House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 8 January 1690

Mercurii, 8 die Januarii; 1° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Wortly's Children's Maintenance.

A BILL to settle Maintenances for the Children of Sidney Wortly, alias Montague, Esquire, in case of his Death, was read the Second time.

Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Edw. Montague, Sir Fra. Russell, Sir John Doyley, Sir Ch. Musgrave, Mr. Parkhurst, Mr. White, Mr. Thornhaugh, Mr. Lassells, Mr. Lampton, Mr. Wm. Thomson, Mr. Dolben, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Tho. Darcy, Mr. Manly, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Eldred, Sir Wm. Leveson Gowre, Sir Wm. Strickland, Sir Cha. Bloys, Sir Wm. Honeywood, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Buscawen, Sir Tho. Barnadiston, Mr. Edward Thomson, Mr. Niccolls, Mr. Sherrard, Mr. Moreland, Sir Jo. Moreton, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Grey, Sir Tho. Littleton, Mr. Harley, Sir Walter Moyle, Mr. Pelham, Sir John Cary, Mr. Liddall, Mr. Palmes, Sir John Guise, Mr. Laughton, and all the Members that serve for the County of Yorke: And they are to meet this Afternoon at Three of the Clock, in the Speaker's Chamber: And are impowered to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

Supply Bill; Duty on Coffee.

Mr. Hampden reports from the Committee of the whole House to whom the Bill for collecting the Duty upon Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate, at the Custom House, the several Amendments agreed upon by the Committee; together with the Clause for importing of Spices from Foreign Countries: Reading in his Place the said Amendments, with the Coherence, and the said Clause; 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.

An Amendment being proposed to be made in the Bill, by leaving out of it the Word "Shirbett;" the same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Bill so amended, and with the said Clause, be ingrossed.

Abington Election.

Mr. Grey reports from the Committee of Privileges, to whom was referred the Matter touching the Election of a Burgess of Abington in the County of Berkes, the State of the Case, as it appeared to the Committee: Which he delivered in, in Writing, at the Clerk's Table: And was there read; and is as followeth;

Upon the Petition of Sir John Stonehouse, Baronet, against the Election and Return of John Southby, Esquire, Burgess for Abington in the County of Berkes;

It appreared to the Committee, That the Poll upon the said Election was taken promiscuously.

It was agreed upon the Poll, as it was taken, there was 263 for Sir John Stonehouse (only one Harris polled twice), and 243 for the Sitting Member.

But for the Sitting Member, the Counsel insisted, That Mr. Southby had the Majority of qualified Voices: And called

Ben. Tompkins, Tho. Mather, John Jennings: Who testified, That Anth. Weston, John Imps, Wm. Fisher, Edw. Gibbs, Rich. Cholmly, Paul Higgins, Wm. Collins, John Bunce, Christopher Sturton, Tho. Hucks, Tho. Langford, Tho. Coxiter, Rich. Baker, Tho. Davis, Hen. Melling, Rob. Alt, Rob. Hopkins, Rich. Hicks, John Wakes, Tho. Stepto, John Paine, John Porter, Rob. Harris, Wm. Allen, receives weekly Bread of Bostock's Gift.

That Rob. Bransflower, Fran. and Wm. Clerke, John Price, live in Alms Houses.

That Lionel Stokes, Geo. Winchurch, John Comb, receive Money or Bread weekly.

The same Witnesses said, That Hump. Greenway, Thomas Bunce, Jeremy Paine, John Bockingdon, Tho. Fairbread, William Batt, Rich. Corderoy, Rich. Fletcher, Rich Dorr, Rich. Williams, Ralph Snow, Tho. Pratt, John Finmore, Edw. Topp, Rich. Catchside, John Rawlins, were no Housekeepers.

That Peter Stevens, Rob. Haines, Wm. Jones, Tho. Bowne, Tho. King, John Justice, John Hawes, Hen. Prior, John Sheppard, Rich. Mayott, Tho. Wilkins, were Servants, Lodgers, and no Housekeepers.

That Tho. Hartwell, Fra. Clerke, Wm. Clerke, Rob. Loder, Jos. Goodman, John Wichlow, are Foreigners, and no Inhabitants in Abington: And that Harris polled twice.

That Wm. Martyn, Fra. Gyles, John Hawkins, Tho. Euston, Jos. Smith, Wm. Trulocke, John Wilkins, Jam. Hows, Rich. Hobbs, Wm. Clerke, Anth. Wilkins, Tho. Blissett, Rich. Tomlins, Wm. Alden, Mich. Hackworth, Rob. Whitman, James Pen, Rich. White, Rich. Cole, Hum. Wise, Rich. Maunder, Ant. Claxton, Edw. Trelberry, John Hobbs, John Harris, live in Parts of Houses: But about Seven of them pay Scot and Lot.

For the Petitioner the Counsel insisted, That they would justify several of the Votes objected to by the Sitting Member; and also take off several Votes which had been given by the Sitting Member: And they called

Mich. Rawlins, John Paine, Rob. Blackallard, Tho. Sellwood, Jam. Corderoy: Who said, they could not find upon the Bread Book Edward Gibbs, Rob. Bransflower John Porter, Geo. Winchurch.

As to those that live with Parents, they said, That Hump. Greenway lives in the same House with his Father: But his Father said, His Son kept House.

That Mich. Greenway, Tho. Bunce, Jerem. Paine, Rich. Paine, Wm. Batt, John Finmore, Edw. Topp, lived with their Parents: But, as they believed, kept their Parents; or had Shops.

That Rich. Catchside and John Rawlins were Housekeepers.

As to the Head of Servants and Lodgers, That Tho. Browne, Tho. King, Wm. Brooke, Hen. Prior, and John Sheppard, were Housekeepers.

As to the Head of Foreigners, made no material Objections; only said that Loder had lived in the Town several Years.

As to the Head of Inmates, that Wm. Martyn lives in his own House.

Fran. Gyles, John Hawkins, Tho. Euson, Wm. Trulock, John Wilkins, Jam. Howes, Rich. Hobbs, Wm. Aldwyn, Nich. Hackworth, Rob. Whitman, James Pen, Hum. Wise, Edw. Treberry, John Hobbs, junior, were Housekeepers, or paid Scot and Lot for their respective Divisions of Houses.

The Counsel for the Petitioners then proceeded to make their Exceptions to several Votes for the Sitting Member.

And the same Witnesses testified, That Marke Hawkins, Wm. Hutt, Rich. Humphreys, Jos. Waite, Abra. Pye, Edm. Dickenson, Tohn Telsdale, Jos. Wright, John Reignolds, Job Garbrand, Hum. Duffeild, Peter Cox, Edm. Medlicot, Rich. Clerke, were either Servants or Lodgers.

As to Persons that received Relief, That Robert Evans, Robert Reeves, Wm. Wilkins, Isaac Fletcher, Samuel Durham, Anth. Arden, Tho. Warren, Wm. Winterbourne, John Woodward, Tho. Harris, received weekly Relief.

That Wm. Harbord, Ant. Gadbury, John Bury, John Elam, Rob. Franckland, Simon Harden, Tho. Mallard, John Chapman, Amb. Mosse, John Wibley, Fra. Williams, had been relieved by Money given at the Sacrament, which was administered Monthly.

That Rob. Harding, Rob. Styles, Toby Green, Tho. Howard, Wm. Hillyard, Wm. Harper, had received One or Two Quarters Relief from the Hospital.

That Alex. Horne, Tho. Paty, Rob. Walker, John Wells, Richard Painter, Rich. Day, Wm. Winney, Rob. Thatcher, had been relieved by yearly Gift; but it did not appear to be constant.

As to Inmates, That Tho. Holloway, John Round, Rich. Burchell, Rob. Styles, John Niccolls, Tho. Warren, are inmates: And that about Sixteen others lived in Parts of Houses; but kept a distinct Table.

These Exceptions being taken by the Petitioner;

The Sitting Member was admitted to reply: And his Counsel insisted, That they would justify most of the Votes excepted to.

And called Witnesses: Who said, Rich. Humphreys, Jos. Waite, John Reignolds, Abr. Pye, Rich. Clerke, were Housekeepers.

That John Woodward had received Relief but once from the Churchwardens.

Tomplins testified, That as to the Persons said to be relieved by the Sacrament Money, he had inquired of them: And they denied, That they or their Wives, had been relieved by the Sacrament Money before the Election.

And particularly John Wibley and Wm. Williams, being entered in the Book, as receiving Relief by Sacrament Money, were examined: Who said, That neither of them or their Wives, ever received Relief by Sacrament Money: But the Master of the Hospital affirmed the contrary.

Tomkins, Mather, and Styles, further testified, That ThoHolloway, John Round, Ri. Burchell, Rob. Styles, John Niccolls, were Housekeepers; and had distinct Families.

They also testified, That about Thirty-eight others, that voted for Sir John Stonehouse, had received occasional Relief.

Upon the whole Matter, the Committee came to Four Resolutions; Which the said Mr. Grey read in his Place; and, afterwards, delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were read; and are as follow;

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That all those who receive Alms, according to the Act of Parliament, have no Voices in the Election of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Abington.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That those Inhabitants who receive any constant Alms, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, in Abington, have no Voices in the Election of a Burgess, to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Abington.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That John Southby, Esquire, is not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Abington.

Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Committee, That Sir John Stonehouse, Baronet, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Abington.

The First of the said Resolves being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee, That all those who receive Alms, according to the Act of Parliament, have no Voices in the Election of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Abington.

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

An Amendment was proposed to be made therein, by leaving out the Words "Quarterly or Yearly:"

And the Question being put, That the same be left out accordingly;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Then the Question being put, That the House do agree with the Committee in the said Resolve, That those Inhabitants who receive any constant Alms, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, in Abington, have no Voices in the Election of a Burgess to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Abington;

It was resolved in the Affirmative.

The Third of the said Resolves being read a Second time;

And the Question being put, That the House doth agree with the said Resolve, That John Southby, Esquire, is not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Abington;

The House divided.

The Noes go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.

The Fourth of the said Resolves being read a Second time;

Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Committee, That Sir John Stonchouse, Baronet, is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Abington;

Ordered, That the Clerk of the Crown do attend Tomorrow Morning, to amend the Return of Burgesses to serve in Parliament for the Borough of Abington.

Supply Bill; Land Tax.

A Bill for an additional Tax of Twelve Pence in the Pound for One Year, was read the First time.

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

Hastings Election.

Ordered, That the Report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the Election of Burgesses to serve in this present Parliament for the Port of Hastings, be made on Saturday Morning next.

Stockbridge Election.

A Petition of the Bailiffs and Constables of the Borough of Stockbridge, in the County of Southampton; thereby setting forth, That Wm. Stroud, Esquire, having heretofore, and now, stood for Burgess for that Borough, did employ divers Persons to threaten some Men, that unless they would give their Votes for him, it would cost them Two hundred Pounds, or undo them; and that he would indict others in the Crown Office for Crimes past, for which they have already suffered the Censure of this honourable House; and particularly the Bailiff, the Day before this last Election (though for doing nothing but his Duty,) telling him, That he and others must all to London again: And forasmuch as such Threats do tend to induce Persons to vote contrary to their Inclinations, and that it will be to the Undoing of such as shall be again sent up for to London, and praying, That before any Petition be received against the Petitioners from Mr. Strowd, or that they be put to any Charge touching the same, that Mr. Stroude may be obliged, if he fails in the Allegations he makes, and the Townsmen prove themselves innocent of what they shall be accused of) may pay all such Charges, as they, by his Means shall be put to; and that he may be obliged to use no such Threats or Menaces for the future.

Ordered, That the said Petition be rejected.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be revived; and do sit this Afternoon.

Stockbridge Election.

A Petition of divers Burgesses and Inhabitants of the Borough of Stockbridge in the County of Southampton was read; thereby setting forth, That the said Town is a Borough by Prescription; and that, upon their Petition against Mr. Montague's Return, and the Irregularities committed there at the said Election, was, by the House, declared void, and Mr. Montague to be uncapable to stand as a Member: Upon which, Twenty-eighth December last was the Day appointed for the Election of another Member in his stead; when Wm. Strowd, Esquire, was duly chosen by the Majority of the legal Electors: But, notwithstanding, Thomas Neale, Esquire, by indirect Practices with one Hall and Gatehouse, have prevailed upon Rich. Hewes, the Bailiff, to make an undue Return of the said Mr. Neale, (though not legally chosen), to the Prejudice of the Petitioners: And praying the Consideration of the House in the Premises; and to have Relief therein.

Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same, with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Cane Chairs, &c.

Ordered, That Mr. Phil. Foley, Mr. Buller, Mr. Harley, Mr. Tho. Foley, Mr. Arnold, Mr. Harvy, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Bull, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Brodrip, be added to the Committee to whom the Bill for preventing the making of Cane Chairs, Couches, and Squabs, is referred.

East India Company.

Ordered, That Mr. Freke, Mr. Buckland, Sir Chris. Musgrave, Mr. Fox, Mr. Buckly, be added to the Committee touching the East India Company's Affairs.