House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 8 April 1670

Die Veneris, 8 Aprilis, 1670.

Prayers.

Prettyman's Debt to the Crown.

AN ingrossed Bill for Sale of Part of the Estate of Sir John Prettyman, for Satisfaction of a Debt by him due to the King's Majesty, was read.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill do pass: And that the Title . ., An Act for Sale of Part of the Estate of Sir John Prettyman, for Satisfaction of a Debt by him due to the King's Majesty.

Lady Southampton's Estate.

The Bill sent from the Lords, on the Behalf of the Lady Southampton, for confirming her Purchase and Estate of an House in Coventry; with Amendments and Alterations; was read the Third time; and, upon the Question, agreed; and passed; and ordered to be returned to the Lords.

Bishop of Rochester's Charities.

A Bill, sent from the Lords, for settling the charitable Uses of the late Bishop of Rochester, was read the Third time; and passed, upon the Question; and ordered to be returned to the Lords.

Light-houses in Ireland.

A Petition of the Owners and Masters of Ships belonging to Chester, Liverpoole, and Ports adjacent, complaining of a great Grievance and Exaction, by the Patentees of the Light-houses, in demanding and receiving Fees for Tonage upon Ships, a yearly Imposition on Fisher-boats, and Twelve-pence the Head on Passengers, was read; and debated.

Resolved, &c. That the Petition be referred to the Committee of Grievances; to take the Matter of the Petition, and Grievance therein complained of, into their Consideration, the first Wednesday of their meeting and sitting after the Recess: And that a Copy of the Petition, together with this Order, be sent to the Patentees, or the Officers and Agents by them employed, that they may take notice thereof: And Mr. Stanley is desired to take care to see them conveyed.

Supply Bill; Duty on Brandy.

The House then resumed the Debate of the Matter for the filling up the Blanks in the Bill concerning the Imposition to be put on Brandy made in England.

A Petition of the Company of the Distillers of London was read.

The Petitioners, being called in, were heard at the Bar of the House by their Counsel, touching the Imposition to be laid upon Brandy made in England: And, being withdrawn;

Resolved, &c. That the Debate thereof be adjourned till Four of the Clock this Afternoon.

Union with Scotland.

The Bill, sent down from the Lords, intituled, An Act authorizing certain Commissioners of the Realm of England, to treat with Commissioners of Scotland for the Weal of both Kingdoms, was read the Third time.

The Proviso, in pursuance of the Order made Yesterday, was brought in; and read the First, Second, and Third time; and agreed to be added at the End of the Bill:

And some other Amendments being agreed upon to be made to the said Bill;

Resolved, &c. That the Bill do pass: And that Sir Thomas Meeres do carry back the Bill to the Lords.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir William Glascock and Sir John Coell;

Duty on Brandy.

Mr. Speaker, The Lords return you the Bill for settling the Imposition on Brandy; with a Proviso; to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Lords agree to Bills.

The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, that they have agreed to the Bill of Naturalization of Horatio Woodhouse, and others, without any Alteration or Amendment: Also, That they agree, with this House, to their adhering to Five Horses to draw at Length, as to Bill for the Repair of Highways: Also, That they have agreed to the Amendments sent up, from this House, to the Bill for advancing the Sale of Fee-farm Rents, and other Rents: And that the House of Lords intend to sit this Afternoon at Four of the Clock.

And then the House adjourned till Three of the Clock this Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

Duty on Brandy.

THE Proviso, sent down from the Lords, to the Bill for settling an Imposition upon Brandy, was read the First, Second, and Third time; and agreed unto.

Ditto.

The House then resumed the Debate on the Bill for regulating the making of Brandy in England; and prohibiting the Importation of foreign Brandy:

And, having heard Alderman Bucknall, and others, and several Distillers, at the Bar of the House, thereunto;

Resolved, &c. That the Blank in the Bill, Folio the 8th, be filled up, with the Words "Two-pence."

Resolved, &c. That the Blanks, Folio 16, be filled up, with the Words "* * * *"

Resolved, &c. That the Blank in Folio 20, be filled up with the Words "Three-pence;" and that the Words "Proof Spirits perfectly made, and to be Custom-free," be inserted in the Clause.

Resolved, &c. That this Proviso be added at the End of the Bill, viz. "That this Act shall continue in Force for the Space of Three Years, and from thence to the End of the next Sessions of Parliament, and no longer."

Resolved, &c. That the Kingdom of Ireland be inserted into the Bill, in all Places, touching the Prohibition of the Importation of foreign Brandy.

Ordered, That it be reterred to Sir John Talbott, Col. Birch, Sir Tho. Meeres, Sir Robert Howard, and Mr. Steward, or any Two of them, to withdraw, and see the Bill set right according to these Votes.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

A Message from the Lords, by the Lord Chief Justice Keeling, and Mr. Baron Littleton;

Pebuilding London.

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have returned you the additional Bill for the rebuilding the City of London; with some Alterations, Additions, and Provisoes; to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Resolved, &c. That the Amendments, sent down from the Lords, to the Bill concerning the City of London, be proceeded in the first Business To-morrow Morning.

Privilege.

Mr. Crouch reports from the Committee to whom the Petition of Mrs. Humes was committed, That they had, in Pursuance of the Order of Re-commitment, examined the whole Matter of Fact thereby directed, relating to Sir John Prettiman's protecting, and moving the House for giving Privilege to, Robert Humes, as his menial Servant.

Upon stating whereof to the House, it appeared, that the House had been ill-dealt with by Sir John Prettiman, in his concealing the Truth of the Case; and that Humes was released out of Prison, from Actions depending against him, by the Miscarriage of Sir John Prettiman, as his menial Servant; when, in truth, he was not.

Sir John Prettiman being withdrawn into the Speaker's Chambers;

A Member to be suspended for abuse of Privilege.

Resolved, &c. nemine contradicente, That Sir John Prettiman be suspended his sitting in this House, and from all Privileges, as a Member thereof, until he shall produce Robert Humes.

Resolved, &c. That he be called to the Bar of this House; and receive, from Mr. Speaker, this Sentence upon his Knees.

The House being informed, that the said Sir John Prettiman was not to be found in the Speaker's Chambers;

Ordered, That the Serjeant at Arms, attending this House, do bring the said Sir John Prettiman to the Bar of this House To-morrow Morning, to receive his Sentence, as aforesaid.

Back-door of Speaker's Chambers to be nailed up.

Resolved, &c. That the Back-door of the Speaker's Chambers be nailed up; and not opened during any Sessions of Parliament.