House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 24 May 1698

Martis, 24 die Maii;

Decimo Gulielmi.

Prayers.

Embezzlement of Naval Stores.

MR. Norris reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for enforcing the Laws against such as steal and embezzle his Majesty's Ammunition, Sails, Cordage, and other Habiliments of War; and for preventing divers Cheats and Frauds in the paying of Seamen serving on board his Majesty's Ships; was committed; That they had made several Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; 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, agreed unto by the House.

A Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, That nothing therein shall hinder the principal Officers, Commissioners of the Navy, or other chief Commanders of his Majesty's Ships at Sea, from lending any of his Majesty's Stores to any Merchants Ships in time of Distress:

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 no Ecclesiastical Court, or Person whatsoever, shall take any more than One Shilling for the writing any Letters of Administration, granted to the Wife or Children of any Seaman dying in his Majesty's Pay, unless his Goods amount to Twenty Pounds, on Forfeiture of Ten Pounds:

And the same was twice read, with Blanks; and the Blanks filled up; and the Clause, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Another Clause was offered, to be added to the Bill, for the better paying the Seamen:

And the same was read; and, by Leave of the House, withdrawn.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Preservation of Naval Stores.

Mr. Norris also reported from the said Committee, That they had, according to Order, inspected the Laws in force, and near expiring, for securing and preserving his Majesty's Naval Stores; and preventing Disturbances at the Offices where Seamens Wages are stated, adjusted, or paid: That they had inspected the same accordingly; and had come to a Resolution; which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Act, made in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of the late King Charles the Second, intituled, An Act to prevent the Disturbances of Seamen, and others; and to preserve the Stores belonging to his Majesty's Navy Royal; which has been revived and continued by several other Acts, and now expiring; be continued.

The said Resolution being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, That the Act, made in the Sixteenth Year of the Reign of the late King Charles the Second, intituled, An Act to prevent the Disturbances of Seamen, and others; and to preserve the Stores belonging to his Majesty's Navy Royal; which has been revived and continued by several other Acts, and now near expiring; be continued.

Ordered, That a Bill be brought in upon the said Resolution: And that Mr. Norris do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Walter's Will.

The Lord Norris reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for securing the Portions intended by Sir William Walter Baronet, deceased, for his Children by the Lady Mary Walter his Second Wife; and for preventing all Doubts which might arise upon the Construction of the Articles and Will therein mentioned; was committed; That they had made some Amendments to the Bill; which they had directed him to report to the House; 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, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill, with the Amendments, be ingrossed.

Prevention of Gaming.

A Petition of Colonel Philip Howard was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That his present..... hath been pleased to grant the Petitioner a Pension of 400l. per Annum, issuing out of the Royal Oak Lottery: That by the Bill now depending, for suppressing the said Lottery, the Petitioner will be deprived of the said Bounty: And praying Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Relief of indigent Officers.

A Petition of Robert Doughty, and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That King Charles the Second being pleased to ordain the setting up of Lotteries, for Relief of indigent Officers, among whom the Petitioners were intended to be included; That, Thirteen of the said Officers having represented to his said late Majesty, That the Profits of the said Lotteries were insufficient for the Relief of all the said Officers, his Majesty was pleased to grant the said Profits to them for Thirteen Years, excluding the Petitioners, and above 200 Officers more: And praying Relief out of the said Lotteries, or by such other Methods as to the House shall seem meet.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the said Bill is committed.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Major-General Earle have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

East India Company.

A Petition of the East-India Company was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That they have the sole Trade to the East-Indies granted them by several Charters of Queen Elizabeth, and other his Majesty's Royal Predecessors; and those confirmed by his present Majesty for Twenty-one Years, from November 1693, under many Regulations, agreed upon by this House: That they are informed a Proposal is given into this House, of a Loan to be made to Persons not interested in the said Company, so as they may have the sole Trade to India, China, &c. exclusive of all others: And praying the House to take the Premises into Consideration, and preserve the Petitioners just Rights and Inheritance.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom it is referred to consider further of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty.

Ways and Means.

Then the House, according to Order, resolved itself into the said Committee of the whole House.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Tho. Littleton reported from the said Committee, That they had made some further Progress in the Matter to them referred.

Conference with Lords.

Sir John Philips reported, That he, according to Order, had been at the Lords, to desire a Conference upon the Subject-matter of the Amendments, made by their Lordships, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the more effectual Suppressing of Blasphemy and Prosaneness; and that they do agree to a Conference accordingly, To-morrow at One a Clock, in the Painted Chamber.

Resolved, That the Committee who where appointed to draw up Reasons, to be offered to the Lords at the said Conference, do manage the said Conference.

Supply Bill; Hawkers and Pedlars.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for licensing Hawkers and Pedlars.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees, but the Committee, to whom the Bill for the vesting a Copperas-work, Part of the Estate of Robert Mascall Esquire, deceased, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, and other Charges thereupon, was committed, be adjourned.

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