House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 18 April 1696

Sabbati, 18 die Aprilis;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Privilege.

A COMPLAINT being made to the House, That a Declaration in Ejectment has been delivered for an Estate in New Windsor, belonging to Sir Edward Seymour, a Member of this House, by Thomas Wilkinson, in the Name of John Sheffeild, Lessor, at the Prosecution of Geo. Horsley, in the Name of William Horsley, an Attorney; in Breach of the Privilege of this House;

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to examine the Matter of the said Complaint; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Ordered, That the said Committee do sit on Wednesday next; and then hear the Matter of the said Complaint; for which Purpose all Persons concerned therein are then to attend them.

Greenland Trade.

An ingrossed Bill for the better Encouragement of the Greenland Trade was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the better Encouragement of the Greenland Trade.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Hobart do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Masts, Ship-Timber, &c.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the encouraging the bringing Masts, Ship-Timber, and other Naval Stores, from his Majesty's Plantations; and for making Saltpetre there: And that Sir Rowland Gwyn do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Papists Protestant Heirs.

Sir John Bolles, according to Order, reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for preventing Papists from disinheriting their Protestant Heirs was committed, That they had made several Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and then a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, several of them were agreed, and others disagreed, unto by the House.

Clause C, For vesting in his Majesty all Lands, Tenements, and Sums of Money, that have been given to any Popish Use, since the 25th of March 1670, being postponed;

Clause E was read a Second time, That the Act shall not extend to hinder any Papists from disposing of any Part of their Estate to any Protestant Child, or other Protestant Relation, other than their next Heir:

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Amendment;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

A Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That any Papist may, by Deed, or last Will, charge any Part of their Estate, not exceeding the Part of the Whole, for the Portions of younger Children; and that any Papist Man may, by such Instrument, dispose of any Part of his Estate, not exceeding the Part of the Whole, for a Jointure for his Wife; and that any Wife may charge her Estate, with the Consent of her Husband, with not exceeding the Part, to be held by her Husband, during his Life:

And the same was once read:

And the Question being put, That the Clause be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, touching Guardianship:

And the same was once read; and, by Leave of the House, withdrawn.

The House resumed the Consideration of Clause C:

Ordered, That the Bill be re-committed to the same Committee, upon the Debate of the said Clause.

Earl of Torrington's Grant in Bedford Level.

The House, according to Order, took into further Consideration the Report from the Committee, to whom the Bill for confirming a Grant, under the Great Seal of England, to Arthur Earl of Torrington, by King William and Queen Mary, of several Parcels of Land, Part of the great Level of the Fens, called Bedford Level; and for the better enabling the said Earl to recover the Arrears of Rent, and Mesne Profits; was committed:

And the Amendments, made by the Committee, to the said Bill, being once read throughout;

And the First Amendment being read a Second time; which was, for obliging the Earl of Torrington to perform all Covenants and Agreements that were made by the late King James the Second;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Amendment;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

The rest of the Amendments, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause being offered, to be added to the Bill, on behalf of the Creditors of the late Queen Mary;

And the Question being put, That the same be brought up to the Table;

It passed in the Negative.

Another Clause being offered, to be added to the Bill, on behalf of the Tenants of the Estate;

And the Question being put, That the Clause be read;

It passed in the Negative.

Then the Question being put, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed;

It passed in the Negative.

Supply Bill; Salt Duties and Land Bank.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for continuing to his Majesty certain Rates and Duties upon Salt, for carrying on the War against France; and for taking off the Duties of Tonage upon Ships, and upon Coals; and for establishing a National Land-Bank.

Quakers Affirmation.

The House, according to Order, proceeded to take into Consideration the Amendments, made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act, That the solemn Affirmation and Declaration of the People called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an Oath:

And the same, being twice read, were upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

1 Press, 18 L. for "thereof," read "of the usual Form."

19 L. after "Declaration," add "in these Words following; viz. I, A.B. do declare."

20 L. after "God," add "the Witness of the Truth of what I say."

29 L. after "Oath," add "in the usual Form."

35 L. for "upon Oath," read "in the usual Form."

3 Pr. 27 L. after "Provided," add "And be it Enacted."

30 L. for "capital," read "criminal."

In the Title, after "Oath," read " in the usual Form."

Ordered, That Mr. Cooper do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, that this House hath agreed to the said Amendments.

Supply Bill; Post Office.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for supplying several Defects in the Act for erecting and establishing a Post-Office.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.