House of Lords Journal Volume 16: 16 April 1697

DIE Veneris, 16 Aprilis.

REX.

Domini tam Spirituales quam Temporales præsentes fuerunt:

PRAYERS.

Subsidy Bill of Tonnage and Poundage, and additional Land Tax Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for granting to His Majesty a further Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage upon Merchandizes imported, for the Term of Two Years and Three Quarters, and an additional Land Tax for One Year, for carrying on the War against France."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass ?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

Receipt of Exchequer, ancient Course to observe, Bill.

Hodie 3^a vice lecta est Billa, intituled, "An Act for the better Observation of the Course anciently used in the Receipt of Exchequer."

The Question was put, "Whether this Bill shall pass ?"

It was Resolved in the Affirmative.

ORDERED, That the Commons have Notice, the Lords have agreed to the abovesaid Two Bills, without any Amendment.

Message from H. C. to return Hammond's Bill.

A Message was brought from the House of Commons, by Mr. Colt and others:

To return the Bill, intituled, "An Act for enabling the Sale of the Manor of Rowling in Kent, which, by Mistake, was by general Words comprised in the Marriage Settlement of the said William Hammond Gentleman, contrary to the Meaning of the Parties;" to which they have agreed, without any Amendment.

King present.

His Majesty, being arrayed in His Regal Robes and Crown, attended with His Officers of State, ascended His Royal Throne (the Peers being also in their Robes); commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to signify to the Commons, "It is His Majesty's Pleasure, they attend Him presently."

Who being come; their Speaker made a short Speech to His Majesty, relating to the Money Bills following.

Then the Clerk of the Parliaments received the said Bills from the Hands of the Speaker, and brought them to the Table; where the Clerk of the Crown read the Titles of the Bills following; (videlicet,)

Bills passed.

"1. An Act for laying a Duty upon Leather for the Term of Three Years, and making other Provision for answering the Deficiencies as well of the late Duties upon Coals and Culm, as for paying the Annuities upon the Lottery and for Lives, charged on the Tonnage of Ships and the Duties upon Salt."

2. An Act for granting to His Majesty certain Duties upon Malt, 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."

3. An Act for granting to His Majesty a further Subsidy of Tonnage and Poundage upon Merchandizes imported, for the Term of Two Years and Three Quarters, and an additional Land Tax for One Year, for carrying on the War against France."

4. An Act for licensing Hawkers and Pedlars, for a further Provision for Payment of the Interest of the Transport Debt for the reducing of Ireland."

5. An Act for lessening the Duty upon Tin; and granting an Equivalent for the same, by a Duty upon Drugs."

To which Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced, by the Clerk of the Parliaments, in these Words; (videlicet,)

"Le Roy remercie ses bons Subjects, acceptc Icur Benevolence, ct ainsi l' veult."

Then the Bills following were passed; (videlicet,)

"6. An Act to make perpetual and more effectual an Act, intituled, An Act to prevent Delays at the Quarter Sessions of the Peace."

"7. An Act to enforce the Act for the Increase and Encouragement of Seamen."

"8. An Act for raising the Militia for the Year One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety-seven, although the Month's Pay formerly advanced be not re-paid."

"9. An Act for explaining and enforcing the Act for paving and cleansing the Streets within the Cities of London and Westminster, and Borough of Southwark, and Weekly Bills of Mortality, and Streets adjoining thereunto; and for widening the Street at the South End of London Bridge."

"10. An Act for the further Encouragement of the Manufacture of Lustrings and Alamodes within this Realm, and for the better preventing the Importation of the same."

"11. An Act for the Repair of the Piers of Bridlington, alias Burlington, in the East Riding of the County of York."

"12. An Act for the better Observation of the Course anciently used in the Receipt of Exchequer."

"13. An Act for the easier obtaining Partitions of Lands in Coparcenary, Joint-tenancy, and Tenancy in Common."

"14. An Act for supplying some Defects in the Laws for the better Relief of the Poor of this Kingdom."

"15. An Act to restrain the Number and ill Practice of Brokers and Stock-jobbers."

16. An Act for the better preventing the counterfeiting the current Coin of this Kingdom."

"17. An Act for the more effectual Relief of Creditors in Cases of Escapes, and for preventing Abuses in Prisons and pretended Privileged Places."

To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced thus,

"Le Roy le veult."

"18. An Act for the speedy Payment of the Debts of Sir William Thompson Knight, Serjeant at Law, deceased."

"19. An Act for annulling the Marriage of Hannah Knight an Infant, and directing the Guardianship of the said Infant."

"20. An Act for enabling the Sale of the Manor of Rowling in Kent, which, by Mistake, was by general Words comprised in the Marriage Settlement of William Hammond Gentleman; contrary to the Meaning of the Parties."

To these Bills the Royal Assent was pronounced thus; (videlicet,)

"Soit fait come il est desiré."

Then His Majesty was pleased to speak as follows:

King's Speech.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"Having given My Assent to the several Bills you have presented to Me, I am now to return you My hearty Thanks for what you have done this Session; which has been carried on with great Prudence, Temper, and Affection.

"At the Opening of the Session, I told you how sensible I was of the Difficulties to be struggled with, which were of such a Nature, that, I will freely own, the Hopes I had of our being able to overcome them, were founded only upon the Wisdom and Zeal of so good a Parliament.

"My Expectation has been fully answered. You entered upon the Business with so much Chearfulness, proceeded so unanimously, and have at last brought Things to such a Conclusion, that we may hope to carry on the War with Success, in case our Enemies do not think it their Interest to agree to an honourable Peace. And so effectual a Provision being made for supplying the Deficiencies of former Funds (which is the best Foundation for re-establishing of Credit); I doubt not but in a short Time it will have a very happy Effect, to the universal Ease and Satisfaction of My People.

"The Circumstances of Affairs making it necessary for Me to be out of the Kingdom for some Time; I shall take Care to leave the Administration of the Government, during My Absence, in the Hands of such Persons as I can depend upon.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I have nothing more to ask of you, but that you would carry down the same good Disposition into your several Countries, which you have expressed in all the Proceedings of this Session."

And then the Lord Keeper, by His Majesty's Command, said.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

Parliament prorogued.

It is His Majesty's Pleasure, that this present Parliament shall be prorogued to Thursday the Thirteenth Day of May next: And this Parliament is prorogued accordingly to Thursday the Thirteenth Day of May next."

29° die Aprilis, 1697, hitherto examined by us,

J. Bridgewater.
Warrington.
E. Asaph.
Culpeper.