House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 12 December 1689

Jovis, 12 die Decembris; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Woollen Manufactures.

A PETITION of the Company of Silkthrowsters was read; setting forth, That a Bill which enjoins the Wear of Woollen Manufactures for several Months in the Year, . . . . The Petitioners humbly conceive, That such a Law will be a great Obstruction to the Silk Manufacture; and consequently tend to the Ruin of the Petitioners, and their Trade, and the many Thousands of Poor they employ: And praying, That they may be heard by their Counsel at the Bar of this honourable House, before the said Bill shall pass.

Ordered, That the Petition do lie upon the Table, to be considered, when the Bill for enjoining the Wearing of Woollen certain Months in the Year shall be read the Second time.

Great Marlow Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for the electing of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Great Marlow in the County of Bucks, in the room of John Hobby, Esquire deceased.

Rogerson's Nat.

An ingrossed Bill for naturalizing John Rogerson, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title be, An Act declaring and enacting John Rogerson to be a natural-born Subject of this Kingdom.

Ordered, That Sir Patience Ward do carry up the Bill to the Lords; and desire their Concurrence to the Bill.

Norwich Courts of Conscience.

Mr. England reports from the Committee to whom the Bill for erecting a Court of Conscience in the City of Norwich . . . ., That they had agreed to the Bill, with several Amendments: Which he read in his Place, with the Coherence; and afterwards, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were once read throughout; and afterwards a Second time, one by one: And, upon the Question severally put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill be ingrossed.

Relief to Irish Refugees.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee appointed to bring in the Names of such of the Irish Nobility and Gentry that fled hither out of that Kingdom, as were fit to receive his Majesty's Bounty, be made upon Monday Morning next.

Flaying Skins.

A Petition of the Tanners, Curriers, and Shoemakers, within the City of Bristoll, and neighbouring Counties, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are much damnified by the Butchers taking the Bell of the Skin into the Flesh, done for their private Gain, and thereby make that Part of the Skin useless; and by pecking and cutting of Calves Skins, which turn to a great Prejudice to the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House for a Redress in the Grievances aforesaid.

And the Question being put, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the Purposes in the Petition mentioned;

It passed in the Negative.

Sir Thomas Pilkington's Complaint.

A Petition of Sir Tho. Pilkington, Lord Mayor of London, Slingsby Bethell, Esquire, Samuel Swynock, John Deackle, Richard Freeman, John Jekill, Robert Kaye, and John Wickham, and the respective Executors and Administrators of Sir Thomas Player, Henry Cornish, Samuel Shute, Esquires, and Francis Jenks, deceased, was read; setting forth, That, by the Contrivance of Sir John More and Sir Dudley North, and their evil Adherents, an Information, in One thousand Six hundred and Eighty-two, was exhibited in the King's Bench against the Petitioners and others, for a Riot committed by them the Twentyfourth June that Year, at the Election of Sheriffs for London and Middlesex: That, at the Tryal of the Information, the Defendants were denied common Justice by the late Chief Justice Saunders, by his over-ruling Two Challenges to the Array; one whereof was, That North and Rich were Sheriffs; the other was, That Sir Dudley North's Title to the Sheriffalty was the Matter in Question; and also by the said Chief Justice Saunders refusing to seal a Bill of Exceptions: Whereby the said Defendants were found Guilty; That, before and after the Jury, Motions were refused by the Defendants for filing a Postea, or Record of Nisi prius, in the same Cause, which had been concealed by Ward, a Clerk then of the Crown Office; which would have discharged the Verdict: That the Petitioners moved the Lord North to have a Writ, to command the sealing the Bill of Exceptions, but was refused; and so severally fined, to the Amount of Four thousand One hundred Pounds; which they were forced to pay: And praying Leave to bring in a Bill, to reimburse the Fines out of the Estates of Sir Dudly North, Sir John More, and Sir Peter Rich, that so the Fines may be recoverable, so imbursed as aforesaid.

And Sir Peter Rich, a Member of the House, being concerned therein, and not being present in the House;

Ordered, That Sir Peter Rich have Notice to attend in his Place upon Monday Morning next.

Lord Hereford's Jointure.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Sir John Francklyn;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords have passed a Bill, intituled, An Act for enabling Edward Viscount Hereford to settle a Jointure on his Marriage with Eliz. Norborne, notwithstanding his Minority: To which they desire the Concurrence of this House.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Pritchard's Jointure.

A Petition of Tho. Pritchard, Gentleman, was read; setting forth, That his Father, in October One thousand Six hundred and Eighty-three, in Consideration of a Marriage between the Petitioner and one Eliz. Cooke, and of Seven hundred Pounds of her Portion paid, settled the Capital Messuage, called the Grange, of Lincoys, in Com. Monmouth, for Ninety-nine Years, without Impeachment of Waste; the Remainder to Trustees, to support contingent Remainders; Remainder to Eliz. for her Jointure; Remainder to the Sons of the said Eliz. and Petitioner; who is since dead, and without Issue; leaving the Petitioner uncapacitated to marry another Woman, without he may settle the Premises as a Jointure: And praying a Bill may be brought in for that Purpose.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill accordingly.

Leave of Absence.

Ordered, That Sir John Cordell have Leave to go into the Country for Three Weeks.

Mitchell Election.

Mr. Grey reports from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to whom the Matter touching the Election of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament, for the Borough of Mitchell in the County of Cornwall, was referred, the Case, as it appeared to the Committee: Which he produced in Writing; and delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same was read; and is as followeth; viz.

Upon the Petition of Humphry Courtney, Esquire, against the Return of Wm. Coryton, Esquire, to serve as a Burgess for the Borough of Mitchell, in the County of Cornwall;

That, as to the Right of Election, the Committee came to this Resolution.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That the Right of Election of Burgesses to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Mitchell, in the County of Cornwall, is in the Lords of the said Borough, who are liable to be Chosen Portreves of the same; and in the Housholders of the said Borough not receiving Alms.

That, for the Petitioner, an Indenture of Return, with Twenty-seven Names, was produced: But it was not insisted, that above Nineteen were present at the Election: And, of those that voted for the Petitioner,

Huddy, being called in as a Witness, testified, that Henry Jeffry, Rich. Start, John Philip, Rich. Swayne, Peter Staples, paid Scot and Lot: And that Emanuell Poole, John James junior, Stephen Louis, John Soper, Rich. Eustace, Rich. Cruff, Edmund Foxwell, Rich. George, Michael Bennet, Roger Nautaroe, and Lawrence Lawrance, were Housekeepers within the said Borough: But that John Philp and Lawrence Lawrence, and their Mothers, lived in the same House; but he thought their Mothers lived with them.

As to Humphry Eustace, he could not say whether he was an Housekeeper or no; but that he has not received Alms for Five or Six Years last past; and was not insisted on.

William Trendale waved, as a Servant.

John Woodhouse did not appear at the Election.

For the Sitting Members, They produced an Indenture of Return of Twenty-three Names; and called

Fredrick Vincent: Who said he lived at Mitchell: That John Philip lives with his Mother; and believes his Mother keeps House.

That he knows Peter Staples; and believes, that he is a Servant to his Aunt; and that it is his Aunt's Estate.

That Lawrence Lawrence lives with his Mother, and she relieves him.

That Richard Eustace, received Pay of the Parish Three or Four Years since, and now begs at the Door.

Richard Hellings said, That Roger Nancaro and Mich. Bennet told him, That, if they could have but Forty Shillings, they would not vote for Mr. Courtney, but give their Vote for Mr. Coryton: but that Mr. Borlace threatened to put them in Prison, if they voted for Mr. Coryton; and would forgive his Debt, if they voted for Mr. Courtny: But the said Wellings did not hear the said Borlace speak to that Effect himself.

That Francis Gulley was Portreve, and one of the Lords of the Borough.

That Fredrick Vincent paid Scot and Lot; George Pharo, John Riccard, Robert Hellings, Josias Free senior and Rich. Helling, paid Scot and Lot.

That Robert Paul, John James senior, Thomas Harvey, Samuel Delbridge, Rich. Godfrey, Samuell Grosse, Richard Swaine, Abra. Willis, Rich. Delbridge, and Fran. Poole, are Housekeepers within the Borough.

That Thom. Riccard lives with his Father.

That Josias Free junior lives with his Father.

That Rob. Helling lives with his Father; but hath a Shop.

That Leonard Wilton lives with Mr. Vincent.

That John Hicks lives with Vincent.

That Joseph Moreton lives with his Uncle; and is about Nineteen or Twenty Years of Age.

Huddy said, That Robert Paul has no Being of his own; but lives with Mr. Vincent.

That Rich. Swaine is a poor Man; and the Parish provided a Cow for him.

And that, upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to the Two further Resolutions: Which the said Mr. Grey read in his Place; and afterwards delivered them in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read; and are as followeth;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Wm. Coryton, Esquire is not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Mitchell in the County of Cornwall.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Humphrey Courtney, Esquire, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Mitchell in the County of Cornwall.

The first-mentioned Resolution being read a Second time:

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee therein.

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee, That the Right of Election of Burgesses to serve in Parliament, for the Borough of Mitchell in the County of Cornwall, is in the Lords of the said Borough, who are liable to be chosen Portreves of the same; and in the Householders of the said Borough, not receiving Alms.

The Second Resolve being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House doth agree with the Committee therein;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

The Third Resolve being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee therein;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

Ordered, That the Portreve of the Borough of Mitchell, in the County of Cornwall, do forthwith attend this House, to amend his Return of a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the said Borough.

Peterborough Writ.

Ordered, That Mr. Speaker do issue out his Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new Writ for electing a Citizen to serve in this present Parliament, for the City of Peterborough, in the room of * Fitzwilliams, Esquire, deceased.

State of the Nation.

Resolved, That the House do, upon Saturday Morning next, resolve itself into a Committee, of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the State of the Nation.

Leave for a Member to attend Lords.

Ordered, That Mr. Finch, have Leave to attend the Bar of the House of Lords, as Counsel in a Cause between Berney and Beake.