House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 20 April 1671

Jovis, 20 die Aprilis, 1671.

Prayers.

Message to expedite Business.

MR. Treasurer acquaints the House, That he had Command from his Majesty to let them know, That his Majesty would be at the House of Peers on Saturday Morning, to prorogue the Parliament; and did recommend it to the House to dispatch such Bills as could be made ready against that Time.

Lands at Portsmouth.

The Bill sent from the Lords, for settling the Fee Simple of certain Lands in his Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, which have been taken into and spoiled, by making new Fortifications about the Town of Portsmouth, was read the Third time, and passed; and the Title agreed; and the Bill ordered to be returned to the Lords.

Indigent Officers.

Amendments, sent from the Lords, to the Bill for taking the Accounts of Monies given to the loyal indigent Officers, were read.

The Two First Amendments were read the Second time; and, upon the Question, agreed.

The Third Amendment was read a Second time; and debated.

Tobacco.

Amendments, sent from the Lords, to the Bill to prevent the Planting Tobacco in England; and for Encouragement of the foreign Plantations, were twice read; and all, but the last Amendment, on the Question, agreed to.

Ordered, That it be referred to Sir Robert Howard, Sir Geo. Downing, Colonel Birch, Alderman Bence, Sir Thomas Lee, to prepare Reasons to be offered at a Conference, to be had with the Lords, upon the Amendments to the Bill to prevent the Planting Tobacco in England; and for regulating the Plantation Trade.

Lords desire a Conference.

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

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, that they desire a present Conference with the House of Commons, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference, concerning the Bill for an additional Imposition on several foreign Commodities: And

Amendments and Bills agreed to.

That they have agreed to the Amendments, made by the House of Commons, to the Bill for Relief and Release of Poor Prisoners for Debt; and to the Bill for Paving and Cleansing the Streets and Sewers in and about London, without Alteration:

Also have agreed to leave out the Words, desired by the Commons to be left out, for Coherence-sake, in the Bill concerning the regulating of Workhouses: And

Also have agreed to the Bill concerning the London Ministers, without any Alteration:

Also to the Bill for Preservation of the Navigation of the River Wey, without any Alteration.

The Messengers being called in; Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That the House had agreed to a present Conference upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference, concerning the Bill for an additional Imposition on several foreign Commodities.

Ordered, That the former Managers do manage this Conference.

Conference on foreign Commodities Bill.

Mr. Attorney General reports from the Conference had with the Lords, That the single Point insisted on at the Conference was, the Matter of Privilege, arising upon the Lords Alterations of the Rate upon Sugar, imposed by this House; and the Reasons offered, and Precedents insisted on, by the Lords, in Justification of their Privilege therein: Which he opened, and read to the House.

Resolved, &c. That it be referred to the Persons who did manage the Conference, to consider of the Matter of the last Conference reported from the Lords, and the Reasons and Precedents relating thereto; and to report the Matter, with their Opinions therein, to the House: And to search for Precedents; and send for Papers and Records; or to direct the Perusal of them, as they shall find convenient: And Mr. Powle and Mr. Waller are added to the Committee.

Reasons against Amendments to Tobacco Bill.

Sir Robert Howard reports from the Committee to which it was referred to prepare Reasons to be used at the Conference with the Lords, upon the Bill to prevent the Planting Tobacco in England, and for regulating the Plantation Trade, Reasons agreed to be offered at the Conference: Which were allowed by the House: And Sir Robert Howard ordered to desire a Conference: And that Sir Robert Howard, Sir Geo. Downing, Colonel Birch, Alderman Bence, Sir Thom. Lee, do manage the Conference.

And then the House adjourned till Four of the Clock, Afternoon.

Post Meridiem.

Conference on Fee-farm Rents Bill.

MR. Coleman reports from the Conference had with the Lords upon the Bill for settling certain Fee-farm Rents in Trustees, the Lords Reasons for not agreeing to the Proviso sent up from the House.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with the Lords: And that the Bill be returned to the Lords.

Lords desire a Conference.

A Message from the Lords by Sir John Coell and Sir Will. Beversham;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That they desire a present free Conference, upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference, upon the Bill to prevent Frauds in the Buying and Selling of Cattle.

The Messengers being called in;

Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That the House had agreed to a present free Conference.

Ordered, That the former Managers be appointed to manage this free Conference: And do acquaint the Lords of the Mistake, in asking a free Conference, when there had been but one Conference in that Matter.

King appoints to be attended.

A Message from the Lords, Mr. Baron Turner and Mr. Baron Littleton;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have commanded us to acquaint you, That his Majesty hath appointed Saturday Morning, between Eight and Nine of the Clock, for both Houses to wait on him, in the Banqueting House at Whitehall, to present their Address for his Majesty's encouraging the Wearing of the Manufactures of this Kingdom, &c.

Conference on Cattle Bill.

Sir Edmund Pooley reports from the Conference had with the Lords, That the Lords did own their Mistake in asking a free Conference, when there had been but one Conference had upon the Bill concerning Cattle: And does report the Lords Reasons offered at the Conference.

Resolved, &c. That this House doth agree with their Lordships in the Amendments to the said Bill.

Indigent Officers.

The House proceeded upon the Amendments, sent down from the Lords, to the Bill concerning the indigent Officers: Which, being read a First, Second, and Third time, were agreed unto.

Conference on Tobacco Bill.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir John Coell and Sir Will. Beversham;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords desire a present Conference, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Subject Matter of the last Conference upon the Bill against planting Tobacco in England; and for encouraging the Plantation Trade.

The Messengers being withdrawn; and called in again;

Mr. Speaker acquaints them, That this House doth agree to a present Conference.

Ordered, That the former Managers do manage this Conference.

Sir Robert Howard reports from the said Conference with the Lords, That their Lordships adhere for leaving out the Clause concerning Oaths to be administered to Governors of foreign Plantations, beginning in Press the 8th Line 4, and ending in Press 9th, Line 6, at the Word "and."

Resolved, &c. That the Debate of the said Conference be adjourned till Saturday Morning next.

Committee to search Lords Journals.

Ordered, That it be referred to Colonel Birch, Sir John Birkenhead, Sir Charl. Harbord, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Powle, or any Two of them, to peruse the Journal of the House of Lords, for the Proviso in the Time of H. VIII. insisted upon by their Lordships, at the Conference upon the Bill of Impositions on foreign Commodities.

Conference; Foreign Commodities.

Ordered, That the Committee appointed to draw up Reasons for the intended Conference to be had with the Lords upon the said Bill of Impositions, do sit To-morrow Morning, at Nine of the Clock, to perfect the same.

And then the House adjourned to Saturday Morning, Eight of the Clock.