House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 15 February 1694

Jovis, 15 die Februarii;

6° Gulielmo et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Apprehending Highwaymen.

MR. Brewer reported from the Committee appointed to consider of a more effectual Way of Apprehending and Punishing of Highwaymen, That they had considered the Matter to them referred, and had come to a Resolution; 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 was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the House be moved, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the more effectual Apprehending and Punishing of Highwaymen, by changing the present Punishment of Death; and, instead thereof, to consine them to hard Labour, with marks of Ignominy.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill accordingly: And that Mr. Brewer do prepare, and bring in, the same.

Bankrupts Estates.

Mr. Christy reported from the Committee, to whom the Bill for the better Recovery of Bankrupts Estates, and for the more equal Distribution thereof, 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 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.

Importing Saltpetre.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday Morning next, at Ten a Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for the Importation of Saltpetre.

Poor Relief.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better Relief of the Poor, and setting them on Work: And that Sir John Guise do prepare, and bring in, the same.

Exporting Iron, Copper, &c.

A Bill for Exportation of Iron, Copper, and BellMetal, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Supply Bill; Duties on Salt, Beer, &c.

Mr. Solicitor-General, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for granting to their Majesties certain Rates and Duties upon Salt, and upon Beer, Ale, and other Liquors, for securing certain Recompences and Advantages, in the said Bill mentioned, to such Persons as shall voluntarily advance the Sum of Ten hundred thousand Pounds, towards carrying on the War against France: And the same was received; and read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

African Company.

A Petition of the Mayor, Aldermen, and CommonCouncilmen, together with the Inhabitants of the City and County of Exeter, and Parts adjacent, on behalf of themselves, and others employed in and about the making and dressing the Woollen Manufactures, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That heretofore the Petitioners enjoyed a full Trade of the Woollen Manufactures, by reason of the many Buyers, who did export great Quantities, when the Trade was free and open to Guinea; so that in different Prices were given for their Commodities, and the Petitioners were enabled to maintain their Families: That, since the said Trade hath been restrained to a Company, the Sale and Vent of their Commodities hath been very much lessened; many of them lying upon their Hands, many, for Want, sold at UnderRates, many Traders for want of Vent forced to lay down their Trades, which is their sole Livelihood; whereby many Families, which (when the said Trade was free) formerly lived very well, are now become chargeable to the several Parishes where they dwell: And praying, That the Trade to Guinea may be no longer restrained; but that all Merchants may have Freedom to trade thither as formerly they did, before the said Company was erected.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee, to whom the Petition of the Royal African Company is referred.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir William Whitmore have Leave to go into the Country, for Recovery of his Health.

Ordered, That Mr. Prideaux have Leave to go into the Country for a Month, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir Edward Hussey have Leave to go into the Country for a Month, upon extraordinary Occasions.

Arundell Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Elections and Privileges, touching the Election for the Borough of Arundell, be made upon Monday Morning next.

London Orphans' Fund.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Petition of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council, of the City of London, relating to the Orphans of the said City.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.
Colonel Goldwell took the Chair of the Committee.
Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Colonel Goldwell reported from the said Committee, That they had gone through the Matter to them referred, and had come to several Resolutions; which they had directed him to report to the House, when the House would please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said Report be made upon Saturday Morning next, at Ten a Clock.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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