House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 5 December 1696

Sabbati, 5 die Decembris;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Regulating Elections.

A PETITION of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council, of the Town and County of Nottingham, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are informed, That a Bill is designed to be brought into the House, in order to alter the Methods of electing Members to serve in Parliament, contrary to the ancient customary Way; which seems, with Submission, to incroach upon the Liberty of the Subject: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises; so as their Constitution in electing their Representatives in Parliament may not be altered by any Law whatsoever.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Duty on Tobacco pipes.

A Petition of divers poor Tobacco-pipe-makers, within the Cities of London and Westminster, on the behalf of themselves, and of all others of the same Trade within this Kingdom, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, since the making a late Act for laying a Duty on Tobacco-pipes, the Pipe-makers throughout England are ready to starve for want of Employment, who before got a comfortable Livelihood; and the Reason is, there is not above a 5th Part made now of what was used to be made before the said Duty; which, though it is the Petitioner's Ruin, is but a very inconsiderable Income to the Crown: And praying the Relief of the House in the Premises, by taking off the said Duty on Tobacco-pipes.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Glass-makers in and about Stourbridge, in the County of Worcester, is referred: And that they do examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Duty on Glass.

A Petition of William Clifton, of Houghton and Abigail Pilmy, of Silkslone in Yorkshire, Glass-makers, in behalf of themselves and Servants, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the great Duty laid upon Glass-wares by a late Act of Parliament, hath rendered the Petitioners uncapable of carrying on their Work, and employing their Servants; to the Ruin of the Petitioners, their Families and Workmen: And praying, That the said Duty upon Glass may be taken off; whereby they may be enabled to get a Maintenance, and employ their poor Workmen, as formerly.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Glass-makers in and about Stourbrige, in the County of Worcester, is referred: And that they do examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Committee of Privileges.

Ordered, That Mr. Elliott, Sir Thomas Roberts, Mr. Brereton, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Parker, Mr. Dore, Colonel Trelawney, Mr. Tankred, Mr. Colt, Mr. H. Trelawney, Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Praed, Sir Wm. Coriton, Mr. Sturt, Sir G. Hungerford, Mr. Northmore, be added to the Committee of Privileges and Elections.

Coinage.

Sir Henry Hobart reported from the Committee appointed to inspect the Mint of London, That they had been at the same, and taken an Account of the Money coined there, from the 20th Day of February 1695, to the 30th Day of November last: And also of what Monies hath been coined at the Mints in the Country: And also of the Names of the Fellows of the Corporation of Moneyers, and their Apprentices; with the Labourers sent to each Mint in the Country: And also of what Mills and Presses were at each Mint: Which he presented to the House; and delivered in at the Table: Where the same were read; and are as follow; viz.

The Names of the Fellows of the Corporation of Moneyers, and their Apprentices, with the Labourers, sent to each Country Mint; as follow;

Tower, December 1st, 1696. John Braint, Provost.

The Mills, and Presses, at each Mint.

At Exeter: Three Presses; One for Sixpences, One for Shillings, and One for Half-Crowns: And One Mill.

The Wood-work for another Mill is preparing there; and the Iron Mill will be ready to go hence the End of next Week.

At Bristoll: Two Presses; One for Half-Crowns, One which may be made use of for Sixpences and Shillings: One Mill; and another will be ready to go hence about the 15 Instant: The Wood-work is there preparing in the mean time.

At Norwich: The same as at Bristoll; and another Mill going thither.

At York: For Presses, the same as at Bristoll: And have but One Mill. And say they can coin 10,000£. weekly with that One only: However another is ready to be set up.

At Chester: The same Presses as at Bristoll: And One Mill only: Which is conceived enough for that Place.

December 3d, 1696. Tho. Neale.

Ordered, That the said Accounts do lie upon the Table, to be perused by the Members of the House.

Ease of Sheriffs.

Ordered, That the Bill for the Ease of Sheriffs in passing their Accounts, and Execution of their Offices, be read a Second time upon Monday Morning next.

Preventing Corruption of Juries.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to prevent the Corrupting of Juries: And that Mr. Edward Harley and Mr. Brewer do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Credit of the Nation, &c.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of that Part of . . . . . Majesty's Speech which relates to the Credit of the Nation; and also of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, for making good the Deficiencies of Parliamentary Funds.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the said Committee, That they had directed him to move, That a Committee may be appointed to consider, and state to the House, the Nature of the Deficiencies of Parliamentary Funds; and of the several Duties already voted; and how the said Deficiencies may be best provided for by the said Duties.

Deficiencies of Funds.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to consider, and state to the House, the Nature of the Deficiencies of Parliamentary Funds; and of the several Duties already voted; and how the said Deficiencies may be best provided for by the said Duties:

And it is referred to Mr. Methwyn, Sir Wm. St. Quintin, Mr. Ro. Harly, Sir Robert Clayton, Sir Edward Seymor, Sir Herbert Crofts, Mr. Smith, Sir Walter Yong, Colonel Wharton, Mr. Palmes, Lord Ranelagh, Sir Wm. Williams, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Sir El. Harvey, Mr. Clark, Mr. Molyneux, Sir Fra. Molyneux, Mr. Lowndes, Mr. Chancellor Exchequer, Sir Jos. Williamson, Sir Chr. Musgrove, Mr. Moor, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Norris, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Manley, Mr. Gwynn, Lord Cutts, Lord Coningsby, Mr. Pelham, Sir Hen. Hobart, Mr. Richard How, Sir Wm. Blackett, Sir Wm. Cooper, Mr. Henley, Mr. Boyle: And they are to meet on Monday next, at Eight a Clock in the Forenoon, in the Speaker's Chambers; and to sit de die in diem.

Bank of England.

Sir Thomas Littleton also reported from the said Committee of the whole House, That they had directed him to move, That a Committee may be appointed to inspect the Books of the Bank of England; and examine into their Accounts given in to the House:

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the Books of the Bank of England; and examine into their Accounts given in to the House:

And it is referred to Mr. Cha. Mountague of Durham, Mr. Edward Harley, Sir William Strickland, Sir Steph. Fox, Mr. Evelyn, Sir Godfry Copley, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Cooper, Sir Edward Abney, Mr. Champnyes, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Foot Onslow, Mr. Sandford, Mr. Hoar; or any Five of them: And they are to meet in the Speaker's Chamber, on Monday Morning next, at Nine of the Clock; and to adjourn as they shall think fit.

Credit of the Nation, &c.

Sir Thomas Littleton 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 Thursday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of that Part of his Majesty's Speech which relates to the Credit of the Nation; and also of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty, for making good the Deficiencies of Parliamentary Funds.

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