House of Commons Journal Volume 10: 13 May 1690

Martis, 13 die Maii; 2° Gulielmi et Mariæ.

PRAYERS.

Preventing Fire at Marlebrough.

A BILL for preventing Dangers by Fire, from Houses covered with Thatch, in the Town of Marlebrough, was read the First time.

Resolved, That the Bill be read a Second time.

Woollen Manufacture.

Ordered, That Leave be given to bring in a Bill for the Increase of the Woollen Manufacture of this Kingdom, and setting the Poor on Work: And it is recommended to Sir Tho. Clarges to prepare and bring in the Bill.

Importing Thrown Silk.

An ingrossed Bill for discouraging the Importation of Thrown Silk, was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title thereof be, An Act for the discouraging the Importation of Thrown Silk.

Ordered, That Mr. Bickerstaffe do carry the said Bill to the Lords; and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Hudson's Bay Company.

A Petition of several Merchants trading to New York and New England, was read; setting forth, That the Petitioners are not without Hopes, that Canida, by the Assistance of the Government in the aforesaid Colonies, may be again reduced to the Obedience of this Crown; but that they are much discouraged by the Bill before this House, for establishing a boundless Charter with sovereign Power, granted to the Hudson's Bay Company by King Charles the Second, upon false Suggestions; which, if confirmed by Act of Parliament, may prove very destructive to the Trade of England, and the said Colonies: And praying to be heard by their Counsel against the said Bill, before the same doth pass.

Resolved, That the said Petition be rejected.

Ditto.

An ingrossed Bill for the confirming to the Governor and Company trading to Hudson's Bay their Privileges and Trade, was read the Third time.

An ingrossed Proviso was offered as a Rider, to be added to the Bill, for the Bill to continue for and no longer: Which Proviso was twice read.

And the Question being put, That the Blank be filled up with these Words, "Seven Years; and from thence to the End of the next Session of Parliament;"

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the said Blank be filled up with these Words, "Fourteen Years; and from thence to the End of the next Session of Parliament."

And the same was filled up at the Table accordingly; and read the Third time.

Resolved, That the said Clause be made Part of the Bill.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And that the Title thereof be, An Act for confirming to the Governor and Company trading to Hudson's Bay, their Privileges and Trade.

Ordered, That Sir Robert Napier do carry the said Bill to the Lords, and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Bills confirming Letters Patents.

Ordered, That, when any Bill shall be brought into this House for confirming of Letters Patents, there be a true Copy of such Letters Patents annexed to the Bill: And that this be declared a Standing Order of this House for the future.

Conference touching Queen's Regency Bill.

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cooke and Doctor Edisbury;

Mr. Speaker, The Lords desire a present Conference with this House, in the Painted Chamber, upon the Amendments to the Bill for the Exercise of the Government by her Majesty, during his Majesty's Absence.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Resolved, That this House doth agree to meet the Lords at a Conference, as is desired.

And the Messengers were called in: And Mr. Speaker acquainted them therewith.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Lee, Mr. Finch, Master of the Rolls, Sir Ro. Sawyer, Sir Tho. Littleton, Sir John Guise, Sir Jos. Tredenham, Sir Edw. Seymour, Sir Jos. Williamson, Sir Hen. Goodrick, Sir Tho. Clarges, Sir Hen. Capell, Sir Christopher Musgrave, Sir Wm. Poultney, Mr. Harcourt, do manage the said Conference.

And the Managers went to the Conference accordingly: And being returned;

The Master of the Rolls reports, That the Persons appointed had attended the Conference: And that the Duke of Bolton, and Earl of Rochester, managed on Behalf of the Lords; and acquainted them, That the Lords do agree to the Amendments in Paper, made by this House to the Bill for the Exercise of the Government by her Majesty, during his Majesty's Absence; and also to the Proviso B.

And that they do agree to Proviso A, with the Amendment following; viz.

Proviso A, Line 8, after "whatsoever," add "but that all and every such Act and Acts shall be as good and effectual, as if his Majesty was within this Realm; and shall not be contradicted or controlled but by his Majesty only."

And that the Lords thought fit to make this Addition to the Proviso A, for this Reason; viz.

Because it is explanatory of the Amendment offered by this House; that there may be no Doubt but the full Power doth still remain in the King.

Which Amendment, being delivered in at the Clerk's Table, was, upon the Question severally put, thrice read; and agreed unto by the House.

Ordered, That the Master of the Rolls do go to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the said Amendment.

Privilege.

The House being informed, that Wm. Purcell, an Attorney, had sued a Writ out of the King's Bench against a Servant of the Lord Ranelagh's, a Member of this House; which Servant was arrested by one Wm. Comins, a Bailiff, and was detained in Custody, notwithstanding his Lordship had sent to acquaint them, that the Person so arrested, was his Servant; in Breach of the Privilege of this House;

Ordered, That the said Wm. Purcell, and Wm. Cummins, be sent for in Custody of the Serjeant at Arms attending this House, for such their Breach of the Privileges of this House.

Paper Manufacture.

An ingrossed Bill for the encouraging the better establishing the Manufacture of White Paper in this Kingdom, was read the Third time.

An ingrossed Proviso was offered, as a Rider, to be made Part of the Bill, That this Act should not be construed to restrain Edward Spicer and Jeremiah Francis, of Wicomb and Woeburne in the County of Bucks, Tenants to Sir Orlando Gee, or any his succeeding Tenants of his Two Mills, called Hedge Mill, and Low Water Mill; from exercising their ancient Art of making White Printing, or other Sorts of Paper they were wont formerly to make; and to vend and dispose of the same.

And the Question being put, That the said Proviso be read;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

Another ingrossed Proviso was offered, as a Rider, to be made Part of the Bill, to oblige the Company of White Paper Makers to take a Lease of Sir Orlando Gee of his Mills, at the present Rent: Which was once read; and withdrawn.

Another ingrossed Proviso was offered, as a Rider, to be made Part of the Bill, That the Company shall not grant any Licence to any Person, other than such as are engaged in the Joint Stock, to make or vend any White Writing, or Printing Paper, during the Term in the Act limited, for any Reward or Sum of Money whatsoever: Which Proviso was once read.

And, the Question being put, That the same be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

Another ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider, to be made Part of the Bill, That, whereas the Stock of the said Corporation, in December 1689, is alledged to consist of Four hundred Shares, at Fifty Pounds per Share, it is Enacted, That the said Stock shall be valued by Four indifferent Persons, that all Persons of the Company may be upon an equal Bottom in the said Stock, according to their respective Shares: Which was once read.

And the Question being put, That the same be read a Second time.

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass: And, that the Title thereof be, An Act for the encouraging and better establishing the Manufacture of White Paper in this Kingdom.

Ordered, That Sir Tho. Littleton do carry the said Bill to the Lords; and desire their Concurrence thereunto.

Adjournment.

Then the Question being put, That the House do now adjourn:

It passed in the Negative.

Peace of the Kingdom.

Resolved, That this House will, To-morrow Morning at Ten of the Clock, resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to consider of Ways and Means to preserve the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom, in the Absence of the King.

Committees.

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

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