House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 22 March 1699

Mercurii, 22 die Martii;

Undecimo Gulielmi 3tii.

Prayers.

Browne's, &c. Nat.

THE Lord Cornbury reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to naturalize Captain Thomas Browne, 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 read; and are as follow; viz.

Pr. 1. L. 1, leave out "beseecheth," and insert "be seech:"

L. 8, after "Brabant," insert the Names following; viz. "William Vernon, Son of Peter Languersey, by Magdalena his Wife, born at Caen in Normandy, in France; Francis Best, Son of Henry Best by Mary his Wife, born in Switzerland of English Parents; Peter Delrieu, Son of Anthony Delrieu by Jane his Wife, born at Montauban, in France; Daniel Drolenvaux, Son of John Drolenvaux by Margaret his Wife, born at Rotterdam, in Holland; and Samuel Masse, Son of Samuel Masse by Mary his Wife, born at Tours, in France:

L. 10, leave out "his," and insert "their:"

L. 17, after "that," insert "they;" and after "Browne," insert the Names following; viz. "William Vernon, Francis Best, Peter Delrieu, Daniel Drolenvaux, and Samuel Masse:

L. 18, leave out "is," and insert "are:"

L. 20, leave out "a;" and after "born," leave out "Subject," and insert "Subjects:"

L. 21, leave out "he is," and insert "they are:"

L. 24, after "if," leave out "he," and insert "they, and every of them;" and leave out "a;" and leave out "Subject," and insert "Subjects:"

L. 27, after "that," insert "they:"

L. 28, after "Browne," insert "William Vernon, Francis Best, Peter Delrieu, Daniel Drolenvaux, and Samuel Masse;" and leave out "is," and insert are:"

L. 36, after "his," insert "or their:"

L. 37, after "his," insert "or their:"

L. 41, leave out "him," and insert "them, or any or either of them:"

L. 44, leave out "he," and insert "they, or any of them:"

L. 49, leave out "he," and insert "they, or and after "Browne," insert "William Vernon, Francis Best, Peter Delrieu, Daniel Drolenvaux, and Samuel Masse:"

P. 2. L. 5, leave out "a," and "Subject," and read "Subjects."

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

Nat. Bills.

Ordered, That no other Bill of Naturalization be read before Twelve a Clock.

Leave of Absence.

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

Ordered, That Mr. Henry Pelham have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Officers and Soldiers to exercise Trades.

Ordered, That Mr. Hammond be added to the Members who are appointed to prepare, and bring in, the Bill, That the Soldiers who have been, and shall be, disbauded, may set up and exercise Trades in Cities and Corporations.

Children of English Parents Nat.

Ordered, That Sir Edward Hussey be added to the Members who are appointed to prepare, and bring in, the Bill to naturalize all Persons born of English Parents.

Yarmouth Land Tax.

A Petition of the Bailiffs, Aldermen, and CommonCouncil, and other the Inhabitants of the Town of Great Yarmouth, in the County of Norfolk, was presented to the House; setting forth, That, in the Year 1692, they did raise the Tax of Four Shillings in the Pound, by taking the very Rack-rents of their Estates, without any Deductions for Repairs; since which time, the Trade and Stock of the Town is very much decayed, and Rents fallen One-fourth Part of what they were then lett at; so that, by the last Year's Tax of 3s. in the Pound on Lands, they were taxed, and paid, 3s. and 7d. in the Pound; and if the Bill, now depending, should impose the same Sum on them as they paid the last Year, it will be a great Burden on them: And praying Relief.

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

It passed in the Negative.

Prohibition of foreign Bone-lace.

A Petition of several Dealers in, and Makers of, Bonelace, inhabiting in the Town of Honiton, in behalf of themselves, and many others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners have been greatly relieved by the Act for prohibiting of foreign Bone-lace: That there being a Petition depending in this House, praying a Bill may be brought in to repeal the said Act; which would be very destructive to the Petitioners Trade: And praying to be heard before the said Act be repealed.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Gentlemen, Clothiers, Clothworkers, Traders in the Woollen Manufactures, and other the Inhabitants, of the Town of Ratchdale, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, is referred.

Vesey's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill to enable Dudley Vesey, an Insant, to sell his Estate, in Hintlesham, in the County of Suffolke, for the Payment of his Debts, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for Sale of the Estate of Dudley Vesey, in Hintlesham, in the County of Suffolke, for Payment of his Debts.

Ordered, That Sir Samuel Bernardiston do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Apprehending Felons.

Mr. Brotherton, according to Order, reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for the better Apprehending, Prosecuting, and Punishing, of Felons that commit Burglary and Housebreaking, or Robbery in Shops and Warehouses, was committed, That they 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.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Report be adjourned to Saturday Morning next.

Aldworth's Estate.

Ordered, That the Bill to enable Robert Aldworth, and Anne his Wife, to sell their Estate, in or near Wantage, in the County of Berks, for the raising of 300 l. for Payment of his Debts; and for applying the Residue of the Monies arising by the Sale, for the purchasing some other Estate, for the sole Benefit of his Wife and Children; be read To-morrow Morning.

Irish Arrears.

A Petition of Lieutenant John Greenwood, in behalf of his Wife Mary, Executrix of the last Will and Testament of Captain William Campleshon, late of the Honourable Colonel John Beaumont's Regiment of Foot, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the said Captain Campleshon subsisted his Company, in Ireland, out of his own Pocket, as the other Captains did, when Money was wanting from the Government; and that the Money is since paid into Colonel Beaumont's Hands, who hath accounted with the rest of the Captains, but refuses to account with the Petitioner: And praying this House will please to order the said Colonel Beaumont to account with, and pay, the Petitioner.

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

Grant of Needwood.

A Petition of the Gentlemen, and Freeholders, living and bordering upon the Forest of Needwood, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by an Act of Parliament, made in the 7th and 8th Years of his present Majesty, for the re-vesting in his Majesty the Honour of Tutbury, and Forest of Needwood, the Wood is thereby directed to be set forth, by Commissioners, for the Payment of a Debt of 3,300 l. with Interest, due unto Rupert Browne Gentleman; and that the said Forest, or any part thereof, should not be alienated from the Crown, any otherwise than by Act of Parliament; yet, since the making of the said Act, Sir John Turton Knight, one of the Justices of his Majesty's Court of King'sBench, hath obtained a Grant from his Majesty of the Wood in Heylin's Park, and Ruffe-Hay Park, and a Lease, for 99 Years, of the Soil of the said Parks, under the yearly Rent of 1 l. 6s. 8d.: That the said Petitioners were in hopes, that if the said Wood, or Soil, had been granted, it should have been for a valuable Consideration, towards Payment of the said Debt: And praying a Bill may be brought in to vacate the said Grant.

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 to the House:

And it is referred to Sir Hen. Gough, Mr. Pagitt, Sir Edward Seymour, Sir Cha. Hedges, Mr. Dyot, Sir Jos. Poll, Mr. Ash, Mr. Rowny, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Freeman, Sir Richard Cocks, Mr. Mitton, Mr. Mounstevens, Mr. Shackerley, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Scobell, Sir Tho. Davall, Sir Samuel Bernardiston, Sir Tho. Wagstaffe, Mr. Portman, Sir John Levison Gower, Sir Barth. Shower, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Poultny, Sir Abstrup. Danby, Mr. Hayes, Sir Charles Barrington, Sir Wm. Coriton, Mr. Harley, Sir Rowl. Gwyn, Sir Edward Hussey; and all that serve for the Counties of Stafford, Warwick, and Darby: And they are to meet this Afternoon in the Speaker's Chamber: And they have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Needwood Forest Rights.

A Petition of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other Inhabitants, who have Right of Estovers and Common in the Forest, or Chase, of Needwood, in the County of Stafford, Parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster, on behalf of themselves, and divers others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Earl of Stamforth, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, hath made several Orders, in the Nature of Laws, and set his Majesty's Great Seal of the Duchy thereto, and caused the same to be published in divers Parish-Churches adjacent to the Forest; whereby the Petitioners Rights and Liberties are invaded; contrary to the Laws of this Realm: And praying, That Consideration may be had thereof; and Remedy provided for the Petitioners therein.

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 to the House:

And it is referred to Sir Barth. Shower, Sir Edward Seymour, Mr. Vernon, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Bagott, Sir Henry Gough, Mr. Solicitor-General, Mr. Cowper, Sir Nath. Napier, Mr. Boyle, Lord Hen. Cavendish, Mr. Paul Foley, Mr. Verney, Sir Christopher Musgrove, Mr. R. Harley, Mr. Lownds, Sir Wm. Coriton, Mr. Pagitt, Sir John Leveson Gower, Lord Cheine, Mr. Gwyn, Sir Richard Cocks, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Bridges, Sir Edward Hussey, Sir Rowl. Gwyn, Mr. Tredenham, Mr. Blaake, Mr. Travers, Mr. Palmes, Sir Just. Isham, Mr. Pierpoint, Mr. Hammond, Lord Marquis Hartington, Mr. Dyott, Mr. Thursby, Mr. Pleydall, Sir Sam. Bernardiston, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Sloane, Sir John Wolstenholm, Mr. Edward Harley, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Cha. Hedges, Sir John Bolls, Sir Tho. Wagstaffe, Mr. Moor, Mr. Mounstevens: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And to have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Grants in Duchy of Lancaster.

Ordered, That the Auditor of the Duchy of Lancaster do lay before this House an Account of all Grants, since the Six-and-twentieth Day of January 1697, in that Duchy.

Leave of Absence.

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

Imprisonment of Counter, &c.

Mr. Solicitor-General, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for continuing the Imprisonment of * Counter, and others, for the late horrid Conspiracy to assassinate the Person of his Sacred Majesty: And the same was received; and read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Malmesbury Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the Election for the Borough of Malmesbury, in the County of Wilts, be made upon Monday Morning next.

Navy Victuallers.

Mr. Lownds acquainted the House, That the Victuallers of the Navy had delivered in, to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, a Memorial; which he presented to the House: And the same was received; and is as followeth; viz.

To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury;

THE Victuallers of his Majesty's Navy humbly represent, That, Yesterday, they received an Order from the Navy-Board, with Copy of an Order from the Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, whereby they are directed to take especial Care, that some Persons be timely ordered by them, not only at Livorne, but Naples, Alicant, or such other Ports in the Straits as may be thought necessary, to take the Care and Charge of supplying the Squadron under Admiral Aylmer with Provisions, in case there shall be a Want thereof before what they are now sending from hence can arrive with him; and to give their Lordships an Account, from time to time, how they proceed therein:

In case this Order is to be put in Execution, as the same is expressed, there will require, that considerable Credits be obtained for the several Places mentioned; and they think it may be hazardous to send Credits to Strangers, that they have no Assurance of; and, except at Livorne, they know no Person at the other Places that have ever been employed in Victualing of his Majesty's Ships; besides, they dare not take upon them to determine what other Ports in those Parts may be necessary to lodge Credits, or make Provision in: The Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty do best know how the said Fleet is designed; and they hope the Ships, laden with Provision, will, by the Blessing of God, arrive timely in those Parts, to answer the Occasion of the Fleet.

They have, however, thought it their Duty to lay the same before your Lordships, that, if the same must be literally observed, such Credits may be procured, by your Lordships means, for the said Places, as shall be thought necessary.

All which is humbly submitted.

21st March 169 8/9;.

Upon which, Mr. Papillon presented to the House a Copy of a Letter, sent by the Victuallers, to the NavyBoard: And the same was read; and is as followeth;

Gentlemen,

We received, Yesterday, your Honours Letter of the 20th Instant, accompanying a Copy of an Order from the Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, dated the 18th, intimating, That Admiral Aylmer was ordered to dispose of the Provisions he had bought for Supply of the Fleet, in case he should not be timely supplied from hence; and their Lordships, upon Consideration of what ill Consequence it might be to the Service, in case the Provisions, which are now laden, should not timely arrive, do therefore direct and order us to take a special Care, some Person may be timely ordered by us, not only at Livorne, but Naples, Alicant, or such other Ports in the Straits as shall be thought necessary, to take the Care and Charge of supplying the said Squadron with Provisions, in case there should be a Want thereof before what we are now sending from hence can arrive with the Fleet:

We shall always be ready to comply with the Orders we receive from the Right Honourable the Lords of the Admiralty, as our Capacities will enable us: Their Lordships name Three Ports; viz. Livorne, Naples, and Alicant, and such other Ports in the Straits as shall be thought necessary: at Livorne and Alicant we have had Correspondence, but not at Naples; and we do not know what other Ports their Lordships will think necessary; nor do we know whether any of the Persons at the said Places, except at Livorne, have ever been used to victual a Fleet: No Provision can be made before-hand, because it is uncertain to us at what Rort the Fleet may be.

When the Right Honourable the Earl of Orford went Commander of the Fleet into the Straits, we had 50,000 l. in Orders, put into our Hands; and, accordingly, we did give Order for the furnishing his Lordship with Money at several distinct Ports; and likewife gave a general Credit, directed to all English Merchants, whether the Fleet under his Lordship's Command should come either into any Ports in Spain, Portugal, or Italy: And whether such a general Credit sent to Admiral Aylmer, with our Request to him, That in case of the Non-Arrival timely of the Ships from hence, laden with Provisions, his Honour would please to make use of the same, to supply the Ships, till the Provisions from hence should arrive, may not be thought sufficient, we humbly desire their Lordships Directions therein:

If this be not approved of, we then humbly pray, That their Lordships would please to nominate such other Ports, besides Livorne, Naples, and Alicant, as their Lordships think necessary; and we shall then make our Applications to the Right Honourable the Lords of the Treasury, who have declared they will furnish us with Credit shall be necessary at the several Ports.

The Provisions laden for Supply of the said Squadron have lain at Gravesend since the Latter-end of last Week, and might have been in the Downs by this time, had they not been hindered for want of Dispatches at the Customhouse: We hope, God sending a fair Wind, they will arrive timely, to prevent all Inconveniences.

We pray your Honours to represent what we have herein written to the Right honourable the Lords of the Admiralty. We are, Gentlemen,

Your Honours most humble Servants.

Victualling-Office,

21th March 169 8/9;.

State of the Navy.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Navy.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Boyle took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Boyle reported from the said Committee, That they had come to several Resolutions; which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the Report be made on Monday Morning next.

Regulating Elections.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for Qualifying of Members to fit in Parliament; and further regulating Elections.

Making Militia more useful.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill to make the Militia of this Kingdom more useful.

Encouraging the Fishery.

Ordered, That the Bill for establishing and regaining the Fishery be read upon Monday Morning next.

Supply Bill: Land Tax.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for granting to his Majesty the Sum of One million Four hundred eighty-four thousand and Fifteen Pounds One Shilling Eleven-pence Three Farthings, for disbanding the Army, providing for the Navy, and for other necessary Occasions.

Claims for Prizes.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of Captain Crow, relating to Prizes, was referred, be taken into Consideration upon Monday Morning next.

Abuses in King's-Bench and Fleet Prisons.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom it was referred to inquire into the ill Practices and Abuses of the Prisons of the King's-Bench and Fleet, be made upon Monday Morning next.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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