House of Lords Journal Volume 16: 9 April 1700

DIE Martis, 9 Aprilis.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

John Earl of Bridgewater sat Speaker.

Wrought Silks, Muslins, &c. further Duties on, Bill.

The House was adjourned during Pleasure, and put into a Committee upon the Bill, intituled, "An Act for laying further Duties upon wrought Silks, Muslins, and some other Commodities, of The East Indias; and for enlarging the Time for purchasing certain reversionary Annuities therein mentioned."

After some Time, the House was resumed.

And the Earl of Stamford reported, "That the Committee had gone through the said Bill; and think it fit to pass, without any Amendment."

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for laying further Duties upon wrought Silks, Muslins, and some other Commodities of The East Indias; and for enlarging the Time for purchasing certain reversionary Annuities therein mentioned."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

ORDERED, That the Commons have Notice, that the Lords have agreed to the said Bill, without any Amendment.

Message from H. C. for a Conference on the Lords Amendments to the Landtax in England, and forfeited Estates in Ireland, Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by the Lord Hartington and others:

To desire a Conference, upon the Subject-matter of the Lords Amendments made to the Bill, intituled, "An Act for granting an Aid to His Majesty, by Sale of forfeited and other Estates and Interests in Ireland, and by a Land-tax in England, for the several Purposes therein mentioned."

To which the House agreed.

Answer.

The Commons, being called in, were told, "That the Lords agree to a Conference, as desired; and appoint it presently, in the Painted Chamber."

Then the Lords following were named Managers of the Conference:

Report of the Conference.

The Commons being come to the Conference; the House was adjourned during Pleasure, and the Lords went to the Conference.

Which being ended, the House was resumed.

And the Lord President reported, "That they had attended the Conference; and that the Commons do not agree to the Amendments made by this House, and gave their Reasons for it; (videlicet,)

"For that all Aids and Supplies granted to His Majesty in Parliament are the sole and entire Gift of the Commons; and as all Bills for the granting such Aids and Supplies begin with the Commons, so it is the undoubted and sole Right of the Commons, to direct, limit, and appoint, in such Bills, the Ends, Purposes, Considerations, Limitations, and Qualifications, of such Grants; which ought not to be changed or altered by your Lordships.

"This is well known to be such a fundamental Right of the Commons, that to give Reasons for it has been esteemed, by our Ancestors, to be a weakening of that Right.

"The Commons therefore leave the Bill, and the Amendments, with your Lordships; together with the ill Consequences that may attend the not passing this Bill."

Lords adhere to their Amendments:

The House being moved, "To insist upon their Amendments made to the aforesaid Bill;" and Debate thereupon:

This Question was proposed, "Whether this House shall insist on their Amendments made to the Bill?"

Then the previous Question was put, "Whether this Question shall be now put?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Then the main Question was put, "Whether this House shall insist on their Amendments made to the Bill?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Managers to draw Reasons for adhering.

ORDERED, That the Managers of the Conference do draw Reasons, to be offered at a Conference with the Commons, for the Lords insisting on their Amendments made to the said Bill; and that they withdraw presently, for that Purpose.

Then the House was adjourned during Pleasure.

The House was resumed.

ORDERED, That the Report of the Reasons be made To-morrow, at Eleven of the Clock.

Message from H. C. with a Bill.

A Message from the House of Commons, by Sir Godfrey Copley and others:

Who brought up a Bill, intituled, "An Act for the appointing Commissioners to take, examine, and determine, the Debts due to the Army, Navy, and for Transport Service; and also an Account of the Prizes taken during the late War;" to which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Adjourn.

Joh'es Comes Bridgewater, Orator Procerum, declaravit præsens Parliamentum continuandum esse usque ad et in diem Mercurii, (videlicet,) decimum diem instantis Aprilis, hora undecima Auroræ, Dominis sic decernentibus.