House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 21 January 1697

Jovis, 21 die Januarii ;

8° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Crowle's Estate.

ORDERED, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for vesting Part of the Estate of Roger Crowle Esquire, deceased, in Trustees, for raising Portions for his younger Children, according to a Power reserved to him in his Marriage-Settlement; but could not be executed by him, by reason of his Lunacy, after his Marriage: And that Mr. Preston and Mr. Brewer do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Newfoundland Trade.

A Petition of several Traders to Newfoundland, inhabiting within the City of Bristoll, on behalf of themselves, and many others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are informed, the French have lately taken the Town of St. John's, in Newfoundland, and destroyed the English Settlement there: And, if some speedy Care be not taken, they fear the whole Trade to Newfoundland will be lost to this Nation; to the Impoverishment of the Petitioners: And praying, That a sufficient Force may be sent thither, to regain what is lost, and to secure what remains of the English Interest.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom several Petitions relating to the Newfoundland Trade have been referred.

Whitby Harbour.

Ordered, That all the Members of the House that serve for the Sea-Ports and Cinque-Ports, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for Repair of the Piers of the Harbour of Whitby, in the North Riding of the County of York, is committed.

Securing Debts.

A Bill for the better Securing of Debts, and Establishing of Credit, was read the first time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time, upon Wednesday next, at Twelve a Clock.

Proceedings for dispersing a Crowd assembled about the House.

A tumultuous Crowd of People coming into the PalaceYard, and Westminster hall, and Passage towards this House; and into the Lobby of this House;

Ordered, That the Justices of Peace of Middlesex, and Westminster, and Southwark, and Members for the City of London, do go and endeavour to disperse the said Multitude.

Ordered, That the Sheriffs and Justices of Peace of London and Middlesex do immediately attend this House.

Resolved, That the inciting and encouraging any Number of Persons to come in a riotous, tumultuous, or disorderly manner, to this House, in order either to hinder or promote the Passing of any Bill depending before this House, being against the Constitution and Freedom of Parliament, is a high Crime and Misdemeanor.

Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to examine into the Causes and Occasions of the great Tumults of the Multitude who appeard this Day at the Door of this House, in order to press the passing a Bill, depending in this House, to restrain the Wearing of all wrought Silks and Bengals, imported into this Kingdom from Persia and EastIndia, and all Callicoes printed or stained there; and consider how such Tumults may be prevented for the future:

And it is referred to Mr. Colt, Sir Tho. Mompesson, Sir Chr. Musgrove, Sir Wm. Bowes, Sir Marm. Wivell, Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Palmes, Mr. Clark, Mr. Norris, Sir John Fleet, Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Smith, Lord Coningsby, Mr. Manly, Mr. Mountague, Mr. Sherrard, Mr. Fleming, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Chase, Mr. Culliford, Sir Francis Molyneux, Mr. Chancellor of Exchequer, Mr. Moore, Mr. Blofeild, Lord Cornbury, Mr. Morgan, Sir Wm. Strick land, Mr. Onslow, Sir Richard Onslow, Sir Gervas Elwes, Sir Godfrey Copley, Sir Jos. Herne, Mr. Mountstevens, Sir Wm. Scawen, Mr. Brewer, Sir John Elwill, Mr. Lowndes, Sir Henry Hobart, Mr. Hoblyn; and all the Members of the House that are of the Long Robe; and all that serve for London and Middlesex; and the Justices of the Peace for Middlesex: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers; and to sit de die in diem: And have Power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Hanham's Estate.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cook and Mr. Meredeth:

Mr. Speaker,

The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for voting the Manor of Holme, alias East-Holme, and Swannage, in the County of Dorset, Part of the Estate of Sir John Hanham Baronet, in Trustees, to be sold, for discharging a Mortgage thereupon, and upon the Residue of the said Sir John Hanham's Estate; and for Payment of his other Debts: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Palmer have Leave to go into the Country, a near Relation of his being very ill.

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

Ordered, That Mr. Brent have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks, for Recovery of his Health.

Supply Bill; Land Tax.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, proceeded in the further Consideration of the Report from the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for granting to his Majesty an Aid, as well by a LandTax, as by several Subsidies, and other Duties, payable for One Year . . . . .

And the Residue of the Amendments to the Bill, being severally read a Second time, one by one, were upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That Members of Parliament shall not be taxed until after the Rising of the Parliament; with Blanks;

And the same was twice read; and the Blanks filled up; and other Amendments made thereunto:

And the same, upon the Question put thereupon, was agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, for exempting her Royal Highness her Annuities from the Tax:

And the same was twice read; . . . upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That the same shall not extend to charge the Queen Dowager's Annuity, payable out of the Excise:

And the same was once read:

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

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That any Person may pay all or any of their Year's Tax in One Payment, in hammered Money; with a Blank for the Time:

And the same was twice read; and the Blank filled up; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, for Payment of Soldiers Quarters by Receivers in the Country:

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

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That upon Oath made before the Commissioners, that Debts are desperate, they are to charge or discharge the same, as they think fit; with Blanks:

And the same was twice read; and the Blanks filled up; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed upon by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, with Blanks, That Mortgages, in actual Possession, shall not be charged for the Debts due thereon:

And the same was twice read; and the Blanks filled up; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That Persons owing Money at Interest, and the Commissioners being satisfied therewith, shall make a proportionable Deduction out of the Tax:

And the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That, if Assessors neglect, the Commissioners are to take care, that Persons, not taking the Oaths, be doubly charged:

And the same was twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That Loans on Credit of the Act of 7° Gul. 3, for Annuities remaining unsatisfied, to be first transferred to the Tax of 3s. in the Pound; and, in the next Place, all Monies lent on the Exchequer in General; with Blanks:

And the same was twice read; and the Blanks filled . .; and other Amendments made thereunto:

And the same, upon the Question put thereupon, was agreed unto by the House to be made Part of the Bill. And,

Another Clause being offered, to be made Part thereof, for Bills to be issued by the Commissioners of the Treasury, to be accepted in Payments;

The same was once read;

And a Debate arising thereupon;

Resolved, That the Debate be adjourned till To-morrow Morning.

Sheriffs of London to prevent Tumult about the House.

The House being informed, That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, and Justices of Peace, attended, according to Order;

They were called in; and acquainted with the Tumult which appeared this Day at the House, and the ill Consequences thereof; and required to take care for the dispersing the same, and for preserving the publick Peace.

And then they withdrew.

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