Mercurii 6 die Martii;

7° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Brook's Estate.

AN ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the vesting the Manor of Madeley, and other Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, in the County of Salop, the Estate of Bazil Brook Esquire, in Trustees; and for raising Monies for the Payment of Debts; and for securing his Wife's Jointure, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Colonel Godfry, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Hungerford, Mr. Burdet, Sir Wm. Drake, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Kinaston, Sir John Kay, Sir Cha. Carteret, Mr. Cook, Mr. Hunt, Sir Richard Hart, Sir Robert Cotton, Sir John Moreton, Sir Ra. Dutton, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Freke, Sir Robert Eden, Sir Gero. Elwes, Sir Hen. Ashurst, Mr. Pigot, Mr. Lampton, Sir John Bland, Mr. Popham, Sir Edward Chisnall, Mr. Waller, Sir John Fleet, Mr. Fuller, Mr. England, Mr. Kendall, Mr. Stonehouse; and all that serve for the Counties of Salop, Stafford, and Worcester: And they are to meet Tomorrow Morning at Eight a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Boats carrying Coals.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better Admeasurement of Keels, and Keel-Boats, in the Port of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Members thereof; and for the Encouragement of Navigation, by the Exportation of Coals from the same: And that Sir Ralph Car do prepare, and bring in, the same.

Fleetwood's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the ratifying and confirming a certain Indenture of Lease of Marton Mear, in the County of Lancaster, made by the Earl of Derby, and others, to Thomas Fleetwood Esquire, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Gwyn, Mr. Thornhaugh, Sir John Moreton, Mr. Hungerford, Colonel Grancill, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Tho. Vernon, Sir Robert Eden, Sir Tho. Dyke, Sir Fra. Massam, Sir Wm. Drake, Mr. Shackerley, Mr. Lampton, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Christie, Sir Robert Davers, Mr. Lutterell, Mr. Kenyon, Mr. Tempest. Mr. Bere, Mr. Tankred, Mr. Clark, Mr. Bulkely, Mr. Waller, Sir Edward Chisnall, Colonel Perry, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Kinaston, Mr. Pit, Mr. Burdet, Sir John Bolles, Colonel Kirby: And they are to meet Tomorrow at Four a Clock in the Afternoon, in the Speakers Chamber.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Charles Bloys have leave to go into the Country, for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Sir Francis War have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Sir John Barker have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, for Recovery of his Health.

Ordered, That Sir Edward Chisnall have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Sir Francis Guibon have Leave to go into the Country, for Recovery of his Health.

Ordered, That Captain Henry Bertie have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Answer to Representation.

Mr. Speaker reported to the House, That he had, upon Monday, presented their humble Representation to his Majesty; and that his Majesty was pleased to give this gracious Answer; viz.

Gentlemen,

I will consider your Representation, and take all Care possible to have the Grievances redressed.

Punishing Mutiny and Desertion.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for continuing Two Acts for punishing Officers and Soldiers who shall mutiny, or desert his Majesty's Service; and for punishing false Musters; and for Payment of Quarters; for One Year longer; was committed; be made upon Friday Morning next.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir John Cotton have Leave to go into the Country for a Fortnight, from Monday next, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Mr. Craggs refuses to attend Commissioners of Accounts.

Mr. Foley acquainted the House, That, in proceeding upon the Accounts of Mr. Pauncefort, they conceived it necessary to send their Precept to Mr. James Craggs, one of the Clothiers of the Army, to attend them this Morning, and bring with him the Books of Account kept for himself and Partners, in relation to the Cloathing; which he did not obey; but sent an Answer to the said Commissioners, in Writing, excusing the same; which Mr. Foley presented to the House; and delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

The Answer of Mr. James Craggs to the Precept of the Honourable the Commissioners for putting in Execution the Act, intituled, An Act for appointing and enabling Commissioners to examine, take, and state, the publick Accounts of the Kingdom; dated at York-buildings, the 4th of this Instant March 1694.

The said James Craggs humbly answereth, and saith, That he is not any way a publick Receiver, Agent, or Officer, relating to any Part of the Revenue of the Crown; but hath only dealt and traded in Partnership, with divers other Merchants and Dealers, in buying and selling many Sorts of Goods; and particularly, he and his Partners have sold Cloathing to several Colonels of the Army; and have not received any Part of their Money, but from the said Colonels, or their Orders, to whom they sold their Goods.

And as to that Part of the aforesaid Precept, which requires him to attend upon the Honourable Commissioners for stating the publick Accounts of the Kingdom, on the 6th Instant, with all the Books of Accounts, any ways relating to the Cloathing of the Army, by him, or any Person or Persons concerned by or with him, for the Years 1692, and 1693;

The said James Craggs humbly saith, That in the said Books are contained, and intermixed, the Accounts of such Sums of Money as he and his said Partners do owe unto Clothiers, and other their Creditors, of whom they bought Goods so sold to the Colonels, and others: And, if he shall be forced to produce the said Books, the Example and Consequence thereof may draw all other Merchants and Traders into the like Examinations and Discovery, who, at any time within Six Years last past, have sold any Goods for the Use of the Army or Navy, or any other Part of the Government; and thereby lay open the Weakness of their Estates and Substance; which may expose them to the immediate Demands and Prosecutions of their Creditors, to their certain Ruin; and will tend to the general Discouragement of all Trade and Dealing with the Government.

For which Reasons he humbly craves Leave to offer, That by the Law, and true Intent of the said Act, he ought not to be compelled to produce the said Books, they containing not a publick, but a private Account.

James Craggs.

Ordered, That the said Mr. James Craggs, one of the Clothiers of the Army, be summoned to attend this House immediately.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Christopher Greenfield have Leave go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Robert Price have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Commissioners of Accounts.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in for the taking and stating the publick Accounts for the Year 1695: And that Sir John Knight do prepare, and bring in, the same.

Ways and Means.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, before the Report from the Committee of the whole House, who were to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply, to be granted to his Majesty, be made, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply, to be granted to his Majesty, for carrying on the War against France with Vigour.

Tonage Duties.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Report from the Committee, to whom it was referred to consider of the Act passed the last Session, for laying several Duties upon the Tonage of Ships, as it relates to the Isle of Wight, and Town and County of Southampton, and the Town of Portsmouth, and to all the Coasting-Trade; and of the Doubts and Complaints relating thereunto.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Mr. Hungerford took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Hungerford reported from the said Committee, That they had directed him to move the House, That the Committee may be authorized to consider of the said Act of Tonage of Ships; and, if they shall see Cause to lessen all or any of the Duties thereby granted, that they may be impowered to consider of an Equivalent to be granted to his Majesty.

Resolved, That this House will take the said Motion into Consideration upon Saturday Morning next.

Mr. Hungerford also acquainted the House, That he was directed by the said Committee to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Report from the Committee, to whom it was referred to consider of the said Act for laying several Duties upon the Tonage of Ships, as it relates to the Isle of Wight, and Town and County of Southampton, and the Town of Portsmouth, and to all the Coasting-Trade; and of the Doubts and Complaints relating thereunto.

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