House of Commons Journal Volume 12: 28 April 1699

Veneris, 28 die Aprilis;

Undecimo Gulielmi 3tii.

Prayers.

Petition for re-delivery of Papers.

A PETITION of John Goudet Merchant was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That he hath paid the Fine inflicted upon him by the Lords, and hath all his Books and Papers in the Hands of Mr. Henry Baker; who refuseth to deliver them to the Petitioner, without Order of this House: And praying, That the said Mr. Baker may be forthwith ordered to deliver them.

Ordered, That the said Mr. Goudet's Books and Papers be delivered to him by the said Mr. Baker.

Sedgmore Drainage.

The House took into Consideration the Amendments, made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for opening the ancient, and making any new, Roynes and Watercourses, in or near Sedgmore, in the County of Somerset, for rendering the said Moor more healthful and profitable to the Inhabitants:

And the same, being twice read, were, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

Add Clause A, B, C:

A, Relating to Colonel Strangwayes' Manor of Compton-Dundo:

B, A Saving to the King:

C, The Lord Waymouth's Clause.

Ordered, That Mr. Hoar do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the said Amendments.

Methwold's Estate.

The House proceeded to take into Consideration the Amendment, made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act to enable Thomas Methwold Esquire to raise the Sum of 1,200 l. upon his Estate, by him laid out in improving the same:

And the same, being twice read, was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and is as followeth; viz.

10 Pr. L. 28. after "aforesaid," add Clause A.

"Provided also, and it is hereby Enacted and Declared, That there shall remain Lands and Hereditaments, Parcel of the Premises, to the said Jane Methwold, for her Jointure, and to her Jointure, and to her Issue, according to the Limitations in the said Deed of Settlement, of the clear yearly Value of 200 l.; any thing in this Act, contained to the contrary thereof, in any-wise notwithstanding."

Ordered, That Mr. Harvey do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the said Amendment.

Andrews' Estate.

The House proceeded to take into Consideration the Amendment, made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for Sale of the Manor of Downham, in the County of Essex, the Estate of Sir Francis Andrews; and for buying and settling other Lands to the same Uses:

And the same, being twice read, was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and is as followeth; viz.

Pr. 1. L. 11. after "deceased," insert "by Indenture Quadrupartite, bearing Date the 5th Day of March 1697."

Ordered, That Sir Charles Barrington do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the said Amendment.

Hough's Estate.

The House proceeded to take into Consideration the Amendment, made by the Lords, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the Sale of the Estate of Zenobia Hough, for the Payment of the Debts of her Husband, and other Uses:

And the same, being twice read, was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and is as followeth; viz.

3 Pr. L. 4. after "Ralph," add "Hough."

Ordered, That Mr. Brotherton do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the said Amendment.

Cowslade's Estate.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for selling divers Freehold and Leasehold Houses, the Estate of Thomas Cowslade, an Infant, and others, to discharge a Mortgage; and to purchase other Lands, to be settled to the like Uses; was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Mr. Scobell do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Apprehending Felons.

An ingrossed Bill for the better Apprehending, Prosecuting, and Punishing, of Felons, that commit Burglary and Housebreaking, or Robbery in Shops and Warehouses, was read the Third time:

And several Amendments were made by the House to the Bill.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act for the better Apprehending, Prosecuting, and Punishing, of Felons, that commit Burglary, Housebreaking or Robbery in Shops, Warehouses, Coach-houses, or Stables; or that steal Horses.

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

Duties on Sweets.

A Petition of the Distillers from malted Corn, and of the Farmers, and other Dealers in Corn, in behalf of themselves, and many others, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, That by the Bill now depending, to take away Four-pence per Gallon, now upon low Wines, made or drawn from foreign or imported Materials, and Half the Three-pence per Gallon now from low Wines, made or drawn from English Materials, other than malted Corn, the Petitioners are likely to receive great Prejudice: And praying they may be heard, by Counsel, before the said Bill do pass.

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

Supply Bills; Duties on Salt and Sweets.

The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bills for the full and effectual charging the Duties upon Rock-Salt; and for laying further Duties upon Sweets; and for lessening and settling the Duties, as well upon Vinegar, as upon low Wines drawn from certain Materials, and the Duties upon Brandy imported; and for the more easy raising the Duties upon Leather; and for Charging of Cinders.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Cowper took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Cowper reported from the said Committee, That they had gone through the Bill for the full and effectual charging the Duties upon Rock-Salt; and had made several Amendments thereunto; which they had directed him to report, when the House will please to receive the same.

Ordered, That the said Report to be made To-morrow Morning.

Mr. Cowper also reported from the said Committee, That they had made some Progress in the Bill for laying further Duties upon Sweets; and for lessening and settling the Duties, as well upon Vinegar, as upon low Wines drawn from certain Materials, and the Duties upon Brandy imported; and for the more easy raising the Duties upon Leather; and for Charging of Cinders; and had directed him to move, That they may have Leave to sit again.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning, after the said Report, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider further of the said Bill.

Bernardeau's, &c. Nat.

Ordered, That the ingrossed Bill from the Lords, intituled, An Act to naturalize Samuel Bernardeau, Peter Chantreau des Gaudree, and others, private Gentlemen belonging to his Majesty's Three Troops of Guards, and Grenadiers, be read the Third time To-morrow.

Frauds by Agents of Packet-boat.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of John Russel, and others, relating to Daniel Gwyn, Agent for the Spanish Pacquet-boat, was referred, be taken into Consideration upon Monday Morning next.

Abuses in King's Bench and Fleet Prisons.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom it was referred to inquire into the ill Practices and Abuses of the Prisons of the King's-Bench and Fleet, be made upon Monday Morning next.

Newfoundland Trade.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Bill for encouraging the Trade to Newfoundland is committed, be taken into Consideration upon Monday Morning next.

Claims for Prizes.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee, to whom the Petition of Captain Crow, relating to Prizes, was referred, be taken into Consideration upon Wednesday Morning next.

Collier's, &c. Nat.

An ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for naturalizing Sir David Collier, Isaac le Mellioniere, Peter de Belcastel, and William Rejatore, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time, Tomorrow Morning.

Cloribus', &c. Nat.

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

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time, Tomorrow-Morning.

Legg's, &c. Nat.

Mr. Lowther reported from the Committee, appointed to draw up Reasons, to be offered to the Lords at a Conference, for disagreeing to the Amendments, made by the Lords to the Bill, intituled, An Act to naturalize Richard Legg, and others, That they had drawn up Reasons accordingly; which they had directed him to report to the House; which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; and are as follow; viz.

The Commons cannot agree to the Lords Amendment, Pr. 2. L. 29. Wherein your Lordships have added near Fourscore Persons to their Bill; which they cannot agree to; not only because it is without Precedent to add so very great a Number by way of Amendment, but it is also a Method they can by no means approve of, being thereby hindered of an Opportunity of informing themselves of the Condition, Circumstances, and Merits, of the Persons so proposed to be naturalized; of which they would be very well apprised, before they can consent to so large an Addition to their Bill.

The Commons also cannot agree with your Lordships in this Amendment; because there are so many English Officers and Soldiers out of Employment since the late reducing and disbanding the Army; and, by your Lordships Amendment, so great a Number of Foreigners will be put into an equal Capacity with Englishmen, of being employed in his Majesty's Service; which, they think, was not your Lordships Intention.

The Commons cannot agree to the Amendments, Pr. 3. L. 9. for the Reasons afore-mentioned.

The Commons cannot agree to the Amendments, Pr. 3. L. 34. for the Reasons afore-mentioned.

The Commons cannot agree to the Amendments, Pr. 4. L. 25. for the Reasons afore-mentioned.

Ordered, That Mr. Lowther do go to the Lords, and desire the said Conference.

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