitt:

Mr. Speaker,

Distillation from Corn.

The Lords do not insist on their Amendment, disagreed to by this House, to the Bill, intituled, An Act to prohibit the excessive distilling Spirits, and low Wines, from Corn; and against the Exporting of Beer, and Ale; and to prevent Frauds in Distillers.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Old East India Company.

Mr. Cook, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill, grounded upon the Petition of the Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading to the EastIndies, presented to the House upon Monday last: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read upon Wednesday next, at Twelve a Clock; and nothing to intervene.

Order of a Committee superseded.

The House being informed of an Order, signed by the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges and Elections, for several Persons to attend the said Committee, with several Papers, relating to the Account betwixt the King and Michael Wicks Esquire; and what is due upon the Balance of the said Account;

Ordered, That the said Order, and all others relating to the said Account, be superseded.

Deficient Funds.

A Motion being made, and the Question being proposed, That an Account be laid before the House of such Parliamentary Funds as are deficient, for which no Provision is made;

An Amendment was proposed to be made to the Question, by adding, after "Funds," these Words, "as are " determined:"

And the Question being put, That the House do agree to the said Amendment;

It passed in the Negative.

Ordered, That an Account be laid before this House of such Parliamentary Funds as are deficient, and for which no Provision is made.

Ordered, That an Account be laid before this House of what Monies were given the last Session of Parliament; and how the same have been applied.

Ordered, That Mr. Lowndes, the Secretary of the Treasury, do lay the said Accounts before this House.

Frauds by Agent of Packet boats.

Ordered, That Sir Cha. Hotham, Sir Owen Buckingham, Mr. Duke, Mr. Papillon, Mr. Foley, Mr. Hoar, Mr. Lownds, Mr. Harley, Mr. Phil. Foley, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Yates, Major-General Trelawny, Mr. Henly, Sir John Rogers, Mr. Cocks, be added to the Committee, to whom the Petition of John Russell Gentleman is referred.

Abingdon Election.

Sir Rowland Gwyn reported, from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, the Matter, as it appeared to the Committee, touching the Election for the Borough of Abbingdon, in the County of Berks, and the Resolutions of the Committee thereupon; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read; and are as follow:

Upon the Petition of William Huckes Esquire, complaining of an undue Election and Return of Simon Harcourt Esquire to serve for the Borough of Abbingdon:

That the Election for the said Borough was upon the 21th of July:

That, upon the Poll, there was,

But the Petitioner's Counsel insisted, That the Mayor, both before and after the Election, had shewed Partiality to the Sitting Member: And they called,

Mr. Benj. Tompkins, Mr. Edmund Medlicott: Who said, That, before the Election, the Mayor, and several of the Masters of the Hospital, went about Abingdon to desire Persons Voices for Mr. Harcourt: And that he excepted against some Votes: But the Mayor said, All should be polled for Mr. Harcourt.

Anth. Atherton said, That the Morning before the Election, the Mayor asked him to drink a Mug of Ale with him; and afterwards asked him to vote for Mr. Harcourt; and the said Atherton saying, He was for the Petitioner, the Mayor answered, It signified nothing if the Petitioner had never so many Voices, for he should not sit in this House; for it was thought Mr. Harcourt would be Speaker: And the Mayor further said, If the Petitioner would desist, he would pay him his Charges: And that the Mayor has said, 20 times, he would do his Endeavour for Mr. Harcourt.

Mr. Tompkyns, Mr. Medlycot, said, When the Poll was shut up, the Mayor promised a Scrutiny at Three in the Afternoon: And that as to the Right, it was agreed to go according to the last Resolutions of this House:

Which Resolutions were;

"Resolved, That all those who receive Alms, accordto the Act of Parliament, have not Voices in the Election of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Abingdon."

"Resolved, That those Inhabitants who receive any constant Alms, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, in Abingdon, have no Voices in the Election of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Abingdon."

That the Petitioner accordingly attended the Mayor, at Three of the Clock; when the Petitioner proposed Three Persons to examine the Books on his behalf; Two of which he named, were Mr. Sellwood the Mayor's Father, and Mr. Medlicot the Counsellor, these Two being the only Masters of the Hospital that were for the Petitioner: That Mr. Harcourt excepted to both of them; but next Day, the Mayor agreed Mr. Sellwood should be One: That Mr. Harcourt said, He would refer it to some of the Gentlemen in the Room, there being present Mr. Blackaller, Mr. Cawdry, Mr. Rawlins, and the TownClerk:

That the Mayor, upon any Question by the Petitioner's Friends, would apply himself to Mr. Harcourt, and then make his Answer: But, on the whole Matter, in fact, there was no Scrutiny by any present on behalf of the Petitioner (though it did not appear, that the Mayor had denied the Petitioner to be present): That Three Weeks, or a Month, after the Election, the Mayor made the Return: That the Petitioner sent Exceptions to about 50 of Mr. Harcourt's Voters, some of which, the Mayor said, he believed were good Exceptions.

Mr. Winter said, That about the 18th of August, he was in the Mayor's Company, at Mr. Vincent's; who asking, Who was elected? The Mayor said, The Petitioner was; and that was the Cause he had not made the Return before that Time.

Samuel Roberts said, That, about a Fortnight after the Election, he was in Company with the Mayor and the Petitioner; and that the Petitioner asked the Mayor, What he intended to do? And that the Mayor answered, Brother, before God, I will return you.

The Counsel for the Sitting Member acknowledged, That as the Poll was taken, the Numbers were as above; but said, They should take off a great many of the Petitioner's Votes; viz. 16, as receiving constant Alms; and 65 others, as Inmates, or Lodgers, Boarders, or living in the same House with others that had voted; and some others that were induced to vote for the Petitioner by Promises of Reward.

That the Sitting-Member's Counsel insisted on several Irregularities on the Part of the Petitioner: And called several Witnesses:

Abingdon Election.

Mr. Rawlins said, That on the 21th June, being Sunday, he was at the King's Head, in the Old Change, and a Porter came from Mr. Hucks the Petitioner, to desire him to come to him: That, accordingly, he went to the Petitioner; who told him, That Mr. Sellwood had promised him his Interest, and he desired his, the said Mr. Rawlins, Voice; but he told him, He could not be for him: That the Petitioner told him, If he was a Parliament-man, he should be a Commissioner of Excise; and That would be worth 1,500 l. a Year to him; which he reckoned thus; viz. The Salary 800 l. a Year, Perquisites 200 l.; and he told the said Mr. Rawlins, That what he, the Petioner, could do, and make the Officers of Excise do, would be 500 l. a Year more to him: That the said Mr. Rawlins told the Petitioner, He thought Mr. Sellwood would not believe him: He told him, Yes; for he had promised to remit 300 l. that he owed him, whether he, the said Petitioner had the Place or not: That he advised the Petitioner to stand at Wallingford; but he said, No, he must turn out Mr. Harcourt, or he should not have the Place.

Mr. Hugh Kate said, That, at the Election of Knights of the Shire, he met with the Petitioner; and he telling the Petitioner, he did ill to oppose Mr. Harcourt, the Petitioner said, He stood for his own Interest, depending upon it, that if he carried it, he should be a Commissioner of the Excise: And thereupon Mr. John Jennings answered, If that be your Intention, the Country ought to take care whom they choose.

That the Counsel for the Sitting-Member then produced, before the Committee, Ten Convictions of the Petitioner before the Commissioners of the Excise; Two of which were since the Election; and One of them upon his own Confession.

Charles Mortimer said, That Mr. Watkyns solicited Votes for the Petitioner; and reported, That the Petitioner was promised a Place in the Excise-Office; and told the said Mortimer, He should have a Place there himself, if he would be for the Petitioner.

Richard Eley, Jos. Stockwell, Mr. John Bush: Who testified, That, at the News-house in Abingdon, a pretty while before the Election, a Letter was produced, and read; and subscribed Charles Medlecott; by which it was desired, to the Effect following; viz. That an Interest might be made for the Petitioner against Mr. Harcourt, because he was a disaffected Person; and, if he got into the House, he would go nigh to be Speaker; and if Mr. Harcourt was put by, it would be a great Service to them; for that the Lords of the Admiralty would protect their Watermen or Bargemen from being pressed; and that they should have some of the Lord of Oxford's Regiment, if they desired the same; and, if they desired, should have no Soldiers quartered upon the Town:

And Mr. Bush said, He brought the Letter from old Mr. Medlicott's; and it was directed to Tho. Medlicot Esquire: And that John Bush voted for the Petitioner.

That, as to the Matter of Scrutiny, the Sitting-Member's Counsel called several Witnesses; namely,

Mr. Knapp and Robert Blackaller said, That Mr. Harcourt was very willing to have a Scrutiny, and named Mr. Blackaller, Mr. Rawlins, and Mr. Cawdry, to examine the Books on his Part; but the Petitioner named Mr. Sellwood and Mr. Medlicott to be Two to inspect on his Part; which Mr. Harcourt did not think proper; the first being the Petitioner's Father in-Law, the other a Counsellor at Law; and so above those for the SittingMember:

Mr. Blackaller further said, That it was agreed by the Candidates, that all who received weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly Charity, should have no Votes; but that such as received only casual Charity should have Votes: That Mr. Harcourt told the Petitioner, That whether he had any of the Governors of the Hospital (fn. 1) [to inspect for him] or no, he should have the Inspection of the Books:

Abingdon Election.

That Mr. Harcourt proposed to leave it to the Common Council; but that was not consented to neither: That thereupon Mr. Harcourt's Friends retired to a House, and cast up the Poll, and sent for the Church-Books, and Churchwardens Books, and scrutinized as carefully as they could; and found that Mr. Harcourt had, by a considerable Number, the Majority of good Voices; and that, when the Mayor returned, he examined both Polls, and was satisfied that Mr. Harcourt had a Majority:

That, the next Morning, Mr. Harcourt met them again, and then there were further Proposals made; and Mr. Harcourt accepted of Mr. Sellwood; but then they would not agree to come to Mr. Harcourt's Lodgings: Thereupon Mr. Harcourt agreed to go to a 3d Place; but said, He and the Petitioner would be present; and, upon that, the Scrutiny then went off:

That, the Day before the Return, the Mayor said, He was well satisfied, and would return Mr. Harcourt:

That the Afternoon when the Poll was inspected, there was present himself and Mr. Rawlins, Mr. Cawdry, and Mr. Ely, but nobody for the Petitioner; nor could he say the Petitioner had Notice:

That he believed the Occasion of the Delay of the Return was, That the Mayor was so nearly related to the Petitioner, as having married the Mayor's Sister.

Richard Cawdry said, That Atherton, at the King's Head, told him, That he never heard the Mayor say, he would return Mr. Harcourt right or wrong; but it was Babble of his own raising; yet, since he had said it, he must stand by it.

Then the Sitting-Member's Counsel proceeded to disqualify several of the Petitioner's Voters: And insisted, That 16 Persons that voted for the Petitioner had received constant Relief:

But all but John Burry, Will. Weston, and Humphry Duffin, were given up by the Petitioner: And as to them Three,

Mr. Rawlins testified That John Burry received constant Alms from the Hospital:

That Wm. Weston and Humphry Duffin are down for the Two last Years for Blacknall's Charity.

That then the Counsel for the Sitting-Member proceeded upon Inmates; and undertook to disqualify 65 that had voted for the Petitioner, and gave Evidence as to 64 under that Head: And as to 21 of that Number; viz. Richard Viccars, Wm. Garratt, Wm. Stevens, Tho. Bacon, Titus Gerrard, John Garret, Francis Ambrose, John Weston, Richard Smith, (Dorothy) Francis Eldred, Robert Hudson, * Hazeel, Tho. Day, Wm. Bunce, Anth. Prince, Joseph Wayte, Robert Walker, Richard Clifford, Rich. Pye, Alexander Umpton, and William Hopkyns; there was no Evidence, offered by the Petitioner, to justify them; and so were given up by him:

As to the remaining 43, the Evidence was as follows; viz.

Mr. Cawdry said, That John Butler declared to him, His Daughter was the Housekeeper; and that she receives and pays; and drives the Trade of a Button-maker:

That Francis Garret lives in a lower Room of his Mother's House:

That Tho. Gunnyman has but one Room in the House, in which he lives:

That Abr. Pye lives with his Mother in-law:

That Robert Pope lives in a Chamber, over his Brother Mallard; and has no Fire-place:

That Thomas Shadwell lodges with his Mother:

That John Hemmings lives in the same House with William Stevens:

That William Parker is an Inmate to his Mother:

That William Lewis lives in Part of an House with Widow Tompkyns, and pays her Rent:

That Mich. Mayo rents Part of John Parker's House:

That Thomas Phips has made all over to his Children, and his Son Ben is the Housekeeper:

That John Tubb lives in a little back Room, formerly a Stable:

That Robert Franklyn has lett all his House, but a Chamber.

That James Hawkins lives in a Room of his Father's House:

That Edward Bradly lives in Part of John Rawlins' House:

That Tho. Prior lives behind Goody Harding's, in a Part that was a small Buttery:

That William Holder has only what was a Malt-house, behind Mr. Medlicott's:

That Richard Phillips lived in London, having an Em ploy in the Post-Office: But it was acknowledged his Wife was a Housekeeper in Abingdon.

William Brown said, John Lyford stood always warned out of the Town; and was gone since the Election:

That Mich. Baden was a single Man, and no Housekeeper, at the time of the Election:

That Ab. Evans was always a Lodger at his Mother's:

That John Smith (Chimny) always lived with his Father and Mother:

That Isaac Evans is an Inmate in Mrs. Blackman's House:

That Anth. Weston is an Inmate, and lives in a Kitchen:

That Richard Hacklin is an Inmate at Mrs. Weston's.

Mich. Rawlins said, That William Wells had made his Estate over to his Son; and believes his Son is the Housekeeper, because the Trade is in the Son:

That Richard Hatherell senior, his Son has the Trade; and all passes in his Name:

That Edward Lydyard was Servant in London, about a Year ago; and came to Abingdon a little before the Election; and lives with another Man:

That Richard Smith lives in a Bulk; is a Shopkeeper, but has no House:

That Robert Middleton is a Lodger at Widow Porter's:

That John Porter junior lives with his Father:

That Avery Mathew lives with his Mother:

That Robert Mathew was no Housekeeper at the Election:

That Tho. Turner was no settled Inhabitant, and had but Two Rooms:

That Francis Heborn lives in Widow King's House, who has a Lease from the Town:

That Andrew Plat, and his Son, both live in the same House, and both voted for the Petitioner:

That John Grace lives in a Part of a House with Lydyard:

That Hugh Stacy lives with his Father:

That he had a Warrant from the Mayor to remove John Bedford:

That Anthony Weld lives in his Father's House, and diets with his Brother:

That Richard Smith (Oxon) was sent for to give Security; and he desired time; and, he having not done it, there was an Order for Removing of him:

That Joseph Moulder is an Inmate:

That Richard Belcher lives only in Part of a House; and the Front Part is lett to a Widow.

That the Counsel for the Petitioner insisted, That they would justify the Votes of John Burray, William Weston, and Humphry Duffin, attempted to be taken off, as receiving constant Relief: And also the 43 Votes, not given up by them, and attempted to be taken off as Inmates, Lodgers, or dwelling in Parts of Houses: And they called their Witnesses:

Benj. Tompkyn said, That John Burray did not receive constant Alms before the Election; but it was only occasional, when he was sick, upon Application to the Justices: But he acknowledged he was relieved Three times within these 12 Months.

Mr. Courtein, Mayor, said, That Duffin and Weston did not receive of Blacknall's Gift till last Christmas; though he could not deny but their Names were put down at the Lower-end of the List for 1697.

That as to the Inmates, Lodgers, and such as were not Housekeepers;

Mr. Benj. Tompkyn said, That William Lewis was a Housekeeper, and Tenant to him for an entire House; and that Widow Tompkyns does not live in that House:

That Andrew Plat is an Housekeeper, and dwells in a distinct Tenement; that his Son lives next to him, in another Tenement; but that they have one common Entry from the Street:

That John Porter's House was given him by his Father, as he has been told:

That William Holder is a Housekeeper, and Tenant to him, at 40s. a Year; and was there a Fortnight before the Election.

That Thomas Shadwell keeps the House, and his Mother lives with him, having nothing to live by but her Son's Labour, except 12 d. a Week from the Hospital; yet acknowledged it is his Mother's House, she being Tenant to the Hospital:

That Robert Middleton is an Housekeeper, he buying Fewel and Provision; yet could not say whether it was Middleton's House, or Widow Porter's:

That John Smith (Chimney) is a Housekeeper, and rents it of Mr. Roberts; and has heard Landlord and Tenant own it:

That Antony Wells is a single Man; but was a Housekeeper Three or Four Months before the Election:

That John Tub is a Housekeeper, in a little House within an Entry, within one Day's House; and did know him to be so Two or Three Months before the Election;

That Francis Heborn has a Family, and has the fore Part and greatest Part, of the House: That a Widow Woman lives in the other Part, and lett to Heborn; but was not privy to the Contract.

Mr. Courtein said, That Richard Smith (Oxon) his Family lives in Abingdon; and though he works at Oxon, comes home once in a Week:

That William Wells senior is a Housekeeper, and has been for 35 or 36 Years; and his Son is a Servant under him: But acknowledged he had also a House and Shop at Wallingford.

Charles Hughes said, That Tho. Phips is an ancient Inhabitant; but, being some time since afraid of his Creditors, was reported, colourably, to make over his Effects to his Son:

That Thomas Gunnyman lives in a House anciently divided into Three or Four Parts; and Gunnyman lives in One 4th Part:

That Robert Franklyn is a Housekeeper in his own House: But acknowledged, that he had let the fore Part to one Bellwyn, a Taylor:

That Richard Phillips' Wife keeps an Inn at Abingdon, and, though he hath an Office at London, now-and-then visits his Wife at Abingdon: That Richard Clifford's Name is on for Taxes, as being there first:

That James Hawkins is a Housekeeper, and pays Scot and Lot; is a Butcher; and hath a Wife, and One or Two Children; and his Father lives with him; and cannot say who has the Property of the House:

That Edward Bradly is a Housekeeper; has a Wife and Daughter; and his Part has been divided from Williams' for Eleven Years:

That Richard Hacklin is a Maltster, and hath the principal Part of an House; though a Widow dwells in the fore Part:

That John Bedford junior is a Housekeeper in an entire House; was born in the Town, but has been absent some time; and came before the Election; but could not be particular to the Time:

That John Butler is a Housekeeper, as he believes, in his own House; that his Daughter lives in the House under him:

That Michael Baden was a Housekeeper, and had an entire House to himself at the time of the Election; but hath since taken another Person into the same House:

That Richard Belcher lives in a principal Part of a House, and rents distinctly of the Landlord:

That he took Francis Garret to be a Housekeeper; but his Brother hath a Chamber with him, and his Mother's Tenement joins to his:

That John Hemmings lives [in the principal Part of the House, next the Street; and he takes Henning to be a Housekeeper:

Abingdon Election.

That he takes Robert Mathews to be a Housekeeper; that he has a Family, and a Door into the Street; and he has sold them Meat:

That Richard Hatherell is a Housekeeper; pays 8 l. a Year Rent, and all manner of Taxes; and his, the said Hatherell's, Son is his Servant:

That Richard Smith rents a House of him; has a low Room, and a Chamber; and is a Woollen-draper of 100l. a Year:

That Abr. Pye rents a House of his Mother of 9 l. or 10l. a Year; but his Mother lives with him, and has a Room into the Bargain:

That Nicolas May was a Housekeeper at the Election, but quitted it at Michaelmas; and that one Barker lived with him, of whom he rented the House:

That John Grace is a Housekeeper, and pays Taxes; but Lydyard had another Tenement; and there is but one Door to the Street, which is open Night and Day:

That Edward Lydyard has been a Housekeeper about 12 Months; and Grace and Lydyard voted for the Petitioner; that the House has been divided 18 Years:

That Thomas Turner was born at Abingdon; has a Wife, and thinks a Child; and has been a Housekeeper near 12 Months; and is a Bargeman:

That Hugh Stacy has a Family, and rents of Mrs. Hawkins, who paid the King's Taxes for him:

That Joseph Moulder was a Housekeeper at, and for 12 Months before the Election; that he had a Habitation of himself, and a Shop to the Street; and that Benjamin Philips dwells next Door:

That Thomas Prior lives in an House entire: That Widow Harding's and Prior's are the only Tenements in a little Alley:

That Avery Mathews, is a Housekeeper, and pays Taxes; is now married: But acknowledged, that his Mother lived there before her Son:

That Robert Pope is a Housekeeper, and his Sisters live with him out of Kindness:

That William Parker has been a Housekeeper almost Three Years, and he pays the Rent: But he acknowleged, his Mother-in-law, Truelove, lived there before he came; and he could not say he was privy to any Contract, or see him pay any Rent; but said, That Parker did watch and ward:

That John Lyford was a Housekeeper at, and Threequarters of a Year before, the Election; but, since the Election, was removed:

That Abraham Evans is a Housekeeper, and his Mother lives with him; but the House is his Mother's own, and she allows her Son the Rent, to maintain her:

That Isaac Evans and Ant. Weston live in distinct Houses, within a Court.

That the Sitting-Member's Counsel did give up 40 Voices, on the Poll, for the Sitting-Member; and gave their Names:

But the Petitioner's Counsel insisted, they could disqualify many others: And called their Witnesses;

Hughes said, That the Churchwarden, in 1697, paid William Hildyard's Rent; but could not say he received Bread or Money:

That William Hollis and Robert Davis received from 25th May 1697, to Easter following; but could not say they had received since:

That Ambrose Ceney received Mr. Clayton's Gift weekly, for many Years: It was a Peny-Loaf; but he was Parish-Clerk, and his Office worth 20 l. a Year:

Mr. Courtein said, That Richard Hicks had received Bread weekly, for several Years, of Blacknall's Gift as Charity: But acknowledged he was Parish-Clerk, and lived in an House of his own.

That as to Inmates;

Hughes said, That Isaac Harris had but one Room in John Butler's House:

That John Hawkins had lett all his House but a Garret, which he lived in; and had not paid Taxes several Years:

That John Barker and one Nic. Mayo are Partners: But acknowledged it was Barker's House:

Abingdon Election.

That Thomas Bedwell lives in the back Part of Cox's House; but it was one entire House:

That John Hewett lives in Part of that which was Foxe's House, with Two more Inhabitants: But it was acknowledged he had several Rooms there, and paid 4 or 5l. a Year, and had a separate Way out: That William Hunt lived there, and voted for the Petitioner:

That Thomas Holloway lives in the Back Part of the Three Pigeons, in which are Three Inhabitants, and a Widow is the principal Inhabitant; yet acknowleged Holloway's Name is in the Book for Taxes:

That Nath. Hart lives in Part of the New-Inn, with his brother; but the House has been divided a pretty many Years, and Hart's Name is upon the Tax-Book:

That John Eccleston senior and junior lived both in one House, and both polled for Mr. Harcourt: But they were willing to allow One.

That William Bat is an Inmate with one Hellwood, that did not poll:

That Tho. Bacon is in the same Circumstance with Tubb that voted for the Petitioner:

That John Oliver is an Inmate behind John Hall; is an Attorney; and believes Mr. Harcourt has lodged there at the Assize-time.

Richard Clark: That Richard Fletcher senior lodges with his Son, and pays him 9 l. a Year, as the old Man told him; yet acknowledged the young Man paid all the King's Tax, and was down in the Parish Book:

That Richard Hudson is single, and lodges with his Father and Mother:

That John Belcher lives with his Mother, and is single:

That John Holmes lives in Part of a House that Thompson rents; but the House hath been divided about Threequarters of a Year:

That Marc Carter lives with one Thompson, who keeps a Tavern; but could not tell who took the House:

Thomas Fletcher said, That Robert Styles was an Inmate; has Part of a House, divided into Three Parts:

That Thomas Wilkins lives with his Mother.

Simon Harding: That Mr. Brown lives in a House divided into Two formerly; but could not say but both were Housekeepers:

That Richard Lovegrove lives in Part of Brown's House; and both voted, though they have but One Street-Door.

Mr. Thomkyn said, That Ant. Talbot and Cha. Gerrard live both in one House, and both polled for Mr. Harcourt:

That Richard Wyatt is a single Man, and lives at one End, and Edward Lindsey lives at another End, and both voted for Mr. Harcourt: But acknowledged, that they were Two distinct Doors, and it had been divided Five or Six Years:

That James Porter lives with his Mother, and pays the Rent, as the Landlord informed him.

That then Mr. Harcourt's Counsel were heard to justify his Votes: And called,

Joseph Stockwell: Said, He asked Hughes what Reason he had to object against several of Mr. Harcourt's Votes? He said, Mr. Tomkyns came out, and entered them down; but he did not intend to insist on it.

Michael Rawlins said, That Hicks was Clerk of St. Nicolas' Parish, and had a Peny-Loaf himself for distributing the Bread to the Poor; and has a House of 12l. a Year:

That Ambrose Ceney is Clerk of St. Hellens; and Mrs. Cleyton left the Clerk One Peny-Loaf a Week, for distributing of the Bread to the Poor; and his Place is worth 20 l. a Year:

That Richard Fletcher lives in a House of his own, and is a Shoemaker:

That Richard Hudson's a Housekeeper:

That Isaac Harris lives in a Court; but has a Family; and lives in a distinct Tenement:

That John Belcher is a Smith, and has a good Trade, and his Mother lives with him:

That Ant. Talbot lives in a distinct Tenement, with an other; and One is given up:

That John Oliver lived in a great House:

That John Hawkins lived in a House of his own; letts the Shop and Cellar; but pays Taxes:

That John Barker has been a Housekeeper 20 Years, and paid to Church and Poor:

That Mayo rents Part of his Malt-house; but Barker is upon the Tax-Book:

That John Holmes is a Shoemaker, and lives in a distinct Tenement:

That Thomas Bedwell keeps House by himself, and is now an Officer in the Parish; and the House hath been divided 30 Years:

That James Porter lives in a distinct Tenement, and maintains his Mother, and pays the Rent; and that the said Rawlins had seen the Receipt:

That John Hewett is a Housekeeper; lived in a divided Tenement a great many Years; and pays Scot and Lot:

That William Perton has been a Housekeeper a great many Years:

That John Pullen lives in a House that Frankly built, and only letts Part of it to Franklyn:

That Tho. Bacon lives in a Tenement, in a Court, that hath been so Five or Six Years:

That William Bat lives in a distinct Tenement, though there is a common Entry to it with another:

That William Brown has lived in his Tenement Thirty Years; and it has been divided 15 or 16 Years:

That Thomas Holloway lives in a House of his own, and pays Scot and Lot:

That Hart is a Goldsmith, pays Taxes, and has borne Offices:

That Robert Styles lives in his own House, and is a Housekeeper.

Richard Ely said, That Richard Lovegrove is a Housekeeper, and lives in a Tenement distinct, for 20 Years:

That Tho. Wilkins is a Housekeeper, and keeps his Mother:

That Richard Wyat lives in a distinct Tenement.

And that, upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to these Resolutions;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Simon Harcourt Esquire is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Abbingdon, in the County of Berks.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Petition of William Huckes Esquire, against Simon Harcourt Esquire, is frivolous, vexatious, groundless, and scandalous.

A Candidate committed for influencing the Election.

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

Resolved, That the Proceeding of William Hucks Esquire, in presuming to make use of the Authority of the Government to the Borough of Abbingdon, in order to be elected a Burgess for the said Borough, is a scandalous Reflection upon the Government, and tends to subvert the Freedom of Elections of Members to serve in Parliament.

Ordered, That the said William Hucks Esquire be taken into the Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House.

Making Militia more useful.

Ordered, That the Bill for making the Militia of this Kingdom more useful, be read To-morrow Morning.

Registering Deeds.

Ordered, That the Bill for the better Security of Purchasers, by a voluntary Register of Memorials of future Deeds and Conveyances, be read a Second time upon Friday Morning next.

State of the Navy.

Resolved, That this House will, upon this Day Sevennight, at Eleven a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Navy; and nothing to intervene.

Executing Judgments, in America.

Ordered, That the Bill, That Judgments and Decrees hereafter to be obtained in his Majesty's Courts of Law and Equity in England, may be executed in the English Plantations and Colonies in America, be read To-morrow Morning.

Poor Laws.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom it was referred to consider of Ways for the better providing for the Poor, and setting them on Work, be taken into Consideration upon Tuesday Morning next.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

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