House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 11 December 1696

Veneris, 11 die Decembris;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Prohibiting India Silks, Callicoes, &c.

ORDERED, That the Bill to restrain the Wearing of all wrought Silks and Bengals . . . . . . into this Kingdom from Persia and East-India, and all Callicoes printed or stained there, be read a Second time upon Tuesday Sevennight.

African Company.

A Petition of sundry Merchants, and others, of the City of London, relating to the Trade to Africa, and the Plantations, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Trade to Africa is of great Importance to England; and might be much enlarged, if all Persons had free Liberty to trade thither without Molestation: That they conceive, by a Company, under such Regulations as that to Turkey, all necessary publick Charge might be maintained better than by a Company with a Joint-Stock; and the Trade thereby be best improved: And praying, That they may be heard before any Bill do pass to confine the said Trade to a Company with a Joint-Stock, exclusive of others.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for settling and regulating the Trade to Africa is committed.

Petition of Mr. Meadowes.

A Petition of Phillip Meadowes Esquire was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That * * * *

That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: And that they do examine the Matter; and report the same, with their Opinion therein, to the House.

Irish Transport Debt.

A Petition of Arthur Shallet, John Travers, and Anthony Wilks, for themselves, and all others concerned in the Transport-Debt for the Reduction of Ireland, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That * * * *

That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee appointed to consider, and state to the House, the Nature of the Deficiencies of Parliamentary Funds.

Avon Navigation.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to make the River Avon, between Bath and Bristoll, navigable: And that Mr. Freke and Mr. Clark do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Distillation from Malt.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, of the City of Bristoll, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That Wheat being dear, many People make their Bread of Barley, which is near 4s. per Bushel, and is like to be dearer; so that the Distilling on Malt will light heavy on the Poor, both in Bread and Beer: That the limiting Distillers to the Use of Materials by Act of Parliament, and particularly to Malt, is very prejudicial to the Trade of Distilling, discourages our Navigation, lessens the Interest of our Plantations, and does not increase the Revenue: And praying the House to consider the Premises, and the Necessities of the Poor.

Ordered, That the Petition do lie upon the Table.

Coal-wharfs, &c.

Sir William Blacket, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for ascertaining and settling the Rents upon Coal-wharfs and Way-leaves within the Counties of Durham and Northumberland, and the Town and County of Newcastle upon Tyne: And the same was received.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time, upon Thursday Sevennight.

Answer to Address.

Sir Henry Goodrick acquainted the House, That their Address having been presented to his Majesty, That he would please to issue his Royal Proclamation for the Apprehending of Mr. * * Grascomb; his Majesty had been pleased to give Directions for a Proclamation accordingly, with a Reward of 500 l.; as was mentioned in a former Proclamation.

Army Debt.

A Petition of James Corbier, Shoemaker, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner served the Regiment commanded by Brigadier Belcastle with 800 Pair of Shoes; and that Janson de Tudebeuf, Agent of that Regiment, had received the Money for them, but refused to pay the Petitioner; who is threatened to be laid in Gaol by his Creditors for those Goods: And praying the Consideration of the House therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of John Hakewell and Alexander Gambell, on behalf of themselves, and other Troopers who served in the Wars in Ireland, and served in Colonel Villers' Regiment, is referred.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived.

Ways and Means.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, for carrying on the War against France, for the Service of the Year 1697.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported from the said Committee, That they had made a further Progress in the Matter to them referred; and had directed him to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, for carrying on the War against France, for the Service of the Year 1697.

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