House of Commons Journal Volume 1: 11 April 1606

Veneris, 11o Die Aprilis, 1606

Leave of Absence.

Mr. Parkinson hath Leave. - Recorder of Barwick.

Sir Edw. Herbert, sick, hath Leave.

Chepstowe Bridge.

Mr. Davies reporteth from the Committee, the new Bill touching the Repairing of Chepstowe Bridge : The Amendments read.

Sir Rob. Johnson, against it; and offereth a Proviso for Monmouth; which being twice read; Mr. Hoskins

desireth another, that none of Monmouth may pass over that Bridge : And then this to pass.

Mr. Wyseman: - That it is a new Bill.

Proviso rejected: - The Bill to be ingrossed.

Precedent reported.

Sir Edward Hobby maketh Report of the Committee for Search in the Record-house. -

Four Committees present. -

Protestation Twenty-two Days after the Presentation. -

The Speaker not tied to the Beginning or Ending of Parliaments; but at any time.

The Precedent, 7 et 8 H. IV. read in the House.

Sir Fr. Bacon: - No mention of Bill, but only in Writing. -

We cannot amend, upon the third Reading; much less send for it, being passed.

Sir H. Mountague - That the Use of those Times to receive the Petitions. - Escritt was Petitions, and not Bills.

Grievances.

The first Grievance, touching the Imposition of Currants. -

No Counsel against the Grievance.

Sir Fr. Bacon speaketh against it in the House. -

Merchants the Guides of Princes for raising Customs. -

When they devise it, quiet; when it is reverted, they startle, and stir. - Unjust and cautelous.

Mr. Chancellor: - When he was Under-treasurer, this Matter much handled. -

Merchants ever heard by Counsel. -

Found they had made an Imposition amongst themselves, of 4,000 l.

The Queen thought this fitter for her: - They well contented. -

Their Charter renewed : - All quieted. - This a standing Revenue to the King: - Suitors heretofore for it.

Mr. Hitchcock, for the Grievance, in the Behalf of the Merchants, heard at the Bar. -

Eldridge, a Merchant, challenged by Garnett, being * *

The Merchants offer to leave all, rather than this shall stand : - Go beyond Seas. -

Maintenance of Ambassadors ; - of Consuls : - Of yearly Revenue in Removes of the Turk: - Presents upon the Demise of any Prince here. -

Mr. Cordell heard to speak himself: - All the Imposition amongst themselves towards their Charges, and not any Benefit.

A Petition in the behalf of one Bayte, that is imprisoned for not answering the Imposition. -

Desired Favour of the House. -

Letters Patents renewed : - A Flaw found : - The Queen had granted * * *

Mr. James, Mr. Whitston: -

Mr. Middleton : - That the Grievance is, it comes not to the King's own Use, but to a Subject. -

If this not a Grievance, we shall run in infinitum.

Sir Rob. Hitcham: - No Grievance, being with the Law. -

The Grievance being the Proportion of the Imposition: and in that Nature to be presented, and not otherwise.

Sir John Savill, against the Imposition generally. -

Mercury a Thief - Eloquence.

Sir Fr. Bacon: - When he doth well, no Man better ; when he doth ill, no Man worse. -

He doth many good Offices; but his Page, that waits upon him, doth much Ill.

Sir Walter Cope: - That the King, for Seven Years, hath bound himself to lay no Imposition upon Merchandize.

Q. The Substance of the Article to be inserted in a Petition : - Upon Question.

Union with Scotland.

Mr. Fuller : - That the Union may stay till another Session.

Sir Rob. Wingfield: - That it may now pass.

Sir John Heigham: - That, as the Lords left it to us, so we to the Lords.

Sir Wm. Strowd: - That it may now be dealt with.

Q. - Upon Sir John Heigham's Motion.