Mercurii, 15 die Martii;

Undecimo Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

PETER Chasseloup and Moses Jacqueau took the Oaths appointed, in order to their Naturalization.

Claims for Prizes.

A Petition of Roger Greir, on behalf of himself, and one John Wells, and Mary Burghart Widow of John Burghart, deceased, and one William Crosse, and Thomas Hall, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioner did heretofore belong to the Ship called the Phœnix, in the Service of the Royal African Company; and was actually on board her the 12th of August 1689, when she took from the French the Ship called the Sancta Maria, in the River Gambay, on the Coast of Guinea; and that he did afterwards belong to the Ship America, wherein he was actually at the Taking of another French Ship called the Lorea, in the River Grandy, on the Coast of Guinea, on the 20th of December 1691; at which time he was also at the Taking of the Island and Factory of Bissau, and the Islands of Sinigall and Gorey, in Africa, from the French: That the African Company have converted the said Ships and Cargo, and what was taken in the said Islands, to their own Use, without allowing the Petitioners any Reward, or paying them their Wages: And praying Relief in the Premises.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Exporting Tin.

A Petition of the Pewterers trading within the City of Durham was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Working of Tin into Pewter, and manufacturing the same into Wares, did formerly employ great Numbers of People; but, by reason of the great Encouragement Foreigners now have to buy Tin here unwrought at easy Rates, and working the same into Pewter much coarser than the Laws permit the Pewterers of England to do, the English Trade beyond Sea is very much decayed; and, if not speedily prevented, will be utterly lost: And praying such Methods and Ways may be taken to preserve the said Trade as the House shall think fit.

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

Ditto.

A Petition of the Masters, and others the poor Workmen, of the Mystery of Pewterers of the City of Bristol, in the behalf of themselves, and others professing the same Art, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That their Trade is very much decayed, by Foreigners being supplied with our Tin at low Rates; who mixing the same with Lead, which, by the Law, the Petitioners cannot do, do under-sell them in foreign Markets: And praying some means may be used to prevent the same for the future.

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

Exporting Tin.

A Petition of divers Pewterers, inhabiting within the Town of Cambridge, and Isle of Ely, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That they find a general Decay in their Trade, which, they conceive, is occasioned by the Fineness of our English Pewter; that Foreigners, buying the same at under Rates, and mixing the same with Lead, do under-sell them in foreign Markets: And praying some Remedy may be used to restore and preserve their Trade both at home and abroad.

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

Duty on Coals.

A Petition of Thomas Bulkley Esquire, and Edmund Perkins Esquire, on behalf of themselves, and others, Proprietors of Salt-works, in Lymington, in the County of Southampton, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That, by the Duty laid on water-borne Coals and Culm, the Petitioners cannot make their Salt, and sell it at so low a Price as the Salt-Proprietors at Newcastle can bring theirs to Lymington, and sell it; they paying above Six times as much for the same Quantity of Coals and Culm as they do at Newcastle; whereby the Petitioners will be constrained to lay down their Works, and thereby lose the Benefit of their Estates therein; and the King's Revenue will be lessened near 20,000 l. per Annum: And praying, That the Duty on Coals and Culm consumed in Making of Salt may be taken off, or made general, that so the Trade may be put upon an equal Footing.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Transport Debt.

A Petition of Andrew Stucky, and others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners did, in the Year 1693, lett their respective Ships or Vessels to freight to the Commissioners for Transportation, or their Agents; for which Service they are not satisfied, by reason, as they believe, there has not any certain Fund, as yet, been appointed for paying off the same: And praying, That there may be some competent and speedy Means taken therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider further of the Supply to be granted to his Majesty.

Duty on Coals.

A Petition of the Owners and Masters of Ships belonging to the Town of Ipswich, and using the Newcastle Trade, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the late Imposition of Five Shillings per Chaldron laid upon Coals hath occasioned great Mischiefs to the Petitioners; for although it is suggested, that the Buyer pays the Duty, yet they are highly sensible the Importer pays the Duty; for that the greater Part of Shipping concerned therein the last Year, were so far from getting any thing towards their Adventure, that they were considerable Losers thereby: That the Building of Ships, in all the Coast-Towns concerned in the said Trade, is likely to be wholly laid aside; for want whereof many Families will be ruined: And praying the said Duty may be taken off.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Ditto.

A Petition of the Coal-owners, Fitters, Masters of Ships, Mariners, and other Inhabitants, in and near the Town and Port of Sunderland, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, being deeply sensible of the growing Decay of the Collier Navigation, the Breed and Nursery of Seamen of this Kingdom; and humbly conceiving the said Decay to proceed from the Imposition of 5s. per Chaldron on Sea-Coals, carried Coastwise; pray the said Duty may be taken off.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table.

Liverpoole Parish.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Bill for making the Town of Liverpoole a distinct Parish from the Parish of Walton was committed, be made To-morrow Morning at Eleven a Clock.

Guy's, &c. Nat.

An ingrossed Bill for naturalizing Scipio Guy and James Peltier was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act to naturalize Scipio Guy, and others.

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

Rabessineres', &c. Nat.

An ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the Naturalization of Theophilus Rabessineres, and others, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill, with the Amendments, do pass.

Ordered, That Sir Charles Carteret do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, with some Amendments: To which they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Exporting Wool.

Sir Robert Davers, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill for the more effectual preventing the Exportation of Wool from England: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read upon Saturday Morning next.

Carcassonet's &c. Nat.

Mr. Gerrard reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the Naturalization of Francis De Carcassonet, and others, was committed, That they had examined and considered the same; and had directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendments: And he delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table.

Ordered, That the Bill be read the Third time Tomorrow Morning.

Penn's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for enabling George Penn Esquire to sell Lands, for the Payment of his Debts, and other Purposes therein mentioned . . . . . .

Resolved, That the Bill, with the Amendments, do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Trenchard do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, with some Amendments: To which they desire their Lordships Concurrence.

Columbiere's, &c. Nat.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for naturalizing Antony Columbiere, and others, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Hough's Estate.

Mr. Brotherton presented to the House a Bill for the Sale of the Estate of Zenobia Hough, for the Payment of the Debts of her Husband, and other Uses: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read To-morrow Morning.

Writs of Error.

An ingrossed Bill, for the limiting certain Times within which Writs of Error shall be brought for the reversing Fines, Common Recoveries, and ancient Judgments, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the limiting certain Times within which Writs of Error shall be brought for the reversing Fines, common Recoveries, and ancient Judgments.

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

Ayre and Calder Navigation.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill for the making the Rivers Ayre and Calder, in the County of York, navigable, be read the Third time upon Tuesday Morning next.

Suppressing Lotteries.

Mr. Perry, according to Order, presented to the House a Bill to suppress the Royal Oak Lottery, and other Lotteries: And the same was received.

Ordered, That the Bill be read To-morrow Morning.

Augmenting Vicarages.

An ingrossed Bill for the Augmentation of some Vicarages, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for settling Augmentations on certain Vicarages for ever.

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

Exporting Tin.

A Petition of the Company of Pewterers in the City of York, and County of the same, together with the Pewterers in the Town and County of Kingston upon Hull, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That the Tin of this Kingdom is so improved by Art, that the Wares made thereof have a very near Resemblance of Silver; and that several Laws have been made to preserve the Manufacturing thereof to the Subjects of this Kingdom; but, since Encouragement hath been given to the Exportation of Tin unwrought, by the small Duty now upon it, the same is adulterated in foreign Nations, and sold at Under-rates, to the Ruin of many Families in England: And praying, That a higher Duty may be laid on all unwrought Tin exported, and due Encouragement given to the Exportation of wrought Tin or Pewter Wares.

Resolved, That the Petition be rejected.

Claims for Prizes.

Mr. Hoblyn reported, from the Committee, to whom the Petition of Captain Josias Crow, and the Answer of the late Commissioners for Prizes thereunto, and the Petition of Colonel Richard Kirkby, were referred, the Matter, as it appeared to the said Committee, in relation to the said Petition, and the Resolutions of the Committee thereupon; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table, and is as followeth; viz.

As to the Petition of Captain Crow:

That it was admitted, by the Commissioners for Prizes, that Captain Crow took the Ship St. John of Stockholme; sent her into Plymouth; and that she was afterwards delivered to the Commissioners of the Prize-Office, and condemned by the Admiralty; as in the said Petition is alleged.

That, by the Account delivered by the Commissioners of the Prize-Office to Captain Crow, in September last, and by which Account the Captain was paid, there is an Omission of 34 Hogsheads of Wine, amounting to 51 l. as plainly appears by the Account given in to the Committee; wherein the said 34 Hogsheads are entered; and in Two of the Books of Accounts belonging to the Prize-Office, produced by Mr. Buckridge, Accountant to the Commissioners of Prizes, relating to the said 34 Hogsheads of Wine, and to the Balance of that Account, there are Alterations and Interlineations made by the said Mr. Buckridge, and Mr. Prowdfoot his Clerk, by Mr. Buckridge's Direction; and was so owned by them, at their Examination before the Committee; but Buckridge said, That the Commissioners knew nothing of it.

That the Commissioners proved, by Vouchers, the particular Items of their Account, delivered in to the Committee, in relation to the Ship St. John.

That James Mellifont, John Collant, and Mr. Shepherd, all said, That there was publick Notice given of the Sale of the Cargo of the Ship St. John, upon the Exchange, 14 Days before Sale.

That Mr. Rigden said, That he bought, at a publick Sale, by Inch of Candle, out of the St. John, 84 Hogsheads of Wine, 46 Shillings per Tun, he being the highest Bidder: And that there was Mr. Lambert, Mr. David, and Mr. Tomkins, concerned with him therein:

That Mr. David said, He was concerned with Mr. Regden for 21 Hogsheads; and paid for them 46s. a Tun.

That Mr. Shepheard said, He sent his Cooper to see the Wines; and thinking there might be a Collusion, was in Hopes to have had a Penyworth; but when his Cooper saw them, he gave him no Encouragement to buy any, the Wines were so damaged.

That an Officer from the Custom-house attended on the Committee, and gave in an Account what Duties were paid for the Ship St. John:

And the said Account was compared with the Commissioners of Prizes Books, and agreed therewith; and the Duties of the said 34 Hogsheads were paid by John James David, who bought them of Mr. Harrison:

That Mr. Harrison, on the 13th of April 1698, bought 34 Hogsheads of Burdeux and White Wine, at a private Sale, at the Prize-Office, at 6 l. per Tun, belonging to the Ship St. John, after the same had been twice set up at publick Sale.

That the Auditor of the Exchequer attended, with the Book delivered into that Office by the Commissioners of Prizes:

And the said 34 Hogsheads of Wine is interlined in that Book, as well as in the other Books, after the said Account delivered to Captain Crow, upon which his Petition was grounded.

That Mr. Jacobson said, without Favour or Affection, That the Commissioners acted fairly, and always made the best of the Sales to any Person; and that he acted for some Persons that made a Claim to the Goods; and that any Person was free to buy at any of the Sales.

That Mr. Shepherd declared, That he was at several private Sales, and never found any Difference between publick and private Sales, save only that no Inch of Candle was set up at the private Sales; 14 Days Notice was always given, and the Wines twice set up at publick Sales, before any private Sale was made.

That Thomas Tomkins said, That he was present at the Sale to Harrison, the 13th of April, and the Wines were twice set up publickly, before the private Sale; and that there were Three or Four hundred Tun; but he bought none, thinking them too dear, being set up at 6 l. per Tun; and he could have had them at 4 l. per Tun, at one of the publick Sales; and, at a Second publick Sale, he bid 5 l.; but could not have them under 6 l. per Tun at a private Sale.

That Mr. Degraves said, He was at the publick Sale, when the Wines were set up at 4 l. per Tun; but he bought none, thinking them too dear; and what private Sales he was at were at the Prize-Office:

That he was at a publick Sale of the Wines of the Ship St. John, on the behalf of Captain Good and Captain Lestock; and it was fair, and was at Smitherst Coffeehouse; when they were put up at 3 l. per Tun, but no Sale was then had; but publick Notice of 14 Days was given, that a Sale should be at the Prize-Office; and the Wines set up at 6 l. and were bought by Harrison at that Price, who, he believes lost by them; and there were several Persons at the Sale; but he bought none of the Wines, thinking them too dear.

And that the Committee, upon the whole Matter, came to the following Resolutions: viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Captain Crow had just Cause of Complaint, by reason 34 Hogsheads of Wine, taken in the St. John, was not mentioned in the Account delivered to him by the Commissioners of the Prize-Office, the 20th of September last; and by which his Dividend was made, and paid.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Captain Crow, by reason of the 34 Hogsheads of Wine not being brought to Account, was defrauded of his Share and Part of 51 l. the Product of the said Wines.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Books and Accounts produced by Mr. Buckridge, Accountant of the Prize-Office, relating to the said 34 Hogsheads of Wine, and to the Balance of that Account, are altered, defaced, and interlined, by the said Mr. Buckridge, and Mr. Proudfoot, his Clerk, by the Direction of the said Mr. Buckridge.

And that as to the Petition of Colonel Richard Kirkby:

Claims for Prizes.

That it appeared to the said Committee, That Colonel Kirkby, Commander of his Majesty's Ship the Southampton, cruising in the Straits, in Company with the Plimouth, Carlisle, Newcastle, Falmouth, and Adventure, was, the 18th of January 1694, instrumental, together with the Plimouth, and Carlisle, in the Surprising, and Taking of the Ship Content, a French Man of War, after a hot Dispute, and long Engagement; and his Ship almost disabled: And that, at the same time, the Ship Trydent was taken by the Falmouth and Adventure, and both the said Ships, so taken, have been since sitted out, and put into the King's Service:

That the said Colonel Kirkby had been, almost ever since, beyond the Seas, in his Majesty's Service, and has had no Satisfaction for his Share and Dividend of the said Ships, as he ought to have, according to the Act of Parliament, made 4th and 5th Guliel. & Mariæ, intituled, An Act for continuing the Acts for prohibiting all Trade and Commerce with France; and for the Encouragement of Privateers.

That John Taylor and Robert Shepherd said, That the Account the Colonel has given is true, as to the Taking of the Ship Content.

That Mr. Springall, Surgeon of the Southampton, declared, That they had Seven Men wounded when the Ship Content was taken:

And one Jeremiah Andrews agrees with Springall, as to the wounded Men.

That it likewise appeared to the said Committee, That the said Ships never came to the Commissioners of Prizes Hands; and that they could give no Account of them:

That it was therefore ordered, That the Commissioners of the Navy should give an Account how the said Ships were disposed of; what Satisfaction was made to the Captains that took them; and who they were by Name:

Accordingly, an Order, dated the 6th of May 1697, was delivered to the Committee, from the Commissioners of the Navy, which was sent to them from the Lords of the Admiralty:

And it appears by the said Order, That the Lords of the Admiralty directed, That Captain Norris, Commander of the Carlisle, should be paid, by the Navy-Board, Onethird Part of the Valuation of the said Ship Content, being 1,389 l. 8s. 0d. according to the Appraisement; and also 10 l. for each Gun she had on board when taken, being Fifty-four, 540 l.; the whole amounting to 1,929 l. 8s. 0d.; and to Captain Grantham and Captain Cornwall, Commanders of the Falmouth and Adventure, for the Trydent, 1,005 l. 6s. 8d.; and for their Allowance of Gunnage, for 42 Guns, 420 l.; the Whole amounting to 1,425 l. 6s. 8d; to be distributed amongst them, their Officers, and Ships Companies, as is directed by Act of Parliament:

But, by the said Order, no Direction is given for any Satisfaction to be made to Colonel Kirkby; though, by the Sentence of Condemnation of the said Ship, it is said, That the Content and Trident were taken by certain Ships of the Navy Royal, in the Mediterranean Sea; without particularizing any; of which Number it appears to the Committee, that Colonel Kirkby's Ship, the Southampton, was One.

And that, upon the whole Matter of the said Petition, the Committee came to these following Resolutions; viz.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Captains and Mariners of all Men of War, of any Squadron that engaged, surprised, or took, any French Ship or Ships of War, ought to have a Third Part of the Value of such Ship or Ships, after Sale, divided between them.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Colonel Kirkby, Commander of his Majesty's Ship Southampton, did actually engage and Fight the French Man of War, the Content, and much disabled the said Ship; by means of which the said Ship was taken in the Mediterranean, at the same time the Trident was taken.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Plymouth, Southampton, Carlisle, Newcastle, Adventure, and Falmouth, being concerned in the Engaging, Surprising, and Taking, of the Two French Men of War, the Content and Trydent, in the Mediterranean, the Captains, Mariners, and Seamen, of all and every of the said Men of War, are intitled and ought to have their respective Shares and Dividend of the Value of the said Two French Men of War, and 10 l. for each Gun, according to the Act of Parliament.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Colonel Kirkby, and his Ship's Company, notwithstanding they were very instrumental in taking the Ship Content, having several Men wounded, and his Ship disabled, have not had any Part, Dividend, or Share, of the said Ship Content; but that the Third Part of the said Ship, and 10 l. for each Gun, hath been ordered to be paid, by Warrant of the Lords of the Admiralty, to Captain Norris, contrary to the said Act of Parliament.

Resolved, That this House will, upon Friday Morning next, take the said Report into Consideration.

Recovery of Small Tythes.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to continue the Act for the more easy recovery of small Tythes: And that Mr. Freeman and Mr. Boyle do prepare, and bring in, the Bill.

A Matter falls upon Debate.

The House resumed the adjourned Debate relating to Mr. Buller:

And, after a long Debate, the same fell, without any thing done thereupon.

Restraining Officers sitting in the House.

An ingrossed Bill to restrain the Number of Officers sitting in the House of Commons was, according to Order, read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act to restrain the Number of Officers sitting in the House of Commons.

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

Regulating Elections.

Resolved, That this House will, upon this Day Sevennight, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for Qualifying of Members to sit in Parliament, and further regulating Elections.

Hamburgh Company.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition relating to the Hamburgh Company was committed, be taken into Consideration upon Monday Morning next.

Jones' Estate.

Ordered, That Mr. Blisse, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Danby Mr. Freeke, Sir Owen Buckingham, Sir Tho. Day, Mr. Hoar, Mr. Kent, Colonel Kirkby, Sir John Rogers, Mr. Parkhurst, Mr. Philips, be added to the Committee, to whom the Bill for vesting the Estate late of Charles Jones Esquire, deceased, in Trustees, to be conveyed to Roynon Jones, Son of the said Charles, was committed.

State of the Navy.

The House, according to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Navy.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Boyle took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Boyle 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, upon Monday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the State of the Navy.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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