House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 13 December 1694

Jovis, 13 die Decembris;

Sexto Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Earthenware.

A PETITION of Thomas Harper, William Knight, Elizabeth Baston, and John Robins, on behalf of themselves, and others, exercising the Trade of Potters in this Kingdom, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That by a Statute made in the 3d of Edward the IVth, all Persons were prohibited to convey or bring from beyond Sea, any painted Wares, upon Forfeiture thereof; by reason of which Statute, the Manufacture of English Earthen-ware did long flourish in England, to the Maintenance of a great Number of poor Families; but, of late Years, divers Ways have been found out to evade the Penalty of the said Statute, so that great Quantities of the said prohibited Wares have been imported daily, to the Decrease of the English Wares, the Impoverishment of the Artificers, and the utter Loss of the said Manufacture to England, unless some speedy Remedy be had: And praying, That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill for the more effectual prohibiting the Importation of Earthen-ware.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill, according to the Prayer of the said Petition: And that Mr. Boscawen do prepare, and bring in, the said Bill.

Apothecaries exempt from Parish Offices.

A Petition of the Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries, London, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners have under their Care the due Preparation of Medicines prescribed for the Inhabitants in and about London and Westminster; but, by reason that they are obliged to serve upon Parish and Ward Offices, they cannot perform the Trust reposed in them, nor attend on the Sick, as they ought: That the Petitioners Service in the said Offices may now be rather excused than formerly, by reason of the Populacy of the Places where they live; and for that the several Persons to whom the Lives and Health of their Majesties Subjects is committed, except the Petitioners, are already, by Act of Parliament, exempt from the like Duties: And praying, That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill to exempt the said Company from serving the Offices of Constable, Scavenger, and other Parish and Ward Offices.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for exempting Apothecaries, in general, from serving the said Offices: And that Mr. Smith do prepare, and bring in, the same.

Persons to attend.

Ordered, That Mrs. Spencer of the Ram-Inn in Smithfeild, and her Two Daughters, do attend this House Tomorrow Morning at Ten a Clock.

Complaint against Capt. Reyny.

Michael Tooley, with Tho. Atkinson, attending according to Order, were called in; and examined, touching the detaining of the said Atkinson.

Ordered, That the said Michael Tooley, with the said Tho. Atkinson, do attend this House again To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Mr. Negos, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, do attend this House To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Captain Reyny do attend this House To-morrow Morning.

Ordered, That Thomas Cawder, a Drummer, do attend this House To-morrow Morning.

Ways and Means.

Sir Thomas Littleton, according to the Order of the Day, reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for carrying on the War against France with Vigour. the Resolution of the said Committee; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was once read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, towards the Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for carrying on the War against France with Vigour, an Aid, not exceeding Four Shillings in the Pound, for One Year, be granted to their Majesties.

Some Amendments were proposed; viz. to leave out not exceeding," and to insert "of:"

And the same were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Another Amendment was proposed to be made, by leaving out "for One Year:"

And the Question being put, That those Words stand in the Resolution.

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, so amended, That, towards the Supply to be granted to their Majesties, for carrying on the War against France with Vigour, an Aid of Four Shillings in the Pound, for one Year, be granted to their Majesties.

Mr. Speaker's Chambers to be locked.

Ordered, That the Back-Doors of the Speaker's Chambers be locked up every Morning at Ten a Clock: And that the Keys be brought, and laid upon the Table, by the Serjeant at Arms.

Triennial Parliaments.

The ingrossed Bill for the frequent Meeting and Calling of Parliaments was, according to the Order of the Day, read the Third time.

An Amendment was proposed in the Bill, Line the last, by leaving out the Word "Five;" and, instead thereof, to insert "Six:"

And the Question being put, That the Word "Five" stand in the Clause, as Part of the Bill;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Word "Six" be inserted.

And the Bill was amended at the Table accordingly.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the frequent Meeting and Calling of Parliaments.

Ordered, That Colonel Granville do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Tonage and Poundage.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Grant, to be made to their Majesties, of the Subsidy of Tonage and Poundage.

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