House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 27 March 1697

Sabbati, 27 die Martii;

9° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Disannulling Knight's Marriage.

A BILL for disannulling the Marriage of Hannah Knight, an Infant; and punishing the Persons concerned in conveying her away; was read a Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Norris, Mr. White, Sir Fran. Masham, Mr. Foley, Sir Wm. Strickland, Mr. Austen, Mr. Pocklington, Mr. Gerrard, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Weld, Mr. Sherrard, Mr. Poultney, Sir Wm. Hustler, Dr. Oxenden, Mr. Kirby, Mr. Colt, Mr. Thornhaugh, Mr. Bertie, Mr. Gery, Mr. Slater, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Frewen, Mr. Monson, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Ash, Mr. Henley, Lord Coningsby, Sir Wm. Lowther, Sir Tho. Mompesson, Mr. Brotherton, Sir Wm. St. Quintin, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Methwin, Sir John Bucknall, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Tredenham, Mr. Godolphin, Mr. Manly: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock in the Speaker's Chamber: And they are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Ditto.

A Petition of Mary Watkinson, and Tho. Gooding, the younger, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill depending in the House, for disannulling the Marriage of Hannah Knight, an Infant; and punishing the Persons concerned in conveying her away; which Bill is to disannul the Marriage of the Petitioner Thomas with the said Hannah, upon a Suggestion as if the said Marriage was clandestinely and indirectly made; although the same was made, and fairly obtained, by the Consent of the Petitioner Mary, who is her Mother, and was her proper Guardian; and a sufficient Settlement was agreed upon for the said Hannah; whereof he doubts not to satisfy the House: And praying, That they may be heard, by Counsel, against the said Bill, before the same do pass.

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

Bridlington Harbour.

An ingrossed Bill for the Repair of the Piers of Bridlington, alias Burlington, Bay, in the East Riding of the County of York, was read the Third time.

A Clause was offered, as a Rider to the Bill, according to the Order of the House, with Blanks, That the Justices of the Peace, at their Quarter-Sessions, may charge the Lands and Premises liable to repair the said Piers, with such equal Assessments as they shall judge necessary for repairing the same:

And the Clause was twice read; and the Blanks filled up;

And then the same was read the Third time; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

And several Amendments were proposed to be made in the Bill; and, upon the Question severally 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 for the Repair of the Piers of Bridlington, alias Burlington, in the East Riding of the County of York.

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

Delays at Quarter-Sessions.

Mr. Brotherton reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill to continue the Act, made in the Fifth and Sixth Years of his Majesty's Reign, intituled, An Act to prevent Delays at the Quarter-Sessions of the Peace; which is near expiring; was committed; That they had made some 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 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.

Seamens Pay.

A Petition of the Seamen, their Wives and Relations, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, for Seven or Eight Years past, they have been kept out of their Pay; and though they, several times, have addressed his Majesty therein, they have not, as yet, had any Relief; so that the Petitioners have been forced to run in Debt, until they can have no longer Credit; and, without some speedy Help, they, and their Families, must inevitably perish: And praying the Consideration of the House as to the Arrears of their Wages.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to a Committee: And that they do examine the Matter; and report the same to the House;

And it is referred to Sir Thomas Dyke, Sir Rowland Gwyn, Sir Henry Colt, Mr. Sloane, Mr. Ash, Mr. Bulkly, Mr. White, Mr. Foley, Sir John Elwill, Sir Cha. Sidley. Sir Fran. Masham, Sir Phil. Butler, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Bromley, Mr. Lowther, Sir Tho. Roberts, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowyer, Sir Richard Onslow, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Mawdit, Mr. Culliford, Mr. Onslow, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Gwynn, Mr. Machell, Sir Clouds. Shovell, Sir Marm. Wivell, Sir Eliab Harvey, Mr. Manly, Mr. Pendarvis, Mr. Bertie, Sir Ra. Delavall, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Freke, Mr. Protherton, Sir Wm. Lowther, Mr. Hoar, Mr. Harley, Mr. Stonehouse, Mr. Monson, Lord Ranelagh, Sir Cha. Keymish, Mr. Cornwallis, Mr. Arnold: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Five a Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

Duty on Leather.

A Petition of the Tanners, Curriers, and Leather dressers, of the Towns of Bewdly, Tenbury, Kidderminster, and Stourbridge, and of the Country Farmers, and Tenants inhabiting in the Parts adjacent, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill before the House for laying a Duty upon Leather, which will greatly prejudice, if not ruin, the Trades of the Tanners and Curriers, and be a great Disadvantage to Country Tanners and Farmers; who often have great Quantities of Skins and Leather lying dead in their Hands; there not being a sufficient Demand for them in England; and, unless there be a Drawback of the Duty allowed upon the Exportation of Leather, the same will not be exported; with which Allowance it will not only help the Country, in the Sale of their Skins, but it will be an Encouragement to the said Trades: And praying, That a Drawback of the said Duty may be allowed upon Exportation of Leather.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for laying a Duty upon Leather is committed.

Duty on Leather.

A Petition of several Tanners, using the LeatherMarket in Leadenhall, in London, for and in behalf of themselves, and many others of the same Trade, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the poor Artificers in Leather will lose the little Trade they now have, in case a Drawback of the Duty, intended to be laid thereon, be allowed to the Exporter; by reason Foreigners will be able to manufacture our Leather cheaper abroad than our Natives can do at home; and, besides, it will lessen the intended Duty a Third Part, and ruin many Thousands of Artificers therein: And praying, That no Drawback of the said Duty may be allowed upon Exportation.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for laying a Duty upon Leather is committed.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Cordwainers, Curriers, Card-makers, and other Artificers working Leather, within the Corporation of Leeds, in the West Riding of the County of York, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill in the House for laying a Duty of 15l. per Cent. upon Leather, whereby the said Duty is to be allowed upon the Exportation of Leather: That, if the said Drawback be allowed, it will ruin the Petitioners Trades, and their Families: And praying, that neither the said Duty may be laid on Leather, nor the Drawback on Exportation thereof be allowed.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the Tanners in and near the City of Worcester, on behalf of themselves and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there being a Bill depending in the House, for laying a Duty upon Leather; the Petitioners pray, That the same may not extend to any tanned Hides, or Skins to be exported; or that the Exporter may be allowed a Drawback of the Duty upon Exportation.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of several Cordwainers within the Borough of Southwark, on behalf of themselves, and other Artificers working in Leather, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That there is a Bill in the House, for laying a Duty upon Leather, to which a Clause is offered to be added, for allowing a Drawback of the Duty to the Exporter; which will be very prejudicial to the Petitioners, and ruin other Artificers in Leather; and will also lessen the intended Duty: And praying, That they may be heard, to make their Objections against the said Clause.

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

Abuses in Exchequer, &c.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee appointed to inquire into the Abuses of the Officers of the Exchequer, and Receivers of the Taxes and Revenues, be made upon Wednesday Morning next.

Preventing Exportation of Wool.

Ordered, That the adjourned Debate, touching the ingrossing the Bill for the more effectual preventing the Exportation of Wool, be resumed upon Monday Morning next.

Duty on Woollen Manufactures.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, Capital Burgesses, Merchants, Clothiers, and other Inhabitants, of the ancient Borough of Great Torrington, in the County of Devon, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners find, by the Votes, the House intends to lay a Duty of 10l. per Cent. on the Woollen Manufactures of England; which Duty will be very destructive to that Trade, and the Poor of this Nation employed therein; for that Woollen Cloths will be exported from Ireland, where they can make them cheaper than can be here, if the said Duty be laid, into foreign Markets; and, consequently, the English Trade therein will be lessened: And praying, That the Clothing-Trade may be taken into Consideration, for its Preservation to this Nation.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the Bill for the said Duties be brought in.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Francis Molyneux have Leave to go into the Country, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Wine Duties,

A Petition of the Master, Wardens, and Company of Coopers, London, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That many of the Petitioners are great Traders in Wines; which they sell to Country Vintners and Innkeepers; who, by Quartering of Soldiers, are much impoverished, and in the Petitioners Debt; and, if a further Duty be laid upon Wines, they must withdraw their Stocks out of such Innkeepers Hands; to their Ruin; besides the ill Consequences that will attend the Petitioners, who already pay 21l. per Tun for Custom, and 2l. 10s. per Cent. for Stock for their Wines: That Wines are imported from Spain and Portugal; and are the Produce of our Woollen and other Commodities; and, if a Duty should be laid, it will much lessen the Exportation thereof: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table until the Bill for laying a Duty upon Wines be read a Second time.

Woollen Manufactures.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to encourage the Woollen Manufactures in England; and to prevent the Exportation of Woollen Manufactures from Ireland to foreign Parts: And that Sir Joseph Tily and Sir Wm. Ashurst do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

Ways and Means.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported, from the Committee of the whole House, to whom it was referred to consider of Ways and Means for raising the 840,000l. charged upon Coals, Tonnage of Ships, and Salt, 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 the Duties upon Leather be appropriated for the Satisfaction of what remains unpaid of the Principal and Interest of the 560,000l. advanced upon the Duties upon Coal and Culm taken away the last Session of Parliament.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That, for raising the Sum of 280,000l. and Interest, Residue of the 840,000l. the Times be enlarged for Persons to come in and purchase the Annuities mentioned in the Act, intituled, An Act for enabling such Persons as have Estates for Life in Annuities, payable by several former Acts, therein mentioned, to purchase and obtain further or more certain Interests in such Annuities; and, in default thereof, for admitting other Persons to purchase or obtain the same; for raising Monies for carrying on the War against France.

The First Resolution, being read a second time, was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

The Second Resolution being read a Second time;

An Amendment was proposed therein, by adding, after "France," "And that in case the said Sum of 280,000l. and Interest due thereupon, be not raised thereby, that it shall be made good out of the First Aids to be granted the next Session of Parliament:"

And the same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution, so amended, That, for raising the Sum of 280,000l. and Interest, Residue of the 840,000l. the Times be enlarged for Persons to come in and purchase the Annuities mentioned in the Act, intituled, An Act for enabling such Persons as have Estates for Life in Annuities, payable by several former Acts, therein mentioned, to purchase and obtain further or more certain Interests in such Annuities; and, in default thereof, for admitting other Persons to purchase or obtain the same; for raising Monies for carrying on the War against France: And that in case the said Sum of 280,000l. and Interest due thereupon, be not raised thereby, that it shall be made good out of the First Aids to be granted the next Session of Parliament.

Ordered, That the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for laying a Duty upon Leather is committed, have power to receive Clauses pursuant to the said Resolutions.

Letters of Marque.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of several Merchants, relating to Letters of Marque, was referred, be made upon Thursday Morning next.

Supply Bill; Malt Duties.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for granting to his Majesty certain Duties upon Malt and Mum, Sweets, Cyder, and Perry, as well towards carrying on the War against France, as for the necessary Expence of his Majesty's Household, and other Occasions.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Sir Thomas Littleton took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Sir Thomas Littleton reported, That they had made some 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, upon Tuesday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill.

Supply Bill; Duty on Leather.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House to consider further of the 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; and of the other Matters to them referred; after the House hath been in a Committee upon the Bill for a further Provision for Payment of the Interest of the Transport-Debt, for the Reducing of Ireland.

And then the House adjourned till Monday Morning, Nine a Clock.