House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 24 July 1689

Mercurii, 24 die Julii; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

College of Physicians.

RESOLVED, That the ingrossed Bill sent down from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the better governing the College of Physicians in London, be now read.

The Bill was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Claims on Revenue.

A Petition of Francis Millington, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the late King Charles the Second, in Consideration of One thousand Two hundred Eighty-five Pounds Seven Shillings and Two-pence, due to the Petitioner, did, by his Patent, dated the Eighteenth of March, in the Thirty-first Year of his Reign, grant to him, and his Heirs, out of the hereditary Revenue of Excise, the yearly Sum of Seventy-seven Pounds Two Shillings and Six-pence, payable Quarterly, with a Clause of Redemption upon the King's paying the Principal: That, forasmuch as Letters Patents under the Great Seal, is the best Security our Kings can give their Subjects, and whereby their Majesties have ever been bound; and that, by this Tenure, the whole Magistracy, both in Church and State, hold their greatest Offices; and inasmuch as this Security is fixed upon that Part of the Excise, which his Majesty might legally charge: And praying, that Provision may be made for the Petitioner's legal Interest in the Bill for settling the Revenue.

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

Perne's Estate.

A Petition of John Perne, and Jane his Wife, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner having a Right to enjoy divers Lands in the Counties of Wilts and Dorset, as her Jointure of Two hundred Pounds per Annum Value, and Fifteen hundred Pounds Arrears; and having had one or more Decree or Decrees in the Court of Chancery for the same, they have been, by Threats, and other undue Means, forced, by Deed and Fine, to convey away the same; and an ancient Statute which protected the same, to Edward Berkley of Pull, Esquire, for Four hundred Pounds only, or his Trustees: And having been so injuriously dealt with, and being remediless, save in Parliament: And praying, that this House would take the Premises into their Consideration, and give them such Relief as the Merits of their Case shall deserve, and as to Justice shall seem meet.

Ordered, That Notice of the said Petition be given to Mr. Berkly, who is a Member of this House.

Leave of Absence.

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

Orphans of London.

A Bill for Relief of the Orphans of London, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to a Committee of the whole House.

Resolved, That the House do, upon Friday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said Bill.

London Coal Meters.

A Petition of Richard Bayly, Esquire, and others, interested in the Rent and Fine, payable for and in respect of the Coal Meter's Place of John Oviat, Esquire, was read: setting forth, That soon after the Restoration of the late King Charles the Second, his Majesty was prevailed with, by some Aldermen of London, to recommend to the Lord Mayor and Common Council an Increase of the Number of Sea Coal Meters of the said City, by Addition of Three (namely, Sir Richard Ford, Moses Browne, and John Oviat, Esquire) to the Twelve ancient Coal Meters there: That the Twelve petitioning against this Invasion of their Rights to the Revenue of their Office, arising by the Four-pence per Chaldron for Metage, which the Coal Meters long before purchased of the City at a full Value, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons, in Common Council assembled, did Enact, That, for a Recompence of this Grievance to the then Twelve Coal Meters, each of the said Three Persons added should, during their Lives, pay Eighty Pounds per Annum equally amongst the Twelve Persons, their Executors and Assigns; and that, when any of the said Three Persons should die, the said Twelve should have the Nomination and Fines upon Admittance of each Person, who should be chose in the respective Places of the Three so dying; which fine and Rent was all the satisfaction they had for above Seven hundred Pounds per Annum Loss by Addition of these Three Officers; That the said Twelve Persons, their Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, have enjoyed the said Rents accordingly, and the Fines which, upon Sir Richard Ford's and Mr. Browne's Deaths, were paid by the Persons admitted in their Places; and the Petitioners have the same Right to the Eighty Pounds per Annum during Mr. Oviat's Life (the only Survivor of the Three added Officers), and to the Fine which shall be paid after his Death, by the Persons who shall be chosen in his Place: And praying, that in the Bill relating to the Orphans of the City of London, the Petitioners just Rights may be saved; and that, before the said Bill pass, the Petitioners may be heard, by their Counsel, at the Bar of the House.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for Relief of the Orphans of the City of London, is committed.

Orphans of London.

A Petition of very many Artizans, and others, concerned in the publick Works of St. Paule's, and the Parochial Churches of London, was read; setting forth, That there is due to the Petitioners the Sum of Twenty-three thousand Pounds, and upwards, for Work done upon Credit of the Act of Parliament, towards building the said Churches, allowing One Shilling and Six-pence per Chaldron for the Expence of the Buildings: And whereas Sixpence the Chaldron, as the Petitioners are informed, is propounded to be deducted, and taken off from the said Fund, for Payment of the Orphans of the City of London; no Part of whose Debt have the Petitioners contracted; And praying this House would compassionate the Wives and children of poor Artizans and Laboures, in the first Place; and that the said Debt may be paid before the Commencement of this Abatement; the Petitioners said Debt being contracted on the Credit of the said Act; which, if diverted by this new Proposal, would be the Ruin of the Petitioners, and their Families; their Debts, in such Case, being to remain unpaid for a long time.

To which Petition was annexed an Account as followeth; viz.

An Account of all Debts for the Rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral, to the last Day of June, Anno 1689; viz.

Attested by Laurence Spencer, Clerk of the Works.

An Accompt of all Debts due to several Workmen, upon the Five last Parochial Churches, to the last Day of June 1689.

Besides Plumbers, Plaisteres, and Smiths Work, necessary to perfect Four Churches for Use, and to finish Thirteen Towers remaining, Eight of which are not yet high enough for Bells.

Attested by J. Scarbrow.

Resolved, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for Relief of the Orphans of the City of London, is committed.

Hackney Coachmen.

A Petition of Henry Tayler, and others, on Behalf of themselves, and the rest of the Four hundred Hackney Coachmen formerly licensed, was read; setting forth, That * * * *

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for Relief of the Orphans of the City of London, is committed.

London Coal Meters.

A Petition of the respective Coal Meters of the City of London, was read; setting forth, That, Time out of Mind, the Duty of Four-pence per Chaldron, for Metage of Sea Coals; and Eight-pence per Ton, for weighing of Scotch Coals; was granted to the said City; whereof Part was constantly paid to the Lord Mayor, to bear Part of the great Charges of the Government: That the Petitioners purchased their respective Places of several Lord Mayors, as valuable Considerations for their Lives; with a Power of Alienation, if the Petitioners saw Cause for it: That they bought the said Places for theirs and their Families Subsistence: And therefore praying the Consideration of this House, and Justice therein.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for Relief of the Orphans of the City of London, is committed.

Message to put Lords in mind of Bills.

Resolved, That a Message be sent to the Lords, to put them in mind of Four Bills before them; viz. A Bill for declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject, and settling the Succession of the Crown: A Bill for attainting certain Persons in Rebellion against their Majesties: A Bill for reversing Two Judgments given in the Court of King's Bench, against Titus Oates, Clerk: A Bill for ordering the Forces in the several Counties of this Kingdom: And to desire that they will give them a Dispatch.

Ordered, That Mr. Sacheverell do go up with that Message.

Aulnage Duty.

A Petition of Frances Duchess of Richmond and Lenox, and her Trustees, and Farmers of the Duties of Subsidy and Aulnage, upon Woollen Manufactures, was read; setting forth, That a Bill is brought in this House, to take away the Payment of the said Duties for the future; whereto the Petitioners have a good Title in Law for a Term of Years, to come, upon valuable Considerations paid for the same: And that it is of so great Concern to their Interest and legal Right; and praying to be heard by their Counsel before the Committee, before any further Proceedings be made upon the said Bill.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for taking away the Subsidy, and Duty of Aulnage, and Aulnager's Office, and laying an additional Custom upon Cloth exported, is committed.

Resolved, That their Majesties Counsel be heard at the Bar of the House, upon Tuesday Morning next, upon the Bill taking away the Subsidy and Duty of Aulnage, and Aulnagers Office, and laying an additional Custom upon Cloth, touching their Majesties Interest in that Duty.

Aulnage Duty.

A Petition of Richard Seyes, Esquire, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, in the Year 1682, purchased of the Duchess of Richmond a Rent Charge of One hundred and Thirty-eight Pounds per Annum, to be issuing out of the Rent reserved to her on the present Farm of the Aulnage, during the Term for which the same was granted; for which the Petitioner paid to the Duchess One thousand Two hundred Pounds; of which Term there is near Fourteen Years yet to come: And that the Petitioner is informed, That a Bill is brought, designed to take away the Duties of Subsidy and Aulnage, whereby the Petitioner's legal Title will be destroyed: And praying to be heard by his Counsel, as to the Legality of his Title, before any further Proceedings on the said Bill.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of the whole House, to whom the Bill for taking away the Subsidy and Duty of Aulnage, and Aulnager's Office, and laying an additional Custom upon Cloth exported, is committed.

Reversing Judgment against Sir W. Williams.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do grant his Warrant for such Witnesses to attend this House upon Monday Morning next, and with such Books or Writings as shall be desired, either by Sir Wm. Williams, or Sir Robert Sawyer, upon the Hearing that is then to be at the Bar of this House, touching the Bill for reversing the Judgment against Sir William Williams, and asserting the Rights and Freedoms of Parliament.

Claims on Revenue.

A Petition of Nicolas Gibbon, Doctor in Divinity, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioner, in Consideration of his Losses in Surenham, in the Dutch War, had a Pension of One hundred Pounds per Annum for Three Lives, by his Majesty King Charles the Second's Letters Patents, made in the Twenty-sixth Year of his Reign, which he hath for the most part since received; and that there is now but the Petitioner's Life only in being: And he being informed, this House had passed some Votes for settling the Revenue free from all Pensions, &c. and apprehending, that without some Provision therein, he may be left destitute in his old Age, he being above Fourscore; and praying the Consideration of the House, and Relief therein.

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

Resolved, Nemine contradicente, That the House do To-morrow Morning, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of the Bill for settling the Revenue.

Resolved, That Leave be given to bring in a Clause to the Bill for settling the Revenue, to repeal the Acts of Parliament, which settles the Revenue upon the late King for Life.

Supply Bill; Coffee, Tea, &c.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Mr. Methwyn;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have agreed to the Bill for collecting the Duty upon Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate, at the Custom-house, with some Amendments: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And the Messengers being withdrew.

The said Amendments were read; and are as followeth;

1 Skin, Line 26, For "Twentieth of July," read "Tenth of August."

At the End of the Bill, add Clause [X.)

"Provided always, and it is further Enacted and Declared, by the Authority aforesaid, That every Merchant, or other Importer, having paid the said Duties and Impositions in and by this Act appointed to be paid for any of the said Goods or Merchandizes, herein before made liable to the Payment thereof, who shall, within Twelve Months next after such his Importation thereof, again ship off, and carry out of this Kingdom, or any Port thereof, to any Parts beyond the Seas; that such Merchant, or other Importer, or such his Exportation thereof, shall be repaid the Duties, so by him paid, by virtue of this Act, of so much of the said Goods and Merchandizes, which he shall so export or ship off."

The First of the Amendments being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Lords in the said Amendment;

It passed in the Negative, Nemine contradicente.

The Second of the said Amendments being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Lords in the said Amendment;

It passed in the Negative, Nemine contradicente.

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare Reasons to be offered at a Conference with the Lords, Why this House doth not agree with the Lords in the said Amendments.

And it is referred to Sir Tho. Lee, Major Wildman, Mr. Hamden, Lord Ranelagh, Sir Jo. Trevor, Mr. Ellwell, Colonel Birch, Sir Rich. Temple, Mr. Sacheverell, Sir Wm. Williams, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Mr. Papillion, or any Three of them; And they are to meet this Afternoon at Four of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber.

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