House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 4 July 1689

Javis, 4 die Julii; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Westminster, &c. Courts of Conscience.

A PETITION of Wm. Eyre, Gentleman, Bailiff of the Liberty, Town, and Borough of Southwarke, was read; setting forth, That the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of London, in 1664, granted to the Petitioner, within the said Borough, and its Liberties, the Execution and Return of all Writs, Extracts, Process, and Precepts whatsoever, together with the Custody of their Prison the Compter there; and he hath enjoyed the same accordingly: And that a Bill has been brought to erect a Court of Conscience there, and elsewhere, in and about the City of London, whereby new Officers are appointed; which Bill, if passed, will take away great Part of the Petitioner's Fees and Profits, no way agreeable to Justice. And praying to be heard at the Bar of the House, before the passing the said Bill.

Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the Table, until the Bill for erecting Courts of Conscience in the City of Westminster, Borough of Southwarke, Tower Hamlets, and Out Parishes, be reported.

Wye, &c. Navigation.

The Amendments of the Bill for making the Rivers Wye and Lugg navigable, were all read the First time throughout; and several of them a Second time, one by one; and, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Then the Question was put, That the further Debate upon the Amendments be adjourned.

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Then the Clauses marked A, B, were Twice read; and, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House; being, For any Person, who, by the Act for granting a present Aid to their Majesties, are appointed Commissioners for the County and City of Hereford, and Borough of Lempster, respectively, shall be Commissioners for the said County, City, and Borough, for the assessing and levying the Money by this Act appointed to be raised:

Provided that nothing in this Act shall extend to confirm any Weir or Weirs erected upon the said Rivers, contrary to Law; or to oblige the Commissioners for the said Rivers to buy off, or purchase any such Weir or Weirs.

Then a Proviso was twice read, For securing the Commissioners for the said River from being obliged to demolish any Weir, Mill, or Iron Work; in case, upon Examination, they might continue without Prejudice to the Navigation or Fishing; and that the Owners give Security to the Commissioners to build and maintain sufficient Locks, and other Necessaries, sufficient for Passes and Repassing of Boats up and down the River.

And a Proviso was offered to be added thereunto, on Behalf of the Earl of Kent; which was twice read: For disabling the Act from impowering the Commissioners from pulling down the new Weir Iron Mill, or Forge of Antony Earl of Kent; so as the said Earl would maintain a substantial Lock sufficient to pass all Boats and Barges; and that all should pass Toll or Charge-free.

And the Question being put, That the said Proviso be added to the Clause.

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Another Proviso was offered to be added to Clause C, on Behalf of Mr. Catchmay.

And, a Debate arising, Whether the same shall be now read;

Resolved, That the Debate be adjourned till this Day Sevennight.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Faux have Leave to go into the Country, for a Month.

Collections on a Brief.

A Petition of the Inhabitants of Sicklinghall, in the County of Yorke, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, after a great Loss by a dreadful Fire in their said Township, having obtained Letters Patents, Four Years since, for a Collection throughout this Kingdom, towards their Subsistence and Relief; and that Sir Walter Vavasor, and others, were appointed Receivers and Trustees for the said Collections and Receipts; and that Sir Walter Vavasor hath received several Sums of Money for their Use; and absolutely refuses to pay the Petitioners any Part thereof, or to give any Account to them, or others; and they, being poor People, not able to go to Law against so powerful a Man as he is, who is also their Landlord, and they Tenants at Will; and praying, That the House would grant and direct such Relief therein, as to them should seem meet.

Resolved, That the Petition be referred to a Committee; to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

And it is referred to Col. Birch, Mr. Stockland, Sir Edw. Harley, Mr. Baldwyn, Mr. Faux, Sir Walter Young, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Major Manley, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Leveson Lower, Sir Jonath. Jennings, Mr. Yorke, Mr. Howe, Mr. Niccols, Mr. Ellwell, Lord Sherrard, Mr. Ash, Mr. Fuller, Mr. Harley, Mr. Foley, Mr. Bockland: And they are to meet To-morrow in the Afternoon, at Four of the Clock, in the Exchequer Chamber.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Mr. Rebow have Leave to go into the Country, for Three Weeks.

Supply Bill; Excise.

Then the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Bill for the additional Excise.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Grey took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Grey reports from the Committee of the whole House, That they had gone through the Bill; and had made several Amendments to the Bill, and added several Clauses to the same; and had directed the Report to be made with the first Opportunity.

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