House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 31 March 1690

Lunæ, 31 die Martii 2° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

Prayers.

Coventrye's Estate.

ORDERED, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill to supply a Defect in an Act of the last Parliament, made for the Sale of the House late Mr. Secretary Coventrye's in the Hay Market.

African Company.

A Petition of the Royal Affrican Company of England, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners, by their great Charge for many Years past, have preserved to this Nation the Trade in Affrica, from the Port of Sally to Cape de Bona Esperanza, under Letters Patents from the late King Charles the Second: But, Disputes arising relating to the Powers given to the Petitioners thereby; whereby they are disturbed in their Trade, and must quit the same, unless those Disturbances are removed; and praying Leave to offer a Bill for the better securing to them the said Trade.

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

New Romney Election.

A Petition of Sir Wm. Twisden, Baronet, was read; thereby setting forth, That the Petitioner, and John Brewer, Esquire, were duly elected for the Port of New Romney in the County of Kent: Yet, notwithstanding, Peter Lancaster, Esquire, Mayor of the said Port, hath returned Sir Cha. Sidley, though not duly elected, in Prejudice to the Petitioner: And praying the Consideration and Relief of the House in the Premises.

Ordered, That the Consideration of the said Petition be referred to the Committee of Privileges and Elections: Who are to examine the Matter thereof; and report the same with their Opinions therein, to the House.

Banbury Election.

A Petition of Nathanaell Wheatly, and others, in Behalf of themselves, and others, the Freemen and Burgesses of the Borough and Parish of Banbury, was read; setting forth, That, the Twenty-fourth of February last, the Mayor gave Notice of the Election: At which time the Petitioners, to the Number of One hundred and Forty, did give their Votes for John Hawles, Esquire: But the Mayor refused to admit them; whereupon they demanded a Poll, but was denied it: That then they executed an Indenture of Return of the said John Hawles; but the Mayor refused to accept of it, but made a Return of Sir Robert Dashwood under the Common Seal, though elected but by Ten of the Aldermen, and Capital Burgesses; to the great Wrong of the Petitioners, and the Freemen of the said Borough: And praying the Redress of the House in the Premises; and that the Indenture, so returned by the Mayor, may be taken off from the Precept, and the Indenture executed by the Petitioners affixed thereto.

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

Selling Offices.

A Bill for the more effectual Provision against Buying and Selling of Offices, was presented to the House, and received; and laid upon the Table.

Duke of Buckingham's Estate.

A Bill for the better enabling the Trustees of the late Duke of Buckingham to sell several Lands and Tenements, settled on them for Payment of his Debts, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Paper Manufacture.

A Bill for the encouraging and better establishing the Manufacture of White Paper in this Kingdom, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Members Protections.

Ordered, That all Protections and written Certificates of the Members of this House be declared void in Law; and be forthwith withdrawn, and called in; and that none be granted for the future: And that, if any shall be granted by any Member, such Member shall be liable to the Censure of this House: And that the Privilege of Members for their menial Servants be observed according to Law: And that if any menial Servant shall be arrested, and detained, contrary to Privilege, he shall, upon Complaint thereof made unto the Speaker, be discharged by Order from him.

Ordered, That this be declared to be the standing Order of the House.

Ordered, That this Order be published, by setting up the same in the Lobby at the House Door, at Westminster Hall Gate, at the several Courts in Westminster Hall, and at the Inns of Courts and Inns of Chancery, and at the Royal Exchange: And that the Knights of the Shires do send Copies thereof to the Sheriffs of their respective Counties; and the Burgesses to their several Boroughs.

Wolstenholme's Estate.

A Bill to enable John Wolstenholme, Esquire, to sell Lands to pay Debts, was presented to the House; and received; and laid upon the Table.

Aulnage Duty.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for collecting the Duty of Aulnage at the Custom-house.

Supply.

Then the House resolved into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Supply to be given to their Majesties.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer reports from the Committee of the whole House, That the Committee had not as yet come to any particular Resolution; and had directed him to move the House, That the Committee may sit again To-morrow Morning.

Resolved, That the House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed in the further Consideration of the Supply to be given to their Majesties; and nothing to intervene.

Committees.

Ordered, That all Committees be adjourned.

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