House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 8 March 1697

Lunæ, 8 die Martii;

9° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Hill's Sinecure.

AN ingrossed Bill for re-vesting the Sinecure of Llandinam, in the County of Montgomery, in John Spademan, in Trust for Joseph Hill, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for re-vesting the Sinecure of Llandinam, in the County of Montgomery, in John Spademan, Clerk.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Colt do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Tinners Trade.

A Petition of the Tinners in the County of Devon was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are very much impoverished, and the Tin Trade very much impaired, by the falling Price thereof, from 6l. to about 50s. per Hundred Weight, for want of some Laws to regulate that Trade, and to redress some other Grievances, partly represented to the House in a late Proposal for raising the Price of Tin: And praying, That their Grievances may be taken into Consideration.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Tinners in the County of Cornwall is referred.

Privilege—Persons petition for Discharge.

A Petition of Thomas Baily and John Browne, in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms, attending this House, for a Breach of Privilege by them committed against Robert Moncton Esquire, a Member of this House, was presented to the House, and read; acknowledging their Offence, and begging Pardon for the same: And praying to be discharged out of Custody.

Ordered, That the said Thomas Baily and John Brown be brought to the Bar To-morrow Morning, in order to their Discharge.

Whitby Harbour.

Sir John Bolles reported from 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, was committed, That they had made several Amendments to the Bill: which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read.

Ordered, That the further Consideration of the said Report be adjourned until Wednesday Morning next.

Crowle's Estate.

An ingrossed 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; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for vesting Part of the Estate of Roger Crowle Esquire, deceased, in Trustees, for raising Portions for his younger Children, in regard he, being a Lunatick, could not execute a Power in his Marriage-Settlement for that Purpose.

Ordered, That Mr. Shackerly do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Leave of Absence.

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

Ordered, That the Lord Digby have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. York have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Bagnold have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ordered, That Mr. Watlington have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Importing Goods from Turky.

A Petition of divers of the Company of Merchants of England, trading into the Levant Seas, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That Two of his Majesty's Ships took two French Ships, called afterwards the Success and Dragon Prizes; which were carried into Turky; where the Petitioners Factors, being ignorant of the Statute of the 12 Car. IId, which prohibits the Importation of Goods from Turky in any foreign-built Ships, did lade on board them the Petitioners Goods; which had lain in Turky several Years, for want of Shipping; thinking they had done good Service therein: But, if the Petitioners be not relieved by the House, they are like to suffer great Losses thereby, or the Goods transported to foreign Nations, to be there manufactured: And praying, That Leave may be given to bring in a Bill for the Importation of the said Goods; paying such Duties and Customs as are on Goods of the like Kind, notwithstanding the said Act.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the Petitioners Relief: And that Mr. Molyneux and Sir Tho. Davall do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Highways.

An ingrossed Bill to enlarge Highways was read the Third time.

An Amendment was proposed to be made.

Press 1. * to leave out "Park:"

And the same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and the Bill amended at the Table accordingly.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act to enlarge common Highways.

Ordered, That Mr. Archer do carry the Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Vaughan have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Ways and Means.

Mr. Norris reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of Ways and Means for raising the Supply granted to his Majesty, for making good the Deficiency of the Provision for the Payment of the Interest of the Transport Debt, for the Reducing of Ireland, the Resolutions of the said Committee; which they had directed him to report to the House; and which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read; and are as follow; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That for the making good the Deficiency of this Provision for Payment of the Interest of the Transport-Debt, for the Reducing of Ireland, a Duty be laid upon all Hawkers and Pedlars.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the said Duty be Four Pounds per Annum.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That every Hawker, or Pedlar, travelling with a Horse, Ass, or Mule, do pay 4l. per Annum for each Horse, Ass, or Mule, he shall so travel with, over and above the said Duty.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the said Duties be granted to his Majesty for the Term of One Year.

The said Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

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

Supply Bill; Duty on Leather.

A Bill for laying a Duty upon Leather, for the Term of Three Years, for answering the Deficiencies, as well of the late Duties upon Coals and Culm, as for paying the Annuities on the Lotteries, and for Lives, charged on the Tonage of Ships, and the Duties upon Salt, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee, of the whole House.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Fallowes' Estate.

Sir John Manwaring reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable William Fallowes, an Infant, to sell an Estate in the County of Chester, to pay Debts secured by Mortgages, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same; and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendments: And he delivered the same in at the Table.

Rules for Passing Private Bills.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider of Rules to be observed in the Passing of private Bills, relating to Sale, or Exchange, of Estates; and to report the same to the House:

And it is referred to the Lord Coningsby, Sir Chris. Musgrove, Mr. Pelham, Sir Wm. Cooper, Mr. Moncton, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Moor, Mr. Manley, Mr. Whitaker, Sir Tho. Davall, Mr. Colt, Sir Wm. Hustler, Mr. Smith, Mr. Foley, Sir Sam. Barnardiston, Mr. Travers, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Henley, Sir John Phillips, Sir Row. Gwyn, Mr. Brotherton, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Edward Seymour, Mr. Papillon, Sir Wm. Coriton, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Harvey, Sir Math. Andrewes, Mr. Palmes: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers.

A Message from the Lords, by the Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Baron Powis:

Mr. Speaker,

Supply Bill; Duties on Paper, &c.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for granting to his Majesty several Duties upon Paper, Vellom, and Parchment, to encourage the Bringing of Plate, and hammered Money into the Mints, to be coined, without any Amendment:

Bringing in Plate to be coined.

And have also agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for encouraging the bringing in wrought Plate, to be coined, without any Amendment:

Blackwell-hall Market.

And have also agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to restore the Market at Blackwell-hall to the Clothiers; and for regulating the Factors there; without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

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

Mr. Speaker,

James' Estate.

The Lords have agreed to the Amendments, made by this House, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for vesting and settling certain Estates of William James Gentleman, in and upon Trustees, to be sold, for the Payment of Debts, and making Provision for himself, his Wife and Children:

Supply Bill; continuing Duties.

And have also agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for continuing certain additional Impositions upon several Goods and Merchandize, without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Improvement of Commons.

A Bill to explain the Statute of Merton, and other Statutes, in relation to the Improvement of Commons, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be rejected.

Debtors Petition.

A Petition of the poor Prisoners for Debt was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the last Act of Parliament, intended for their Relief, did not extend to exempt them from Paying of Chamber-rent; and, by reason of some other Defects and Doubts therein, they are prevented from serving his Majesty, as was provided by the said Act; and are detained in Prison, where they are ready to starve: And praying, That they may be relieved in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for continuing several former Acts for punithing Officers and Soldiers who shall mutiny, or defert his Majesty's Service, is committed.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the said Committee, That they have Power to receive a Clause, or Clauses, for the Petitioners Relief.

Presenting a Money Bill to the Throue.

Resolved, That a Message be sent to the Lords, to put them in mind, That the Bill, intituled, An Act for encouraging the bringing in wrought Plate, to be coined, does belong to this House to be presented to the Throne; and to desire it may be sent down to this House.

Ordered, That Mr. Boyle do carry the said Message.

The Bill being brought by the Clerk of the House of Lords to the Clerk of this House, as Bills relating to Money usually are, the Message was not sent.

Ordered, That an Entry be made of the Substance of the Bill, as the Reason of the said Proceeding.

The Reason the House insisted to have the said Bill, to be presented by their Speaker to his Majesty, was, for that the same allowed 5s. 4d. per Ounce to be given for Plate to be brought into the Mints, to be coined; and authorized the Commissioners of the Treasury to take 50,000l. out of any Monies lent, or advanced, into the Exchequer, for the paying for such Plate.

Royal Assent to Bills.

A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Fleetwood Shepherd, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend him, in the House of Peers, immediately.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

And, being returned;

Mr. Speaker reported, That his Majesty had been pleased to give the Royal Assent to the several publick and private Bills following; viz.

An Act for granting to his Majesty several Duties upon Paper, Vellom, and Parchment, to encourage the Bringing of Plate, and hammered Money, into the Mint, to be coined:

An Act for encouraging the Bringing in of wrought Plate, to be coined:

An Act for continuing certain additional Impositions upon several Goods and Merchandize:

An Act to enable the Returns of Juries, as formerly, until the First Day of November 1697:

An Act for the better preventing frivolous and vexatious Suits:

An Act to restore the Markets at Blackwell-hall to the Clothiers; and for regulating the Factors there:

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the said Duty be Four Pounds per Annum.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That every Hawker, or Pedlar, travelling with a Horse, Ass, or Mule, do pay 4l. per Annum for each Horse, Ass, or Mule, he shall so travel with, over and above the said Duty.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the said Duties be granted to his Majesty for the Term of One Year.

The said Resolutions, being severally read a Second time, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

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

Supply Bill; Duty on Leather.

A Bill for laying a Duty upon Leather, for the Term of Three Years, for answering the Deficiencies, as well of the late Duties upon Coals and Culm, as for paying the Annuities on the Lotteries, and for Lives, charged on the Tonage of Ships, and the Duties upon Salt, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee, of the whole House.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

Fallowes' Estate.

Sir John Manwaring reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to enable William Fallowes, an Infant, to sell an Estate in the County of Chester, to pay Debts secured by Mortgages, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same; and directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendments: And he delivered the same in at the Table.

Rules for Passing Private Bills.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider of Rules to be observed in the Passing of private Bills, relating to Sale, or Exchange, of Estates; and to report the same to the House:

And it is referred to the Lord Coningsby, Sir Chris. Musgrove, Mr. Pelham, Sir Wm. Cooper, Mr. Moncton, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Moor, Mr. Manley, Mr. Whitaker, Sir Tho. Davall, Mr. Colt, Sir Wm. Hustler, Mr. Smith, Mr. Foley, Sir Sam. Barnardiston, Mr. Travers, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Henley, Sir John Phillips, Sir Row. Gwyn, Mr. Brotherton, Sir Robert Davers, Sir Edward Seymour, Mr. Papillon, Sir Wm. Coriton, Sir John Bolles, Mr. Harvey, Sir Math. Andrewes, Mr. Palmes: And all that come are to have Voices: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chambers.

A Message from the Lords, by the Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Baron Powis:

Mr. Speaker,

Supply Bill; Duties on Paper, &c.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for granting to his Majesty several Duties upon Paper, Vellom, and Parchment, to encourage the Bringing of Plate, and hammered Money into the Mints, to be coined, without any Amendment:

Bringing in Plate to be coined.

And have also agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for encouraging the bringing in wrought Plate, to be coined, without any Amendment:

Blackwell-hall Market.

And have also agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to restore the Market at Blackwell-hall to the Clothiers; and for regulating the Factors there; without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

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

Mr. Speaker,

James' Estate.

The Lords have agreed to the Amendments, made by this House, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for vesting and settling certain Estates of William James Gentleman, in and upon Trustees, to be sold, for the Payment of Debts, and making Provision for himself, his Wife and Children:

Supply Bill; continuing Duties.

And have also agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for continuing certain additional Impositions upon several Goods and Merchandize, without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Improvement of Commons.

A Bill to explain the Statute of Merton, and other Statutes, in relation to the Improvement of Commons, was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be rejected.

Debtors Petition.

A Petition of the poor Prisoners for Debt was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the last Act of Parliament, intended for their Relief, did not extend to exempt them from Paying of Chamber-rent; and, by reason of some other Defects and Doubts therein, they are prevented from serving his Majesty, as was provided by the said Act; and are detained in Prison, where they are ready to starve: And praying, That they may be relieved in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for continuing several former Acts for punithing Officers and Soldiers who shall mutiny, or defert his Majesty's Service, is committed.

Ordered, That it be an Instruction to the said Committee, That they have Power to receive a Clause, or Clauses, for the Petitioners Relief.

Presenting a Money Bill to the Throue.

Resolved, That a Message be sent to the Lords, to put them in mind, That the Bill, intituled, An Act for encouraging the bringing in wrought Plate, to be coined, does belong to this House to be presented to the Throne; and to desire it may be sent down to this House.

Ordered, That Mr. Boyle do carry the said Message.

The Bill being brought by the Clerk of the House of Lords to the Clerk of this House, as Bills relating to Money usually are, the Message was not sent.

Ordered, That an Entry be made of the Substance of the Bill, as the Reason of the said Proceeding.

The Reason the House insisted to have the said Bill, to be presented by their Speaker to his Majesty, was, for that the same allowed 5s. 4d. per Ounce to be given for Plate to be brought into the Mints, to be coined; and authorized the Commissioners of the Treasury to take 50,000l. out of any Monies lent, or advanced, into the Exchequer, for the paying for such Plate.

Royal Assent to Bills.

A Message from his Majesty, by Sir Fleetwood Shepherd, Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend him, in the House of Peers, immediately.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up to attend his Majesty.

And, being returned;

Mr. Speaker reported, That his Majesty had been pleased to give the Royal Assent to the several publick and private Bills following; viz.

An Act for granting to his Majesty several Duties upon Paper, Vellom, and Parchment, to encourage the Bringing of Plate, and hammered Money, into the Mint, to be coined:

An Act for encouraging the Bringing in of wrought Plate, to be coined:

An Act for continuing certain additional Impositions upon several Goods and Merchandize:

An Act to enable the Returns of Juries, as formerly, until the First Day of November 1697:

An Act for the better preventing frivolous and vexatious Suits:

An Act to restore the Markets at Blackwell-hall to the Clothiers; and for regulating the Factors there:

An Act for enabling James Duke of Ormond to raise Money, by Sale of Woods, and making Leases for Lives, renewable for ever, for Payment of Debts, and for encouraging English Plantation in Ireland; and for Charles Lord Weston, Earl of Arran in the Kingdom of Ireland, to make Leases of his Estate in the said Kingdom:

An Act for the Exchange of certain Advowsons between the Bishop of London and Earl of Nottingham:

An Act for the speedy Satisfying of the Debts of Francis late Lord Holles, deceased:

An Act to enable Sir Ralph Ashton Baronet to supply an Omission of a Limitation intended in his MarriageSettlement, for the Benefit of his Issue Male:

An Act for the Sale of the Estate late of Francis Griffith, late of London, Scrivener, deceased, for Payment of his Debts:

An Act for settling the Estate of Mary Savile, an Infant, upon her Marriage:

An Act to enable the Sale of Lands, late of Jeffrey Stockdale, in the County of Chester, deceased, for Payment of his Debts; and for making Provision for Mary his Daughter:

An Act for vesting certain Messuages, Lands, and Tenements, late of Charles Milson, deceased, in Trustees, to sell, for Payment of Debts and Legacies, and lay out the Surplus-money in a Purchase of Lands, for the Use of Edward Milson, and his Heirs, according to the Will of the said Charles Milson:

An Act to enable Nicholas Goodwyn the elder, and Nicholas Goodwin the younger, to sell the Manor of Winslow, in the County of Bucks; and, with the Monies arising thereby, and other Monies to be advanced by the said Nicholas Goodwyn the elder, to purchase Lands, of a greater yearly Value, to be settled to the same Uses as the said Manor is now settled:

An Act for the Vesting of certain Lands of William Milward, in the County of Hereford, Clerk, in Trustees, for Payment of Debts:

An Act for vesting the Estate of Edward Kerry Esquire, lying in Bin-Weston, in the County of Salop, in Trustees, to discharge Incumbrances thereon, and to raise Portions for younger Children; and for confirming the MarriageSettlement of the said Edward Kerry:

An Act for vesting Part of the Estate of Thomas Panton Esquire in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, and securing a Jointure to Mary his now Wife:

An Act for Naturalizing of John Keyser, and others:

An Act to enable Edward Leigh Esquire, and Jane his Wife, and their Trustees, to sell the Manors of Waxham and Horsey, and certain Lands and Tenements in the County of Norfolk; and to purchase and settle other Lands to the same Uses:

An Act for vesting and settling certain Estates of William James Gentleman in and upon Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of Debts, and making Provision for himself, his Wife, and their Children.

Supply Bill; Deficiencies, and Bank Stock, &c.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the Bill for making good the Deficiencies of several Funds, therein mentioned; and for inlarging the Capital Stock of the Bank of England; and for raising the publick Credit.

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 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 the said Bill.

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